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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/75984-0.txt b/75984-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9f4702c --- /dev/null +++ b/75984-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,18769 @@ + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75984 *** + + + + + + THE + HISTORY + OF THE + RISE, PROGRESS, AND ESTABLISHMENT + OF THE + INDEPENDENCE + OF THE + United States of America: + INCLUDING + AN ACCOUNT OF THE LATE WAR, + AND OF THE + THIRTEEN COLONIES, + FROM THEIR ORIGIN TO THAT PERIOD. + + + BY WILLIAM GORDON, _D. D._ + + _Quid verum *** curo, et rogo et omnis in hoc sum._ + HORAT. I Ep. I Lib. + + THE THIRD AMERICAN EDITION. + + VOL. I. + + _NEW-YORK_: + PRINTED FOR SAMUEL CAMPBELL, NO. 124, PEARL-STREET, + BY JOHN WOODS. + M.DCCC.I + + + + + PREFACE. + + +History has been stiled, “The evidence of time—The light of truth—The +school of virtue—The depository of events.” It is culculated for the +purposes of showing the principles on which states and empires have +risen to power, and errors by which they have fallen into decay, or been +totally dissolved: and of pointing out the fatal effects of intestine +divisions and civil wars, whether arising from the ambition, weakness, +or inattention of princes; or from the mercenary disposition pride, and +false policy of ministers and statesmen; or from mistaken ideas, and the +abuse of government and liberty. It should oblige all, who have +performed any distinguished part on the theatre of the world, to appear +before us in their proper character; and to render an account of their +actions at the tribunal of posterity, as models which ought to be +followed, or as examples to be censured and avoided. + +The instructions that events afford, are the soul of history, which +doubtless ought to be a true relation of real facts during the period it +respects. An essential requisite in an historian is the knowledge of the +truth; and, as in order to perfection, he ought to be superior to every +temptation to disguise it: Some have said, that “he should have neither +country, nor particular religion.” The compiler of the present history +can assure the public, that he has paid a sacred regard to truth, +conscious of his being answerable to a more awful tribunal than that of +the public; and has labored to divest himself of all undue attachment to +every person, country, religious name or profession: whenever the reader +is inclined to pronounce him partial, let him recollect that he also is +subject to the like human frailty. A regard to truth has often +restrained him from the use of strong and florid expressions, that he +might not impose upon the reader a pleasing delusion, and lead him into +false conceptions of the events undertaken to be related. + +The following work is not confined to the contest between Great-Britain +and the United States of America, but includes all the other parts of +the war which originated from that contest. + +In the beginning of the first letter, the reader is acquainted with the +reasons that produced an historacal account of the first settlers in the +Thirteen Colonies, and of their successors, down to the close of 1771. +The insertion of what followed to the commencement of hostilities, was +necessary for the connecting of the two periods. + +The form of letters, instead of chapters, is not altogether imaginary, +as the author, from his arrival in America in 1770, maintained a +correspondence with gentlemen in London, Rotterdam and Paris, answering +in general to the prefixed dates. + +He apprehended, that by keeping to such form, and making the narrative +agree with the moment to which it related, and by introducing the +various insertions necessary for the authenticating of facts, a present +ideal existence of past events might be produced in the mind, similar to +what is felt when a well executed historical painting is examined. The +better to secure this point, several parts are written in the present +tense. If the author has failed in the execution, it is hoped that the +candid reader will admit of the good intention as an apology. + +He has kept, as far as he could, to a chronological order. This has +necessarily interrupted the narrative of particular parts; which, though +a disappointment to some, may prevent the tediousness that might +otherwise have been felt by persons of a different taste. It may at +least serve to prevent or correct the too frequent mistakes of ascribing +prior events, partly or wholly to subsequent facts. The author regrets +his not having given every European letter the immediate resemblance of +being written to him by a correspondent. He flatters himself, that he +has in some measure compensated for that and other defects, by the +general contents of every letter in each volume, prefixed to the same; +by a copious index to the whole at the end of the last; and by a set of +maps, about which neither care nor expence has been spared to render +them valuable. + +Struck with the importance of the scenes that were opening upon the +world, in the beginning of 1776, he formed an early design of compiling +their history, which he made known to the late commander in chief of the +American army; and meeting with the desired encouragement from him, he +applied himself to the procuring of the best materials, whether oral, +written, or printed. Oral communications were minuted down while fresh +in the memory; the written were directed immediately to himself in many +instances, in others only imparted: the productions of the European +press could not be received with any regularity or certainty during the +war, but were improved as they could be obtained. + +The United States, in congress assembled, favored him with an inspection +of such of their records as could with propriety be submitted to the +perusal of a private person; and he was indulged by the late generals +Washington, Gates, Greene, Lincoln, and Otho Williams, with a liberal +examination of their papers, both of a public and more private nature. + +He had the opportunity of acquainting himself with the records of the +first settlers in New-England; and examined those of the Massachusetts +Bay, from their formation as a company to the close of the war, +contained in near thirty folio manuscript volumes. + +Dr. Ramsay’s History of the War in Carolina, was communicated to him +while in manuscript; and liberty was granted to make full use of it; the +present opportunity is embraced for acknowledging the benefit received +from it, and for returning grateful thanks to the Doctor. The Americans +remarked, that Dodsley’s Annual Register contained the best foreign +printed summary account of affairs: But it was not possible for writers +on this side the Atlantic to avoid mistakes. That Register and other +publications, have been of service to the compiler of the present work, +who has frequently quoted from them, without varying the language, +except for method and conciseness. He gathered from every source of +intelligence in his power, while at the place of his residence near +Boston; and since his return to his native country, in 1786, has +improved the advantage arising from it. + +The accounts here given of American affairs, are so different in several +respects from what have been the conceptions of many on each side the +Atlantic, that it was necessary to insert a variety of letters, papers, +and anecdotes, to authenticate the narrative. The publication of these, +it is presumed, will obtain credit for such parts as could not with +propriety be supported by the introduction of similar proofs. + +To write a history worthy the approbation of his friends, and (as far as +his power extended) of the present age, and of posterity; and to +convince mankind, that TRUTH _was his care, his search, and what his +soul was engaged in_, have been the great objects of + + THE AUTHOR. + +_London, Oct. 28, 1788._ + + + + + THE GENERAL CONTENTS + OF THE SEVERAL LETTERS IN VOL. I. + + + LETTER I. P. 13–72. + +The rise of the Puritans and Brownists, p. 14. The Brownists flee to +Holland; remove to America; settle at New-Plymouth; and adopt the +congregational mode of church government, p. 17. The Puritans purchase +and settle the Massachusetts Bay, p. 22. Connecticut and New-Haven +colonies settled, p, 32. The settling of Providence and Rhode-Island +colony, p. 35. New-Hampshire and the Main settled, p. 36. New-York, p. +40. New-Jersey, p. 41. Virginia, p. 45. Maryland, p. 53. Carolina, p. +55. Pennsylvania and Delaware counties, p. 63. Georgia, p. 70. + + + LETTER II. P. 72–104. + +The New-York and Massachusetts settlements on the subject of taxation, +p. 72. Parliamentary acts respecting the colonies, p. 75. The latter +co-operate with the mother country, p. 77. The expedition against +Louisburgh, in 1745, p. 81. The Ohio company, in 1749, p. 86. +Hostilities commence in 1754, p. 89. The plan of the Albany congress for +uniting all the colonies, p. 90. The ministerial plan, and Dr. +Franklin’s objections to it, p. 91. General Braddock’s defeat, p. 95. +Lord Loudon and the Massachusetts general court, p. 96. The exertions of +the Massachusetts in the common cause, p. 97. Governor Bernard, p. 98. +Mr. James Otis, p. 100. The Massachusetts people jealous of ministerial +designs against their liberties, p. 101. + + + LETTER III. P. 105–140. + +The Massachusetts assembly declare against parliamentary taxation, p. +105. Appoint a committee to correspond with the several assemblies on +the continent, p. 108. The stamp act, p. 111. It occasions a general +discontent in the Massachusetts, p. 117. The Virginia resolves +respecting it, p. 118. A congress meet at New-York, in 1765, p. 120. +Riots at Boston and elsewhere on account of the stamp act, p. 121. +Associations against its operation, p. 123. The stamp act repealed, p. +128. + + + LETTER IV. P. 140–204. + +Mr. Samuel Adams chosen a member for Boston, p. 140—as also Mr. John +Hancock, p. 142. Compensation made to the sufferers in the time of the +riots, p. 144. The proceedings of the Massachusetts and New-Yorka +assemblies, p. 145. Mr. Charles Townsend’s bills for taxing the colonies +afresh, p. 146. The New-York legislative power suspended, p. 147. A +board of commissioners established in America, _ibid._ Non-importation +renewed, p. 148–162. The New-England spirit of patriotism approved of at +Philadelphia, p. 149. The Massachusetts assembly agree upon a circular +letter to the rest of the assemblies, p. 151. The new assembly required +to rescind the resolution which gave rise to it, p. 154—refuse, and are +dissolved, p. 155. Mr. Hancock’s sloop Liberty seized, p. 156. Troops +ordered to Boston, p. 161. A convention is called, and meets at Boston, +p. 165. Troops land in the town, p. 166. The letters of the Philadelphia +merchants to the committee at London, p. 168–178. The parliamentary +resolutions against the Massachusetts proceedings, p. 170. The counter +resolves of Virginia and Massachusetts, p. 171–174. Governor Bernard +recalled, p. 182. Goods re-shipped from Boston, p. 185. The act for +repealing the duties on glass, paper, and colours, p. 186. The soldiers +at Boston fire upon the inhabitants, on March 5, 1770, p. 190. Captain +Preston and the soldiers are tried, p. 193. Mr. M‘Dougall, of New-York, +committed to jail for publishing an address to the inhabitants, p. 199. +Massachusetts assembly and lieutenant-governor Hutchinson, p. 201. + + + LETTER V. P. 205–213. + +Governor Hutchinson and the Massachusetts general court, p. 205. The +Gaspee schooner burnt, p. 206. Mr. James Warren proposes committees of +correspondence through the Massachusetts, p. 207. Governor Hutchinson, +in his speech to the general court, introduces the subject of the +supremacy of parliament, p. 212. + + + LETTER VI. P. 214–215. + +An act for the better securing of his majesty’s dock-yards, ships, &c. +p. 214. The East-India Company empowered to export their own teas, p. +215. + + + LETTER VII. P. 215–229. + +The Virginia burgesses resolve to maintain an intercourse with the +sister colonies, p. 216. A number of letters transmitted by Dr. +Franklin, are communicated to the Massachusetts assembly, p. 217. The +measures pursued by the colonies to prevent the introduction of the tea +sent by the East-India Company, p. 218. The proceedings at Boston +relative thereto, p. 220. The tea is thrown into the water, p. 224. The +conduct of the Massachusetts assembly respecting the judges receiving +their support from the crown, p. 227. The sentiments of the professed +patriots in the Massachusetts, p. 228. + + + LETTER VIII. P. 229–236. + +A duel occasioned by the letters sent over by Dr. Franklin, p. 229. The +Massachusetts petition for the removal of the governor, dismissed, p. +230. The Boston port-bill, p. 231. The bill for regulating the +government of the Massachusetts, p. 232—for the impartial administration +of justice, _ibid._—for the government of the province of Quebec, p. +235. + + + LETTER IX. P. 237–257. + +Governor Gage arrives at Boston, p. 237. The measures pursued relative +to the Boston port-bill, p. 238. The Massachusetts assembly appoint a +committee to attend a general congress, p. 241. The measure is adopted +by other colonies, p. 242. Boston considered as suffering in the common +cause, p. 245. Observations on the port-bill, p. 246. General Gage +alarmed, p. 248. The Massachusetts people prepare to defend their rights +with the sword, p. 249. The courts of judicature suspended, p. 253. Gage +fortifies the entrance into Boston, p. 254—seizes a quantity of powder, +_ibid._ An assembly of delegates form the towns in Suffolk, of which +Boston is the county town, p. 255. + + + LETTER X. P. 258–279. + +The general congress meet at Philadelphia, p. 258—write to Gen. Gage, p. +259—make a declaration of rights, _ibid._—enter into a non-importation, +non-consumption, and non-exportation agreement, p. 261—address the +people of Great-Britain, p. 262—their memorial to the inhabitants of +British America, p. 263, address the king, p. 264—the Canadians, p. 266. +Messrs. Galloway and Duane on the side of ministry, p. 267. +Massachusetts provincial congress form and adopt measures for the +defence of the colony, p. 263. Proceedings in Pennsylvania, +Rhode-Island, New-Hampshire, Virginia, Maryland, & South-Carolina, p. +275. The state of the Massachusetts colony, p. 278. + + + LETTER XI. P. 279–304. + +The parliament dissolved, p. 279. His majesty’s speech to the succeeding +new one, p. 280. Transcript from Mr. Quincy’s journal, p. 282. Lord +Chatham’s speech, Jan. 30, 1775, p. 286—Lord Camden’s, p. 290. The +petition of the house of commons in favour of the colonist neglected, p. +293. Lord North proposes a joint address from both houses to the king, +p. 296—It occasions great debates, p. 297—is protested against, p. 300. +North’s conciliatory motion, p. 301. Opposition to the bill for +restraining the New-England provinces from fishing on the banks of +Newfoundland, p. 302. The Americans insulted by several in both houses +of parliament, p. 303. + + + LETTER XII. P. 304–319. + +The Massachusetts congress meet, p. 305. General Gage sends troops to +Salem, _ibid._ A battle between the whigs and tories at New-York, March +5, 1775, p. 307. The precautions of the Massachusetts people to supply +themselves with military articles, and to prevent a surprise, _ibid._ +Gage sends troops to Concord, p. 310—they fire upon the militia at +Lexington, _ibid._ The country rises, p. 311. A reinforcement of British +sent from Boston, p. 312. The origin of the term Yankee, _ibid._ The +royal troops obliged to retreat to Bunker’s-hill in Charlestown +peninsula, p. 314—cross over to Boston, _ibid._—which is invested by the +provincials on every side by land, p. 315. Gage agrees with the +committee of the town, p. 316. Dr. Warren’s letter to him, p. 317. The +provincials no wise prepared for a military contest with Great-Britain, +p. 318. + + + LETTER XIII. P. 319–326. + +The fishery restraining bill, and the bill for restraining the commerce +of the colonies, p. 319. Petitions against the coercive acts, and +counter petitions, p. 321. The city of London approaches the throne with +an address, remonstrance, and petition, in favour of the Americans, p. +322. The earl of Effingham resigns his regiment, p. 323. Generals Howe, +Clinton, and Burgoyne, sail for Boston in the Cerberus, p. 324. The news +of the Lexington engagement reaches London, p. 326. + + + LETTER XIV. P. 327–387. + +The North-Carolina general assembly meet, p. 327. The effects of the +Lexington engagement, p. 328. The expedition against Tyconderoga, p. +332. The proceedings of the Massachusetts congress, p. 336. Transactions +in and about Boston, p. 341. Governor Hutchinson’s letter books +discovered, p. 344. The acts of the general congress, p. 346. George +Washington, esq. elected commander in chief of the continental forces, +p. 347. The battle at Breed’s-hill, erroneously called Bunker’s hill, p. +350. A speech of the Oneida Indians, p. 360. An answer of the +Stockbridge Indians, p. 361. The reply of the Massachusetts congress, p. +362. The acts of the general congress, p. 363. General Washington’s +arrival at the American camp, and the affairs of the army, p. 365. The +acts of the general congress to the time of their adjourning, p. 369. +Georgia accedes to the union, p. 373. The proceedings of the +South-Carolinians, p. 376—of the North-Carolinians, p. 378—of the +Virginians, p. 380—of the Maryland convention, p. 383. The affairs of +Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, New-York, and other places, p. 384. + + + LETTER XV. P. 387–431. + +The Thirteen United Colonies, p. 387. The proceedings of the +South-Carolinians, p. 388. The nature of the opposition to popular +measures in their colony, p. 389. They send troops into the settlements +of the royalists, p. 392. The measures taken by the North-Carolinians, +p. 393—by the Virginians, p. 394—in regard to Lord Dunmore, p. 395—his +lordship disappointed at Norfolk, _ibid._—in his expectation of being +joined by a considerable force under Connelly, p. 397. The orders of the +Pennsylvania assembly to their delegates in congress, p. 398. The +sentiments of the Jersey assembly, _ibid._ The Asia man of war fires +upon New-York, p. 399. Governor Tryon’s influence alarms congress, p. +400. Letters between Generals Washington and Gage, p. 404. Colonel +Arnold’s expedition into Canada, p. 406. Dr. Churche’s correspondence +with a British officer discovered, p. 410. Falmouth destroyed, p. 412. +The old south meeting-house in Boston turned into a horse riding school, +p. 413. The Massachusetts assembly resolve to fit out armed vessels, p. +416. The steps taken to introduce independency, p. 419. Acts of +congress, p. 422. General Montgomery is sent to Canada, p. 424—appears +before Quebec, p. 430. + + + + + THE + + RISE, PROGRESS, AND CONCLUSION + + OF THE + + NORTH AMERICAN REVOLUTION. + + + + + LETTER I. + + + _Roxbury, December 28, 1771._ + + MY GOOD SIR, + +To your properly understanding the nature and origin of the uneasiness +that has so strongly agitated the colonies of late years, and still +exists, though now somewhat abated; and which has been occasioned by +parliamentary taxation and the modern measures of government; you must +be acquainted with the sentiments and history of the first settlers, no +less than of their descendants and successors. + +Several of the most zealous and eminent protestants, in the reign of +_Edward_ the VIth, opposed the popish ceremonies and habits, though +otherwise united to their brethren in religious tenets. The opposition +became more general and determined, after hundreds of them fled to, and +resided in foreign parts, in order to escape the _Marian_ persecutions. +There the sentiments of numbers, through their intercourse with +protestants of other nations, were much changed and improved; and they +were more than ever desirous of proceeding further in the reformation, +than was directed by the service-book of king _Edward_. + +Upon the accession of _Elizabeth_, the refugees returned to _England_, +[1558.] loaded with experience and learning, but in the utmost distress +and poverty. Those of the clergy, who could comply with the queen’s +establishment, were quickly preferred. The rest, after being admitted to +preach a while, were suspended, and reduced to former indigence. Several +were offered bishopricks, but declined the tender, on account of the +garments, ceremonies, &c. while the necessity of the times and the +flattering hope of obtaining hereafter an amendment in the constitution +of the church, induced others to accept preferments, though with +trembling. + +The queen affected much pomp in religion; was fond of the old popish +ceremonies, in which she had been educated; and thought her brother, +king _Edward_, had gone too far in demolishing ornaments. + +The clergy and laity, who sought after greater ecclesiastic purity, in +vain struggled hard for the abolishment of popish ceremonies and habits; +or, at least, leaving the use of them, in divine service, indifferent. +They obtained nothing but the honorable nick-name of PURITANS. The queen +proved an inflexible bigot, and would be obeyed, or punish. The +parliament, in their first session, had very injudiciously passed the +two acts of supremacy and uniformity, without guarding them properly; +and by a clause in the latter, delivered up to the crown, all +ecclesiastic jurisdiction. Men of solid learning and piety, of sober +lives, popular preachers, professed enemies to popery and superstition, +and of the same faith in point of doctrine, with the conformists, were +suspended, deprived, imprisoned and ruined, for not complying with the +use of those garments and ceremonies, which their opponents acknowledged +to be indifferent in themselves; while the sufferers adjudged such +compliance sinful, from their having been abused to idolatry, and +serving as marks and badges of that religion they had renounced. + +All the puritans of these times were desirous of remaining in the +church, might they be indulged as to the habits and a few ceremonies, +though they were far from being satisfied with the hierarchy, and had +other objections beside those for which they had been deprived. Instead +of indulgence, their grievances were multiplied, and the penal laws were +rigorously executed. However, the body of the conforming clergy being +extremely illiterate and ignorant, the deprived ministers were employed +as curates or lecturers; and received for their services, a small +consideration from the incumbent, together with the voluntary +contribution of the parish. By their warm and affectionate preaching, +and eminent faithfulness, they gained the hearts of the common people, +who were the more attached to them, the more cruelty was exercised upon +them; and who had the utmost aversion to the popish garments, as their +hatred to popery increased. The preachers appealed to the scriptures. +Their hearers searched them carefully; obtained more and clearer +discoveries of the popish superstitions; grew in their abhorrence of +them; venerated the divine institutions; and longed to have the worship +of the church rendered more pure and primitive. The popularity of the +deprived ministers drew numbers from neighboring parishes. _Puritanism_ +spread and gained ground by being persecuted. Its growth was the +greatest grief to the queen and archbishop Whitgift. But neither the +supreme head of the church, nor the primate of all _England_, had policy +or christianity enough to apply the proper remedy, in granting _liberty +of conscience_. Instead of that, new acts were passed, and greater +severities practised. Such inhuman proceedings against protestants of +good moral characters, did not pass unnoticed. They were the subjects of +conversation. The right of acting thus toward fellow creatures, and its +non-agreement with the mild and benevolent principles of christianity, +were freely canvassed. The supreme head and chief dignitaries of the +_English_ church being such intolerable persecutors, it became a +question, “Is she any longer a _true church_ of Christ, and are her +ministers _true_ ministers.” + +At length one _Robert Brown_, descended from an ancient and honorable +family, and nearly related to lord treasurer _Cecil_, a fiery zealot, +travelled through the country [1586] a second time, holding forth, +wherever he went, against _bishops_, _ecclesiastic courts_, _ordaining +of ministers_, &c. and gathered a _separate_ congregation. The parties +held, that the _church of_ ENGLAND was not a _true_ church; that her +ministers were not _rightly_ ordained; that her discipline was _popish_ +and _anti-christian_; and that all her ordinances and sacraments were +_invalid_. Therefore they would not join with her members in _any part_ +of public worship. They not only renounced communion with the _church +of_ ENGLAND, but with _all_ other reformed churches, except they were of +their own model. + +These _separatists_ were called _Brownists_, which was long afterward +the common name for all that separated _totally_ from the church of +_England_, even when they disowned the rigid principles of _Brown_ and +his congregation. We must carefully distinguish the _Brownists_ from the +_Puritans_. Most of the latter were for keeping within the pale of the +church, apprehending it to be a _true_ church in its _doctrines_ and +_sacraments_, though defective in _discipline_ and corrupt in +_ceremonies_. They thought it _unlawful_ to separate; submitted to +suspensions and deprivations; when driven out of one diocese, took +sanctuary in another, being afraid of incurring the guilt of _schism_; +and were the chief writers against the _Brownists_. + +[1593] A fresh effort was made to crush the _non-conformists_. A most +obnoxious act was passed, for punishing all who refused to come to +church, and every one who persuaded others to oppose the queen’s +authority in ecclesiastic causes, or was present at any conventicle or +meeting. The punishment was imprisonment without bail, till the +convicted agreed to conform, and make a declaration of his conformity. +In case the offender did not sign the declaration within three months, +he was _to abjure the realm, and go into perpetual banishment_. If he +departed not within the time limited, or returned afterward without the +queen’s licence, he was _to suffer death without benefit of clergy_. By +this act, the case of non-conformists was worse than that of felons at +common law. The statute was levelled against the laity, no less than the +clergy. The moderate Puritans evaded it, by going to church when prayers +were nearly ended, and by receiving the sacrament when administered with +some latitude. The weight of it fell upon the _Brownists_, whose +sentiments had gained ground, so that they were increased to near twenty +thousand, besides wives and children, according to the opinion of _Sir +Walter Raleigh_, given in the house of commons, when the bill was read +the second time and debated.[1] + +Several were _put to death_ about this period; which excited an odium +against the bishops and high commissioners, who were universally known +to have been at the bottom of the proceedings against them. It was +resolved therefore to send the remainder of the imprisoned into +banishment, instead of continuing to execute them. Others preferred a +voluntary exile, rather than be exposed to the merciless persecutions +that awaited them in their native country. Is it strange that these +persons, thus forced or frightened out of it, for claiming and +exercising the common right of human nature, that of judging for +themselves in matters of religion, should at length think that their +allegiance terminated with their departure; or that those who +commiserated them, inclined to the same sentiment? + +The parliament, especially the lower house, perceiving how the queen, +and many of the bishops and ecclesiastics abused their spiritual power; +what mischiefs they brought upon the church; and the miseries to which +honest men were reduced for mere difference in religious sentiments, +attempted repeatedly to regulate matters, and to redress the hardships +of the non-conformists, but was stopped by her majesty, in the most +dictatorial manner. Some of the members, roused by such unwarrantable +acts of sovereignty, spake boldly and freely upon the occasion, and +censured the arbitrary proceedings of the bishops. The queen added to +her other faults, that of sending them to the Tower. But though she +could awe the parliament, imprison its members, and protect her favorite +bishops, she could not overpower the consciences of the non-conformists. + +A number of religious people upon the borders of _Nottinghamshire_, +_Lincolnshire_, and _Yorkshire_, having suffered persecution patiently +for years, and searched the scriptures diligently, were at length fully +of opinion, that the _ceremonies_ of the _English_ church were +_unlawful_; that the lordly power of her prelates was contrary to the +_freedom_ of the gospel; and that her offices, courts and canons, had no +warrant in the word of God; but were _popish_. They determined therefore +to shake off that yoke of bondage, viz. human impositions, brought into +the church by popish policy and power, against the superior law of +Christ, the genius of his plain religion and christian liberty. They +resolved [1602] as the Lord’s free people, “_to join themselves by +covenant into a church state; and, agreeable to present or future +knowledge, to walk in all the ways of God, according to their best +abilities, whatever it costs them_.”[2] + +The assembly [1606] owing to the distance of habitations, was obliged to +form itself into two distinct religious societies; the one, with which +is our concern, soon had for its pastor the famous Mr. _John Robinson_. +The church kept together about a year; but being extremely harrassed by +persecutors, concluded upon removing to _Holland_. The pious refugees +repaired to and settled at Amsterdam; but after a while removed to +_Leyden_; where they were highly respected, and would have been allowed +some public favor, had it not been for fear of offending England. By +hard and continued labor they obtained a living. The _Dutch_ employed +them before others, for their honest and exemplary behaviour; and +readily trusted them when in want of money. Matters, however, were not +altogether to their mind [1617] and some of the most sensible began to +think of another removal. It was imagined, that if a better and easier +place of living could be had, numbers would join them. The morals of the +Dutch were too dissolute; and they were afraid that their offspring +would become irreligious. Beside, they had an ardent, noble, and godly +desire, of laying a foundation for spreading the religion of _Jesus_ +over the remote regions of the earth; and of handing down to future ages +what they thought to be, the pure and unadulterated worship of the great +JEHOVAH. They therefore directed their views to _America_. To those who +objected—the length and danger of the voyage, the difficulties and +calamities to which they should be exposed, the barbarities and +treacheries of the _Indians_, and their inability to support the +expence—it was answered “The difficulties are not invincible, and may be +overcome by fortitude and patience; the ends proposed are good and +honorable; the calling lawful and urgent; the blessing of God may +therefore be expected. We live but as exiles now, and are in a poor +condition. The truce with the _Spaniards_ is hastening to a close. +Nothing but preparations for war are going forward. The _Spaniards_ may +be as cruel as the _Savages_; and famine and pestilence may be as sore +in _Holland_ as in _America_.” + +After serious and solemn application to God for direction, they +concluded on carrying the proposal of crossing the _Atlantic_ into +execution; endeavoring to live in a distinct body by themselves, under +the general government of the _Virginia_ company; and suing to his +majesty, king _James_, for _full liberty and freedom of conscience_. + +The Virginia company were ready to give them a patent, with as ample +privileges as they could grant; but, notwithstanding the great interest +made by gentlemen of the first character, and by the chief secretary of +state, the king and bishops refused to allow the refugees (though at the +distance of 3000 miles) liberty of conscience under the royal seal. All +they could obtain from his majesty, was a promise that he would connive +at, and not molest them, provided they carried themselves peaceably; but +he would not tolerate them by his public authority. Upon this occasion, +it was wisely observed, “If his majesty’s promise is no security, a +further confirmation will be of little value, though it has a seal as +broad as the house floor, it will not serve the turn, for there will be +means enough found, when wanted, to recall or reverse it; and we must +rest herein on God’s providence.” This reasoning and the hope of being +placed beyond the reach of ecclesiastic courts, prevailed. They resolved +to venture; and after long attendance, much cost and labor, obtained a +patent. + +They agreed that the minor part of younger and stronger men, with Mr. +_Brewster_, an elder of the church, should go first, and that the +pastor, Mr. _Robinson_, should remain behind with the majority, for a +future favorable opportunity. Their enemies whispered, that the stats of +_Holland_ were weary of their company; but the reverse was evident from +the following occurrence, viz. the magistrates of the city, when +reproving the _Walloons_ in open court, said, “_These_ English _have +lived now ten years among us, and yet we never had any accusation +against any of them, whereas your quarrels are continual_.” + +The colony destined for America, sailed from _Delft-Haven_ for +_Southampton_, July 22, 1620; and there met a ship having some English +friends on board, who proposed removing with them. Both vessels +proceeded to sea; but returned twice into port, on account of defects in +the one from Delft, which was dismissed. Part of the company returned to +_London_, the remainder betook themselves to the ship, and sailed from +_Plymouth_ the 6th of September. After many delays, difficulties and +dangers, they made _Cape Cod_ at break of day on the 9th of November, +and entered the harbor on the 10th. They offered up their devout and +ardent acknowledgments to God for his protection, and had thoughts of +landing; but remarking that they were out of the limits of their patent, +and in a sort reduced to a state of nature; and hearing some, who came +from London, hint, _there is now no authority over us_; they, while on +board, formed themselves into a civil body politic, under the crown of +_England_, for the purpose of framing “just and equal laws, ordinances, +acts, constitutions and offices,” to which they promised “all due +submission and obedience.” This _contract_ was subscribed by forty-one +persons, on Saturday the 11th of November. The whole company of +settlers, men, women, children, and servants, amounted to no more than +one hundred and one, the exact number that left England—for one had +died, but another was born upon the passage. + +Enfeebled and sickly, we now behold them at the distance of 3000 miles, +not only from their native country, but the hospitable land where they +lately resided for years, when unfeeling persecution drove them into a +voluntary banishment. They have a long and dreary winter before them, +and are upon the strange coast of an uncultivated wilderness, without a +relation or friend to welcome their arrival, or an house to shelter +them; without even a kind inhabitant to comfort them by tender acts of +humanity, much less a civilized town or city, from which succour may be +obtained on an emergency. Thus circumstanced, they are employed in +making discoveries till the 20th of December, when they concluded upon a +place for immediate settlement, which they afterward name +_New-Plymouth_, in grateful remembrance of the last town they left in +their native country. + +The winter proved remarkably mild[3] for the American climate, though +excessively severe to an English constitution; and what with disorders +brought upon them through uncommon labors and fatigues, and their being +exposed to the rigors of the season; and what with the scurvy and other +diseases occasioned by a tedious voyage, and the want of proper +accommodations while making it, they buried by the end of March, 1621, +forty-four of their little society, of whom one-and-twenty were +subscribers to the _contract_. The number of their dead increased to +fifty by the beginning of November, when, to their great joy a vessel +arrived with thirty-five settlers from London. It was years before their +plantation amounted to three hundred people; when nearly so, the council +established at _Plymouth_, in the county of _Devon_, for the planting, +ruling, ordering, and governing of _New-England_, in _America_, granted +them a _patent_, [Jan. 13, 1630] by which their lands were secured +against all English claims.—Be it noted, that they early agreed with, +and satisfied the _Indian_ proprietors. + +It would have been astonishing, had not these planters brought with them +opinions favorable to liberty. The arbitrary proceedings of _Elizabeth_ +and _James_, produced a spirit of enquiry; and induced the sufferers and +others to canvass the equity of those powers which were so improperly +exercised. When the film of prejudice was removed, it was easy to +discern that tyranny, whether in church or state, could not be +vindicated by reason or revelation; and that Heaven’s permitting it, was +no more a countenance to that, than any other wickedness. Beside, the +_Plymouthians_ had lived for many years among a people who had been +engaged in a bloody war with a cruel unrelenting tyrant, whose +sovereignty they had renounced. The frequent conversation that must have +passed between the Dutch and English refugees, must have improved the +attachment of the last to the cause of freedom. It might also have been +hinted to them, that it began to be the sentiment of some English nobles +and principal commoners, that in case of a removal to America, persons, +without any charter from the crown, were at liberty to establish what +form of government they pleased; and to set up a new state, as fully to +all intents and purposes, as though they were making their first +entrance into civil society. + +No wonder then, especially considering the general equality prevailing +among them, that the _Plymouthians_, by their contract before landing, +formed themselves into a _proper democracy_, and that it was entered in +the _Plymouth_ records of [Nov. 15, 1636] “_Finding, that as free born +subjects of the state of_ ENGLAND, _we hither came with all and singular +the privileges belonging to such; in the first place we think good, that +it be established for an act, that, according to the_ [_rights_ supposed +to be wanting] _and due privileges of the subjects aforesaid, no +imposition, law or ordinance, be made or imposed upon them at present or +to come, but such as shall be made and imposed by consent, acccording to +the free liberties of free born subjects of the state and kingdom of_ +ENGLAND, _and no otherwise_.” They meant to continue their allegiance to +the crown; to retain their connection with the mother country; to adopt +the general laws of England for the rule of government, wherein they +suited; and to be governed by their own particular acts in other +instances. + +Persons devoted to church authority and particular national +establishments, may exclaim against the _Plymouthians_ for their +religious sentiments; but a fair and brief statement of them, it is +apprehended, will be thought the best defence that can be offered by +those who candidly examine the _New-Testament_, and are properly +impressed with the words of our Saviour—_My kingdom is not of this +world_. + +When Mr. _Robinson_ and his associates separated from the church of +England, they were rigid _Brownists_. After his removal to Holland, and +there conversing with learned divines, he being a gentleman of a liberal +mind and good disposition, became moderate, as did his people; so that +they who continued rigid _Brownists_ would hardly hold communion with +them. Mr. _Robinson_ and his society did not require of those who joined +them, a renunciation of the church of England. They also acknowledged +the other reformed churches for true and genuine; allowed their own +members occasional communion with them in the word preached and in the +prayers conceived by the preacher before and after sermon, but not in +the sacraments and discipline; and admitted their members, known to them +to be pious, to occasional communion with themselves in the sacraments. +Still it is to be remarked, that they were not admitted because of their +being members of such churches, but on account of their known piety; +their belonging to and continuing in such churches, was not an argument +for rejecting them; nor was it the argument for their reception. Mr. +_Robinson_, however, by his conversation and writings, proved a +principal in ruining _Brownism_; and, in the opinion of some was the +father, of others the restorer, of the _independent_ or _congregational_ +churches. Congregational is the term used in _New-England_, the other is +discarded, as seeming to imply too great a separation from sister +churches. + +The _Plymouthians_ held, that the Bible was the sole religious code of +protestants; and that every man had a right to judge for himself, and to +try all doctrines by it, and to worship according to what he apprehended +that directed. In doctrinal tenets they agreed with the articles of the +church of England. The main difference between them and other reformed +churches was about hierarchy. They maintained, that no particular church +ought to consist of more persons than could worship in one congregation; +that every man ought, in appearance, to be a true believer in Christ, +and subject to his authority; that when there was a suitable number of +such believers, who thought themselves bound in conscience to do it, +they had a right to embody into a church, by some certain contract or +covenant, expressed or implied; and that, being embodied, they were to +choose all their officers, who were pastors or teaching elders, mere +ruling elders, meant to assist the former, and qualified to teach +occasionally, and deacons who were to manage the temporalities of the +church, to take care of the poor, and to officiate at the Lord’s table, +by providing the bread and wine, laying the cloth, carrying the +elements, &c. [The custom of having ruling elders has now ceased.] The +elders of both kinds were to form the presbytery of overseers and +rulers. They also held, that no churches or church officers, had any +power over other churches or officers, to control or impose upon them, +all having equal rights and privileges. Their own officers were +removable by them upon justifiable reasons; in case of capital errors, +gross misconduct, and the like. When they baptised, they rejected the +sign of the cross, and other ceremonies not enjoined by scripture. They +received the elements of the Lord’s supper, in the table-posture of the +day and place in which they lived. Excommunication they deemed to be +wholly spiritual; and denied that the church or its officers had any +authority to inflict temporal pains and penalties. They considered no +days as holy, but the Lord’s day, which they observed with great +strictness. Solemn fastings and thanksgivings, as the aspects of +providence required, they had a pious regard to, as agreeable to both +natural and revealed religion. + +A better sort of emigrants never crossed the _Atlantic_. “They were a +plain, frugal, industrious, conscientious, and loving people; and, for +the day in which they lived, and considering their education, possessed +a good share of politeness. The important light in which they viewed +morality, led them, in many instances to such critical exactness as +would be deemed by the moderns ridiculous; from thence, however, the +community derived substantial benefits. They have been stigmatized as +enthusiasts; but nothing like enthusiasm is to be met with in the +records of any of their transactions, either civil or ecclesiastic. +Their piety indeed was eminent and fervent, but it was also rational; +and their religion was that of the Bible, and had a proper influence +upon their conduct.” + +The _Plymouthians_ having cleared the way for other sufferers to settle +in _America_, with less difficulty and danger than what they had +experienced; the fame of their plantation spreading through the western +parts of _England_; and the government in church and state growing more +and more oppressive; the territory of the _Massachusetts-Bay_ was +purchased of the _Plymouth Council_ [1628] and a company soon formed, +who consulted on settling a plantation, to which non-conforming +_puritans_ might emigrate in order to enjoy their own principles in full +security. Their sufferings had been moderated for a few years before +_Elizabeth_’s death. The queen was far advanced in life; the next heir +to the crown was a _presbyterian_, who had subscribed to the _Scotch_ +national covenant, and, with hands uplifted to Heaven, had pronounced, +“The _Scotch_ kirk is the purest in the world, and the service of the +kirk of _England_ an evil said mass in _English_, that wants nothing of +the mass but the liftings;” he had interceded for some of the persecuted +ministers; and the bishops were cautious of acting against a party for +whom king _James_ had declared; but upon his ascending the throne, the +fears of the high-churchmen and the hopes of the non-conformists were +soon ended. It was not long before the king became in the church a +furious persecutor of the non-conformists, and in the state as errant a +despot as his cowardice would allow. In stigmatizing for _puritans_, all +who stood by the laws of the land, and opposed his arbitrary government, +though strenuous churchmen, he strengthened the cause of the _church +puritans_; the former, called by way of distinction _state-puritans_, +joining the latter, both together became at length the majority of the +nation. + +Still the times were not mended; and the death of _James_ made way for +their becoming much worse. King _Charles_ unfortunately took for his +bosom-counsellor in religious affairs, bishop _Laud_, the most +unqualified person for the purpose, of any to be found in his three +kingdoms; he also resigned himself up to arbitrary councils. + +The lowering prospect thickened apace; the _Massachusetts_ company +therefore provided a safe retreat in season. They applied immediately to +the improvement of their purchased territory; and sent out capt. _John +Endicott_ and others, with servants, to begin a plantation; who arrived +at (what is now named) _Salem_. They soon after petitioned for a _royal +charter_, hoping that their existence and powers would be thereby +secured and promoted. They succceeded, and a charter of incorporation +was granted, [March 4, 1629] making them a body politic, by the name of +“The Governor and Company of the _Massachusetts-Bay_ in _New-England_,” +with as full powers as any other corporation in the realm of _England_. +The grant and sale of the _Plymouth Council_ was confirmed. Till the +annual election by the company could commence, the governor, +deputy-governor, and eighteen assistants were specified. The mode of +governing, and of admitting freemen, was prescribed. They were empowered +to elect and constitute such other officers as might be thought +requisite for the managing of their affairs, and to make laws and +ordinances, not contrary to the laws and statutes of the realm, for the +good of the said company and the government of their lands and +plantations, and the inhabitants thereof. They were allowed to transport +persons, whether subjects or strangers, weapons, merchandize, &c. _any +law to the contrary notwithstanding_—such was the dispensing power the +king assumed. He also exempted them from paying custom or subsidy for +seven years; the governor and company, their factors and assigns, were +to pay neither that nor any taxes IN _New-England_ for the _same space_. +All were freed from duties upon goods imported or exported for 21 years, +except the old 5 per cent. custom upon imports after the expiration of +the seven years. All his majesty’s subjects going to and inhabiting the +company’s lands, together with their children, were to enjoy all the +liberties of free and natural subjects within any of his dominions, the +same as though born in England. The king could mean only, that, by +removing to and residing in the Massachusetts, they should not forfeit +for themselves or children the privileges of _Englishmen_, and be +treated as foreigners; and not, that they should be governed by laws and +officers of their own making or choosing, personally or by +representation; for they were evidently distinguished from the governor +and company (of whom it appears to be supposed, that they were to remain +in England) as these were authorized to administer the oaths of +supremacy and allegiance to all and every person or persons, who should +hereafter go to inhabit the lands and premises of the company. Beside, +the governor and company were entrusted with the power of making laws, +ordinances, &c. not contrary to the laws of England; of settling the +government and magistracy of the plantation; and its inhabitants; of +naming all the officers; and of setting forth their several duties, +powers and limits; and the king commanded that all such laws, +ordinances, &c. should be published, in writing, under the common seal +of the company, and thereupon be carefully observed and put into +execution, according to their true meaning. The charter[4] does not once +mention _liberty of conscience_ or _toleration_; tho’ one[5] historian +has inadvertently advanced, that “free liberty of conscience was +likewise granted to all who should settle in the _Massachusetts-Bay_, to +worship God in their own way;” and another[6], “the charter granted +toleration to all christians, except papists.” The assertions apply only +to the charter granted by king _William_ and queen _Mary_. + +[April 30, 1629.] The company, in the exercise of their chartered +powers, determined that a governor and council of twelve, residing on +the plantations, should have the sole ordering of its affairs and +government. They appointed Captain _Endicott_ governor, and seven +gentlemen going from England to be counsellors, and directed how the +other five should be elected, together with a deputy-governor and +secratary. + +Messrs. _Higginson_, _Skelton_, _Bright_, _John_ and _Samuel Browne_ +were of the seven counsellors nominated by the company. The three first, +being ministers, had declared themselves to be of one judgment, and to +be fully agreed on the manner how to exercise their ministry. The +company’s committee in the letter to governor _Endicott_, expressed good +hopes on account of it; and at the same time recommended Messrs. _John_ +and _Samuel Browne_ as men who they much respected, being fully +persuaded of their sincere affections to the good of the plantation.[7] +The ministers and passengers coming to settle in it were episcopally +inclined when they left England, though they could not conform to many +ceremonies and customs, nor submit to what they judged different +corruptions, imposed upon their consciences by the king and prelates. +They were also strongly prejudiced against the _separatists_ in which +class the _Plymouthians_ were numbered. But long before they arrived, or +even sailed, a Dr. _Fuller_, a deacon of the church at Plymouth, and +well versed in its discipline, having been sent for, on account of a +fatal sickness which broke out among the emigrants after their arrival +at _Salem_, had, by his conversation with Captain _Endicott_, taken off +the ill effect of common report, and brought him to think favorably of +the outward form of worship espoused by the _Plymouthians_. The +influence of the doctor’s intercourse with the _Salem_ settlers cannot +be thought to have been confined to the Captain. When the business of +organizing a church was brought forward after the arrival of the +consellors, the matter was frequently canvassed, and at length it was +determined to form it, nearly upon the plan of the one at Plymouth; and +to invite the latter to be present by their messengers, at the solemn +ordination of the ministers Messrs. _Skelton_ and _Higginson_, [August +6.] Notwithstanding cross winds the Plymouth messengers were time enough +to give the right hand of fellowship, by which ceremony the two churches +professed mutual affection and communion. + +Probably none of the newly arrived settlers had the least idea of such +ecclesiastic proceedings, when they left England; but thought very +differently. Some continued to do so; for Mr. _Bright_, disagreeing in +judgment from the other ministers, removed to a distance before their +ordination; and Messrs. _John_ and _Samuel Browne_, dissatisfied with +the proceedings of the society, separated with several who were like +minded, and set up another. Governor _Endicott_, being of a hot temper, +and not possessed of the greatest prudence, summoned the brothers before +him as ringleaders of a faction; and apprehending that their +conversation and conduct would occasion divisions, sent them back to +_England_, against their own inclination notwithstanding their being +counsellors, thinking himself justified by his public orders. + +Let us return to the company in _England_. + +[July 28.] Mr. _Matthew Craddock_, the governor, proposed at the general +court, that, for the advancement of the plantation, the encouragement of +persons of worth and quality to transplant themselves and families, and +other weighty reasons, the government of the plantation should be +transferred to its inhabitants, and not be continued in subordination to +the company at _London_. The matter was debated; and it was agreed, that +the persons present should seriously consider the business against the +next general court; it was also requested, that they would in the mean +while, conduct with that privacy, that the affair might not be divulged. +At a month’s end they met, and consented that the government and patent +should be settled in _New-England_, if it could be done legally. They +soon after received letters respecting the difference between governor +_Endicott_ and Messrs. _John_ and _Samuel Browne_; and fearing that +these two had in their private letters defamed the plantation, they +opened and read a number of them, and ordered that none from Mr. _Samuel +Browne_ should be delivered; however, upon application from the +brothers, they directed that they should have a copy of the accusation +sent against them from _New-England_. The company’s letter upon this +business one to Messrs. _Skelton_ and _Higginson_, and another to +governor _Endicott_, intimated, that there had been in the parties +addressed a degree of intemperance; that direct or oblique espersions +had been thrown out against the state; and that undigested counsels had +been too suddenly put into execution. They besides expressed an +apprehension, lest, through an ill construction, the same might make the +company obnoxious to any adversary.[8] + +The difference that happened in the plantation, the treatment of the +_Brownes_, and the reports circulated by them, undoubtedly occasioned +much talk. Many would think it strange, that, while the charter was +totally silent upon the head of religion, and several of the grantees +and company though strongly opposed to the tyrannies of the +high-churchmen, were real episcopalians; persons of this profession +should be debarred the right of worshiping according to their own +judgment and consience, and be even expelled the plantation. These +occurrences most probably forwarded the plan of Mr. _Craddock_. The +advice of learned council was ordered to be taken, and it was considered +how to execute the projected removal without offending government. + +Among the other weighty reasons which induced them to remove, we must +include the hope of getting beyond the reach of _Laud_ and the high +commissoned court: for the Massachusetts general court declared in 1651, +“That seeing just cause to fear the persecution of the then Bishop and +high commission, for not conforming to the ceremonies, they thought it +their safest course to get to this outside of the world (America) out of +their view, and _beyond their reach_. + +[October 20.] The company, at a general court, proceeded to a new +election of officers, who were to repair to and settle in _New-England_. +They chose for governor _John Winthrop_, esq. of _Groton_, in _Suffolk_, +a gentleman well known for his piety, liberality, wisdom and gravity. +The business of transferring the patent and corporation, and of taking +over new settlers, was prosecuted with vigor. The enterprise produced a +general rumour, as its extent and magnitude, the number and principles +of the person engaging in it, opened upon the public. The intentions of +the parties being suspected, and jealousies arising concerning them, +governor _Winthrop_ and other gentlemen, to remove prejudices, +conciliate the minds of the disaffected, and recommend themselves and +their expedition to the favourable regards of all serious christians of +the episcopal persuasion, addressed their brethren in and of the church +of _England_, [April 7, 1630.] and afterwards sailed from _Yarmouth_ in +the isle of _Wight_, for _America_. The signers of the address, pray in +the most solemn manner to be considered as their brethren, and desire it +to be noted, that the principals and body of their company esteem it +their honour to call the _church_ of ENGLAND their dear mother. They +acknowledge, that such hope and part as they have obtained in the common +salvation, they have received in her bosom, and sucked from her breasts. +They declare themselves members of her body, and that, while they have +breath, they shall sincerely endeavour her welfare. They pronounce +themselves a church springing out of her own bowels. Their professions +are made in the strongest language.[9] + +[June 12.] The company arrived at _Salem_; and soon were in number more +than fifteen hundred persons from different counties in England. Thy +applyed themselves early to the forming of churches; but, the Rev. Mr. +_Cotton_ (who come from _Boston_ in _Lincolnshire_ to take leave of his +departing friends at _Southampton_) having told them to advise with the +_Plymouthians_ and to do nothing to offend them, and a precedent +existing in the church at _Salem_, they dismissed all the peculiarities +of episcopacy, and preferred the congregational mode in general. +However, they had no settled plan of church-discipline till after the +arrival of Mr. _Cotton_, [1633.] who was considerd as a kind of oracle +in both civil and sacred matters, and gradually moulded all their church +administrations, and thus determined the ecclesiastic constitution of +the colony; therein verifying what Mr. _Robinson_ had judiciously +predicted, when he said “Many of those who have both wrote and preached +against me and my people, were they in a place where they could have +liberty and live comfortably, should do as we do.”[10] + +Governor _Winthrop_ inserted in his manuscript history, a couple of +anecdotes, of an earlier date than Mr. Cotton’s arrival, which may +amuse you. “July 30, 1631, Mr. _Ludlow_, in digging the foundation of +his house at _Dorchester_, found two pieces of _French_ money, one was +coined 1596. They were in several places, above a foot within the firm +ground.” “June 13, 1632, At _Watertown_ there was in the view of +divers witnesses, a great combat between a mouse and snake; and after +a long fight, the mouse prevailed and killed the snake.” The minister +of Boston, Mr Wilson a very sincere holy man, gives this +interpretation—“The snake is the devil, the mouse is a poor +contemptable people whom God has brought hither, and who shall +overcome Satan here, and dispossess him of his kingdom.” “At the same +time he told the governor, that before he resolved to come into the +country, he dreamed that he was here, and saw a church arise out of +the earth, which grew up and became a marvellous goodly church.” He +might think his dream divine; but it is easily accounted for as a +common event, arising with the church-building out of a lively +imagination, warmed and directed by a preponderating inclination. If, +instead of interpreting the combat, he had only mentioned, that the +event suggested to him such thoughts, and such an improvement, he +would have evidenced more judgment and an equal degree of wisdom in +seizing the happy circumstance. + +The colony increased apace, by frequent and numerous accessions. But “it +appears by private letters, that the departure of so many of the best, +both ministers and private christians, did breed sad thoughts in those +behind of the Lord’s intention in the work, and an apprehension of some +evil days to come upon England; yea, it began to be viewed by the +council as a matter of state, so that warrants were sent to stay the +ships, and to call in the patent; but, upon the petition of the +ship-masters, alledging how beneficial the plantation was, they were +released: Mr. Craddock, however, had strict charge to deliver in the +pattent, and wrote to the company to send it home upon receipt of his +letter. [July, 1634.] The governor and assistants consulted about it, +and resolved to answer Mr. Craddock, but not to return any answer or +excuse to the council for the present[11].” + +On the death of the duke of _Buckingham_, _Laud_ became the king’s prime +minister in all affairs of both church and state; and on the death of +Archbishop _Abbot_, he was exalted to the see of _Canterbury_. Possessed +of such powers, he by his pliant tools _made havock of the church, +hauling and committing to prison_ conscientious ministers and laymen who +would not bend to his antiscriptural impositions so that the people were +scattered abroad and passed over the _Atlantic_ into _America_. The +daily inroads of the court on the civil rights of the subject, helped +forward the emigration. + +From the beginning of the colony, until the emigration ceased through a +change of affairs in England, [1640.] there arrived in 298 vessels about +21200 settlers (men, women and children) or 4000 families, but they did +not all confine themselves to the _Massachusetts_. Notwithstanding the +numbers that repaired thither when Josselyn visited Boston, in 1638, “he +found it rather a village than a town, there being not above 20 or 30 +houses.” These settlers were no less strenuous for their own particular +rights and previleges than the Plymouthians. When the governor and +company removed from _London_ to the _Massachusetts_ they renounced the +appearance of a corporation, and assumed the form of a commonwealth, +varying, as it suited them, from the directions of the charter. The +change of place and circumstances prevented their keeping to it in +certain instances, tho’ not in others; but they could easily satisfy +themselves as to any violations; for “they apprehended themselves +subject to no other laws or rules of government, than what arose from +natural reason and the principles of equity, except any positive rules +from the word of God[12].” Persons of influence among them held, that +birth was no necessary cause of subjection; for that the subject of any +prince or state, had a natural right to remove to any other state or +quarter of the world, when deprived of liberty of conscience; and that +upon such removal his subjection ceased. They called their own a +voluntary civil subjection, arising merely from a mutual compact between +them and the king, founded upon the charter. By this compact they +acknowledged themselves bound; so that they could not be subject to or +seek protection from any other prince, neither could make laws repugnant +to those of _England_, &c. but, on the other hand, they maintained, that +they were to be governed by laws made by themselves, and by officers of +their own electing[13]. They meant to be independent of English +parliaments; and therefore when their intimate friends were become +leading members in the house of commons, and they were advised, on +account of the great liberty to which king Charles left the parliament, +to send over some to solicit for them, and had hopes given that they +might obtain much, the governor and assistants, after meeting in council +upon the occasion, “declined the motion, for this consideration, that, +if they should put themselves under the protection of the parliament, +they must then be subject to all such laws as they should make, or at +least such as they might impose upon them, in which course, (though they +should intend their good, yet) it might prove very prejudicial to +them[14].” + +Whatever approbation such sentiments may meet with from the friends of +liberty, these must regret the inconsistencies to which human nature is +subject, in those very persons whose experience should have taught them, +to do unto others, as they would that others should have done unto them, +when they themselves were suffering under the relentless hand of +arbitrary government. But, what is man! [May 18, 1631.] So early as the +second general court after the arrival of the governor and company, +instead of resolving to admit all the suitable and deserving, to a +generous participation of their freedon, they passed the pernicious and +disingenuous order, “For time to come no man shall be admitted to the +freedom of this body politic, but such as are members of some of the +churches, within the limits of the same[15].” They soon after concluded, +that none but such should share in the administration of civil +government, or have a voice in any election. Thus a powerful and +mischievous alliance was formed between the churches and the state. The +ascendency of the clergy was secured and much increased; for no one +could be proposed to the church for a member, unless the minister +allowed it. The ministers were consulted by the general court, in all +matter of great moment; and nothing was determined in such cases, +without a formal reference to them; who, of course, used their influence +with the people to procure an approbation of the measures which they +themselves had advised[16]; + +[May, 1634.] Instead of the freemen’s appearing personally in the +general court, they for the first time sent deputies, to the number of +twenty-four. This was a variation from the charter which gave no power +to admit representatives. These with the governor, deputy-governor, and +assistants, formed the legislature of the colony, met and voted together +in one apartment till March 1644, when it was ordained, that the +governor and assistants, should sit apart: and thus commenced the house +of representatives, as a distinct body. + +The general court assumed spiritual jurisdiction. Being church members, +they might suppose they represented the churches no less than the +colony. [March 8, 1636.] They would approve of no churches, after a +certain period, unless they had the approbation of the magistrates and +elders of most of the churches within the colony; nor would admit to +freedom any of their members. They pressed colonial uniformity in +religion, till they became persecutors[17]. Whatever apology may be made +for the treatment given to episcopalians, baptists and quakers, the +colony cannot be cleared from the charge of persecuting: that however +will not justify those who persecute with reproaches and ill-will the +present generation, now reprobating the intolerance of their +forefathers, which at that period was, more or less, the stain of most +religious parties. “It was not peculiar to the Massachusetts people to +think themselves bound in conscience to use the sword of the civil +magistrate to convince, or cut off heretics, so that they might not +infect the church, or injure the public peace[18].” The true grounds of +liberty of conscience, were not then known or embraced by many sects of +christians. But remember, that the _Massachusetts-Bay_ now surpasses the +mother country, in its regard for the sacred and civil rights of +mankind. It not only exempts those of other denominations from paying to +the support of its own colonial establishments, the congregational +churches; and has been a great number of years in this laudable +practice; but it protects all protestants without requiring any +qualifying subscriptions or tests, and excludes none by partial laws +from the exercise of civil power. + +The government was in divers respects absolute. Both magistrates and +general court often judged and punished, in a summary way, without a +jury, according to discretion, as occasions occurred. It was four years +before it was enacted or ordered, that no trial should pass upon any for +life or banishment, but by a jury of freemen: and within three years +after, [1637.] that law was violated even by the general court. They +exercised, while sitting, legislative, judicial and executive powers—a +practice which must ever be dangerous to the rights of a people, even +when allowed to their own annual representatives. + +The country at length grew uneasy at these proceedings; were suspicious +that the general court had effected arbitrary government; and earnestly +expected a body of laws to aid and protect them in all their just rights +and previleges[19]. It was the more necessary to comply with the +prevailing expectation, for the business had been long in agitation: not +only so, but a great majority of the inhabitants were not freemen not +being members of the congregational churches, or declining to take up +their freedom, in order to secure an exemption from serving in civil +offices. It was not till 1648 that the body of laws was digested and +printed. + +The conduct of the colony on the one hand, and the inveteracy of the +English administration on the other, would certainly have produced a +revocation of the charter, and probably the ruin of the plantation, had +not the disturbances in England prevented. It became a favorite upon the +change that followed them; and while _Oliver Cromwell_ ruled, met with +the utmost indulgence. From 1640 to 1660 it approached very near to an +independent commonwealth[20]. The house of commons in a memorable +resolve of the 10th of March 1642, passed in favour of it, gives +_New-England_ the title of _kingdom_[21]. The commissioners for +_New-England_, sent over by king _Charles_ II. assert in their +narrative[22], that the colony solicited _Cromwell_ to be declared a +free state, which is not unlikely. + +It has been already mentioned, that all the persons passing over to the +_Massachusetts_ did not confine themselves to that colony. + +[1635.] Several families removed to _Connecticut_ river, by mutual +agreement with their fellow emigrants that remained behind. Plantations +were formed at _Hartford_, _Windsor_ and _Weathersfield_. The +inhabitants being soon after fully satisfied, that they were out of the +Massachusetts limits, and of course jurisdiction, entered into a +combination among themselves, [1639.] became a body politic, without +restraining the freedom of their civil government to the membership of +their churches; and proceeded to the choice of magistrates and +representatives. By the articles of government, it was determined that +there should be annually two general courts; and that no person should +be chosen governor more than once in two years. But it must be observed, +that the same year, in which the families removed from the +Massachusetts, Lords _Say_ and _Brooke_, with other gentlemen, having +obtained a grant, John Winthrop, esq. was appointed governor, took +possission of Connecticut river, and began to erect a fort (which he +called Say-Brooke) to secure the mouth of it. He was supplied with men, +provisions, and all things necessary by a vessel from England, sent by +the grantees, which arrived the latter end of November. Some of the +grantees had in contemplation to transport themselves, families and +effects, to the territory they had obtained; but the design of +emigrating was laid aside, when matters began to take a new turn in +their native country; and at length the agent Mr. _Fenwick_, was +authorized to dispose of their lands, which were purchased, in 1644, by +the people who had removed from the Massachusetts. + +[1637.] Two large ships arrived at the _Massachusetts-Bay_ with +passengers from _London_. Great pains were taken to prevail upon them to +remain in the colony; but they hoped by removing to a considerable +distance, to be out of the reach of a general governor, with whom the +country was then threatened. They sent to their friends in _Connecticut_ +to purchase of the natives the lands laying between them and _Hudson’s_ +river. They laid the foundation of a flourishing colony, of which +_New-Haven_ was the capital. They, as Connecticut, formed a government, +much like the Massachusetts, by a voluntary agreement, without any +charter, or commission, or authority whatsoever, from the crown or other +powers in England. They admitted no one to any office civil or military, +or to have a voice in any election, except he was a member of one of the +churches in New-England. They had no jury either in civil or criminal +cases. + +_Connecticut_ and _New-Haven_ continued two distinct colonies for many +years. At length the general court of Connecticut determined to prefer +an address and petition to Charles II. professing their subjection and +loyalty to his majesty, and soliciting a royal charter; and John +Winthrop, esq. who had been chosen governor, was appointed to negociate +the affair with the king. He succeeded, and a royal charter was +obtained, April 23, 1662, constituting the two colonies forever one body +corporate and politic. New-Haven took the affair ill; and for some time +declined the union. But difficulties were amicably settled at last, and +the colonies united by agreement. [1665.] + +The royal charter established a pure democracy. Every power, as well +deliberative as active, was invested in the freemen of the corporation +or their delegates, and the colony was under no obligation to +communicate the acts of their local legislature to the king. It was the +same as to the _royal_ charter, granted the next year to _Rhode-Island +and Providence Plantations_.[23] + +[1685.] In July various articles of high misdemeanor were exhibited +against the governor and company of Connecticut, and orders were given +to issue a writ of _quo warranto_ forthwith against the colony. The next +year two writs were served by Mr. _Randolph_; and after them a third in +December. This is taken notice of by the governor and company in their +letter of Jan. 26, 1686–7, wherein they mention their readiness to +submit to his majesty’s royal commands; and that, “if it be to conjoin +them with the other colonies and provinces under Sir _Edmund Andros_, it +would be more pleasing than to be joined with any other province.” Such +professed submission probably prevented the _quo warranto’s_ being +prosecuted with effect; and produced an order to Andros to accept the +surrender of the charter and the submission of the colony. Sir Edmond +went to _Hartford_ in October; but when at night he expected the charter +would have been surrendered into his hands, the candle was blown out, +and the charter withdrawn from the table, carried off and secreted by +one of the company: whose extraordinary service was afterwards rewarded +by the general assembly with five shillings, agreeable to the plain +simple manners of the people. He however published in the general court +his orders and commission which every one tacitly obeyed. He dissolved +the former government, and assumed the administration, receiving into +his legislative council the late governor and secretary, for the better +carrying on the business of the colony. The subsequent revolution in +England brought matters back, after a while to the former course; as the +legal validity of the charter was admitted. + +The peopling of these three last colonies was owing chiefly to the +_Puritan Ministers_, who, being silenced at home, repaired to +_New-England_, that they might enjoy liberty of conscience; and drew +after them vast numbers of their friends and favorers. They amounted to +seventy-seven before 1641; and though all were not person of the +greatets learning and abilities, they had a better share of each than +most of sheir neighbouring clergy at that period; and were men of +eminent soberiety and virtue, plain, serious, affectionate preachers, +exactly conformable to the doctrines of the church of _England_, and +laboured much to promate a reformation of manners in their several +parishes.—Many planters who accompained or followed them, were gentlemen +of considerable fortunes and of no mean education, who spent their +estates in New-England, and were at the charge of bringing over many +poor families, that were not able of themselves to bear the expence.[24] +The body of laity and clergy, collectively considered, furnishes such a +glorious constellation of characters, as would employ the pen of a +first-rate writer to do them justice; notwithstanding what has been +above remarked of their governmental mistake. + +The dangers to which the _New-England_ colonies were early exposed, +induced them to think of confederating for their mutual safety. Articles +were drawn up in 1638; but they were not finished and ratified till the +seventh of September 1643; from which time we are to look upon +_Plymouth_, _Massachusetts_, _Connecticut_ and _New-Haven_ as one body, +in regard to all public transactions with their neighbours, though the +private affairs of each colony were still managed by their own courts +and magistrates. + +Pass we on to the settlement of the other _New-England_ colonies. + +Mr. _Roger Williams_, who succeeded Mr. _Skelton_, upon his decease, as +pastor of the church at Salem, being banished from the Massachusetts, +repaired with twelve companions to the _Narraganset_ country, [1635] and +had land given him by the _Indian Sachem Canonicus_; of whom he +afterwards purchased the large tract, lying between _Pawtucket_ and +_Pawtuxet_ rivers (the great falls and the little falls, as the Indian +names signify,) and stiled it _Providence_ “from a sense of God’s +merciful providence to him in his distress.” The authority and power of +_Miantonomy_, another Sachem, and his uncle _Canonicus_, awed all the +Indians round to assist him and his few associates. When the +determinations of the Massachusetts general court (occasioned, by what +they called antinomian disputes) banished many, and induced others to +leave the colony, the heads of the party were entertained in a friendly +manner by Mr. _Williams_; [1638.] who advised them to seek a settlement +on _Rhode-Island_, and was very instrumental in procuring it of the +Indian Sachems. + +They, to the number of eighteen, incorporated themselves, and began +settling the island. The plantations there and at Providence increased +apace, owing to the liberel sentiments of the first settlers; and in +1643 Mr. _Williams_ went to England as agent, and obtained [March 16, +1644.] “a free and absolute charter of incorporation of _Providence_ and +_Rhode-Island_ Plantations, empowering them to rule themselves, by that +form they might voluntarily agree upon.” They agreed upon a democratic. +Mr. _Williams_ justly claims the honor of having been the first +legislator in the world, in its latter ages, who effectually provided +for, and established a free, full, and absolute liberty of conscience. +This was the chief cause that united the inhabitants of _Rhode-Island_ +and those of _Providence_, and made them one people, and one colony. The +foundation principle on which this colony was first settled, was, that +“_every man who submits peaceably to the civil authority, may peaceably +worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience without +molestation_.” When the colony was applied to in 1656 by the four +_United Colonies_ “to join them in taking effectual methods to suppress +the quakers, and prevent their pernicious doctrines being propagated in +the country; the assembly returned for answer “We shall strictly adhere +to the foundation principle on which this colony was first settled.” + +[July 8, 1663.] King _Charles_ II. granted an ample charter, whereby the +colony was made a body corporate and politic, by the name of the +_Governor and Company of the English colony of Rhode-Island and +Providence Plantations, in New-England, in America_. The charter +reserved only allegiance to the king without the smallest share of the +legislative or executive powers. + +[1685.] A writ of _quo warranto_ was issued out against the colony, +which was brought June 26, 1686. The assembly determined not to stand +suit. After the revolution, they were allowed by government to resume +their charter, no judgment having been given against it. + +_New-Hampshire_ and the _Main_ were settled about the same time with the +_Massachusetts_, by different proprietors who had obtained patents, and +whose views were to enrich themselves, by the fishing trade at sea, and +the beaver trade ashore. Religion had little concern in the settlements; +but it had some in the plantation of _Exeter_, on the river +_Pascataqua_; which was began by Mr. _Wheelwright_ (a minister banished +from the Massachusetts, on account of the antinomian dissensions with +which the colony was convulsed) and by a number of his adherents. They +formed themselves into a body politic. Three other distinct governments +were also established on the branches of the said river. These +governments, being altogether voluntary, had no security as to their +continuance; and the several settlers were too divided in opinion to +form any good general plan of permanent administration. Therefore the +more considerate among them treated with the Massachusetts, about taking +them under its protection; which fully suited the wishes of that colony, +as it afforded the heads of it the opportunity of realizing the +construction they had put upon a clause of this charter, by which they +extended their line, so as to comprehend both _New-Hampshire_ and the +_Main_. The business terminated in the incorporation of the two +colonies, on condition that the inhabitants of each should enjoy equal +privileges. They continued long united, and were of one heart and mind +in civil and religious affairs.[25] When separated by the king’s +commission for the government of _New-Hampshire_, the new assembly at +their first meeting, in a letter of March 25, 1680, to the governor of +the Massachusetts, to be communicated to the general court, expressed +their full satisfaction in the past connection; grateful sense of the +care that had been exercised over them; and of their having been well +governed; and an unfeigned desire, that a mutual correspondence between +them might be settled.[26] + +The towns in the province of _Main_, after a time, fell into a state of +confusion. The Massachusetts took that opportunity, for encouraging the +disposition which prevailed in many of the inhabitants to submit to +their jurisdiction; and, to forward their compliance, granted the people +larger privileges than were enjoyed by their own; for they were all +freemen upon taking the oath, whereas every where else no one could be +made free, unless he was a church member. The province was made a +county, by the name of _Yorkshire_; and the towns sent representatives +to the general court at _Boston_. Though the major part of the +inhabitants were brought to consent to this regulation, great opposition +was made by some principal persons, who severely reproached the +Massachusetts, for using force in order to reduce the province: but the +people experienced the benefit of it, and were contented. They continued +in union with the Massachusetts until 1665, when a short separation +commenced. + +You have now a sketch of the settlement of all _New-England_. It would +have been far more concise, had it not been necessary, to correct the +mistakes frequently committed, by those who publish on the subject; and +to remove the reproaches cast upon the bulk of the inhabitants, on +account of their religious profession. Whether there was any material +difference between them and the other colonies, in regard to the opinion +they entertained of their civil rights, you will be able to observe in +the course of your reading. Their judgment in respect to the exercise of +parliamentary powers over them, may be further known by what _Randolph_ +wrote concerning the Massachusetts, in his narrative and letters, after +the restoration; from whence “_it seems to have been a general opinion +that acts of parliament had no other force than what they derived from +acts passed by the general court to establish or confirm them_.” + +[1676.] _Randolph_ declared, “No law is in force or esteem there, but +such as are made by the general court; and therefore it is accounted a +breach of their privileges, and a betraying the liberties of the +commonwealth to urge the observation of the laws of _England_.”—“No oath +shall be urged, or required to be taken by any person, but such oath as +the general court hath considered, allowed and required.”—“there is no +notice taken of the act of navigation, plantation, or any other laws +made in _England_ for the regulation of trade.”—“All nations have free +liberty to come into their ports, and vend their commodities without any +restraint; in this as well as in other things, that government would +make the world believe they are a free state, and do act in all matters +accordingly.”—“The magistrates have continually disobeyed his majesty’s +command in his royal letters, of 1662, 64, 65, and those of March last; +ever reserving to themselves a power to alter, evade and disannul any +law or command not agreeing with their humour, or the absolute authority +of their government, acknowledging no superior.”—” He (the governor) +freely declared to me, that the laws made by your majesty and your +parliament obligeth them in nothing, but what consists with the interest +of the colony; that the legislative power is and abides in them +_solely_.[27] + +The _Massachusetts_ general court, in a letter to their agents, +mentioned, that not being represented in parliament, they looked not +upon themselves to be impeded in their trade by the acts of trade and +navigation, and that these could not be observed by his majesty’s +subjects in Massachusetts without invading their liberties and +properties, until the general court made provision therein by a law, +which they did in October. Notwithstanding such law, and a subsequent +order, Feb. 15, 1681, “that the act of navigation and the act for the +encouragement of trade, be published in Boston by beat of drum, and all +clauses in said acts relating to the plantation be strictly observed.” +_Randolph_ complained to the commissioners of the customs in England, +because of their not being duly observed. When the people found +themselves in danger of a _quo warranto_, they agreed upon such +emendations of their acts of trade, as to make them accord in all things +with the laws of England. But it was too late. A _quo warranto_ was sent +them, and brought by _Randolph_, Nov. 3, 1683; and the next year a writ +of _scire ficias_ was prosecuted in the court of chancery against the +governor and company, and judgment given, that the charter should be +annihilated. Considering the temper of _Charles_ II. it is rather matter +of astonishment, that the sentiments and conduct of the Massachusetts +government did not provoke him to vacate the charter much sooner. +However mortifying, yet it would have been more prudent, to have +declined contending with the king, when they knew that they must be +vanquished, than virtually to bid him defiance. Such submission might +not have saved them from the arbitrary government that followed, but +could have been of no disservice, had there not been a subsequent +revolution: that event taking place, it would have been extremely +beneficial. They might have been allowed to resume their charter, +nearly, if not wholly. + +Before we proceed to the southward, let it be noted, that in 1672, the +English parliament enacted by law, “That if any vessel, which by law may +trade in the plantations, shall take on board any enumerated +commodities, and a bond shall not have been given with sufficient +security to unlade them in England, there shall be rendered to his +majesty, for sugars, tobacco, ginger, cocoa nut, indigo, logwood, +fustic, cotton wool, the several duties mentioned in the law, to be paid +in such places in the plantations, and to such officers as shall be +appointed to collect the same: and for their better collection, it is +enactad, that the whole business shall be managed, and the imposts be +levied by officers appointed by the commissioners of the customs in +England.” This is the first act that imposed customs on the colonies +alone, to be regularly collected by colonial revenue officers. But the +best affected colonies, Barbadoes, Virginia and Maryland, considering +the laws of trade either as inconsistent with their privileges, or +destructive to their infant commerce, hesitated to obey, or elude the +provisions of the laws; and trafficked without restraint, wherever hope +of gain directed their navigators. Charles II. reprimanded them, and his +successors gave standing instructions upon the head, but without +effect.[28] + +Governor _Nicholson_ of Maryland wrote to the board of trade, August 16, +1698, “I have observed that a great many people in all these provinces +and colonies, especially in those under proprietaries, and the two +others under Connecticut and Rhode-Island, think that no law of England +ought to be in force and binding to them without their own consent; for +they foolishly say, they have no representatives sent from themselves to +the parliament of England; and they look upon all laws made in England, +that put any restraint upon them, to be great hardships.” These were the +colonial sentiments two years after passing the famous declaratory act +of Willian and Mary, which you will find mentioned below. Molyneux’s +Case of Ireland, asserting openly the same doctrines, was first +published in February, 1697–8. + +The colony of _New-York_ demands our next attention. The Dutch had +settled, and named it the _New-Netherlands_. Charles II. resolved upon +its conquest in 1664, and in March granted to his brother the Duke of +York, the region extending from the western banks of Connecticut to the +eastern shore of the _Delaware_, together with _Long-Island_, conferring +on him the civil and military powers of government. Colonel _Nichols_ +was sent with four frigates and three hundred soldiers to effect the +business. The Dutch governor being unable to make resistance, the +New-Netherlands submitted to the English crown, in September, without +any other change than of rulers. Few of the Dutch removed; and Nichols +instantly entered upon the exercise of his power, as deputy governor of +the duke of York, the proprietary. + +In July, 1673, the Dutch repossessed themselves of the province, by +attacking it suddenly when in a defenceless state. By the peace in +February following it was restored. The validity of the grant, while the +Dutch were in quiet possession having been questioned, the duke of York +thought it prudent to obtain a new one the following June, and _Edmund +Andros_ having been appointed governor, the Dutch resigned their +authority to him in October. Thus was New-York regained; but the +inhabitants were again enslaved to the will of the conqueror; for, being +admitted to no share in the legislature, they were subject to laws to +which they had never assented. + +[1681.] To be relieved from a servitude that had degraded the colony, +and now gave dissatisfaction to every one, the council, the court of +assizes, and the corporation of New-York, concurred in soliciting the +duke, “to permit the people to participate in the legislative power.” +The duke, though strongly prejudiced against democratic assemblies, yet +in expectation that the inhabitants would agree to raise money to +discharge the public debts, and to settle such a fund for the future as +might be sufficient for the maintenance of the government and garrison, +informed the lieutenant-governor, in 1682, that “he intended to +establish the same frame of government as the other plantations enjoyed, +particularly in the choosing of an assembly.” + +Mr. Dongan was appointed governor in September, and instructed to call +an assembly, to consist of a council of ten, and of a house of +representatives, chosen by the freeholders, of the number of eighteen +members. The assembly was empowered to make laws for the people, +agreeable to the general jurisprudence of the state of England, which +should be of no force, however, without the ratification of the +proprietary. “Thus the inhabitants of New-York, after being ruled almost +twenty years at the will of the duke’s deputies, were first admitted to +participate in the legislative power.” + +[1683.] An assembly was called on governor Dongan’s arrival, which +passed an act of general naturalization, in order to give equal +privileges to the various kinds of people then inhabiting the province; +together with an act “declaring the liberties of the people;” as also +one “for defraying the requisite charges of government for a limitted +time.” The legislature was convened once more in August 1684, when it +explained the last act. These seem to have been the only assemblies +called prior to the revolution. + +When the duke became king of England, he refused to confirm that grant +of privileges to which, as duke, he had agreed. He established a real +tyranny, and reduced New-York once more to the deplorable condition of a +conquered province. + +_New-Jersey_, which was also taken from the _Dutch_ (who were considered +as having no right to any of their settlements in these parts of +America) was included in the grant to the duke of York. The duke +disposed of it to lord _Berkely_ Sir _George Carteret_ who, being sole +proprietors, for the better settlement of it, agreed [1664.] upon +certain constitutions of government, so well relished, that the eastern +parts were soon considerably peopled. One of the stipulations was, “no +qualified person, at any time, shall be any ways molested, punished, +disquieted, or called into question, for any difference in opinion or +practice in matters of religious concernments, who does not acturally +disturb the civil peace of the province; but all and every such person +and persons, may, from time to time, and at all times, freely and fully +have and enjoy his and their judgments and consciences in matters of +religion, they behaving themselves peaceably and quietly, and not using +this liberty to licentiousness, nor to the civil injury or outward +disturbance of others; _any law, statute, or clause contained or to be +contained, usage or custom of the realm of England, to the contrary +thereof in any wise notwithstanding_.”[29] The lords proprietors further +agreed, “for the better security of all the inhabitants in the +province—That _they are not to impose_, NOR SUFFER TO BE IMPOSED, _any +tax, custom, subsidy, tallage, assessment, or any other duty whatsoever, +upon any colour or pretence, upon the said province and inhabitants +thereof, other than what shall be imposed by the authority and consent +of the general assembly_.”[30] What can more strongly express the then +opinion of Lord _Berkely_ and Sir _George Carteret_, as to the +parliaments having no right to tax the inhabitants of the province, +possessed by them as lords proprietors! + +[1674.] Lord _Berkely_ sold his moiety of the province to _John +Fenwick_, in trust for _Edward Byllinge_ and his assigns.—After which +the proprietors, _E. Byllinge, William Penn, Gawen Lawrie, Nicholas +Lucas, and Edmund Warner_, of the quaker persuasion, agreed with Sir +_George Carteret_ [1676.] upon a division; and that his moiety should be +called _New East-Jersey_; and theirs _New West-Jersey_. The agreement +respecting the _not imposing or suffering to be imposed any tax, &c._ +was adopted: the other stipulation is worded somewhat differently—“No +man, nor number of men upon earth, hath power or authority to rule over +men’s conscience in religious matters; therefore it is consented, agreed +and ordained, that no person or persons whatsoever, within the province, +at any time or times hereafter, shall be any ways, upon any pretence +whatsoever, called in question, or in the least punished or hurt, either +in person, estate or privilege, for the sake of his opinion, judgment, +faith or worship towards God in matters of religion; but that all and +every such person and persons, may from time to time, and at all times, +freely and fully have and enjoy his and their judgments, and the +exercise of their consciences, in matters of religious worship, +throughout all the province.”[31] It was also agreed, “that all +elections be not determined by the common and confused way of cries and +voices; but by putting balls into balloting boxes, to be provided for +that purpose, for the prevention of all partiality, and whereby every +man may freely choose according to his own judgment and honest +intention.”[32] + +Soon after, many quakers resorted to _West-Jersey_ from England, and the +country filled apace. But the people early experienced the dreadful +effects of arbitrary power. Major _Andros_ the governor of _New-York_, +imposed 10 per cent. on all goods imported at the _Hoar-kill_,[33] and +demanded 5 percent. of the settlers at arrival or afterwards, though +neither _West-Jersey_, nor the _Hoar-kill_, was legally under his +jurisdiction. They complained of the hardship from the first, but bore +it patiently, till about 1680, when application was made to the duke of +York, who referred the matter to the council, where it rested for a +considerable time, and then was reported in their favour, and the duty +ordered to be discontinued. Among the arguments used by Messrs. _William +Penn_, _George Hutchinson_ and others, chiefly if not all quakers, in +the paper presented to the duke’s commissioners, were these, “Powers of +government are expressly granted, in the cenveyance lord Berkely made +us; for that only could have induced us to buy it; and the reason is +plain, because to all prudent men, the government of any place is more +inviting than the soil: for what is good land without good laws; the +better, the worse. And if we could not assume people of an easy and +free, and safe government, both with respect to their spiritual and +worldly property, that is an uninterrupted liberty of conscience and an +inviolable possession of their civil rights and freedoms, by a just and +wise government, a mere wilderness would be no encouragement; for it +were a madness to leave a free, good and improved country, to plant in a +wilderness, and there adventure many thousands of pounds, to give an +absolute title to another person to tax us at will and pleasure.” +Natural right and human prudence oppose such doctrine all the world +over, as says, “that people free by law, under their prince at home, are +at his mercy in the plantations abroad.” The King’s grant to the duke of +York, is plainly restrictive to the laws and government of England. Now, +we humbly conceive, it is made a fundamental in our constitution, and +government, that the king of England cannot justly take his subjects +goods without their consent: this needs no more to be proved than a +principal; ’tis _jus indigene_, and home-bore right, declared to be law +by divers statutes; as in the great charter, ch. 29 and 34. Ed. III. ch. +2; again 25 Ed. ch. 7.[34] To give up the power of making laws is to +change the government, to sell or rather resign ourselves to the will of +another; and that for nothing; for we buy nothing of the duke, if not +the right of an undisturbed colonizing, with no diminution, but +expectation of some increase of these freedoms and privileges enjoyed in +our own country. We humbly say, that we have not lost any part of our +liberty, by leaving our country; but we transplant to a place with +express limitation to erect no policy contrary to the established +government (of England) but as near as may be to it; and this variation +is allowed but for the sake of emergencies; and that latitude bounded +with these words, _for the good of the adventurer and planter_. This tax +is not to be found in the duke’s conveyances, but is an after business. +Had the planters foreseen it, they would sooner have taken up in any +other plantation in America—[a plain intimation that no such tax was +imposed in any other American plantation.] Beside, there is no end of +this power; for since we are by this precedent assessed without any law, +and thereby excluded our English right of common assent to taxes; what +security have we of any thing we possess? We can call nothing our own, +but are tenants at will not only for the soil, but for all our personal +estates; we endure penury, and the sweat of our brows, to improve them +at our own hazard only. This is to transplant from good to bad. _This +sort of conduct has destroyed government, but never raised one to any +true greatness._[35] + +The paper presented to the duke’s commissioners, evidently proves, that +it was the opinion of these gentlemen, who were quakers, that no tax +could be justly imposed upon the inhabitants, without their own consent +first had, and by the authority of their own general assembly. The +report of the council in favour of the aggrieved, and the relief that +followed, were virtual concessions to the same purport. This will not be +judged wholly unprecedented by those who are acquainted with what +happened relative to the county-palatine and city of _Chester_, in the +35th year of the reign of _Henry_ VIII. [1543.] The inhabitants +complained in a petition to the king, that for want of knights and +burgesses in the court of parliament, they sustained manifold damages, +not only in their lands, goods, and bodies, but in the civil and politic +governance and maintenance of the commonwealth of their said county; and +that while they had been always bound by the acts and statutes of the +said court of parliament, the same as other counties, cities, and +boroughs, that had knights and burgesses in said court, they had often +been touched, and grieved with acts and statutes made within the said +court, as well derogatory unto the most ancient jurisdictions, +liberties, and privileges of the said court-palatine, as prejudicial +unto the commonwealth, quietness, and peace of his majesty’s subjects. +They proposed to the king, as a remedy, that it would please his +highness, that it be enacted, with the assent of the lords spiritual and +temporal, and by the commons in parliament assembled, that from the end +of the session, the county-palatine shall have two knights for the said +county, and likewise two citizens to be burgesses for the city of +Chester. The complaint and remedy were thought to be so just and +reasonable, that the relief for which they prayed was granted, and they +were admitted to send representatives to parliament, to guard their +interests and to secure their liberties and privileges. + +The reasons for my passing from the Jerseys to Virginia will soon be +obvious. + +_Virginia_ was the original name for all the English North-American +continental claims, given in honor to the virgin queen, Elizabeth. King +James, being applied to, granted letters patent to a body of gentlemen +on the 6th of April, 1606, with powers to divide themselves into two +distinct companies, the one consisting of London adventurers, called the +first or southern colony of Virginia; the second or northern colony, +composed of merchants belonging to Bristol, Plymouth and Exeter. The +territory granted to the first or southern colony, was generally called +_Virginia_ without any distinguishing epithet; and retained that name +after the second or northern colony obtained the name of New-England, in +1614. + +The London company applied their attention immediately to the forming of +a settlement, and sent off a hundred and ten emigrants, who arrived on +the coast of Virginia, April 29th, 1607: a party landed on the +promontory, called, in honor of the prince of Wales, _Cape-Henry_; +afterward proceeded to and took possession of a peninsula in +James-river, and began a settement at _James-town_. The instructions +given by the company of proprietors, when they sent out their second +supply the following year, show that the most active projectors in +England had for their chief objects discovery and gain, rather than +colonization. + +[1609.] A new charter was obtained: many of the first nobility and +gentry were added to the former proprietors, and were incorporared by +the name of “The Treasurer and Company of Adventurers, of the city of +London, for the first colony of Virginia.” To them was granted in +absolute property the lands extending from Cape Comfort along the +sea-coast southward 200 miles, from the same promontory 200 miles +northward, and from the Atlantic westward to the South-sea. The company +was empowered to make ordinances for the colony, and for those on the +seas going thither. There was granted to the treasurer and company and +their assigns, a freedom from all subsidies in Virginia for 21 years, +and from all impositions on importations and exportations to and from +England, or any other of the king’s dominions, “except only the five +pounds in the hundred due for customs.” Little was conceded to the +emigrants by the charter; and much conferred on the corporation. The +colonists were to be governed by the ordinances of a corporation +residing in England, in which they were not represented, and over the +deliberations of which they had no control. The powers of the +corporation were indeed controlable, as it was subject to the +superintendance of the courts of justice within the realm, which could +compel it to act agreeable as well to the grant, as to the laws of the +state. + +The adventurers, warmed with golden dreams of great riches, soon fitted +out nine ships, with 500 emigrants, and every necessary for the +establishment of a permanent colony, excepting suitable encouragement to +the settlers. Lord Delaware was appointed captain-general for life. Only +seven vessels arrived safe. + +When Mr. Smith, who had governed the colony, departed for England, he +left behind him 500 persons, of whom, what with bad management, +dissensions, attacks from the Indians, waste of provisions, which +occasioned a famine, &c. there remained only sixty of all ages and +sexes, at the expiration of six months. When Sir _Thomas Gates_, the +lieutenant-governor arrived in May, 1610, and saw the calamitous +situation of affairs, he concluded on embarking the colonists and +sailing for England: but before he could proceed to sea, Lord _Delaware_ +arrived with three ships, bringing abundant supplies, and carried back +with him to James-town the feeble remains of the colony. He soon +re-established matters; but his health obliging him, he sailed for +England the beginning of the subsequent year, [1611.] leaving about 200 +colonists, possessed of health, plenty, and peace with their neighbours. +After his departure they relapsed; but his successor, Sir _Thomas Dale_, +arriving in May with more emigrants, cattle, and provision for a year, +things were again restored. This same year the adventurers obtained a +new charter, by which the two former were confirmed, and they had also +granted to them all the islands situated in the ocean, within 300 +leagues of any part of the Virginia coast. The corporation was now +considerably new modelled, and, in order to promote the effectual +settlement of the plantation, licence was given to open lotteries in any +part of England. The lotteries alone, which were the first ever granted +in England, brought 29,000l. into The campany’s treasury. At length +being considered as a national evil, they attracted the notice of +parliament, were presented by the commons as a grievance, and in March, +1620, suspended by an order of council. + +Sir _Thomas Gates_ was dispatched with six large ships, carrying 300 +colonists, 100 cattle, and useful supplies. He arrived in August: and +parties were sent out from James-town to form distant settlements. He +returned the beginning of 1614, and the administration devolved once +more on Sir _Thomas Dale_, to whom the Virginians owe the introduction +of landed property. In 1615, fifty acres of land were granted to every +emigrant and his heirs, and the same quantity to every person imported +by others. Dale sailed for England in the beginning of 1616, giving up +the trust to Sir _George Yeardley_, as deputy governor, and in this year +the cultivation of tobacco was introduced. It was originally carried +from Tobago to England. Mr. _Argal_, a new deputy, arrived in May, 1617. +He published a variety of edicts, and was guilty of those wrongs and +oppressions, that the treasurer and council appointed _Yeardly_ +captain-general, and empowered him to examine into and redress +grievances. Sir George arrived April, 1619, bringing with him several +instructions favourable to freedom, and soon declared his intention of +calling a general assembly, which gave the greatest joy to men, who had +been hitherto subjected to the arbitrary orders of their prince, to the +interested ordinances of an English corporation, or to the edicts of a +haughty governor; and who enjoyed none of those liberties which +Englishmen claim as their birth-right. + +In June, Yeardley, pursuant to his instructions from the company, issued +writs for the election of delegates, called burgesses. The colony had +been divided into seven hundreds or distinct settlements, which seemed +to enjoy some of the privileges of boroughs, and from this circumstance +the democratic branch of the assembly has been called to this day the +house of burgesses, though composed almost entirely of the +representatives of counties. The assembly, formed of the governor and +council of state, who were appointed by the treasurer and company, and +of the burgesses chosen by the people, met together in one apartment, +and transacted affairs like the parliament of Scotland of old, which +mode continued till after the restoration of Charles II. Thus convened, +and thus composed, the legislature “debated all matters thought +expedient for the good of the whole.” The laws were transmitted to +England, for the approbation of the treasurer and company, without whose +confirmation they were of no validity. The introduction of an assembly +was attended with the happiest effects. The emigrants, for the first +time, resolved to settle themselves, and to perpetuate the plantation. +The assembly thanked the company for their favour, and begged them “to +reduce into a compendious form, with his majesty’s approbation, the laws +of England proper for Virginia, with suitable additions;” giving as a +reason, “that it was not fit that his subjects should be governed by any +other rules, than such as received their influence from him.” This year +the treasurer and council received a letter, “commanding them to send a +hundred dissolute persons (convicts) to Virginia.” They were accordingly +transported; and were at that period very acceptable to the colonies,” +though the unlimited practice of emptying the English jails on the +American continent has of late years been complained of as a nuisance. +[1602.] The subsequent year must, on account of the introduction of +_African slaves_ into the colonies, be stigmatized as a much viler +æra.—The Hollanders were not then precluded by any law from trading with +the colonies. A Dutch vessel carried to Virginia a cargo of negroes, and +the Virginians, who had themselves just emerged from a state of slavery, +became chargeable with reducing their fellow men to the condition of +brutes. + +[1621.] In July, the treasurer and company carried into execution a +resolution formerly taken, for establishing a proper constitution for +the colony. The ordinance they passed, declared that there should be two +supreme councils in Virginia, the one to be called the council of state, +to be appointed and displaced by the treasurer and company, and which +was to advise the governor in governmental affairs; the other was to be +denominated the general assembly, and to consist of the governor and +council, and of two burgesses, to be chosen, for the present, by the +inhabitants of every town, hundred, and settlement in the colony. The +assembly was to determine by the majority of the voices then present, +and to enact general laws for the colony, reserving to the governor a +negative voice. They were to imitate the laws and customs, and judicial +proceedings used in England. “No acts were to be in force till confirmed +by the general court in England: on the other hand, no order of the +general court was to bind the colony, till assented to by the assembly.” +The company having offered territory to those who should either emigrate +themselves, or engage to transport people to the colony, found this +policy so successful, that upward of 3500 persons emigrated to Virginia +during this and the two preceding years. + +[1622.] This year was remarkable for a massacre of the colonists by the +_Indians_, which was executed with the utmost subtilty, and without any +regard to age, sex, or dignity. A well concerted attack on all the +settlements, destroyed, in one hour, and almost at the same instant, 347 +persons, who were defenceless and incapable of making resistance. The +emigrants, notwithstanding the orders they had received, had never been +solicitous to cultivate the good-will of the natives, and had neither +asked permission when they occupied their country, nor given a price for +their valuable property, which was violently taken away. The miseries of +famine were soon superadded to the horrors of massacre. Of eighty +plantations, which were filling apace, only eight remained; and of the +numbers which had been transported thither, no more than about 1800 +survived those manifold disasters. + +Frequent complaints having been made to king James of the oppressions of +the treasurer and company, and the before-mentioned calamities being +attributed to their misconduct or neglect, it was determined that a +commission should issue to enquire into the affairs of Virginia and the +Somer-isles, from the earliest settlement of each. Upon the report of +the commissioners, the king concluded on giving a new charter, and +required of the company the surrender of former grants, which being +refused, a writ of _quo warranto_ issued in November, 1623, against the +patents of the corporation; and judgment was given by the court of +king’s-bench against the treasurer and company, in Trinity-term, 1624. +These proceedings “were so conformable to the general strain of the +arbitrary administration of that reign, that they made little impression +at the time, though the Virginia company was composed of persons of the +first quality, wealth, and consequence in the nation.” The company +probably would not have exercised so tame and submissive a spirit, had +they not been wholly disappointed in their visionary prospects, and met +with considerable losses, instead of acquiring enormous profits. They +had obtained from individuals, who sported in their lotteries from the +hope of sudden riches, £. 29,000. but the transportation of more than +9000 English subjects, had cost them £.150,000. They did not, however, +abandon the colony in its distress, while they continued a corporation. +Timely supplies were sent from England to the Virginia settlers, which +so animated them, that they carried on an offensive war against the +Indians, pursued them into their fastnesses, and drove them from the +neighbourhood of those rivers where they had fixed their own +plantations. + +As to king _James_, he “assuredly considered the colonies as acquired by +conquest; and that they ought to be holden of his person, independent of +his crown or political capacity; and might be ruled according to his +good will, by prerogative; and he endeavored, agreeable to the strange +œconomy of his reign, to convert them into a mere private estate, +descendable to his personal heirs.”[36] + +The Virginia company being dissolved, James took the colony under his +immediate dependence, which occasioned much confusion. Upon his death, +king _Charles_ [1625.] being of the same judgment with his father as to +the government of Virginia, determined to tread in the same steps. In +May he named a new governor and council for Virginia, and invested them +with an authority fully legislative and arbitrary. They were empowered +to make and execute laws, to impose taxes, and enforce payment. Neither +the commission nor instructions mentioned expressly, or even alluded to +an assembly, to the laws of England, or to the acts of the provincial +legislature, as a rule of government. They were required to transport +colonists into England, to be punished there for crimes committed in +Virginia. This system increased the colonial dissatisfaction, which +continued for years, till the Virginians received a letter containing +the royal assurance, that “all their estates, trade, freedom, and +privileges, should be enjoyed by them in as extensive a manner as they +enjoyed them before the recalling of the company’s patent.” On this they +were reconciled, and began again to exert themselves in making +improvements.[37] + +Being left for some years in a manner to themselves, they increased +beyond expectation. They remained under the administration of their +governors and other officers, who respected their privileges because +they loved the colony. The governor whom Charles had been anxious to +appoint, had no opportunity of exercising those illegal and +extraordinary powers with which he had been invested. His death in 1627, +put an end to his authority, and prevented the colony’s feeling its full +extent. His successor, _John Harvey_, esq. was nominated in March 1629; +and his commission and instructions were precisely the same with those +of the former. He departed soon after for Virginia. The spirit of his +administration was an exact counterpart of what had too long prevailed +in England. He was severe in his extortions, proud in his councils, +unjust and arbitrary in every department of his government. The +_Virginians_, roused almost to madness by oppression, seized and sent +him prisoner to England, accompanied with two deputies, to represent +their grievances and his misconduct. His behaviour was so thought of, +that he was honored with a new commission which confirmed former powers, +and he was sent back to Virginia in April, 1637. After that, his +government was so excessively oppressive and cruel, that the complaints +of the colonists became at length too loud to be longer neglected, and +his commission was revoked in January, 16389—. During his ten years +administration, the Virginians were ruled rather as the vassels of an +eastern despot, than as subjects entitled to English liberties; but it +is to their credit, that, having tasted the sweets of a simple +government, they opposed with a firm spirit, during the reign of +Charles, the attempts of those who endeavoured to revive the patents, +and to restore the corporation. + +Sir _William Berkely_ was appointed governor the beginning of 1639. His +instructions evidenced a prodigious change in colonial policy, which +must be partly ascribed to the then state of affairs in England. He was +directed to summon all the burgesses of the plantations; who with the +governor and council were to constitute the grand assembly, with power +to make acts for the government of the colony, as near as might be to +the laws of England—to cause speedy justice to be administered to all, +according to English forms—and to forbid all trade with foreign vessels +except upon necessity. Thus were the Virginians restored to that system +of freedom which they had derived from the Virginia company, and which +the writ of _quo warranto_ had involved in the same ruin with the +corporation itself. + +Civil dissentions however took place, which were embittered by religious +differences, and inflamed by acts made to prohibit the preaching of the +doctrines of the puritans. The discontented party presented a petition +to the house of commons, in the name of the assembly, “praying for the +restoration of the antient patents and corporation government.” But the +governor, council and burgesses, no sooner heard of the transaction, +than they transmitted an explicit disavowal of it. They sent also an +address to king _Charles_ acknowledging his bounty and favor toward +them, and earnestly desiring to continue under his immediate protection. +In 1642, they declared in the form of an act, “that they were born under +monarchy, and would never degenerate from the condition of their births, +by being subjects to any other government.” Nothing could be more +acceptable than this act, which being presented to the king at _York_, +drew from him an answer, in which he gave them the fullest assurances, +that they always should be immediately dependent upon the crown, and +that the form of government should never be changed. + +They remained unalterably attached to the cause of their sovereign. But +when the commons of England had triumphed over their European opponents, +their attention was turned to the plantations; and an ordinance was +passed in October, 1650, “for prohibiting trade with _Barbadoes_, +_Virginia_, _Bermuda_, and _Antego_.” It recited, that “in Virginia, and +other places in America, their are colonies, which were planted at the +cost, and settled by the people, and by the authority of this nation, +which ought to be subordinate to, and depend upon England—that they ever +had been, and ought to be subject to such laws and regulations, as are, +or shall be made by the parliament—that divers acts of rebellion have +been committed by many persons inhabiting Virginia, whereby they have +set up themselves in opposition to the commonwealth” It therefore +declared them “notorious robbers and traitors.” Persons in power +generally reason alike against those who oppose their authority, and +dispute the legality or equity of their measures, whatever might be +their own sentiments when in a lower station, and while aggrieved by +superiors. The ordinance authorised the council of state to send a fleet +thither, and to grant commissions to proper persons to enforce to +obedience all such as stood opposed to the authority of parliament. In +consequence hereof commissioners were appointed, and a powerful fleet +and army detached, to reduce all their enemies to submission. They were +to use their endeavors, by granting pardons and by other peaceful arts, +to induce the colonists to obey the state of England; but, if these +means should prove ineffectual, then they were to employ every act of +hostility; to free those servants and slaves of masters opposing the +government, that would serve as soldiers to subdue them; and to cause +the acts of parliament to be executed, and justice to be administered, +in the name of the commonwealth. After the arrival of the commissioners +with the naval and military force, the Virginians refused to submit, +till articles of surrender had been agreed upon, by which it was +stipulated, “The plantation of Virginia, and all the inhabitants +thereof, shall enjoy such freedoms and privileges as belong to the free +people of England. The general assembly, as formerly, shall convene and +transact the affairs of the colony. The people of Virginia shall have a +free trade, as the people of England, to all places, and with all +nations.” Virginia shall be free from all taxes, customs, and +impositions whatsoever; and none shall be imposed on them without +consent of the general assembly; and neither forts nor castles shall be +erected, nor garrisons maintained without their consent.”[38] + +The hardships the _Virginians_ experienced from restrictions on their +trade under _Oliver Cromwell_, together with their attachment to the +royal family, induced them to seize the occasion of the death of the +protector’s governor, for applying to Sir _William Berkely_, who had +lived privately during the revolutions of the day, to resume the +government of the colony, to which he consented, on their solemnly +promising to venture their lives and fortunes with him for Charles II. +Before they had heard of the death of Cromwell, _Charles_ was proclaimed +by them king of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Virginia. During the +distresses to which the royalists were exposed in England prior to this +event, they resorted to that colony, so that Virginia contained about +30,000 persons at the restoration. Sir William Berkely, in his answer to +the enquiries of the lords of the committee of the colonies, writes, +June 20, 1671, “there are 40,000 persons, men, women, and children, 2000 +black slaves, and 6000 christian servants for a short time.” You will +not have your good opinion heightened of him for his adding—“I thank God +there are no free schools, nor printing, and I hope we shall not have +them these hundred years. For learning has brought disobedience, and +heresy, and sects into the world, and printing has divulged them and +libels against the government. God keep us from both!”[39] + +You will remark, that, however zealous the Virginians were to honor the +Charles’s with their loyalty, they boldly declined complimenting king, +commonwealth, and protector with their liberties. + +_Maryland_ comes now to be considered. + +Sir _George Calvert_ was one of the original associates in the great +Virginia company, and continued a member of that corporation during its +existance: and, as secretary of state, he acted as one of the committee +of council for the affairs of the plantations while James I. lived. Sir +George in his reign, having thought proper to alter his religious +sentiments and embrace popery, ingenuously avowed the change. The king +pleased with his sincerity, granted him a part of _Newfoundland_, which +the French at length obliged him to abandon. His majesty further +testified his regard, by creating him Lord Baltimore of Ireland. King +_Charles_, to compensate for his loss of the Newfoundland territory, +gave him a grant of the country on the north side of the +_Chesapeak-bay_. + +His Lordship died April 15, 1632, before the patent was made out; on +which his son Cecil took it out in his own name the June following. +Charles, in honor to his royal consort Henrietta Maria, named the colony +Maryland; and, being desirous of gratifying the proprietary all in his +power invested him with as much sovereignty as could well consist with +an immediate subjection to the crown of England. His Lordship, with the +assent of the freemen, or their delegates, whom he was required to +assemble for that purpose, might make laws of what kind soever for the +province, so that they were not repugnant, but agreeable to the +jurisprudence and rights of the realm of England; and he was authorised +to execute the acts of the assembly. There was no clause in the charter +obliging him to transmit their acts to the king for approbation or +dissent: nor any saving of the royal interference in the government of +the colony. Charles reserved to himself and his heirs forever, imposts, +duties, and customs, which the colonies were bound to pay; but declared +in the same charter, “We, our heirs and successors, shall at no time set +and make, or cause to be set, any imposition, custom, or taxation on the +inhabitants of the province, for their lands, goods, tenements, or +chattels whithin the said province.” By this clause the king covenanted +for himself, heirs and successors, that having reserved for ever the +imposts, duties, and customs, he would not contribute toward setting +upon the inhabitants any imposition, custom, or taxation, for their +lands, goods, tenaments, or chattels, within the said province; and +therein bound both himself and them, not to assent to any bill +subjecting the inhabitants to an internal taxation by an external +legislation. + +The first emigration consisted of two hundred gentlemen of considerable +fortune and rank, with their adherents, chiefly Roman Catholics, who +hoped to enjoy liberty of conscience, under a proprietary of their own +profession. They sailed from England in November, and landed in Maryland +the beginning of 1633. Governor _Colvert_, brother to lord Baltimore, +very wisely and justly purchased, by presents of various goods, the +rights of the Indians, and with their free consent took possession of +their town, which he called St. Mary’s. The country was settled with so +much ease, and furnished with so many conveniences, that emigrants +repaired thither in such numbers, that the colony soon became popular +and flourishing. A third assembly of freemen was held at St. John’s in +February, 1638–9, when an act was passed “for establishing the house of +assembly.” It inacted that those who shall be elected pursuant to writs +issued, shall be called burgesses, and shall supply the place of the +freemen who chose them—that the gentlemen summoned by the special writ +of the proprietary, and those freemen who shall not have voted at any of +the elections, together with the governor and secretary, shall be called +“the house of assembly”—that all acts assented to by that body, shall be +deemed of the same force, as if the proprietary and freemen had been +personly present. Slavery seems to have gained an early establishment in +Maryland, for an act of this assembly describes “the people” to consist +of all christian inhabitants “slaves only excepted.” The persecuting +laws which were passed by the Viginians, soon after this period against +the puritans, made the latter emigrate in considerable numbers to +Maryland, that they might enjoy, under a popish proprietary, that +liberty of conscience, of which they were deprived by fellow +protestants. + +In 1642, the burgesses “desired that they might be separated, and sit by +themselves, and have a negative,”—such was their progress in +entertaining just conceptions of their own democratic rights. The +governor did not grant their request; but they were afterwards more +successful. The assembly of 1649, was assuredly divided into two parts, +and transacted business in the form of an upper and lower house. That +assembly, which convened in April, enacted, that no persons professing +to believe in Jesus Christ, shall be molested in respect of their +religion, or in the exercise thereof, or be compelled to the belief or +exercise of any other religion against their consent, so that they be +not unfaithful to the proprietary, or conspire against the civil +government—that those reproaching any with opprobrious names of +religious distinction, shall forfeit ten shillings to the persons +injured—that any one speaking reproachfully against the blessed Virgin, +or the Apostles, shall forfeit five pounds—but blasphemy against God, +shall be punished with death. + +In 1650, a law was passed “for settling this present assembly.” It +enacted, that those who were called by special writ shall form the upper +house—that those who were chosen by the hundreds shall compose the lower +house—and that all bills which shall be assented to by the two branches +of the legislature thus established, and assented to by the governor, +shall be deemed the laws of the province, and have the same effect as if +the freemen were personally present. There was also passed “an act +against raising money without the consent of the assembly.” It +mentioned, “That no taxes shall be assessed or levied on the freemen of +the province, without their own consent, or that of their deputies, +first declared in a general assembly. The printed words and early date +of this Maryland act demand particular notice. The act of the general +assembly and governor were of the same force in their own province, as +acts of parliament in England; and could not be repealed without the +concurring assent of the proprietary, or his deputy, with the other two +estates. + +_Carolina_ follows Maryland in the order of existence. + +A few adventurers emigrated from the Massachusetts, and settled round +_Cape Fear_, about the time of the restoration. They considered mere +occupancy, with a transfer from the natives, without any grant from the +king, as a good title to the lands which they possessed. They deemed +themselves entitled to the same “civil privileges” as those of the +country from whence they had emigrated. For years they experienced the +complicated miseries of want. They solicited the aid of their +countrymen; and the general court, with an attention and humanity which +did it the greatest honor, ordered an extensive contribution for their +relief. But the final settlement of the province was effected equally +through the rapacity of the courtiers of Charles the II. and his own +facility in rewarding those to whom he was greatly indebted, with a +liberality that cost him little. The pretence which had been used on +former occasions, of a pious zeal for the propagation of the gospel +among the Indians, was successfully employed to procure a grant of the +immense region lying between the 36° of north latitude and the river St. +Matheo, under the 31°. March 24, 1663, this territory was erected into a +province, by the name of _Carolina_, and conferred on lord _Clarendon_, +the duke of _Albemarle_, lord _Craven_, lord _Berkely_, lord _Ashley_, +Sir _George Carteret_, Sir _John Colleton_, and Sir _William Berkely_, +as absolute lords proprietaris for ever, saving the sovereign allegience +due to the crown. The charter seems to have been copied from that of +Maryland, so extensive in its powers, and so noble in its privileges. +The noblemen held their first meeting in May; and at the desire of the +New-England people abovementioned, published proposals to all that would +plant in Carolina. They declared, that all persons settling on Charles +River, to the southward of Cape Fear, should have power to fortify its +banks, taking the oath of allegiance to the king, and submitting to the +government of the proprietaries—that the emigrants might present to them +thirteen persons, in order that they might appoint a governor and a +council of six for three years—that an assembly, composed of the +governor, the council, and delegates of the freemen, should be called as +soon as circumstances would allow, with power to make laws, not contrary +to those of England, nor of any validity after the publication of the +dissent of the proprietaries—that every one should enjoy the most +perfect freedom in religion—that during five years, every freeman should +be allowed one hundred acres of land, and fifty for every servant, +paying only an half-penny an acre—and that the same freedom from customs +which had been confirmed by the royal charter, should be allowed to +every one. + +The proprietaries appointed Sir _William Berkely_, then governor of +Virginia, general superintendant of the affairs of the county of +Albemarle, within the boundaries of which, a small plantation, of the +New-Englanders probably, had been established for some years, on the +north eastern shores of the river Chowan. Sir William Berkely repaired +to the county, confirmed and granted lands on the conditions +beforementioned, appointed Mr. Drummond the first governor, and likewise +other officers, and then returned to Virginia. + +The assembly of 1666, being dissatisfied with the tenures by which they +held their lands, petitioned the proprietaries, that the people of +Albemarle might hold their possessions on the same terms on which the +Virginians enjoyed theirs, and were gratified. + +[1665.] The proprietaries appointed _John Yeamans_, a respectable +planter of Barbadoes, commander in chief of Clarendon county, stretching +from Cape Fear to the river St. Matheo; and he was at the same time +created a baronet. To secure its prosperity, the same powers were +conferred, and the same constitution established, as those which had +made Albemarle happy. + +A settlement was also now projected to the southward of Cape Romain, +which acquired the name of Carteret. Thus a variety of separate and +independent colonies, each of which had its own government, its own +assembly, its own customs and laws, were established in Carolina. + +In June, 1665, the proprietaries obtained a second charter which recited +and confirmed the former. They were enabled to make laws for the +province, with the consent of the freemen or their delegates: and +likewise to grant titles of honor by creation of a nobility. No one +prerogative of the crown was reserved, except the sovereign dominion. + +Samuel Stevens, esq. was appointed governor of Albemarle in October, +1667, and was commanded to act agreeable to the advice of a council of +twelve, the one half of which he was to appoint, the other was to be +chosen by the assembly. The assembly was to be composed of the governor, +the council, and twelve delegates chosen annually by the freeholders. +Various regulations provided for the security of property: and no taxes +were to be imposed without the consent of the assembly. The +proprietaries might mean no more, than that neither they, nor the +governor and council, shall impose taxes without the consent of the +assembly: but the mode of expression tended to confirm the people at +large in the opinion of their being exempted from all taxes which had +not the consent of their own assembly. The settlers had their land +confirmed, and granted to be now held by the free tenure of soccage, +expressing a certain rent and independence. All men were declared +entitled to equal privileges on taking the oath of allegiance to the +king, and of fidelity to the proprietaries. + +It was not till 1669 that an assembly constituted as abovementioned was +convened: when it was enacted—“none shall be sued, during five years, +for any cause of action arising out of the country—and none shall accept +a power of attorney, to receive debts contracted abroad.” Hence this +colony was long considered as the refuge of the criminal, and the asylum +of the fugitive debtor. + +The proprietaries, at length dissatisfied with every system which they +had hitherto divised for the government of their province, signed in +July, a body of _fundamental constitutions_ compiled by the celebrated +_Locke_, giving as a reason, “That we may establish a government +agreeable to the monarchy of which Carolina is a part, and may avoid +making too numerous a democracy.” + +By this edict a palatine was to be chosen from among the proprietaries +for life; who was to act as president of the palatine court, composed of +the whole; which was intrusted with the exection of the powers of the +charter. A body of hereditary nobility was created, and denominated +landgraves and caciques; the former were to be invested with four +baronies, each consisting of 12,000 acres; the latter to have two, +containing one half of that quantity: and those estates were to descend +with the dignities inseparably. There were to be as many landgraves as +counties; and twice as many caciques, but no more. Two fifths of the +counties, stiled signiories and baronies, were to be possessed by the +nobility; the other three fifths, called The colonies, were to be left +among the people. + +The provincial legislature, dignified with the name of parliament, was +to be biennial, and to consist of the proprietaries, alias landgraves, +or the deputy of each, of the cacique nobility, of the representatives +of the freeholders of every district, who were to meet in one +appartment, and every member to enjoy an equal vote: but no business was +to be proposed till it had been debated in the grand council, whose duty +it was to prepare bills for the parliamentary consideration. The grand +council was to be composed of the governor, the nobility, and the +deputies of the proprietaries, these being absent; and was invested with +the executive of the province. The church of England alone was to be +allowed a public maintenance by parliament; but every congragation might +tax its own members for the support of its own ministers; and to every +one was allowed perfect freedom in religion. However the most degrading +slavery was introduced by investing in every man the property of his +negro.[40] + +These constitutions, consisting of 120 articles, and containing a great +variety of perplexing regulations, were declared to be the sacred and +unalterable rule of government in Carolina for ever; and yet they were +never altogether adopted. The parties engaged in this act of legislation +should have reflected, that the inhabitants had settled no conditions, +which it was no longer in their power to abrogate; and that in the forms +of government which had been actually established, the people had +acquired an interest which could not be taken away without their +consent. + +[1670.] A number of emigrants were sent in January, under _William +Sayle_, esq. appointed governor of that part of the coast which lies +south-westward of Cape Carteret, to form a colony at Port-Royal. They +arrived safe; and as it was found impracticable to conform to the +constitutions, it was determined to keep as close to them as possible. +Sayle dying, Sir _John Yeamans_ had his command extended to and over +this colony in August, 1671. This year planters resorted from Clarendon +on the north, and Port-Royal on the south, to the banks of Ashley river, +for the convenience of pasture and tillage; and laid on the first high +land the foundation of old Charles-Town. The proprietaries promulgated +temporary laws, till through a sufficient number of inhabitants, +government could be administered according to the fundamental +constitutions. The temporary laws were of no long duration, being +derided by a people without whose consent they had been established. + +In May, 1674, _Joseph West_, esq. was appointed governor of the southern +colony, in the room of Sir John Yeamans, with whose conduct the +proprietaries were dissatisfied. But the difficulty of establishing the +colony was not overcome for years; not till the people repaired to it at +their own expence, and men of estate ventured thither under the firm +persuasion of being fairly treated. In expectation of such treatment, +the dissenters, being harrassed by persecutions in England, and dreading +a popish successor, emigrated to Carolina in great numbers, and made a +considerable part of the inhabitants. They acquired the honor of +introducing religion into the province, while they strengthened it also +by their personal accessions. But the promising appearances of the +country inviting many over of a very different stamp, after a while +disturbances followed. + +The planters being informed that the _Oyster-Point_, so delightfully +formed by the confluence of the rivers Ashley and Cooper, was more +convenient than what was fixed upon eight years before, and the +proprietaries encouraging their inclination, they began to remove, and +in the subsequent year laid the foundation of the present Charles-Town, +and built 30 houses [1680.] It was instantly declared the _port_ for the +purposes of traffic, and the _capital_ for the administration of +government. It was long unhealthy; but the adjacent country being now +cleared and cultivated, it is allowed to enjoy the most salubrious air +of Carolina. + +Though the province had been formed into manors and baronies, it was not +till 1682, that it was divided into three counties. In the autumn of +this year, governor West held a parliament; and afterwards immediately +resigned his administration to Mr. Joseph Moreton. Thence commenced a +reiterated change of governors. Cyrle, West, Kuerry, Moreton, were +successively appointed. There was a similar change of every public +officer. These changes produced turbulency and faction. + +But prior to this period, an insurrection broke out in the colony of +Albemarle, in December, 1677. At the end of two years succesful revolt, +Culpepper, who was deeply concered in the business, was dispatched with +another person to England with a promise of submission to the +proprietaries, on certain conditions. When about to return after +executing his trust, he was impeached by the commissioners of the +customs, for acting as collector without their authority, and embezzling +the king’s revenue in Carolina. He was seized on board a vessel in the +Downs, brought back, and in Trinity-term, 1680, tried by virtue of the +statute of _Henry_ VIII. on an indictment of high treason committed +without the realm. The famous Lord Shaftesbury, then in the zenith of +his popularity, appeared on his behalf, and represented, contrary to the +most undoubted facts, “That there never had been any regular government +in Albemarle, that its disorders were only feuds between the planters, +which could only amount to a riot.” On this _Culpepper_ was acquitted. +He is the first colonist who appears to have been regularly tried in the +court of King’s-bench upon that statute:[41] but he was not transported +from America in order to trial. His acquittal induced the proprietaries +to resolve upon governing, in future, according to the portion of +obedience which the insurgents should be disposed to yield. They +recommended, however, an healing disposition. But the persons bearing +the chief sway, being actuated too much by a vindictive spirit, +proseeded against their opponents by imprisonment, fine, and banishment +The seenes of anarchy produced by these measures were not changed, nor +the condition of the colony mended by the arrival of governor _Seth +Sothel_, in 1683, who was sent in hopes of quieting the disorders by his +authority, as he had purchased Lord Clarendon’s share of the province. +He was guilty of that bribery, extortion, injustice, rapacity, breach of +trust, and disobedience of orders, for five years, that the inhabitants, +driven almost to dispair, seized him with a view of sending him to +England to answer to their complaints: but upon his intreaties, and +offering to submit to their mutual accusations to the next assmbly, they +accepted his proposal. The assembly gave judgment against him in all the +above-mentioned particulars, and compelled him to abjure the country for +twelve months, and the government for ever. + +_Charles-town_ having been made the principal port, the first collector +was established there in 1685. The governor and council were at the same +time ordered, not to fail to shew their forwardness in assisting the +collection of the duty on tobacco transported to other colonies, and in +seizing ships that presumed to trade contarary to the acts of +navigation. Little regard was paid to orders so contrary to the views of +every one. An illicit trade was not only practised, but justified under +the clause of the patent, _which the people believed to be of superior +force to the law_.—Though the royal grant of 1665 was passed subsequent +to the act of navigation, the present exemption was insisted upon, with +the same spirit that it was contended during this reign, that a king of +England may dispense with the law. The principle of the Carolinians, and +the doctrine so fashionable at the court of James, were therefore +exactly the same. + +_James Colleton_, esq. a proprietary, was appointed governor, in August. +The next year he called an assembly, in which he and his party took upon +them to pass such laws as lost him the affections of the people. During +the ferments that followed, Seth Sothel, whom we have seen banished from +Albemarle, suddenly arrived at Charles-town. Countenanced by a powerful +party, and presuming on his powers as a proprietary, he seized the reins +of government in 1690, notwithstanding the opposition of governar and +council. A general return of member was procured, who readily sanctioned +by their votes whatever was dictated by those that had thus acquired +power. Colleton, whose conduct had been far from blameless, was +instantly impeached of high crimes and misdemeanors, disabled from +holding any office, and banished. Others were fined, imprisoned, and +expelled the province. The proprietaries appointed a new governor; and +the next year, [1692] upon the requisitions of the Carolinians, +abrogated Mr. Locke’s system of laws, _the fundamental constitutions_, +which far from having answered their end introduced only dissatisfaction +and disorders, that were not cured till the final dissolation of the +proprietary government.[42] The operation and fate of Mr. Locke’s system +may convince us of this truth, that a person “may defend the principles +of liberty and the rights of mankind, with great abilities and success; +and yet after all, when called upon to produce a plan of legislation, he +may astonish the world with a signal absurdity.”[43] + +Governor _Archdale_ arrived at Carolinia in August, 1695. He managed +with great prudence, and succeeded so well, that the assembly voted him +an address of thanks. He was succeeded by _Joseph Blake_, esq. whose +sentiments were so liberal, that, though a dissenter, he prevailed with +the assembly to settle £ 150 _per annum_ upon the episcopal minister of +Charles-town for ever, and likewise to furnish him with a good house, a +glebe, and two servants. A very different spirit wrought in the earl of +Bath, when he succeeded to the power of palatine [1701.] and became +eldest proprietary. Being a zealot for the church of England, he was +ambitious of establishing its worship, and of excluding +non-episcopalians from a share in the government of Carolina; a similar +principle was at that time too prevalent in England. His views were +seconded by the pliableness of governor _Moor_, who was after a while +succeeded by Sir _Nathaniel Johnson_. Then the assembly being convened, +a bill was brought in for the more effectual preservation of the +government, by requiring all persons chosen members of the assembly, to +conform to religious worship, and receive the sacrament of the Lord’s +supper, according to the usage of the church of England. By this act, +all dissenters were disqualified from sitting in the assembly, though +legally elected, and the candidate who had the greatest number of +voices, after the disqualified dissenter, was to be admitted. The +passing of this act was unconstitutional and oppressive. Another bill +was passed for establishing religious worship in the province, according +to the church of England, and also for the erecting of churches, the +maintenance of ministers, and the building of convenient parsonages. +Both these acts were afterwards signed and settled by John lord +Granville, then palatine, for himself and the other proprietors. In +consequence of the last act, many oppressions were committed by the +government against the dissenters, who laboured under these and other +grievances, till the matter at length was brought before the house of +lords, who having fully weighed the same, addressed the queen in favour +of the Carolinians; and the laws complained of [1706.] were declared +null and void. + +An Indian war having broken out in Carolina, and the proprietaries +finding themselves unable to maintain it against the Indians, while +these were supported by the French and Spaniards, [1728.] resolved to +surrender their charter to the crown. One-eighth of the province +belonged to lord Carteret. The proprietors of the other seven-eighths +were to receive for their cession £ 17,500 together with £ 5000 more, +due to them from the province on account of outstanding debts. The +surrender and payment was confirmed by a British act of parliament, +wherein was a clause, reserving always to John lord Carteret, his heirs, +executors, administrators, and assigns, all such estate, right, and +title to one-eighth part of the share of the said provinces or +territories, and to one-eighth part of all arrears as was his due. After +passing the act, the British government applied itself in earnest to +encourage this colony, and _Robert Johnson_, esq. was appointed +governor, and continued such till he died in 1735; in which year +Carolina was divided into two Colonies, North and South, and each placed +under a separate governor.[44] + +_Pennsylvania_ and the _Delaware Counties_ next demand our attention. +Mr. _William Penn_, one of the joint purchasers of the western part of +the Jerseys, having received the most exact information of the country +to the westward of the Deleware, while engaged in the administration of +the joint purchase, became desirous of acquiring a separate estate. + +He presented a petition to _Charles_ II. in June 1680, stating not only +his relationship to the late admiral; but that he was deprived of a debt +due from the crown, when the exchequer was shut. He prayed for a grant +of land, lying to the northward of Maryland, and westward of the +Delaware; and added, that by his interest he should be able to settle a +province which might, in time, repay his claims. Having the prospect of +success, he copied from the charter of Maryland the sketch of a patent +which in November was laid before the attorney-general for his opinion. +Penn had the same object in view as lord Baltimore had, the guarding +against the exertions of prerogative, which experience had taught both +were very inconvenient. The attorney-general declared the clause of +exemption from taxation illegal: and chief justice North, being of the +same opinion, and observing its tendency, added the saving of the +authority of the English parliament, so that it was stipulated by the +king, for himself and his successors, “that no customs or other +contribution shall be laid on the inhabitants or their estates, unless +by the consent of the porprietary, or governor and assembly, or _by act +of parliament in England_.” + +The next year [1681] the patent was granted, in consideration of “the +merits of the father, and the good purposes of the son, in order to +extend the English empire, and to promote useful commodities.” It was +provided by fit clauses, that the sovereignty of the king should be +preserved; and that acts of parliament, concerning trade and navigation +and the customs, be duly observed. Penn was empowered to assemble the +freemen, or their delegates, in such form as he should think proper, for +raising money for the uses of the colony, and for making useful laws, +not contrary to those of England, or the rights of the kingdom. A +duplicate of the acts of the assembly was to be transmitted within five +year to the king in council, and the acts might be declared void within +six months, if not approved. + +The novel introduction of the clause subjecting the inhabitants of +Pennsylvania to taxation by act of parliament, might afford an argument +against being so taxed, to all the colonies whose charters contained no +such clause. Dr. Franklin being asked, when examined by the house of +commons, in the time of the stamp act, “Seeing their is in the +Pennsylvania charter, an express reservation of the right of parliament +to lay taxes there, how could the assembly assert, that laying a tax on +them by the stamp act was an infringement on their rights? answered, +“They understand it thus—by the same charter and otherwise they are +entitled to all the privileges and liberties of Englishmen. They find in +the great charters and the petition and declaration of rights, that one +of the privileges of English subjects is, that they are not to be taxed +but by their own consent: they have therefore relied upon it, from the +first settlement, that the parliament never would or could, by colour of +that clause, tax them till it had qualified itself for the exercise of +such right, by admitting representatives from the people to be taxed.” +You will recollect governor Nicholson’s writing in 1698, “a great many +people in all the colonies, especially in those under proprietaries, +think that no law of England ought to be binding to them without their +own consent: for they foolishly say, they have no representatives sent +from themselves to the parliament of England.” [p. 39.] + +The Pennsylvanians, it may be noted, were not declared by the patent to +be English subjects. There was no express stipulation, as had been +inserted in all the other colonial patents, “that the Pennsylvanians and +their descendants should be considered as subjects born within the +realm;” for the lawyers who revised it, considered such declaratious as +nugatory, since they were inferred by law.[45] If the right of the +English parliament to tax the colonies could also have been inferred by +law, why was not the express reservation of that right considered +likewise as nugatory. + +In May, Penn detached Mr. Markham, his kinsman, with a small emigration, +in order to take possession of the country, and prepare it for a more +numerous colony. Care was taken to order an humane attention to the +rights of the Indians. + +[1628] The frame of government for Pennsylvania was published in April. +It was forced from the proprietary by friends, who would not have +settled his country, unless gratified in whatever they demanded. It +underwent a similar fate with the constitutions of Locke; and after a +variety of alterations, was at length wholly laid aside, and a simpler +form established. As a supplement to the frame, there was published, in +the subsequent May, a body of laws agreed upon in England by the +adventurers, which was intended as a great charter, and does honor to +their wisdom as statesmen, to their morals as men, and to their spirit +as colonists. + +Mr. _Penn_, desirous of carrying his religion southward to the +Chesapeak, was continually soliciting the duke of York, for a grant of +the _Delaware colony_. The prince at length wearied out, conveyed, in +August, the town of Newcastle, with a territory of twelve miles round; +as also that tract of land extending southward from it upon the Delaware +to Cape-Henlopen. It was known to both parties, that the title of what +was now granted was extremely exceptionable, as the duke could transfer +no other right than mere occupancy in opposition to the legal claim, of +lord Baltimore. Penn, however, who was intent on his own interest in +those parts, immediately assumed the powers of jurisdiction. + +When, for the first time, he arrived on the banks of the Delaware, +October the 24th, he found them inhabited by 3,000 persons, composed of +Swedes, Dutch, Finlanders and English. Not only his own colonists, but +the rest, received him with joy and respect. He was accompanied thither +by about 2,000 emigrants, who being either quakers or other dissenters, +wished to enjoy their peculiarities and religion, in a country that +offered a peaceful asylum to the persecuted. Mr. Penn immediately +entered into a treaty with the Indians, and, agreeable to the bishop of +London’s counsel, purchased from them as much of the soil as the +circumstances of the colony required, for a price that gave them +satisfaction: he also settled with them a very kind correspondence. In +December, he convened the first assembly at Chester, consiting of +seventy-two delegates from the six counties, into which they had divided +Pennsylvania and the Delaware colony, soon after denominated the +_territories_. The inhabitants proposed that the deputies might serve +both for the provincial council and general assembly; three out of every +county for the former, and nine for the latter. Their proposals were +passed by the assembly without hesitation into an act of settlement. The +persons returned were declared to be the legal council and assembly, and +every county was empowered to send the same number in future, which in +the same manner should constitute the legislature; and after the +addition of a few other explanations, the modified frame of government +was solemnly recognized and accepted. Then an act was passed, annexing +the territories to the province, and communicating to the one the same +privileges, government, and laws, as the other already enjoyed. Every +foreigner who promised allegience to the king, and obedience to the +proprietary, was at the same time declared to be a freeman, and entitled +to his rights. By the legislative regulation, established as +fundamentals by this assembly, factors who wronged their employers were +to make satisfaction and one-third over—not only the goods, but the +lands of the debtor were subjected to the payment of debts—every thing +which excited the people to rudeness, cruelty, and irreligion, was to be +discouraged and severely punished—no person acknowledging one God, and +living peaceably in society, was to be molested for his opinions or +practice, or to be compelled to frequent or maintain any ministry +whatsoever. It was a principle of the great charter, “that children +shall be taught some useful trade, to the end that none may be idle, but +the poor may work to live, and the rich, if they become poor may not +want.” + +Penn, dissatisfied with the act of settlement, without difficulty +created a second frame, agreeing partly with the first, modified +according to the act of settlement in certain particulars, and in some +measure essentially different from both; to which he procured the assent +of the next assembly, in 1683; but which in time shared the fate of the +former. + +[1684.] He departed for England. The most violent dissensions followed +almost instantly upon it, the provincial council and the assembly +contending eagerly with regard to their mutual privileges and powers. +Tranquility was not restored by the duputy governor Blackwell, who +entered upon his government in December, 1688. + +[1685.] Toward the close of this year Mr. Penn obtained a new grant to +the Delaware colony, which he had been soliciting for some time. + +[1688.] The Pennsylvanians and their rulers, when Blackwell entered upon +his administration, were so much engaged in their own contests and +pursuits, and so actuated by the principles of their superior, [the +proprietary whose attachments to James II. during those days are well +known] that they seem to have disregarded that signal revolution which +transferred their allegience and Pennsylvania to the prince and princess +of Orange: for the very laws and government of the province were +administered in the name of the abdicated monarch, long after William +and Mary had been formally proclaimed in other colonies. + +It is a singularity in the history of this province, that neither its +various systems, nor its fundamental laws, were communicated to the king +for dissent or approbation, though strongly enforced.[46] + +Penn’s adherence to James carried him to such lengths, that he was +considered as an inveterate enemy to the protestant establishment, and +was for some time excepted out of the acts of grace published by William +and Mary; who appointed colonel _Fletcher_, by the same commission, +governor both of New-York and Pennsylvania. In the commission no manner +of regard seems to have been had to the original charter. But when the +assembly met, though sixteen short in number to what had been before +usual, through the change made in the writs, they passed a vote, _nem. +con._ “That the laws of this province, which were in force and practice +before the arrival of this present governor, are still in force; and +that the assembly have a right humbly to move the governor for a +continuation or confirmation of the same.” That and subsequent +assemblies shewed such a fixed determination to secure their rights, +that neither governor nor lieutenant governor could bring them to bend +to their wishes. + +In 1696 Penn had so well managed matters at the court of England, that +he was restored to his right of naming a governor; and in the beginning +of 1700 he went to Pennsylvania in person. After the meeting of several +assemblies, he convened one in September, 1701, and informed them of the +indispensable necessity he was under of going to England, to obviate +some ill offices done by his and their enemies with the government +there; but offered to do every thing that was in his power to secure to +them their privileges and properties. The assmbly, in their answer, +expressed their dissatisfaction at the state of both, and required +farther security; to which he gave evasive answers, but offered to leave +the nomination of the deputy governor to themselves; they declined it, +and went upon a new charter of privileges. + +This introduced a breach between the members of the province and those +of the territories; the latter insisting upon some particular +privileges, which, when refused by the others, made them withdraw from +the meeting, and it required all the authority and address of the +proprietary to make up the breach. At last, after great heart-burnings +on both parts, just when Mr. Penn was about to embark, a charter of +privileges was presented to him and being ratified by him, became the +rule of government in Pennsylvania. By this important charter liberty of +conscience is granted; and all christians, of whatever denomination, +taking the proper oaths of allegiance and fidelity, are enabled to serve +the government, either legislatively or executively. The exclusion of +all persons from the legislative and executive branches, however +eminently qualified, and well behaved as members of civil society, +unless they are christians, does not accord with that general liberty +which ought to prevail in national communities, now that the existance +of all theocracy is ended by the introduction of the kingdom of Christ. +The piety of the theorist, and the subtilty of the politician, desirous +of securing the support of christians, may introduce the exclusion into +written or printed agreements, but cannot establish a practical +exclusion of persons opposed to christianity. He must be both simple and +uninformed, who will not admit, that many deists have served the +Pennsylvania and other excluding governments, either legislatively or +executively. + +By the second article of the charter it is provided, that an assembly +shall be yearly chosen by the freemen, to consist of four persons out of +each county, or of a greater number, if the governor and assembly shall +so agree, on the 1st of October for ever, and shall sit on the 14th +following, with power to choose a speaker and other their officers, and +be judges of the qualifications and elections of their own members; +shall sit upon their own adjournments, prepare bills, impeach criminals, +and redress grievances; and shall possess all other powers and +privileges of an assembly, according to the rights of the free-born +subjects of England, and the customs observed in any of the king’s +plantations in America. If any county or counties shall neglect to send +deputies, those who meet, provided they are not fewer in number than two +thirds of the whole, shall be considered as the legal representatives of +the province. + +By the eighth article, in cases of suicide, all property is to descend +to the next heirs, as if the deceased had died a natural death: nor is +the governor to be entitled to any forfeiture, if a person shall be +killed by causualty or accident. The same article provides, that no act, +law, or ordinance whatsoever, shall at any time hereafter be made, to +alter or diminish the form or effect of this charter, or of any part of +it, without the consent of the governor for the time being, and six +parts in seven of the assembly met—that the first article, relating to +liberty of conscience, shall be kept without any alteration inviolably +for ever—and that William Penn, for himself, _&c._ does solemnly +declare, that neither he, _&c._ shall do any thing whereby the +liberties, in this charter contained, nor any part thereof, shall be +infringed; and that if any thing shall be done by any person contrary +thereto, it shall be held of no effect. + +This new constitution differed greatly from the original.—The governor +might nominate his own council, and he was left single in the executive +part of the government, and had liberty to restrain the legislative, by +refusing his assent to their bills.—The assembly, on the other hand, +acquired the important privilege of propounding laws, as well as of +amending or rejecting them; but though this new constitution was +thankfully accepted by the province, it was unanimously rejected by the +territories; and affairs stood in this untoward state when the +proprietary sailed for England. The representatives of the province and +those of the territories divided, and acted as two distinct bodies; and +the attempts to unite them proved ineffectual. + +The _territories_ consisted of the three counties, _Newcastle_, _Kent_, +and _Sussex_, on the Delaware, and are commonly known by the name of the +three _Lower Counties on the Delaware_. + +Notwithstanding Mr. Penn is celebrated as the wisest of legislators, the +assembly, about the year 1704, unanimously came to nine resolutions, in +which they complain with great grief of him, “for undermining his own +foundations; and by a subtle contrivance, laid deeper than the +capacities of some could fathom, finding a way to lay aside the act of +settlement, and dissove his second charter.”[47] He was likewise charged +with having extorted from the province great sums of money. They +complained also of the abuses of surveyors, the clerks of the courts, +and justices of the peace, who, they said, were all put in by the +proprietary, so that he became his own judge in his own cause.—These and +other matters were the heads of a representation, or rather +remonstrance, drawn up and sent to Mr. Penn, then in England, in which +he is represented as an oppressor, and as falsifying his word in almost +every respect, with the provincials.[48] + +The disputes which subsisted in Pennsylvania were greatly augmented by +the intemperance of the quakers themselves, who, notwithstanding all +their zeal for liberty of conscience, persecuted about or soon after +1694, George Keith (who had been one of their most famous preachers) +upon his conforming to the church of England; and went so far as to +throw him into prison. They apologized for their conduct by pleading, +that they did not punish him for his religious principles, but for +having insulted the civil government.[49] If this was a good plea, the +New-Englanders might gain great advantages from it, in vindicating +themselves as to many of the severities they practised upon the quakers, +who insulted their civil governments, beyond what will be easily +credited by those who have not had the opportunity of knowing the +transactions of that period, or are not acquainted with the abusive +language of some of the then leaders of that denomination—language which +the body of modern quakers will not vindicate. + +It only remains to give a concise account of the settlement of +_Georgia_. + +In 1732 a number of gentlemen, considering the vast benefit that might +arise from the tract of land lying between the Savannah and the river +Altamahat petitioned the king for a charter, which was accordingly +granted on the ninth of June. They meant that the country should be made +a bulwark for the southern colonies against the Spaniards; and should +give employment to numbers of people who were burthensome at home to +their friends and parishes. The charter constituted them a corporation, +by the name of trustees for establishing a colony, by the name of +Georgia, including the country from the most northern stream of the +Savannah, to the most southern stream of the Altamaha. The corporation +was to subsist for 21 years; and after the expiration of that term, the +governor and all officers were to be appointed by the crown. + +Toward the end of August, Sir William Heathcote recommended in the +strongest terms, to the directors of the bank, the interests of the +colony. His speech had the desired effect, and the members of the court, +after his example, contributed largely toward the undertaking, as did +great numbers of the nobility, gentry, clergy, and others; and the +parliament granted £.10,000. By the beginning of November, about a +hundred and sixteen colonists presented themselves, most of them +labouring people; and were furnished with working tools of all kinds, +stores, and small arms. Mr. _Oglethorpe_, one of the trustees, +generously attended the first set of emigrants to Carolina, where they +arrived in good health on the 15th of January 1733. The Carolinians made +them a present of 100 breeding cattle, besides hogs, and twenty barrels +of rice; and furnished them with a party of horse and with scout boats, +by the help of which they reached the Savannah, where Mr. Oglethorpe, +ten miles up the river, pitched upon a spot for a town; and on February +the 9th, the building of the first house commenced. The colonists were +most generously assisted by the Carolinians and their governor, +cololonel Bull, not only with their purses, but their labour, in raising +the new town, named Savannah, from the river. + +Mr. Oglethorpe was waited upon by a numerous deputation from the Lower +Creek Nation, with whom he concluded a treaty; and soon after set out +for Charles-Town, on his return to England, where he arrived in 1734, +bringing with him several Indian chiefs and a war captain. But before +the end of March this year, more emigrants, to the amount of six +hundred, were either sent over by charity, or went at their own expence. + +On the 30th of October the Indians embarked for their own country, +having had an allowance while in London of £.20 a week, of which they +spent little, as they commonly ate and drank at the tables of persons of +the highest distinction. They moreover received presents to a very +considerable amount. They embarked at Gravesend, in a ship which carried +over a number of Saltzburghers, being German protestants, who, with +others of their countrymen that followed, settled on the Savannah, a +town they called Ebenezer, and which by their habits of industry and +sobriety soon became considerable. The Georgians made a surprising +progress in clearing their lands and building their houses: and, as an +encouragement, the British parliament granted them a supply of £.26,000 +which, with very great private donations, was expended upon +strengthening the south part of Georgia. This being a necessary service +for the colony, the trustees pitched upon the highlanders of Scotland, +160 of whom went over in 1735, settled themselves upon Altamaha river, +and gave the name of Darien to a fort they built there, to which they +afterwards added a small town called New Inverness. + +In February, 1736, Mr. Oglethorpe, with about 300 passengers on board +two ships, anchored in the road of Savannah. He soon began building +another town, named Frederica. + +[1737.] A misunderstanding subsisting between the courts of London and +Madrid, and advice being sent from South-Carolina to Britain, that the +Spaniards at St. Augustine and the Havannah, were making preparations +for attacking Georgia, the government, at the request of the trustees, +sent thither a regiment of 600 men, any of whom at the end of seven +years might have a regular discharge, and be entitled to a grant of +twenty acres of land. The parliament this year granted the colony +another supply of £.20,000 which enabled the trustees to send over a +fresh embarkation, of persecuted protestants. + +On the breaking out of the war between England and Spain, Mr. +Oglethorpe, being invested with a general’s command, proceeded with a +body of troops to attack St. Augustine in 1740, but the expedition +proved unfortunate. + +In 1742 Georgia was invaded by about 5000 Spaniards and Indians from St. +Augustine, in about fifty vessels of various kinds, who were repulsed by +the general at the head of the English forces, and a small body of +Indians. Had the Spanish descent proved successful, the Carolinians must +have been in imminent danger: but the general’s good conduct secured +them, and he received congratulatory letters of thanks from several of +the American governors, for his great and important services.[50] + +On the review of what you have read, you will note, that the colonists +were very early in declaring, that they ought not to be taxed but by +their own general courts, and that they considered subjection to the +acts of a parliament in which they had no representatives from +themselves, as a hardship—that like true born Englishmen, when +grievously oppressed by governors or others, they resisted, deposed, and +banished; and would not be quieted till grievances complained of were +redressed—and that not a colony, Georgia excepted, was settled at the +expence of government. Toward the settlement of the last, parliament +granted £.56,000 at three different periods. + + + + + LETTER II. + + + _Roxbury, July 9, 1772._ + +The present letter begins with some special colonial transactions +subsequent to the glorious revolution. Upon information of the accession +of William and Mary, the fort at New-York was seized by the rabble, +while the lieutenant governor Nicholson and the council, waited with +anxiety for orders to proclaim their new sovereign. On this occasion, +Jacob Leisler placed himself at the head of the insurgents; and +notwithstanding the protest of the council, possessed himself by force +of a letter transmitted by king William to the lieutenant governor, or +to such as for the time executed the law, and instantly assumed the name +and exerted the authority of governor. He convened two sessions of +assembly in 1690, which passed various laws. But colonel Sloughter, who +had been appointed governor in August, 1689, arriving in March, 1691, +Leisler was made prisoner, and, with others, condemned for treason and +murder; he and his principal adviser were executed. A legal general +assembly was now convened. The precaution taken in the declaration and +bill of rights, by the convention and parliament, to state the claims of +Englishmen, might naturally induce the Yorkers to propose somewhat +similar for themselves, had there been no prior propensity to that +business. But the prevailing opinion of the colonists naturally dictated +to them the seizing of the present fovorable opportunity. The New-York +general assembly passed “an act, declaring what are the rights and +privileges of their majesty’s subjects within the province.” The law +enacts, “That the supreme legislative power and authority under their +majesties, shall for ever be, and reside in a governor and council, +appointed by their majesties, their heirs and successors; and the people +by their representatives met and convened in general assembly.” It +further enacts, “_That no aid, tax, tallage, &c. whatsoever, shall be +laid, assessed, levied, or required, of or on any their majesties +subjects within the province, &c. or their estates, upon any manner of +colour or pretence whatsoever, but by the act and consent of the +governor and council, and representatives of the people in general +assembly met and convened_.” This memorable act was a virtual +declaration, that the inhabitants of the colony had a right to be +represented in assembly, and enjoyed it not as a privilege, through the +grace of the crown.[51] Six years after, in 1697, a negative was put +upon the act, probably by the regency, while the king was absent, which +was from April the 26th, to the middle of November, when he returned +after the peace of Ryswick was settled. + +The _Massachusetts_ petitioned for a renewal of their former charter, +but it could not be obtained; and many reasons were assigned for not +granting it, among the rest, its giving them no power to lay taxes and +raise money, especially on inhabitants not being of the company, and on +strangers coming to or trading with them. One of the chief acts of +delinquency alleged in the writ of _scire facias_, issued against their +former charter, was, their having _levied money of the inhabitants_. + +[1691.] King _William_ and queen _Mary_ granted a new charter, in which +_Plymouth_, the _Main_, _Acadia or Nova-Scotia_, and the tract lying +between _Nova-Scotia_ and the _Main_, were annexed to and made a part of +the _Massachusetts_. It was complained of, as being not much more than a +shadow of the old; seeing that the appointment of the governor, +lieutenant-governor, secretary, and all the officers of the admiralty, +was vested in the crown; that the power of the militia was wholly in the +hands of his majesty’s governor as captain general; that all judges, +justices, and sheriffs, were to be nominated by the governor, with the +advice of the council; that the governor had a negative upon the choice +of counsellors; that all laws enacted by the general assembly, were to +be sent home for the royal approbation or disallowance: and that no +laws, ordinances, elections, or acts of government whatsoever, were to +be of any validity, without the consent of the governor, signified in +writing. The new charter, however, conferred on the inhabitants a number +of very important privileges, and was to be preferred to the old in many +respects. They were informed by the best civilians, that their religious +liberties were forever secured; and that they could be touched by no tax +or law, but of their own making; which had a good effect in quieting +them under the variations to which they objected. + +[1692.] The first act of the _Massachusetts_ legislature, after the +arrival of the charter, was a kind of Magna Charta, asserting and +setting forth their general privileges, and this clause was among the +rest, “_No aid, tax, tallage, assessment, custom, loan, benevolence, or +imposition whatsoever, shall be laid, assessed, imposed, or levied on +any of his majesty’s subjects, or their estates, on any pretence +whatever, but by the act and consent of the governor, council and +representatives of the people, assembled in general court_.” The general +court passed others favourable to liberty, which were perused by the +ministers of England at a distant period; and with the preceding, +disallowed of by the regency in 1695. In December the reasons of this +dissent were transmitted to the governor and council. The following +extract from the letter sent by the committee of plantations, is +subjoined, because of its being so extraordinary and decisive: “Whereas, +by the act for securing the liberty of the subject, and preventing +illegal imprisonments, the writ of Hæbeas Corpus is required to be +granted, in like manner as is appointed by the statute of 31 Charles II. +in England, which privilege has not yet been granted in any of his +majesty’s plantations; it was not thought in his majesty’s absence, that +the said act should be continued in force, and therefore the same hath +been repealed.” + +The above extract makes this a proper place for mentioning, that the +ancient colonists being destitute of proper security, for want of an +Hæbeas Corpus act, were in some provinces grievously oppressed. Edward +Randolph, surveyor-general, during the reign of William III. represented +their condition to the board of trade, March 1700; and among other +beneficial regulations, he recommended, “That it being the practice of +governors to imprison the subjects without bail, the Hæbeas Corpus act +should be extended as fully to the colonies as it is in England.” It was +accordingly soon after conferred on Virginia, by queen Anne. The council +in their address said upon the occasion, “We, the council of Virginia, +acknowledge your majesty’s late favour, in allowing us the benefit of +the Hæbeas Corpus act, and in appointing courts of oyer and terminer, +for the more speedy execution of justice, and relief from long +imprisonments.” The lower house, in theirs, said, “We the burgesses now +assembled, do beseech your majesty to accept our sincere thanks for your +many favours bestowed on your subjects of this colony. We shall not +pretend to enumerate the particulars, nor can we omit mentioning those +lately communicated to us by your majesty’s royal instructions to your +governor, wherein you have asserted to your subjects their legal rights +and properties, by allowing them the Hæbeas Corpus act.”[52] + +The extension of the Hæbeas Corpus act to the plantations, by queen +Anne, appears to have been only by instructions to the governors, and +not by any act of parliament. By what prerogative could she extend that +act to the colonists, were they not before entitled to its benefit? If +entitled to, it was unjust in any power to deny them the advantage of +the act; and the royal favour to the Virginians, consisted solely in the +queen’s _asserting to her subjects their legal rights and properties_ +(as the burgesses expressed themselves) by giving suitable directions on +the business. The high sense of colonial liberty exhibited by the _York_ +and _Massachusetts_ general courts, was opposed by the _English_ +government. + +[1696.] An act was passed by the parliament, declaring that “All laws, +bye-laws, usages and customs, which shall be in practice in any of the +plantations, repugnant to any law made or to be made in this kingdom, +relative to the said plantations, shall be void and of none effect.” + +There might be no design on the part of the ministry of taxing any of +the colonies; but about 1696, a pamphlet was published, recommending the +laying a parliamentary tax on one of them. It was answered by two others +much read; which totally denied the power of taxing the colonies, +because they had no representation in parliament to give consent. No +answer, public or private, was given to these pamphlets; no censure +passed upon them; men were not startled at the doctrine, as either new +or illegal, or derogatory to the rights of parliament.[53] + +Though the parliament might not then claim the right of taxing, they +claimed the right of punishing disobedience to their laws, with the loss +of charter privileges. In the 11th of _William_ III. an act was passed +[1699.] for the trial of pirates in _America_, in which there is the +following clause, “Be it further declared, _that if any of the +governors, or any person or persons in authority_ there, shall _refuse +to yield obedience to this act_, such refusal is hereby declared to be a +_forfeiture_ of all and every the _charters_ granted for the +_government_ or _propriety_ of such plantation.” + +Severity is stamped upon the very face of the act, in making the +disobedience of a governor, the forfeiture of a charter, meant to secure +the liberties of thousands, who might not have any the least power of +preventing such disobedience. The proprieties and charter colonies were +so disinclined to admit of appeals to his majesty in council, and were +thought so to thirst after independence that these and other objections +against them were laid before the parliament, [1701.] and a bill +thereupon brought into the house of lords for re-uniting the right of +government in those colonies to the crown: but better council prevailed, +and matters were left unaltered. Some are for bringing as a precedent +for the parliament’s raising a revenue from the colonies, what was +passed in 1710, viz. “An act for establishing a general post-office for +all her majesty’s dominions, and for settling, a weekly sum out of the +revenues thereof, for the service of the war and other her majesty’s +occasions.” By this act the postage of England, Scotland, Ireland, and +America, were consolidated, to the end that a general post-office might +be established through Great-Britain and Ireland, her colonies and +plantations in North-America and the West-Indies, and all her other +dominions, in such manner as might be most beneficial to the people: and +that the revenue arising form the said office might be better improved. +The consolidation made a new act necessary; and afforded the opportunity +of advancing the rates of letters. The weekly sum amounted to £.700 and +was to be paid out of the revenue for 32 years; the payment was made +perpetual in the third year of her successor, having been soon after +granted, appropriated by another act toward paying off, with interest at +six _per cent._ the principal of £.2,602,200, which government borrowed +of the public. By the act, the post-riders carrying the mail, were +exempted from paying any thing for passing the ferries in North-America, +and the ferryman was subjected to a penalty of five pounds, if he did +not convey them over within half an hour after demanded. + +Whatever power over the colonies the parliament might exercise in the +act, the dissimilarity between this and the sugar act, passed in 1764, +will not admit of the former’s being quoted, with propriety, as a +precedent for the latter. The colonists were in no wise uneasy at it, +and considered not the American postage in the light of an internal tax, +designed for the raising of a revenue from them; for it was but a few +comparatively who were affected by it; and these were accommodated in +the conveyance of their letters, received a full equivalent for the +postage of them, and were not bound to send them by the public post, +when they preferred a private conveyence. + +In respect of the readiness of the colonies to co-operate with each +other and the mother country, for the general good, they manifested the +same as occasion required. + +[1690.] The _Massachusetts_ general court wrote to the several governors +of the neighbouring colonies, desiring them to appoint commissioners “to +meet, advise, and conclude upon suitable methods in assisting each other +for the safety of the whole land.” The governor of _New-York_ was +requested to signify the same to _Maryland_, and parts adjacent. + +The commissioners met on the 1st of May, at _New-York_, and were stiled +a _Congress_, as may be concluded from the following paragraph in Mr. +_Stoughton’s_ letter of October 20, 1693, to Lord _Nottingham_:[54] “I +crave leave further to acquaint your lordship, that the governor of +_New-York_ having written unto his excellency the governor here, +signifying his appointment of a meeting at _New-York_, upon the first +Wednesday of this month, of commissioners from the several governments +of _New-England_, _Virginia_, &c. to concert and agree upon a certain +_quota_ of men and money, for the defence of _Albany_, &c. in observance +of their majesties commands; it happened to be at such a time, and under +such a conjuncture of affairs here, that no meet persons could be +procured to attend _that Congress_.” It does not appear, that there was +any congress between the two periods. It may also be observed, that the +first was procured at the motion of the _Massachusetts_ general court, +formed, from the necessity of the day, upon the vacated charter, before +a new one was granted; and that the motion originated in the court, from +zeal for the common safety of the colonies, without any interposition of +their majesties command. We meet with no congress prior to what was thus +procured. + +[Oct. 14, 1709.] At the desire of colonel _Vetch_, there was a congress +of several governors, with some of their council and assembly, to +consult upon the intended expedition against _Canada_, and to resolve on +methods for securing the frontiers. + +[Oct. 31, 1711.] The _Massachusetts_ house of assembly, at the motion of +lieutenant-general _Nicholson_, advised, to a congress of her majesty’s +governors attended with such persons as the governments might appoint. +The council appointed two, and the house three, out of their respective +bodies, to attend the governor to congress, which appears to have met +afterwards at _New-London_. + +But though the conduct of the _Massachusetts_, in their exertions for +the general good, was highly commendable, their behaviour afterward, in +their own colonial affairs, under governor _Shute_, was greatly +censurable. + +[1722.] The house of assembly attempted to take from colonel _Shute_, +those powers in matters relative to the war, which belonged to him by +the constitution, and to vest them in a committee of the two houses. +They by degrees acquired, from the governor and council, the keys of the +treasury; and no monies could be issued, not so much as to pay an +express, without the vote of the house for that purpose; whereas by the +charter, all monies were to be paid out of the treasury, “by warrant +from the governor, with the advice and consent of the council.” + +The ministry were greatly offended at the governor’s being made uneasy; +for colonel _Shute_ was known at court and the offices of state, under +the character of a very worthy gentleman, of a singular good temper, +fitted to make any people under his command happy. When, therefore, they +found the contrary in the _Massachusetts_, they concluded, that the +people wished to have no governor from _Great-Britain_, but wanted to be +independent of the crown. The cry of the city of _London_ ran +exceedingly against them; and a scheme, that had been long planned for +taking away the charter, had nearly been executed; but was fortunately +frustrated by the indefatigable pains of Mr. _Dummer_, their then agent. +Their own council at home were obliged to a confession of their illegal +proceedings. [Jan. 15, 1725.] An explanatory charter was prepared, +proposed, and accepted. Had it not been accepted, the design was to have +submitted to the consideration of the British legislature, “What further +provision may be necessary to support and preserve his majesty’s +authority in the colony, and prevent similar invasion of his prerogative +for the future.”[55] + +It had been usual to give instructions to the several governors, to +recommend to the assembly the establishing of a salary suitable to the +dignity of their post; but the house had always declined complying, +prudently apprehensive, that disagreable consequences might ensue, from +the independency of the governor on the people over whom he was placed. +These instructions were renewed when governor _Burnet_ was appointed to +the chair, who adhering to them, and showing a fixed determination not +to part with govermental rights, warm disputes followed between him and +the house of representatives; whose treatment of him was so +unwarrantable, that the council board [1729.] within a week after the +affair, expressed their concern at the unbecoming and undutiful +treatment given to his excellency, in the message of the house on the +sixth of December. + +In divers instances they showed such a disposition to encroach upon the +prerogative, to wrangle with their governor, and to dispute with the +crown, that the ministry and other persons in public offices, as is +natural for those who look for submissive compliance, were much +irritated; and improved to the utmost all advantages to excite +prejudices against them. + +It was suggested that they were aiming at independence; and jealousies +were raised in the minds of some, that there was danger of the colonies +setting up for themselves. Nevertheless, it was certain that such a +scheme appeared to the whole country wild and extravagant; because of +the universal loyalty of the people, beyond what was to be found in any +other part of the British dominions, together with the infancy of the +colonies, and their being distinct from one another in forms of +government, religious rights, emulation of trade, and, consequently, +their affections; so that it was not supposable that they could unite in +so dangerous an enterprise.[56] + +However, when the _Massachusetts_ petitioned the house of commons, +praying that they might be heard by council on the subject of +grievances, the house took that opportunity of discovering how jealous +it was of the kingdom’s supremacy and uncontroulable authority over the +colony; for the commons having considered the matter, resolved, “That +the petition was frivolous and groundless, a high insult upon his +majesty’s government, and tending to _shake off the dependency_ of the +said colony upon this kingdom, to which, _in law and right, they ought +to be subject_.” + +The colonies might object to some acts passed respecting them, +particularly—the act prohibiting the cutting down of pitch and tar +trees, not being within a fence or enclosure—the act prohibiting the +exportation of hats made in the colonies, even from one colony to +another; and restraining all makers of hats from taking more than two +apprentices at a time, or any for less than seven years, and entirely +from employing negroes in the business—the act for the more easy +recovery of debts in his majesty’s plantations and colonies in America, +which made houses, lands, negroes, and other real estates, assets for +the payment of debts. It was passed in 1732, upon the petition of the +English merchants trading to the colonies, who complained, that the +Virginia and Jamaica, a privilege was claimed to exempt their houses, +lands, tenements, and negroes, from being attached for debt; the lords +of trade at the same time represented, that the assemblies of those +colonies could never be induced to divest themselves of these privileges +by any act of their own. But whatever objections were made to the above +acts, no general measure was adopted to obtain their repeal. They +continued in being; but the hatters act was disregarded: and methods +were devised for felling the prohibited trees, when the neighbourhood +wanted a supply. The operation of the act designed for the benefit of +creditors, was too often, as in other countries, weakened or evaded by +the dishonest debtor. Men of principle gave themselves little concern +about its existance, as they had nothing to fear from it, and knew that +the same was intended to prevent persons being cheated out of their +property. + +The sugar colonists combined together, and obtained an act against the +trade carried on from the British northern provinces to the Dutch and +French colonies, for foreign rum, sugar, and molasses. The act passed in +1733, laid a duty of nine-pence a gallon on rum, six-pence a gallon on +molasses, and five pounds on every hundred weight of sugar, that came +not from the British West-India islands, and were brought into the +nothern colonies. It was professedly designed as a prohibition from the +foreign islands; but did not answer. It was found expedient, and for the +general benefit, to admit of the molasses, &c. being mostly run into the +colonies, without insisting upon the duties, or making frequent +seizures. The act unhappily produced an illegal spirit of trading; but +was continued by subsequent ones down to 1761; when the duty on the +molasses was reduced to three-pence, to prevent its being run any +longer. The act did not oppropriate the monies to be raised by the +duties, so that when, in length of time, there was a sum in the hands of +the receiver worth remitting, a demur ensued as to the application of +it. + +The monies produced by this and other acts, were not considered as real +_taxes_, either by the colonies or the mother country. But some persons +wished to have taxes imposed upon them which would necessarily produce +many good posts and places in _America_ for courtiers; and during the +war with _Spain_, which broke out in 1739, a sheme for taxing the +_British_ colonies was mentioned to Sir _Robert Walpole_. He smiled, and +said, “I will leave that to some of my successors, who have more courage +than I have, and are less friends to commerce than I am. It has been a +maxim with me, during my administration, to encourage the trade of the +_American_ colonies in the utmost latitude; nay, it has been necessary +to pass over some irregularities in their trade with _Europe_; for by +encouraging them to an extensive growing foreign commerce, if they gain +£.500,000 I am convinced, that in two years afterwards full £.250,000 of +their gains will be in his majesty’s exchequer, by the labour and +produce of this kingdom, as immense quantities of every kind of our +manufactures go thither; and as they increase in their foreign American +trade, more of our produce will be wanted. This is taxing them more +agreeably to their own constitution and ours.” + +Had the scheme for taxing the colonies been attempted, it would have +occasioned a ferment that must have prevented those exertions in the +common cause, which were given into by the _New-Englanders_, especially +the _Bay-men_, so the inhabitants of the _Massachusetts Bay_ are +frequently called. + +War being declared against _Spain_, a requisition of troops was made to +the _Massachusetts_, and a larger number raised and embarked on his +majesty’s service than was required, of whom, scarce one in fifty +returned. + +[1744.] Upon receiving the declaration of war with _France_, the general +court, then sitting, made immediate provision for raising forces for +_Anapolis_, in Nova-Scotia: they happily arrived in season; and were the +probable means of saving the country. Divers times afterward, +Nova-Scotia, when attacked by the French, was relieved by the Bay-men; +so that during that unprosperous war, possession was always kept of it +for the crown of Great-Britain. + +[1745.] But the most important service to be mentioned, is the reduction +of _Louisburg_. Governor _Shirley’s_ heart was set upon effecting it. He +prevailed upon the two houses to lay themselves under an oath of +secrecy; and then communicated his plan of the expedition. A committee +was appointed to consider it, and were several days in deliberation. +After mature consideration, a majority disapproved of the proposal. The +report was accepted, and the members of the court laid aside all +thoughts of the expedition. By the governor’s influence probably, as +well as with his approbation, a petition from a number of merchants was +presented to the house of representatives, praying a re-consideration of +their vote, and their agreement to the governor’s proposal. A second +committee reported in favour of it. The report was debated in the house +the whole day. It is remarkable that Mr. _Oliver_[57] fell down and +broke his leg, while going to the house, with a full design of opposing +the expedition. His presence would have made a majority, and overset it; +but this accident occasioned his absence; and upon the division in the +house at night, the numbers were equal. The speaker, _Thomas +Hutchinson_, esq.[58] was called upon to give the casting vote; which he +did in favour of it, though he opposed it when in the committee. He was, +probably, prevailed upon thus to vote, that he might secure the favour +of the governor, and render himself the more popular. + +[Jan. 25.] The point being now settled, there is an immediate union of +both parties; and all are equally zealous in carrying the design into +execution. Messengers are dispatched as far as _Pennsylvania_, to +entreat the junction of the several governments in the expedition. All +excuse themselves, except _Connecticut_, _New-Hampshire_, and +_Rhode-Island_. The first agrees to raise 500 men, the other two 300 +each. _Connecticut_ and _Rhode-Island_ consent also, that their colony +sloops shall be employed as cruisers. + +The time for preparing is short. But the winter proves so favourable +that all kinds of out-door business is carried on as well, and with as +great dispatch as at any other season. The appointment of a general +officer is of the utmost consequence. He must be acceptable to the body +of the people; the inlistment depends upon this circumstance. It is not +easy to find a person thus qualified, willing to accept. Colonel +_Pepperrell_[59] has the offer from the governor: but it has rather +pressed into the service than engage voluntarily. His example, in +quitting for the present his extensive mercantile business, has +considerable influence, and induces inferior officers, and even private +soldiers, to quit their smaller concerns, for the service of their +country. Governor Wentworth, of New-Hampshire, offers afterwards to take +the command of the expedition. Two or three gentlemen of prudence and +judgment, are consulted upon the occasion, by governor Shirley, who +finds them clearly of opinion, that any alteration of the present +command, would be attended with the greatest risk of entirely disgusting +both the Massachusetts assembly and soldiers.[60] By the efforts of a +general exertion in all orders of men, the armament is ready, sails, and +arrives at _Canso_ the fourth of April. The _Bay-men_ consist of 3,250 +troops, exclusive of commission officers. The _New-Hampshire_ forces +304, including officers, arrived four days before. The _Connecticut_, +being 516, inclusive, arrive on the 25th. The 300 _Rhode-Islanders_ do +not arrive till the place has surrendered. + +Toward the end of the month, commodore _Warren_ arrives from the +West-Indies, with a sixty gun ship, and two of forty; and joins another +of forty, which had reached _Canso_ the day before, in consequence of +his orders, received while under sail from _Portsmouth_ in +_New-Hampshire_, on her way to Britain. The men of war sail immediately +to cruise before _Louisburg_. The forces soon follow, and land at +_Chapeaurouge Bay_ the last day of April. The transports are discovered +from the town early in the morning, which gives the inhabitants the +first knowledge of the design. + +The second day after landing, 400 men march round behind the hills, to +the north-east harbour, where they get about midnight, and fire all the +houses and store-houses until they come within a mile of the grand +battery. The clouds of thick smoke proceeding from the pitch, tar, and +other combustibles, prevent the garrison’s discovering the enemy, though +but a few rods distant. They expect the army upon them, and desert the +fort, having thrown their powder into a well; but the cannon and shot +are left, and prove of service to the Americans. A party, less than +twenty, come up to the battery the next morning early; and seeing no +signs of men, suspect a plot, and are afraid to enter. At length, an +_Indian_, for a pint of rum, ventures in alone through an embrasure, and +discovers the state of it to the rest, just as a number of French are +re-landing to recover possession. The army has near two miles to +transport their cannon, mortars, &c. through a morass. This must be done +by mere dint of labour. The hardiest and strongest bodies are employed, +and the service performed, agreeable to the advice of major Ezekiel +Gilman, of Exeter, who having been used to draw the masts over the +swamps, proposed making sleds to put the cannon, &c. upon, and then +yoking the men together for draught. The men know nothing of regular +approaches. They make merry with the terms _zigzags_ and _epaulements_; +and taking advantage of the night, go on, void of art, in their own +natural way. + +While the forces are busy ashore, the men of war and other vessels are +cruising off the harbour, when the weather permits; and on the +eighteenth of May, capture a French sixty-four gun ship, having 560 men +on board, and stores of all sorts for the garrison. This prize, with the +arrival of other British ships, make the commodore’s fleet eleven by the +12th of June, consisting of a 64, four of 60 guns, one of 50, and five +of 40. It is given out that an attack will be made by sea with the +ships, on the eighteenth, while the army do the like by land. Whether a +general storm is really intended or not, the French seem to expect it, +from the preparations on board the men of war, and do not incline to +stand it. On the fifteenth, a flag of truce is sent to the general, +desiring a cessation of hostilities, that they may consider of articles +for a capitulation. Time is allowed; but their articles are rejected by +the general and commodore, and others offered, which are accepted by the +French, and hostages exchanged. The city is delivered up on the 17th of +June. But as it is the time to expect vessels from all parts to +_Louisburg_, the French flag is kept flying as a decoy. Two East-India, +and one South Sea ship, of the value of £.600,000 sterling, are taken by +the squadron, at the mouth of the harbour, into which they undoubtedly +meant to enter. + +The weather proved remarkably fine during the siege; the day after the +surrender the rains began, and continued ten days incessantly, which +would undoubtedly have proved fatal to the expedition, had not the +capitulation prevented. It is not of material consequence for us to +determine whether the land or sea force had the greatest share in the +reduction of _Louisburg_. Neither would have succeeded alone. But there +was certainly the strongest evidence of a generous, noble, public +spirit, in the _New-Englanders_, which first inclined them to the +undertaking, and of a firmness of mind in the prosecution of it; for the +labour, fatigue, and other hardships of the siege were without parallel +in all preceding American operations.[61] The paying of the charges of +this expedition in 1748, lessens not the merit of the New-England +attempt; for they began it when they had no promise, and very little +prospect of being reimbursed. Had it not succeeded, they would not have +been reimbursed, and must therefore have been involved in the greatest +distress. This they foresaw, and yet cheerfully ran the risk for the +public service. It would have cost the crown double the sum paid the +New-England governments, to have sent an armament from Great-Britain for +the reduction of the same place. The colonies met with a heavy loss, not +easily repaired, in the destruction of the flower of their youth, by +camp fevers, other sicknesses, the hardships and distresses of the +siege. Of how much importance Louisburg was in the opinion of the +French, appeared from their demanding two hostages of the first nobility +in Britain as pledges for its restitution. + +Should you hereafter read, “The leading men in the government of the +_Massachusetts_, having been guilty of certain mal-practices, for which +they were in danger of being called to an account, projected the +expedition against _Cape Breton_, in order to divert the storm: and +proving successful, the English nation was so overjoyed that they forgot +every other idea in the general transport, so that the planners and +conductors of the expedition, instead of being called to an account for +former misdemeanors, found themselves caressed and applauded”—believe it +not—especially should the writer give “this public notice, I build +nothing upon the present narration; and I only offer it (because not +corroborated by sufficient evidence) as a probable case, and as my own +opinion.”[62] Should he be a D. D. you may think it would have been well +for him to have recollected the complaint of _Jeremiah_, “I heard the +defaming of many; report, _say they_, and we will report;” and so to +have been silent on the head of _Cape Breton_. Should you judge it +uncharitable to retort upon him; yet you may deem it just to remind him +of his own, do you find him using such like expressions as these, “As I +never believed Dr. _Franklin_ in any public matter, excepting in his +electrical experiments, I was resolved to see with my own eyes, whether +what he advanced was true or not, having a strong suspicion that he +fibbed designedly, like Sir _Henry Wotton_’s ambassador, _patriæ +causa_.”[63] + +But to return, the year after the reduction of Louisburg [1746.] +Great-Britain entertained the design of reducing _Canada_; and +requisitions were made to the colonies, from New-Hampshire to Virginia, +inclusive. It was expected that they should raise at least 5,000 men; +they voted 8,200; and the _Massachusetts_, to the amount of 3,500, were +ready to embark by the middle of July, about six weeks from the first +notice.[64] Though the expedition was not prosecuted, this did not +lessen the merit of the colonies in preparing to second the views of the +British government. + +[1748.] No sooner were the distresses of war closed, by the renewal of +peace, than the colonists, particularly of _New-England_, were alarmed +with the report of an _American Episcopacy_; which it was the most +earnest desire of Dr. _Thomas Secker_, late archbishop of _Canterbury_, +to establish. The doctor, when bishop of _Oxford_, in his sermon before +the society for propagating she gospel, &c. “began those invectives +against the colonists and their religious character, which have been +unwarily continued, and were founded entirely upon misinformations and +misrepresentations of interested persons, the missionaries especially, +who found their account in abusing better christians than +themselves.”[65] This conduct had not the least tendency to reconcile +them to the project, but the direct contrary: and argued a secret +bitterness of spirit, which promised no great moderation, if the scheme +of episcopising succeeded. The talk of introducing bishops into America, +was very warm among the episcopalians in Connecticut; and it is not an +uncharitable conjecture, that it originated from, or was promoted by the +zeal of bishop Secker. During the height of the conversation, a worthy +divine, now at Rhode-Island, had the hopes of a bishopric held out to +him, to induce him to turn episcopalian, though without effect. The +colonists had reason to dread the introduction of episcopacy, for it +could not be thought it should come unaccompanied with such a degree of +civil power as would at length trample upon the rights of other +denominations. An extensive and united hierarchy, however named, when +armed with civil authority and in alliance with state power, is a +dangeaous engine, if under the direction of a crafty politician. The +failure of the episcopising project at this period, might be owing in a +great measure, to the part the _dissenting deputation_ acted upon the +occasion: for which the representatives of the Massachusetts Bay +returned them their thanks, in a message signed by the speaker.[66] But +though the colonies were relieved from this cause of uneasiness, they +were laid under another, by the parliament’s passing an act, enacting, +“That from and after the twenty-fourth of June, 1750, no _mill_ or +_other engine_ for _slitting_ or _rolling_ of _iron_, or any _platting +forge_, to work with a _tilt hammer_, or any _furnace_ for _making +steel_, shall be erected; or, after such erection, continued _in any of +his majesty’s colonies in America_.” + +The four New-England colonies, however, had no just reason to complain, +when the power of parliament passed an act [1751.] “to regulate and +restrain paper bills of credit in said governments, and to prevent the +same being legal tenders in payment of money;” as they had made the act +absolutely necessary, that so British creditors might be secured from +being defrauded by a legal tender of a depreciated and depreciating +paper currency. + +The year after the peace, a grant of 600,000 acres of the finest +American land in the neighbourhood of the _Ohio_, was made out to +certain noblemen, merchants, and others, of _Westminster_, _London_, and +_Virginia_, who associated under the title of the _Ohio Company_. The +governor of Canada obtained early intelligence of it; and was alarmed +with the apprehension that a scheme was in agitation, which would +forever deprive the French of the advantage arising from the trade with +the _Twightwees_, and cut off the communication so beneficial to the +colonies of _Louisiana_ and _Canada_. He wrote therefore to the +governors of _New-York_ and _Pennsylvania_, acquainting them that the +English traders had encroached on the French territories, by trading +with their Indians; and that if they did not desist, he should be +obliged to seize them wherever they were found. This was the first time +that either French or British had pretended to any exclusive trade with +any Indians, or even the declared friends and allies of either; for it +was expressly stipulated at the treaty of _Utrecht_, that, on both +sides, the two nations should enjoy full liberty of going and coming +among the Indians of either side, on account of trade; and that the +natives of the Indian countries should, with the same liberty, resort as +they pleased, to the British or French colonies, for the purpose of +trade, without any molestation from either the British or French +subjects. + +The British Indian trade had been carried on mostly with _Pennsylvania_ +by the river _Susquehanna_; a great part of it was now to be diverted +into another channel by the _Ohio company_; who by opening a waggon road +through the country, and building a truck-house at _Will’s-creek_, were +providing for its being carried into _Virginia_ by the _Patomack_. The +Pennsylvania traders, jealous of the Ohio company, were upon the watch +to injure them, which soon offered, when Mr. _Gist_ was employed by the +company, in surveying the lands upon the _Ohio_, in order to their +procuring 600,000 acres of the best and most convenient for the Indian +trade. He carefully concealed his design from the Indians, who were no +less suspicious and inquisitive; and being jealous that he meant to +settle their lands, made use of threats. They were not pacified till +there was delivered to them a pretended message from the king of +Great-Britain. The Pennsylvania traders, actuated by revenge, informed +both French and Indians, what was the service on which he was employed; +and while he was on his progress in the spring of 1771, some French +parties, with their Indians, put the governor of Canada’s menace into +execution, and [1753.] seized the British traders who were trading among +the _Twightwees_, and carried them to a fort they were building on the +south side of lake _Erie_. The British, alarmed at the capture of their +brethren, retired to the Indian towns for shelter, and the _Twightwees_, +resenting the violence done their allies, assembled to the number of +five or six hundred, and scoured the woods till they found three French +traders, whom they sent to Pennsylvania. The French, however, determined +to persist; and proceeded to build a second fort, about fifteen miles +south of the former, upon one of the branches of the Ohio. They also +erected a fort at the conflux of the _Ohio_ and _Wabache_; and thus +completed their designed communication between the mouth of the +_Missisippi_ and the river _St. Lawrence_. Nothing was done by the +Pennsylvania government, so that the French continued to strengthen +themselves without interruption; and encouraged by the little notice +taken of their violence, began to seize and plunder every British trader +they found on any part of the Ohio. + +Repeated complaints were made to lieutenant governor _Dinwiddie_, of +Virginia; and as the Ohio company, whose existence depended upon +stopping the French encroachments and pretensions on that river, had +great influence there, that colony was prevailed upon to act with some +vigor. + +The lieutenant governor having informed the house of burgesses, on the +first of November, that the French had erected a fort on the Ohio, it +was resolved to send some body to Mr. _St. Pierre_, the French +commandant, to demand the reason of his hostile proceedings, and to +require him at the same time to withdraw his forces. Major _Washington_, +who was of age only on the eleventh of the preceding February, offered +his service on this important occasion. The distance he had to go was +more than four hundred miles; two hundred of which lay through a +trackless desert, inhabited by Indians; and the season was uncommonly +severe. Notwithstanding these discouraging circumstances, the major, +attended by one companion only, set out upon this hazardous enterprise. +He travelled from Winchester on foot, carrying his provisions on his +back. Upon his arrival at the place of destination and delivering his +message, the French commandant refused to comply, denied the charge of +hostilities, and said that the country belonged to the king of France; +that no Englishman had a right to trade upon any of its rivers; and +that, therefore, he would seize, according to orders, and send prisoners +to Canada, every Englishman that should attempt to trade upon the Ohio +or any of its branches. Before major _Washington_ had got back, or the +Virginians had heard of the French commandant’s answer, they sent out +proper people, provided with materials for erecting a fort at the +conflux of the Ohio and Monongahela, whom he met on his return. After +excessive hardships, and many providential escapes, during his long and +tedious undertaking, he arrived safe at Williamsburgh, and gave an +account of his negociation to the house of burgesses the 14th of +February following. + +Before the Virginians had finished their fort, the French came upon +them, drove them out of the country, and erected a regular fort on the +very spot where they had been at work. The consent of the Indian +warriors had not been gained by the Virginians, or they would have +supported the British against the French attack. + +These proceedings of the French galled the British ministry. The Ohio +Company whose schemes were now demolished, was their fondling. They +could not submit to have their friends so treated; and therefore no +sooner had they the news, than it was resolved to instruct the colonies +to oppose the French encroachments by force of arms. The instructions +were received at Virginia early in the spring of 1754. The Virginians +applied to the other colonies for additional troops. Captain James +Mackay, with his independent company, upon the first order marched with +the utmost expedition from South Carolina to their assistance. Without +waiting for two independent companies from New-York, who were likewise +ordered to assist them, the Virginians resolved by themselves with +Mackay’s company, to oppose the French encroachments; and sent off that +and three hundred men raised by the colony, under the command of late +major, but now colonel Washington. An engagement ensued between a party +of French from fort _Du Quesne_, whom colonel Washington attacked and +defeated, on the twenty-eight of May—which put Mr. _de Villier_ upon +marching down against him with 900 men besides Indians, and attacking +him on the third of July. Washington made so brave a defence behind a +small incomplete intrenchment, called fort _Necessity_, that Villier +seeing what desperate men he had to deal with, and desirous of saving +his own, offered him an honorable capitulation; but the French officer +was careful, in forming the articles, to throw the blame of the war upon +the British, and to make it thought that they were the agressors. + +The lords commissioners for trade and plantations, had also recommended +to the several colonies, to appoint commsssioners to meet each other. +Their Lordships designed, that there should be a general league of +friendship, between all the colonies, and the Indians, in his majesty’s +name. The _Massachusetts_ general court not only acceded to the +proposal, but both houses desired his excellency, governor _Shirley_ +(April 10.) “to pray his majesty, that affairs which relate to the six +nations and their allies may be put under some general direction as his +majesty shall think proper; that the several governors may _be obliged_ +to bear their proportions of defending his majesty’s territories against +the encroachments of the French, and the ravages and incursions of the +Indians.” + +[July.] A general meeting of the governors and chief men from several of +the colonies, was held at _Albany_. At this congress, the commissioners +were unanimously of opioion, that an _union of all the colonies_ was +absolutely necessary for their common defence. The plan was, in short, +“That a grand council should be formed of members, to be chosen by the +assemblies, and sent from all the colonies; which council, together with +a governor-general to be appointed by the crown, should be empowered to +make general laws, to raise money in all the colonies for the defence of +the whole.” It was drawn up by Mr. _Hutchinson_, was accepted, and sent +home. Had it been approved and established, _British America_ thought +itself sufficiently able to cope with the _French_ without further +assistance; several of the colonies, in former years, having alone +withstood the enemy, unassisted not only by the mother country, but by +any of the neighbouring provinces. A _stamp act_ was talked of among the +commissioners, of which number was Mr. (now Dr.) _Franklin_, one of the +three from Pennsylvania; and it was thought a proper mode of taxing; +under the apprehension, that in its operation it would affect the +several governments fairly and equally. The idea of a stamp act had been +held out, so early as 1739, in two publications drawn up by a club of +American merchants at the head of whom were Sir _William Keith_, +governor of Pennsylvania, Mr. _Joshua Gee_, and many others. They +proposed, for the protection of the British traders among the Indians, +the raising a body of regulars, to be stationed all along the western +frontier of the British settlements; and that the expence should be paid +from the monies arising from a duty on stamp paper and parchment in all +the colonies to be laid on them by act of parliament. The congress plan +was not agreeable to the views of ministry; another was proposed—“That +the governors of all the colonies, attended by one or two members of +their respective councils, should assemble, concert measures for the +defence of the whole, erect forts where they judged proper, and raise +what troops they thought necessary, with power to draw upon the British +treasury for the sum that should be wanted; and the treasury to be +re-imbursed by a tax laid on the colonies by an act of parliament.” When +you are reminded, that the governors and councils were chiefly of the +king’s appointing, you will be apt to view the scheme as a most subtle +and dangerous contrivance, to provide for favorites, to sap the +liberties of the Americans, and eventually to chain them down to the +most abject slavery. Had the congress plan met with the countenance of +minstry, it might have been adopted after a while; though of that, it +appeared, there could be no certainty; for when the governor laid it +before the _Massachusetts_ assembly in October, the assembly determined, +not to give it the least countenance. The ministerial plan was +transmitted to governor _Shirley_, who was known to be for the British +parliament’s laying the tax. It was communicated by him to Mr. Franklin, +then at his native place, Boston, who soon returned it with a few short +remarks, and the next day sent the governor the following letter, _viz._ + + + “SIR, _Wednesday morning, Dec. 1754_ + +I mentioned it yesterday to your excellency, as my opinion, that +excluding the people of the colonies from all share in the choice of the +grand council, would probably give extreme dissatisfaction, as well as +the taxing them by an act of parliament, where they have no +representative. In matters of general concern to the people and +especially where burthens are to be laid upon them, it is of use to +consider, as well what they will be apt to think and say, as what they +ought to think; I shall therefore, as your excellency requires it of me, +briefly mention what of either kind occurs to me on this occasion. + +First, they will say, and perhaps with justice, that the body of the +people in the colonies are as loyal, and as firmly attached to the +present constitution and reigning family, as any subjects in the king’s +dominions: + +That there is no reason to doubt the readiness and willingness of the +representatives they may choose, to grant from time to time such +supplies for the defence of the country, as shall be judged necessary, +so far as their abilities will allow: + +That the people in the colonies, who are to feel the immediate mischiefs +of invasion and conquest by an enemy, in the loss of their estates, +lives and liberties, are likely to be better judges of the quantity of +forces necessary to be raised and maintained, forts to be built and +supported, and of their own abilities to bear the expence, than the +parliament of England at so great a distance: + +The governors often come to the colonies merely to make fortunes with +which they intend to return to Britain; are not always men of the best +abilities or integrity; have many of them no estates here, nor any +natural connections with us, that should make them heartily concerned +for our welfare; and might possibly be fond of raising and keeping up +more forces than necessary, from the profits accruing to themselves, and +to make provision for their friends and dependants: + +That the counsellors in most of the colonies being appointed by the +crown, on the recommendation of governors, are often of small estates, +frequently dependent on the governors for offices, and therefore too +much under influence; + +That there is, therefore, great reason to be jealous of a power in such +governors and councils, to raise such sums as they shall judge +necessary, by draft on the lords of the treasury, to be afterward laid +on the colonies by act of parliament, and paid by the people here; since +they might abuse it, by projecting useless expeditions, harrassing the +people, and taking them from their labour to execute such projects, +merely to create offices and employments, and gratify their dependants, +and divide profits: + +That the parliament of England is at a great distance, subject to be +misinformed and misled by such governors and councils, whose united +interests might probably secure them against the effect of any complaint +from hence: + +That it is supposed to be an undoubted right of _Englishmen_ not to be +taxed but by their own consent given through their representatives: + +That the colonies have no representatives in parliament: + +That to propose taxing them by parliament, and refuse them the liberty +of choosing a representative council, to meet in the colonies, and +consider and judge of the necessity of any general tax, and the quantum, +shows a suspicion of their loyalty to the crown, of their regard for +their country, or of their common sense and understanding, which they +have not deserved: + +That compelling the colonies to pay money without their consent, would +be rather like raising contributions in an enemy’s, country, than taxing +_Englishmen_ for their own public benefit: + +That it would be treating them as a conquered people, and not as true +British subjects: + +That a tax laid by the representatives of the colonies might easily be +lessened, as the occasion should lessen; but being once laid by +parliament, under the influence of the representations made by +governors, would probably be kept up, and continued for the benefit of +governors, to the grievous burden and discouragement of the colonies, +and prevention of their growth and increase: + +That a power in governors to march the inhabitants from one end of the +British and French colonies to the other, being a country of at least +1500 square miles, without the approbation or consent of their +representatives first obtained, might occasion expeditions grievous and +ruinous to the people, and would put them upon a footing with the +subjects of France in Canada, that now groan under such oppression from +their governor, who for two years passed, has harrassed them with long +and destructive marches to the Ohio: + +That, if the colonies in a body may be well governed by governors and +councils appointed by the crown without representatives, particular +colonies may as well, or better, be so governed: a tax may be laid on +them all by act of parliament for support of government, and their +assemblies be dismissed as an useless part of the constitution: + +That the powers proposed by the _Albany_ plan of union, to be vested in +a grand representative council of the people, even with regard to +military matters, are not so great as those of the colonies of +_Rhode-Island_ and _Connecticut_ are entrusted with by their charter, +and have never abused: for by this plan, the president general is +appointed by the crown, and controuls all by his negative; but in these +governments the people choose the governor, and yet allow him no +negative: + +That the British colonies bordering on the French, are properly +frontiers of the British empire; and the frontiers of an empire are +properly defended at the joint expence of the body of the people in such +empire. It would now be thought hard, by act of parliament, to oblige +the cinque ports, or sea coasts of Britain to maintain the whole navy, +because they are more immediately defended by it; not allowing them at +the same time, a vote in choosing the members of parliament; and if the +frontiers in America must bear the expence of their own defence, it +seems hard to allow them no share in voting the money, judging of the +necessity and sum, or advising the measures: + +That besides the taxes necessary for the defence of the frontiers, the +colonies pay yearly great sums to the mother country unnoticed; for +taxes paid in Britain, by the landholder or artificer, must enter into +and increase the price of the produce of land, and of manufactures made +of it; and great part of this is paid by consumers in the colonies, who +thereby pay a considerable part of the British taxes. + +We are restrained in our trade with foreign nations; and where we could +be supplied with any manufacture cheaper from them, but must buy the +same dearer from Britain, the difference of price is a clear tax to +Britain. We are obliged to carry great part of our produce directly to +Britain, and wherein the duties there laid upon it lessen its price to +the planter, or it sells for less than it would in foreign markets, the +defference is a tax paid to Britain. + +Some manufactures we could make, but are fobidden, and must take of +_British_ merchants; the whole price of these is a tax paid to Britain. + +By our greatly increasing the demand and consumption of British +manufactures, their price is considerably raised of late years; their +advance is clear profit to Britain, and enables its people better to pay +great taxes; and much of it being paid by us, is a clear tax to Britain. + +In short, as we are not suffered to regulate our trade, and restrain the +importation and consumption of British superfluities, (as Britain can +the consumption of foreign superfluities) our whole wealth centres +finally among the merchants and inhabitants of Britain; and if we make +them richer, and enable them better to pay their taxes, it is nearly the +same as being taxed ourselves, and equally beneficial to the crown. +These kind of secondary taxes, however we do not complain of, though we +have no share in the laying or disposing of them: but to pay immediate +heavy taxes, in the laying, appropriation, and disposition of which we +have no part, and which, perhaps, we may know to be as unnecessary as +grievous, must seem hard measure to _Englishmen_; who cannot conceive, +that by hazarding their lives and fortunes, in subduing and settling new +countries, extending the dominion, and increasing the commerce of their +mother nation, they have forfeited the native rights of _Britons_, which +they think ought rather to be given them as due to such merit, if they +had been before in a state of slavery. These and such kind of things as +these, I apprehend, will be thought and said by the people, if the +proposed alteration of the Albany plan should take place. Then the +administration of the board of governors and councils so appointed, not +having any representative body of the people to approve and unite in its +measures, and conciliate the minds of the people to them, will probably +become suspected and odious: dangerous animosities and feuds will arise +between the governors and governed, and every thing go into confusion. + +Perhaps I am too apprehensive in this matter; but having freely given my +opinion and reasons, your excellency can judge better than I whether +there be any weight in them; and the shortness of the time allowed me, +will, I hope, in some degree, excuse the imperfections of this scrawl. + +With the geatest respect and fidelity, I have the honor to be, your +excellency’s most obedient and most humble servant, + + BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.” + + +These letters might be transmitted to, and might dispose the ministry to +decline urging their plan of uniting and governing the colonies; but Mr. +Shirley wrote to governor _Wentworth_, of _New-Hampshire_, May 31, +1755—“I may assure your excellency, from every letter I have of late +received from Sir Thomas Robinson, I have reason to think that his +majesty hath a dependance upon a _common fund’s_ being raised in all his +colonies upon this continent, in proportion to their respective +abilities, for defraying all articles of expence entered into for their +common defence; and that such an one must in the end, be either +voluntarily raised, or else assessed in some way or other.” The ministry +discovered a disposition to raise a revenue in them, which induced the +_Massachusetts_ general court [Nov. 6.] thus to instruct their agent; +“It is more especially expected, that you oppose every thing that shall +have the remotest tendency to raise a _revenue_ in the plantations, for +any public uses or services of government;” he wrote to them the +twenty-ninth of May following, “The inclinations I have reason to think +still contitinue for _raising a revenue_ out of the molasses trade.” The +alarming state of public affairs might divert the ministry from pursuing +their inclinations. + +It had been concluded to take effectual measures for driving the French +from the _Ohio_; and for the reduction of _Niagara_, _Crown-Point_, and +their forts in _Nova-Scotia_. General _Braddock_ was accordingly sent +from Ireland to Virginia, with two regiments of foot; and when arrived, +and joined by the rest of the forces destined for that service, found +himself at the head of about 2200 men. He had bravery, but wanted other +qualifications to render him fit for the service to which he was +appointed. His severity prevented his having the love of the regulars; +his haughtiness, the love of the Americans; and, what was worse, +disgusted the Indians, and led him to despise the country militia, and +to slight the advice of the Virginia officers. Colonel _Washington_ +earnestly begged of him, when the army was marching for fort _Du +Quesne_, to admit of his going before, and scouring the woods with his +rangers, which was contemptuously refused. The general had been +cautioned by the duke of _Cumberland_, to guard against a surprise; and +yet he pushed on heedlessly with the first division, consisting of 1400 +men [July 9, 1755.] till he fell into an ambuscade of 400, chiefly +Indians, by whom he was defeated and mortally wounded, on the ninth of +July. The regulars were put into the greatest panic, and fled in the +utmost confusion; the militia had been used to Indian fighting, and were +not so terrified. The general had disdainfully turned them into the +rear: they continued in a body, unbroken, and served under colonel +_Washington_ as a most useful rear-guard; covered the retreat of the +regulars, and prevented their being entirely cut off. + +Previous to this, and agreeable to the views of the British ministry, +the _Massachusetts_ assembly, who had never been remiss upon the +prospect of a French war, raised a body of troops, which were sent to +_Nova-Scotia_, to assist lieutenant governor _Lawrence_ in driving the +French from their several encroachments within that province. The +secrecy and dispatch used in this service, was rewarded with success. + +The expedition against Niagara was entrusted with governor Shirley; but +failed through various causes. + +Sir _William_ (then colonel) _Johnson_, appointed to go against +Crown-Point. The delays, slowness, and deficiency of preparations, +prevented the several colonies joining their troops till about August. +Meanwhile the active enemy had transported forces from _France_ to +_Canada_, marched them down to meet the provincials, and attacked them; +but, meeting with a repulse, lost six hundred men, besids having their +general, baron _Dieskau_, wounded and made prisoner. + +The _Massachusetts_ the next year, raised a great armament to go to +_Crown-Point_; but lord _Loudon_, on his arrival, did not think it +proper that the forces should proceed. Afterward a temporary +misunderstanding took place between his lordship and the general court; +from his apprehending that they thought a provincial law necessary to +enforce a British act of parliament, and were willing to dispute upon +that subject. He determined to have no dispute, but that the troops +under his command should be quartered agreeable to what he thought the +public good required; and wrote to governor _Pownall_ [Nov. 15, 1757.] +“I have ordered the messenger to wait but 48 hours in _Boston_; and if, +on his return, I find things not settled, I will instantly order into +_Boston_ the three battalions from New-York, Long-Island, and +Connecticut; and if more are wanted, I have two in the Jerseys at hand, +beside three in Pennsylvania.” Notwithstanding this declaration, on +December the sixth, the legislature passed an act which led him to +conceive that he was under an absolute necessity of settling the point +at once, and therefore he ordered the troops to march. The general court +finding how matters were going, did not venture upon extremities, but +became pliable; so that his lordship wrote, December 26, “As I can now +depend upon the assembly’s making the point of quarters easy in all time +coming, I have countermanded the march of the troops.” The general court +were certainly terrified; and to remove all unfavorable impressions, +said, in the close of the address to the governor [Jan. 6, 1758.] “The +authority of all acts of parliament which concern the colonies, and +extend to them, is ever acknowledged in all the courts of law, and made +the rule of all judicial proceedings in the province. There is not a +member of the general court, and we know no inhabitant within the bounds +of the government, that ever questioned this authority. To prevent any +ill consequences that may arise from an opinion of our holding such +principles, we now utterly disavow them, as we should readily have done +at any time past, if there had been occasion for it; and we pray that +his lordship may be acquainted therewith, that we may appear in a true +light, and that no impressions may remain to our disadvantage.” However +they might not question, whether the authority of acts of parliament, +concerning and extending to the colonies, was made the rule of all +_judicial_ proceedings in the province; yet you are not to infer from +their disavowal of the contrary principle, that they admitted the right +of parliament, either to impose internal taxes, or to controul their +colonial government. + +When, happily for the British nation, the great Mr. _Pitt_ was placed at +the head of the ministry, the face of affairs was soon changed; the war +was prosecuted with unexampled success, and the enemy at length driven +out of _America_. But the frequent delays given to the raising of the +necessary supplies, especially in proprietary governments, through the +refusal of their governors or councils, to admit that the estates of the +proprietors should be taxed, led Mr. _Pitt_ to tell Mr. _Franklin_, that +when the war closed, was he in the ministry, he should take measures to +prevent its being in the power of the colonies to hinder government’s +receiving the supplies that were wanted; and he added, that, was he not +in the ministry, he would advise his successors to do it. What these +measures were he did not mention. But toward the close of 1759, or the +beginning of 1760, Mr. _Pitt_ wrote to _Francis Fauquier_, esq. +lieutenant governor of _Virginia_, and mentioned in his letter, that +though they had made grants to the colonies, yet, when the war was over, +they should tax them, in order to _raise a revenue_ from them. Mr. +_Fauquier_, in his answer, expressed his apprehension that the measure +would occasion great disturbance. The answer might divert Mr. Pitt from +his intention. Many months before, the present lord _Camden_ (then Mr. +_Pratt_) said to Mr. _Franklin_, in a course of free conversation, “For +all what you _Americans_ say of your loyalty, I know you will one day +throw off your dependance upon this country; and notwithstanding your +boasted affection to it, will set up for independence.” The other +answered, “No such idea is entertained in the mind of the Americans; and +no such idea will ever enter their heads, unless you grossly abuse +them.” “Very true (replied Mr. _Pratt_) that is one of the main causes I +see will happen, and will produce the event.” + +The colonies in general, and the Massachusetts in particular, complied +with the requisitions of the minister, and shewed themselves ready to +support his plans for the reduction of the French power. To assist and +encourage their extraordinary exertions, the parliament granted them +during the war, at different periods, no less than £.1,031,666 13s. 4d. +But though the large importation of specie annually, did not answer one +half or their expences, it was still of such benefit to each government, +that they cheerfully seconded the views of ministry. Upon application +from admiral _Saunders_, the squadron employed against _Louisburg_ and +_Quebec_, was supplied by 500 seamen from the _Massachusetts_; beside, +many were at several times impressed out of vessels on the fishing +banks. The colonies lost by the war 25,000 of their robust young men, +exclusive of sailors. The _Massachusetts_ continually raised the full +number of troops assigned them; nor was it to be ascribed to the +peculiar address of Mr. _Pownall_, who guided them with a silken cord, +and by praising them plentifully, and flattering their vanity, did +business with them in an easy manner; for it was the same after he was +succeded by governor _Bernard_. [August 13, 1760.] Beside their annual +quota of men, in some years of the war they garrisoned Louisburg and +Nova-Scotia, which gave the regular forces opportunity for retaining +Canada. The whole cost they were at upon these accounts, and for +scouting companies sent into the Indian country, and for two armed +vessels built and maintained for the protection of the trade, amounted +to £.754,598 10s. 10½d. sterling. In this sum, the expence of many forts +and garrisons on the frontiers is not included. Add, that no estimate +can be made of the cost to individuals, by the demand of personal +service. They that could not serve in person, who were much the greater +number, when it came to their turn, were obliged to hire substitutes at +a great premium. They also who could not be impressed, to lighten the +burdens of others, advanced largely for encouraging the levies. +Moreover, the taxes were exceeding heavy. A Boston gentleman, of +reputation and fortune, sent one of his rate bills to a correspondent in +London, for his judgment on it; and had for answer, “That he did not +believe there was a man in all _England_ who paid so much in proportion +toward the support of government.” Such was the assessment of the town +in one of the years, that if a man’s income was £.60 per annum, he had +to pay two-thirds or £.40 and in that proportion whether the sum was +more or less; and if his house or land was valued at £.200 per annum, he +was obliged to pay £.72 He had also to pay for his poll, and those of +all the males in his house, more than sixteen years old, at the rate of +14s. 3d. each: and to all must be added, the part he paid of the excise +on tea, coffee, rum, and wine.[67] Other towns and colonies might not +have been assessed so exorbitantly, but some must certainly have been +burdened with taxes. + +The above statement of expences is thought to be more correct than what +governor Bernard transmitted, in his letter of August 1, 1764, to the +lords of trade, in which he wrote, “From 1754 to 1762, the sums issued +amount to £.926,000 sterling; out of which deduct, received by +parliamentary grant, £.328,000 and the ordinary expences of government +estimated at £.138,000 there remains £.490,000 that is near £500,000 +sterling expended by this province in the extraordinary charges of the +war within eight years. An immense sum for such a small state! the +burden of which has been grievously felt by all orders of men.—Whereas +if we compare this with the southern governments, Pennsylvania for +instance, which has expended little more than they have received from +parliament, and Maryland which has expended scarce any thing at all, we +cannot sufficiently admire the inequality of the burden between one +province and another, and when Pennsylvania has not been prevented by +domestic dissensions, and have as it were done their best, they have +sent to the field only 2,700 men, when this province has sent +5,000—5,500, and one year 7,000. And notwithstanding the vast sums this +province has raised, is has, by severe taxations, kept its debt under. + +The first part of governor _Bernard’s_ administration was agreeable to +the _Massachusetts_ general court. The two houses, in answer to his +speach, [May, 1761.] said, “It gives us pleasure to see, that the civil +rights of the people are not in danger; nor are we in the least degree +suspicious, that they ever will be, under your excellency’s +administration. The experience we have had of your excellency’s +disposition and abilities, encourage us to hope for a great share of +public happiness under your administration.” The next year the governor +told them, at the close of the session, [April 23, 1762.] “The unanimity +and dispatch with which you have complied with the requisitions of his +majesty, require my particular acknowledgment.” In his sheech he said, +“Every thing that has been required of this province, has been most +readily complied with.” + +[May 31, 1763.] Both houses in their address to him expressed themselves +thus: “We congratulate your excellency upon that unanimity which your +excellency recommends, and which was never greater in the province than +at that time.”—The governor at the close of the session, declared his +great satisfaction, in having observed, that the unanimity they assured +him of, had fully evinced itself throughout all their proceedings. But +the lieutenant governor, Mr. _Hutchinson_, gained after a while too much +ascendency over him, and encouraged him in the pursuit of wrong +measures, highly offensive to the colony. He had indeed done him an +irreparable injury, not long after his coming to the chair. Colonel +_James Otis_ (who was repeatedly returned for _Barnstable_, in +_Plymouth_ county, notwithstanding the strenuous efforts which had been +made to prevent it, on account of his siding with government) being a +lawyer, had been promised by Mr. Shirley, when in the chair, to be made +a judge of the superior court, upon an opportunity’s offering. The first +vacancy which happened, was filled up by the appointment of the +secretary’s son-in-law; for which Mr. Shirley apologized by pleading a +promise made to the secretary, and his having forgotten the former one. +Mr. Otis was satisfied with a fresh assurance of the next vacancy, which +was considered by him in the light of a governmental promise; and it was +expected that whenever a new vacancy happened, Mr. Otis would be +appointed. There was no new vacancy till a short time after governor +Bernard entered upon his administration, when chief justice _Sewall_ +died.—Upon this death, Mr. _James Otis_, the son, of whom there will be +a call to make frequent mention, expressed himself as follows: “If +governor Bernard does not appoint my father judge of the superior court, +I will kindle such a fire in the province as shall singe the governor, +though I myself perish in the flames.” Mr. Hutchinson, however hurried +to Mr. Bernard, procured a promise, which being once given, the governor +would not retract, and got himself appointed chief justice, by which he +gratified both his ambition and covetousness, his two ruling passions. +The friends of government regretted the appointment, foreboding the +evils it would produce. The governor lost the influence and support of +colonel Otis. The son quitted the law place he held; would never be +persuaded to resume it, or to accept of another; joined himself to the +party which was jealous that the views of administration were +unfavorable to the rights of the colony, and stood ready to oppose all +encroachments; and soon became its chief leader. He signalised himself +by pleading in a most masterly manner, against granting _writs of +assistance_ to custom-house officers. These writs were to give them, +their deputies, &c. a general power to enter any houses, &c. that they +would _say they suspected_. The custom-house officers had received +letters from home, directing them to a more strenuous exertion in +collecting the duties, and to procure writs of assistance. The idea of +these writs excited a general alarm. A strong jealousy of what might be +eventually the effect of them upon the liberties of the people, +commenced. They might prove introductory to the most horrid abuses; +which the meanest deputy of a deputy’s deputy might practise with +impunity, upon a merchant or gentleman of the first character; and there +would be the greater danger of such abuses, by reason of the immense +distance of the scene of action from the seat of government. The voice +of the complainant would not be heard three thousand miles off, after +the servants of government had deafened the ears of administration by +misrepresentations. From this period may be dated the fixed, uniform, +and growing opposition which was made to the ministerial plans of +encroaching upon the original rights and long established customs of the +colony. In 1761, the officers of the customs applied to the superior +courts for such writs. The great opposition that was made to it, and the +arguments of Mr. _Otis_, disposed the court to a refusal; but Mr. +_Hutchinson_, who had obtained the place of chief justice, prevailed +with his brethren to continue the cause till next term; and in the mean +time wrote to England, and procured a copy of the writ, and sufficient +evidence of the practice of the exchequer there, after which, like writs +were granted. But before this was effected, Mr. _Otis_ was chosen one of +the representatives for Boston, by the influence of the friends to +liberty; whose jealousies there and elsewhere, afterward increased +apace, upon hearing that the British officers insisted frequently upon +the necessity of regulating and _reforming_, as they stiled it, the +colonial governments; and that certain travellers were introduced to +particular persons [1762.] with a—“This is a gentleman employed by the +earl of _Bute_ to travel the country, and learn what may be proper to be +done in the grand plan of _reforming_ the _American governments_.” It +was understood that their business was to make thorough observation upon +the state of the country, that so the ministry might be enabled to judge +what regulations and alterations could safely be made in the police and +government of the colonies, in order to their being brought more +effectually under the government of parliament. They were also, as much +as possible, to conciliate capital and influential characters, to +ministerial measures speedily to be adopted. The British ministry have +been greatly mistaken, in supposing it is the same in _America_ as in +their own country. Do they gain over a gentleman of note and eminence in +the colonies, they make no considerable acquisition. He takes few or +none with him; and is rather despised than adhered to by former friends. +He has not, as in Britain, dependants who must act in conformity to his +nod. In _New-England_ especially, individuals are so independent of each +other, that though there may be an inequality in rank and fortune, every +one can act freely according to his own judgment. + +But nothing, it may be, excited a greater alarm in the breasts of those +to whom it was communicated, than the following anecdote, viz. The Rev. +Mr. _Whitefield_, ere he left _Portsmouth_ in _New-Hampshire_, on Monday +afternoon, April the second, 1764, sent for Dr. _Langdon_ and Mr. Haven, +the congregational ministers of the town, and upon their coming and +being alone with him, said, “I can’t in conscience leave the town +without acquainting you with a secret. My heart bleeds for _America_. O +poor _New-England_! There is a deep laid plot against both your civil +and religious liberties, and they will be lost. Your golden days are at +an end. You have nothing but trouble before you. My information comes +from the best authority in _Great Britain_. I was allowed to speak of +the affair in general, but enjoined not to mention particulars. Your +liberties will be lost.”[68] Mr. Whitefield could not have heard what +the commons did in the preceding month; his information must have been +of an earlier date, and might have been communicated before he left +Great Britain. Beside the general design of taxing the colonies, the +plan was probably, this in substance—Let the parliament be engaged to +enter heartily and fully into American matters; and then under its +sanction let all the governments be altered, and all the councils be +appointed by the king, and the assemblies be reduced to a small number +like that of New-York. After that, the more effectually to secure the +power of civil government by the junction of church influence, let their +be a revisal of all the acts in the several colonies with a view of +setting aside those in particular, which provide for the support of the +ministers. But if the temper of the people make it necessary, let a new +bill for the purpose of supporting them pass the house, and the council +refuse their concurrence; if that will be improper, then the governor to +negative it. If that cannot be done in good policy, then the bill to go +home and let the king disallow it. Let bishops be introduced, and +provision be made for the support of the episcopal clergy. Let the +congregational and presbyterian clergy, who will receive episcopal +ordination, be supported; and the leading ministers among them be bought +off by large salaries.—Let the liturgy be revised and altered. Let +episcopacy be accommodated as much as possible to the cast of the +people. Let places of power, trust and honor, be conferred only upon +episcopalians, or those that will conform. When episcopacy is once +thoroughly established, increase its resemblance to the English +hierarchy at pleasure. + +These were the ideas which a certain gentleman communicated to Dr. +Stiles,[69] when they were riding together in 1765. The Doctor, after +hearing him out, expressed his belief, that before the plan could be +effected, such a spirit would be roused in the people as would prevent +its execution. The good man groaned and replied, “If the commotions now +existing prevail on the parliament to repeal the stamp-act, I am afraid +the plan cannot be accomplished. + +In reference to alterations in the civil line, Dr. Langdon informed me, +that governor _Wentworth_ told him, the _Massachusetts_ and +_New-Hampshiere_ were to be one government, under one governor; the +Doctor thought the design of joining _Rhode-Island_ with them was also +mentioned, though of this he could not be certain. The New-England +colonies would have suffered most by the proposed alterations, while +they deserved it the least and were entitled for their ready exertions, +to a return expressive of gratitude. Many of the common soldiers, who +gained such laurels, by their singular bravery on the plains of Abraham, +when Wolfe died in the arms of victory, were natives of the +Massachusetts-Bay. When Martinico was attacked in 1761, and the British +force was greatly weakened by the death and sickness, the timely arrival +of the New-England troops, enabled the former to prosecute the reduction +of the island to an happy issue. A part of the British force being now +about to sail from thence for the Havannah, the New-Englanders, whose +health had been much impaired by service and the climate, were sent off +in three ships, to their native country for recovery. Before they had +completed their voyage they found themselves restored, ordered the ships +about, steered immediately for the Havannah, arrived when the British +were too much reduced to expect success, and by their junction served to +immortalize afresh, the glorious first of August, old stile, in the +surrender of the place on the memorable day; they exhibited at the same +time, the most signal evidence of devotedness to the parent state. Their +fidelity, activity, and courage were such as to gain the approbation and +confidence of the British officers.[70] + +As to the religious part of the plan, recollect what has been already +mentioned of archbishop _Secker_; carefully peruse Dr. _Mayhew’s_ noted +answer to one of his publications, and what is related concerning him in +the collection of papers above quoted; and you will scarce doubt, “but +that it was the metropolitan’s intention to reduce all the British +colonies under episcopal authority.” Remember also, that the bishop of +_Landaff_ in his sermon of 1766, assures us, that _the establishment of +episcopacy_ being obtained, “the _American_ church will grow out of its +infant state, be able to stand upon its own legs, and without foreign +help, support and spread itself, and _then this society will be brought +to the happy issue intended_.” Mr. Whitefield said upon it, in his +letter to Mr. _Durell_, “supposing his lordship’s assertions true, then +I fear it will follow, that a society, which since its first institution +hath been looked upon as _a society for propagating the gospel_, hath +been all the while rather _a society for propagating episcopacy in +foreign parts_.” + +This letter will close with a few more articles of information. Among +the original instructions to _Benning Wentworth_, esq. governor of +New-Hampshire, signed June 30th, 1761, the 27th says, “you are not to +give your assent to, or pass any law imposing duties on negroes imported +into New-Hampshire:” some of the colonies were for discouraging the +introduction of negroes—for which purpose they wished to lay a duty upon +them. The 69th contains the following direction, “No school-master to be +henceforth permitted to come from England without the licence of the +bishop; and no other person now there, or that shall come from other +parts, shall be admitted to keep school without your licence first +obtained.” + +[Feb. 1762.] A law passed in the Massachusetts, entitled, “An act to +incorporate certain persons, by the name of _The society for promoting +Christian knowledge among the Indians in North America_; but was +disallowed at the court of St. James’s the 20th of May, 1763. Mr. +_Jasper Mauduit_, in his letter to Mr. _Bowdoin_ of April 7, 1763, +writes, “So long ago as the 10th of December, I was told at the +plantation-office, that this act was opposed by the archbishop and the +society for propagating the gospel. Mr. _Pownall_ told me that the bill +would not pass; that the lords would not dispute the laudableness of the +design, but there were political reasons for not confirming it; that the +people might apply the money to oppose the missionaries of the church of +England. I answered, I wished that the society for propagating the +gospel had employed their missionaries more among the Indians than they +had hitherto done in North America.” From what passed, the real reasons +for disallowing the bill may be gathered. + + + + + LETTER III. + + + _Roxbury, December 24, 1772._ + +[1763.] Mr. _Israel Mauduit_, the Massachusetts agent, gave early notice +of the ministerial intentions to tax the colonies; but the general court +not being called together till the latter end of the year, instructions +to the agent, though solicited by him, could not be sent in season. + +[1764.] The house of representatives came to the following +resolutions—“That the sole right of giving and granting the money of the +people of that province, was vested in them as their legal +representatives; and that the imposition of duties and taxes by the +parliament of Great-Britain, upon a people who are not represented in +the house of commons, is absolutely irreconcileable with their rights.” +“That no man can justly take the property of another without his +consent; upon which original principle, the right of representation in +the same body which exercises the power of making laws for levying +taxes, one of the main pillars of the _British constitution_, is +evidently founded.” + +These resolutions were occasioned by intelligence of what had been done +in the British house of commons. It had been there debated in March, +whether they had a _right_ to tax the _Americans_, they not being +represented, and determined unanimously in the affirmative. Not a single +person present ventured to controvert the _right_. Soon after, the sugar +or molasses act was passed; [April 5.] and “it is certainly true, that +till then, no act avowedly for the purpose of revenue, and with the +ordinary title and recital taken together, is found in the statute book. +All before stood on _commercial_ regulations and restraints.”[71] It is +stiled “an act for granting certain duties in the British colonies and +plantations in America, for continuing, amending, and making perpetual, +an act passed in the sixth year of George the second (entitled an act +for the better securing and encouraging the trade of his majesty’s +colonies in America) for applying the produce of such duties, &c.” From +its perpetuating the sugar act of George II. it is called the sugar or +molasses act. It runs thus, “Whereas it is expedient that new provisions +and regulations should be established in improving the revenue of this +kingdom, and for extending and securing the navigation and commerce +between Great-Britain and your majesty’s dominions in America—And +whereas it is just and necessary, that a _revenue_ be raised in +_America_ for defraying the expences of defending, protecting, and +securing the same—We, the commons, &c. toward raising the same, give and +grant unto your majesty, after the 29th of September, 1764, upon clayed +sugar, indigo and coffee of foreign produce—upon all wines, except +French—upon all wrought silks, Bengals and stuffs mixed with silk of +Persia, China, or East-India manufacture—and all calicoes painted, +printed or stained there (certain specified duties)—upon every gallon of +molasses and syrups, being the produce of a colony not under the +dominion of his majesty, the sum of three-pence—the monies arising, +after charges of raising, collecting, &c. are to be paid into the +receipt of his majesty’s exchequer—shall be entered separate, and be +reserved to be disposed of by parliament, toward defraying the necessary +expences of defending, &c. the British colonies.” The wording of the act +might induce the colonies to view it as the beginning of sorrows; and +they might fear that the parliament would go on in charging them with +such taxes as it pleased, for such military forces as it should think +proper.—This ill prospect seemed to the Americans boundless in extent, +and endless in duration. + +They objected not to the _parliament’s right of laying duties to +regulate commerce_; but the _right of taxing them_ was not admitted. The +ministerial plan sent to Mr. Shirley in 1754, occasioned much +conversation on the subject, and the common opinion was, that the +parliament could not tax them till duly represented in that body, +because it was not just, nor agreeable to the nature of the English +constitution. But though few or none were willing to admit the _right_, +the generality were cautious, how they denied the _power_, or the +obligation to submit on the part of the Americans, when the power was +exercised. Even Mr. _Otis_ tells us, “we must and ought to yield +obedience to an act of parliament, though erroneous, till repealed.”[72] +“The power of parliament, is uncontrolable, but by themselves, and we +must obey. There would be an end of all government, if one or a number +of subordinate provinces should take upon themselves so far as to judge +of the justice of an act of parliament, as to refuse obedience to it. If +their was nothing else to restrain such a step, prudence ought to do it; +for forcibly resisting the parliament and the king’s law is high +treason. Therefore let the parliament lay what burthens they please upon +us we must, it is our duty to submit, and patiently to bear them, till +they will be pleased to relieve us.”[73] He went so far as to publish +“It is certain that the parliament of Great-Britain has a just and +equitable right, power and authority, to impose taxes on the colonies, +internal and external, on lands as well as on trade.”[74] “The supreme +legislative represents the whole society or community, as well the +dominions as the realm. This is implied in the idea of a supreme power; +and if the parliament had not such an authority, the colonies would be +independent.”[75] But the two last quotations were extorted from him +through fear of being called to an account for the part he had acted, or +for what he had before advanced in print, conversation or debate. His +first pamphlet, _The Rights of the_ BRITISH _Colonies_, which had been +twice read over in the house of assembly within the space of five days, +though guarded by some expressions, had a strong tendency to excite a +powerful opposition to ministerial plans; especially where he says, “I +cannot but observe here, that if the parliament have an equitable right +to tax our trade, it is indisputable, that they have as good a one to +tax the lands and every thing else. There is no foundation for the +distinction some make in England, between an internal and external tax +on the colonies.”[76] These expressions could not but spread a general +alarm through the country, and enflame every planter against +parliamentary taxation. The house had so high an opinion of this +pamphlet, that they ordered it to be sent over to Mr. _Mauduit_, with a +letter, wherein they instructed him to use his indeavours to obtain a +repeal of the sugar act, and to exert himself to prevent a stamp act, or +any other imposition and taxes upon this and the other American +provinces. They do not appear to have made any particular objection to +the term _revenue_ introduced into the sugar act; but to have confined +their objections to the laying on of the duty, when they were not +represented. + +The act disgusted the more, because of its being so unseasonable. The +duties were to be paid in specie, while the old means of procuring it +were cut off. The ministry, resolved to prevent smuggling, obliged all +sea officers, stationed on the American coasts, to act in the capacity +of the meanest revenue officers, making them submit to the usual +custom-house oaths and regulations for that purpose. This proved a great +grievance to the American merchants and traders. Gentlemen of the navy +were unacquainted with custom-house laws. Many illegal seizures were +made. No redress could be had but from Britain, which it was tedious and +difficult to obtain. Beside, the _American_ trade with the _Spaniards_ +by which the British manufactures were vended in return (for gold and +siver in coin or bullion, cochineal, &c. as occasion served) was almost +destroyed instantly, by the armed ships under the new regulations. The +trade was not literally and strictly according to law, but highly +beneficial; and a thorough statesman would have declined employing his +own navy in crushing it. The trade also from the northern colonies with +the _French West-India_ islands was nearly suppressed. These irritating +measures strengthened the opposition to the sugar act. + +[June 13.] The Massachusetts assembly, who were the first representative +body that took the act into consideration, ordered, that Mr. _Otis_ and +four others of the house should be a committee in the recess of the +court, to write to the other governments, and acquaint them with the +instructions voted to be sent to their agent; and that the said +committee, in the name and behalf of the house, should desire the +several assemblies on the continent to join with them in the same +measures. The committee attended to the business; and the end proposed +by it was answered: committees were moreover appointed by divers other +colonies to correspond with the several assemblies, or committees of +assemblies on the continent. Thus a new kind of correspondence was +opened between the colonies, tending to unite them in their operations +against ministerial encroachments on their privileges, and which proved +of great advantage to them afterward. + +[Oct. 24.] At the next session a committee was appointed to consider the +state of the province, as it might be affected by certain duties and +taxes laid, and proposed to be laid by acts of parliament upon the +colonies. The consequence was, a committee of the council and house to +prepare an address to the parliament. The lieutenant governor, Mr. +_Hutchinson_, who was of the council, was chairman, but declined drawing +up any. Several were proposed, which expressed in strong terms an +exclusive right in the assembly to impose taxes. He urged the indecency +and bad policy, when they had the resolutions of the house of commons +before them, of sending an address, asserting, in express words, the +contrary. Many days having been spent upon the business, at the desire +of the committee he drafted an address, which considered the _sole +power_ of taxation as an indulgence of which they prayed the +continuance, and it was _unanimously_ agreed to. The petition does not +intimate the least denial of the right of parliament to tax them; but +sets forth the impolicy of the laws, and the hardships brought upon the +petitioners, and prays that they may be relived from the burdens brought +upon them by the sugar sct; that the privileges of the colonies relative +to their internal taxes, which they have so long enjoyed, may be still +continued; or that the consideration of such taxes as are proposed to be +laid upon the colonies may be referred, until the petitioners, in +conjunction with the other governments, can have an opportunity to make +a full representation of the state and condition of the colonies, and +the interest of Great-Britain with regard to them. The proceeding of the +general court was approved of out of doors, until the copy of the +_New-York_ address was received, which was so high, that many of the +friends of liberty were mortified at their own conduct, and if possible, +would gladly have recalled their own doings.[77] + +[Nov. 18.] The Massachusetts petition was forwarded by governor Bernard, +and accompanied with a letter to lord _Halifax_; in which he wrote, +“Massachusetts is the only one of the old colonies, that I know of, that +enjoys a specie currency. This reflects great honor upon the province +itself, as it is a great instance of their prudence, who took hold of a +singular opportunity to destroy their paper money, which other colonies +who had it equally in their power neglected. But I fear, that if the +great sums which are expected to be raised in America are to be +transported to Great-Britain, there will soon be an end to the specie +currency of the Massachusetts, which will be followed by a total +discouragement for other provinces to attempt the same in future. In +which case, perpetual paper money, the very negative power of riches, +will be the portion of America.” After arguing against the duties, from +America’s being unable, for want of a sufficient specie currency, to pay +them without being drained of their specie, as it would require a dead +stock of three years value of the annual income of the revenues, he +added, “If due care be taken to confine the sale of manufactures and +Eoropean goods (except what shall be permitted) to Great-Britain only, +all the profits of the American foreign trade will necessarily centre in +Great-Britain; and therefore if the first purpose is well secured, the +foreign American trade is the trade of Great-Britain. The augmentation +and diminution, the extension and restriction, the profit and loss of it +all, finally comes home to the mother country. It is the interest of +Great-Britain, that the trade to both the Spanish and French West-Indies +should be encouraged as much as may well be, and the British West-Indies +should be taught that equitable maxim, _live and let live_. It appeared +to be the decided opinion of the governor, that the sending home the +produce of the duties and taxes proposed, would take from the Americans +the means of trade, and render it impracticable for them to make +remittances to Great-Britain. + +The _Virginia_ council and house of burgesses petitioned the king, +presented a memorial to the house of lords, ramonstrated to the house of +commons. _New-York_, _Rhode-Island_, &c. petitioned. + +The _New-York_ petition was conceived in such strong terms, and deemed +so inflammatory, that their agent could not prevail on any one member of +the house to present it. + +The colonies denied the _parliamentary right of taxation_ many months +before any member of the British parliament uttered a single syllable to +that purpose: and the American opposition to the stamp act was fully +formed before it was known by the colonists that their cause was +espoused by any man of note at home, as _Britain_ is stiled. + +Beside the colonial proceedings related above, it must be noted, that +the inhabitants of several places met, and agreed not to buy any +clothing (they could do without) which was not of their own +manufacturing. Divers associations also were formed, all of whom +resolved to consume as few British manufactures as possible. + +The raising of a revenue from the molasses trade, and a fund to defray +the expences of denfeding the colonies, were in contemplation nine years +before;[78] but the resolutions taken by the house of commons in the +beginning of this year, might be forwarded by Mr. _Huske_, an +_American_, a native of _Portsmouth_ in _New-Hampshire_, who a short +time before obtained a seat in parliament. Instead of standing forth a +firm advocate for the country which gave him birth, he officiously +proposed to the house laying a tax on the colonies that should annually +amount to five hundred thousand pounds sterling, which he declared they +were well able to pay: and he was heard with great joy and +attention.[79] He, or some other, recollecting that the stamp act was +talked of by the commissioners at Albany in 1754, might suggest that +mode of taxing: for whatever was thought, _the stamp act was not +originally Mr. Grenville’s_.[80] + +The dispositon to tax the _Americans_, unless they would tax themselves +equal to the wishes of the ministry, was undoubtedly strengthened by the +reports of their gaiety and luxuary, which reached the mother country: +it was also said, that the planters lived like princes, while the +inhabitants of _Britain_ laboured hard for a tolerable subsistence. The +officers lately returned, represented them as rich, wealthy, and even +overgrown in fortune. Their opinion might arise from observations made +in the American cities and towns during the war, while large sums were +spent in the country for the support of fleets and armies. American +productions were then in great demand, and trade flourished. The people, +naturally generous and hospitable, having a number of strangers among +them, indulged themselves in many uncommon expences. When the war was +terminated, and they had on further apprehension of danger, the power of +the late enemy in the country being totally broken—_Canada_, and the +back lands to the very banks of the _Missisippi_, with the _Floridas_, +being ceded to _Great-Britain_—it was thought they could not well make +too much of those who had so contributed to their security. Partly to do +honor to them, and partly, it is to be feared, to gratify their own +pride, they added to their show of plate, by borrowing of their +neighbours, and made a great parade of riches in their several +entertainments. The plenty and variety of provisions and liquors anabled +them to furnish out an elegant table at comparatively trifling expence. + +Mr. _Grenville’s_ intended stamp act was communicated to the American +agents. Many of them did not oppose it. Half their number were placemen, +or dependent on the ministry. Mr. _Joseph Sherwood_, an honest quaker +agent for _Rhode-Island_, refused his assent to America’s being taxed by +a British parliament. Mr. _Mauduit_, the Massachusetts agent, favored +the raising of the wanted money of a stamp duty, as it would occasion +less expence of officers, and would include the West-India islands. But +the scheme was postponed, and the agents authorised to inform the +American assemblies, that they were at liberty to suggest any other way +of raising monies; and that Mr. Grenville was ready to receive proposals +for any other tax that might be equivalent in its produce to the stamp +tax. The colonies seemed to consider it as an affront, rather than a +compliment. He would not have been content with any thing short of a +certain specific sum, and proper funds for the payment of it. Had not +the sums been answerable to his wishes, he would have rejected them; and +he would scarce have been satisfied with less than £.300,000 per annum, +which was judged absolutely necessary to defray the whole expence of the +army proposed for the defence of America: he might rather have expected +that it should amount to what Mr. _Huske_ had mentioned. No satisfactory +proposals being made, he adhered to his purpose of bringing forward the +stamp bill, though repeatedly pressed by some of his friends to desist, +while he might have done it with honor. _Richard Jackson_, esq. had been +chosen agent for the Massachusetts; he, with Mr. _Ingersoll_, Mr. +_Garth_, and Mr. _Franklin_, lately come from Philadelphia, waited on +Mr. _Grenville_ the second of February, 1765, by desire of the colonial +agents, to remonstrate against the stamp bill, and to propose, that in +case any tax must be laid upon America, the several colonies might be +permitted to lay the tax themselves. At this interview Mr. _Jackson_ +opened his mind freely on the subject; and Mr. _Franklin_, as must be +supposed, mentioned, that he had it in instruction from the assembly of +_Pennsylvania_, to assure the ministry, that they should alway think it +their duty to grant such aids to the crown as were suitable to their +circumstances, whenever called for in the usual constitutional manner. +Mr. Grenville, however, pertinaciously adhered to his own opinions; and +said, that he had _pledged his word for offering the stamp bill to the +house_, and that the house would hear their objections, &c. &c. + +The bill was brought in; and on the first reading, Mr. _Charles +Townsend_ spoke in its favor. He took notice of several things that +colonel _Barre_ had said in his speech against it; and then concluded +with the following or like words: “And now will these _Americans_, +children planted by our care, nourished up by our indulgence, until they +are grown to a degree of strength and opulence, and protected by our +arms, will they grudge to contribute their mite to relieve us from the +heavy weight of that burden which we lie under?” + +On this colonel _Barre_ rose, and, after explaining some passages in his +speech, took up Mr. _Townsend_’s concluding words in a most spirited and +inimitable manner, saying, “_They planted by_ YOUR _care_! No, your +oppressions planted them in America. They fled from your tyranny, to a +then uncultivated and unhospitable country, where they exposed +themselves to almost all the hardships to which human nature is liable; +and, among others, to the cruelties of a savage foe, the most subtle, +and I will take upon me to say, the most formidable of any people upon +the face of God’s earth; and yet, actuated by principles of true English +liberty, they met all hardships with pleasure, compared with those they +suffered in their own country, from the hands of those that should have +been their friends. _They nourished up by_ YOUR _indulgence_! They grew +by your neglect of them. As soon as you began to care about them, that +care was exercised in sending persons to rule them, in one department +and another, who were, perhaps, the deputies of deputies to some members +of this house, sent to spy out their liberties, to misrepresent their +actions, and to pry upon them—men, whose behaviour on many occasions, +has caused the blood of those _sons of liberty_ to recoil within +them—men promoted to the highest seats of justice; some who to my +knowledge were glad, by going to a foreign country, to escape being +brought to the bar of a court of justice in their own. _They protected +by_ YOUR _arms_! They have nobly taken up arms in your defence; have +exerted a valor, amidst their constant and laborious industry, for the +defence of a country, whose frontier was drenched in blood, while its +interior parts yielded all its little savings to your emolument. And +believe me, remember I this day told you so, that same spirit of +freedom, which actuated that people at first, will accompany them +still—but prudence forbids me to explain myself further. God knows I do +not at this time speak from motives of party heat; what I deliver are +the genuine sentiments of my heart. However superior to me in general +knowledge and experience the respectable body of this house may be, yet +I claim to know more of America than most of you, having seen and been +conversant in that country. The people, I believe, are as truly loyal as +any subjects the king has; but a people jealous of their liberties, and +who will vindicate them if ever they should be violated—but the subject +is too delicate—I will say no more.” These sentiments were thrown out so +entirely without premeditation, so forcibly and so firmly, and the +breaking off was so beautifully abrupt, that the whole house sat a while +amazed, intently looking, without answering a word. + +The London merchants trading to America, being much alarmed on account +of their outstanding debts, petitioned against the stamp act. Their +petition was offered at the second reading of the bill. The rule of the +house, never to receive petitions against money bills, was urged. +General _Conway_ observed, that it appeared undeniable, that the +practice was by no means invariable; at best it was but a practice of +convenience, from which they ought, in the present instance, to vary. +The ministry publicly declared, “_That it was intended to establish the +power of Great-Britain to tax the colonies_.” They were induced to make +a point of it, because most of the petitions from thence denied, in the +strongest terms, the right of Britain to impose taxes. It was evident +that the ministerial forces would prevail, the petition of the London +merchants was therefore withdrawn. After that the others from the +colonies were offered, but rejected upon the plea taken from the rule of +the house. During the debate upon the bill, in this stage of it, +“General _Conway_ denied the _right_ of parliament to tax the +_Americans_, in the most peremptory manner; and urged, with great +vehemence, the many hardships, and what he was pleased to call +absurdities that would follow from the contrary doctrine and +practice.”[81] Alderman Beckford also disputed the right of parliament, +according to Mr. Ingersoll’s letter. + +The supporters of the stamp act insisted much upon the colonies being +_virtually_ represented, and mentioned _Leeds_, _Halifax_, _Birmingham_, +_Manchester_, &c. as enjoying a _virtual representation_. Whoever had a +recourse to a _virtual representation_ of the colonies, in vindication +of the parliament’s taxing them, therein acknowledged, that there ought +not to be taxation without representation. But the difference between +_Leeds_, _Halifax_, &c. and the _American_ colonies, is as wide as the +_Atlantic_. The landholders of those towns enjoy a real representation, +if their freeholds yield a certain annual income. Many of the +inhabitants have a choice in the election of members, in one place or +another. The general interests of the freeholders and tenants, electors +and non-electors, are so interwoven, that all are liable to be equally +affected by the same common taxes. The one pays the same duty on his +sugar, tea, coffee, and chocolate, as the other. The relative connection +between them, produces what may be called, with a kind of propriety, a +_virtual representation_; answering, though in a lower degree, to what +the family of a freeholder or freeman enjoys. But was all the soil in +the British colonies a man’s freehold, it would not give him a single +vote for any one member of parliament. There is not an individual in +them, who, should he cross the Atlantic, would have a right to vote in +any election, by virtue of any privileges enjoyed in America. He must be +a freeholder of Britain, or a freeman of some British city, borough, or +corporation, and have a British qualification, before he can elect or be +elected. The interests of _America_ and _Britain_ are not interwoven, as +are those of British electors and non-electors. If the British +parliament impose taxes on the Americans, Britons do not bear with them +their part and proportion in the said taxes. The former are burdened +that the latter may be eased. The monies raised have the nature of a +tribute exacted from a conquered people in a slavish dependence, and not +of a tax voluntarily granted by the voice of freemen, through their own +elected representatives, paying scot and lot with themselves, for the +support of government. Beside, the British parliament are so far removed +from America, that they cannot obtain that full information respecting +the colonies which ought always to accompany the exercise of a taxing +power. + +When the question upon the bill, in its last stage, was brought to a +vote, there were about 250 for, and 50 against it. In the house of +lords, so strong was the unanimity, that there was not a single syllable +uttered against the bill; and on the twenty-second of March, it obtained +the royal assent. The night after it was passed, Dr. _Franklin_ wrote +Mr. _Charles Thomson_,[82] “the sun of liberty is set; you must light up +the candles of industry and œconomy.” Mr. _Thomson_ answered, he was +apprehensive that other lights would be the consequence, and predicted +the opposition that followed. + +The framers of the stamp act flattered themselves, that the confusion +which would arise upon the disuse of writings, would compel the colonies +to use the stamp paper, and therefore to pay the taxes imposed. Thus +they were led to pronounce it, _a law which would execute itself_. Mr. +Grenville, however, appears to have been apprehensive that it might +occasion disorders; to prevent or suppress which, he projected another +bill, which was brought in the same session, whereby it was to be made +lawful for military officers in the colonies, to quarter their soldiers +in private houses. This seemed intended to awe the people into a +compliance with the other act. Great opposition being made to it, as +under such a power in the army, no one could look on his house as his +own, that part of the bill was dropt; but there still remained a clause, +when passed into a law, to oblige the several assemblies to provide +quarters for the soldiers, and to furnish them with firing, bedding, +candles, small beer, rum, and sundry other articles, at the expence of +the several provinces; which continued in force when the stamp act was +repealed. It equally militated with the other against the American +principle, _That money is not to be raised on English subjects without +their consent_. + +Whatever might be urged, government was under no necessity of adopting +the mode of taxing the colonies for their defence, and the securing of +the new ceded countries. Though after the general peace an Indian war +might be continued or renewed, that was no reason for continuing British +forces in America. The colonists were better able to deal with them than +the regulars. The new ceded countries required no great number of troops +to secure them. The colonies were at hand to support the British +garrisons in case assistance was wanted: and they had repeatedly shewed +their readiness upon former occasions. The idea of a dangerous enemy +upon the American continent, was at an end; and the British +administration must have been inexcusable, had they not guarded against +the transferring of one from Europe. It was become futile to +exclaim—“Shall it depend upon the resolutions of a Philadelphia +assembly, whether our fellow subjects shall arm in defence of liberty +and property? Does the fate of a whole continent bear any proportion to +an almost imperceptible encroachment upon the important privilege of an +American, deliberating for a year or two, whether he will pay six-pence +in the pound to save himself and family from perdition?” The danger of +perdition was a mere bugbear, which might frighten the ignorant into an +apprehension that it was absolutely necessary to maintain an army in +America, for the expence of which the colonies should be made to answer; +but the Americans knew better than to startle at the spectre. Had no +more troops been stationed upon the American continent than +circumstances called for, the ministry might have obtained all the aids +it was reasonable for the colonies to have given, by the old mode of +requisition. From the time that they were first considered as capable of +granting aids, the constant mode of obtaining them, was by _requisition +from the crown_, through the governors to the several assemblies; and +the ministers, from _Charles_ II. to the present king, most effectually +recognised the distinction between parliamentary superintendance and +taxation, in their requisitions to the colonies to raise men and money +by acts of assembly. Had this happy method been continued, all the money +that could have been justly expected from them in any manner, might have +been procured without the least breach of that harmony which so long +subsisted between the colonies and the mother country; and it was not +acting wisely to thwart unnecessarily the prejudices of the Americans. +But the imposition of taxes upon them might be introductory to, or a +part of the plan for overturning their civil and religious liberties, +alluded to by the Rev. Mr. _Whitefield_, before even the sugar act had +passed. + +The stamp act having passed, the colony agents waited upon Mr. Wheatley +by desire, who told them, that Mr. Grenville did not think of sending +from Great-Britain stamp officers, but wished to have discreet and +respectable persons appointed from among the inhabitants; and that he +would be obliged to them to point out to him such persons. Thus the +agents were drawn in to nominate. Dr. Franklin recommended Mr. _Hughes_ +to be chief distributor of stamps in _Pennsylvania_, and Mr. _Cox_ in +the _Jerseys_; and being consulted by Mr. _Ingersoll_, advised him to +accept, adding, _go home and tell your countrymen to get children as +fast as they can_—thereby intimating his opinion of the oppression the +colonists were under, and of their present inability to make effectual +resistance; but that they ought, when sufficiently numerous, to shake +off the yoke and recover their liberty. It is apparent from the +recommendations, and the appointments made in consequence of the +nominations, that the agents were far from thinking that such +disturbances would have been occasioned by the stamp act, or they would +have spared their friends. They certainly expected the act would have +gone down, and the stamp papers have been used. But it was the reverse. + +A general discontent through the _Massachusetts_ discovered itself +immediately on the first advice of the acts having passed; but there was +no other expectation among the bulk of the people, than that the act +would be submitted to, and the duty paid; and several who afterward +opposed it violently, made interest with the distributor, that they or +their friends might obtain appointments. The newspapers, indeed, groaned +for the loss of liberty; however, nothing extravagant appeared in them; +but the friends to the claims of the colonies, pleased with Barre’s +sheech, and what he had pronounced the Americans, assumed to themselves +the title of—SONS OF LIBERTY. + +In Connecticut the inhabitants were quite inattentive to the fatal +consequences that the act might draw after it in some distant period. +The judges themselves, several of whom were of the council, appeared +perfect secure, and were no ways alarmed. The Rev. Mr. _Stephen Johnson_ +of _Lyme_, vexed and grieved with the temper and inconsiderateness of +all orders of people, determined, if possible, to rouse them to a better +way of thinking. He consulted a neighbouring gentleman, an Irishman by +birth, who undertook to convey the pieces he might pen to the +_New-London_ printer, so secretly as to prevent the author’s being +discovered. Three or four essays were published upon the occasion. The +eyes of the public began to open, and fears were excited. Other writers +engaged in the business, while the first withdrew, having fully answered +his intention. The congregational ministers saw further into the designs +of the British administration than the bulk of the colony; and, by their +publications and conversation, increased and strengthened the +opposition.—It became so considerable, that when governor _Fitch_ +proposed that he and the counsellors should be sworn agreeable to the +stamp act, colonel _Trumbull_[83] went out, and refused even to witness +to the transaction. Others followed this spirited example, and only four +of the council remained. + +In _Virginia_ a general disposition appeared to submit to the stamp act: +but _George Johnston_ and _Patrick Henry_, esqrs. consulted together; +and afterward, at the close of the sessions, when there was but a thin +house, many members being absent preparing to return home, Mr. Henry +brought in a number of resolves.—They were as follows, viz. “Whereas the +honorable house of commons in _England_, have of late drawn into +question how far the general assembly of this colony hath power to enact +laws for laying of taxes and imposing duties, payable by the people of +this his majesty’s most ancient colony—for settling and ascertaining the +same to all future times, the house of burgesses of this present general +assembly, have come to the following resolves: + +Resolved, That the first adventurers, settlers of this his majesty’s +colony and dominion of _Virginia_, brought with them and transmitted to +their posterity, and all other his majesty’s subjects since inhabiting +in this his majesty’s said colony, all the liberties, privileges, +franchises, and immunities, that have at any time been held, enjoyed, +and possessed by the people of _Great-Britain_: + +Resolved, That by two royal charters, granted by king _James_ I. the +colonists aforesaid are declared and entitled to all liberties, +privileges and immunities of denizens and natural subjects, to all +intents and purposes, as if they had been abiding and born within the +realm of _England_: + +Resolved, That his majesty’s liege people of this ancient colony have +enjoyed the right of being thus governd by their own assembly, in the +articles of taxes and internal police; and that the same have never been +forfeited, or any other way yielded up, but have been constantly +recognised by the king and people of _Britain_: + +Resolved therefore, That the general assembly of this colony, together +with his majesty or his substitutes, have in their representative +capacity, the only exclusive right and power to lay taxes and imposts +upon the inhabitants of this colony; and that every attempt to vest such +power in any other person or persons whatsoever, than the general +assembly aforesaid is illegal, unconstitutional, and unjust, and hath a +manifest tendency to destroy _British_ as well as _American_ liberty: + +Resolved, That his majesty’s liege people, the inhabitants of this +colony, are not bound to yield obedience to any law or ordinance +whatever, designed to impose any taxation whatsoever upon them, other +than the laws and ordinances of the general assembly aforesaid: + +Resolved, That any person who shall, by speaking or writing, assert or +maintain, that any person or persons, other than the general assembly of +this colony, have any right or power to impose or lay any taxation on +the people here, shall be deemed an enemy to this his majesty’s colony.” + +Upon reading these resolves the _Scotch_ gentlemen in the house, cried +out treason, &c. They were however adopted.—The next day, some old +members got them revised, though they could not carry it to reject them. +As revised they stand thus on the printed journals of the house of +burgesses. + + _Thursday, May 30, 1765._ + +Resolved, That the first adventurers, &c. &c. as above: + +Resolved, That by two royal charters, &c. &c. + +Resolved, That the taxation of the people by themselves, or by persons +chosen by themselves to represent them, who can only know what taxes the +people are able to bear, or the easiest method of raising them, and must +themselves be effected by every tax laid on the people, is the only +security against a burdensome taxation, and the distinguishing +characteristic of _British_ freedom, without which the ancient +constitution cannot exist: + +Resolved, That his majesty’s liege people of this his most ancient and +loyal colony, have, without interruption, enjoyed the inestimable right +of being governed by such laws, respecting their internal policy and +taxation, as are derived from their own consent, with the approbation of +their sovereign or his substitute; and that the same hath never been +forfeited or yielded up, but hath been constantly recognised by the king +and people of _Great-Britain_. + +[June 1.] Lieutenant-governor Farquier dissolved the house of burgesses +upon being made acquainted with their resolves. + +A manuscript of the unrevised resolves soon reached _Philadelphia_, +having been sent off immediately upon their passing, that the earliest +information of what had been done might be obtained by the sons of +liberty. From thence the like was forwarded on the seventeenth of June. +At _New-York_ the resolves were handed about with great privacy: they +were accounted so treasonable, that the possessors of them declined +printing them in that city. The _Irish_ gentleman alluded to above, +being there, inquired after them, and with much precaution was admitted +to take a copy.—He carried them to _New-England_, where they were +published and circulated far and wide in the newspapers, without any +reserve, and proved eventually the occasion of those disorders which +afterward broke out in the colonies. Till they appeared, it was thought +that the _Rhode-Islanders_ would submit. Murmurs indeed were continually +heard; but they seemed to be such as would die away. The Virginia +resolutions gave a spring to all the disgusted, and they began to adopt +different measures. + +The _Massachusetts_ assembly had hit upon a wise and quiet mode of +seeking address, before ever they could be acquainted with what had been +done in Virginia. It was projected and brought on by Messrs. _Otis_, +father and son. They were visiting at _James Warren’s_, esq. of +Plymouth, a son and brother-in-law, he having married Miss _Otis_. The +state of public affairs, and how to get rid of the burdens coming upon +the colonies, were the subjects of conversation. Congresses had often +been held, and though there was no precedent of any one’s being called, +but at the instance of persons authorised or employed by the ministry, +excepting the first congress we read of, which was proposed by the +_Massachusetts_ general court in 1690; yet no reasonable objection could +be made against holding one upon the present emergency, notwithstanding +it might want the sanction of administration.—It was agreed to forward +the meeting of a congress as a proper method for obtaining the removal +of American grievances. The matter was moved in the house of assembly; +[June 6.] the consequence was, an agreement, that “It is highly +expedient there should be a meeting, as soon as may be, of committees +from the houses of representatives or burgesses in the several colonies, +to consult on the present circumstances of the colonies, and the +difficulties to which they are and must be reduced, and to consider of a +general address—to be held at New-York, the first Tuesday of October.” +Within two days, a letter was drafted to be sent to the several +speakers; and at the close of a fortnight, _James Otis_, jun. _Oliver +Partridge_, and _Timothy Ruggles_, esqrs. were chosen the committee for +the Massachusetts. The governor, in his account to the lords of trade, +said, “It was impossible to oppose this measure to any good purpose; and +therefore the friends of government took the lead in it, and have kept +it in their hands. Two of the three chosen are fast friends to +government, prudent and discreet men, such as I am assured will never +consent to any improper applications to the government of +Great-Britain.” Lieutenant governor _Colden_ designedly prorogued the +meeting of the _New-York_ assembly, till after the time appointed for +the congress; but the committee ordered, by the vote of the house of the +eighteenth of October 1764, to be a committee during the recess, to +write to and correspond with the several assemblies or committees of +assemblies on the continent, did, by virtue of that order, meet in +congress; and the house afterward approved of their conduct on the +twentieth of November; and moreover resolved, “that for the obtaining +relief from the operation and execution of the stamp act, and other acts +for levying duties and taxes on the colonies, humble petitions be +prepared to the king, the house of lords, and the house of commons, as +nearly similar to those drawn up by the congress as the particular +circumstances of the colony will admit.” + +The assemblies of _Virginia_, _North-Carolina_ and _Georgia_, were +prevented, by their governors, having the opportunity of sending +committees to congress. _The Massachusetts-Bay_, _Rhode-Island and +Providence Plantations_, _Connecticut_, _New-York_, _New-Jersey_, +_Pennsylvania_, the _Delaware Counties_, and _South-Carolina_, had their +respective committees present at the place appointed; and Mr. _Ruggles_ +was chosen chairman. The petition to the house of commons being +finished, was signed, though only by member from six colonies; the +committees from _Connecticut_, _New-York_ and _South-Carolina_, not +having been sufficiently empowered. Mr. _Ruggles_, took leave of the +members, Thursday evening the twenty-fourth of October, and came off the +next morning without signing; for which he was afterward censured by the +_Massachusetts_ assembly. Mr. _Otis_ was upon the point of trespassing +in like manner; but was prevented by the influence of Mr. _Thomes Lynch_ +of the _South-Carolina_ committee. The congress dissolved on October the +twenty-fifth, having finished the business to which they had been +appointed. The colonies that could not send committees, showed, as +opportunities offered, their approbation of what had been done, by +forwarding to their agents petitions to the like purpose with that of +congress. _New-Hampshire_ had excused their not sending to congress, +from the then situation of their governmental affairs; but the speaker +laying before the assembly the proceedings of congress, on November the +twenty-second, they voted unanimously, “That this house do fully approve +of, and heartily join in the resolves and several petitions agreed to by +the said general congress; and that the speaker, with two others, (all +whose names are mentioned) be empowered to sign the same in behalf of +this house, if not too late; if the general petitions are forwarded, in +that case the said petitions be fairly engrossed, that they sign them in +behalf of the house, and forward them, with duplicates, to _Barlow +Trecothick_ and _John Wentworth_, esqrs. who are appointed special +agents for the house, and are empowered and desired to present the said +petitions, &c.” The committee wrote to these agents on December the +sixth, and concluded with saying, “We in this province have not been so +boisterous and irregular as some others, not because we are insensible +of our distresses, but because we though the present method most likely +to obtain relief.” + +The _Virginia_ resolves having had their full operation, and the spirits +of the people being highly inflamed, the colonial disturbances break out +upon the following occasion. Messrs. _John Avery_, jun. _Thomas Crafts_, +_John Smith_, _Henry Welles_, _Thomas Chace_, _Stephen Cleverly_, _Henry +Bass_, and _Benjamin Edes_, to manifest their abhorrence and detestation +of those persons who they supposed were endeavouring to subvert the +British constitution to enslave the colonies, and to alienate the +affections of his majesty’s most faithful subjects in America, provide +and hang out early in the morning of August the fourteenth, upon the +limb of a large old elm, toward the entrance of Boston, over the most +public street, two effigies, one of which by the labels appear to be +designed for the stamp officer; the other is a jack boot, with a head +and horns peeping out of the top. Not only the usual passengers pass +under it, but the report spreads, and draws great numbers from every +part of the town and the neighbouring country. The affair is left to +take its own course; an enthusiastic spirit diffuses itself through the +body of the spectators. In the evening the pageantry is cut down, and +carried in funeral procession, the populace shouting, _liberty and +property for ever_, _no stamps_, &c. &c. They direct their way to a new +building, lately erected by Mr. _Oliver_, which they pull down, falsely +supposing it to be designed for the tsamp office. They go on to his +house, before which they behead his effigy, breaking at the same time +all the windows next the street. They then repair to Fort Hill, on the +ascent of which stands his house, where they burn his effigy. After this +they return to attack his premises; and many of they with clubs, staves, +&c. go to work on the garden, fences, barns, &c. Mr. Oliver had +prudently retired, leaving a few friends behind to keep possession of +the dwelling: these committed some slight indiscretions, the populace +are so enraged, that they force themselves into the lower part of it, +break the windows and destroy the furniture. They disperse about +midnight. The next day [August 15.] Mr. Oliver, fearful of what may +otherwise happen declares that he has written to England, and resigned. +The mob assemble again at night: and, after some expressions of joy for +the resignation, proceed to the lieutenant-governor’s, Mr. +_Hutchinson’s_ house, which they besiege for an hour, though in vain, +insisting repeatedly upon knowing whether he had not written in favor of +the stamp act: at length, through the influence of some discreet +persons, they withdrew and finished their evening’s entertainment at a +bonfire. + +[August 26.] Eleven days after, the disorders grew more enormous and +alarming. In the evening a number of persons, disguised and armed with +clubs, sticks, &c. collect in King-street, in consequence of a +preconcerted plan. They go first to Mr. _Paxton’s_, marshal of the court +of admiralty and surveyor of the port; being assured by the owner of the +house, that Mr. Paxton had quitted it with his best effects; and being +invited by him to the tavern to drink a barrel of punch, they accept the +offer, and the house is saved. Having finished the punch, they proceed +to and attack the house of Mr. _William Story_, deputy register of the +court of admiralty; break the windows; force into the dwelling; strip +the office of the books and files belonging to the said court; burn and +destroy them with many other papers; injure and ruin a great part of his +furniture. + +It is the opinion of some, that the first movers in the affair, meant +mainly an assault upon the house of the deputy register, who, by various +mal-practices, had made himself highly obnoxious to persons doing +business in his office. But mobs once raised, soon become ungovernable +by new and large accessions, and extend their intentions for beyond +those of the original instigators. Crafty men may intermix with them +when they are much heated, and direct their operations quite differently +from what was at first designed. + +How far the scheme of the present mob extended, when it first collected, +is hard to say; but upon leaving Mr. _Story_’s, they proceed to the +house of Mr. _Benj. Hallowell_, comptroller of the customs for Boston; +and to the repetition of similar excesses to what have been just +committed, add the drinking and destroying of liquors in the cellars, +the taking away of wearing apparel, the breaking open of desk and +drawers, and the carrying off thirty pounds sterling in money. Many +being now inflamed with liquor, and numbers having joined them, they +become more riotous, and are ready for any mischief. They hurry away to +Mr. _Hutchinson_’s house with the rage of madmen. He sends off his +children, bars his doors and windows, and means to remain; but is soon +under the necessity of withdrawing, first to one house, then to another, +where he continues till four in the morning, by which time one of the +best finished houses in the colony, has nothing remaining but the bare +walls and floors. Gentlemen of the army, who have seen towns sacked by +an enemy, declare they never before saw an instance of such fury. The +rioters carry off about nine hundred pounds sterling, beside plate, +family pictures, household furniture of every kind, and the apparel of +the lieutenant governor, his children and servants.—They also empty the +house of every thing whatsoever, except a part of the kitchen furniture; +and scatter or destroy all the manuscripts and other papers he has been +collecting for thirty years back, beside a great number of public papers +in his custody. The loss of papers is irreparable. + +[Aug. 27.] The next day it was strongly reported by the enemies of Dr. +_Jonathan Mayhew_, that he approved of these doings; and had, indeed, +encouraged them, in a sermon preached the preceding Lord’s day, on +_Gal._ v. 12, 13. This led him to write immediately to Hutchinson; and +in his letter he condoled with him, “on account of the almost +unparalleled outrages committed at his house the preceding evening;” and +said, “God is my witness, that, from the bottom of my heart, I detest +these proceedings; and that I am sincerely grieved for them, and have a +deep sympathy with you and your distressed family on this occasion. I +did, indeed, express myself strongly in favor of civil and religious +liberty, as I hope I shall ever continue to do; and spoke of the stamp +act as a great grievance, like to prove detrimental, in a high degree, +both to the colonies and the mother country, and I have heard your honor +speak to the same purpose. But as my text led me to do, I cautioned my +hearers very particularly against the abuses of liberty, and expressed +my hopes, that no persons among ourselves had encouraged the bringing of +such a burden on their country, notwithstanding it had been strongly +suspected. In truth, Sir, I had rather lose my hand than be an +encourager of such outrages as were committed last night. I do not think +my regard to truth was ever called into question by those that knew me; +and therefore hope your honor will be so just as to give entire credit +to these solemn declarations.” + +This same day the superior court began its term. The chief justice, Mr. +_Hutchinson_, attended in his only suit, and necessarily without those +ensigns of office so wisely calculated to procure regard to authority; +while the other gentlemen of the bench and bar, appeared in their +respective robes. The court refused to do any business, and adjourned to +the fifteenth of October, to show their resentment of the insult offered +to the lieutenant governor, as well as their sense of the anarchy to +which the government was reduced. Half a dozen of the dregs of the +people, who, being taken up, refused to discover the ringleaders, were +committed. Three broke jail and fled, against one of whom a bill was +found; against the other three in custody none was found; for it was not +thought safe to prosecute. The temper of the public would not admit of +it, without hazarding further disturbances; and for that reason, one who +was capitally charged with being a principal in the riot, and secured, +was finally dismissed by the justices. + +Various causes might contribute toward the outrageous attack upon the +house and property of Mr. Hutchinson. As long back as 1748, the currency +having depreciated to about an eighth of its original value, he, being +then speaker of the house, projected and carried through a bill for +abolishing it, and substituting gold and silver in its place, which made +him extremely obnoxious to several who had lived by fraud, and were much +dissatisfied with the alteration. They then threatened him with +destruction; and retaining their rancour, are supposed to have been +aiders and abettors, if not actors in the riot. A certain gentleman of +great integrity, and who fills a place in the judicial department with +much credit, and to the satisfaction of the public, has expressed a +strong apprehension that the mob was led on to the house by a secret +influence, with a view to the destruction of certain papers, know to be +there, and which, it is thought, would have proved, that the grant to +the New-Plymouth compay on Kennebec river, was different from what was +contended for by some claimants. The papers were never found +afterward.—But Mr. _Hutchinson_ had certainly disgusted the people +exceedingly, by promoting the superior court’s granting writs of +assistance; and by showing himself so strenuous in supporting +government, when become odious, by the measures adopted for obliging the +colonies to pay taxes in compliance with British acts of parliament.—He +was also strongly suspected of having forwarded the stamp act, by +letters written upon the occasion. These circumstances, co-operating +with the general disposition in the people to tumult, produced by a +prevailing persuasion, that they were deprived of the liberties of +Englishmen, will account for the excessive outrages against him in +particular. But their enormity was alarming. No one knew who might be +the next sacrafice. The town of Boston, therefore, beside condemning +them the next day, unanimously voted, “That the select men and +magistrates be desired to use their utmost endeavours to suppress the +like disorders for the future:” and for some time, the magistrates and +private gentlemen, the cadet and other companies, kept watch at night to +prevent further violences. + +In justice to Mr. _Hutchinson_, it must be observed, that from his +letters to Messrs. _Bollan_, _Jackson_, and others, it appears, that he +then considered parliament’s taxing the colonies as inconsistent with +the rights of the colonists, and as a mere act of power, without regard +to equity. He was at the trouble of writing a pamphlet in 1764, +cantaining _A brief state of the claim of the colonies, and the +interests of the nation with respect to them_. This, when he had +disguised it so as that it might not be suspected to come from America, +he sent to Mr. Jackson the agent, who was either to suppress or publish +it; and he afterward expressed a surprise at his not having done the +latter. The following are extracts from it. + +“The right to new acquired countries, according to the constitution of +England, two hundred years ago, was allowed to be in the crown. The +crown from time to time disposed of these countries not only to their +own subjects, but to foreign princes: particulary _Acadia_ and +_Nova-Scotia_, when begun to be settled by British subjects, were ceded +to _France_, although France had no better claim to them than +New-England: and _Surinam_ was sold to, or exchanged with the _Dutch_.” +He might have adduced in proof of James I. being of opinion, that he had +a personal right to alienate at pleasure new acquired territory, his +granting, in September 1621, _Nova-Scotia_, which he could not inherit +but as king of England, to Sir _William Alexander_, of Menstry, +afterward Lord Stirling, under the seal of Scotland; and his erecting it +into a palatinate, to be holden as a fief of the crown of Scotland. +Under the same seal, and in the same words, the grant was confirmed by +Charles I. in June 1625. The legality of these grants appear not to have +been questioned at the time, which indicates that the prevailing opinion +of the English corresponded then with that of their sovereigns. + +Mr. Hutchinson goes on to mention, “_American_ lands in their natural +state are of no value; there is not any colony which has not cost more +to render it capable of rendering profit than it is now worth.” + +“In the trading towns, in some of the colonies the last war, one fourth +part of the profit of the trade was annually paid to the support of the +war, and other public charges. In the country towns, a farm which would +not rent for twenty pounds a year, paid ten pounds taxes. Was it from +parental affection to the colonists, and to save them from French +vassalage, that Great-Britain was at such expence; or was it from fear +of losing the advantageous trade she had carried on with her colonies?” + +“When there is peace in Europe, what occasion is there for any national +expence in America?” + +“It cannot be good policy to tax the Americans; it will prove +prejudicial to the national interests. The advantages proposed by the +increase of the revenue, are fallacious and delusive. You will lose more +than you will gain. Britain reaps the profit of all their trade, and the +increase of all their substance.” + +“Your commerce with the colonies will be enough for you, should you have +no commerce elsewhere, if you encourage, the colonies to increase the +consumption of your manufactures for fifty years to come, as they have +done for fifty years past; and with no more than reasonable +encouragement they will infallibly do it, and in much greater +proportion.” + +Though the disturbances began in _Boston_ yet they were not confined to +the _Massachusetts_. They broke out in the other colonies; and so near +to the same time, as to excite suspicions that it was not wholly the +effect of accident, but partly of a pre-concerted design. _Rhode-Island_ +and _Providence Plantations_ shewed themselves among the foremost in +their opposition to the stamp act. + +[Aug. 24.] A gazette extraordinary was published at _Providence_, with +_Vox populi, Vox Dei_, in large letters for the frontispiece; and +underneath, _Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty_. The +publication had a tendency to prepare the people for action. Effigies +were also exhibited; and in the evening cut down and burnt by the +populace. + +[27.] About nine in the morning, the people of _Newport_, in +_Rhode-Island_, brought forth three effigies, meant for Messrs. +_Howard_, _Moffat_, and _Johnson_, in a cart, with halters about their +necks, to a gallows near the town-house, where they were hung; after a +while cut down, and burnt amid the acclamations of thousands. + +[28.] By the next day there was time enough to hear of what had been +done at _Boston_. The people collected, or rather were mustered afresh, +and beset the house of Mr. _Martin Howard_, jun. a lawyer of reputation, +and a writer in defence of the parliament’s right to tax the colonies. +They destroyed every thing, and left only a shell. They passed on to Dr. +_Thomas Moffat’s_, a physician, one who had warmly supported in +conversation the same right, and behaved in like manner. They intended +doing it to Mr. _Augustus Johnson_, but desisted upon persuasion; and on +his coming to town, and giving it under his hand that he would not +accept the office of distributor of the stamps, unless the public were +satisfied, they became quiet. Messrs. Howard and Moffat hastened on +board a ship of war for personal protection. + +The commotions in _Connecticut_ were not equally violent; but Mr. +_Ingersoll_ was the subject of exhibition in several places. + +[Aug. 22.] They had their pageantry at _Norwich_, which they committed +to the flames when the day closed. + +[26.] They had the same at _Lebanon_; but before they executed and +burnt, they had a parade of a mock trial. + +[27.] The next day there was a repetition of the like, excepting the +trial. At length the resentment against the stamp distributor became so +general and alarming, that he resigned his office. + +A like resignation takes place in _New-York_, some time in August. It +becomes a necessary point of prudence from the spirit which the citizens +discover. The stamp act is treated with the most indignant contempt, by +being printed and cried about the streets, under the title of, _The +folly_ of ENGLAND _and ruin of_ AMERICA. Toward the end of October the +stamp papers arrive; and Mr. M‘Evers having resigned, lieutenant +governor Colden takes them into _Fort George_. Some extraordinary +preparations for securing them, having displeased the inhabitants, +joined to the dislike they have entertained to Colden’s political +sentiments, [Nov. 1.] and its being the day for the stamp act to take +place, numbers are induced to assemble in the evening. They proceed to +the fort walls; break open his stable; take out his coach; and, after +carrying it through the principal streets of the city in triumph, march +to the common, where a gallows is erected; on one end of which they +suspend his effigy, having in his right hand a stamped bill of lading, +and in the other, a figure for the devil. After hanging a considerable +time, they carry the whole, with the gallows entire, the coach +preceding, in procession to the gate of the fort; from whence it is +removed to the bowling-green, under the muzzles of the guns, where a +bonfire is immediately made, and all, coach included, are consumed amid +the exultations of some thousands of spectators. They go from hence to +major _James’s_ house, before known by the name of _Vaux-Hall_, which is +genteelly furnished, contains a valuable library, and many curiosities, +and has a handsome garden belonging to it. They strip it of every +article, make another bonfire, and consume the whole, beside destroying +the garden; and all because of his being a friend to the stamp act. + +[Nov. 2.] The next morning a paper is privately drawn up, and given to a +man to read from the balcony of the coffee-house, to and about which the +citizens are used to frequent; it sets forth the necessity of being +peaceable, and calls upon the inhabitants to turn out with their arms +upon any alarm, and quell all riotous proceedings. The effect it appears +to have upon being heard, is frustrated by captain _Isaac Sears_, who +formerly commanded a privateer, and is bitterly set against the stamp +act. Having been secretly informed in the morning what is to be done, he +is present, and tells the populace who collect about him, “The intention +of the proposal that has been read, is to prevent our having the stamp +papers;” and adds, “but we will have them within four and twenty hours.” +He then flourishes his hat, and cries, “Huzza, my lads.” They +immediately comply in loud shouts. He turns to several gentlemen +present, and says, “Your best way, as you may now see, will be to advise +lieutenant governor _Colden_ to send the stamp papers from the fort to +the inhabitants.” In the evening the mob assemble, and insist upon his +delivering them into their hands. He hopes to satisfy them, by declaring +he will do nothing in relation to the stamps, but leave it to Sir Henry +Moore to do as he pleases on his arrival. The people are not contented; +they will have the stamps, or attempt taking them away by force; which +must probably be attended with much bloodshed. After repeated +negociation, it is agreed that they shall be delivered to the +corporation; which is accordingly done, and they are deposited in the +city-hall, to general satisfaction. Ten boxes of the like, which arrive +afterward, meet with a worse fate, being committed to the flames. + +The destruction of major _James’s_ house, (for it was reduced to a +shell) convinced the gentlemen who were standing up for the rights of +the colonies, that it was necessary to have leaders to manage the mob. +It was therefore contrived to call the people together. + +[Nov. 6.] They met in the fields; and it was proposed, that a committee +be appointed to open a correspondence with the other colonies. This was +a measure of so serious and important a nature, as to endanger the lives +and property of the committee, especially should the stamp act be +enforced and carried through; and therefore there was no one, for more +than half an hour who would venture to accept. Mr. _James De Lancey_, +who had joined the popular side, in order to secure a seat in the +assembly at the next general election, was nominated; but declined, +pleading his being upon the committee to converse with the lawyers, on +their proceeding to business without stamps, instead of suspending it, +as they appeared to intend. At length, however, captain Sears, with four +others, offered and were approved. + +They agreed among themselves to sign all the letters with their several +names, and to open a correspondence with all the colonies. The +_Philadelphians_ were requested to forward their inclosed letters to the +more southern states, and the _Bostonians_ to forward those for +_New-Hampshire_. + +Here we see another set of corrosponding sons of liberty originated to +strengthen the opposition of the colonies to parliamentary taxation. + +The commotions beyond _New-York_, did not terminate in similar excesses +to what had happened there, at _Newport_ and _Boston_; but the +exhibition of effigies in the day, the burning them at night, and other +marks of displeasure, induced the stamp officers to resign. Some did it +with a better grace than others. Mr. _George Mercer_, distributor for +_Virginia_, arrived in the evening at _Williamsburg_. The people +immediately urged him to resign. The next day he declined acting, in so +genteel a manner, that he had the repeated acclamations of all present. +At night the town was illuminated, the bells were set a ringing, and all +was joy and festivity. + +[Oct. 3.] At _Philadelphia_ upon the appearance of the ships having on +board the stamps, all the vessels in the harbour hoisted their colours +half-staff high; the bells were muffled and continued to tool till +evening; and every ccuntenance added to the marks of sincere mourning. A +large number of people chiefly of the presbyterian persuasion, and of +the proprietary party, with _William Allen_, esq. the chief justice’s +son at their head, assembled and endeavoured to procure the stamp +distributor’s resignation. It had been for some time warmly talked of, +that he ought to resign. Mr. _Hughes_ was obnoxious to both the +presbyterian and the proprietary party; but particularly hateful to the +latter as it was his _interest_, _assiduity_, and _influence_, in the +_Pennsylvania_ house of assembly that enabled the province to send home +Dr. _Franklin_ to present their petitions, for a change of govenment +from proprietary to royal—a change highly disagreeable to each party. +The body of quakers seemed disposed to pay obedience to the stamp act, +and so did part of the church of _England_, and of the baptists not +under proprietary influence. But no pains were spared to engage the +_Dutch_ and lower class of people in the opposition; and though Mr. +_Hughes_ held out long,[84] yet he found it necessary at length to +comply. + +Mr. _Hood_, stamp distributor for _Maryland_, that he might avoid +resigning fled to _New-York_, and obtained protection in the fort. Upon +Sir _Henry Moor’s_ arrival he left the fort, and went to _Long-Island_. +A number of the freemen crossed over unexpectedly; surprised him; +obliged him to sign a paper, declaring his absolute and final +resignation; and then took him before a magistrate, to whom he read the +paper, and afterward made oath to the matter therein contained. + +At _Boston_ they took care to keep up the spirit of liberty, though they +avoided former violence. [Sept. 21.] A new political paper appeared, +under the significant title of “The Constitutional Courant, containing +matters interesting to _liberty_, and no ways repugnant to _loyalty_; +printed by _Andrew Marval_, at the sign of the _Bribe refused_, on +_Constitution Hill, North America_.” It wore a more significant +head-piece—a snake cut into eight pieces, the head part having N E, The +initials of _New-England_ affixed to it, and the rest the initials of +the other colonies to _South-Carolina_ inclusive and in order, NY, NJ, +P, M, V, NC, SC.—The device accompanying them was, JOIN or DIE. + +[Nov. 1.] The morning of the day when the stamp act took place, was +ushered in with the tolling of bells. The large old elm (which since the +fourteenth of August, when the riots began, had been adorned with an +inscription, and obtained the name of _liberty tree_, as the ground +under it had that of _liberty hall_—and which gave rise to other trees +being so called, upon an appropriation to popular purposes by the sons +of liberty) was decorated with two effigies. They were cut down at there +o’clock amid the acclamations of thousands, carried about town, then to +the gallows upon the Neck, there hung up again, after a while cut down, +torn in pieces, and scattered. The people repaired home; and the evening +passed away quietly. But a transaction took place afterward not much to +the credit of the town. + +[Dec. 16.] Mr. _Oliver_ was called upon by a letter from (as is was +improperly signed) _the true sons of liberty_, to make a public +resignation of his office on the morrow under liberty tree. He desired a +gentleman to interpose, and procure him at least leave to resign in the +town-house; but after several consultations, nothing more could be +obtained than a promise of having no affront offered, and a proposal to +invite the principal persons of the town to accompany him. He was +obliged to repair to liberty tree; there to read his declaration in the +presence of more than two thousand people; and then to swear to it +before a justice, on the spot for that purpose. The cool, firm, and +judicious sons of liberty must condemn this procedure toward the +secretary, as mean, revengeful and cruel. It was torturing his feelings +afresh, as upon a stage, in the most conspicuous manner, after having +been terrified into a resignation four months before; and when it might +be expected, that the bitterness of the resentment against him was +ended. + +The opposition to the stamp officers was not confined to the continent. +The people of St. _Kitts_ obliged the distributor and his deputy to +resign. _Barbadoes_ submitted to the act. _Jamaica_ in general cleared +out with stamps; but _Kingston_, as before, without. Upon the continent, +_Canada_ and _Halifax_ submitted. + +The general fears that individuals were under, either of distributing or +using stamps, was increased in one government by the following paper, +pasted up at the door of every public office, and at the corner of the +streets— + + + Pro Patria. + +The first man that either distributes or makes use of stamped paper, let +him take care of his house, person, and effects. + + We dare + Vox populi. + + +The public resentment was kept alive and lively by the contemptuous +treatment which the stamp act itself met with, being openly burnt in +several places with the effigies of the officers; and by caricatures, +pasquinades, puns, bon mots, and such vulgar sayings fitted to the +occasion, as being short, could be most easily circulated and retained, +while, being extremely expressive, they carried with them the weight of +great many arguments. + +The resignation of the officers, and the want of persons, either to +undertake the delivery of stamps or to receive and use them, necessarily +laid the colonists under a legal inability for doing business, according +to parliamentary law. They however ventured upon it, and risked the +consequence. The vessels sailed from the ports as before; excepting +that, in some instances, a certificate was given, that the person +appointed to distribute stamped papers in the province, refused to +deliver them, which certificate being handed by the masters to the naval +officer, they were admitted to give bond in his office, and to pass +through the other offices without stamps. The _Rhode-Island_ and +_Providence_ Plantations kept their courts open the whole time, even +when they were suspended in the other colonies. Toward the end of +November it was agreed in _Maryland_ and _Virginia_ to proceed on +business in the usual manner without stamps. In the Massachusetts the +popular party so far prevailed, that the house of assembly resolved, +January the twenty-third, 1766, “That the shutting up the courts of +justice is a very great grievance; and that the judges, justices, and +all other public officers in this province ought to proceed as usual.” +But when the superior court opened, on the eleventh of March, the +parties concerned evaded the prosecuting of business. The lawyers in a +body waited, as usual, upon the judges, on the first day of the term, +before they went into the court. The chief justice, Mr. Hutchinson, not +being present at this meeting, Mr. Peter Oliver said he attended +according to his duty, and that he understood it would be expected that +he and his brethren should proceed in business in defiance of the late +act of parliament: such proceeding, he added, was contrary to his +judgment and opinion; and if he submitted io it, it would only be for +self-preservation, as he knew he was in the hands of the populace: he +therefore previously protested, that all such acts of his, if they sould +happen, would be acts under duress. To which the other judges assenting, +it was proposed to each of the lawyers singly, _Do you desire that +business should proceed contrary to the act of parliament?_ Every one of +them answered in the negative, even Mr. Otis himself.—But they said, it +would be proper to try a cause or two to quiet the people: accordingly +one cause, which had been at issue before the stamp act took place, was +tried and all other civil business was postponed to the middle of April. + +Though the violent and righteous proceedings, which have been noticed, +were severely censured by many; and numbers in all the colonies might +seem inclined to submit to the stamp act, yet the right of imposing it +was universally condemned, and the colonial rights as universally +acceded to by the most peaceably disposed. The resolutions of the +_Pennsylvania_ assembly, which met at _Philadelphia_ in September 1765, +were passed _nemine contradicente_; and left upon their minutes, “as a +testimony of the zeal and ardent desire of that house, to preserve their +inestimable rights, which as _Englishmen_ they possessed ever since the +province was settled, and to transmit them to their latest posterity.” +They “resolved, That the only legal representatives of the inhabitants +of this province, are the persons they annually elect to serve as +members of assembly—Resolved, therefore, That the taxation of the people +of this province by any other persons whatsoever, than such their +representatives in assembly, is unconstitutional, and subversive of +their most valuable rights—Resolved, That the laying of taxes upon the +inhabitants of this province, in any other manner, being naturally +subversive of public liberty, must of necessary consequence, be utterly +destructive of public happiness.”[85] There might not be so many quakers +in the house as usual; the times probably occasioned a larger choice out +of other denominations; but there must have been several, and these we +find acquiesced. These resolutions are as much opposed to the claims of +the British parliament, as are those of the _Massachusetts_ assembly, +passed October the twenty-ninth. Indeed the latter dwell more upon the +unalienable essential rights of mankind, of which these cannot be +divested, consistent with the law of God and nature, by any law of +society; and they evidently mark it out, in their opinion, as one of +those rights, that no man can justly take the property of another +without his consent. They also resolved, that a representation in +parliament of the inhabitants of their province, such as the subjects of +Britain actually enjoy, is impracticable for the subjects in +America.[86]—But both assemblies, though their expressions differed, +agreed in resolving, that the extensions of the court of admiralty +within the provinces, is a most violent infraction of the right of +trials by juries. The resolves of the _Maryland_ and _Connecticut_ +assemblies, passed, the one September the twenty-eighth, and the other +November the first, breathed the same spirit.[87] + +[Oct. 31.] But we have now to attend to a judicious measure pursued by +the _New-York_ merchants, the more effectually to obtain a repeal of the +stamp act. They resolved to direct their correspondents not to ship any +more goods till it was repealed; and that they would not sell any goods +upon commission, which should be shipped from Britain, after the first +of January, unless upon that condition. They were the foremost in +adopting the non-importation agreement; and recommended the like conduct +to the _Massachusetts_, and the neighboring provinces in trade. + +[Nov. 7.] The merchants and traders of _Philadelphia_ had a general +meeting, and entered into a similar agreement. Some quakers, who would +not sign the combination, thought it prudent to be governed by the same +restriction; and gave directions that the goods ordered should not be +sent, unless the stamp act was repealed. + +It was not till December the ninth, that the merchants and traders of +Boston resolved upon a non-importation. Government may deem such +combinations illegal, as they are apt to do all that are opposed to +their own measures; but surely the case of communities is bad indeed, if +they have not a right voluntarily to agree among themselves, merely to +suspend buying till they can obtain their own terms, when equitable. + +The peaceable line pursued in these agreements, had not been attended to +by all who opposed the stamp act. They therefore, for their own safety, +had a recourse to another, which might have drenched the country with +blood, had not the repeal prevented. The way had been prepared by the +publication of a system of politics, which appeared originally in the +New-York papers, the principal point of which was, that the colonies are +no otherwise related to Great-Britain than by having the same king. The +essays meant to propagate and support this system, made their first +appearance in the New-York prints, but most probably some of the +manuscripts were sent from Boston. The New-York sons of liberty had, at +length, a meeting, wherein they resolved, that they would go to the +extremity, with lives and fortunes to prevent the stamp act. This spirit +produced the following agreement between them and the sons of liberty in +Connecticut: + +[Dec. 25.] “Certain reciprocal and mutual agreements concessions and +associations made, concluded, and agreed upon by and between the sons of +liberty of the colony of _New-York_, of the one part, and of the sons of +liberty of the colony of _Connecticut_, on the other part, this +twenty-fifth day of December, in the sixth year of the reign of our +sovereign lord _George_ the Third, by the grace of God, of +_Great-Britain_, _France_ and _Ireland_, king, defender of the faith, +and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty-five. + +“The aforesaid parties taking into their most serious consideration the +melancholy and unsettled state of _Great-Britain_ and her +_North-American_ colonies, proceeding, as they are fully persuaded, from +a design in her most insidious and inveterate enemies, to alienate the +affections of his majesty’s most loyal and faithful subjects of +_North-America_ from his person and government—Therefore to prevent as +much as in us lies, the dissolution of so inestimable an union, they do, +in the presence of _Almighty God_, declare, that they bear the most +unshaken faith and true allegiance to his majesty king _George_ the +Third—that they are most affectionately and zealously attached to his +royal person and family, and are fully determined, to the utmost of +their power, to maintain and support his crown and dignity, and the +succession as by law established; and with the greatest cheerfulness +they submit to his government, according to the known and just +principles of the BRITISH CONSTITUTION, which they conceive to be +founded on the eternal and immutable principles of justice and equity, +and that every attempt to violate or wrest it, or any part of it, from +them, under whatever pretence, colour, or authority, is an heinous sin +against God, and the most daring contempt of the people, from whom +(under God) all just government springs. From a sacred regard to all +which, and a just sense of the impending evils that might befal them in +consequence of such a dreadful dissolution, they do hereby voluntarily, +and of their own free will, as well for the support of his majesty’s +just prerogative and the British constitution, as their own mutual +security and preservation, agree and concede to associate, advise, +protect, and defend each other in the peaceable, full, and just +enjoyment of their inherent and accustomed rights as British subjects of +their respective colonies, not in the least desiring any alteration or +innovation in the grand bulwark of their liberties and the wisdom of +ages, but only to preserve it inviolate from the corrupt hands of its +implacable enemies—And whereas a certain pamphlet has appeared in +America, in the form of an act of parliament, called and known by the +name of the _Stamp Act_, but has never been legally published or +introduced, neither can it, as it would immediately deprive them of the +most invaluable part of the British constitution, viz. the trial by +juries, and the most just mode of taxation in the world, that is, of +taxing themselves; rights that every British subject becomes heir to as +soon as born. For the preservation of which, and every part of the +British constitution, they do reciprocally resolve and determine to +march with the utmost dispatch, at their own proper costs and expence, +on the first proper notice (which must be signified to them by at least +six of the sons of liberty) with their whole force, if required, and it +can be spared, to the relief of those that shall, are, or may be in +danger from the _stamp act_, or its promoters and abettors, or any thing +relative to it, on account of any thing that may have been done in +opposition to its obtaining—and they do mutually and most fervently +recommend it to each other to be vigilant in watching all those who, +from the nature of their offices, vocations or dispositions, may be the +most likely to introduce the use of stamped papers, to the total +subversion of the British constitution and American liberty; and the +same, when discovered, immediately to advise each other of, let them be +of what rank or condition soever; and they do agree that they will +mutually, and to the utmost of their power, by all just ways and means, +endeavor to bring all such betrayers of their country to the most +condign punishment—and further, they do mutually resolve to defend the +liberty of the press in their respective colonies from all unlawful +violations and impediments whatever, on account of the said act, as the +only means (under divine Providence) of preserving their lives, +liberties, and fortunes, and the same in regard to the judges, clerks, +attornies, &c. that shall proceed without any regard to the _stamp act_, +from all pains, fines, mulcts, penalties, or any molestation +whatever—and finally, that they will, to the utmost of their power, +endeavor to bring about, accomplish and perfect the like association +with all the colonies on the continent, for the like salutary purposes, +and no other.” + +The opposition to the stamp act raged apparently more in New-York and +Connecticut than in the Massachusetts; but the association being agreed +upon, was sent by express to the sons of liberty at Boston, and received +Sunday the second of February, 1766. On its receipt, letters were +forwarded to a few individuals; and on the sixth of February, a circular +letter to the several towns in the colony, containing the association +and the desire of the first original associators to accomplish the like +association, with a request to be informed of the sentiments and +dispositions of the people in such towns. A letter was also sent on the +same subject, to the sons of liberty at Portsmouth, in Hampshire colony. +They met; and in their answer of February the eighth, testified their +approbation of the measure already taken, and their determination to +oppose the execution of the stamp act, &c. + +The Boston sons of liberty accepted the proposal of uniting themselves +to _New-York_ and _Connecticut_; and in their letter to the brotherhood +at _Norwich_, proposed to commence a continental union, of which the +latter greatly approved in their answer of February the tenth. + +On February the thirteenth, the sons of liberty at _Boston_ wrote a +_circular letter_ to _New-Hampshire_, _Connecticut_, and _New-York_; and +before the month was ended, the _New-Yorkers_ sent circular letters as +far as _South-Carolina_, urging a continental union. + +Most of the towns in the _Massachusetts_ having been applied to, +signified “their determination to march with their whole force to the +support of the British constitution, and consequently the relief of +those that shall or may be in danger from the stamp act, or its +abettors.” + +It is not to be supposed, that the disorderly proceedings above related, +were chargeable solely on the dregs of the colonies.—The sons of liberty +at New-York, who held regular meetings, were said to be directed by much +greater persons than any that appeared among them. The mobs consisted +not of mere rabble; but were composed much of independent freemen and +freeholders, so that some of the first people in the provinces were +intimidated, and left the cause of the parliament without proper +support. Merchants, assemblymen, magistrates, &c. united directly or +indirectly in the riots, and without their influence and instigation the +lower class of inhabitants would have been quiet; but great pains were +taken to rouse them into action. At _Boston_ such was the protection and +countenance given to the rioters, that some of the principal ringleaders +walked the streets with impunity, no officer daring to attack them, no +attorney-general to prosecute them, no witness to appear against them, +and no judge to sit upon them. But when the enormities are said to have +originated from the Presbyterians and Congregationalists, the charge +must be imputed to malevolence, or to gross ignorance, or a mixture of +both. The gentlemen on the side of government who were upon the spot, in +their letters written at the time, placed them to the account of the +_Virginia_ resolves. Mr. _Hutchinson_ tells his correspondent, “Nothing +extravagant appeared in the papers till an account was received of the +_Virginia_ resolves.” Mr. _Hughes_ writes, “the fire began in +Virginia:”—governor _Bernard_, “the publishing the _Virginia_ +resolutions proved an alarm bell to the disaffected:” another, in his +letter to Mr. Secretary _Conway_ from _New-York_, “the resolves of the +assembly of _Virginia_ gave the signal for a general outcry over the +continent.” The _Virginians_ are episcopalians and if there is either +blame or merit in exciting that fixed and spirited opposition to the +stamp act which followed upon their resolves, let them be credited for +the same; to them belongs the honor or disgrace; and solely to +particular colonies the disgrace of the several enormites committed in +them. The bulk of the people at _Boston_ are congregationalists; at +_New-York_, the presbyterians, including the Dutch and foreign +societies, may possibly be fully equal to, or even exceed the +episcopalians. At _Newport_ all denominations are equally encouraged, +and enjoy no ascendency over each other, and therefore might be equally +concerned, the peaceable quakers excepted. At _New-York_ the most +violent actors were episcopalians; at _Boston_ congregationalists; +though here they were joined by a number of episcopalians, and there by +a number of presbyterians. + +People in _Britain_ were differently affected by the disturbances in the +colonies. This party was for supporting the authority of parliament at +all adventures, and for enforcing the stamp act, if needful, with the +point of the sword: that for quieting the colonies by the repeal of it. +Happy for them, Mr. _Grenville_ and his party had thrown themselves out +of place on a difference as to the regency bill; so that the marquis of +_Rockingham_, and others in opposition, who were better inclined to the +Americans, came into office, July 10, 1765. The marquis and his friends +did not come to a resolution directly to repeal the act. The main lines +of their own plan were not marked out, nor the repeal determined upon, +until a little before the meeting of parliament. But the choice of the +measure, and of the principle to proceed upon was made before the +session. The papers relative to American affairs were produced to the +house of commons; and it was a kind of plan on all sides, to maintain +the authority of parliament, and by that very authority to give the +colonies every relief the nature of the case required. But the great +commoner Mr. _Pitt_, who neither communicated, nor connected himself +with any one, came to the house and declared, that parliament had _no +right_ to tax the colonies; and said also, _I am glad America has +resisted_. He hereby deranged matters; threw the opposition into a rage; +and reduced the ministry to a necessity of accompanying the repeal, with +a declaratory bill, expressive of the _right_ of parliament to _bind_ +the colonies _in all cases whatsoever_. + +[1766.] Mr. _Grenville_ moved that the stamp act should be enforced, and +was supported by 134, but opposed by 274—The merchants and manufacturers +joined their efforts with ministry to obtain a repeal. They were alarmed +at the non-importation agreement, and the confusions which existed, as +being necessarily prejudicial to their own interests, and tending to the +destruction of commerce. The ministry did not fail to encourage +petitions, complaining of hardships brought on by the great decay of +trade to the American colonies; and also instructions to members from +the trading and manufacturing towns. The petition of congress was not +admitted; the members not being called together by the authority of the +crown, though a futile, was yet a prevailing argument against its +admission. But the repeal was grounded on the other petitions; and after +a six weeks inquiry into _American_ affairs, was moved for, with the +greatest propriety, by general _Conway_, the secretary, who had opposed +the stamp bill at the second reading, and denied the right of parliament +to tax the Americans. The debate, which ensued, was warm, interesting +and long. But, by three o’clock in the morning, “[Feb. 22.] the house, +by an independent noble spirited and unexpected majority, in the teeth +of all the old mercenary _Swiss_ of the state, in despite of all the +speculators and augurs of political events, in defiance of the whole +embattled legion of veteran pensioners and practised instruments of +court, gave a total repeal to the stamp act, and (if the scheme of +taxing the colonies had been totally abandoned) a lasting peace to the +whole empire.”[88] The motion was carried by 275 against 167. The cyder +counties supported it; for they expected a repeal of the duty on cyder, +and obtained it in April. It has been said, that had not the ministry +bartered the stamp act against the repeal of the cyder duty, they would +not have succeeded.[89] This however must be a false charge, if the +former marked paragraph is strictly true. During the debate, “the +trading interests of the empire crammed into the lobbies of the house of +commons, with a trembling and anxious expectation, and waited, almost to +a winter’s return of light, their fate from the resolution of the house. +When at length, they had determined in their favor, and the doors thrown +open, showed them the figure of their deliverer, in the well earned +triumph of his important victory, from the whole of that grave multitude +there arose an involuntary burst of gratitude and transport. They jumped +upon him, like children on a long absent father. They clung about him as +captives about their redeemer, All _England_ joined in his applause. Nor +did he seem insensible of the best of all earthly rewards, the love and +admiration of his fellow citizens. _Hope elevated, and joy brightened +his crest._”[90] + +The ministry had certainly great difficulties to encounter: the +principal originated in the colonies, and were caused by the intemperate +proceedings of the various ranks of men within them. “Their violence +awakened the honor of parliament, especially after Mr. _Pitt’s_ speech, +and thereby involved every friend of the repeal into the imputation of +betraying its dignity. This is so true, that the act could not have been +repealed, had not men’s minds been in some measure satisfied with the +_declaration of right_.”[91] All the _Scotch_ members, save two, voted +against the repeal. Mr. Bollan, who informed lieutenant-governor +Hutchinson of it by letter, omitted mentioning the names of the +gentlemen. + +The bill having passed the house of commons, went up to the house of +lords. Lords _Bute_ and _Strange_ publicly declared, that his majesty’s +wish was nor for a repeal. The marquis of _Rockingham_ and Lord +_Shelberne_ went together to the king, and told what was reported. They +were informed, that his majesty had expressed his desire that it should +be inforced; but if it could not be done peaceably and without +bloodshed, it was his sincere desire and intention that it should be +totally repealed. The dukes of York and Cumberland, the lords of the +bedchamber and the officers of the household, were for carrying fire and +sword to America. Most of the bench of bishops joined them. Instead of +ascribing that to a sanguinary disposition, to which their profession +was opposed; let it be imputed to the painful prospect of being hindered +eventually from establishing the English hierarchy whithin the American +colonies. There was in the house of lords, proxies included, for the +repeal 105, against it, 71. + +On Wednesday, March the nineteenth, his majesty went to the house of +peers, and passed the bill for repealing the American stamp act; as also +that for securing the dependency of the colonies on the British crown. +On this occasion the American merchants made a most numerous appearance, +to express their gratitude and joy; ships in the river displayed their +colours; houses at night were illuminated all over the city, and every +decent and orderly method was observed, to demonstrate the just sense +they entertained of his majesty’s goodness, and wisdom of parliament in +conciliating the minds of the people on this critical occasion. An +express was dispatched immediately to Falmouth, with letters to the +different provinces, acquainting them with the news of the repeal: that +so their fears might vanish, and give place to joy and exultation. + + + + + LETTER IV. + + + _Roxbury, April 14, 1773._ + +Mr. _Samuel Adams’s_ name will occur frequently in the course of our +correspondence; be it noted, therefore, that the first time of his being +returned for _Boston_, [Sept. 27, 1765] and serving as a representative, +was upon an election occasioned by the death of _Oxenbridge Thacher_, +esq. The deceased belonged to the band of patriots; but when he happened +to think differently from Mr. _Otis_, jun. in the house of assembly, the +latter treated him in so overbearing and indecent a manner, that he was +obliged at times to call upon the speaker to interpose and protect him. +The state of affairs required a particular attention to the political +sentiments of the person who should be chosen. The inhabitants, in +fixing upon Mr. S. Adams, made choice of a member who was zealously +attached to the rights of the Massachusetts in particular, and the +colonies in general, and but little to his own personal interests. He +was well qualified to second Mr. Otis, and learned in time to serve his +own public views by the influence of the other. He was soon noticed by +the house, chosen and continued their clerk from year to year, by which +means he had the custody of their papers, and of these he knew how to +make an advantage for political purposes. He was frequently upon +important committees, and acquired great ascendency by discovering a +readiness to acquiesce in the proposals and amendments of others, while +the end aimed at by them, did not eventually frustrate his leading +designs. He showed a pliableness and complaisance in these smaller +matters, which enabled him in the issue to carry those of much greater +consequence; and there were many favorite points which the sons of +liberty in the _Massachusetts_ meant to carry, even though the stamp act +should be repealed. + +[1766.] Mr. _Pitt_’s declaration against the parliament’s right to +impose _internal taxes_, and his saying _I am glad America has +resisted_, were seized with eagerness by the popular leaders in the +colonies. They praised and idolized him for the same, without regarding +what he had declared in favor of the authority of parliament in all +cases of _external taxation_, and for enforcing all laws for that +purpose; and notwithstanding his having said, “If obedience be refused, +I would not suffer a horse-nail to be made in the plantations.” Their +spirits were elated, and they took encouragement from his declaration, +to fortify themselves in their own sentiments upon American liberty. + +It is impossible to express or describe the extraordinary joy with which +the body of the Americans received the news of the repeal, though the +power of the vice-admiralty courts remained unabridged, and the +declaratory act was added. The latter was considered by some, as passed +merely to save appearances, while contemned by others, whose wisdom +would have been more evident had they repressed their contempt, whatever +was their opinion. In regard to the former, “the judges of the +vice-admiralty courts in the colonies, had assigned them, by acts of +parliament, a jurisdiction for the recovery of penalties upon the laws +of revenue and trade, without juries for near a century past.”[92] Had a +prudent and moderate temper taken possession of all parties at this +period, it had been happy: but they were so much heated in some +colonies, as to be determined upon opposing each other. + +When the choice of members for _Boston_, to represent the town in the +next general court, was approaching, Mr. _John Rowe_, a merchant, who +had been active on the side of liberty in matters of trade, was thought +of by some influential persons. Mr. _Samuel Adams_ artfully nominated a +different one, by asking with his eyes looking to Mr. _Hancock_’s house, +“Is there not another _John_ that may do better?” The hint took. Mr. +_John Hancock_’s uncle was dead, and had left him a very considerable +fortune. Mr. _Samuel Adams_ judged that the fortune would give credit +and support to the cause of liberty; that popularity would please the +possessor; and that he might be easily secured by prudent management, +and might make a conspicuous figure in the band of patriots. + +Messrs. _James Otis_, jun. _Thomas Cushing_, _Samuel Adams_, and _John +Hancock_ (who had never been of the house before) were returned for +_Boston_. The town of _Plymouth_ made choice also of a new +representative, the high sheriff of the county, _James Warren_, esq. a +gentleman of real abilities, and who espoused the side of liberty upon +principle. The government wished to have him upon their side, and played +off both threats and promises; however he was immoveable. + +[May 28.] The general court met according to charter. The house of +assembly chose Mr. _Otis_ speaker. Governor _Bernard_ negatived, instead +of adopting the conciliating measure of accepting him. The acceptance +might have softened and induced him to have dropped the plan of leaving +out of the council, in the new election, the crown officers and justices +of the superior court; but the refusal confirmed him in it, and by +irritating the house, enabled him to execute it the more easily. The +crown officers were, the lieutenant governor and secretary, Messrs. +_Hutchinson_ and _Oliver_; the others held only provincial commissions. +The opposition assigned as the reason for leaving them out, that they +might redress a grievance long complained of by their constituents, a +dangerous union of legislative and executive powers in the same persons. +But the true ones probably were, the suspicions and dislike they +entertained of and to their political sentiments, and Mr. _Otis_’s +having been negatived. Mr. _Bernard_ retaliated, and excepted against +the six counsellors chosen in the room of the others. Thus the animosity +was increased. Had he negatived two or three only, there might have been +an opening for healing the breach; but now it was otherwise. The liberty +party gained strength, and it was ordered by the assembly [June 12.] +“That the debates of this house be open, and that a gallery be erected +for the accommodation of such as shall be inclined to attend them.” A +gallery was prepared with the utmost expedition, and finished in a few +days. It was viewed as a great acquisition to the common cause; and +certainly served a double purpose. The admission of the people at large +to hear the debates, and to watch the members, restrained some from +speaking with their usual freedom in support of governmental measures; +and encouraged others to indulge themselves in all that animated +language, and those solemn protestations of disinterested zeal for the +rights and privileges of their country, which are so taking with men of +honest minds and plain understandings. But you are not to suppose that +these protestations were always true on this side of the Atlantic any +more than on yours. Many joined the banners of liberty, and violently +opposed the governor and governmental measures, because of the +restraints they were under from the laws of trade, the danger they were +in of suffering by them, and his persisting to give these laws all the +support in his power. The opposition had great advantage in the +political contest, by branding all the supporters of government as +friends to the stamp act, though they knew to the contrary. Both sides +were sensible that the act was merely financial, without any regard to +the political state of America, or any purpose to remove one of its +difficulties. + +The house was unanimous in voting, that thanks should be returned to the +duke of _Grafton_ and other noblemen, to Mr. _Pitt_ and other gentlemen, +who had been active and aiding in the repeal of the stamp act. However, +when his majesty’s recommendation to make up the losses of the sufferers +in the late unhappy times, came before them from the governor, with +these words, “The justice and humanity of this requisition is so +forcible that it cannot be controverted; the authority with which it is +introduced, should preclude all disputation about complying with it;” +they objected to the manner in which it was proposed, as being +“derogatory to the honor of the house, and in breach of the privileges +thereof,” and unreasonably declined making compensation; whereas their +privileges might have been preserved uninjured, by a vote to relieve the +sufferers on their own application, out of dutiful respect to the mild +representation of his majesty, and out of humanity and generosity to the +sufferers. + +When a compensation was first talked of, it was the general opinion that +it ought to be made, but that it was due from Boston only, and not the +province in general. This thought probably determined the Boston members +to oppose making the compensation even out of the treasury; a way in +which it might have been done, had they and their friends joined the +friends of government. But had the money been ordered out of the +treasury, a subsequent motion might have charged it upon Boston, which +as the tax bill was to be past at that time, would have been easily +effected. The interest of the town induced its members to employ every +circumstance to prevent the compensation’s being voted at present. After +a while repeated advices were received, that the honor of parliament was +engaged to see the compensation made, and that they would certainly take +it in hand, if the provincial assembly refused. It was obvious that the +parliament could enforce payment from a sea port. The people of Boston +grew uneasy that the money was not paid. A town-meeting was called; the +above mentioned expedient was proposed and approved of, and their +representatives were directed to use their influence that compensation +might be granted upon those principles, and the money be paid out of the +treasury. + +[Sept.] Mr. _Hutchinson_ and the other sufferers petitioned for +relief.[93] Their petitions were considered; and on the question being +put, “Whether shall compensation be made out of the province treasury?” +it passed in the negative. A bill, however, was finally admitted for +making compensation, which was to be transmitted to the several towns, +for the sentiments of the constituents. + +[Dec. 5.] It passed to be engrossed, yeas 53, nays 35; but not without +the house’s resolving, “That it is under a full persuasion that the +sufferers have no just claim or demand on the province.” A needless +resolve, tending to excite disgust in many, without answering any +important purpose. The act granted compensation to the sufferers; and a +free and general pardon, indemnity, and oblivion to the offenders in the +late times. It was disallowed at home, on account of the assembly’s +having incorporated an act of pardon with an act of compensation, +without having obtained his majesty’s previous consent to such an act of +pardon. The sufferers, however, received the compensation, and the +offenders were not prosecuted. + +[Nov. 7.] In _Virginia_ a bill passed the house of burgesses, for +erecting a statue to his majesty, as an acknowledgment for repealing the +stamp act, and also an obelisk to commemorate those worthy patriots who +distinguished themselves in bringing about that happy event. And at +_New-York_ [Dec.] an act was passed for making restitution to the +several persons therein named, for losses sustained in the late +commotions. But when the assembly was applied to for carrying into +execution the act of parliament of the preceding year, for quartering +his majesty’s troops, they said in their address to the governor, Sir +_Henry Moore_, “According to the construction put on it here, it is +required that all the forces which shall at any time enter this colony, +shall be quartered during the whole year in a very unusual and expensive +manner; by marching several regiments into this colony, this expence +would become ruinous and insupportable; and therefore we cannot, +consistent with our duty to our constituents, put it in the power of any +person (whatsoever confidence we may have of his prudence and integrity) +to lay such a burden on them,” and so justified their declining to +provide for the troops. + +Before closing the account of 1766, be it observed, that the people of +_Connecticut_ failed not to show their resentment against their late +governor’s having qualified, agreeable to what the stamp act enjoined. +There was a meeting of gentlemen at _Hartford_, for concerting a plan +for the choice of a new governor and counsellors, in the room of those, +who with him had taken the oath required. Matters were so managed at +this meeting, that when the election came on, Mr. _Petkin_ was chosen +governor, and colonel _Trumbull_ deputy governor. But the episcopalians, +almost to a man, voted for Mr. _Fitch_; and by thus making a party with +administration against the claims and rights of their colony, rendered +themselves obnoxious. + +[Jan. 31, 1767.] The _Massachusetts_ house of assembly continued their +opposition to the lieutenant governor Mr. _Hutchinson_, and resolved, +“That he not being elected a counsellor, has by the charter, no right to +a seat at the council board, with or without a voice, while the +commander in chief is in the province.” March the fifth the council +determined the same; but in their message to the house, expressed their +surprise at what had been done without them, and at its not being +mentioned to the board till February the twenty-fourth. Mr. _Hutchinson_ +afterward did not attempt to be present. Lord Shelburne, in answer to +what was transmitted to him by the governor upon the affair, wrote in +September, “the admission of the lieutenant governor, lies after all in +the breast of the council only, as being the proper judges of their own +privileges, and as having a right to determine whom they will admit to +be present at their deliberations.” These proceedings of the +_Massachusetts_ and _New-York_ assemblies, thought to be, in name at +least, two of the most considerable in the colonies, were ascribed to an +unreasonable perverseness of temper; and exasperated the friends of +America by exposing them, however unjustly, to the imputation of +sacrificing the interests of Great-Britain to those of America. They +also encouraged the anti-Americans to resume the plan of taxing the +colonies; and Mr. _Charles Townsend_ pawned his credit to them for +effecting it, and became chancellor of the exchequer. But three of the +ministry opposed in the council taxing the Americans afresh, and it +would have been a blessing had their opinion prevailed. + +[May 13.] The chancellor of the exchequer moved for leave to bring in +bills for granting a duty upon paper, glass, painters colours, &c. in +the British American colonies; for settling salaries on the governors, +judges, &c. in North-America; and for taking off the duty on teas +exported to America, and granting a duty of three-pence a pound on the +importation in America. Two bills were at length framed, the one for +granting duties in the British colonies in America, on paper, glass, +painters colours, tea, &c. the other for taking off the duty of a +shilling a pound on all black and singlo tea, and for granting a +drawback on teas exported to Ireland and America. The first received the +royal assent June the twenty-ninth; the last July the second. The +preamble to the first act expresses, that the duties are laid “for the +better support of government, and the administration of the colonies.” +The colonists deemed it unnecessary, unjust, and dangerous to their most +important rights. There is a clause in it enabling the crown, by sign +manual to establish _a general civil list_ throughout every province in +_North-America_, to any indefinite extent, with any salaries, pensions, +or appointments, to any unlimited amount, even to the produce of the +last farthing of the American revenue. The point was now carried, which +had been the object of every minister since the reign of Charles II. +viz. _the establishment of a civil list in America, independent of the +assemblies_. Mr. _Richard Jackson_ spoke in the house of commons against +that part of the bill, and was supported only by Mr. _Huske_, and no +other member. He was convinced, that though the judges ought to be +independent both of crown and people, yet mischiefs might arise from the +independency of governors on the people, much greater than could arise +from their dependence; and that it was not fit that such persons as +governors usually are, should be independent of the people, and +dependent upon the crown for their governments. The act provides, that +after all such ministerial warrants under the sign manual, as are +_thought proper and necessary_, shall be satisfied, the residue of the +revenue shall be at the disposal of the parliament. But who can suppose +that such warrants will ever be satisfied till ministers have provided +for all their friends and favorites? May it not be said upon the plan of +this act, “the mockery of an American revenue proves at last to be the +crumbs that fall from the minister’s table—the residue, indeed, of a +royal warrant, countersigned by the first lord of the treasury.”[94] + +An account being received of _New-York_’s having refused to provide for +quartering the troops, Mr. _Grenville_ and his adherents raised such a +clamor against America, that it was thought necessary to bring in a bill +[May 27.] “for restraining the assembly of _New-York_ from passing any +act till they had complied with the act of parliament for the furnishing +his majesty’s troops with the necessaries required by that act;” and it +had the royal assent the second of July. The taking away in this manner +from the province of _New-York_ all the powers of legislation, till they +should comply with the former act, occasioned a general alarm among the +Americans. They now saw that their own colonial parliaments, as they +considered them, were to be bound to what the British ministry might +deem their good behavior, by the acts of a British parliament. Nothing +could be more grating to the sons of liberty in every province. It was +the club of power, which, while it knocked down the _New-York_ assembly, +threatened every other with the like, if not pliable. + +A plan of a board of commissioners for the American department, in order +to ease the old board of commissioners of part of its burden through +increasing business, had been in contemplation. It was intended to be +placed in London, in order to be near the treasury, the ultimatum of +revenue matters. Mr. _Paxton_, thought to be the most plausible and +insinuating of mankind though not the most sincere, having left Boston +and gone to Britain, had free access to the chancellor of the exchequer, +Mr. _Charles Townsend_. It is said that he whined, cried, professed, +swore, and made his will in favor of that great man; and then urged the +necessity of an _American board of commissioners_, and his having a seat +at it. He might forward the business. Be that as it may, the chancellor +brought in a bill [June 3.] for establishing a custom-house and a board +of commissioners in America, which also passed into an act at the same +time with the former. Mr. Paxton, for his own convenience and pleasure, +might procure the fixing the board at Boston; but of all places it was +the most improper. The people were, of all others, the most jealous of +infringements on their liberties; and were the least suited to see crown +officers living among them in great state, upon what they could not but +deem, from the mediocrity of their own circumstances, large salaries, +payable from the revenue to be raised from the colonies. The board +should have been placed at _New-York_. Smuggling was as prevalent there +as at Boston. The inhabitants had been long used to crown officers with +splendid appearances; the commanders of his majesty’s troops resided +much among them; numbers of them lived in a higher stile than the +Bostonians; beside, there the commissioners would have had forces at +hand to have supported them, and have met with greater assistance from +the servants of a royal government and their connections. The timing +also as well as the placing of the board, was rather unfortunate; for it +supplied the Americans with the opportunity of propagating that it was +appointed merely to enforce the new duties. By this means the people +were inflamed, and the appointment was pronounced unconstitutional and +oppressive. The duties were to take place after the twentieth of +November; and in the beginning of that month, three of the +commissioners, _Henry Hulton_, _William Burch_, and _Charles Paxton_, +esqs. arrived at Boston; the other two, _John Temple_ and _John +Robinson_, esqs. were in America before. As to the expence of the board +of customs, including the whole, it was a thousand pounds less than that +of the four surveyors general, and the office connected with them at +London. The chancellor had been instrumental in reviving those American +animosities which the repeal of the stamp act had quieted; but did not +live to see the fatal consequences which have followed, as he died the +fourth of September. + +[Oct. 28.] A few gentlemen at a private club in _Boston_, having +suggested a non-importation agreement, the thought was improved upon, +till at length the inhabitants, at a town meeting, agreed upon measures +to promote industry, œconomy, and manufactures; thereby to prevent the +unnecessary importation of _European_ commodities. They also voted, that +a subscription paper should be prepared, and a committee appointed to +procure subscriptions to it; by which the parties engaged to encourage +the use and consumption of all articles manufactured in any of the +British American colonies; and after the thirty-first of December +following, not to purchase certain enumerated articles imported from +abroad. + +The failure of expected success from these measures, and an apprehension +of disagreeable consequences from an ineffectual opposition, were +probably the motives that induced Mr. _Otis_ at a subsequent +town-meeting [Nov. 20.] to make a long speech on the side of government, +wherein he asserted the king’s right to appoint officers of the customs, +in which number and by what denomination he pleased; and that as to the +new duties, it would be very imprudent in the town to make an opposition +to them, when every town in the province, and every other province in +America seemed to acquiesce in them and be contented. But the proposed +measures were afterward approved of and adopted _Providence_ and +_Newport_. + +[Jan. 1768.] The _Connecticut_ towns and _New-York_ followed the +exemple. Still the business laboured without being productive of any +important effects. This engaged the attention of one captain Malcolm, a +small trader, who about eighteen months before had made himself famous +by a violent and successful resistance with sword and pistol to the +custom-house officers, when endeavouring to search his house for +uncustomed goods, under the authority of a writ of assistance. Having, +about the middle of February, safely run the cargo of a schooner from +Fyall, consisting of about sixty pipes of wine, he, within two or three +days, procured a meeting of some merchants and traders at which he +presided. Nothing was determined upon more, than the calling of a +general meeting of the merchants on Friday, March the fourth. This may +be stiled the first movement of the merchants against the new acts of +parliament. The result of this meeting was, that a subscription for not +importing any English goods, except for the fishery, for eighteen +months, should be prepared and carried round the town. It met with no +great encouragement, and many declined subscribing. On this all engines +were set to work; some were threatened and made afraid for their person +and houses; others for their trade and credit.—By such means the +subscription was filled. But the merchants of New-York and Philadelphia +declined to concur in the measure, those of Boston were obliged to give +it up for the present. However, they renewed it within a few months, as +you will learn below. + +The _New-England_ spirit of patriotism and œconomy was greatly approved +of at _Philadelphia_: and it was said, that “If America is saved from +its impending danger, New-England will be its acknowledged guardian.” +Periodical pieces were published at Boston on the nature and extent of +British parliamentary power. Hints were thrown out about independency, +and intimations given, that freemen were not to be governed any more +than taxed but by their own consent, in real or virtual representatives. +The power of British legislation over the Americans was questioned, and +virtually denied. Matters were brought to this length, by broaching a +new dispute that should never have been moved again; and which might +happily have lain dorment for half a century or more had no fresh +attempt been made to tax the Americans. Before the stamp act they +allowed the mother country a certain prerogative over them. They +acquiesced in the parliament’s right to make many acts, binding them in +divers internal matters, and regulating their trade. They did not reason +neither then nor immediately after the repeal, “if the parliament has no +right to tax us _internally_, they have none to tax us _externally_, or +to make any other law to bind us.” They admitted the distinction between +internal and external taxation, and between raising money from the +regulation of trade, and raising it for the purpose of a revenue. The +wisdom of parliament should have abode by their concessions, and have +adopted and confirmed their distinction. But being obliged to enter +afresh the field of political controversy, great numbers began to think, +that the want of representation in parliament, freed them absolutely +from any obedience to the power of the British legislature; and that +there was no real, and only a nominal difference between internal and +external taxation, agreeable to what was insisted upon by the party +opposing the repeal of the stamp act. _John Dickinson_, esq. began so +early as in November, 1767, to employ his pen against the act which had +been passed, in a series of _Letters from a farmer in Pennsylvania to +the inhabitants of the British Colonies_. They amounted to twelve; and +in them he ably maintained the rights of the colonists. He closed with a +postscript in these words: “Is there not the greatest reason to hope, if +the universal sense of these colonies is immediately exprest by +_resolves_ of the assembles in support of their rights, by +_instructions_ to their agents on the subject, and by _petitions_ to the +crown and parliament for redress, that those measures will have the same +success now that they had in the time of the stamp act?” The inhabitants +of Boston were so sensible of the eminent service he did to the common +cause, that they wrote to him upon the occasion. It his answer, April +the eleventh, he said, “Never will my heart become insensible till +insensible of all worldly things, of the unspeakable obligation I owe to +the inhabitants of the _Massachusetts Bay_, for the vigilance with which +they have watched over, and the magnanimity with which they have +maintained the liberties of the _British colonies_ on this continent.” +It was probably owing to Mr. _Dickinson’s_ publications, that the +_Pennsylvania_ assembly, early in February, before they knew what +measure the _Massachusetts Bay_, or any other colony, would pursue, took +into consideration the act imposing duties on paper, glass, &c. and gave +positive instructions to their agents, to unite with other agents, in +applying to parliament and praying relief. + +It may be justly concluded, from governor _Bernard’s_ letters to lord +Shelburne, that the Massachusetts assembly were inclined to bury in +oblivion the discords occasioned by the stamp act, and to escape other +subjects of future controversy, had not the late chancellor unhappily +revived the animosities. “The house, (says the governor) from the time +of opening the session to this day, has shown a disposition to avoid all +dispute with me; every thing having passed with as much good humor as I +could desire, except only their continuing to act in addressing the +king, remonstrating to the secretary of state, and employing a separate +agent. It is the importance of this innovation which induces me to make +this remonstrance, at a time when I have a fair prospect of having in +all other business, nothing but good to say of the proceedings of the +house.”[95] + +“They have acted in all thing, even in their remonstrance, with temper +and moderation: they have avoided some subjects of dispute, and have +laid a foundation for removing some causes of former altercation.”[96] + +“I will make such a prudent and proper use of the letter, as, I hope, +will perfectly restore the peace and tranquility of this province, for +which purpose considerable steps have been made by the house of +representatives.”[97] + +[Jan. 21.] The _Massachusetts_ house of representatives, in a debate +upon the expediency of writing to the assemblies of the other colonies +upon the continent, with respect to the importance of joining with +them,” put a question on the proposition of writing letters, desiring +those assemblies to join them, which was negatived for this very reason, +because containing the proposition of joining. The house thought +exceptions might be taken at it, as having a tendency to from +combinations; and that it might be considered at home as the appointing +another congress. It is an excellent rule of the house, that no vote +shall be re-considered, unless the number of members present equals the +number at its passing. When they had the same number, eithty-two, which +makes a full house, a motion was made [Feb. 4.] for re-considering the +vote against applying to the other colonies; and the vote of +re-consideration was obtained by a large majority. The same day a +committee was appointed to prepare a letter to be transmitted to the +several houses of representatives and burgesses upon the continent, to +inform them of the measures the house had taken with regard to +difficulties they were apprehensive would arise from the operation of +several acts of parliament for levying duties and taxes on the American +colonies. The committee after deliberating a week, reported the letter, +[Feb 11.] which being read in the house, was accepted almost +unanimously, in the presence of eighty-three members. It began thus: +“Sir, the house of representatives of this province have taken into +their serious consideration the great difficulties that must accrue to +themselves and their constituents, by the operation of several acts of +parliament imposing duties and taxes on the American colonies.” It then +related the measures they had taken in petitioning the king, making +representations to the ministry, &c. and concluded with, “the house is +fully satisfied that your assembly is too generous and enlarged in +sentiment, to believe that this letter proceeds from an ambition of +taking the lead or dictating to the other assemblies. They freely submit +their opinion to the judgment of others, and shall take it kind in your +house to point out to them any thing further that may be though +necessary. This house cannot conclude without expressing their firm +confidence in the king, our common head and father, that the united and +dutiful supplications of his distressed American subjects will meet with +his royal and favorable acceptance.” + +[Feb. 25.] _Peter Gilman_, esq. speaker of the _New-Hampshire_ assembly +wrote by order of the house, in answer to the Massachusetts circular +letter—“The sentiments contained in it are highly approved, and the +communication kindly received and gratefully acknowledged. The time of +the house’s existance in that relation is near expiring; they cannot +engage for their successors and can only express their satisfaction in +the Massachusetts proceedings, and declare their hopes, that the next +assembly will heartily concur in sentiments on this affair, and pursue +the same method.” The letter ran in the highest recommendatory strain of +the Massachusetts Bay assembly; and concluded with, “What remains for us +at present, is to offer our daily prayer to the Governor and Lord of the +universe, to avert the impending evil, and to make way for the full +establishment of British liberty in every branch of it, and to quiet +every colony in the enjoyment of all their civil and religious rights +and privileges.” For these courtly expressions, with which the house +declined doing any thing in the business, the next assembly was rewarded +with courtly commendations. The governor, _John Wentworth_, esq. in a +message of October the twentieth, communicated the copy of the following +extract of a letter from Lord _Hillsborough_, of July the ninth: “It is +his majesty’s pleasure that you should assure his faithful subjects in +_New-Hampshire_, that his majesty has nothing more at heart than to +promote their welfare and happiness, whose cheerful obedience to the +laws of this kingdom, and steady resolution in refusing to accede to the +measures and proposals which have been urged with so much indecent +warmth in other colonies, cannot fail to recommend them to his royal +favour and countenance.” The assembly, however, nine days after, +petitioned the king, and mentioned that his royal predecessors granted +them a power of legislation, limited to the approbation or disallowance +of the crown, with the powers and privileges essential to British +liberty, of raising internal taxes by their own representatives. The +petition was most profoundly humble, and so softly worded, that it could +not offend the most delicate ear of the highest parliamentary +prerogative man. By some accident or contrivance, it was not sent till +antiquated and out of season. Mr. _Wentworth_ had gained an ascendency +over the people of his government, by which he kept them from entering +into such spirited measures for the redress of grievances as would be +offensive to ministry. The other colonies adopted a different line of +conduct. The _Virginia_ house of burgesses applauded the _Massachusetts_ +representatives for their attention to American liberty; took notice of +the act suspending the legislative powers of _New-York_; and said, “If +the parliament can compel the colonies to furnish a single article to +the troops sent over, they may, by the same rule, oblige them to furnish +clothes, arms, and every other necessary, even to the pay of the +officers and soldiers, a doctrine replete with every mischief, and +utterly subversive of all that is dear and valuable.” The council +concurred with them in all their proceedings; and their agent was +enjoined to consult the agents of the other colonies, and to co-operate +with them in applying for redress. Most of the assemblies upon the +continent, as they had opportunity, approved of the doings of the +Massachusetts, and harmonized with them in resolves and petitions. +[April 22.] But an account of their doings had not reached Great-Britain +long, before lord _Hillsborough_ wrote Gov. _Bernard_ upon the occasion. +For want of fuller and juster information, or of due attention to the +governor’s expressions, the proceeding which originated the circular +letter, was mentioned—“as unfair, contrary to the real sense of the +assembly, and procured by surprise; and therefore” upon this mistaken +principle, the governor was instructed, “so soon as the general court is +again assembled, to require of the house of representatives, in his +majesty’s name, to rescind the resolution which gave birth to the +circular letter from the speaker, and to declare their disapprobation +of, and dissent to that rash and hasty proceeding.” In case they refused +to comply, he was immediately to dissolve them, and to transmit to his +lordship an account of their transactions. [June 21.] The house was +informed of what was required; and three days after, of what they were +to expect if unpliable. Their resolution not being returned within six +days of the last part of the information, the governor sent them word he +could wait no longer, which hastened the business in which they were +engaged. + +[30.] A committee of the house reported a letter to Lord _Hillsborough_, +setting forth the several votes and resolutions which passed in the last +house of representatives, relating to the circular letter; and showing +that the whole of these matters was transacted in the height of the +cession in a full house, and by a large majority. The letter was +approved of by 93 out of 105 members present, and ordered to be +transmitted to his lordship. The house agreed also upon a message to the +governor, in which they said, “It is to us incomprehensible that we +should be required, on the peril of a dissolution of the general court, +to rescind a resolution of a former house, when it is evident, that that +resolution has no existence but as a mere historical fact. Your +excellency must know, that the resolution is, to speak in the language +of the common law, not now executory, but to all intents and purposes +executed. If, as is most probable, by the word rescinding is intended +the passing a vote, in direct and express disapprobation of the measure +taken by the former house as illegal, inflammatory, and tending to +promote unjustifiable combinations against his majesty’s peace, crown +and dignity, we must take the liberty to testify and publicly declare, +that we take it to be the native, inherent, and indefeasible right of +the subject, jointly or severally, to petition the king for the redress +of grievances; provided alway, that the same be done in a decent, +dutiful, loyal and constitutional way, without tumult, disorder and +confusion.—If the votes of the house are to be controuled by the +direction of a minister, we have left us but a vain semblance of +liberty.—We have now only to inform you, that this house have voted _not +to rescind_, and that on a division on the question, there were +ninety-two nays, and seventeen yeas.” The message was firm, patriotic, +and spirited; and in some parts allusively severe upon the governor, but +every where decently expressed. The rescinders were governmental +receivers or expectants. They had, or looked for a reward for their +crouching compliance. The next day [July 1.] the governor passed some +necessary acts, and then dissolved the assembly. It is scarce +conceivable how a new assembly of representatives could think themselves +capable of being more grossly insulted, than by being made accountable +for the proceedings of a dissolved and dead one, and by being punished +with immediate destruction for not declaring themselves of opposite +sentiments to their predecessors. Mr. _Otis_, in his speech against +rescinding, said, “When Lord Hillsborough knows that we will not rescind +our acts, he should apply to parliament to rescind theirs. _Let Britain +rescind their measures or they are lost for ever._” His speech, by the +patriotic enthusiasts was extolled to the skies; and by the governmental +ones, was declared to be the most violent, insolent, abusive, +treasonable declamation, that perhaps ever was delivered. While the +matter of rescinding was under consideration, the house received an +answer from _Virginia_, and one from _New-Jersey_, which, though not so +very high as the other, was far from being unfavorable. They had also +intelligence that they might expect the like from other assemblies: +these circumstances probably increased the majority against rescinding. +Had it not been for the mandate to rescind, the sessions might have +terminated prosperously and peaceably; for Mr. _Otis_, though he had +distinguished himself by carrying the objections to the authority of +parliament to the greatest length, had retracted all his former +opinions, in a set speech at the opening of it. He said, he had fully +informed himself of the relation between Great-Britain and her colonies; +and was convinced that the power of parliament over her colonies was +absolute, with this qualification, that they ought not to tax them until +they allowed them to send representatives; and that if the colonies had +representatives, the power of parliament would be as perfect in America +as in England. He then argued for an American representation. This +surprised the assembly, and induced a member on the side of government +to charge the opposition with the intention of making an American +representation necessary, by denying the authority of parliament over +them because not represented. The answers of the other party were +thought to strengthen the suspicion. Upon which Mr. Timothy Ruggles +pointedly said, that as they were determined to have representatives, he +begged leave to recommend to them a merchant who would undertake to +carry their representatives to England for half what they would sell for +when they arrived there. But the best argument to have silenced any of +the opposition, who might interestedly hanker after an American +representation, would have been to have repeated the resolve of the +house on the 29th of October, 1765—“A representation in parliament of +the inhabitants of the province, such as the subjects in Britain +actually enjoy, is impracticable for the subjects in America.” The day +before lord _Hillsborough_ wrote to Mr. _Bernard_ upon the business of +rescinding, a circular letter was written to the governors of the +respective provinces, to accompany a copy of that of the +_Massachusetts_, in which his lordship said, “It is his majesty’s +pleasure, that you should immediately, on the receipt hereof, exert your +utmost influence to defeat this flagitious attempt to disturb the public +peace, by prevailing upon the assembly of your province to take no +notice of it, which will be treating it with the contempt it deserves.” +He then added a closing paragraph meant to influence the assemblies into +a compliance. The circular letter was in some instances received in +time, but produced a very different effect from what was intended. The +_New-York_ assembly had felt the weight of the parliament’s high +displeasure, and been bereaved of legislative power till they should +comply with the billeting act. In the beginning of the year they voted +the sum wanted to the general, for the purchase of salt, pepper and +vinegar, instead of passing an act conformable to the parliament’s act, +which vote was accepted. But when they met at the close of the year, +after having completed a petition to his majesty, another to the lords, +and a remonstrance to the commons, they proceeded to consider the +circular letters from the assemblies of _Massachusetts-Bay_ and +_Virginia_, and unanimously agreed to answer them in the most respectful +manner. They then entered into some very spirited resolves in favor of +liberty, and the rights of their constituents; and appointed a committee +to correspond and consult with any other his majesty’s subjects out of +the colony, either individually or collectively, on any matter or thing +whatsoever, whereby the rights or privileges of the house or its +constituents might be affected. These doings occasioned their being +dissolved. + +We are now entering upon another interesting period. + +It had been the common practice for the tide-waiter, upon the arrival of +a vessel, to repair to the cabin, and there to remain, drinking punch +with the master, while the sailors and others upon deck were employed in +landing the wines, molasses, or other dutiable goods. The commissioners +of the customs were determined that the laws of trade should be +executed. + +Upon the arrival of Mr. _Hancock_’s sloop _Liberty_, _Nathaniel +Bernard_, master, from _Madeira_, the tidesman, _Thomas Kirk_, went on +board in the afternoon. Captain _Marshall_, in Mr. _Hancock_’s employ, +followed; and about nine in the evening, made several proposals to +_Kirk_, which being rejected, captain _Marshall_, with five or six +others, laid hold of, overpowered, and confined him below for three +hours, in which time the wine was taken out, before entry had been made +at the custom-house or naval office. _Marshall_ threatened _Kirk_ in +case of discovery. The captain wrought so hard in unloading the sloop, +that his sudden death, that night, while in bed, before assistance could +be obtained, was generally believed to have been owing to some injury +received from his uncommon exertions. The next morning the master +entered, as it is said, four or five pipes, and swore that was the whole +of his cargo. It was resolved to seize the sloop for a false entry’s +being made; though it was thought by many that no one would undertake +the business. + +[June 10.] Mr. _Joseph Harrison_, the collector, and Mr. _Benjamin +Hallowell_, the comptroller, repaired to Hancock’s wharf. Mr. _Harrison_ +objected to the unseasonableness of the time, being between six and +seven, when the lower class of people were returning from their day +labour. The seizure however was made before sun-set, so as to be +perfectly legal. Mr. _Harrison_ thought the sloop might lie at the +wharf, after clapping the broad arrow upon her; but Mr. _Hallowell_ +judged it would be best to move her under the guns of the _Romney_, and +made signal for her boats to come ashore. The people upon the wharf +cried out, “There is no occasion, she will lie safe, and no officer has +a right to remove her;” but the master of the man of war cut her +moorings and carried her off. Every mean was used to interrupt the +officers in the execution of their business, and numbers swore that they +would be revenged. A mob was soon collected, which increased to a +thousand or two, chiefly of sturdy boys and negroes. The minds of the +people were inflamed by the seizure and removal of the vessel. They had +been before irritated by the captain of the man of war’s pressing some +seamen belonging to the town; add to that; their aversion to the board +of commissioners, the popularity of the owner, and the name of the +sloop—these of course excited their resentments, and wrought them up +into a combustible body. Captain Malcolm, who was deeply engaged in +running the wines, headed a number of men after the seizure, and was +very active in attempting to prevent the sloop’s being removed. Mr. +_Harrison_ was pelted with stones, bricks, and dirt, and received +several blows with sticks, particularly one on the breast, so that it +was with difficulty he could keep from falling; he was afterward +confined to his bed from the injuries he had received. Mr. _Hallowell_, +Mr. _Irving_, inspector of imports and exports, and the collector’s son +were sharers in the treatment. They all escaped with the utmost hazard +of their lives. Mr. _Hallowell_ was confined to his house under the care +of a surgeon from wounds and bruises. Mr. _Richard Harrison_, the +collector’s son, was thrown down, dragged by the hair of his head, and +otherwise treated barbarously. Mr. _Irving_ was beaten with clubs and +sticks; had his sword broken to pieces, and received a few slight +wounds. The mob proceeded to the houses of the collector and +comptroller, broke their windows, and those of Mr. _Williams_, inspector +general, then dragged the collector’s boat through the town, and burnt +it on the common. This was on Friday evening. Saturday and Sunday +evenings are sacred; and the commissioners _Hulton_, _Burch_, _Paxton_ +and _Robinson_, esqrs. remained pretty easy; during the outrages, to +avoid insults, they retired from their own to neighbours houses. But +receiving information that further riots were intended, and the governor +telling them he could not protect them, and that there would be no +safety for them in Boston, considering the temper of the people; on +Monday morning early, they sent a card to the governor, to let him know +that they were going on board the Romney, and desired his orders for +their reception at the castle, which he readily gave. They repaired +first on board the man of war, and then proceded from thence to the +castle. The collector and comptroller, and most of the other officers of +the customs withdrew, either then or afterward. [13.] On the Monday +morning large numbers of people were gathered together, and to +appearance regularly formed into parties, under their different leaders, +in several parts of the town. If they meant any thing against the +commissioners, they were disappointed by their having withdrawn. In the +afternoon printed tickets were put up, notifying a meeting of the sons +of liberty the next day at ten o’clock. This prevented all mischief in +the evening. [14.] At the appointed time, thousands of the lower class +met; but the day being rainy, numbers adjourned to Faneuil-hall, and +there agreed to send the constables about to notify a legal town meeting +for the afternoon. Little else was done at this meeting, but the +appointing a committee to wait upon the governor with a petition, the +receiving his answer, writing a letter to a friend, and voting such +instructions as they thought proper to their representatives. The common +talk was that the removal of the sloop was an affront to the town, as it +contained an insinuation, that she would not have been safe if left at +the wharf in custody of a custom-house officer. It was asserted, and +very truely, that there had been no rescue lately; but an invincible +reason existed for it, as no seizure had been lately made. When captain +Malcolm, more that a year and a half back, opposed in an armed manner, +the officers attempting to search his house, such a number of people +assembled about it, when he had got the officers out and shut his gates +against them, that they were glad to retreat without doing their +business. This defiance the of law passed unnoticed and unpunished, so +that the officers never afterward attempted to make a seizure, although +informations were not wanting, until the present time, when they were +ordered by their superiors. About a month after, a schooner was seized +for having thirty hogsheads of molasses on board, and was left at the +wharf in custody of two custom-house officers. July the eighth at night, +thirty men boarded her, confined the officers to the cabin, and carried +off the molasses. The town’s-people were dissatisfied that their +declarations concering the sloop Liberty, that she would have been safe +if left at the wharf, should be so soon falsified. The select men sent +for the master, and ordered him to return the molasses directly under +pain of the displeasure of the town. It was immediately done, and the +molasses put on board again, the day after it was conveyed away. + +The day before the town meeting of June the fourteenth, a committee of +both houses was appointed to inquire into the state of the province. +When they made their report, [30.] in speaking of the affair on Friday +the tenth, they said, “The seizure occasioned a number of people to be +collected, who, from the violence and unprecedentedness of the procedure +in carrying off the vessel, _&c._ took occasion to insult and abuse the +officers, and to commit other disorders, _&c._—Resolved, that though the +extraordinary circumstances of said seizure may extenuate the +criminality, yet being of a very criminal nature, and of dangerous +consequence, the two houses delare their utter abhorrence and +detestation of them and resolve that the governor be desired to direct +the attorney-general to prosecute all persons concerned in the said +riot, and that a proclamation be issued, offering a reward for making +discovery, so as the rioters or abettors may be brought to condign +punishment.” Neither rioters not abettors had any thing to fear from +either proclamation or prosecution; and knew themselves to be perfectly +safe, notwithstanding the report; but the politicians saw it was +expedient to say something to save appearances, and well-meaning persons +might join them, in the simplicity of their hearts, believing that the +others intended their words should be productive of the events to which +they seemingly pointed. At the sitting of the superior court in August, +the grand jury was found to have among them several of the abettors of +the Boston rioters, and particularly the famous captain Malcolm, a +circumstance that necessarily quashed all informations and prosecutions, +as it strongly foreboded their issue. + +The council in a letter to Lord _Hillsborough_ insinuated, that the +commissioners had concerted a plan, with the design of raising a +disturbance by the seizure of the sloop Liberty. The insinuation must be +placed to the ill will they bore to the commissioners, more than to any +thing beside. On the twenty-ninth of July, they said, “The commissioners +were not obliged to quit the town; there never had been any insult +offered to them; their quitting the town was a voluntary act of their +own; we do not apprehend there was any sufficient ground for their +quitting it.” But it appears from a manuscript in Mr. _Hutchinson_’s +hand writing, that the commissioners applied, December the nineteenth, +to each of the four judges of the superior court separately for their +opinions upon four questions; and that after having conferred together, +they were unanimously of opinion, + +“That from the spirit which had been excited in the populace against all +the commissioners of the customs, Mr. _Temple_ excepted, they could not +have remained long in safety at Boston after the seizure of the sloop +Liberty, but would have been in great danger of violence to their +persons and properties from a mob, which, at that time, it was generally +expected would be raised for that purpose: + +“That government was insufficient to restrain, suppress or punish the +several mobs, which had been assembled since the fourteenth of August, +1765; and that at the time of the commissioners retiring to the castle, +there was no probability that the same authority could have had any +greater force: + +“That they could not have returned to town, and executed their +commission with safety, at any time after they withdrew, before the +arrival of his majesty’s troops: + +“And that they knew of no better measure that they could have taken, +than retiring to Castle William.” + +Mr. _Temple_ was excepted, for he was not obnoxious to the populace, +being averse to the establishment of the board of commissioners, which +lessoned both his salary and his power. He wished the dissolution of it +and to be restored to his former place of surveyor general of the +customs. Though the rest of the commissioners could not have returned to +have executed their commission with safety, they might most probably +have returned and been safe, had they declined executing the same, which +however was not to be expected. They continued at, but were not confined +to the castle. They rode adout the country at pleasure, without any +interuption from the people. + +[June 15.] The commissioners wrote to general Gage, colonel Dalrymple, +and commodore Hood, desiring troops to support them in their office. +Whatever this application might contribute toward the sending of them, +yet it certainly did not give rise to it. Measures had been taken to +procure them long before. Mr. _Paxton_, when in London the preceding +year, told Mr. _Bollan_ repeatedly, that Mr. _Hutchinson_ and some other +of his friends were of opinion, that standing troops were necessary to +support the authority of the government at Boston; and that he was +authorised to inform him of this their opinion. Most probably he was +authorised to inform others also. Mr. _Bollan_ was against sending +troops, and when there was a talk of doing it, endeavoured to prevent +it, and freely related to a gentleman of considerable influence, what +some of the principal merchants said, that they who should send over the +standing troops, would certainly be cursed to all posterity.[98] But the +disposition of some to try the experiment was strengthened by a letter +from the commissioners to the lords of the treasury, received before the +riot happened; and rendered efficacious upon the arrival of governor +_Bernard_’s letters at the secretary’s office, especially that of March, +giving an aggravated detailed account of a terrible disturbance on the +joyous anniversary of the repeal of the stamp act, which general _Gage_, +in his letter of October to Lord _Hillsborough_, declared, from the best +intelligence he could procure, to have been trifling. When the matter +came to be considered, it was agreed to send troops to Boston. +Accordingly, Lord _Hillsborough_, in his secret and confidential letter +to Gen. _Gage_, [June 8.] wrote, “I am to signify to you his majesty’s +pleasure, that you do forthwith order one regiment, or such force as you +shall think necessary, to Boston, to be quartered in that town, and to +give every legal assistance to the civil magistrate, in the preservation +of the public peace, and to the officers of the revenue, in the +execution of the laws of trade and revenue; and as this appears to be a +service of a delicate nature, and possibly leading to consequences not +easily foreseen, I am directed by the king to recommend to you to make +choice of an officer for the command of those troops, upon whose +prudence, resolution and integrity, you can entirely rely.” And on the +eleventh, he informed the governor, that his majesty, from the +representation made by him and the commissioners of the customs, had +directed one regiment at least to be stationed in Boston, and to +garrison, and (if necessary) to repair the castle; and had ordered a +frigate, two sloops, and two cutters to repair to, and remain in the +harbour of Boston, for supporting and assisting the officers of the +customs in the execution of their duty. His lordship’s letter to Gage +being dated two days before the riot occasioned by the seizure of the +sloop Liberty, the order contained in it, could not possibly be founded +on such riot; though the riot, with the subsequent transactions of the +town, might be related as a reason in the resolves afterward drawn up, +exhibiting the necessity of sending a military force to Boston. But +persons in office are liable to fall into mistakes, through the +multiplicity and hurry of business, and for want of due consideration or +better intelligence. In this way you may account for his lordship’s +signing a circular letter, [Sept. 2.] to the governor and council of +_Rhode-Island_, to the following purpose—“Gentlemen, the king having +observed, that the governors of his colonies have, upon several +occasions, taken upon them to communicate to their councils and +assemblies, either the whole or parts of letters from his majesty’s +principal secretary of state, I have it in command to signify, that it +is his majesty’s pleasure that you do not, upon any pretence whatever, +communicate to the assembly, any copies or extracts of such letters, +unless you have his majesty’s particular directions.” This was soon +published in the _Providence_ Gazette after being received. That colony +chooses its own governor annually and he has neither right nor power to +with-hold from the assembly copies of any such letters. Upon another +occasion his lordship gave orders to the governor of _Pennsylvania_, in +case the assembly did not act conformable to what was expected, +immediately to dissolve them; whereas it is the inherent privilege of +that house to set on their own adjournments; and the governor has no +power to dissolve them. + +[Nov. 3.] A month after the arrival of the troops at _Boston_ Mr. +_Hancock_ was served with a precept for £.9000 sterling, by the marshal +of the court of admiralty. The marshal having arrested him, demanded +bail for £.3000. Five other gentlemen were arrested for the like sum. He +and the five others gave bail.—The commissioners prosecuted the supposed +owner, and each person they imagined concerned in unloading the wines, +for the value of the whole cargo and treble damages. The vessel seized +was restored after a long detention; and the suits in the courts of +admiralty dropped, March the twenty-sixth, 1769, by a declaration from +the king’s advocate, that his majesty would prosecute no further. It was +idle to think of supporting the prosecution by sufficient evidence. Want +of inclination or fear would prevent witnesses appearing, and corruption +would procure counterevidence from men of no principle, who would +justify themselves from the prosecution’s being built upon acts of +parliament, to which they supposed the colonies owed no obedience; and +would plead, as in too many instances is done at home, that it is not he +who takes, but he who imposes the oath, who is chargeable with the crime +of swearing falsely. The law would not allow the prosecuted any costs or +damages. In this case the allowance would have been unreasonable; the +innocence of the parties could not have been urged in its behalf. + +The colonists could not overlook the good effects produced by the former +non-importation agreement; and were earnest for playing off the same +engine against the new attempts of ministry, to saddle them with the +payment of taxes. About the beginning of April, several gentlemen of +_Boston_ and _New-York_, wrote to others at _Philadelphia_, in order to +learn, whether they would unite with them in stopping the importation of +goods from _Great-Britain_, until certain acts of parliament should be +repealed, which were thought to be injurious to their rights, as freemen +and British subjects. A numerous meeting of merchants followed, when an +address was read to them. It set forth the claims of the colonies, and +then went into an enumeration of grievances, which the colonists had +long borne, and seemed willing to forget, had they not been alarmed +afresh by the late proceedings of the ministry. The address remarked, +that, in the act obliging the several assemblies to provide quarters for +the soldiers, &c. a power is granted to every officer, upon obtaining a +warrant from any justice (which warrant the justice is empowered and +ordered to grant, without any previous oath) to break into any house by +day or by night, under pretence (these are the words of the act) of +searching for deserters. It pointed out to them the danger they were in, +of having erected over them a despotic government, to rule them as +slaves. It called upon them to deliberate, by what means they might +defend their rights and liberties, and obtain a repeal of the obnoxious +acts. It urged them to join in the measure proposed by their brethren of +_Boston_ and _New-York_; and closed with “_United we conquer, divided we +die_.” The _Pennsylvania_ merchants agreed with the other colonies in +opinion, that the revenue acts were unconstitutional; but declined +adopting the non-importation agreement, as they believed it to be +premature. They knew that multitudes in Great-Britain would suffer much +by a suspension of trade with her, whenever it should be carried into +execution; and judged that it ought not to be made use of but as the +last and most certain remedy, when petitions proved ineffectual. They +saw clearly that the acts were manifestly injurious to the British +trade, and hoped the parliament would therefore find it expedient to +repeal them; and were willing to allow a proper time for the repeals +being effected. These reasons induced them to refuse complying with the +solicitations of their neighbours. But the merchants and traders of +Philadelphia agreed upon a memorial, wherein they stated their +grievances, which was transmitted to their mercantile friends in London, +on whose assistance they relied for an application to government for +relief; and this they hoped to obtain as to some of the chief, though it +might not be all the articles of complaint. + +But the _Boston_ merchants and traders having been drawn in, partly by +their connections with the politicians and the fear of opposing the +popular stream, agreed upon a new subscription paper, [Aug. 1.] wherein +they engaged as follows:—“We will not send for or import from +Great-Britain, either upon our own account, or upon commissions, this +fall, any other goods than what are already ordered for the fall +supply.”—“We will not send for or import any kind of goods or +merchandise from Great-Britain, _&c._ from the first of January, 1769, +to the first of January, 1770, except salt, coals, fish-hooks and lines, +hemp and duck, bar lead and shot, wool-cards and card-wire.”—“We will +not purchase of any factor or others, any kind of goods imported from +Great-Britain, from January, 1769, to January, 1770.”—“We will not +import on our own account, or on commissions, or purchase of any, who +shall import from any other colony in America, from January, 1769, to +January, 1770, any tea, glass, paper or other goods commonly imported +from Great-Britain.”—“We will not, from and after the first of January, +1769, import into this province any tea, paper, glass, or painters +colours, until the act imposing duties on those articles shall be +repealed.” The subscription paper was carried about town; and, at +length, generally signed, though several respectable merchants remained +non-subscribers. The same month the _Connecticut_ and _New-York_ +merchants came into similar agreements; and those of _Salem_, the +beginning of September. Some merchants had undoubtedly the foresight to +provide for an abstinence from importation for a year, by unusually +large orders. + +A report having been spread that governor _Bernard_ had intimated his +apprehensions that one or more regiments were to be daily expected at +_Boston_, a meeting of the inhabitants was called, and a committee +appointed to wait on him to know the grounds of his apprehensions, and +to pray him to issue precepts forthwith for convening a general +assembly. He acknowledged his having received those informations which +produced such apprehensions, but said they were of a private nature. The +calling of another assembly he told them could not be complied with, +till his majesty’s commands were received. The answer being reported, it +was resolved, “That the freeholders, and other inhabitants of the town +of Boston, will, at the peril of their lives and fortunes, take all +legal and constitutional measures to defend all and singular the rights, +liberties, privileges, and immunities, granted in their royal charter.” +It was also declared to be the opinion of those present, “That a +suitable number of persons to act for them as a committee in convention, +with such as may be sent to join them from the other towns, should be +now chosen, in order that such measures may be consulted and advised, as +his majesty’s service, and the safety of the province may require.” It +was then voted, “That the select men of Boston should write to the +select men of the other towns, to acquaint them with the foregoing +resolutions, and to propose, that a convention be held at Fanueil-hall +in Boston, on the twenty-second instant.” It was afterward voted, “That, +as there is an apprehension, in the minds, of many, of an approaching +war with France, those inhabitants who are not provided, be requested to +furnish themselves forthwith with arms. + +[Sept. 22.] The _convention_, consisting of committees from ninety-six +towns and eight districts, met as proposed; and after conference and +consultation, petitioning the governor, declaring that they only +considered themselves as private persons, making loyal professions, +expressing their aversion to standing armies, to tumults and disorders, +their readiness to assist in suppressing riots and preserving the peace, +and recommending patience and regard to good order, they broke up and +went home on Thursday the twenty-ninth. Advice was received the day +before, that the men of war and transports from Halifax, with some +hundreds of troops, were safe arrived at Nantasket harbour, a few miles +below Castle William. Two days before the convention closed, they +dispatched a letter to Mr. _Berdi_, containing a representation of what +had taken place, with such papers and instructions as were judged most +suitable to the circumstances of their assembly. + +When the news was first received of troops being ordered to Boston, +broad hints were thrown out that they should never land; and to +strengthen the appearance of an intention to oppose them, a barrel was +placed upon the beacon, supposed to be a tar barrel, to have been fired +to call in the country upon the troops appearing, which was afterwards +found to be an empty nail barrel. Many of the deputies came down to the +convention, with instructions and dispositions to prevent the Bostonians +involving the province in the fatal consequences of their own furious +devices. Numbers were from the beginning sensible of the impropriety and +danger of their proceeding, and desirous by a moderate conduct, to +correct the one and ward off the other. The governor’s message to them +after their address, was high, and might tend to keep some of them in +awe, as the troops were thought to be at no great distance. When Mr. +_Otis_ joined them, instead of being violent he was quite moderate: and +when Mr. _Samuel Adams_ attempted to launch out into the same free and +unrestrained language to which he was accustomed in the house of +representatives, he was presently silenced. + +The convention having finished in the above manner, the persons just +named assumed to themselves the moderation of those whom they called +together for very different purposes. The governor himself was not +always wholly ignorant of what was going forward among the sons of +liberty. He kept up an acquaintance with some of them, and by that +means, at times, procured useful intelligence, while he gave his +informers the strongest assurance that their names should not be quoted, +nor any communication be made of it, which could make them suspected. +Too much occasion was given for this paragraph, which soon after +appeared in the New-York Journal. “I blame the Bostonians for having +given some room for the idle reports of their designing to oppose the +landing of the troops, by the ridiculous puff and bombast (for which our +eastern brethren have always been too famous) of warning every man to +provide himself with a good firelock, ammunition, &c. under the +disingenuous jesuitical pretence of the prospect of a French war, full +as absurd and hypocritical as is the pretence of a military +establishment in America for its protection and defence.” + +When the troops from Halifax were daily expected, the governor would +have prevailed upon the council to have provided quarters for them in +Boston, but they refused; and in answer to what he advanced, said, “the +troops are by act of parliament, to be quartered no where else but in +the barracks, until they are full: there are barracks enough at the +castle to hold both the regiments; and it is therefore against the act +to bring any of them into town.” However, the orders of general _Gage_ +to lieutenant-colonel _Dalrymple_ were positive to land one of them at +Boston. But in the interim, captain Montresor, the engineer arrived, +with letters of a subsequent date, from general Gage, for the governor +and the colonel, wherein the general mentioned, that it being reported +and believed from a number of private letters and the publications, that +the people in and about Boston had revolted, he had therefore sent the +captain to assist the forces, and enable them to recover and maintain +the castle, and such other posts as they could secure. Upon this the +colonel altered his plan, and concluded to land both regiments at Boston +without loss of time. The fleet therefore was immediately put into +motion, and the next morning commanded the whole town.—Every thing being +fully prepared, near upon fourteen[99] ships of war lying with their +broadsides to the town, having springs on their cables, and their guns +ready for firing instantly upon the place, in case of the least +opposition; about one o’clock at noon, October the first, the troops +began landing, under cover of the ships cannon, without molestation; and +having effected it, marched into the common, with muskets charged, +bayonets fixed, drums beating, fifes playing, &c. making with the train +of artillery, upward of 700 men. In the evening, the select men were +required to quarter the two regiments in town, but absolutely refused. +One of the regiments, however, being without their camp equipage, was +humanely permitted to enter Faneuil-hall and its chambers, about nine +o’clock at night, that so the men might enjoy a temporary shelter. The +next being Lord’s day, the town or state-house was opened in the +evening, by order of the governor, for the reception of the troops, who +took possession of all the chambers, except the one appropriated for the +meeting of the council. He certainly stretched his authority in several +points; but particularly in thus acting. This step was an insult not +only to the town, as it was a great annoyance to the gentlemen and +merchants, who had been accustomed to make the lower floor their +exchange, but to the whole colony, as the representatives chamber was +now possessed by the soldiery. After the quarters of the troops were +settled, the main-guard was posted directly opposite to, and not twelve +yards from the state-house with two field pieces pointed to it. It was +with no small indignation that the people beheld the representatives +chamber, court-house, and Faneuil-hall—seats of freedom and +justice—occupied by troops, and guards placed at the doors, and the +council passing through the guards in going to their own chamber. They +resented also the common’s being covered with tents, and alive with +soldiers; their marchings and counter-marchings to relieve the guards; +the town’s being a perfect garrison, and the inhabitants being +challenged by the sentinels, as they passed and repassed. Persons +devoutly inclined, complained much of being disturbed at public worship +on the sabbaths, with drums beating, and fifes playing, to which they +had never been accustomed in the Massachusetts. Quarters being obtained +for the troops, the council were required to provide barrack provisions +for them, agreeable to act of parliament; but resolutely declined going +into any measure which might be construed into a submission to the said +act. The opposition of the council to the quartering of, and providing +for the troops, was so encouraged and strengthened by Mr. _James +Bowdoin_, who was one of them, that Mr. _Hutchinson_, in his letter of +November 6, ascribed the whole to his management. It was thought that +the peaceable landing of the troops was not what some of the ministry +either expected or desired; and that they were in hopes, that the folly +and rage of the town and colony would have led them into an hostile +opposition, and thereby have afforded an opportunity for giving them +some naval and military correction. Under this apprehension, the +gentleman who delivered the first dispatches from governor Bernard, +containing the account of the troops having landed, &c. narrowly watched +the countenance and conduct of the person who read them, and was +confirmed in such opinion. But had he not possessed that opinion, it +might not have been excited by what he observed. The sentiments of the +military differed so extremely from those of the Bostonians, who were +unjustly viewed as rebelliously inclined, that it was not to be wondered +at that they were insulted and abused, and that quarrels should ensue, +tho’ they did not proceed soon to a dangerous height. Undoubtedly the +inhabitants could not be continually blameless; there would necessarily +be some rash and imprudent persons among such a multitude; but the +greatest rashness and imprudence lay in the sending of troops on a +service which could have been effectually and better executed by a naval +force properly stationed and employed. Ships of war might have possessed +the harbour till the commissioners could have executed their office with +safety. + +The committee of merchants in London paid a due attention to the +memorial sent them by the merchants and traders of Philadelphia, and +took pains to obtain relief from the grievances therein complained of, +though without effect. The department to which they applied, afforded +little hopes of redress in a way that might put an end to the +differences that had arisen between Great-Britain and her American +colonies. The act imposing duties on glass, paper, &c. was acknowledged +to be inexpedient; but it was added, “Such has been the unjustifiable +conduct of some in America, that the present juncture is not a proper +season for a repeal.” Administration was firmly resolved to oppose it +with their utmost strength, while it should be insisted on by threats on +the part of the colonists, for in that light they consider the steps +which had been taken by them to obtain redress It was said, “If a proper +disposition appears in the colonies, and their merchants, in a +succeeding session, shall think proper to petition parliament on the +principle of expediency only, there is every reason to believe that no +part of administration will object to the repeal.” But the minister did +not declare what was the proper disposition he expected. No sooner were +the Philadelphians apprised, by the receipt of this information, that no +hope remained of a repeal in that session, than they unanimously entered +into the very agreement, which some months before, when proposed to +them, they had declined; and it was their opinion, that as the agreement +had been formed on mature deliberation, the people of the province would +firmly adhere to it. Of this they gave notice to the committee of +merchants in London, by letter of April 8, 1769. In that letter, +remarking upon the information they had received, they wrote—“It would +become persons in power to consider, whether even the unjustifiable +behavior of those who think themselves aggrieved, will justify a +perseverance in a matter confessed to be wrong. Certain it is, that the +wisdom of government is better manifested, its honor and authority +better maintained and supported, by correcting the errors it may have +committed, than by persisting in them, and thereby risking the loss of +the subjects affections. We are apprehensive that persons in power are +greatly abused, and that the people of America have been grossly +misrepresented, otherwise the steps which they have taken to obtain +redress, could never be looked upon as threats. Threats they never +intended; but as all the American colonies were equally affected, it was +thought that their joint petitions would have more weight; and for this +end the several assemblies communicated their sentiments to each other. +This step, to the inexpressible surprise of all America, is represented +as “a flagitious attempt, a measure of a most dangerous and factious +tendency, &c. The dissolution of assemblies that followed, and the +measures pursued to enforce the acts in America, awakened the fears, and +exasperated the minds of the people to a very great degree. They +therefore determined not only to defeat the intent of the acts, by +refraining from the use of those articles on which duties were laid, but +to put a stop to the importation of goods from Great-Britain. This is +the only threat we know of; and if this is sufficient to engage the +ministry to oppose a repeal of the acts, we apprehend the ministry must, +by a change of measures, endeavour to regain the affections of the +people before they can be induced to alter their determinations.” + +“The Americans consider themselves as British subjects, entitled to all +the rights and privileges of freemen. They think there can be no liberty +without a security of property; and that there can be no property, if +any can, without their consent, deprive them of the hard-earned fruits +of their labour. They know that they have no choice in the election of +the members of parliament; and from their situation never can have any. +Every act of parliament therefore, that is made for raising a revenue in +America, is in their opinion, depriving them of their property without +their consent, and consequently is an invasion of their liberty.” + +“If then the acts cannot be repealed while the ministry objects, and if +to remove the objections the Americans must give up their sentiments, we +must candidly confess we have little hopes of a repeal ever taking +place; much less it is to be expected, that the merchants will presume +to petition parliament on the principle of inexpediency only, when every +assembly on the continent are applying for a repeal on the principle of +_right_.” + +“Happy had it been for both countries if the idea of raising taxes in +America had never been started; however, if the acts complained of are +repealed, and no other of the like nature are attempted hereafter the +present unhappy jealousies will, we believe, quickly subside, and the +people of both countries in a short time, return to their usual good +humor, confidence and affection.” + +If ministry thought that the resolves of the house of lords, the +preceding December, would have put a stop to non-importation agreements +and the spirited exertions of the colonists, they soon found themselves +much mistaken. It can scarce be imagined, but that some of the +Philadelphia gentlemen had received the account of such resolves; for +the above letter was in answer to London ones of January 4th and 26th, +and yet they proceeded as has been related. + +The resolve censured the votes, resolutions and proceedings of the house +of representatives of _Massachusetts_ of January and February; as also +the declarations, resolutions and proceedings in the town of _Boston_. +They pronounced the election of deputies to sit in convention, and the +meeting of such convention, daring insults offered to his majesty’s +authority, and audacious usurpations of the powers of government. The +lords then ordered an humble address to be presented to his majesty, in +which they expressed their satisfaction in the measure his majesty had +pursued; gave him the strongest assurances, that they would effuctually +support him in such further ones as might be found necessary to maintain +the civil magistrates, in a due execution of the laws, within the +Massachusetts Bay; and beseeched him to direct the governor to take the +most effectual methods for procuring the fullest information, touching +all treasons committed within that government since the 30th of +December, 1767, and to transmit the same, with the names of the persons +most active in the commission of such offences; in order that his +majesty might issue a special commission for hearing and determining the +said offences, within the realm, pursuant to the statute of the 35th +year of _Henry_ VIII. + +The resolutions and address were sent down to the house of commons for +their concurrence. Colonel _Barre_ opposed them; and directing himself +to the ministry, said, “Away with these partial resentful trifles, +calculated to irritate, not to quell or appease, inadequate to their +purpose, unworthy of us! Why will you endeavor to deceive yourselves and +us? You know that it is not this place only that disputes your right, +but every part. They tell you, that you have no right from one end of +the continent to the other. My sentiments of this matter you well know. +Consider well what you are doing. Act openly and honestly. Tell them you +will tax them, and that they must submit. Do not adopt this little, +insidious, futile plan. They will despise you for it.” However on the +ninth of February, they were agreed to and returned with some +amendments; and the address was ordered to be presented to both houses. +The _Massachusetts_, with becoming firmness, constantly asserted their +rights, which drew down upon them ministerial vengeance. They had no +general assembly when the resolves and address reached America, the last +having been dissolved for refusing to comply with the mandate to +rescind, and the time appointed by charter for calling another not being +arrived. But the _Virginia_ house of burgesses entered upon the subject. +They met on the eighth of May, and on the sixteenth took into serious +consideration the state of the colony, being alarmed at the distress in +which all America was likely to be involved. They came to several +necessary resolutions, copies of which they gave their speaker, with +particular directions to transmit them without delay to the speakers of +the several houses of assembly on the continent; whose concurrence in +the like was requested. + +The resolves express, “That the sole right of imposing taxes on the +inhabitants of the colony, is now, and ever hath been legally and +constitutionally vested in the house of burgesses, with consent of the +council, and of the king, or his governor for the time being—That it is +the privilege of the inhabitants to petition their sovereign for redress +of grievances, and that it is lawful to procure the concurrence of his +majesty’s other colonies in dutiful addresses, praying the royal +interposition in favor of the violated rights of America—That all trials +for treason, misprison of treason, or for any felony or crime +whatsoever, committed by any person residing in said colony, ought to be +in and before his majesty’s courts within said colony; and that the +seizing any person residing in the colony, suspected of any crime +whatsoever, committed therein and sending such person to places beyond +the sea to be tried, is highly derogatory of the rights of British +subjects, as thereby the inestimable privilege of being tried by a jury +from the vicinage, as well as the liberty of producing witnesses on such +trial, will be taken away from the party accused.” These resolutions +were followed by a humble address to his majesty, beseaching his royal +interposition to quiet the minds of his royal subjects in the colony, +and to avert those dangers and miseries which will ensue from seizing +and carrying beyond sea the inhabitants of America, to be tried in any +other manner than by the ancient and long established mode of +proceeding. + +[May 17.] The next day Lord _Bottetourt_ sent for them, and said, “Mr. +speaker, and gentlemen of the house of burgesses, I have heard of your +resolves, and augur ill of their effects. You have made it my duty to +dissolve you, and you are dissolved accordingly.” The gentlemen who +composed the house, being, reduced by the dissolution to private +persons, repaired immediately to another place, that so they might +consider what measures were proper to be taken, and chose the late +speaker _Peyton Randolph_, esq. moderator. + +[18.] They entered into an association unanimously [which they +subscribed and recommended to all merchants, gentlemen, traders and +others] against importing any goods taxed, and many other articles; +against wines, against importing and purchasing negroes, &c. + +The next month the Maryland gentlemen and merchants entered into a +non-importation agreement similar to the Virginian. + +The _South-Carolinians_ followed the example. + +The inhabitants of _Charlestown_ broke off all commerce with the _Rhode +Islanders_ and _Georgians_, whom they charged with having acted a most +singularly infamous part, from the beginning of the present glorious +struggle for the preservation of American rights. This had its effect, +and _Georgia_ came into the non-importation agreement September the +nineteenth; _Providence_, October the tenth; but _Rhode-Island_ not till +the thirtieth. + +[Oct.] The _North-Carolina_ assembly came to the like resolution with +the _Virginia_ house of burgesses, for which governor _Tryon_ dissolved +them. Upon that, the gentlemen who had composed it, repaired to the +court-house, chose the late speaker moderator, and came to a resolution +for an association against importing, _&c._ comformable to what had been +done elsewhere. Thus the non-importation agreement became general, and +was forwarded by the very means applied for its prevention. Meetings of +the associators were regularly held. Committees were appointed to +examine the cargoes of all vessels arriving from Britain; and regular +votes and resolutions of censure were passed in those meetings, upon +such as refused to concur in the associations, and their names published +in the newspapers as enemies to their country. The decrees of those +committees met with a respect and obedience denied to the constitutional +authority of government. In some cases goods imported from Britain were +locked up in warehouses, under the care of the committees, and in a few +instances returned. _Portsmouth_, the only sea-port in _New-Hampshire_, +never came into the non-importation agreement. Governor _Wentworth_ had +address enough to prevent it, and keep all quiet. There are few private +schools in that colony, and the bulk of the people are very illiterate. +If a person can write a note of hand, read a chapter, and cypher to the +rule of three, he passes for a man of learning. Men, whose capacities +remain small for want of use and improvement, and who have little +knowledge, are liable to be duped by those who possess superior rank and +abilities. The associations were as general, and in common as well +observed as could reasonably be expected, considering the disadvantages +and losses they necessarily occasioned to many. But it is not to be +thought, that there were no collusions; that all the goods belonging to +the professing sons of liberty, which were stored, remained in the +warehouses, without being conveyed out upon particular occasions, and to +serve certain purposes; that all, who had given their names or honors +not to import, did not privately order some of the prohibited articles +to please themselve, families or neighbours; that when, some months +afterward, the zeal of the daughters of liberty in several of the +colonies, proscribed the drinking of tea, and rendered the disuse of it +a universal fashion, all were so true to their engagements, as not to +sip their green or bohea in secret, or under a new name; and that all +who associated or agreed to the storing of their goods, did it +voluntarily and without compulsion. The fear or appearance of a mob +often produced a compliance in persons who would gladly have retained +their goods till they could have turned the same into cash; and brought +them to own, that they were willing that they should be stored, just as +they would have been willing at sea to have thrown them overboard to +escape personal shipwreck. The committees had the arts of persuasion; +and in some places their most powerful arguments for reducing the +obstinate were not known to be used by them. + +The importer is sent for, and desired to come into the agreement; he +declines; he must sell; his livelihood depends upon it. Arguments are +used for his complying, and he is urged, soothed and entreated; but it +avails nothing. He is determined at all hazards to dispose of his goods +as purchasers offer. Some of the mobility, or their leaders, are told, +that the importer cannot be prevailed upon. In a day or two he finds +himself surrounded; in danger of an assault; is terrified; inquires the +reason; and upon learning it, hurries to the committee; begs their +interposition; complies with what was before desired of him; hopes that +they will restore him to the good graces of his fellow townsmen or +citizens, and thanks them for their promised assistance, not in the +least suspecting the depth of their contrivance. Every committee +however, had not this prudent forecast, whereby to accomplish their +designs without exposing their own characters. + +We have hitherto omitted recording the transactions of the +_Massachusetts_ assembly in the persent year, the _Virginia_ house of +burgesses demanding a prior attention, but now proceed to them. + +[May 31.] The general court being called together according to charter, +a committee from the house of representatives remonstrated to his +excellency, “That an armament by sea and land investing this metropolis +(_Boston_) and a military guard with cannon pointed to the door of the +state house where the assembly is held, are inconsistent with that +dignity and freedom with which they have a right to deliberate, consult, +and determine. They expect that your excellency will, as his majesty’s +representative, give effectual orders for the removal of the above +mentioned forces by sea and land out of this port, and the gates of this +city during the session of the said assembly.” The governor returned for +answer, “gentlemen, I have no authority over his majesty’s ships in this +port, or his troops within this town.” + +[June 1.] He negatived eleven of the persons elected to form the +council. + +[13.] The house in a message to him declared—“The use of the military +power to enforce the execution of the laws, is, in the opinion of this +house, inconsistent with the spitit of a free constitution, and the very +nature of government. This military force is uncontroulable by any +authority in the province: it is then a power without any check here, +and therefore it is so far absolute. What privilege! what security then +is left to this house!” + +It was not urged, whatever the case might admit; “The governor is the +king’s _locum tenens_, and his office entire. The chief civil and +military authority being by the British and our constitution +inseparable, the king cannot serve them. An independent military tends +to the utter overthrow of the civil power. The operations of the great +seal, which is _clavis regni_, cannot be controlled by the privy seal, +the king’s signet, sign manuel, or significations of his pleasure by his +secretary; in other words, our charter cannot be infringed by any of +these.” + +The house firmly declined doing business surrounded with an armed force, +so that the governor the next day adjourned the court to Cambridge. + +[July 6.] His excellency sent a message to them, with the accounts of +the expenditures already incurred by quartering his majesty’s troops, +desiring funds to be provided for discharging the same, and required a +provision for the further quartering the forces in Boston and +Castle-Island, according to act of parliament. + +[7.] The house of assembly, as though they meant by it to despise the +parliamentary resolves, no less than maintain their own privileges, +passed a number of resolves, and among them the following: + +“That a general discontent on account of the revenue acts, an +expectation of a sudden arrival of a military power to enfore said acts, +an apprehension of the troops being quartered upon the inhabitants, the +general court dissolved, the governor refusing to call a new one, and +the people almost reduced to a state of despair, rendered it highly +expedient and necessary for the people to convene by their committees; +to associate, consult, and advise the best means to promote peace and +good order; to present their united complaints to the throne, and +jointly to pray for the royal interposition in favor of their violated +rights. Nor can this procedure possibly be illegal, as they expressly +disclaim all governmental acts: + +“That the establishment of a standing army in this colony, in time of +peace, is an invasion of natural rights: + +“That a standing army is not known as a part of the British +constitution: + +“That sending an armed force into the colony, under pretence of +assisting the civil authority, is highly dangerous to the people, +unprecedented and unconstitutional.” + +The last is the same with that of Virginia. + +[12.] The governor called upon them to answer, whether they would or +would not make provision for the troops. + +[15.] The house, by message, after remarking upon the mutiny or +billeting act, answered, “As we cannot consistently with our own honor +or interest, much less with the duty we owe to our constituents, so we +never shall make any provision of funds for the purposes in your several +messages.” Upon that the governor prorogued them to the tenth of +January, to meet at Boston. + +_South-Carolina_ assembly, no less than the _Massachusetts_, ventured to +disobey the mutiny act, and adopted similar resolutions to those of +_Virginia_. The _Maryland_ lower house entered partly into similar ones, +but the last was omitted, and the first more strongly expressed. The +_Delaware_ counties early followed the lead of _Virginia_, and adopted +their last resolve _verbatim_; and toward the close of the year, the +_New-York_ assembly concurred in their resolves with Virginia. + +The proposal of parliament for transporting persons from America in +order to trial in _Great-Britain_, pursuant to the statute of _Henry_ +VIII. excited a general alarm through the continent. The procedure they +recommended was not wholly without precedent. The case of Culpeper has +been already related. Under queen Anne, in 1710, the ringleaders of an +unnatural contention in _Antigua_, wherein the governor was murdered, +were brought to Great-Britain, tried, and many of them convicted and +executed upon this statute. Precedents, however, will never reconcile +sensible men to practices which, though legal, are fraught with cruelty, +and liable to the most horrid abuses. Beside, the statute was become +obsolete. + +The _Virginia_ house of burgesses, in their address to his majesty, +expressed themselves with propriety upon this subject—“When we consider, +that by the established laws and constitution of this colony the most +ample provision is made for apprehending and punishing all those who +shall dare to engage in any treasonable practices against your majesty, +or disturb the tranquility of government; we cannot, without horror, +think of the unusual, and permit us, with all humility, to add +unconstitutional and illegal mode recommended to your majesty, of +seizing and carrying beyond the sea, the inhabitants of America +suspected of any crime, and of trying such persons in any other manner +than by the ancient and long established course of proceedings; for how +truly deplorable must be the case of a wretched American, who having +incurred the displeasure of any one in power, is dragged from his native +home and his dearest domestic connections, thrown into a prison, not to +wait his trial before a court, jury or judges, from a knowledge of whom +he is encouraged to hope for a speedy justice, but to exchange his +imprisonment in his own country for fetters among strangers. Conveyed to +a distant land, where no friend, no relation will alleviate his +distresses, or minister to his necessities, and where no witness can be +found to testify his innocence; shunned by the reputable and honest, and +consigned to the society and converse of the wretched and abandoned, he +can only pray, that he may soon end his misery with his life.” + +We have been reviewing the noble and animated proceedings of the +_Virgians_ and others in behalf of liberty; and cannot but regret that +the existence of slavery and its effects among them, should administer +the least occasion for any one’s writing concerning them. “The last +resolves of the Virginia burgesses deserve a very hard name. It is +indeed laughable, to see a few dissipated bashaws, tyrants over a parcel +of wretched negro slaves, meet together and give themselves airs against +Great-Britain upon the subject of liberty—this applies to all the +southern colonies. The spirit of independence in _New-England_, is more +consistent and characteristic of the people; but _Virginia_, and the +_Carolinas_ are but _petit maitres_ in the business.”[100] + +It is time to cross the Atlantic, and advert to what was doing in +_Britain_. An attempt in the house of commons, to bring on a repeal of +the obnoxious act before the session closed, proved ineffectual. It was +objected from every quarter, that it was not a proper time. Lord +_North_’s language upon the occasion was, “However prudence or policy +may hereafter induce us to repeal the late paper and glass act, I hope +we shall never think of it _till we see_ AMERICA _prostrate at our +feet_.” When the session was over, the ministry, with a view, it might +be, of soothing the Americans into a better temper, managing their +respective assemblies, and bringing them to retract their resolutions, +and open the trade as before, gave out, that at the next session the +American grievances should be redressed; and lord _Hillsborough_ wrote a +circular letter to every colony [May 13.] mentioning “their intention to +propose, in the next session of parliament, taking off the duties upon +glass, paper and colours, upon consideration of such duties having been +laid contrary to the true principles of commerce; and assuring each, +that his majesty’s ministers, “at no time entertained a design to +propose to parliament to lay any further taxes on America, for the +purpose of raising a revenue.” Lord _Botetourt_ following the directions +he had received, so to explain measures as might re-establish mutual +confidence and affection between Great-Britain and her colonies, made +the matter known to the _Virginia_ house of burgesses in a speech, and +then declared, “It is my firm opinion that the plan which I have stated +to you will certainly take place, and that it will never be departed +from. I shall exert every power with which I am or ever may be legally +invested, in order to obtain and maintain, for the continent of America, +that satisfaction which I have been authorised to promise this day, by +the confidential servants of our gracious sovereign, who, to my certain, +knowledge, rates his honor so high, that he would rather part with his +crown, than preserve it by deceit.” The house, in their address to him, +expressed their hope and confidence in a manner that implied fear and +distrust; but willing to make the best improvement of what his lordship +said, closed with—“We esteem your lordship’s information, not only as +warranted, but even sanctified by the royal word.” The conduct of +ministry contained the idea of a public renunciation of all further +future taxation of America for a revenue; and the house appeared to view +it in that light. + +But the circular letter was far from satisfying the American sons of +liberty in general. The evident exception of the duty on tea, and the +professed design of repealing upon commercial principles, excited their +apprehensions, and confirmed them in the opinion, that the ground of +present grievances was not to be abandoned, but to be reserved for a +future opportunity of making fresh essays for the imposition of internal +taxes. The merchants and traders, therefore, of _Boston_, soon after the +knowledge of it, called a meeting, and unanimously voted, that the +taking off the duties on the articles of glass, paper, and colours, +would by no means relieve the trade from the difficulties it was under. +They then confirmed their former agreement, to send for no goods +contrary thereto, unless the revenue acts were repealed. + +Though the testimony of the Pennsylvania assembly against the resolves +of parliament, and in favor of the Virginia resolves, the repeal of all +the revenue acts, and a redress of all grievances, was wanting; yet the +Philadelphia committee of merchants, whose character and influence in +the present business weighed more than that of the assembly, failed not +to express their minds fully to the committee in London, long after the +circulatory letter was a matter of notoriety. They thus wrote [November +25.] “Though we are not favored with an answer to our letter of the +eighth of April last, yet as the liberty of America is at stake, and the +minds of the people here are much agitated, and as the continuation of +the unhappy dispute between the parliament and the colonies must not +only affect your and our interest, but the general interest and +happiness of both countries, we think it our duty to apply to you again, +and earnestly request you would use your best endeavors with those in +the administration, to restore tranquility, and re-establish the +colonies in the enjoyment of their ancient rights and privileges. We are +very sensible that the prosperity of the colonies depends upon their +union and connection with Great-Britain. In this sentiment all the +Amecans concur, yet they cannot bring themselves to think, that for this +reason they ought to be divested of liberty and property. Yet this must +be the case, if the parliament can make laws to bind the colonies in all +cases whatever—can levy taxes upon them without their consent, dispose +of the revenues thus raised without their controul, multiply officers at +pleasure, and assign them fees to be paid without, nay, contrary to and +in direct violation of acts of assembly regularly passed by the colonies +and approved by the crown—can enlarge the power of admiralty courts, +divert the usual channels of justice, deprive the colonists of trials by +a jury of their countrymen, in short, break down the barriers which +their forefathers have erected against arbitrary power, and enforce +their edicts by fleets and armies. To such a system of government the +Americans cannot tamely submit; not from an impatience of subordination, +a spirit of independence, or want of loyalty to their king; for in a +quiet submission to just government, in zeal, affection, and attachment +to their king, the people of the colonies dare to vie with any of the +best of their fellows-subjects; but from an innate love of liberty and +the British constitution. + +“In our last we intimated our fears that the ministry were greatly +abused, and the people of America grossly misrepresented, by some who +did not wish well either to Great-Britain or the colonies. The letters +of one of our American governors (Bernard) and the memorials of a board +lately erected among us, not to mention other documents laid before the +public, evince that our fears were but too well grounded. From these it +is apparent, that every sly art has been used to incense the ministry +against the colonies; every argument that malice could invent has been +urged to induce them to overturn the ancient foundations of liberty. +Nay, to compass their base ends, they have declared in express terms, +and taken uncommon pains to make the ministry believe, that “there has +been a long concerted and extensive plan of resistance to the authority +of Great-Britain in all the provinces, and that a seizure made at Boston +had hastened the people there to the commission of actual violence +sooner than was intended. + +“In justice to the province where we reside, and indeed to all America, +we beg leave to assure you, that such representations are without any +just foundation, and that nothing can be a greater deviation from truth. +Though at the same time we confess, that the ends accomplished by these +and such like infamous slanders and vile arts, have given a general +alarm, and caused a universal uneasiness in the minds of the Americans. +They now see a rod of power held over their heads; they begin to feel +the severities of a court, that by its late enlarged jurisdiction is +empowered to break in upon the proceedings of the common law courts; and +they have anxious fears for the existence of their assemblies, which +they consider as their last and only bulwark against arbitrary power. +For if, say they, laws can be made, money levied, government supported, +and justice administered, without the intervention of assemblies, of +what use can they be? They are no essential member of the constitution. +And being useless and unessential, is there not reason to fear they will +quickly become disagreeable and then be wholly laid aside? And when that +happens, what security have we for freedom, or what remains for the +colonists, but the most abject slavery? + +“These are not the reasonings of politicians, but the sentiments and +language of the people in general. For with great truth we may say, in +no country is the love of liberty more deeply rooted, or the knowledge +of the rights inherent to freemen more generally diffused, and the +principles of freedom and government better understood than among the +British American colonies. + +“For this reason we think ourselves obliged to inform you, that though +the merchants have confined their agreements to the repeal of the act +laying a duty on tea, paper, glass, &c. yet nothing less than a repeal +of all the revenue acts, and putting things on the same footing they +were before the late innovations, can or will satisfy the minds of the +people. The fleets and armies may overawe our towns; admiralty courts +and boards of commissioners, with their swarms of underlings, may by a +rigorous execution of severe unconstitutional acts, ruin our commerce, +and render America of little use to the people of Britain; but while +every farmer is a freeholder, the spirit of liberty will prevail, and +every attempt to divest them of the privileges of freemen, must be +attended with consequences injurious to the colonies and the mother +country. + +“In a matter of so great importance you will excuse this freedom. We +consider the merchants here and in England, as the links of the chain +that binds both countries together. They are deeply concerned in +preserving the union and connection.—Whatever tends to alienate the +affections of the colonists, or to make them averse to the customs, +fashions, and manufactures of Britain, hurts their interest. While some, +therefore, from ambitious views and sinister motives, are laboring to +widen the breach, we whose private interest is happily connected with +the union, or which is the same, with the peace and prosperity of both +countries, may be allowed to plead for an end to these unhappy disputes; +and that by a repeal of the offensive acts, the cause of jealousy and +uneasiness may be removed, tranquility restored, harmony and mutual +affection re-established, and trade return to its usual channel.” + +The names of the committee on the back of the draft from which the above +has been copied, were, _Alexander Huston_, _John Rhea_, _John Cox_, +_John Gibson_, _Joseph Swift_, _James Mease_, _J. M. Nesbit_, _William +West_, _Robert Morris_, _Charles Thomson_, _Daniel Benezet_, _William +Fisher_, _George Roberts_, _Samuel Howell_, and _Thomas Mifflin_. + +The stationing of troops in _Boston_ might afford greater personal +security to the commissioners than what they could otherwise have +enjoyed, and might induce them or their underlings to exceed the bounds +of their commission, or of prudence, but could not prevent smuggling, or +protect informers from insult and abuse. Even skippers, bound to +different parts of the colony, had their vessels stopt and libelled, for +having uncleared articles of trifling consequence on board. Persons who +ventured to lodge informations, when discovered, were often subject to a +treatment which gave them a ridiculous appearance, and laid them under a +difficulty to clear themselves of the dress imposed upon them. They were +stripped, well tarred, and then covered with feathers. The punishment +took so with the lower class of people, that afterward it was not +confined to informers, but was also applied by them to others who +offended their dread majesty. There was a degree of intemperance and +indiscreetness on the part of the commissioners and custom-house +officers, which tended to irritate; whereas the utmost lenity and +forbearance were requisite in order to general tranquility. Mr. _Eliot_, +at _New-York_, where smuggling was as prevalent as at Boston, found it +necessary to wink at many irregularities, that he might prevent +disturbances and ill humor among the body of merchants. The +commissioners expressed their dissatisfaction, and wanted him to alter +his line of conduct: he stated the case to a friend at home, and by his +influence was secured from such like directions in future. They +transmitted to Britain such representations of Mr. _Otis_, jun. as +provoked him to insert a publication in the Boston gazette, which +brought on an affray at the coffee-house between him and Mr. _Robinson_, +one of the commissioners, from the latter’s attempting to pull the other +by the nose, because of some expressions in the said publication. Mr. +Robinson being in danger of coming off with the worst, several of the +company fell upon Mr. Otis; some of whom held him, while others struck +him with canes or different weapons. A friend passing along, observed +what was doing, pressed in and rescued Mr. Otis, though he himself +suffered considerably from the assailants. The noise soon drew +multitudes about the house, when Mr. Robinson and his associates +prudently retreated by means of a backdoor.[101] This procedure of the +revenue officers (for no military one was present) opened a large field +of altercation and multiplied quarrels, which were before too frequent +between the king’s officers and the leaders of opposition. + +Governor _Bernard_ could carry nothing in the govermental way through +the presence of the troops, but was continually losing ground, and +growing more and more obnoxious to the inhabitants; so that he was +abused in scurrilous publications, for which the Boston gazette was +notorious. They were craftily calculated for the meridian where they +first appeared, and suited the too levelling disposition of the +_Bay-men_; after the politicians had encouraged a spirit of +licentiousness, in order to weaken the force of government, and +counteract the designs carrying on against their liberties: but their +want of decency offended many of the sons of liberty in the other +colonies. Heavy threats were also thrown out against the governors +personal safety. Of these however he was regardless; and being asked by +a friend, how he could venture to walk about alone at his country seat, +only five miles from the center of Boston, and whether he was not +afraid, he answered, “No, they are not a blood-thirsty people.” + +At length it was thought proper to recal him, as said, to lay before his +majesty the true state of the province: this he signified to the +assembly in the month of June. Before they were prorogued they embraced +the occasion for drawing up a petition to his majesty in which, after +complaints of him, they entreated that he might be for ever removed from +the goverment of the province. When his letters, written home in +confidence, came to be exposed to public view, it would have argued +great weakness to have continued him, unless it was designed to adopt +his plans, and support him by force at all adventures. Governor Bernard +was too open, and had too little command of his temper; and suffered his +resentment to get the better of what ought to have been his political +judgment. Every governor should divest himself of resentment, especially +in his public capacity, as his own happiness, and that of the governed +require it. + +Men of spirit may be drawn, when they will not be forced—Sir Francis, +instead of aiming his censures at individuals, directed them against +whole bodies. Thus he charged the council with servility to the +populace, the pleasing of whom, he said, was the rule of their conduct, +and also both houses of the general assembly expressly, in his speeches, +with oppugnation against the royal authority, declaring that they had +left gentlemen out of the council, only for their fidelity to the crown. +Such charges strengthened the hands of those whom he most opposed, by +touching the honor of the whole. Had they been true, they should have +been suppressed or mentioned only in private; but though the substance +of them even was true, when applied to individuals, it might be +otherwise when applied to the body, the majority of whom might act upon +different principles. Political leaders frequently throw out motives, by +which to catch and conduct the well-intentioned, differing from those by +which they themselves are actuated. Sir Francis did not possess those +mollifying arts which the ferment of the times required; and was more +ready to aggravate disorders than to apologize for them. It was common +for him in his official letters, to stile the opposition the faction, +even while he owned that it comprehended the majority of the assembly. A +parental governor would have thrown in many hints to have lessened the +displeasure of persons in power, on account of offences committed at +three thousand miles distance, under an enthusiastic attachment to the +cause of liberty, at a period when divers outrages were perpetrated at +home, by mobs in various parts of the kingdom. He evinced too great an +inclination to make the worst of every thing; and at times hearkened to +and transmitted the strangest rumours. He was a principal instrument in +bringing the troops to Boston. It was a favorite measure with him and +the lieutenant governor long before it was executed. While he professed +himself a friend to the province, he was endeavoring to undermine its +constitution, and to obtain an essential alteration in the charter, +through an appointment of the council by the king, instead of its +continuing in the election of the general court, where the +representatives of the people necessarily carried it, whenever they +united. + +Toward the end of June he had the fairest opportunity of getting the +troops removed from the Massachusetts, but opposed the measure. General +Gage desired general Mackay to consult with him concerning the necessity +of continuing the troops at Boston, and to procure his opinion in +writing, whether his majesty’s service required that troops should +remain there any longer, and what number, whether one or two regiments. +It is impossible to express his surprise at the proposition. The +knowledge of it, so far as it reached, occasioned a consternation among +the civil officers of government, its friends, and the importers of +goods from Great-Britain. Gage, in a letter, requested his opinion, and +assured him he should not publish it, or make it known on this side the +Atlantic. He immediately answered, that he had no hesitation to declare +his opinion that it would be detrimental to his majesty’s service to +remove any of the two regiments remaining; and that it would be quite +ruinous to the cause of the crown to draw all the troops out of Boston; +but that he was inclined to think, that a regiment in town, and another +at the castle, might be sufficient. He had time enough in which to have +ripened a plan with the court for the removal of the troops, to the joy +of the country, and with safety to the civil officers and supporters of +government. But he too early for his own peace and the happiness of his +government, deviates from the line of conduct marked out for him by lord +Halifax immediately after his appointment, when it was recommended to +him to see and converse with governor Pownal, of whom his lordship wrote +in the same letter, “It is impossible to pursue a better plan of +government than what he directed himself by.” However, his conduct was +so agreeable to the ministry, that a title was secured him. He was +created a baronet, March the twentieth, 1769; and his majesty took upon +himself the whole expence of passing the patent, which added greatly to +the honor done him, as it was a favor seldom or ever before granted. Sir +Francis, during his eleven years residence in America, made very little +advance in his estate. The Boston sons of liberty had great advantages +against him, from the early intelligence procured by the supposed author +of Junius Americanus, and forwarded for safety under an unsuspected +coarse paper cover, to Mr. Thomas Bromfield, glover, at Boston. Sir +Francis was astonished to find that the contents of his letters from +ministry were known by them as soon as by himself. When he embarked from +the castle on board the Rippon man of war, for Great-Britain, August the +first, few lamented his departure. Even his friend, the lieutenant +governor, Mr. Hutchinson, regretted not his recal; by it he gained an +opening for succeeding to the chair, to which he had been long looking, +and was in hopes of being advanced. + +Boston and New-York entered into the non-importation agreement so early +as August the preceding year; before the present was out they began to +be embarrassed, and numbers grew weary of their engagement. Advantage +was taken of these circumstances. The British officers, either of their +own thought, or through hints from home, offered merchants the liberty +of having their goods directed to them, as though intended for the army; +and many were got in under that cover, especially at New-York. Several +persons imported into Boston and sold freely, without its being +particularly noticed, while a few only were called to an account and +exposed in the newspapers. This occasioned an alarm; and the people +assembled at Faneuil-hall [Jan. 23, 1770.] in consequence of a +notification, upon the business of preventing the non-importation +agreement’s being rendered abortive. + +Mr. _Theophilus Lillie_, observing the gross partiality which prevailed +in suffering some to sell, while a few others were proscribed; +determined upon selling his goods also. To point him out as inimical to +the agreement, and a person whose shop was to be shunned, a piece of +pageantry was placed before the door. Mr. _Richardson_, attempting to +remove it, was driven into his house by a number of boys, and there +attacked by stones through the windows. Provoked, rather than endangered +by the assault, he fired and killed _Christopher Snider_ [Feb. 22.] a +lad of eleven years old, who was recorded in the public prints as the +first martyr to the noble cause of liberty. The boy was buried with the +greatest respect imaginable, according to the custom of the country; and +such was the number of people following the corpse, that the foot +procession extended a full quarter of a mile. The event tended rather to +promote than injure the non-importation agreement. Boys, small and +great, and undoubtedly men, had been and were encouraged, and well paid +by certain leaders, to insult and intimidate those who had avowedly +counteracted the combination, and still persevered. The lieutenant +governor in April, attempted prevailing upon a merchant of the first +estate and character, to promote an association in opposition to the +non-importation agreement, but to no purpose; and received for answer, +“Until parliament makes provision for the punishment of the +confederacies, all will be ineffectual, and the associates will be +exposed to popular rage.” Another meeting was called to determine +whether the goods already arrived and those expected, should be sent +back to Britain. A gentleman having received a letter from a member of +parliament, in which it was said, that shipping back £.10,000 of goods +will do more than storing £.100,000 and the same being communicated, the +scale, when upon a balance, was turned, and all the importers belonging +to the town submitted to send their goods back; and in May many were +re-shipped on board captain Scott. The leaders gave out that it was done +voluntarily; and yet the major part of the merchants wished to see the +trade free from restraint; but having in the height of their zeal, +called in the populace as their servants, to intimidate those who +refused to join in the combination, they were now forced to submit to +them as their masters, under the influence of a few of the merchants, +who still adhered to their first plan. Several of the last importers +begged with tears, that they might be allowed to house their goods, but +it was not granted. One who had been pretty sturdy, had a committee of +tradesmen sent him, with an axe-man, a carpenter, at their head, who +told him that there were a 1000 men waiting for his answer, and if he +did not comply, there was no saying what would be the consequences. The +strength of the argument prevailed; and a day or two after the paper +published that he complied voluntarily. The Bostonians moreover resolved +to break off all trade with the Newport people, because of their +duplicity, and breaking through the non-importation agreement. The next +month Hartford followed the example of Boston. But about the same time +the New-Yorkers, by dexterous management, were brought to agree to +import—“every thing except such articles as are, or may hereafter be, +subject to duty for the purpose of raising a revenue in America.” +Government gained a party in the committee of merchants, who took +advantage of the charges brought against Boston of importing large +quantities of goods; and Mr. Hancock was complained of for suffering +them to be brought in his vessels. By these means they prepared the +minds of the people for the execution of the plan they had concerted. +They did not call a meeting of the citizens, in which the vote of the +populace, procured by the arts of individuals, might prevail; but went +through the several wards, and took the sense of the principal +inhabitants separately, when it appeared that the majority were for +importing. Upon the receipt of letters from Philadelphia and Boston, the +sense of the inhabitants was again taken, and turned out as before. They +were severely censured by the Philadelphians for their defection, and by +others also. The letter of the committee to the merchants at Boston, +informing them what agreement they had adopted, was contemptuously torn +to pieces. When those Yorkers who were in the interest of government, +began to concert their plan, they rested on assurances of what would be +done in parliament, and knew not, for certain, that the duties on glass, +paper and colours had been taken off; but the news of the obnoxious act +being so far repealed, reached the continent before they had fully +perfected the business, on the 10th of July.[102] + +The New-Yorkers were in general faithful, while their non-importation +agreement lasted; more so, it was thought, than the Bostonians. These +suffered much in their reputation among the sons of liberty at New-York +and Philadelphia, for the large quantities of goods found by some of the +newspaper publications, to have been imported into Boston. Some of the +inhabitants were desirous of rolling away much of the reproach, by +pointing out that, a considerable part of the goods charged to the score +of Boston, belonged to Salem, Marblehead, and other ports; but when the +non-importation agreements were ended, it was omitted, and thus they +continued to lie under greater disgrace than really belonged to them. +While the New-York plan was carrying on, a trial was made by about a +dozen persons, to frighten the gentlemen who were inclined to import, +from so doing, but it failed, the populace had been secured. + +[April 12.] The king gave his assent to the act for repealing the duties +on glass, paper, and colours. The tea duty was professedly continued as +a pepper corn rent, for the point of honor, and as a badge of +sovereignty over the colonies. The ministry might also mean to use it in +some future period, for deeper purposes than could be then fathomed. +They intended in the beginning of the session to bring in a bill against +American associations; but the violence of party was such, that it was +thought the times would not admit of it. The strong opposition made to +ministerial measures at home, was certainly helpful to the cause of the +colonies, and encouraged them to go those lengths which they would +otherwise have scarce ventured upon. This, however, was not to be +charged to the anti-ministerialists, as an evil for which they were +answerable. Let ministers attempt at any time to make unjustifiable +inroads upon the liberties of British subjects, their opponents are +bound in duty, as the guardians of the public, to use all warrantable +efforts to disconcert them and the mischief which follows is to be +placed to the account of those who render the opposition a necessary +measure. + +The news of a partial repeal did not satisfy the colonists. But they +attempted in vain to keep up the non-importation agreement after the +defection of New-York. The Boston merchants at length, in a meeting held +at the coffee-house in October, unanimously voted to alter it, and adopt +the same plan of importing with that of the New-Yorkers. It appeared to +be the sense of the one and the other, and also of the Philadelphians, +that no tea should be imported; and that if any was brought into the +several ports, it should be smuggled to avoid paying the duty. The +Virginia house of burgesses, in a petition to his majesty, expressed +their exceeding great concern and deep affliction upon finding, that the +several acts imposing duties for the purpose of raising a revenue in +America, were continued; and said, “A partial suspension of duties, and +these such only as were imposed upon British manufactures, cannot remove +the too well grounded fears and apprehensions of your majesty’s +subjects, whilst impositions are continued on the same articles of +foreign fabric, and entirely retained upon tea, for the avowed purpose +of establishing a precedent against us.” The present year was marked by +a different scene of blood than what offered in February, which could +not be introduced in the order of time, without breaking the thread of +the preceding narration. + +Outrages had been committed by the soldiers; and frequent quarrels had +happened between them and the inhabitants of Boston, who viewed the +military as come to dragoon them into obedience to statutes, +instructions, and mandates that were thoroughly detested. Each day gave +rise to new occurrences which augmented the animosity. Reciprocal +insults soured the tempers, and mutual injuries embittered the passions +of the opposite parties. Beside, some fiery spirits who resented the +indignity of having soldiers quartered among them, were continually +exciting the town’s people to quarrel with the troops. Not only so, but +a pompous news-paper account of a victory obtained by the inhabitants of +New-York over the soldiers there in an affray, undoubtedly excited the +resentment of the military at Boston, and exultations among their +opponents, and thus increased the ferment. Every thing tended to a +crisis; and it is rather wonderful that it did not exist sooner, when so +many circumstances united to hasten its approach. The lieutenant +governor did not attend to those things properly, and was not +sufficiently careful to prevent consequences, by strongly urging the +officers to keep their men in the barracks as much as possible, and to +maintain the strictest discipline. He was desirous of recommending +himself both to them and the commissioners, and therefore was very +cautious lest he should offend either. + +At length a private of the twenty-ninth regiment, passing along in the +morning [March 2.] near Mr. John Gray’s ropewalk, being provoked by +insulting words, resented it, and being overpowered, went off; but soon +returned with a dozen soldiers, between whom and the ropemakers an +affray ensued, which terminated in the defeat of the former; who in the +afternoon armed themselves with clubs, and were on their way to renew +the action, but were stopped. On this many of the town’s people were so +enraged, that they determined on fighting it out with the soldiers on +the Monday. The Rev. Dr. _Eliot_ was told of the determination on the +Saturday; and was also informed that the bells were to be rung to +assemble the inhabitants together; so that when on the Monday evening he +heard them ring, he was not alarmed with an apprehension of its being on +account of a fire’s breaking out in the town, which is generally the +case.[103] It does not appear that any militia were called in before the +firing upon the people, or that any regular plan was formed for +compelling the troops to move from the town; it is absurd to think, on +the other hand, that there was a settled plot for employing the soldiers +to massacre the inhabitants. But from the characters, principles, and +politics of certain persons among the leaders of the opposition, it may +be feared, that they had no objection to a rencounter, that by +occasioning the death of a few, might eventually clear the place of the +two regiments. That some design was on foot, which might be attended +with danger in the execution, may be gathered from lieutenant-colonel +Marshall’s saying, when giving evidence for the crown—“The bells were +ringing, and the people began to collect as they do at the cry of fire, +and I began to think it was fire. I had a mind to go out, but I had a +reluctance, because _I had been warned not to go out that night_;” +meaning in which the men were shot.[104] + +[Mar. 5.] Between seven and eight o’clock at night, unusual numbers are +met coming from the south end of the town, with sticks in their hands, +and serious consequences are apprehended from it. About the same time +parties, amounting in the whole to near two hundred, several with great +sticks or clubs, proceed from the north end, some of whom say, “let us +go to the south end and join our friends there, and attack the damned +scoundrels and drive them out of the town; they have no business +here.”—More people than common, with large sticks, are observed running +from all quarters toward King-street. The north end parties collect in +and about Dock-square, and attack several soldiers belonging to Murray’s +barracks about nine o’clock: upon an officer’s coming up, these are +ordered to their barracks, and when got in, with much difficulty, are +immediately confined. The mob follow the officer to the gate, and +provoke the soldiers by the most abusive language, and dare them to come +out. They are hardly rastrained by their officers from doing it. While +these things are transacting, some are calling _town born turn out_, +twenty or thirty times over; others cry _fire, fire_, in different +places, the more effectually to draw people out of their houses, and to +increase their numbers; and soon after the nine o’clock bell has ceased, +the bells are set a ringing, which those who are not better informed, +imagine to be the alarm of fire. + +Upon the soldiers being restrained to the barracks, the mob are desired +by one or more considerate persons to return home. A few comply, but the +generality have something further to engage their attention. Numbers +employ themselves in tearing up the stalls of the market-place in +Dock-square, for the purpose they express while calling out, “Damn the +dogs, where are they now? Let us go and kill that damned scoundrel of a +sentry, and then attack the main-guard.” The body of the mob when they +have finished their repeated attacks upon the barracks, are addressed in +the street by a tall large man in a red cloak and white wig. After +listening to what he has to offer, in the space of three or four minutes +they huzza for the main-guard, and say, “We will do for the soldiers.” +They separate into three divisions, and take different routs for +King-street, one through the main-street. A party, who have collected at +Oliver’s-dock, bend their course toward the same point. In the mean +time, the sentry before the custom-house is assaulted while upon duty. A +boy comes up, and pointing to him, says, “There is the son of a bitch +that knocked me down.” About twenty young fellows, eighteen years old, +call out, “kill him, kill him, knock him down.” Their behavior obliges +him to load his gun. They pelt him with snow-balls, pieces of ice, and +any thing that offers, and halloo, “fire and be damned.” They advanced +upon him; oblige him to retreat; he mounts the steps, and knocks at the +door for admission. Meeting with no relief in this way, more persons +collecting in the street, and his danger increasing, he calls out to the +main-guard, within hearing, for protection. Captain Preston, the officer +of the day, being told that the ringing of the bells is the signal for +the inhabitants assembling to attack the troops, repairs to the +main-guard; and learning the situation of the sentry, sends off a +corporal and six men to protect both him and the king’s chest in the +custom-house. The soldiers march off with their pieces unloaded, and the +captain follows to prevent disorder. Ere they have formed, that part of +the mob which comes through the main-street, and appears to be headed by +the mulatto Attucks, and to contain a number of sailers, upon coming to +the town-house, exclaim—“Damn the rascals, this will never do; the +readiest way to get rid of those people, is to attack the main-guard; +strike at the root, this is the nest.” The soldiers are pelted while +going to defend their comrade; and, when upon their station, are served +as was the single sentry, have snow-balls, large pieces of ice, sticks +and other things thrown at them, and are obliged to load for their own +safety. The reproachful language with which they are abused exclusive of +a plenty of oaths and execrations, is, “Come on you rascals, you lobster +scoundrels, you bloody-backs, you cowards, you dastards for bringing +arms against naked men; fire if you dare; fire and be damned, we know +you dare not.” and much more to the same purpose. The reason for saying +“you dare not fire,” is probably to be found in the doctrine latey +advanced, “that soldiers, while on duty, may upon no occasion whatever +fire upon their fellow-subjects, without the order of a civil +magistrate.” The mob press in upon the soldiers, advance to the points +of the bayonets, are desired to keep off, and are treated with cautious +attention. This may be owing to apprehensions of danger to themselves in +case of contrary conduct. The shouts, huzzas, threats, screams, and +almost yells of the mob, with the ringing of the bells to increase the +general confusion, may justly alarm them; but their precaution soon +avails nothing. While they are pushing off the people, without once +leaving their station or attempting to follow them, the mulatto, and +about a dozen persons, several in sailors habits, come down to the spot, +give three cheers, surround the soldiers, and strike their guns with +clubs, crying out to the others, “Do not be afraid of them, they dare +not fire; kill them, kill them; knock them over.” The mulatto aims a +blow at captain Preston, strikes down one of the guns, seizes the +bayonet with his left hand, and shows a hardy disposition answering to +the threats which have been uttered. At this instant, there is a +confused cry of “damn your bloods why don’t you fire,” and partly from +persons behind the captain. Firing succeeds. Montgomery, whom the +mulatto has assaulted, after recovering his legs, and relieving his gun +by a sudden twitch, is the first that fires, and his assailant falls. +After six or eight seconds, another fires, the other five follows in +quick succession. It is agreed, that only seven out of the eight +soldiers discharge their pieces, and that no one fires twice. Three +persons are killed; five are very dangerously wounded, and a few +slightly. Most are either passengers going through the street, or +unassisting spectators. It is well that no more are killed, considering +that there were from fifty to a hundred about the soldiers. They ran off +at the firing, but soon assemble again to take away the dead and +wounded. + +The whole town is immediately in the greatest commotion. Their drums +beat to arms, and there is a constant calling out, “to arms, to arms, +turn out with your guns.” The townsmen assemble in the next street, to +the amount of some thousands. The lieutenant-governor repairs to captain +_Preston_, and upon coming up, asks him, “how came you to fire upon the +people without the orders of a civil magistrate?” The captain begins to +apologize for what had happened, by saying, “_we were insulted_;” and is +about adding more, but recollecting the impropriety of the place, stops +short, and asks Mr. _Hutchinson_ to walk up into the guard room, where +he means to finish what he has begun; but the lieutenant-governor goes +to the council chamber. The captain’s words are observed by some +gentlemen, who attend Mr. Hutchinson, and are considered as conceding to +the implied charge of having given direction to fire, and are remembered +to his disadvantage. Mr. Hutchinson cannot avoid exposing himself in the +midst of the enraged inhabitants, upon whom he prevails to disperse till +morning. It having been a clear moon-light night, persons have been +enabled to distinguish what passed. + +[March 6.] The next morning the people collected in vast bodies. The +lieutenant-governor summons a council. Before any debate commences, +lieutenant-colonel _Dalrymple_, and lieutenant-colonel _Carr_ attend, +being informed that they may if they will. The town meets in full +assembly, and choose a committee, who, while the business is largely +discussing in council, wait upon the lieutenant-governor and deliver him +a message, declaring, “It is the unanimous opinion of the meeting, that +nothing can rationally be expected to restore the peace of the town, and +prevent blood and carnage, but the immediate removal of the troops.” +Colonel Dalrymple signifies to Mr. Hutchinson, his readiness to place +the 29th regiment, which has rendered itself in a special manner +obnoxious, in the barracks at the castle. + +In the afternoon the lieutenant-governor receives another message, +acquainting him, that it is the opinion of the meeting, consisting of +near three thousand people, that nothing but a total and immediate +removal of the troops will satisfy. Mr. _Samuel Adams_, one of the +committee, in his venerable grey locks, and with hands trembling under a +nervous complaint, tells colonel _Dalrymple_, “If you can remove the +29th regiment, you can also remove the 14th; and it is at your peril if +you do not;” and continues talking to him in such a resolute tone, and +with such strong implications, as nearly to communicate the trembling to +the colonel. Mr. _Hutchinson_ wishes to get clear of the council, but +finds it impossible; and therefore lays the matter before them. Several +declare their apprehensions of more bloodshed, unless the troops are +removed. Mr. _Royal Tyler_ in his zeal for effecting it, say to him, “It +is not such people as formerly pulled down your house who conduct the +present measures. No; they are people of the best characters among us, +men of estates, men of religion. They have formed their plan for +removing the troops out of town, and it is impossible they should remain +in it. The people will come in from the neighboring towns; there will be +ten thousand men to effect the removal of the troops, who will probably +be destroyed by the people, be it called a rebellion, or occasion the +loss of our charter, or be the consequence what it may.” When Mr. +_Tyler_ said, _they have formed their plan_, it was not to be understood +that the plan was formed prior, but subsequent to the bloodshed of the +preceding evening. His representations might be aggravated: even when +there is not a natural cast for the hyperbole, persons inflamed by +passion, will imperceptibly have a recourse to the figure. Mr. +Hutchinson tells the council, “Nothing shall ever induce me to order the +troops out of town.” They, upon that, unanimously advise him to request +colonel Dalrymple to order them to the castle. To the colonel he says, +“I have nothing to do with it, it lies wholly with you.” While they are +pressing him, the people are informed, that the colonel is ready to +remove the rigiments, if the lieutenant governor will only join in +desiring it. He inclines to stand out, and to leave it with the colonel +and council to settle as they can agree about the business. He +deliberates till near night, dreading lest any one measure he may adopt, +shall lessen him in the opinion of the ministry and endanger his +advancement. At length the secretary, Mr. _Oliver_, perceiving how +artfully matters are managed, whispers him in the ear, “you must either +comply or determine to leave the province.” This prevails; he complies +with the advice of the council, and the general ferment begins to +subside. The troops, however, are not removed so early as is expected by +the town; they continue till the next Monday; and upon the colonel’s +being asked the reason, he mentions that it lies at the door of the +lieutenant governor, who shuffles with the colonel, in hope that some +occurrence will exist, which may exempt him from being charged with +occasioning the removal of the troops by the interposition of his +advice. + +Meanwhile captain Preston and his party are committed to jail. One of +the wounded men dies. It is determined to bury the four persons[105] in +one vault, and in a peculiarly respectful manner. [March 8.] The +generality of the shops in town are shut. All the bells of Boston, +Charlestown, and Roxbury, are ordered to toll in the most doleful tone. +The corpses form a junction in King-street, where they fell when the +soldiers fired. Hence they proceed in orderly succession through the +main street, followed by an immense concourse of people, so numerous as +to be obliged to go in ranks of six a-breast, and the whole closed by a +long train of carriages belonging to the principal gentry of the town. +Thus are they distinguished and honorably attended to the place of +interment, with unparalleled pomp, not on account of personal merit, but +to express the vehement indignation of the inhabitants against the +slaughter of their brethren, by the British soldiery quartered among +them, in violation, as they imagine, of their civil liberties. + +[October 24.] Captain Preston’s trial begins. Messrs. John Adams and +Josiah Quincy are his council. They are warm in the cause of liberty, +and offend several of their own party by undertaking the defence of the +prisoner; but faithfully employ their distinguished abilities in his +behalf. The trial does not finish till the thirtieth. While carrying on, +Mr. Quincy pushes the examination and cross-examination of the witnesses +to such an extent, that Mr. Adams, in order to check it, is obliged to +tell him, that if he will not desist, he shall decline having any thing +further to do in the cause. The captain and his friends are alarmed, and +consult about engaging another counsellor; but Mr. Adams has no +intention of abandoning his client. He is sensible that there is +sufficient evidence to obtain a favorable verdict from an impartial +jury; and only feels for the honor of the town, which he apprehends will +suffer yet more, if the witnesses are examined too closely and +particularly, and by that mean more truth be drawn from them than what +has an immediate connection with the soldiers firing, by or without the +orders of the captain. When the trial is ending, judge Lynde, toward the +close of his speech, says, “Happy am I to find, after such strict +examination, the conduct of the prisoner appears in so fair a light; yet +I feel myself deeply affected, that this affair turns out so much to the +disgrace of every person concerned against him, and so much to the shame +of the town in general.” The jury returned their verdict—Not guilty. + +[Nov. 27.] On Tuesday commences the trial of William Wemms, James +Hartegan, William M‘Cauley, Hugh White, Matthew Killroy, William Warren, +John Carrol, and Hugh Montgomery, soldiers in the 29th regiment, for the +murder of Crispus Attucks, Samuel Gray, Samuel Maverick, James Caldwell, +and Patrick Carr, the last of whom did not die till ten days after he +was wounded. The soldiers have the same counsel that was engaged for +their captain. The trial is continued from day to day, Sunday excepted, +till Wednesday, December the fifth. Attempts were made to prejudice the +people against the prisoners, one especially in a certain weekly paper +the day before the trial began. The publication included an insult on +the supreme court, and expressed the greatest malignity of heart.—To +counteract the baneful effects of all such proceedings, Mr. Quincy, in +his address to the justices and jury, observes—“We must steel ourselves +against passions, which contaminate the fountain of justice. Let it be +borne deep upon our minds, that the prisoners are to be condemned by the +evidence _here in court_ produced against them, and by nothing else. +Matters heard or seen abroad, are to have no weight; in general they +undermine the pillars of justice and truth. As though a series of _ex +parte_ evidence was not enough, all the colours of the canvas have been +touched in order to freshen the wounds, and by a transport of +imagination we are made present at the scene of action. The prints +exhibited in our houses have added wings to fancy, and in the fervor of +our zeal, reason is in hazard of being lost. The pomp of funeral, the +horrors of death, have been so delineated, as to give a spring to our +ideas, and inspire a glow incompatible with sound, deliberate judgment. +In this situation, every passion has alternately been predominant. They +have each in turn subsided in degree, and they have sometimes given +place to despondence, grief, and sorrow. How careful should we be, that +we do not mistake the impressions of gloom and melancholy, for the +dictates of reason and truth! How careful, lest borne away by a torrent +of passion, we make shipwreck of conscience! + +“Many things yet exist sufficient to keep alive the glow of indignation. +I have aimed at securing you against the catching flame. I have +endeavored to discharge my duty in this respect. What success will +follow those endeavors, depends on you, gentlemen. If being told of your +danger will not produce caution, nothing will. If you are determined in +opinion, it is in vain to say more; but if you are zealous enquirers +after the truth; if you are willing to hear with impartiality, to +examine and judge for yourselves, enough has been said to apprize you of +those avenues at which the enemies of truth and justice are most likely +to enter, and most easily to beset you.” + +When the evidence in favor of the prisoners is finished, Mr. Quincy +resumes his address—“I stated to you, gentlemen, your duty in opening +this cause. I pointed out the dangers to which you were exposed. How +much need was there that you should suspend your judgment till the +witnesses were all examined!—How different is the complexion of the +case? Will not all this serve to show every honest man the little truth +to be attained in partial hearings? This trial ought to have another +effect; it should serve to convince us all of the impropriety, nay, +injustice, of giving a latitude in conversation upon topics likely to +come under a judicial decision; the criminality of this comduct is +certainly inhanced, when such loose sallies and discourses are so +prevalent as to be likely to touch the life of a citizen. In the present +case, how great was the prepossession against us! and I appeal to you, +gentlemen, as to what cause there now is to alter our sentiments.” + +In the course of pleading, he is under a necessity of saying,—“And here, +gentlemen, I must first tell you by what law the prisoners are _not_ to +be tried or condemned. And they most certainly are _not_ to be tried by +the _Mosaic_ law: a law we take it, especially designed for the +government of a peculiar nation, who being in a great measure under a +theocratical from of government, its institutions cannot, with any +propriety, be adduced for our regulation in these days. It is with pain, +therefore, I have observed any eadeavor to mislead our judgment on this +occasion, by drawing our attention to the precepts delivered in the days +of Moses: and by disconnected passages of scripture, applied in a manner +foreign to their original design or import, there seems to have been an +attempt to touch some peculiar sentiments which we know are thought to +be prevalent; and in this way we take it, an injury is like to be done, +by giving the mind a bias it ought never to have received, because it is +not warranted by our laws.” + +“We have heard it publicly said of late, oftener than formerly, +_Whosoever sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed_. This +is plainly, gentlemen, a general rule, which like all others of the kind +must have its exceptions—a rule, which if taken in its strict literal +latitude, would imply, that a man killing another in self-defence, would +incur the pains of death—a doctrine that certainly never prevailed under +the _Mosaical_ institution; for we find the _Jews_ had their six cities +of refuge, to which the man-slayer might flee from the avenger of +blood.” Let it be observed _en passant_, that it was ordained that the +man-slayer should abide in the city of refuge till the death of the +high-priests, so every person to escape such confinement and restraint, +would be extremely careful lest he should prove the casual occasion of +another’s death; and would not venture upon gratifying a settled or +sudden evil disposition, by needlessly slaying a fellow-creature, +because it would pass for chance-medly. But to go on in company with Mr. +Quincy. “And so, that _the_ MURDERER _shall flee to the pit_, comes +under the same consideration. And when we hear it asked, as it very +lately has been,” Who DARE stay him? “I answer, if the laws of our +country stay him, you ought to do likewise; and every good subject +_dares_ to do what the law allows. But the very position is _begging the +question_; for the question now in issue is, whether either of the +prisoners is _a murderer_ in the sense of our laws, what is murder and +what not, is a _question of law_ arising upon facts stated and allowed.” + +“Again, you shall take no satisfaction for the life of a _murderer_, who +is _guilty of death_.” Here again is a begging the question; and +moreover the words _guilty of death_, if rightly considered, must be one +of those general rules which always have their exceptions. But in the +margin of our great bible, we find them rendered _faulty to die_. +Against a position of this kind we have no objection. If we have +committed _a fault_, on which our laws inflict the punishment of +_death_, we must suffer. But what fault we have committed, you are to +inquire; or rather you, gentlemen, are to find the _facts proved in +court against us_, and the judges are to see and consider what the law +pronounces touching our offence, and what punishment is thereby +inflicted as a penalty.” + +Mr. John Adams, in his pleadings, produces from the best authorities, +those rules of law which must govern all cases of homicide, and +particularly that which is before the court; and then considers the +evidence, to see whether any thing has occurred that may be compared to +the rules of law. He enters into a minute consideration of every witness +produced on the crown side; and endeavours to show from the evidence on +that side, that the assault upon the party was sufficiently dangerous to +justify the prisoners; at least that it was sufficiently provoking to +reduce to manslaughter the crime even of the two, who are supposed to be +proved guilty of having killed. He then proceeds to consider the +testimonies of the witnesses for the prisoners; and concludes with—“I +will enlarge no more on the evidence, but submit to you, +gentlemen.—Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, +our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the +state of facts and evidence: nor is the law less stable than the fact. +If an assault was made to endanger their lives the law is clear, they +had a right to kill in their own defence. If it was not so severe as to +endanger their lives, yet if they were assaulted at all, struck and +abused by blows of any sort, by snow-balls, oyster-shells, cinders, +clubs, or sticks of any kind, this was a provocation for which the law +reduces the offence of killing down to manslaughter, in consideration to +those passions in our nature which cannot be eradicated.—To your candor +and justice I submit the prisoners and their cause.” + +“The law, in all vicissitudes of government, fluctuations of the +passions, or flights of enthusiasm, will preserve a steady undeviating +course; it will not bend to the uncertain wishes, imaginations, and +wanton tempers of men. To use the words of a great and worthy man, a +patriot, and an hero, an enlightened friend of mankind, and martyr to +liberty, I mean ALGERNON SIDNEY, who from his earliest infancy sought a +tranquil retirement under the shadow of the tree of liberty, with his +tongue, his pen, and his sword. “The law (says he) no passion can +disturb. ’Tis void of desire and fear, lust and anger. ’Tis mens _sine +affectu_; written reason; retaining some measure of the divine +perfection. It does not enjoin that which pleases a weak, frail man, but +without any regard to persons, commands that which is good, and punishes +evil in all, whether rich or poor, high or low. ’Tis deaf, inexorable, +inflexible.” On the one hand it is inexorable to the cries and +lamentations of the prisoners; on the other it is deaf, deaf as an adder +to the clamors of the populace.” + +The judges when summing up the evidence to the jury, and giving their +opinions of the constructions of law upon the evidence apply themselves +to the removing of those bad impressions, which may possibly have been +made upon the jury by the misconstruction of scripture passages. Says +one of them—“In the course of this year you doubtless have heard much of +the law given to the _Jews_ respecting homicide, as well as of the +precept given to Noah, that _whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall +his blood be shed_. Whence it has been inferred, that whosoever +_voluntarily_ kills another, whatever the inducement or provocation may +be, is a _murderer_, and as such ought to be put to death.—But surely +not only the avenger of blood, and he who killed a thief breaking up a +house in the night, were exceptions to that general precept, but also he +who killed another in his own defence. Even the Jewish doctors allowed +this, and that justly; because the right of self defence is founded in +the law of nature.” It appears upon the trial, that the facts related +above, under the fifth of March are well attested. There are no less +than _thirty-eight_ witnesses to prove a design to attack the soldiers. +Six of whom the council for the king have produced. Nigh _thirty_ +witnesses have sworn to words of provocation uttered against the +prisoners, as daring them to fire, and threatening to kill them; and +_twenty-five_ have witnessed to _ice_, _snow-balls_, _sticks_, &c. being +thrown at them, ten, of whom are witnesses for the crown.—There is +evidence that Patrick Carr, one of the deceased, repeatedly declared and +confirmed the same but a few hours before he died—that he went with a +design against the soldiers; that he thought they were abused and would +have fired before; that he forgave and did not blame the man, whoever he +was that shot him; that he blamed himself for going to the riot, and +might have known better, for he had seen soldiers called to quell riots, +but never saw any bear half so much before. The jury withdrew for about +two hours and a half. Upon comparing the evidence, they cannot be +convinced that the soldiers were not too hasty in firing. Was there +evidence of all having fired, they would convict all of manslaughter; +but it is agreed on all hands, that no more than seven guns were fired, +consequently one is innocent, and they choose that the guilty shall +escape rather than one innocent person be convicted.[106] They return +into court and agree, that as to Wemms, Hartegan, M‘Cauley, White, +Warren, and Carrol, they are not guilty, on which they are immediately +discharged. As to Killroy and Montgomery, they agree that they are not +guilty of murder, but of manslaughter. Both pray the benefit of clergy, +which is allowed; each is burnt in the hand in open court, and +discharged. [Dec. 5.] The trial has been long, but the issue of it, as +well as of that of the captain’s, may be brought in proof of the +integrity of Boston juries, venturing to give upright verdicts in +defiance of popular opinions. + +[Dec. 12.] Edward Manwaring, esq. John Munroe, gentleman, Hammond Green, +boat-builder, and Thomas Greenwood, labourer, were tried for being +present, aiding, assisting, &c. William Warran in the murder of Crispus +Attucks. The whole evidence consisted in one witness’s declaring that he +saw two flashes from the custom-house, one from the balcony, the other +from a chamber window, and a person in the balcony with a gun or pistol +in his hand; and in the testimony of a French boy, servant to Mr. +Manwaring, who swore to his being at the custom-house when the soldiers +fired, and to a story of persons firing out of the chamber window. The +falsehood of the whole evidence was immediately detected by a number of +the most creditable witnesses, so that the jury acquitted the prisoners +without going from their seats. + +In the pleadings upon the trials, (of the soldiers especially) Mr. John +Adams discussed the subject of homicide so largely, and showed so fully +by what a variety of circumstances it was reduced to manslaughter, that +the popular leaders perceived the necessity of altering their plan of +opposition to the military, and from thence forward promoted a +particular attention to the militia and the manual exercise, that the +country might be qualified for repelling arms by arms, whenever the same +should be requisite for the preservation of their liberties. + +The ferment occasioned by the minesterial measures did not subside in +the New-York colony any more than in the Massachusetts. + +About the middle of January, and at night, the _liberty-pole_ was cut +down by the soldiery, which enraged the inhabitants, and produced much +disturbance and riot afterward between them and the troops. The soldiers +posted up papers about the city against the sons of liberty which +occasioned a considerable affray.—The opposition soon expressed their +determination to preserve, by erecting a new _liberty-pole_, strongly +secured with iron, to prevent its being demolished. The _May-poles_ in +different parts of the continent had changed their names, or given place +to _liberty-pole_, after the exhibition upon the liberty tree at Boston +during the stamp act. The conduct of the soldiers was probably owing to +the measures which had been taken the preceding month, in order to +prevent the assembly’s granting money for the support of the troops. The +assembly had in their former session, voted to supply his majesty’s +troops quartered in the colony, which gave great umbrage. To quiet the +people they made a unanimous declaration, that it should be the last +supply they would ever grant, until their grievances were redressed, and +it gave satisfaction. But the house in the present session, passed a +vote for a further supply of £.2000 which greatly inflamed the minds of +the inhabitants. Two papers were published upon the occasion: the one +addressed _to the betrayed inhabitants of the city and colony of_ +NEW-YORK, and signed A SON OF LIBERTY: the other signed LEGION, desiring +the inhabitants to meet in the fields. The papers were voted _false_, +_seditious_, and _infamous_ libels by the assembly, who desired the +lieutenant governor to issue out proclamations, offering a reward for +the discovery of the authors, £.100 for the first, and £.50 for the last +A stripling who had been journeyman to the printer of the first, but +discharged for bad behavior, allured by the proffered reward, lodged a +complaint against his late master, who was terrified into a discovery of +Mr. _M‘Dougall_ as the publisher. Mr. _M‘Dougall_ was by the chief +justice’s warrant brought before him, and upon refusing to give bail was +committed to jail. [Feb. 8.] In consequence of the second paper, about +1400 inhabitants met, and appointed Mr. _John Lamb_ to propound +questions relative to the vote of the assembly. After explaining it, the +question was put, “Do you approve of the vote?” _No_ was the answer. He +proceeded, “Are you for giving money to the troops, on any consideration +whatsoever?” It was again _No_. There were but about half a dozen for +the affirmative upon either of the questions. He then asked, “Will you +appoint a committee to communicate the whole of this transaction to your +members?” _Yes_ was the word. They then appointed for the committee, +Messrs. _Isaac Sears_, _Casper Wister_, _Alexander M‘Dougall_, _Jacobus +Van Zandt_, _Samuel Broome_, jun. _Erasmus Williams_, and _James Van +Vaurk_.—The meeting in the fields, and the transactions at it, were +several weeks before the discovery and commitment of Mr. _M‘Dougall_. +Mr. _Lamb_ was called before the house to answer for his conduct; but in +the mean time the committee wrote to the speaker, acknowledging +themselves, in every respect parties with him, and answerable for each +step that had been taken, and ready to defend their conduct in a +constitutional manner. When Mr. _Lamb_ appeared before the assembly, he +told them that he had assembled with the rest of his fellow-citizens, +and had proposed _questions_, which as a citizen, a freeman, and an +_Englishman_, he had a right to do, and was surprised to hear it +controverted. The house finding that they had to do with the men of sens +and resolution, who were determined upon supporting the rights of their +countrymen and fellow citizens, gave up the point and dismissed them. +Their vote of £.2000 for the troops soon passed into a law: but the +deficiency demanded by the lieutenant governor as arrears amounted to +upward of £.1000 was left unpaid. Had there been a provision for the +arrears; the compliance of the mutiny act would have been formal and +complete. The matters were carried so far must be attributed to an +extraordinary and sudden coalition in the assembly between politicians, +who had long been at mortal variance. + +[April.] The grand jury found a bill against captain _M‘Dougall_, but +the trial was put off; and he was bailed out of jail.—When he house met +again toward the close of the year, he was ordered to attend at their +bar. The speaker asked him whether he was the author or publisher of the +address, &c. He declined answering, and assigned his reasons. It was +resolved, that in his reply he denied the authority of the house, and +was therefore guilty of a high contempt. On his refusing to ask pardon +of the house, he was ordered into custody, and the speaker issued his +warrant to the jail-keeper of the city to receive and keep him prisoner +until he should be discharged by due course of law. He remained in jail +till the assembly was prorogued on the 25th of the following February +1771, when he was enlarged after a confinment of near three months. It +was not till March the 27th that he was discharged from his +recognizance, by the supreme court then sitting at _New-York_, (without +having been brought to a trial) after having been under bonds for near +twelve months, and suffered twenty and three weeks actual imprisonment. +He was the first sufferer for liberty after the commencement of the +united efforts of the American sons to frustrate the ministerial plans +for encroaching upon, and eventually subverting their long claimed and +enjoyed rights and privileges. This honor belongs to a gentleman born in +Scotland, and who is indeed, what he signed himself, _A son of Liberty_. +He bore his imprisonment with fortitude; but the disagreeableness of it +was much lessened, and the disgrace of it wholly removed, as the +citizens of the highest and best characters ladies and gentlemen +resorted to the place of his confinement. His character as well as his +case was good; so that the most virtuous espousers of the latter were +neither afraid nor ashamed, by their repeated visits, to afford him +their public countenance. + +The _Massachusetts_ again demands your attention. + +[May 31.] The new general court met at _Cambridge_; the house +remonstrated against being held there, or at any other place than +_Boston_; and by a majority of 69 out of 102, voted it to be a very +great grievance, and resolved not to do business out of _Boston_; on +which the lieutenant governor prorogued them. + +[July 25.] They met again, but the assembly refused to do business; and +in their message to Mr. _Hutchinson_, insited upon the right of people +to appeal to heaven in disputes between them and persons in power, when +there is an abuse of power; but they softened what they advanced, by +saying “We would, however, by no means be understood to suggest, that +this people have occasion at present to proceed to such extremity”; and +yet they afterward added, “these and other grievances and cruelties, too +many to be here enumerated, and too melancholy to be much longer borne +by this people, we have seen brought upon us by the devices of the +ministers of state.” They were prorogued afresh. + +[Sept. 26.] They met a third time. The lieutenant governor told them +that the garrison at the castle in the pay of the province was to be +withdrawn by order of his majesty, and the fortress to be garrisoned by +regular forces. His orders were to deliver the possession of the fort to +such officer as general _Gage_ should direct to take the command of it. +The information excited a suspicion in the assembly, who despaired of +obtaing a removal to Boston by persisting in a refusal to do business; +the leaders therefore procured this vote: [Sept. 29.] “Rosolved, that +the next Wednesday [Oct. 3.] be observed by the two houses as a day of +prayer, to seek the Lord for his direction and blessing,” which went up +to the council, and was unanimously concurred. Men of profane cast are +too prone to ridicule religion, because of its being made a +stalking-horse to serve the purposes of politicians. Would they confine +their wit and satire to the parties offending, the correction would be +proper. But let not the well-intentioned and undesigning children of +devotion, be charged with hypocritical canting, because they are imposed +upon and duped by the subtelty of guides, who, like most thorough-paced +politicians, can change themselves into angels of light, that they may +perfect their devices. + +[Oct 9.] The house resolved to proceed to business from absolute +necessity, protesting against the restraint the general court was held +under to do it out of _Boston_. A few days after, they sent to the +lieutenant governor to know whether he held the command at the _Castle_. +“If the custody and government of that fortress,” said they, “is now +lodged with the military power, independent of the supreme civil +magistrate within this jurisdiction, it is so essential an alteration of +the constitution as must justly alarm a free people.” His answer was so +worded, as to leave the assembly, in general, ground for concluding that +the military in the castle were dependent upon himself the same as were +the provincials. When he delivered it up, he repaired thither, sent for +the keys, and upon colonel _Dalrymple’s_ coming into the state room with +his officers, gave them to him, and lodged with him the custody and +government of the fort; but retained some trifling appearances of +superior command. He soon learnt, however, that he could not come at a +flag when in want of it, or even oars for a boat, without applying to +general _Gage_. + +[Nov. 6.] The representatives resolved, that the merchants having +receded from their non-importation agreement, &c. they would discourage +prodigality, extravagance, and the use of foreign superfluities; and +promote industry, frugality, and their own manufactures in the several +towns they represented. + +[7.] They appointed a committee of correspondence to communicate +intelligence to the agents and others in Great-Britain, and to the +speakers of their several assemblies through the continent, or such +committees as they have appointed or may appoint. + +Before the lieutenant governor prorogued them, he observed to them, that +since they had discovered a resolution to remove unnecessary obstacles, +they had done more business, notwithstanding all the inconveniencies +from the place of holding the court, which they had insisted upon, than +he remembered to have been done in the like space of time since he had +shared in public affairs. + +[April 3, 1771.] The following spring-session produced nothing very +material, but afforded him the pleasing opportunity of acquainting the +general court, in form, of his being appointed captain-general and +commander in chief over the province. The council presented a +congratulatory address, and expressed their satisfaction at his +appointment. Upon the question in the house of assembly, whether to +appoint a committee to prepare an address, their was a negative. The +house, however, afterward requested the removal of the general court to +_Boston_ which was not granted. + +[May 29.] They met, as the year before, at _Cambridge_. In three weeks +the assembly protested against his excellency’s convening them there, +and afterward appointed a committee of correspondence. + +[July 4.] The governor informed the house, that by his majesty’s +instruction, he was forbidden giving his consent to such an act as +subjects the officers of the crown to be taxed, by the assessors in the +towns where they reside, for the profits which they receive from their +commissions, although their offices have no relation to the province, so +that the tax-bill must be qualified. + +[5.] The house, by message, expressed their surprise and alarm at the +reason assigned for his not assenting to the tax-bill, and said, “We +know of no commissioners of his majesty’s customs, nor of any revenue +his majesty has a right to establish in _North-America_. We know and +feel a tribute levied and extorted from those, who, if they have +property, have a right to the absolute disposal of it.” + +Had it been known, how insignificant the taxes were which the officers +of the crown were required to pay, it is hard to conceive how wisdom +could have dictated such instruction, and have ventured to give a fresh +disgust to those, who were already too much irritated. However, the +governor’s instructions did not oblige him to confine the general court +to _Cambridge_, and he might have removed them to _Boston_; but by +showing a firmness in opposing their desires, while they protested +against the restrant they were under, he meant to recommend himself to +the ministry. By the same intention he was induced, in a great measure, +to refuse his consent to the grants made to Mr. _Bollan_ and Mr. _De +Berdt’s_ executors by this assembly, as he had done in respect to those +made by the preceding. These refusals served to keep up the animosity. + +The disposition to import goods into the Massachusetts, in defiance of +the laws of revenue and trade, and to support such practices by open +violences upon the officers, whose duty it was to carry the laws into +execution, broke out upon many occasions; and, as usual, the magistrates +declined giving their assistance and support, being in principle opposed +to such laws, as fundamentally defective in point of rectitude. The like +disposition to import goods prevailed in the other colonies; but there +was no call to go into the like open violences. + +[Dec. 3.] Mr. Otis, jun. was carried off in a post-chaise, bound hand +and foot, his reasoning powers being wholly deranged. This calamity, +which somewhat lessens the weight of opposition to ministerial measures, +is to be imputed, not to any effects of the affray with Mr. _Robinson_, +but rather to the high tone given to his animal frame by the strength of +his passions, and a failure in the point of temperance. The sons of +liberty would have sustained an excessive loss, had this event taken +place in the early stage of the opposition; but the times had brought so +many able persons of similar sentiments into the general court, who had +been training for four years, and were conversant with the political +management of public business, that the plans of the Massachusetts +anti-governmental party suffered no derangement. + +An opportunity now offers of mentioning, that Sir Alexander Gilmour, +baronet, and George Dempster, esq. were the gentlemen who so nobly +distinguished themselves by voting for the repeal of the stamp act, +while all the other Scotch members present voted against it. + +After what has been written and transmitted, you will judge yourself +under an obligation to return me speedy information of all that is doing +in Great-Britain relative to the American colonies. + + + + + LETTER V. + + + _Roxbury, June 25, 1773._ + +[1772.] The annual elections of the _Massachusetts_ were in favor of the +friends to colonial liberty; but the state of Mr. _Otis_’s mind +necessarily occasioned his being left out of the list of the _Boston_ +representatives. + +[May 28.] The general court still met at _Cambridge_, but the governor +adopted a conciliating measure, in declining to negative Mr. _Hancock_, +who was again chosen one of the council.—He had been repeatedly chosen, +and till now as repeatedly negatived; he declined, however, taking his +seat at the board, choosing to remain in the assembly as one of the +Boston members. + +[June 13.] Mr. _Hutchinson_ acquainted the house, in answer to a +message, that his majesty had made provision for his support; and then, +after requiring the opinion and advice of the council, upon their oaths, +whether he might now remove the general court to Boston, consistent with +the signification of his majesty’s pleasure to him, and receiving their +unanimous opinion and advice in the affirmative, adjourned them to meet +at Boston. He might have asked and received that very advice long +before. + +A committee having been appointed to consider the matter of the +governor’s support being provided for by the king, reported and observed +[July 10.] “That the king’s providing for the support of the governor is +a most dangerous innovation. It is a measure, whereby not only the right +of the general assembly of this province is rescinded, but the highest +indignity is thrown upon it. It is an infraction of the charter in a +material point, whereby a most important trust is wrested out of the +hands of the general assembly.” And the house, the same day, declared by +a message to the governor, “That the making provision for his +excellency’s support, independent of the grants and acts of the general +assembly, and his excellency’s receiving the same, is an infraction upon +the rights of the inhabitants granted by the royal charter.” + +The payment of the governors by the crown, is not relished by the +colonies, as it makes them entirely dependent upon that, and wholly +independent of the people and provincial assemblies; and as it destroys +the mutual check which each branch of the legislature ought to have upon +the others, and that balance of power which is essential to all free +governments. It will be a new source of complaint. On the other hand, +the affair which has happened in _Rhode-Island_ government will prove a +fresh provocation to ministry, and tend to fix them in their plans +respecting the colonies. + +Lieutenant _Duddington_, the commander of the late armed schooner the +_Gaspee_, had been remarkably assiduous in supporting the laws against +smuggling, and in searching after contraband goods, by which he had +given great offence. He had also brought upon himself the resentment of +many, by firing at the _Providence_ packets (employed in transporting +goods and passengers from thence to _Newport_, and _vice versa_) in +order to oblige the masters to take down their colours, and by chacing +them even into the docks when it had been refused. The _Providence_ +packet coming up as usual with colours flying and company on board, +probably a party of pleasure, as is frequent in the summer season, and +refusing to take them down, the lieutenant fired a shot, which being +disregarded, he chaced. [June 9.] It was near upon, or quite high water. +The packet stood in with the land as close as consisted with safety, +designing that the _Gaspee_ should be run a-ground in the chace. The +design succeeded. The Gaspee was soon fast, and could not stir, the tide +having done flowing. The packet proceeded to town. The situation of the +Gaspee, and resentment against the commander, excited the thought of +attacking and destroying her. Mr. _John Brown_, a considerable merchant +of _Providence_, was the principal in the business. Captain _Whipple_ +was immediately employed to beat up for volunteers, and a number offered +and engaged to go upon any service for which they were wanted. Several +whale boats were procured and filled with armed men. Mr. Brown +accompanied them in the expedition. Captain Whipple, as they proceeded, +observed to Mr. Brown, that he might lose his life, and that he had a +family, and therefore he required that care should be taken of them in +case of his death. Mr. Brown engaged to do it should that happen. [June +10.] About two o’clock in the morning, they boarded and carried the +schooner, as she lay a-ground about seven miles below Providence. Mr. +Brown himself was the first on board. The lieutenant was wounded. He and +the crew were put on shore, and every thing valuable belonging to him +was taken out and saved for him; after which the Gaspee, with all her +stores, was burned. + +Though a reward of five hundred pounds, together with a pardon, if +claimed by an accomplice, has been offered by proclamation for +discovering and apprehending any of the persons concerned: yet the +commissioners appointed to try the matter, have transmitted accounts to +ministry, that _they can obtain no evidence_. If any one had wished to +give evidence, that he might get the reward, yet the thought that he +should risk his life, or be obliged to fly the country and become a +perpetual exile, would naturally have overcome such propensity. It was +too hazardous to turn informer. Some who were secured, in expectation +that they would give intelligence, were assisted by the populace in +making their escape, before any thing material could be learnt from them +by the commissioners. + +Governor _Hutchinson_ and his adherents having been used to represent +the party in opposition, as only an uneasy factious few in Boston, while +the body of the people were quite contented; Mr. _Samuel Adams_ was +thereby induced to visit Mr. _James Warren_ of _Plymouth_. After +conversing upon the subject, the latter proposed to originate and +establish committees of correspondence in the several towns of the +colony, in order to learn the strength of the friends to the rights of +the continent, and to unite and increase their force. Mr. Samuel Adams +returned to Boston, pleased with the proposal, and communicated the same +to his confidents. Some doubted whether the measure would prosper, and +dreaded a disappointment, which might injure the cause of liberty. But +it was concluded to proceed. The prime managers were about six in +number; each of whom when separate, headed a division; the several +individuals of which, collected and led distinct subdivisions. In this +manner the political engine has been constructed. The different parts +are not equally good and operative. Like other bodies, its composition +includes numbers who act mechanically, as they are pressed this or that +way by those who judge for them; and divers of the wicked, fitted for +evil practices when the adoption of them is thought necessary to +particular purposes, and a part of whose creed it is, that in political +matters the public good is above every other consideration, and that all +rules of morality when in competition with it, may be safely dispensed +with. When any important transaction is to be brought forward, it is +thoroughly considered by the prime managers. If they approve, each +communicates it to his own division; from thence, if adopted, it passes +to the several subdivisions, which form a general meeting in order to +canvass the business. The prime managers being known only by a few to be +the promoters of it, are desired to be present at the debate, that they +may give their opinion when it closes. If they observe that the +collected body is in general strongly agains the measure they wish to +have carried, they declare it to be improper; is it opposed by great +numbers, but not warmly, they advise to a re-consideration at another +meeting, and prepare for its being then adopted; if the opposition is +not considerable, either in number or weight of persons, they give their +reasons, and then recommend the adoption of the measure. The principal +actors are determined upon securing the liberties of their country, or +perishing in the attempt. + +The news of his majesty’s granting salaries to the justices of the +superior court, afforded them a fair opportunity for executing the plan +of establishing committees of correspondence through the colony. The +most spirited pieces were published, and an alarm spread, that the +granting such salaries tended rapidly to complete the system of their +slavery. + +[Nov. 2.] A town meeting was called, and a committee of correspondence +appointed, to write circular letters to all the towns in the province, +and to induce them to unite in measures. [Nov. 19.] The committee made a +report, containing several resolutions contradictory to the supremacy of +the British legislature. After setting forth, that all men have a right +to remain in a state of nature as long as they please, they proceed to a +report upon the natural rights of the colonists as men, christians and +subjects; and then form a list of infringements and violations of their +rights. They enumerate and dwell upon the British parliament’s having +assumed the power of legislation for the colonies in all cases +whatever—the appointment of a number of new officers to superintend the +revenues—the granting of salaries out of the American revenue, to the +governor, the judges of the superior court, the king’s attorney and +solicitor general. The report was accepted; copies printed, and six +hundred circulated through the towns and districts of the province, with +a pathetic letter addressed to the inhabitants, who were called upon not +to doze any longer, or sit supinely in indifference, while the iron hand +of oppression was daily tearing the choicest fruits from the fair tree +of liberty. The circular letter requested of each town a free +communication of sentiments on the subjects of the report, and was +directed to the select men, who were desired to lay the same before a +town meeting, which has been generally practised, and the proceedings of +the town upon the business have been transmitted to the committee at +Boston. This committee have their particular correspondents in the +several towns, who upon receiving any special information, are ready to +spread it with dispatch among the inhabitants. It consists of twenty-one +persons, of heterogeneous qualities and professions. The governor, in +expectation of exciting prejudice, and fixing a stigma upon them, their +connections and proceedings, has written to a gentleman in power, +“Strange that a government, which within a century would suffer no +person to be free of the commonwealth who was not one of their church +members, should now take for their leaders, men who openly contemn all +religion, and should join deacons and atheists in one trust; and that +they should be instigated to this by some of the clergy, who make the +highest pretences to devotion; and yet the spirit of political party +produces all this.” He would gladly receive them all into his own arms, +and be devoutly thankful for them, were they to change sides and join in +supporting his administration. But he has unwarily acknowledged, that +the government, or the great body of the people in their legislative and +ruling capacity are in the opposition, which therefore cannot consist +merely of a few factious leaders; and he appears not to have +recollected, that men of opposite principles and characters will unite +heart and hand, in keeping off a general calamity, which will involve +them all in one and the same ruin. The towns in general have chosen +committees of correspondence, and resolved in a stile agreeable to the +wishes of the Bostonians. But the resolutions have not been alway drawn +up by the townsmen. An inhabitant of _Petersham_ applied to that worthy +and disinterested son of liberty, Mr. _Quincy_, whom you will recollect +to have been of the counsel for captain Preston and the soldiers, for +his assistance, and was furnished with the following draft, intended for +Boston, excepting the introduction and the paragraphs marked with a +star, which were added by some other person. + +[Jan. 4, 1773.] At a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of +the town of _Petersham_ in the county of _Worcester_, duly assembled +according to law, held by adjournment on the 4th of January, 1773, the +committee chosen on the 30th ult. made the following report, viz. “The +town having received a circular letter from the town of _Boston_, +respecting the present grievances and abominable oppressions under which +this country groans, have thereupon taken into their most serious +consideration the present policy of the British government and +administration, with regard to Great-Britain and these colonies; have +carefully reviewed the mode of election, and the quality of the electors +of the commons of that island; and have also attentively reflected upon +the enormous and growing influence of the crown, and that bane of all +free states, a standing army in the time of peace; and in consequence +thereof are fully confirmed in opinion, that the ancient rights of the +nation are capitally invaded, and the greatest part of the most precious +and established liberties of _Englishmen_ utterly destroyed: And whereas +the parliament of Great-Britain, by various statutes and acts, have +unrighteously distressed our trade, denied and precluded us from setting +up and carrying on manufactures highly beneficial to the inhabitants of +these territories; restricted and prevented our lawful intercourse and +commerce with other states and kingdoms; have also made laws and +institutions touching life and limb, in disherison of the ancient common +law of the land; and moreover have in these latter times, robbed and +plundered the honest and laborious inhabitants of this extensive +continent of their property, by mere force and power; and are now +draining this people of the fruits of their toil, by thus raising a +revenue from them, against the natural rights of man, and in open +violation of the laws of God. + +This town, in union with the worthy inhabitants of Boston, now think it +their indispensable duty to consider of the premises and the present +aspect of the times, and to take such steps as upon mature deliberation +are judged right and expedient; and hereupon this town + +Resolved, That with a governor appointed from Great-Britain (especially +at this day) during pleasure, with a large stipend, dependant upon the +will of the crown, and controuled by instructions from a British +minister of state, with a council subject to the negative of such a +governor, and with all officers, civil and military, subject to his +appointment or consent, with a castle in the hands of a standing army, +stationed in the very bowels of the land; and that amazing number of +placemen and dependants with which every maritime town already swarms, +no people can ever be truly virtuous, free, or brave: + +Resolved, That the parliament of Great-Britain, usurping and exercising +a legislative authority over, and extorting an unrighteous revenue from +these colonies, is against all divine and human laws. The late +appointment of salaries to be paid to our superior court judges, whose +creation, pay, and commission depend on mere will and pleasure, +completes a system of bondage equal to any ever fabricated by the +combined efforts of the ingenuity, malice, fraud, and wickedness of man: + +* Resolved, That it is the opinion of this town, that a despotic, +arbitrary government, is the kingdom of this world, as set forth in the +New-Testament, and is diametrically opposite to the establishment of +christianity in a society, and has a direct tendency to sink a people +into a profound state of ignorance and irreligion; and that, if we have +an eye to our own and posterity’s happiness (not only in this world, but +the world to come) it is our duty to oppose such a government: + +* And further resolved, That the depriving the colonies of their +constitutional rights, may be fitly compared to the dismembering the +natural body, which will soon affect the heart; and it would be nothing +unexpected for us to hear, that those very persons who have been so +active in robbing the colonies of their constitutional rights, have also +delivered up the constitution of our mother country into the hands of +our king: + +Therefore resolved, That it is the first and highest social duty of this +people, to consider of, and seek ways and means, for a speedy redress of +these mighty grievances and intolerable wrongs; and that for the +obtaining of this end, this people are warranted, by the laws of God and +nature, in the use of every rightful art and energy of policy, stratagem +and force. + +* And while we are thus under these awful frowns of divine Providence +and involved as this people are in heavy calamities, which daily +increase in number and severity, it is highly becoming towns and +individuals to humble themselves before Almighty God, seriously to +commune with their own hearts, and seek carefully with tears, for the +causes of the prevailing distresses of the land; and while it is +apparent, that pristine piety and purity of morals, have given place to +infidelity, dissipation, luxury, and gross corruption of mind and +morals, there is a loud call for humility, lamentings and reformation; +and it is at this time eminently incumbent on one and all, to seek at +the throne of the great God for those special and remarkable +interpositions of divine Providence, grace and mercy, which have so +ofter saved New-England from both public and private distress and +misery: and as there is great reason to believe, that in past times we +have too much depended upon the exertions of worldly wisdom and +political devices, it becomes us in our present melancholy situation to +rely no longer on an arm of flesh, but on the arms of that all-powerful +God, who is able to unite the numerous inhabitants of this extensive +territory, as a band of brothers in one common cause—who can easily give +that true religion, which shall make us his people indeed; that spirit, +which shall fit us to endure temporal hardships for the procurement of +future happiness; that spirit of valor and irresistable courage, which +shall occasion our aged and our youth to jeopard their lives with joy, +in the high places of the field, for his name and service sake, for the +preservation also of this goodly heritage of our fathers, for the sake +of the living children of our loins, and the unborn millions of +posterity. + +* We believe that there are very many, who in these days have kept their +integrity and garments unspotted, and hope that God will deliver them +and our nation for their sake. God will not suffer this land where the +gospel hath flourished, to become a slave of the world; he will stir up +witnesses of the truth; and in his own time, spirit his people to stand +up for his cause, and deliver them. In a similar belief, that patriot of +patriots, the great _Algernon Sidney_, lived and died, and dying +breathed a like sentiment and prophecy, touching his own and the then +approaching times, a prophecy, however, not accomplished until a +glorious revolution. + +Approved of by vote of the town, without contradiction. + + SYLVANUS HOW, per order. + + +The govornor, instead of overlooking in his speech, the proceedings of +the towns, has been induced by them to broach the dispute about the +supremacy of the parliament; and has fallen into the snare which +probably some of the politicians had laid for him, expecting to get the +majority of the general court to declare against it. He designed to +recommend himself to the ministry by obtaining a victory: but they will +not thank him for increasing their embarrassments. + +[Jan. 25.] The council in their answer, said “The stamp act, with some +preceding and succeeding acts of parliament, subjecting the colonies to +taxes without their consent, was the original cause of all the +uneasiness that has happened since, and has occasioned also an inquiry +into the nature and extent of the authority by which they were made.” + +This was the truth. When the stamp act took place, “some people, under +the notion of zeal for liberty, ran into the most excessive +licentiousness, and were guilty in one place and another of the most +lawless, unjust, and tyrannical proceedings; such as pulling down and +destroying houses, abusing persons, endangering men’s lives, destroying +their property, breaking windows, delivering prisoners out of the hands +of justice, putting many into great fear, all contrary to the laws of +the province: but there was nothing of this kind before.”[107] Let me +add, that in all my researches not an instance has occurred to me of the +mob’s having been the death of a single individual, though they might +have proceeded to the most criminal lengths also, had they not been +gratified or diverted from their pursuits. But before that fatal act, +there was not a more loyal, orderly, and peaceable people than the +Americans in general through the whole British empire. All ranks and +conditions gloried in their connection with Great-Britain; rejoiced in +her friendship and protection; and triumphed in her prosperity. + +Toward the close of their answer, the house of assembly expressed a +concern at their having been reduced by the speech to the unhappy +alternative, either of appearing by their silence to acquiesce in the +governor’s sentiments as to the supremacy of parliament, or of freely +discussing the point. The house might be concerned, but the leaders were +pleased with the opportunity. The governor replied; and the house in +their rejoinder told him “Although the colony may have submitted _sub +silentio_ to some acts of parliament, that they conceived might operate +for their benefit, they did not conceive themselves bound by any of its +acts which they judged would operate to the injury of individuals.” The +people at large believe, that the house has the best of the argument, +and are confirmed in their opposition to the claims of parliament. + +The house voted the usual salaries to the judges of the superior court +early in the session. The governor delayed giving his assent to the +grants; which produced a message to him, requesting his making known the +difficulty that prevented his assenting; to this it was answered, that +he had received information, that his majesty had been pleased to order +salaries to be allowed to the justices of the superior courts, &c. By +this answer the house gained the opportunity of sending a second +message, [Feb.] in which they expressed their resentment at the many +attempts made, effectually to render null and void those clauses in +their charter upon which the freedom of their constitution depends; and +said that they were more and more convinced, that it had been the design +of administration to introduce an arbitrary government into the +province. They declared at the close, their impatience to know, “that +the justices will utterly refuse ever to accept of support in a manner +so justly obnoxious to the people of the province, it being repugnant to +the charter, and utterly inconsistent with the safety of the rights, +liberties, and properties of the people.” To add the greater weight to +their sentiments, and make them the more regarded by all persons, they +come to several resolves [March 3.] respecting the salaries and the +judges; among the rest, “that their dependence on the crown, especially +while they held their commissions during pleasure, tends to the +subversion of justice and equity, and to introduce oppression and +despotic power; and that while they hold during pleasure, any who shall +accept of and depend upon the pleasure of the crown for his support, +independent of the grants of the general court, will discover that he is +an enemy to the constitution, and has it in his heart to promote the +establishment of an arbitrary government in the province.” + +The measures pursued on each side the Atlantic are not calculated to +promote harmony. + + + + + LETTER VI. + + + _London, August 7, 1773._ + + FRIEND G. + +You will receive from me without further application, regular accounts +of what is doing on this side the Atlantic, in relation to the colonies. + +The burning of the _Gaspee_ schooner near Providence, has given the +chief rise to “an act for the better securing his majesty’s dock yards, +magazines, ships, ammunition and stores.” If the button of a marine’s +coat, the oar of a cutter’s boat, or the head of a cask belonging to the +fleet, are included under the comprehensive term _stores_, then +according to the act, a person wilfully and maliciously destroying, or +aiding and assisting in destroying the same, is to suffer death on being +convicted. But what will affect you more than all the rest is that the +act is extended to the colonies, and subjects a person to a trial at the +pleasure of his majesty, his heirs or successors, in any shire or county +in Great-Britain. Your own feelings will furnish you with the best +comment on this new extension of parliamentary power. + +The supporting of the authority of parliament was the only cause +assigned by the minister himself, for retaining the tea-duty, at the +very time when he acknowledged it to be as anti-commercial a tax, as any +of those which he had repealed upon that principle. It now appears that +government had something more in contemplation. + +The East-India Company, feeling the bad effects of the colonial +smuggling trade, (occasioned by the retention of the duty) in the large +quantities of tea which remained in their warehouses unsold, requested +the repeal of the three-pence per pound in America, and offered that, +upon its being complied with, government should retain six-pence in the +pound on the exportation. Thus the company presented the happiest +opportunity which could have offered, for honorably removing the cause +of difference with America. Here was an opening for doing right, without +infringing the claims on either side. The company asked, and their +situation required relief. It could not be alledged, that it was done at +the instance of American discontent. The minister was requested and +intreated, by a gentleman of great weight in the company, and a member +of parliament, to embrace the opportunity; but it has been rejected. New +contrivances have been set on foot to introduce the tea, attended with +the three-penny duty into all the colonies. Various intrigues and +solicitations have been used to induce the chairman and deputy chairman, +to undertake this rash and foolish business. It has been protested +against as contrary to the principles of the company’s monopoly; but the +power of ministry has prevailed; and the insignificant three-penny duty +on tea, is doomed to be the fatal bone of contention between +Great-Britain and America. A bill has been passed into an act, [May 10.] +for enabling the company to export their own teas. In consequence of it +they have adopted the system, and are become their own factors. They +have come to a resolution of sending 600 chests of tea to +_Philadelphia_, the like quantity to _New-York_ and _Boston_, beside +what is designed for other places; several ships are accordingly +freighted for different colonies, and agents appointed for the disposal +of the commodity. + +The several colonies will undoubtedly consider the scheme as calculated +merely to circumvent them into a compliance with the revenue law, and +thereby to open the door for an unlimited taxation; for if taxation can +be established in this instance, it will be extended to others. +Consequences will not fail to convince the minister, that it would have +been far more eligible to have repealed the duty, than in this way to +attempt its establishment. It will be needless for me to assure you, +that you may upon all occasions command the assistance of + + Your, &c. + +N. B. Some of the captains have refused to take the tea on board. + + + + + LETTER VII. + + + _Roxbury, March 28, 1774._ + +Before you have an account of the American proceedings in respect to the +teas of the East-India Company, you must be presented with some matters +of an earlier date. + +[May 14, 1773.] The Bostonians persisted in discovering on every +occasion, a determined opposition to ministerial measures. Twelve days +before the election day, the town resolved, “That if the council apply +for Faneuil-hall for to dine in on the anniversary election day, the +select men should not grant it but upon the express conditions that +neither the commissioners of the customs, nor their attendants, nor the +officers of the army and navy, stationed here for the purpose of +enforcing unconstitutional acts of parliament by military execution, be +invited.” It has been an established custom for the governor, council, +and many other gentlemen, to dine there on that day; but the resolve +prevented an application, and occasioned their dining elsewhere, with +the commissioners and officers. + +Whether the votes of _Boston_, sent to _Virginia_, as the patriots say, +or their own private letters might or might not lead to it, the house of +burgesses resolved, in the beginning of March, to maintain an +intercourse with the sister colonies. They therefore appointed a +committee of eleven persons, “whose business it should be to obtain the +most early and authentic intelligence of all such acts and resolutions +of the British parliament, or proceedings of administration, as may +relate to or affect the British colonies, and to keep up and maintain a +correspondence and communication with their sister colonies.” They then +resolved, “That their speaker transmit to the speakers of the different +assemblies their resolutions, to be laid before their assemblies, and +requesting their appointing committees.” Nothing could be more +acceptable to the _Massachusetts_ assembly. It was the first particular +business they entered upon when they met. [May 28.] They came to several +resolves, and were careful in the first to speak highly in praise of +_Virginia_. They appointed a committee of fifteen members, and directed +them “to prepare a circular letter to the speakers, requesting them to +lay the same before their respective assemblies, in confidence that they +will comply with the wise and salutary resolves of the house of +burgesses of _Virginia_.” _Connecticut_, _Rhode-Island_, _Maryland_, and +_New-Hampshire_, entered into similar measures; but the answer ordered +by the _New-Hampshire_ assembly, to be given to the speakers of +_Virginia_ and _Rhode-Island_, was guardedly expressed; they gave +assurance that their sister colonies might rely upon their sincerely +joining them in every constitutional plan for securing the rights of +America. The institution of these committees tends greatly to unite the +colonies, and to render them more alert and formidable in resisting the +encroachments of ministry. They by this mean become early prepared to +meet new and unexpected occurrences; and are drawn in to look upon +themselves as jointly interested in each others safety and public +concerns. + +An event has happened in the _Massachusetts_, which has excited on the +part of the people, the utmost indignation and animosity; on the side of +the governor and other, the greatest confusion. + +The agent, Dr. _Franklin_, has by some means yet unknown, obtained and +sent over to Mr. Bowdoin, a number of letters, to be communicated by +him, after perusal, to a few trusty gentlemen, viz. the honorable James +Pitts, Mr. Thomas Cushing, Mr. Samuel Adams, Dr. Winthrop, Dr. Chauncey, +and Dr. Cooper: it is added, they are to be returned and put into the +place whence they were taken. The letters are signed _Tho. Hutchinson_, +_And. Oliver_, _Ch. Paxton_, _Thomas Moffat_, _Robert Achmuty_, _Nath. +Rogers_, _George Rome_. Though they were partly private and +confidential, they were designed to procure public coercive measures; +and tended to incense the mother country against her colonies, and by +the steps recommended, to widen the breach, which they have undoubtedly +effected. Their contents were the subject of conversation and solicitous +enquiry; till at length Mr. _Sam. Adams_ acquainted the assembly [June +2.] that he had perceived the minds of the people to be greatly agitated +with a prevailing report, that letters of an extraordinary nature had +been written and sent to England, greatly to the prejudice of this +province—that he had obtained certain letters, which with the consent of +the gentleman from whom he had received them, might be read in the house +under certain restrictions, namely, that the said letters be neither +printed nor copied in whole or in part; the proposal was considered, and +they were read under the said restrictions. A committee of the whole +house afterward reported, “that the tendency and design of said letters +was to overthrow the constitution of this government, and to introduce +arbitrary power into the province.”—Yeas 101—Nays 5. + +The restrictions under which the letters were communicated, were +invalidated by contrivance; and in a week’s time [June 9.] Mr. _Hancock_ +acquainted the house that he had received copies of certain letters, +which he supposed were copies of the letters before the house, and moved +that they might be compared. The next day [June 10.] one of a committee +appointed to consider some means whereby the house might be honorably +and fully possessed of the letters, reported, “That Mr. S. Adams had +acquainted him, that having conversed with the gentleman from whom he +received the letters, he was authorised to inform the house, that the +said gentleman consented (as he found that copies of said letters were +already abroad, and had been publicly read) that the house should be +fully possessed of them, to print, copy, or make what use of them they +pleased, relying on the goodness of the house, that the original letters +be returned, they retaining attested copies for their use.” Mr. S. Adams +being called upon, declared the same. [June 16.] At length the assembly +resolved to petition the king to remove governor _Hutchinson_ and +lieutenant governor _Oliver_ for ever from the government of the +province. [June 22.] They agreed also to furnish the council with the +original letters upon the express condition, that the board would by no +means suffer them to go out of their hands. The council complied with +the insulting stipulation aimed at the governor; and upon his requiring +the letters for examination, refused to deliver them into his hands, but +sent a committee to open them before him, that he might examine the hand +writing. [June 24.] To this indignity he was obliged to submit, as well +as to the mortification of acknowledging the signature. After which they +resolved, “that the removal of the governor and lieutenant governor will +be promotive of his majesty’s service.” + +The _Boston_ committee of correspondence, that they might add weight to +the doings of the general court, enclosed the governor’s letters and +also the resolves of the house, in a spirited circular letter, and sent +them to the several town clerks through the province, to be communicated +to their respective towns. + +The house of assembly in their petition and remonstrance to his majesty, +charged the governor and lieutenant governor with being betrayers of +their trusts and of the people they governed, and with giving private, +partial, and false information; declared them enemies to the colony; and +prayed for justice against them, and for their speedy removal. So +prevalent was the resentment, that these charges, with many others, were +carried through by a majority of 82 to 12. + +To enter now upon the subject of the TEA. While the bill for allowing +the East-India Company to export it, was in parliament, letters from +Britain insinuated into the minds of the colonists, that a plan was laid +to bring them into a snare; that a noble resistance on this occasion, +would free them from the slavery intended for them; that if this +opportunity was lost they never would have another; and that if they +suffered the ships to land the tea, and the duty to be paid, they would +rivet their own chains. The British merchants have been alarmed with the +thought of the losses which must necessarily accrue to themselves from +the exportations of the company, and from the sales going through the +hands of consignees; and have contributed to the strengthening of that +resistance to which the people were already inclined; through their +prevailing jealousy at the reservation of the tea duty when the other +duties were repealed. The united opposition of the colonies was to be +secured; but the event was precarious. The _Bostonians_ were much +suspected by the sons of liberty in the other provinces, on account of +the many goods which were imported into the town during the general +non-importation agreement, and agreement of the teas contrary to the +agreement respecting that article. _New-York_ and _Philadelphia_ had +kept to the agreement, and had run all the teas that the market +demanded; but there had been imported into _Boston_, from the beginning +of 1768 to the end of last year, not less than 2714 chests, by more than +a hundred different persons. Mr. Hutchinson and his sons were +considerable importers. It was evident that the body of merchants could +not be depended upon. Mr. _Thomas Mifflin_, of Philadelphia, being at +Boston, put it therefore to the sons of liberty, when the teas were +expected, “Will you engage that they shall not be landed? If so, I will +answer for Philadelphia.”—They pledged their honor. + +[Oct. 2.] The inhabitants of _Philadelphia_ assembled, and unanimously +entered into various resolves, in which they censured the resolution of +the East-India Company to send out their tea to America, subject to the +payment of duties on its being landed, as an open attempt to enforce the +ministerial plan, and a violent attack upon the liberties of America; +and declared it to be the duty of every American to oppose this attempt, +and that whoever should directly or indirectly countenance it, was an +enemy to his country. They then fixed upon a committee to wait on the +gentlemen, reported to be appointed to receive and sell the tea, and to +request their resigning. Within three days the whole number resigned; +Messrs. _Whartons_ and _Brown_, without making the least difficulty; the +other two, not till the treatment they met with (on appearing at the +coffee-house) for the shuffling answer they had given, convinced them +that it was not safe trifling with the public opinion. Since this +meeting, the Boston sons of liberty have assured by letter the sons of +liberty at Philadelphia, that no tea shall be landed. + +At _New-York_, when captain _Sears_ and captain _M‘Dougall_ heard that +the tea was to be sent, they concluded that an opposition to it was +necessary, and agreed upon contriving to unite the tea-smugglers, the +merchants, and the sons of liberty in that service; and that captain +_M‘Dougall_ should write against the design of introducing and vending +the tea agreeable to the ministerial plan, but should remain concealed +as the author. A few of each class were called together, and the mode of +opposition settled. Publications, tending to spread and increase the +alarm of imminent danger to the liberties of the country, appeared +periodically. As the time approached for the arrival of the tea ships, +the publications became more spirited and threatening. [Nov. 5.] An +hand-bill addressed to the friends of liberty and commerce was +circulated through the city, calculated to provoke resentment against +all the encouragers of the tea plan. Afterward written papers were stuck +up at the coffee-house and other places [Nov. 8.] menacing destruction +to any person who should accept a commission for the sale of the +_East-India_ Company’s teas, or be an accessory. In rather more than a +week, there was published [Nov. 18.] a paper signed _Legion_, addressed +to the stated pilots of the port, and all others whom it might concern, +directing them how to proceed in reference to any tea-ship, and +requiring them, at their peril, to bring her no farther than the Hook. +In another paper, signed the _Mohawks_, the tea-ship is said to be laden +with fetters, forged for them in Great-Britain, and every vengeance is +denounced against all persons, who dare in any manner to contribute to +the introduction of these chains. In December, the _London_, captain +_Chambers_, and the tea ship arrived on the same day; the former came up +directly to the wharf, the other remained at the _Hook_, and was watched +till she returned, by a vessel stationed there for the purpose. On her +arrival a committee waited on the consignees, who, agreeable to a former +promise, assured them that they would neither receive nor sell the tea, +as it came liable to an _American duty_. Captain Chambers ventured to +bring seventeen chests on a private account, which were taken and thrown +overboard into the harbor. Had the company’s ship come to the wharf, she +would probably have been burnt, for captain _Sears_ and five others had +determined upon it, and provided themselves with combustibles for that +purpose. + +At _Philadelphia_, printed papers were dispersed, warning the _Delaware_ +pilots not to conduct any of the tea ships into harbor, as they were +only sent for the purpose of enslaving and poisoning all the Americans; +and at the same time plainly intimating, that it was expected they would +apply their knowledge of the river, under the colour of their +profession, so as effectually to secure their country from such an +imminent danger. + +In most places the consignees were obliged to relinquish their +appointments, and to enter into engagements not to act in that capacity, +and no other persons daring to receive the cargoes consigned to them, +the captains of the New-York and Philadelphia ships, from these +circumstances, and the knowledge of the risk they ran from the +determined resolution of the people, concluded upon returning directly +to Great-Britain, without entangling themselves by any entry at the +custom-houses. But it was otherwise in the _Massachusetts_. + +Methods were taken to spirit up the people at large by fugitive pieces, +hand-bills, resolves of town-meetings, the mutual intercourse of +committees, and the like. [Nov. 3.] At length some hundreds of the +inhabitants of _Boston_ and the neighboring towns, meet at +_Liberty-tree_, agreeable to a notification issued the day before, “for +to hear the consignees resign and swear, that they will re-ship any +teas, that may by the _East-India_ Company be assigned to them.” The +consignees are in general obnoxious to the public by reason of their +near and intimate connections with the governor, on whose support they +depend. They are not terrified into an appearance at the place proposed; +but meet together by agreement at the store of Mr. _Clark_, who is one +of them, in King-street. A committee is appointed by the assembly to +wait upon them with a message, to which they pay no regard. The people, +who attend the committee as spectators, upon this force open the doors +of the ware-house, and enter with great violence; and then attempt +getting up stairs into the compting-house but are driven back. [Nov. 5.] +The sons of liberty not having succeeded in this procedure, a +town-meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants is called. A large +number is collected; and it is agreed to adopt the resolves of the +citizens of Philadelphia. A committee is chosen to wait upon the +consignees, who decline complying with the request of the town by +letters, which tho’ decent, are the next day voted daringly affronting, +when the meeting is immediately dissolved. Some of the sons of liberty +are fearful of pushing the matter too far, lest the town, and then the +colony, should be drawn into a quarrel with Great-Britain. To such it is +said, “It must come to a quarrel with Great-Britain and the colony, +sooner or later; and if so, what can be a better time than the present? +Hundreds of years may pass away before the parliament will make such a +number of acts in violation of the British constitution as it has done +of late years, and by which is has excited so formidable an opposition +to the measures of ministry. Beside, the longer the contest is delayed, +the more administration will be strengthened. Do not you observe, how +the government at home are increasing their party here, by sending over +young fellows to enjoy appointments, who marry into our first families, +and so weaken the opposition? By such like means, and by multiplying +posts and places, and giving them to their own friends, or applying them +to the corruption of their antagonists, they will increase their own +force faster in proportion, than the force of the country party will +increase by population. If then we must quarrel before we can have our +rights secured, now is the most eligible period. Our credit also is at +stake; we must venture; and unless we do, we shall be discarded by the +sons of liberty in the other colonies, whose assistance we may expect +upon emergencies, in case they find us steady, resolute and faithful.” +They conclude to venture onward. + +[Nov. 18.] A new town-meeting is called, and a new committee appointed +to wait upon the consignees, to know whether they will resign their +appointment; to which they answer, “It is out of our power to comply +with the request of the town.” This answer may be built upon solemn +engagements not to resign; otherwise it is hard to conceive how it +should be more out of their power, than the power of the Philadelphia +consignees, who have resigned six weeks ago. It is a managed affair +between them and the governor, who calls a council for advice [Nov. 19.] +upon measures proper for preserving the peace, and for supporting the +authority of government. While the council are debating a petition of +the consignees is presented, praying leave to resign themselves and the +property committed to them, to his excellency and their honors as the +guardians of the people. After debate, the further consideration is +postponed to the 23d, then to the 27th, then to the 29th, when the +council make a few observations, decline complying with the petition, +and advise his excellency to renew his orders to the justices and +others, to exert themselves for the security of his majesty’s subjects, +the preservation of peace and good order, and for preventing all +offences against the law. About this time the consignees, consisting of +the governor’s sons, cousins, and particular friends, remove to the +castle for personal safety. The day before the last meeting of the +council, captain _Hall_ in the _Dartmouth_, came to an anchor near the +castle, having on board one hundred and fourteen chests of tea; and on +the day of their meeting comes into the harbour. On the same day a +notification is posted up in all parts of the town, inviting every +friend to his country to meet at nine o’clock to make united resistance +to the most destructive measures of administration. The Meeting of the +people at Boston and the neighbouring towns, is continued by adjournment +to the next day, [Nov. 30.] when it is determined that the tea shall be +returned. Faneuil-hall being too small for the assembly, they adjourn to +the Old South Meeting-house, and confirm the former determination by +voting, “that the tea shall not be landed, that no duty shall be paid, +and that it shall be sent back in the same bottom.” They further vote, +“that Mr. _Rotch_, the owner of the vessel, be directed not to enter the +tea at his peril, and that captain _Hall_ be informed, and at his peril +not to suffer any of the tea to be landed.” They also appoint a watch of +twenty-five men to be a guard upon the Dartmouth, lying at _Griffin’s_ +wharf. A letter is received from the consignees, offering to store the +teas till they can write and receive further orders; but the proposal is +rejected. Mr. _Greenleaf_, the sheriff, appears and begs leave to read a +proclamation from the governor, which requires the people forthwith to +disperse and to surcease all further proceedings. He is allowed to do +it; and, upon finishing, there is a loud and general hiss. The people +afterward vote, “that captain _Bruce_, on his arrival do conform to the +votes respecting Hall’s vessel; that no tea from Great-Britain be landed +or sold till the act imposing the duty is repealed; that the captain of +the present watch be desired to make out a list for the next night, and +so on, until the vessels leave the harbor; that should the watch be +molested, that the inhabitants be alarmed by the tolling of the bells at +night, and the righing of them in the day; that six persons be appointed +to give notice to the country towns, upon any important occasion; that +every vessel arriving with tea have a proper watch, and that their +brethen in the country be desired to afford their assistance on the +first notice.” They determine to carry their votes and resolves into +execution at the risk of life and property; thank their brethren in the +neighbouring towns, and then dissolve the meeting. + +After the dissolution, the committee of correspondence for the town of +Boston held their meetings, and invite the like committees of the +adjacent towns to join them; several do it; the whole jointly assume the +direction of all that relates to the teas of the East-India Company. +They keep a constant military watch of twenty-five men every night, +generally with fire arms, to prevent the tea being privately landed. The +vessels belonging to captains _Bruce_ and _Coffin_, are upon their +arrival ordered to Griffin’s wharf. + +[Dec. 14.] The people of Boston and the neighboring towns, that have +agreed to act in concert with Boston, meet at the Old South +Meeting-house, and conclude upon ordering Mr. _Rotch_ to apply +immediately for a clearance for his ship. Meanwhile the governor +receiving intimation that she would be sent to sea, and that it might +not be through the ordinary channel by the castle, acquaints admiral +_Montague_, and desires him to take the proper precautions, on which the +admiral orders the Active and King Fisher to be fitted for sea, and to +fall down and guard the passages out of the harbour. The governor +likewise renews in writing his orders to colonel _Leslie_, to suffer no +vessel, coasters excepted, to pass the fortress from the town without a +permit signed by himself. A sufficient number of guns are loaded on this +special occasion. + +The assembly are acquainted, that the collector cannot give Mr. _Rotch_ +a clearance, until the vessel is discharged of dutiable articles. [Nov. +16.] Mr. _Samuel Philips Savage_, of _Weston_, is chosen moderator. The +number assembled from town and country is thought to be some thousands. +Upon the present crisis several gentlemen deliver their sentiments; and +Mr. _Josiah Quincy_, jun. his to the following purpose;—“It is not, Mr. +Moderator, the spirit that vapors within these walls that must stand us +in stead. The exertions of this day will call forth events, which will +make a very different spirit necessary for our salvation.—Whoever +supposes, that shouts and hosannas will terminate the trials of the day, +entertains a childish fancy. We must be grossly ignorant of the +importance and value of the prize for which we contend; we must be +equally ignorant of the power of those who have combined against us; we +must be blind to that malice, inveteracy, and insatiable revenge, which +actuate our enemies public and private, abroad and in our bosom, to hope +that we shall end this controversy without the sharpest, the sharpest +conflicts——to flatter ourselves that popular resolves, popular harangues, +popular acclamations, and popular vapor, will vanquish our foes. Let us +consider the issue. Let us look to the end.—Let us weigh and consider, +before we advance to those measures which must bring on the most trying +and terrible struggle this country ever saw.” + +About three o’clock in the afternoon the question is put, “Will you +abide by your former resolution with respect to not suffering the tea to +be landed?” It passes in the affirmative, _nem. con._ + +Mr. _Rotch_ is ordered to make a protest, and procure a pass for his +vessel. He waits upon the governor at Milton, who offers to give him a +letter to the admiral for protection, which he declines, fearing in that +case the rage of the people, and being in no concern about his ship, as +that is not the object of resentment, but the tea. He intimates to the +governor, that some of the leaders of the people wish the ship to go +down and be stopped at the castle, “for then they will be rid of the +affair, and may say they have done all in their power.” While Mr. Rotch +is absent, the speakers in the meeting keep the people together by +engaging their attention till he returns, which is before six o’clock, +when he informs the body, that upon applying to the governor for a pass, +he received for answer, “I cannot give you a pass consistent with the +laws and my duty to my king, unless the vessel is properly qualified +from the custom-house.”—Upon this there is a great deal of disputing, +when a person disguised like an Indian, gives the war-whoop in the front +gallery, where there are few if any besides himself. Upon this signal it +is moved and voted that the meeting be immediately dissolved.—The people +crowd out and run in numbers to Griffin’s wharf. At the same instant a +number of persons, chiefly masters of vessels and ship-builders from the +north end of the town, about seventeen, though judged to be many more as +they run along, cross Fort Hill, dressed as Indians, and repair to the +tea ships; and in about two hours hoist out of them and break open 342 +chests of tea, and discharge their contents into the salt water. They +are not in the least molested. The multitude of spectators upon and +about the wharf, serve as a covering party. The whole business is +conducted with very little tumult, and no damage done to the vessels or +any other property; when finished, the people return quietly to their +own towns and habitations. + +Prior to the destruction of the tea, captain _Loring_ in a brig, being +the fourth and last vessel on the East-India Company’s account, was cast +ashore at Cape-Cod; and what tea was saved has been conveyed to the +castle. + +The arrival of the tea ships first at Boston, the consignees refusing to +resign, though they had the example of others to induce them, and the +governor’s resolution to pay no regard to the voice of the public, +brought on the destruction of the tea. The sons of liberty were +sensible, that if it was landed and stored, it would some how or other +obtain a sale; and that the virtue of the people, to decline buying and +using a commodity to which they were so attached from love and habit, +was too precarious a ground on which to risk the salvation of their +country. They have been obliged, but with the utmost reluctance, to +venture upon a desperate remedy. Many of their friends, who are not +acquainted with circumstances, or do not attend to them, may be ready to +censure them severely. But had the tea been landed, the union of the +colonies in opposing the ministerial schemes would have been dissolved; +and it would have been extremely difficult ever after to have restored +it. The fulfilment of their solemn declaration, that the tea should not +be landed, though in a way which would not have been chosen had any +other effectual one offered, has secured them the good opinion and +confidence of their co-patriots in other parts. The governor has that +influence with the consignees, that he could undoubtedly have prevailed +on them to resign; but he has encouraged them to the contrary; and +therefore what he has written, “It has been absolutely out of my power +to prevent the destruction of the tea, without conceding to the +unreasonable demands of a lawless set of men, and thereby giving +government up and rendering myself obnoxious to my sovereign,” will +scarce be admitted as a sufficient justification. Sovereigns themselves, +upon special emergencies, wisely give place to the opinions and wishes +of their subjects; but are often disgraced and forced into difficulties, +through the want of like wisdom in their representatives. Had the +governor given a pass for the ship in the present instance, he would not +have been viewed by considerate persons as breaking either the laws or +his oath. Cases offer, when statute laws and oaths of office are +required to give place to the supreme law of society, the safety of the +community. Had he looked back to the time of the stamp act, he would +probably have found many precedents of ships having permits from his +predecessor in office, Sir Francis Bernard, to pass the castle without +being duly qualified for want of stamps; and yet the granting them did +not render Sir Francis obnoxious to his sovereign.—But the truth was, +Mr. _Hutchinson_ had repeatedly urged government at home to be firm and +persevering; this was a favorite topic on which he was often insisting; +he himself therefore could not think of yielding; and then he would not +believe that the people were determined at all adventures to perfect +their engagements; but expected that when the critical moment came, they +would desist. Whereas when that moment came, and the tea on board the +Dartmouth, captain Hall was in danger of being seized and secured by the +custom-house officers, who might have been supported by admiral +Montague, the sons of liberty projected the destruction of it in the +manner above related: and in order to make short work of the whole +business, and prevent their repeating the preceding formalities, they +did not confine their operations to the tea on board the Dartmouth, but +extended them to the teas brought in afterward by captains Bruce and +Coffin. + +Some expected that the destruction of the tea will issue in the +destruction of the charter, which will make the inhabitants of the +colony furious beyond expression. One gentleman, apprehensive of the +fatal consequences that will follow upon the parliament’s meddling with +the charter, the great darling of the people, has written freely and +fully upon the subject to his correspondent, an influential member in +the house. Another, being desirous of learning the real sentiments of +the more moderate party, and of such as have not plunged themselves into +the politics of the day, has conversed with several of them; but has +discovered in them the warmest indignation and the highest resentment at +the thought of being deprived of their charter. A major in the militia +(whom Mr. Hutchinson honored with the commission, for his good conduct +as foreman of the jury on the trial of the soldiers for killing the +persons on the 5th of March, 1770) told him, “Sir, you know that I am a +friend to government, and wish to support it; but if there is an attempt +to take away our charter, I will fight up to my knees in blood in +defence of it.” The gentleman has perceived such a spirit to predominate +among all the people, that he has judged it right to communicate his +knowledge to Sir Francis Bernard, and to acquaint with his apprehensions +as to the fatal consequences which will follow upon the adoption of +violent measures. He has written also to another friend upon the +subject, in hope that the intelligence will get to the ministry, and +prove beneficial to the public by preventing harsh proceedings. At +Charleston the Carolinians have unloaded the tea, and stored it in +cellars, where it cannot be used, and where it will finally perish. + +Let me pass from hence to relate the doings of the Massachusetts +assembly respecting the judges, which you will probably pronounce +intemperate. + +The house being informed, that each of the judges refused to take more +than one half of the sum granted them the last year, which they +considered as implying on the part of the judges, a determination to +accept of their support from the crown, resolved, “That it is the +incumbent duty of the judges explicitly to declare, whether they are +determined to receive the grants of the general assemble, or to accept +of their support from the crown; and their delaying any longer to let +the public know their determination, will discover that they have little +or no regard for the peace and welfare of the province; and in such case +it will be the indispensable duty of the commons of this province, to +impeach them before the governor and council. Four of the judges, in the +beginning of February, 1774, acquainted the house they had received +their whole salary granted them by the general court, and not any part +of the grant made by the crown, and that they were determined still to +receive the grants of the general assembly, which was pronounced +satisfactory. But the chief justice, Peter Oliver, esq. sent them a +letter [Feb. 3.] informing them, That since being upon the bench +seventeen years, he had suffered above three thousand pounds sterling; +that he had been encouraged not to resign with the hope of a support, +but never had been relieved; that he had taken his majesty’s grant from +the 5th of July, 1772, to the 5th of January, 1774, and that without his +majesty’s leave he dare not refuse it. + +[Feb. 11.] The house resolved, “That Peter Oliver hath, by his conduct +proved himself an enemy to the constitution of this province, and is +become justly obnoxious to the good people of it; that he ought to be +removed from the office of chief justice; and that a remonstrance and +petition to the governor and council for his immediate removal be +prepared”—yeas 96—nays 9. + +[Feb. 24.] The house prepared to exhibit articles of impeachment, in +their own name, and the name of all the inhabitants of the province, +against the chief justice. His excellency excepted to the proceedings of +the house as unconstitutional; for which reason he could not give them +any countenance. + +[March 1.] They prepared articles of high crimes and misdemeanors +against the chief justice, to present to his excellency and the council, +in which they said, “The salary, and hopes of augmentation must have the +effect of a continual bribe, and expose him to a violation of his oath. +His accepting hath betrayed the baseness of his heart and the lust +covetousness, in breach of his engagements to rely solely on the grants +of the assembly, necessarily implied and involved in his accepting said +office. By receiving a grant out of the revenue unjustly extorted from +the American colonies, he hath as far as lay in his power, put a +sanction on, and established the said revenue, counteracted the +reasonable petitions of the people to his majesty, and in defiance of +the known sense of the body of this people, hath wickedly endeavoured to +increase the discontent and jealousies of this people and the grievance +aforementioned.” + +[March 9.] It was resolved, “That the house have done all that in the +capacity of representatives can be done for the removal of Peter Oliver; +and it must be presumed, that the governor’s refusing to take any +measure therein, is because he also receives his support from the +crown.” + +It is not to be thought, that the leading gentlemen in these proceedings +expected to obtain the removal of the chief justice; but by the help of +them, they rendered him and the governor more and more obnoxious to the +body of the people; added to the dignity and importance of the house in +the eyes of the representatives, by placing them upon an apparent level +with the house of commons in Britain; and preservd the general animosity +against ministerial measures from falling into a decline. + +The real, genuine sentiments of the professed patriots may be desired; +let me therefore mention, that these are divided in wish and opinion. +The great body of them through the several colonies, and even in this, +aim at no more than the removal of all the innovations since the +expiration of the war. They want to have matters revert back to the +state in which they were when the peace commenced, and to be fixed in +that state. They wish most ardently to continue in union with +Great-Britain; and abhor the thought of a separation. They judge that it +would be neither safe not beneficial; that it is infinitely more +eligible to have the protection of the mother country, and to remain +under her shadow; and that no greater happiness can be enjoyed by them, +than a thorough restoration of harmony and affection between them and +the parent state, so as to obliterate the remembrance of all past +animosity. But there are a few in this colony who hanker after +independency, and will be likely to bend their whole influence for the +obtaining of it, whenever there is the least opening to encourage their +efforts. At the head of these we must place Mr. _Samuel Adams_ who has +long since said in small confidential companies—“The country shall be +independent, and we will be satisfied with nothing short of it.” At one +time his influence was small, owing to defects in pecuniary matters, +especially as collector of the taxes for Boston, in which office he +served for years. He was accountable to the town for between one and two +thousand pounds; but a great part of it had never been gathered. What +with not pressing the payment of the taxes in time, as is too generally +the case; not calling when the money happened to be ready and other +casualties, no inconsiderable sum was lost. His necessities probably +(for he appears to be addicted to no extravagances) urged him to supply +himself, time after time, from the cash in hand, without attending to +the accumulation of the balance against him till called upon to settle. +The town had several meetings upon the business; at length, by the +exertion of his friends, a majority was obtained for the relinquishment +of the demand upon him. Since his first election into the house in 1765, +his influence had been gradually increasing, until he has obtained a +great ascendency in directing the town of Boston, and the house of +representatives, and conseqently the council. His abilities and policy +will foster the idea of independency, by the aids of those very +severities the ministry may adopt, in order to compel the colonies into +a submission to parliamentary authority in all cases whatever. + + + + + LETTER VIII. + + + _London, July 2, 1774._ + +The letters sent over to the Massachusetts by Dr. Franklin, have +produced a duel between Mr. _Whateley_, the banker, brother to the late +secretary to the treasury, and _John Temple_, esq. in which the former +was dangerously wounded. This has led the doctor to inform the public, +that both the gentlemen are totally ignorant and innocent as to the +transaction and its circumstances about which they fought. He declares +that he alone was the person who obtained and transmitted to Boston the +letters in question and says—“Mr. W. could not communicate them, because +they were never in his possession; and for the same reason they could +not be taken from him by Mr. T.” The doctor justifies his own conduct, +and concludes with telling the world, he “thought it his duty to +transmit them to his constituents.” But if they were sent over to be +communicated to a few confidential gentlemen only, instead of being +addressed to the speaker of the assembly, or one of the committee +appointed to correspond with him, with orders to lay them before the +house, how were they _transmitted to his constituents_? There is +something mysterious in this business, which it is apprehended will not +bear a discovery at present. It is suspected that the letters were +procured out of some public office; and that Mr. Temple is not so +perfectly ignorant of all circumstances as the doctor’s language seems +to express. + +[Jan. 29, 1774.] The merits of the petition, presented some time ago by +the doctor as agent for the Massachusetts, praying for the removal of +the governor, came on to be heard before the privy council. It is +reported, that Mr. _W——_, wandering from the question before their +lordships, poured forth such a torrent of virulent abuse on Dr. +_Franklin_ as scarce ever before took place in judicial proceedings. His +reproaches appeared to some present to be incompatible with the +principles of law, truth, justice, propriety and humanity. And it was +thought it would have redounded more to the honor of their lordships, +had they seemed to enjoy less the lashes which the doctor underwent; and +had they expressed their dissatisfaction by reducing the orator to the +remembrance of the exalted characters before whom he uttered such +language. The petition was dismissed, and the doctor is displaced from +the office of deputy post-master general for the colonies. The +philosopher may recollect in some future day the liberties taken with +him before the privy-council on the twenty-ninth of January, and take +ample revenge on British ministers and courtiers. + +[March 7.] A message from his majesty, on account of the late +disturbances in America, was presented to both houses. Particular +mention was made of the outrage committed by the people at Boston. +Matters are now brought to a crisis, and ministry are bent upon +vigorous, sperited measures. To prevent opposition from the merchants, +the public papers were filled with writings on the subject, which +painted the misconduct of the colonies in the strongest colours, and +urged in particular the impossibility of the future existence of any +trade to America, if this flagrant outrage on commerce, as it is +pronounced, went unpunished. These, with other endeavors, had the +proposed effect. The resentment against the Americans became as high and +as strong as could be desired, within the house; but the storm was to be +directed against the _Massachusetts_. The minister, in debate, stated +that the opposition to the authority of parliament had always originated +in that colony; and that that colony had always been instigated to such +conduct, by the irregular and seditious proceedings of Boston. It was +become necessary therefore to begin with that town. He had forgot, or +would not mention, that the violent opposition to the stamp act +originated in Virginia. + +[Mar. 14.] Leave was given to bring in a bill “for the immediate removal +of the officers concerned in the collection of the customs from Boston, +and to discontinue the landing and discharging, lading and shipping of +goods, wares and merchandises at Boston, or within the harbor thereof.” +At the first introduction of the bill it was received with general +applause. Mr. _Bollan_, however petitioned to be heard for the +Massachusetts council, and in behalf of himself and other inhabitants of +Boston. The commons refused to admit his petition, though a few days +back they had received one from him as agent for the council. The lords +were actually hearing him on a petition, as a person duly qualified. On +the third reading of the bill another petition was presented in the name +of several natives and inhabitants of North America; which insisted +strongly on the injustice of the act, and its tendency to alienate the +affections of America; and expressly declared, that the attachment of +America could not long survive the justice of Great-Britain. The +minority members maintained that the bill stood simply as a proscription +of one of the greatest trading towns in the British dominions from the +use of their port, and from all the commerce by which thousands obtained +their bread. “Have we not (say they) given an extent of power to his +majesty to prevent the port of Boston from ever being reinstated, if the +king should think proper? A fine is laid; the trade is prohibited until +it is paid; and when the fine is paid, the town may be as far from +recovering her trade as ever. The act provides, that the crown must have +satisfaction, and that the laws of trade and revenue should be obeyed. +There is a sting in this. The act, under pretence of an indemnity to the +East-India Company, is meant to enforce the submission to taxes. America +will see this; and the cause of Boston will be made the cause of all the +colonies. They are all as guilty as Boston. Not one has received the +tea; some have destroyed it, others sent it back.” But all opposition +was ineffectual; for the projected measures of government were +immutable. The bill passed; and was carried up to the house of lords, +where it was warmly debated, but, as in the house of commons, passed +without a division. + +[March 31.] It received the royal assent. + +The Boston port bill formed only one part of the coercive plan proposed +by ministry. A bill was soon brought in for “the better regulating the +government of the Massachusetts Bay.” The purport of it was, to alter +the constitution of the province, to take the whole executing power out +of the hands of the democratic part, and to vest the nomination of +counsellors, judges, and magistrates of all kinds, including sheriffs, +in the crown, and in some cases in the king’s governor, and all to be +removeable at the pleasure of the crown. + +In the debates it was asked of ministry, whether the colonies already +regulated nearly in the manner proposed by the bill, were more +submissive to the right of taxation than the Massachusetts. It was +justly argued, the disorder lay much deeper than the forms of +government; that the people throughout the continent were universally +dissatisfied; and that the uneasiness and resistance was no less in the +royal governments than in any other. Mr. _Bollan_ again made an effort +in favor of his province; but the commons refused to receive his +petition. The ministry having carried the preceding bill, prepared +another, without which, it was said, the scheme would be entirely +defective. + +[April 21.] Lord _North_ presented the third bill “for the impartial +administration of justice in the cases of persons questioned for any +acts done by them in the execution of the law, or for the suppression of +riots and tumults in the _Massachusetts Bay_.” This bill provided, that +in case any person was indicted in that province for murder, or any +other capital offence, and it should appear to the governor that the +fact was committed in the exercise or aid of magistracy, in suppressing +tumults and riots, and that a fair trial could not be had in the +province, he should send the person so indicted, &c. to any other +colony, or to Great-Britain to be tried. The charge on both sides was to +be paid out of the customs. The minority opposed this bill with great +vehemence. They insisted that having no sort of reason for impeaching +the tribunals of America, the real intention was to set up a military +government, and provide a virtual indemnity for all the murders and +capital outrages which might be committed by the barbarous hands of +authority. From the impossibility of prosecuting in Great-Britain, they +strenuously maintained that this was holding out encouragement for all +kinds of lawless violence. Colonel _Barre_’s speech upon the occasion, +commanded the attention of the whole house, and closed admirably, with +“You have changed your ground. You are becoming the aggressors, and +offering the last of human outrages to the people of America, by +subjecting them in effect to military execution. Instead of sending them +the olive branch, you have sent the naked sword. By the olive branch, I +mean a repeal of all the late laws, fruitless to you and oppressive to +them. Ask their aid in a constitutional manner, and they will give it to +the utmost of their ability. They never yet refused it when properly +required. Your journals bear the recorded acknowledgments of zeal with +which they have crontributed to the general necessities of the state. +What madness is it that prompts you to attempt obtaining that by force, +which you may more certainly procure by requisition. They may be +flattered into any thing, but they are too much like yourselves to be +driven. Have some indulgence for your own likeness; respect their sturdy +English virtue; retract your odious exertions of authority; and remember +that the first step toward making them contribute to your wants, is to +reconcile them to your government.” + +The publications of the day quote an old member rarely in opposition, as +having closed his speech with these remarkable words—“I will now take my +leave of the whole plan. You will commence your ruin from this day. I am +sorry to say, that not only the house has fallen into this error, but +the people approve of the measure. The people, I am sorry to say it, are +misled. But a short time will prove the evil tendency of this bill. If +ever there was a nation running headlong into ruin it is this.” It is +much questioned by many, whether the member did not mistrake in +saying—The people. The same natives of America who petitioned against +the Boston port-bill [May 2.] renewed their endeavours by a petition +against these two bills.—It was pointed with an uncommon energy and +spirit; and strongly indicated the effects that these bills would +produce in the place where they were intended to operate. It was +admitted to lie on the table, and had no other notice taken of it. + +Both bills were opposed in the house of lords, and the minority entered +on each a very strong protest. On both however in each house, the number +of the minority continued all along very low and inadequate. Mr. +_Bollan_ applyed for a hearing in the house of lords upon the last bill, +but was refused. He has stood up in defence of the rights and liberties +of the Massachusetts, when no other of the numerous advocates of the +colonies, out of parliament, have appeared to check the torrent of the +most grievous proceedings against them, in like manner, by their +learning and fortitude. + +Upon the first of the two bills, the protesting lords _Richmond_, +_Portland_, _Abingdon_, _King_, _Effingham_, _Ponsonby_, _Rockingham_, +_Abergavenny_, _Leister_, _Craven_ and _Fitzwilliam_, dissented among +other reasons, “because definitive legal offence, by which a forfeiture +of the charter is incurred, has not been clearly stated and fully +proved, neither has notice of this advers proceeding been given to the +parties effected; neither have they been heard in their own +defence—because all the judges are to be nominated, not by the crown, +but by the governor; and all except the judges of the superior court, +are to be removable at his pleasure, and expressly without the consent +of that very council, which is to be nominated by the king; the sheriff +is made changeable by the governor and council, as often and for such +purpose as they shall think expedient, whereby the governor and council +are intrusted with powers, with which the British constitution has not +trusted his majesty and privy council, and have the means of returning +such a jury in each particular case, as may best suit with the +gratification of their passions and interests, so that the lives and +properties of the subject are put into their hands without control.” The +protesting lords took occasion to mention concerning the Boston +port-act, “that, unexampled on the records of parliament, it had been +entered on the journals of the house as voted _nemine dissentiente_, and +had been stated in the debate of the day, to have been sent to the +colonies as passed without a division in either house, and therefore as +conveying the uncontroverted universal sense of the nation; and that an +unfair advantage had been taken, on the final question for passing the +penal bill, of the absence of those lords who had debated it for several +hours, and strongly dissented from it on the second reading, the period +on which it is most usual to debate the principle of a bill.” + +On the second bill, the protesting lords _Richmond_, _Fitzwilliam_, +_Ponsonby_, _Rockingham_, _Portland_, _Craven_, _Leister_, and +_Manchester_, dissented among other reasons “because the bill amounts to +a declaration, that the house knows no means of retaining the colonies +in due obedience, but by an army rendered independent of the ordinary +course of law in the place where they are employed; because the bill +seems to be one of the many experiments toward an introduction of +essential innovations into the government of the empire.” They said, +“The authority given by this bill to compel the transportation from +America to Great-Britain, if any number of witnesses at the pleasure of +the parties prosecuting and prosecuted, without any regard to their age, +sex, health, circumstances, business or duties, seems to us so +extravagant in its principle, and so impracticable in its execution, as +to confirm us further in our opinion of the spirit which animates the +whole system of the present American regulations.” + +[May 20.] His majesty gave his assent to both bills. + +The session was drawing near to the usual time of recess, and the +greater number of the members were retired into the country. In this +situation a bill was brought into the house of lords, “For making more +effectual provision for the government of the province of _Quebec_, in +North-America.” It passed through that house with little if any +observation. When it came down to the house of commons, it met with a +very different reception. The principal objects of the bill were, to +ascertain the limits of the province, which were extended far beyond +what were settled as such by the king’s proclamation of 1763—to form a +legislative council for all the affairs of the province, except +taxation, which council was to be appointed by the crown, and the office +to be held during pleasure, and his majesty’s Canadian Roman Catholic +subjects were to be entitled to a place in it—to establish the French +laws and a trial without jury in civil cases, and the English laws, with +trial by jury in criminal—and to secure to the Roman Catholic clergy, +except the regulars, the legal enjoyment of their estates, and of their +tythes from all who were of their own religion. The minority insisted, +that the Protestant religion, by this establishment, enjoyed at best no +more than a toleration. “The popish clergy,” they said, “have a legal +parliamentary right to maintenance, the protestant clergy are left to +the king’s discretion. Why are not both put at least on an equal +footing, and a legal support provided for both?” The minority was +uncommonly small; nevertheless the bill produced much greater uneasiness +and discontent out of doors, than any of those for punishing the old +colonies. The present policy of it is, among other things, to gain, +through the influence of the priests, the assistance of the laity in +subjugating the other provinces. + +[June 22.] It received the royal assent, when his majesty went to the +house, at the close of the session; the business of which being ended, +the ministry entertained the most sanguine expectations that the +submission throughout America would be immediate, and that complete +obedience and tranquility would be secured. The speech from the throne +expressed similar sentiments. The triumphs and mutual congratulations of +all who have supported the ministerial plan, within doors and without, +are unusually great. These may be owing, not a little, to the assurances +that governor Hutchinson has repeatedly given to many, that if the +parliament would but act with resolution, and adopt spirited measures, a +speedy submission would take place without any call for fighting. + +By the Quebec act, the total revenue of the province is consigned, in +the first instance, to a warrant from the lord of the treasury, for the +purpose of pensioning judges during pleasure, and the support of a civil +list totally unlimited. The first lord of the treasury, without controul +of parliament, is therefore in actual possession of the revenues of one +American province, under the authority of an act of parliament, with no +other obligation expressed, than in general to defray the expences of +the administration of justice, and to support civil government. The +residue, as in the tea act, is to be reserved for the disposal of +parliamentary despotism committed into the hands of the crown and its +minister; for the crown of Great-Britain is constituted as absolute in +the province, under an act of parliament, as any despot that ever +existed in the world. Hence is inferred what ministers would do through +all America, did they possess the power.[108] + +Your present governor, general Gage, has been appointed as the most +proper person to see to the execution of the laws which have been passed +respecting both the colony and its capital; when he has settled matters, +and established order and due submission to the power of parliament, Mr. +Hutchinson is to return and resume the chair. The last, since his +arrival, has been graciously received; his influence with ministry will +continue, till events convince them that they have been greatly mistaken +in relying upon his judgment on American subjects. A commission during +pleasure has passed the great seal, granting to general Gage full power +and authority, where he shall see cause, to pardon and remit all +treasons, murders, felonies, crimes, and misdemeanors whatsoever, and +all fines or penalties whatsoever incurred in the Massachusetts. + + + + + LETTER IX. + + + _Roxbury, Sept. 28, 1774._ + +The appointment of general Gage to the government was not thought of by +Mr. Hutchinson. He expected to have been entrusted with the execution of +the ministerial plan; and was rather disconcerted when he found it to be +otherwise. Before he left the colony, he was presented with a few +addresses; one by a number of gentlemen, conceived in very respectful +terms, but against which many others entered a protest. Had he applied +himself vigorously and steadily to the healing of the breach between the +colonies and the parent state, instead of calling upon ministry to force +submission, he would have been a blessing, and had the love of all; but +now it will be well if he does not prove a curse to both countries, and +make himself odious to the latest posterity. + +[May 13.] When general Gage landed on the long wharf, it was thought +from appearances, that he had apprehensions of being ill treated by the +inhabitants; but though they were highly incensed at the port-bill, +which they had just received, they behaved toward him with the greatest +decency. He was complimented by the council, the gentlemen in the +commission of the peace, and others, and afterward sumptuously +entertained. + +The next day there was a numerous town-meeting to consider the +port-bill; when they resolved, “That it is the opinion of this town, +that if the other colonies come into a joint resolution to stop all +importation from and exportation to Great-Britain, and every part of the +West-Indies, till the act be repealed, the same will prove the salvation +of North-America and her liberties; and that the impolicy, injustice, +inhumanity, and cruelty of the act, exceed all our powers of expression: +We therefore leave it to the just censure of others, and appeal to God +and the world.” Copies of the act arrived in different parts; were +multiplied with incredible expedition; and circulated through the +colonies, by which the whole country was inflamed. In some places they +were printed upon mourning paper, with a black border, and cried about +the streets under the title of _a barbarous, cruel, bloody and inhuman +murder_; in others, great bodies of the people were called together by +advertisement, and the obnoxious law burned with great solemnity, +similar to what was done in the time of the stamp act. + +When the Boston port-bill arrived at New-York, captain Sears and +M‘Dougall wrote to the committee at Boston, assuring them of the support +of the New-Yorkers. The letter was published without their names. The +Yorkers would have fixed a censure upon them, but could get no proof of +their being the writers. Captain Sears and M‘Dougall called the people +together by a publication. They collected, and after a violent +opposition from the tories, who had brought their whole strength upon +the occasion, a vote was obtained for appointing a committee on account +of the port-bill, which was to consist of fifty-one. The tories fearing +the worst, had provided a list; but all lists were taken off the table +at Mr. Sears’s motion, when nominations took place, and the number of +whigs and tories was nearly equal. Mr. Sears got another added, which +made the committee fifty-two. The whigs in it insisted that there must +be a congress. The violence of captain Sears’s temper, and his influence +over the populace, induced the tories to fall in with the proposal of +one, rather than be exposed to the dangers of a mob; but they expected +that they should prevent it. A letter was sent to the Boston committee, +with a recommendation to them to appoint time and place. They approved +of a congress, but declined making the appointments. The York committee +considered the answer; and it was carried to write to them afresh upon +the subject. The tories were caught; for having agreed to the motion for +a congress, they could not hinder it by all their contrivances. You must +admit of my using, for brevity sake, the term _whig_ and _tory_ for the +_pro’s_ and _con’s_ on the subject of full redress to American +grievances. When better can be met with, they shall be adopted; but they +are universally applied in this manner by the liberty party. + +The Boston committee of correspondence were sensible that the utmost +delicacy and precaution in the use of words and expressions, were +requisite in the present state of affairs; that so their enemies might +not disappoint them of that support for which they were to make a +general application to all the colonists, and whom they addressed on the +head of the port-bill, and the distresses coming upon the inhabitants, +with the utmost respect; they were careful to insert in all their +letters, “It is hoped that Boston will be considered _as suffering in +the common cause_.” + +While these letters were circulating, the period arrived for the meeting +of a new general court, which assembled at Boston, [May 25.] when the +services of the election day were carried on as usual; but the hearts of +many felt sad with the apprehension that it would be the last of the +kind. Their forebodings were increased, by the number and characters of +the elected counsellors whom governor Gage negatived, not less than +thirteen. He laid nothing before the court more than the ordinary +besiness of the province; but gave them notice of their removal to Salem +on the first of June in pursuance of the act. Learning that the house of +assembly, to avoid removing were hastening through the necessary +business, with the greatest expedition, he adjourned the general court +to the seventh of June, then to meet at Salem. Before that day the +inhabitants of several towns and cities, in different parts of the +continent, concurred in expressing the greatest disapprobation of the +measures pursued against Boston, an abhorrence of the new act, and a +condemnation of the principles on which it was founded, with a +resolution to oppose its effects in every manner, and to support their +distressed brethren, who were to be the immediate victims. At +Philadelphia a subscription was set on foot for the support of such poor +inhabitants of Boston, as should be deprived of the means of subsistence +by the operation of the act. The Virginia house of burgesses appointed +the first of June to be set apart as a day of fasting and humiliation, +devoutly to implore the divine interposition, for averting the heavy +calamity which threatened destruction to their civil rights, and the +evils of a civil war; and for giving one heart and one mind to the +people, firmly to oppose every injury to the American rights. This +occasioned their dissolution; but before they separated, eighty nine of +the members entered into an association, in which they declared, “That +an attack made on one of our sister colonies, to compel submission to +arbritrary taxes, is an attack made on all British America, and +threatens ruin to the rights of all, unless the united wisdom of the +whole be applied.” They recommended to the committee of correspondence, +to communicate with the several committees of the other provinces, on +the expediency of appointing deputies from the different colonies, to +meet annually in general congress, to deliberate on those measures, +which the united interests of America might from time to time require. + +[June 1.] Business was finished at the custom-house in Boston at twelve +o’clock at noon, and the harbour shut up against all vessels bound +thither; and after the fourteenth none were to be allowed to depart. The +day was devoutly kept at Williamsburgh in Virginia, as a day of fasting +and humiliation. There was a solemn pause in the business of +Philadelphia. If we except the Quakers, near nine-tenths of the citizens +shut up their houses; and the bells were rung, muffled, all the day. It +was observed in other places as a day of mourning. + +[June 7.] The Massachusetts general court met at Salem according to +adjournment, and a committee was appointed to consider and report the +state of the province. Mr. _Samuel Adams_ observed, that some of the +committee were for mild measures, which he judged no way suited to the +present emergency. He conferred with Mr. _Warren_ of Plymouth upon the +necessity of giving into spirited measures, and then said, “Do you keep +the committee in play, and I will go and make a _caucus_[109] against +the evening; and do you meet me.” Mr. Samuel Adams secured a meeting of +about five principal members of the house, at the time specified; and +repeated his endeavours against the next night; and so as to the third, +when they were more than thirty: the friends of administration knew +nothing of the matter. The popular leaders took the sense of the members +in a private way, and found that they should be able to carry their +scheme by a sufficient majority. They had their whole plan compleated, +prepared their resolves, and then determined upon bringing the business +forward. But before they went upon it, the door-keeper was ordered to +let no one whatsoever in, and no one was to go out: however, when the +business opened, a ministerial member pleaded a call of nature, which is +always regarded, and was allowed to go out. He then ran to give +information of what was doing, and a messenger was dispatched to general +Gage, who lived at some distance. The secretary was sent off to dissolve +the general court; found the door fastened; knocked for entrance, but +was answered, that the house was upon very important business, which +when they had finished they would let him in. As he could obtain no +entrance, he read the proclamation upon the steps leading to the +representatives’ chamber, in the hearing of several members and others +on the out-side with him, and immediately after in the council, thus +dissolving the general court. The house, while sitting with their doors +shut, appointed _Thomas Cushing_, _Samuel Adams_, _Robert Treat Pain_, +_James Bowdoin_ and _John Adams_, esqrs. as their committee to meet +other committees, that might be convened the first of September at +Philadelphia, voted them five hundred pounds lawful (seventy-five pounds +sterling) each, and chose a treasurer. They recommended also to the +several towns and districts, the raising the said sum, by equitable +proportions, according to the last provincial tax—a recommendation which +had all the force of a law. It was a triumph to many of the sons of +liberty to think that the house had out-generalled the governor. + +Sometime before the dissolution of the general court, near upon three +hundred citizens of _Philadelphia_ met and appointed a committee to +write to Boston. Their letter was temperate and firm. They acknowledged +the difficulty of offering the inhabitants advice upon the sad occasion +that existed; wished first to have the sense of the province in general; +and observed that all lenient applications for obtaining redress should +be tried, before recourse was had to extremities. They remarked that it +might perhaps be right to take the sense of a general congress, before +the desperate measure of putting an entire stop to commerce was adopted; +and that it might be right at any rate, to reserve that measure as the +last resource when all other means had failed. They mentioned, that if +the making of restitution to the East-India Company for their teas would +put an end to the unhappy controversy, and leave the people of Boston +upon their ancient footing of constitutional liberty, it could not admit +of a moment’s doubt what part they should take; but they added, it was +not the value of the tea, it was the indefeasible right of giving and +granting their own money, a right from which they could never recede, +that was now the matter of consideration. + +The importance and necessity of a general congress was soon felt by +every colony, so that the measure taken by the Massachusetts was +gradually adopted by the others. + +_Maryland_, whose zeal in the cause of liberty was ardent, had a meeting +of the committees appointed by the several counties, at the city of +Annopolis, who elected five deputies for that province [June 25.] “to +attend a general congress, at such time and place as may be agreed on, +to effect one general plan of conduct, operating on the commercial +connection of the colonies with the mother country, for the relief of +Boston and preservation of American liberty.” + +This meeting commenced three days before the election of deputies; and +considering the distance of Salem from Annopolis, cannot be ascribed to +the transaction of the Massachusetts assembly on the seventeenth; beside +it appears from the words _at such time and place as may be agreed on_, +that the committees did not know that the Massachusetts assembly had +mentioned the convening of a general congress on the first of September +at Philadelphia. + +When the opinion of the Boston town-meeting respecting a joint +resolution of the colonies to stop all importation and exportation till +the port-bill was repealed, arrived in South-Carolina, it was +represented to a number of the principal gentlemen in Charlestown. The +mode proposed was thought to be of too much consequence to be adopted +without the universal consent of the people. It was therefore determined +to request a meeting of the inhabitants. That this might be as general +as possible, circular letters were sent by express to every parish and +district within the colony. + +[July 6.] A great number from almost every part of South-Carolina met at +Charlestown. The proceedings of parliament against Boston and the +Massachusetts Bay were distinctly related to this convention of the +people; on which, without one dissenting voice, they came into various +resolutions. Among others they resolved, “That five gentlemen be +appointed deputies on the behalf of this colony, to meet the deputies of +the several colonies in North-America in general congress, to consider +the act lately passed, and bills depending in parliament, with regard to +the port of Boston and province of Massachusetts, also the grievances +under which America labors, with full power and authority, in behalf of +us and our constituents, to concert, and effectually to prosecute, such +legal measures (by which we for ourselves and them most solemnly engage +to abide) as in the opinion of the said deputies, and of the deputies so +to be assembled, shall be most likely to obtain a repeal of the said +acts, and a redress of these grievances.”—That, while the oppressive +acts relative to Boston are enforced, we will cheerfully, from time to +time, contribute toward the relief of such persons there, whose +unfortunate circumstances may be thought to stand in need of most +assistance:”—“That a committee of ninety-nine persons be now appointed, +to act as a general committee, to correspond with the committees of the +other colonies, and to do all matters and things necessary to carry the +resolutions into execution; and that any twenty-one of them met +together, may proceed on business—their power to continue till the next +general meeting.” + +The appointment of the above-mentioned deputies was recognized, ratified +and confirmed by the house of assembly, at their next session, on the +second of August. + +The Connecticut house of representatives, in expectation of the event +during their recess, empowered a committee of nine, in case a congress +of commissioners from the several colonies should be convened, to meet +and choose delegates to serve for that colony, and to correspond with +other committees. Mr. _Silas Deane_ was of the committee, and being +ambitious of going to congress, schemed their meeting at New-London, +(instead of Hartford) where through the influence of a most worthy +father-in-law, his own policy, and his _own_ vote, he obtained a +majority of _one_, and became one of the four Connecticut delegates, +though not viewed by those who know him most, as a person of the +greatest integrity, or the truest patriotism. + +At _Philadelphia_, a petition signed by near nine hundred freeholders +was presented to Mr. Penn, the governor, entreating him to call a +general assembly as soon as possible. This request being refused, the +province proceeded to the election of deputies, who soon after met at +_Philadelphia_. The resolutions passed at this meeting, carry the marks +of cool and temperate deliberation, as well as affection to the mother +country, more than those of any others; and are at the same time equally +firm in the determination of supporting the colonial rights. + +In them the deputies set out with the strongest professions of duty and +allegiance, and express their abhorence of every idea of an +unconstitutial dependence on the parent state, and the most ardent +wishes for a restoration of the former harmony. They reprobate in the +strongest terms the act and bills relative to the _Massachusetts-Bay_, +and declare that they consider their brethren at Boston, as suffering in +the common cause. They insist upon the absolute necessity of a congress +to consult together and form a general plan of conduct for all the +colonies. They acknowledge, that a suspension of the commerce of that +large trading province with Great-Britain, will greatly distress +multitudes of their industrious inhabitants, but pronounce themselves +ready to offer that sacrifice, and much greater, for the preservation of +their liberties; however, they express their desire, that congress will +first try the gentle mode of stating their grievances, and making a firm +and decent claim of redress. They conclude with declaring, that that +province will break off all commercial intercourse whatever, with any +town, city or colony, and individuals in them who shall refuse, or +neglect to adopt and carry into execution, such general plan as shall be +agreed upon in the congress. + +They did not undertake to appoint the delegates, but left it to the +Pennsylvania assembly, [July 22.] who soon after fixed upon seven +gentlemen. + +At a meeting of delegates, from the different counties in _Virginia_ at +_Williamsburgh_, beside the warmest professions of allegiance and +loyalty, and several resolutions in common with the other colonies, they +passed others, which considering the circumstances of the colony, with +its immediate dependence on the mother country for the disposal of its +only staple commodity, must be considered as very deserving of +attention, because strongly indicating the true spirit of that people. +They resolved not to purchase any more slaves from Africa, the +West-Indies, or any other place; that their non-importation agreement +should take place on the first of the following November, and that if +the American grievances were not redressed by the tenth of August 1775, +they would export after that time, no tobacco, nor any other goods +whatever to Great-Britain. They recommended the cultivation of such +articles of husbandry, instead of tobacco, as might form a proper basis +for manufactures of all sorts; and particularly, the improvement of the +breed of sheep, the multiplying of them, and the killing as few as +possible. [Aug. 5.] They chose as delegates to a general congress, +_Peyton Randolph_, _Richard Henry Lee_, _George Washington_, _Patrick +Henry_, _Richard Bland_, _Benj. Harrison_ and _Edmund Pendleton_, esqrs. + +At Newport, in Rhode-Island, an animated paper was circulated, with the +motto JOIN or DIE. The state of Boston was represented as a siege, and +as a direct hostile invasion of all the colonies. “The generals of +despotism (it says) are now drawing the lines of circumvallation around +our bulwarks of liberty, and nothing but unity, resolution and +perseverance, can save ourselves and posterity from what is worse than +death—Slavery.” The general assembly of the colony chose two deputies to +represent the colony in a general congress; who were legally authorised +for that service, [Aug. 10.] under the hand and seal of the governor. + +All the other colonies, from New-Hampshire to South-Carolina +inclusively, adopted the measure of electing representatives to meet in +general congress. + +To judge aright of the present alarming state of affairs, you must +observe, that it does not arise from the discontent of a turbulent or +oppressed nobility or gentry, so that by bringing over a few of the +leaders, the rest will follow of course, or persist only to their own +ruin; nor does it depend upon the resolution or perseverance of a body +of merchants and dealers, so that every man, habitually studious of his +immediate interest, will tremble at the thought of those consequences +which may essentially affect it: nor will a few lucrative jobs or +contracts split the colonists into numberless factions. On the contrary, +the great force of the opposition consists in the landholders throughout +America. The British lands in this continent, are, in general, and more +especially in the New-England colonies, the Jerseys, and in part of +New-York and Pennsylvania, portioned out in such freeholds as afford +that mediocrity of condition to the possessors, which is sufficient to +raise strong bodies and vigorous minds; but seldom that superabundance +which proves so fatal to both, in old and refined countries. The +American freeholders, from many circumstances, are more enthusiastic +lovers of liberty, than ever were the English yeomanry. The body of them +are too bold to be despised without danger, and now that they are +united, too numerous to be bribed. Human nature being the same in every +quarter of the globe, had moderation instead of compulsion been +employed, several who are at present zealous leaders, might have been +secured, and ministry (in colonies of such different manners, interests, +and principles, and on these accounts strongly inclined to variance with +each other) might have carried many points which they will now find it +difficult or impossible to do, since they have united them, by +evidencing a design of subjugating each to a mode of government to which +all, without exception, are averse in the highest degree. + +The Boston committee of correspondence received the most encouraging +answers to their letters; and were assured that the town of Boston was +considered _as suffering in the common cause_. They had more than the +strongest expressions to console them, they had the substantial evidence +of facts. Ministry promised themselves mighty advantages from making +_Salem_ the seat of government, with the privilege of an open port, +while the neighboring one, in itself of much greater consequence, was +shut. But the merchants and freeholders of the town discovered a most +noble spirit, which will prove a sore disappointment to them. If it was +expected that incurable envy, jealousy, or animosity, would be excited +between the two towns, and that the refractory capital being abandoned +and left alone to ruminate upon her forlorn situation, would soon be +reclaimed and brought to a full sense of her duty; the very reverse will +mortify. + +[June 18.] The day after the dissolution of the general court, the +merchants and freeholders of _Salem_ presented an address to the +governor, and in it expressed the most generous sentiments. They said, +“We are most deeply afflicted with a sense of our public calamities; but +the miseries that are now rapidly hastening on our brethren in the +capital of this province, greatly excite our commiseration, and we hope +your excellency will use your endeavors to prevent a further +accumulation of evils on that already sorely distressed people.”—“By +shutting up the port of Boston, some imagine that the course of trade +might be turned hither and to our benefit; but nature, in the formation +of our harbor, forbids our becoming rivals in commerce with that +convenient mart. And were it otherwise, we must be dead to every idea of +justice, and lost to all feelings of humanity, could we indulge one +thought to seize on wealth, and raise our fortunes on the ruin of our +suffering neighbors.” The governor was treated with the highest respect, +and mention was made of their hoping much from his general character, as +well as from his wisdom and mildness in another command. They expressed +the stronges attachment to the mother country, the deepest concern for +the present unhappy troubles, and the most fervent wishes for a speedy +and happy reconciliation, to obtain which they were willing to sacrifice +every thing compatible with the safety and dignity of British subjects. + +_Marblehead_, a sea-port, about three miles from Salem, and equally far +with the last from Boston, but a town of no great trade, being engaged +chiefly in the cod fishery, testified its regard and compassion for the +capital, by letting the suffering merchants have the free use of its +wharfs and stores. Its inhabitants offered also to attend the lading and +unlading of their goods, and transact for them all the business to be +done at their port, without putting them to the smallest expence. + +The pity and resentment of the country at large, were excited by +observations published on the Boston port-bill. Those of Mr. _Josiah +Quincy_, jun. were most generally read and admired. He observed—“The +Boston port-bill condemns a whole town unheard, nay, uncited to answer; +involves thousands in ruin and misery, without suggestion of any crime +by them committed; and is so constituted that enormous pains and +penalties must ensue, notwithstanding the most perfect obedience to its +injunctions. The destruction of the tea, which took place without any +illegal procedure of the town, is the only alledged ground of consigning +thousands of its inhabitants to ruin, misery and despair. Those charged +with the most aggravated crimes, are not punishable till arraigned +before disinterested judges, heard in their own defence, and found +guilty of the charge. But here a whole people are accused, prosecuted by +they know not whom, tried they know not when, proved guilty they know +not how, and sentenced to suffer inevitable ruin. Their hard fate cannot +be averted by the most servile submission, the most implicit obedience +to this statute. Their first intimation of it was on the tenth of May, +and it took place the first of June, thence to continue in full force, +till it shall sufficiently appear to his majesty, that full satisfaction +hath been made by, or in behalf of the inhabitants of Boston, to the +East-India Company, for the damage sustained by the destruction of their +tea; and until it shall be certified to his majesty, by the governor or +lieutenant governor of the province, that reasonable satisfaction has +been made to the officers of the revenue and others, for the riots and +insurrection mentioned in it. So short a space is given for staying the +torrent of threatened evils, that the subject, though exerting his +utmost energy, must be overwhelmed and driven to madness by terms of +deliverance which deny relief till his ruin is inevitable.” + +Others said, “Had punishment been only threatened, had it been in our +option whether we would submit or suffer, the reason for complaint would +have been less. But without previous warning in the proposal of any +terms that might have prevented the coming of evil upon us, it is +inflicted with ineffable vengeance; so that should we servilely submit +to all required, we must notwithstanding suffer almost total ruin. The +conditions upon which alone our sufferings are to be removed, far from +being fixed with precision, are so loose and indeterminate, that a +governor may perpetuate them during his political existence, the king in +council not being enabled to open the port without his certificate. The +wharfs and landing places at Boston, which are the property of numerous +individuals, are, as to the use of them, wherein only their value +consists, wrested out of their hands and put into the king’s, to be +disposed of at his pleasure. Two wharfs indeed are to be opened again, +when his majesty shall think proper; but the residue are for ever +interdicted the exercise of commerce.” + +The rough drafts of the bills, “for the better regulating of the +government of the Massachusetts-Bay;” and “for the impartial +administration of justice in it,” as well as of that “for quartering the +troops in America,” upon their arrival at Boston, were instantly +circulated through the continent, and filled up whatever was before +wanting, of violence and indignation in most of the colonies. Even those +who were moderate, or seemed wavering, now became resolute and +resentful. Nothing was to be heard of but meetings and resolutions. +Liberal contributions for the relief of the distressed Bostonions were +every where recommended, and soon practised. Numberless letters were +written from districts, towns, and provinces, to the people of Boston, +in which, besides every expression of sympathy and tenderness, they were +commended for their past conduct, and strongly exhorted to a +perseverance in that virtue which had brought on their sufferings. It +was in vain that the friends of government attended a town-meeting, and +attempted to pass resolutions for the payment of the tea, and for +dissolving the committee of correspondence; they found themselves lost +in a prodigious majority, and had no other resource than drawing up a +protest against the proceedings of that body. The Boston committee of +correspondence apprehended themselves so fixed in the good opinion of +the public, that they ventured to frame and publish an agreement, +entitled, _A solemn league and covenant_. + +[June 29.] General Gage was so alarmed at the idea of _a solemn league +and covenant_, that he issued a strong proclamation against it, stiling +it an unlawful, hostile, and traiterous combination. He charged all +magistrates to apprehend and secure for trial, such as should have any +share in aiding or abetting the foregoing or any similar covenant. The +charge was needless; for the engagement was so unguardedly expressed, +and so extremely ensnaring, that it was severely censured by many of the +best and warmest sons of liberty in and about Boston, who refused to +give it support; so that however it might be venerated out of the +colony, it sunk into obscurity at home; and changed its form into one +that was less exceptionable, and yet equally well calculated to stop the +trade with Great-Britain, and that accorded with those entered into +about the same time, in various parts of the continent, without any +previous concert with each other, any more than with Boston. The +coincidence of sentiments and measures given into by individuals and +assemblies, larger and smaller, in the several and more distant +colonies, without any previous contrivance, has been so remarkable, that +persons the furthest removed from superstition, have inclined to ascribe +it to a special providence of God. They have been seemingly actuated by +one and the same spirit, nearly at the same instant. When letters have +been dispatched from Boston to fellow-patriots afar, asking or giving +advice; letters from these have been upon the road, giving or asking the +very advice which was wanted—the like in other matters. Not that there +is a uniformity in all points through the continent. The people may be +divided into two great classes. One is for rushing headlong into the +greatest extremities, without waiting till other measures are tried, or +receiving the general sense of the colonies; and though eager for +holding a congress, would leave it nothing to do but to prosecute the +violence which they have began. The other is averse to violent measures, +till all other means are ineffectually tried. They wish further +applications to be made to Britain, and the grievances they complain of, +with the rights which they claim, to be clearly stated and properly +presented. This, they say, can be effectually done only by a general +congress. There is a third party, who are friends to the British +administration, or rather who do not totally disapprove of its measures; +but their voice is so low, that except in a few particular places, it +can scarcely be distinguished. The friends to colonial rights have a +great advantage over them, not only from the goodness of their cause, +but their possessing most of the presses on the continent. These are +chiefly in the hands of the whigs, and news-papers publishing essays and +other compositions against the prevailing opinions of the people, have +not a universal spread, and cannot prove so profitable to the +proprietors, as those on the other side of the question. The command +which the sons of liberty have of the press, gives them the superiority +in point of influence, over their antagonists in the periodical +publications of the day. + +As the Boston port bill prohibits all water carriage, beside shutting up +the port, the merchants are under the necessity of adopting the +expensive mode of bringing their goods from Salem or Marblehead, all the +way round, through Cambridge and Roxbury, to Boston. Had they been +allowed to bring them to Charlestown by land, and thence to cross them +over by water, they would have saved a fourth of the way. But it is +pleasing to observe what trade is going forward, notwithstanding the +embarrassments with which it is clogged. Boston is exhibiting a scene of +patience, fortitude, and perseverance, which will make them renowned in +history. Though liberal contributions have been made, are raising, and +will be raised, for the succour of sufferers; yet it may be easily +conceived, that in a town containing several thousand inhabitants, who +have subsisted chiefly by commerce and the various kinds of business +subservient to it, and where the maintenance of many families depends +merely upon the locality, the cutting off of that grand source of their +employment and subsistence, must occasion great distresses +notwithstanding every relief. Even the rich are not exempt from the +general calamity, as a very considerable part of their property consists +in wharfs, warehouses, stores, and those numerous erections which are +destined to the purposes of commerce, but are now no longer profitable. + +The people at large have been for some time preparing to defend their +rights with the point of the sword. They see that they are either to be +terrified or driven into submission, by an armed force; and are for +providing against both. The countrymen, in returning from Boston, are +daily bringing out guns, knapsacks, &c. Every one appears desirous of +being well accoutred. They have arms in general, the militia law +requiring it of all within a certain age. Note—They are fond of +shooting, are accustomed to it from early life, and are special +marksmen. They are perfecting themselves in their exercise. Handling the +musket and training, are the fashionable amusements of the male +inhabitants, while the females encourage them to proceed. The sound of +drums and fifes is constantly saluting your ears. Husbands and wives, +parents and children, brothers and sisters, lovers, the young and the +old, seem possessed of, or rather to be possessed by a martial spirit, +and are fired with an enthusiastic zeal for liberty. In most places, but +particularly in _Berkshire_ and _Worcester_ counties, where the +influence of government was supposed to prevail most, nothing is to be +seen or heard of, except the purchasing of arms and ammunition, the +casting of balls, and the making of all those preparations which testify +the most immediate danger, and determined resistance. + +The high military tone of the country people, is to be placed chiefly to +the account of the two bills “for regulating the government of the +Massachusetts,” and “the impartial administration of justice in it.” +These bills have proposed so thorough a change in the civil and +religious liberties of towns and individuals, that they view themselves +as intentionally deprived of every privilege, and reduced to the +necessity of fighting for all they hold dear to them. It is of the +utmost consequence that juries should not be packed. The accustomed mode +of electing them is excellent, but liable to abuse, and there “may have +been instances wherein persons who have no regard to religion and to +divine revelation, have been really picked up to serve a turn.”[110] But +this will not justify that most execrable alteration of leaving it in +the power of the governor and council, through the aid of the sheriff, +to obtain such a jury in each cause, as may best suit their passions and +interests, whereby the lives and properties of the subjects are put into +their hands without controul.[111] + +It is also to be enacted, by the regulating bill, that after the first +of August, 1774, there shall be no town-meetings, without the leave of +the governor or lieutenant governor, in writing, expressing the special +business of such meetings, first obtained, except the annual meetings in +March, for the choice of select men, constables, and other officers; and +in May, for the election of representatives, and meetings to fill up the +offices aforesaid, on death or removal; and that no other matter shall +be treated of at such meetings except the election of aforesaid officers +or representatives, nor at any other meeting, except the business +expressed in the leave given. A more obnoxious alteration could scarce +have been invented. + +Every town is an incorporated republic. The select men, by their own +authority, or upon the application of a certain number of townsmen, +issue a warrant for the calling of a town-meeting. The warrant mentions +the business to be engaged in, and no other can be legally executed. The +inhabitants are warned to attend; and they that are present, though not +a quarter, or tenth of the whole, have a right to proceed. They choose a +president by the name of moderator, who regulates the proceedings of the +meeting. Each individual has an equal liberty of delivering his opinion, +and is not liable to be silenced or browbeaten by a greater or richer +townsman than himself. Every freeman or freeholder, as the business +regards either the freeholders in particular or the freemen at large, +gives his vote or not, and for or against, as he pleases; and each vote +weighs equally, whether that of the highest or lowest inhabitant. At +these town-meetings the people are used to debate and conclude upon +instructions to their representatives respecting matters before, or +likely to come before the general court—freely to express their +sentiments regarding public transactions—to agree upon the choice of a +minister, and the salary they shall give him—upon building or repairing +the meeting-house, and upon a variety of other interesting matters, +which concern the exercise of their civil or sacred privileges. All the +New-England towns are upon the same plan in general, though different in +certain particulars. In the colony of Rhode-Island they have no minister +paid by the town, as a town, nor is it allowed by the government; the +salary is not a town charge, but is made up out of the voluntary +contributions of the denomination to which he is joined. + +From the free exercise of all the above cited rights, the Massachusetts +inhabitants are to be suspended by the aforesaid enacting clause. When +they wish, or have occasion to hold meetings for any of the above +purposes, they will be obliged to apply to the governor, who may put a +negative upon every application, and who will have it in his power to +prevent their settling a minister when the pulpit is become vacant, till +he can be well assured that the person on whom the choice will fall, +either does or will incline to support governmental measures. + +The bill for the impartial administration of justice, the people +consider as threatening them with military execution, if they comply not +with that for the better regulating of the government. The English blood +which they have derived from their forefathers, without corrupting it by +foreign mixtures, for they have been too national to encourage, like +some colonies, the settlement of foreigners among them—that blood boils +in their veins at those two bills, and fires them to a military +opposition. The inhabitants of Connecticut mean not to be idle +spectators of the fate of their sister colony, which can only be a +prelude to their own, and are therefore giving in to equal exertions for +stemming the approaching torrent. + +Soon after general Gage’s arrival, two regiments of foot, with a small +detachment of the artillery, and some cannon, were landed at Boston, and +encamped on the common. These troops were by degrees reinforced by the +arrival of several regiments from Ireland, New-York, Halifax, and at +length from Quebec. The arrival and station of these troops, was far +from being agreeable to the inhabitants; nor was the jealousy in any +degree less in the minds of their neighbors of the surrounding counties. +The dissatisfaction was increased by placing a guard upon Boston Neck, +the narrow isthmus which joins the peninsula to the continent; for which +measure the frequent desertion of the soldiers was the assigned reason. +Individuals have encouraged such desertion; and the Boston committee +have not failed to contribute to the temptation, by making the situation +of the soldiery as disagreeable as they could, and by counteracting all +endeavors to render it comfortable. They act systematically for the +prevention of all supplies for the British troops. Through their +connection with the neighboring committees, the farmers and others are +prevented from selling them straw, timber, slitwork, boards, in short +every article excepting provisions necessary for their subsistence. The +straw which is purchased for their service is daily burnt. Vessels with +brick intended for the army are sunk, and carts with wood are +overturned. Thus, by some contrivance or other, purchases are either +prevented, or when made, the king’s property is destroyed in every +manner in which it can be effected. While these things are doing, a +trifling circumstance gives the inhabitants of Boston a full earnest of +the support they may expect from the country in case of extremity, and +an opportunity of knowing the general temper of the people. A report +spreads, that a regiment posted on the Neck, has cut off all +communication with the country, in oder to starve the town into a +compliance with any measures which may be proposed to it. Upon this +vague report, a large body of the inhabitants of Worcester county +assemble, and dispatch two messengers express to Boston, to discover the +truth of the information. These envoys acquaint the townsmen, that if +the report had been true, there were several thousand armed men ready to +have marched to their assistance. They tell them further, that they are +commissioned to acquaint them, that even though they should be disposed +to a surrender of their liberties, the people of the country will not +think themselves at all included in their act; that by the late act and +the bills pending in the British parliament when the last intelligence +was received, their charter was utterly vacated; and that the compact +between Britain and the colonies being thus dissolved, they are at full +liberty to combine together, in what manner and form they think best, +for mutual security. + +[August 4.] The governor, by a proclamation for the encouragement of +piety and virtue, the prevention and punishment of vice, profaneness and +immorility, has exasperated the minds of the people, owing to the +insertion of _hypocrisy_ among the immoralities. They have been scoffed +at and reproached by enemies, and those of looser manners, for a +pharisaical attention to outward forms and the appearances of religion; +and therefore view this insertion as an intended insult. With the new +acts, the governor received a list of thirty-six new counsellors, who +agreeable to the new regulations, have been appointed by the crown, +contrary to the method prescribed by the charter.—About twenty-four of +the gentlemen have accepted, so that there is a sufficient number to +attempt carrying on the business of government. But the courts of +judicature at Boston are suspended, for the grand jurors refuse to take +the oaths, and to act under new judges and laws. The petit jurors +decline serving, on account of _Peter Oliver_, esq. standing impeached +by a late honorable house of commons of the province, and of the judges +of the superior court being made to depend upon the crown. Not only so, +but the great and petty juries through the colony, unanimously refure to +act in any manner under the new regulations; and the clerks of the court +have found it necessary to acknowledge their contrition in the public +papers, for issuing the warrants by which the juries were summoned, and +not only to declare that they will not act so again, but to apologize +for what they have done. At Great Barrington and some other places, the +people assembled in large bodies, and filled the court-house and avenues +in such a manner, that neither judge nor officer could obtain entrance; +and upon the sheriff’s commanding them to make way for the court, they +answered, “We know no court, nor any other establishment, independent of +the ancient laws and usages of our country, and to none other will we +submit, or give way upon any account.” + +At Salem the merchants, freeholders and other inhabitants, were by +hand-bills summoned to meet on Wednesday the twenty-fourth, to consider +on measures for opposing the execution of divers late acts of +parliament. The day preceding the intended meeting, [August 23.] the +governor, who resides within a few miles of the place, published a +proclamation prohibiting all persons from attending. The proclamation +being disregarded, a company of soldiers were ordered into town to +disperse the meeting; but before they got to it, the business was +finished, and the inhabitants withdrawn. Three of the gentlemen were +apprehended, but gave bonds to appear in court, and so were discharged. + +The proceedings of the people, and their manifest dispositions, have +alarmed the general, who has thought it necessary for the safety of the +troops, as well as to secure the important post of Boston, to fortify +the entrance at the Neck, which affords the only communication, except +by water, between the town and the continent. His own personal safety, +while at his country residence in Danvers, would have been endangered, +had not the prudence of Samuel Holten, esq. M. D. a genuine, determined, +but considerate son of liberty, cooled and moderated the temper of his +neighbors. + +_William Brattle_, esq. frequently an elected counsellor under the +charter, having given a hint to the governor to secure the provincial +ammunition, he sent two companies of soldiers across the river long +before day-break, [Sept. 1.] who possessed themselves of the powder in +the arsenal at Charlestown. The news circulated apace, and in the +morning the inhabitants of the neighboring towns, to the amount of +several thousands, assembled at Cambridge, mostly in arms. They +proceeded to the lieutenant governor Oliver’s house, and to the house of +several of the new counsellors, and of others who they thought had shewn +themselves unfriendly to the province. Some of the consellors were +obliged to resign, and to declare they would no more act under what are +pronounced the arbitrary laws lately enacted—It was with difficulty that +the multitude was restrained from marching to Boston, there to demand a +delivery of the powder, and, in case of refusal, to attack the troops. +This collection of people, and the confusion necessarily attending their +transactions, gave rise to a rumor, that the fleet and troops were +firing upon the town of Boston, which flew with amazing rapidity through +New-England; and in less than 24 hours after, there were between 30 and +40,000 men in arms, some of whom marched from 20 to 30 miles toward +Boston before they were undeceived. This report, and the seizure of the +powder, roused the inhabitants in the other colonies beyond New-England, +so that they immediately began learning the military exercise. The +transaction at Cambridge produced such other risings in the colony, as +obliged more of the new council to resign or to flee to Boston; whither, +by the close of the month, the commissioners, the custom-house officers, +and all who have made themselves particularly obnoxious, by taking an +active and decided part against the country, repaired for protection. +Thus is the seat of government at Salem abandoned, and the apparatus of +a custom-house removed to a place, which an act of parliament has +proscribed from all trade. + +About this time the governor’s company of cadets, consisting of Boston +gentlemen, disbanded themselves, and returned him the standard he +presented them upon his arrival. This slight was owing to his taking +away the commission from Mr. Hancock, who was colonel of the corps. But +Mr. John Murray, a colonel of the militia, having accepted a seat in the +new council, twenty-four officers of his regiment resigned their +commissions in one day. Such is the prevailing spirit, that all persons +accepting offices under the new laws, or preparing to act in conformity +to them, are declared enemies to their country, and threatened +accordingly. + +The seizing of the powder, and the withholding from the legal +proprietors what is lodged in the magazine of Boston, and the design +carrying into execution of repairing and manning the fortifications at +the entrance of the town, have occasioned the holding an assembly of +delegates from the several towns and districts in the county of Suffolk, +of which Boston is the county town. After a most spirited preamble, they +resolved, among other things [Sept. 9.] “That no obedience is due from +this province to either or any part of the late acts, but that they be +rejected as the attempts of a wicked administration to enslave +America—that so long as the justices are appointed or hold their places +by any other tenure than that which the charter and the laws of the +province direct, they must be considered as unconstitutional officers, +and as such no regard ought to be paid to them by the people of this +country—that if the justices shall sit and act during their present +disqualified state, this county will bear harmless all sheriffs, jurors, +and other officers, who shall refuse to carry into execution the orders +of said courts—that it be recommended to the collectors of taxes and all +other officers who have public monies in their hands, to retain the +same, and not to make any payment thereof to the provincial county +treasurer, until the civil government of the province is placed upon a +constitutional foundation, or it shall be otherwise ordered, by the +proposed provincial congress—that the persons who have accepted seats at +the council board, by virtue of a mandamus from the king, have acted in +a direct violation of the duty they owe to their country; this county do +recommend it to all who have so highly offended, and have not already +resigned, to make public resignation on or before the 20th of this +instant, September; all refusing so to do, shall, after said day, be +considered by this county, as obstinate and incorrigible enemies to this +country—that the fortifications begun and now carrying on upon Boston +Neck, gives us reason to apprehend some hostile intention against that +town—that the late act establishing the Roman Catholic religion in +Quebec, is dangerous in an extreme degree to the Protestant religion, +and to the civil rights and liberties of all America—that whereas our +enemies have flattered themselves that they shall make an easy prey of +this numerous brave people, from an apprehension that they are +unacquainted with military discipline; we therefore, for the honor and +security of this county and province, advise, that such persons be +elected in each town as officers in the militia, as shall be judged of +sufficient capacity, and who have evidenced themselves the invincible +friends to the rights of the people, and that the inhabitants do use +their utmost diligence to acquaint themselves with the art of war, and +do for that purpose appear under arms at least once every week—that +during the present hostile appearances on the part of Britain, we are +determined to act merely upon the defensive so long as such conduct may +be vindicated by reason and the principles of self-preservation, but no +longer—that as we understand it has been in contemplation to apprehend +sundry persons of this county, we do recommend, should such measure be +put in practice, to seize and keep every servant of the present +government throughout the province, until the persons so apprehended be +restored uninjured—that we recommend to all persons, not to engage in +any routs, riots, or licentious attacks upon the properties of any +person whatsoever, as being subversive of all order and government; but +by a steady, manly, uniform, and persevering opposition, to convince our +enemies, that in a contest so important, in a cause so solemn, our +conduct shall be such as to merit the approbation of the wise, and the +admiration of the brave and free of every age and of every country.” +They then drew up an address to the governor, and voted that doctor +_Joseph Warren_ (a physician, an amiable gentleman, who wishes for a +reconciliation between the colonies and the parent state, upon a redress +of grievances, and aims not at independency) with others, be a committee +to wait on his excellency, to inform him how the country is alarmed, and +to remonstrate against the fortifications making on the Neck, and the +repeated insults offered by the soldiery to persons passing and +re-passing into Boston, and to confer with him on those subjects. The +governor was waited upon to know if he would receive the committee with +the address; but desiring a private copy of it, that when he received +them he might be ready with a prepared answer, he was furnished with it, +and afterwards fixed on Monday the 12th for receiving the committee. The +doings of the county delegates, and a copy of the address to the +governor have been sent off by express to the general congress, now met +at Philadelphia. On the Monday, when the committee had delivered the +address of the county, he answered to it, “I have no intention to +prevent the free egress and regress of any person to and from the town +of Boston. I shall suffer none under my command to injure the person or +property of any of his majesty’s subjects; but it is my duty to preserve +the peace, and to prevent surprise; and no use will be made of the +cannon, unless the hostile proceedings of the people shall render it +necessary.” The patriots are waiting earnestly for the opinion of +congress on the Suffolk resolves, in hopes that they will be approved +of; and if so, they will go on with greater resolution and courage; for +they will consider such approbation as a declaration that the colony +will be supported by congress, in case hostilities are necessary for the +preservation of its liberties, and is also justifiable in arming and +training the militia. + +Mr. _Quincy_ is upon the point of sailing for Britain, at the request of +several co-patriots. Be so obliging as to pay a proper attention to him; +you will be pleased at finding him so intelligent a gentleman, and may +rely upon his information. Shall keep the letter open, that if the sense +of congress is received time enough, it may be forwarded. + +P. S. The sons of liberty are in high spirits. The Suffolk resolves were +before congress on Saturday morning, the 17th, and were considered; +after which it was _resolved unanimously_, “That this assembly deeply +feels the suffering of their countrymen in the _Massachusetts Bay_, +under the operation of the late unjust, cruel, and oppressive acts of +the _British_ parliament—that they most thoroughly approve the wisdom +and fortitude with which opposition to these wicked ministerial measures +has hitherto been conducted, and they earnestly recommend to their +brethren, a perseverance in the same firm and temperate conduct, as +expressed in the resolutions determined upon at a meeting of the +delegates for the county of _Suffolk_, on Tuesday the 6th instant (that +was the day of their first meeting, but they did not finish till the +9th) trusting that the effect of the united efforts of _North-America_ +in their behalf, will carry such conviction to the _British_ nation, of +the unwise, unjust, and ruinous policy of the present administration, as +quickly to introduce better men and wiser measures.—“_Resolved +unanimously_, That contributions from all the colonies, for supplying +the necessities and alleviating the distresses of our brethren at +Boston, ought to be continued, in such manner, and so long as their +occasions may require.” Mr. Quincy sails to-day. + + + + + LETTER X. + + + _Roxbury, February 3, 1775._ + +The measures pursued by the British ministry, for subjecting America to +parliamentary authority in all cases whatever, have united the twelve +colonies, from New-Hampshire to South-Carolina, inclusively, into a +compact body. Many on the side of government flattered themselves that +the event would never exist. They had no small ground for it, +considering that several of the colonies clash in their particular +interests; have been frequently quarreling about boundaries and other +matters; differ greatly in manners, customs, religion and constitutions; +and have local prejudices, jealousies, and aversions. But they have been +pressed by a common danger, threatening the most valuable rights of each +individual province, so that they have all elected delegates to meet in +a general congress, to consult in what way to obtain a redress of +grievances and ward off the impending ruin. The ministerial influence in +New-York has not prevailed, as was expected, to keep that colony from +joining the others. Great dependance was had upon their monied men; but +the cause of liberty was too popular, and the numbers that espoused it +too many and too independent, either to be bribed or overawed. + +[Sept. 5.] The delegates being arrived at Philadelphia, from all the +colonies except North-Carolina, they met in general congress, and +proceeded to the choice of a president, when _Peyton Randolph_, esq. was +unanimously elected, and Mr. _Charles Thomson_ was unanimously chosen +secretary. They resolved, that “in determining questions, each colony +shall have one vote.” Before they engaged in any special business, the +North-Carolina delegates joined them. The number of the whole, when +together, is fifty-two beside the president. The first important service +wherein they engaged, you have had an account of in the preceding +postscript. In their subsequent resolutions [Oct. 8.] they declared, +“That if the late acts of parliament shall be attempted to be carried +into execution by force, in such case all _America_ ought to support the +inhabitants of the _Massachusetts Bay_ in their opposition—that if it be +found absolutely necessary to remove the people of Boston into the +country, all America ought to contribute toward recompensing them for +the injury they may thereby sustain—and that every person who shall +accept, or act under any commission or authority derived from the act of +parliament changing the form of government and violating the charter, +ought to be held in detestation. They have written a letter to general +_Gage_ [Oct. 10.] in which they express the deepest concern at his +proceeding in a manner that bore so hostile an appearance, and which +even the oppressive acts of parliament did not warrant. They represent +the tendency this conduct must have to irritate and force the people, +hitherto well disposed to peaceable measures, into hostilities, which +may prevent the endeavors of congress to restore a good understanding +with the parent state, and may involve us in the horrors of a civil war. +They express their hope, that the general, to quiet the minds of the +people, will discontinue the fortifications in and about Boston, prevent +any further invasions of private property, restrain the irregularities +of the soldiers, and give orders that the communication between the town +and country may be open, unmolested, and free. + +The general in his answer, said “No troops have given less cause for +complaint, and greater care was never taken to prevent it; and such care +and attention was never more necessary from the insults and provocations +daily given to both officers and soldiers. The communication between the +town and country has been always free and unmolested, and is so still.” +This assertion may appear perfectly just to a military gentleman; but +may be otherwise thought of by one in a civil department, who means that +the entrance into a town should have neither guards nor sentinels, +either to stop or challenge passengers, whether by night or by day. The +general intimated, that the hostile preparations throughout the country, +and the menaces of blood and slaughter, made it his duty to fortify the +Neck. He concluded with—“I ardently wish, that the common enemies to +both countries may see, to their disappointment, that these disputes +betwen the mother country and the colonies, have terminated like the +quarrels of lovers, and increased the affection which they ought to bear +to each other.” + +The congress have also made a declaration of rights (contained within a +number of resolves) to which they say the _English_ colonies of +North-America are entitled by the immutable laws of nature, the +principles of the English constitution, and their several charters or +compacts. In the first of these are life, liberty, and property, a right +to the disposal of any of which, without their consent, they have never +ceded to any sovereign power whatever. They mention, that their +ancestors, at the time of their emigration, were entitled to all the +rights, liberties, and immunities of free and natural born subjects +within the realm of England; and that by such emigration they by no +means forfeited, surrendered or lost any of those rights; but that they +were, and their descendants now are, entitled to the enjoyment of all +such of them as their local and other circumstances enabled them to +exercise. They then state, that the foundation of English liberty, and +of all free government, is a right in the people to participate in their +legislative council; and proceed to show, that as the colonists are not, +and from various causes, cannot be represented in the British +parliament, they are entitled to a free and exclusive power of +legislation in their several provincial legislatures, where their right +of representation can alone be preserved, in all cases of taxation and +internal policy, subject only to the negative of their sovereign, in +such manner as had heretofore been used. + +To qualify the extent of this paragraph, which may seem to leave no +means of parliamentary interference, for holding the colonies to the +mother country, they declare, that from the necessity of the case, and a +regard to the mutual interests of both countries, they cheerfully +consent to the operation of such acts of the British parliament as are, +_bona fide_, restrained to the regulation of their external commerce, +for the purpose of securing the commercial advantages of the whole +empire to the mother country, excluding every idea of taxation, either +internal or external, for raising a revenue on the subjects in America, +without their consent. + +They resolved, “That the respective colonies are entitled to the common +law of England, and more especially to the great and estimable privilege +of being tried by their peers of the vicinage; to the benefit of such of +the English statutes as existed in the time of their colonization, and +which they have found to be applicable to their several and other local +circumstances; and to all the immunities and privileges granted and +confirmed to them by royal charters, or secured by their several codes +of provincial laws—that they have a right to assemble peaceably, +consider of their grievances, and petition the king; and that all +prosecutions, prohibitory proclamations, and commitments for the same, +are illegal—that the keeping a standing army in these colonies, in times +of peace, without the consent of the legislature of that colony in which +such army is kept, is against law—that it is rendered essential to good +government, by the English constitution, that the constituent branches +of the legislature be independent of each other; that therefore the +exercise of legislative power, by a council appointed, during pleasure, +by the crown, is unconstitutional, and destructive to the freedom of +American legislation.” + +They proceeded to claim, in behalf of themselves and constituents; and +to insist on the foregoing articles, as their indisputable rights and +liberties, which cannot be legally taken from them, altered, or +abridged, by any power whatever, without their own consent, by their +representatives in their several provincial legislatures. They then +resolved concerning eleven acts of parliament, or parts of acts, passed +in the present reign, that “they are infringements and violations of the +foregoing rights, and that the repeal of them is essentially necessary, +in order to restore harmony between Great-Britain and the American +colonies.” Among these is the Quebec bill, which is termed “an act for +establishing the Roman Catholic religion in the province of Quebec, +abolishing the equitable system of English laws, and erecting a tyranny +there, to the great danger (from so total a dissimilarity of religion, +law and government) of the neighboring British colonies, by the +assistance of whose blood and treasure, the said country was conquered +from France.” + +After specifying their rights, and enumerating their grievances, they +mention, that in hopes of being restored to that state in which both +countries formerly found happiness and prosperity, they have for the +present only resolved to pursue the following peaceable measures, viz. +to enter into a non-importation, non-consumption, and non-exportation +agreement; and to prepare an address to the people of Great-Britain, a +memorial to the inhabitants of British America, and a loyal address to +his majesty. + +By the association they have bound themselves, and intentionally their +constituents to a strict observance of fourteen articles. They have +agreed by the second, that after the first day of December next, they +will wholly discontinue the slave trade, and will neither hire their +vessels nor sell their commodities to those who are concerned in it—by +the third, that from that day, they will not purchase or use any tea +imported on account of the East-India Company, or any on which a duty +hath been or shall be paid; and from and after the first of March next, +they will not purchase or use any East-India tea whatever, nor any of +those goods they have agreed not to import, which they shall have cause +to suspect were imported after the first of December, except such as +come under the directions afterward mentioned—by the fourth, that the +non-exportation agreement shall be suspended to the tenth of September, +1775, after which, if the acts objected to, are not repealed, they will +not, directly nor indirectly, export any commodity whatsoever, to +Great-Britain, Ireland, or the West-Indies, except rice to Europe—by the +fifth, that they will never more have any commercial intercourse with +any British merchants, who may ship goods in violation of, and with a +view of breaking the association—by the eighth, that they will encourage +frugality, œconomy, and industry, promote agriculture, arts, and +manufactures, discourage every species of extravagance and dissipation, +and will wear no other mourning than a piece of crape or ribbon—by the +fourteenth and last, that they will have no trade, dealings, or +intercourse whatsover, with any North-American colony or province, that +shall not accede to, or that shall hereafter violate the association; +but will hold them as inimical to their country. This association, which +is to continue in force till the above acts, or parts of acts, wherein +they relate to the colonies, are repealed, has been signed [Oct. 24.] by +all the members of congress. + +In their address to the people of Great-Britain, the congress pay the +highest praise to the noble and generous virtues of their and our common +ancestors, but in a way which rather reproaches you with a shameful +degeneracy. They tell you not to be surprised that they, who are +descended from the same common ancestors, should refuse to surrender +their liberties and the constitution you so justly boast of, to men who +found their claims on no principles of reason, and who prosecute them +with a design, that by having _our_ lives and property in their power, +they may with the greater facility enslave _you_. They complain of being +oppressed, abused, and misrepresented, so that it is become a duty to +themselves and their posterity, and to the general welfare of the +British empire, to address you on this very important subject. They call +upon you yourselves, to witness to their loyalty and attachments to the +common interest of the whole empire; to their efforts in the last war; +and to your own acknowledgment of their zeal, and your even reimbursing +them large sums of money, which you confessed they had advanced beyond +their proportion, and far beyond their abilities. They proceed to state +and examine the measures and the several acts of parliament, which they +consider as hostile to America, and represent the probable consequences +to your country should ministry be able to carry the point of taxation, +and reduce the colonies to a state of perfect slavery. They ingeniously +endeavor to render theirs a cause common to both countries, by showing +that such success might, in the end, be as fatal to the liberties of +Britain as to those of America. “Take care (say they) that you do not +fall into the pit preparing for us.” After denying the several charges +of being seditious, impatient of government, and desirous of +independency, which they assert to be calumnies, they declare, that if +neither the voice of justice, the dictates of the law, the principles of +the constitution, nor the suggestions of humanity, can restrain your +hands from shedding of human blood in such an impious cause, they must +tell you, “That they never will submit to be hewers of wood, or drawers +of water for any ministry or nation in the world.” They afterward make a +proposal, which if duly attended to, may afford a favorable basis for +negociation—“Place us in the same situation that we were in at the close +of the last war, and our former harmony will be restored.” The same +truth was transmitted to some of the ministry, by the late reverend Mr. +_Whitefield_, before his death, in 1770, at Newburyport, in nearly the +following words, “Would you have peace and harmony restored through the +colonies, you must attend to the military phrase, _right about, as you +were_.” The like sentiment was confirmed by a subsequent letter from +another quarter, after a designed conference upon the subject with +_Thomas Cushing_ and _Samuel Adams_, esqrs. of Boston, and _Thomas +Lynch_, esq. of South-Carolina. The congress conclude their address by +expressing the utmost regret at their being compelled by the over-ruling +principles of self-preservation, to adopt measures detrimental to +numbers of their fellow-subjects in Great-Britain and Ireland, in the +suspension of their importations from both these kingdoms. They finally +rest their hope of a restoration of that harmony, friendship, and +fraternal affection between all the inhabitants of his majesty’s +kingdoms and territories, so ardently wished for by every true and +honest American, upon the magnanimity and justice of the British nation, +in furnishing a parliament of such wisdom, independence, and public +spirit as may save the violated rights of the whole empire, from the +devices of wicked ministers and evil counsellors, whether in or out of +office. + +Congress, in their memorial to the inhabitants of British America, +inform the colonies, that they have diligently, deliberately, and +calmly, enquired into all the measures which have excited the present +disturbances; and that upon the whole they find themselves reduced to +the disagreeable alternative of being silent, or betraying the innocent, +or of speaking out, and censuring those they wish to revere. They prefer +the course dictated by honesty, and a regard for the welfare of their +country. After stating and examining the several laws which have been +passed, and the measures which have been pursued with respect to +America, since the conclusion of the late war to the present period, +they enquire into the motives for the particular hostility against the +town of Boston and province of Massachusetts Bay; though the behavior of +the people in other colonies, has been in equal opposition to the power +assumed by parliament; notwithstanding which no step had been taken +against any of them by government. This they represent as an artful +systematic line of conduct, concealing several designs, adding, “It is +expected that the province of the Massachusetts Bay will be irritated +into some violent action that may displease the rest of the continent, +or that may induce the people of Great-Britain to approve the meditated +vengeance of an imprudent and exasperated ministry. If the unexampled +pacific temper of that province shall disappoint this part of the plan, +it is hoped the other colonies will be so far intimidated as to desert +their brethren suffering in a common cause, and that thus disunited, all +may be subdued.” They proceed to state the importance of the trust which +has been reposed in them, and the manner in which they have discharged +it; and deeply deplore the necessity which pressed them to an immediate +interruption of commerce, and apologize with saying, “We are driven by +the hands of violence into unexperienced and unexpected public +convulsions, and are contending for freedom so often contended for by +our ancestors.” “The people of England,” say they, “will soon have an +opportunity of declaring their sentiments concerning our cause. In their +piety, generosity, and good sense, we repose high confidence, and cannot +upon a review of past events, be persuaded that _they_, the defenders of +true religion, and the assertors of the rights of mankind, will take +part against their affectionate protestant brethren in the colonies, in +favor of our open and their own secret enemies, whose intrigues for +several years past have been wholly exercised in sapping the foundations +of civil and religious liberty.” Toward the close, they have these +words, “We think ourselves bound in duty to observe to you, that the +schemes agitated against these colonies have been so conducted, as to +render it prudent that you should extend your views to the most unhappy +events, and be in all respects prepared for every contingency.” + +The address of congress to his majesty, is clothed in the habit of an +humble petition, wherein they beg leave to lay their grievances before +the throne. After an enumeration of them, they implore his clemency for +protection against them; and impute all their distresses, dangers, and +fears, to the destructive system of colony administration adopted since +the conclusion of the last war. They express their apprehension, that as +his majesty enjoys the signal distinction of reigning over freemen, the +language of freemen cannot be displeasing; adding, “Your royal +indignation, we hope, will rather fall on those designing and dangerous +men, who, daringly interposing themselves between your royal person and +your faithful subjects, and for several years past incessantly employed +to dissolve the bonds of society, by abusing your majesty’s authority, +misrepresenting your American subjects and prosecuting the most +desperate and irritating projects of oppression, have at length +compelled us, by the force of accumulated injuries, too severe to be any +longer tolerable, to disturb your majesty’s repose by our complaints.” +They beg leave to assure his majesty, that in regard to defraying the +charge of the administration of justice and the support of civil +government, such provision has been and will be made, as has been and +shall be judged, by the legislature of the several colonies, just and +suitable to their respective circumstances; and that for the defence, +protection and security of the colonies, their militias, if properly +regulated as they earnestly desire may be immediately done, would be +sufficient, at least in times of peace; and in case of war his faithful +colonists will be ready and willing, as they ever have been when +constitutionally required, to demonstrate their loyalty, by exerting +their most strenuous efforts in granting supplies and raising forces. +They say, “We ask but for peace, liberty and safety. We wish not a +diminution of the prerogative, nor do we solicit the grant of any new +right in our favor. Your royal authority over us, and our connection +with Great-Britain, we shall always carefully and zealously endeavor to +support and maintain.”—“We present this petition only to obtain redress +of grievances and relief from fears and jealousies, occasioned by the +system of statutes and regulations adopted since the close of the late +war, by the abolition of which system, the harmony between Great-Britain +and these colonies, will be immediately restored. In the magnanimity and +justice of your majesty and parliament we confide for a redress of our +other grievances, trusting, that when the causes of our apprehensions +are removed, our future conduct will prove us not unworthy of the +regard, we have been accustomed in our happier days to enjoy. For, +appealing to that Being who searches thoroughly the hearts of his +creatures, we solemnly profess, that our councils have been influenced +by no other motive, than a dread of impending destruction.” They implore +his majesty in the most solemn manner, as the loving father of his +people, connected by the same bands of law, loyalty, faith and blood, +not to suffer the transcendant relation, formed by these ties to be +further violated, in uncertain expectation of effects, that if attained, +can never compensate for the calamities through which they must be +gained. They most earnestly beseech him, that his royal authority and +interposition may be used for their relief; and that a gracious answer +may be given to their petition. The close is a prayer, that his majesty +may enjoy every felicity through a long and glorious reign, and that his +descendants may inherit his prosperity and dominions till time shall be +no more. + +The congress, a week after resolving upon the association, an address to +the people of Great-Britain, a memorial to the inhabitants of the +colonies, and an address to his majesty, further resolved, “That an +address be prepared to the people of Quebec, and letters to the colonies +of St. John’s, Nova-Scotia, Georgia, East and West Florida, who have not +deputies to represent them in this congress.” + +Their address to the French inhabitants in Canada, discovers the most +dexterous management, and the most able method of application to the +temper and passions of the parties, whom they endeavor to gain. They +state the right they had, upon becoming English subjects, to the +inestimable benefits of the English constitution; and that this right +was further confirmed by the royal proclamation in 1763, plighting the +public faith for their full enjoyment of those advantages. They impute +to succeeding ministers an audacious and cruel abuse of the royal +authority, in withholding from them the fruition of the irrevocable +rights, to which they were thus justly entitled. They undertake to +explain to them, some of the most important branches of that form of +government from which they are debarred; and in so doing, quote passages +from their countryman Montesquieu, whom they artfully adopt as a judge +and an irrefragable authority upon this occasion. They then proceed to +specify and explain, under several distinct heads, the principal rights +to which the people are entitled by the English constitution; and these +rights they truly say, defend the poor from the rich, the weak from the +powerful, the industrious from the rapacious, the peaceable from the +violent, the tenants from the lords, and all from their superiors. + +They attempt pointing out numberless deformities in the Quebec bill, and +placing them in those points of view which should render it odious to +mankind. They renew their applications to the passions and partiality of +the Canadians; and at length introduce Montesquieu as addressing them +thus: “Seize the opportunity presented to you by Providence itself. You +are a small people compared with those who with open arms invite you +into a fellowship. A moment’s reflection should convince you, which will +be most for your interest and happiness, to have all the rest of +North-America your unalterable friends, or your inveterate enemies. Your +province is the only link wanting to complete the bright and strong +chain of union. Nature has joined your country to theirs. Do you join +your political interests. The value and extent of the advantages +tendered to you are immense. Heaven grant that you may discover them to +be blessings after they have bid you an eternal adieu.” They endeavor to +obviate the jealousies and prejudices which might arise from the +difference of their religious principles, by instancing the case of the +Swiss Cantons, whose union is composed of Roman Catholic and Protestant +states, living in the utmost concord and peace with one another, and +thereby enabled to defy and defeat every tyrant that had invaded them. +The congress, upon this article, appear to have winked out of sight +their complaint about eatablishing the Roman Catholic religion in +Quebec, and to expect that it would be unknown to the Canadians, or give +them no umbrage. They declare, that they do not ask them to commence +hostilities against the government of their common sovereign, but only +invite them to consult their own glory and welfare, and to unite with +them in no social compact. They conclude by informing them, that the +congress had, with universal pleasure, and an unanimous vote, resolved, +That they should consider the violation of their rights, by the act for +altering the government of their province, as a violation of their own; +and that they, should be invited to accede to their confederation. + +Before this address was perfected and signed, congress resolved, [Oct. +21.] “That the seizing, or attempting to seize any person in America, in +order to transport such person beyond the sea, for trial of offences +committed in America, being against law, will justify and ought to meet +with resistance and reprisal.” They have also agreed, that another +congress shall be held on the tenth day of May next, unless the redress +of grievances be obtained before that time. + +The general congress having finished their deliberations, dissolved +themselves [Oct. 26.] The impartial world will go near to acknowledge, +that the petitions and addresses from the congress have been executed +with uncommon energy, skill, and ability; and that abstractedly +considered, in respect to vigor of mind, strength of sentiment, and +patriotic language, they would not disgrace any assembly whatsoever. The +studied attention that congress have paid to the Massachusetts Bay and +its distressed capital, will both console and invigorate the +inhabitants. Many, however, of the congressional acts were neither +carried unanimously, nor without much debate. Mr. Galloway, of +Pennsylvania, and Mr. Duane, of New-York, inclined to the side of +ministry. The former became a member at the earnest solicitation of the +assembly, and refused compliance till they had given him instructions +agreeable to his own mind, as the rule of his conduct. These +instructions they suffered him to draw up: they were briefly to state +the rights and the grievances of America, and to propose a plan of +amicable accommodation of the differences between Great-Britain and the +colonies, and of a perpetual union. September the twenty-eighth a plan +was proposed by him, which was debated a whole day, when the question +was carried, six colonies to five, that it should be resumed and further +considered; but it at length fell through. The ten resolutions which the +congress came to in their declaration, expressing their indubitable +rights and liberties, met with very considerable opposition. Mr. Duane, +and others who drew with him, perplexed the proposals made by the high +sons of liberty, so that the congress did not come to a single +resolution for more than a fortnight, neither in stating their rights +nor their grievances.—When six days before that declaration, on October +the eighth, the resolution was passed, “That the congress approve the +opposition of the inhabitants of the Massachusetts Bay to the execution +of the late acts; and if the same shall be attempted, &c.” Galloway and +Duane not only opposed, but wanted to have their protests entered; which +being refused, on their return from congress they gave each other a +certificate, declaring their opposition to that question, as they +thought it a treasonable one.[112] In some stages of their proceedings, +the danger of a rupture with Britain was urged as a plea for certain +concessions. Upon this Mr. S. Adams rose up, and among other things +said, in substance, “I should advise persisting in our struggle for +liberty, though it was revealed from Heaven that 999 were to perish, and +only one of a thousand to survive and retain his liberty. One such +freeman must possess more virtue, and enjoy more happiness than a +thousand slaves; and let him propagate his like, and transmit to them +what he hath so nobly preserved.” It was a flight of patriotism, serving +to show the temper of the speaker; but the sentiment is so hyperbolical, +as to throw it far beyond the reach of practice. Mr. S. Adams having +seen an happy issue to the important deliberations of the general +congress, after his return repaired to the Massachusetts provincial +congress, to aid in their deliberations. + +General Gage, by the advice of his new council, issued writs for the +holding of a general assembly at Salem, on the 5th of October. The +events which afterward took place made him think it expedient to +counteract the writs, by a proclamation for suspending the meeting of +the members returned. But the legality of the proclamation was called +into question; and the new members, to the number of 90, met according +to the precepts, on the day and at the place appointed. Having waited +that day, [Oct. 5.] without the presence of the governor, or any +substitute for him, to administer the oaths and open the session, on the +next day they appointed a committee to consider the proclamation; and on +the third, resolved themselves into a provincial congress, to be joined +by such others as have been or shall be chosen, to take into +consideration the dangerous and alarming situation of public affairs. +The following day they met in provincial congress, and adjourned to +Concord, about 20 miles from Charlestown, and when there, chose Mr. +Hancock president. They proceeded to appoint a committee to wait upon +the governor with a remonstrance, in which they apologize for their +meeting, from the distressed state of the colony; express the grievous +apprehensions of the people; assert that the rigor of the Boston +port-bill is exceeded by the manner in which it is carried into +execution; and complain of the late laws, and the hostile preparations +on Boston Neck. They conclude with adjuring him to desist immediately +from the construction of the fortress at the entrance into Boston, and +to restore that pass to its natural state. The governor was involved in +some difficulty as to giving them an answer, for he could not +acknowledge the legality of their assembly. Necessity however prevailed. +He expressed great indignation at the idea’s being formed, that the +lives, liberties, or property of any people, except avowed enemies, +could be in danger from English troops; and observed, that +notwithstanding the enmity shown to the troops, by withholding from them +almost every thing necessary for their preservation, they had not yet +discovered the resentment which might justly have been expected to arise +from such hostile treatment. He reminded them, that while they +complained of alterations made in their charter by acts of parliament, +they were themselves, by their present assembling, subverting that +charter, and now acting in direct violation of their own constitution; +he therefore warned them of the rocks they were upon, and to desist from +such illegal and unconstitutional proceedings. But they were not in the +least diverted from prosecuting their measures. They adjourned to and +met at Cambridge [Oct. 17.] + +[Oct. 21.] A committee was appointed to draw up a plan for the immediate +defence of the province. It was concluded to raise and enlist a number +of minute-men, now for the first time so called, from their being to +turn out with their arms, at a minute’s warning. Upon the debate for +raising money to purchace military articles, a thousand pounds lawful (a +fourth less than sterling) was moved for and seconded; then two +thousand. The country members, in common, had no conception of the +expences attending warlike operations; and were dreadfully afraid of +voting away their own and their constituents money, however necessary +the expenditure of it. They are generally persons of good understanding +in matters within their own sphere, but are not competent judges of +those that lie without it; and being accustomed only to small sums, +startle at the mention of those which to them have the comparative +appearance of enormously large; and yet it is needful to humor their +want of scientific knowledge, to prevent disgust and obtain their +support. Of this the more intelligent members of the assembly were +sensible—Therefore the debate was closed by appointing a committee to +give in an estimate of the articles wanted, together with their cost; +this being done, the committee of safety were empowered to assemble the +militia, when they shall judge the same necessary for the defence of the +inhabitants of the province; and the committee of supplies to purchase +ammunition, ordnance, stores, &c. not exceeding the value of £.20,837 +lawful, or £.15,627, 15s. sterling—a glorious sum with which to oppose +the power and riches of Great-Britain! The committee of safety and the +committee of supplies, consist of different persons, and are intended +for different purposes. The first, beside being empowered to assemble +the militia, are invested with other authority for the safety of the +province, and are to recommend to the committee of supplies the +purchasing of such articles as may be deemed necessary. The last are to +assist the committee of safety not only by purchasing supplies, but by +affording them help for executing the measures which may be thought by +them requisite for the public benefit. Both are to sit and to continue +to do business when there is a recess of the provincial congress, as +also when none existeth. It is resolved [Oct. 25.] That all matters +shall be kept private; but in such a numerous assembly it is next to +impossible to effect it. Were all equally true to the same cause, each +will not have the like power of retaining a secret. + +[October 27.] The honorable Jedediah Pribble, the honorable Artemas +Ward, and colonel Pomeroy, all of whom have seen some service in the +last war, were elected general officers, to have the command of the +minute-men and militia, in case they should be called out to action. + +[October 29.] The provincial congress adjourned to November 23. + +As winter approached, the governor ordered temporary barracks to be +erected for the troops. But such was the dislike to their being provided +for in any manner, that the select men and committees obliged the +workmen of the town to quit their employment, for fear of subjecting +themselves to the resentment of their countrymen. The governor had as +little success in endeavoring to procure carpenters from New-York; so +that it has been with the greatest difficulty that he has gotten those +temporary lodgments erected. He has endeavored also to procure some +winter covering from that city; but the merchants have refused complying +with any part of the order, and returned for answer, “They never will +supply any article for the benefit of men who are sent as enemies to +their country.” The general had thoughts at one time, of erecting a fort +upon Beacon-hill. The Boston committee obtained the plan of it, waited +upon him, and informed him that they heard he had such a design, and +that if he proceeded to execute it, he would get himself into +difficulties. He would not own that he had any such intention, but +attempted rather to make them believe the contrary; on which they +produced the plan, and told him it was the same that was presented to +him the night before. + +On the other hand, the Massachusetts committee of safety; were not +inattentive to their duty. They recommended to the committee of supplies +[Nov. 2, 8, 14, 20.] the procuring of pork, flour, rice, and peas, and +the depositing of the same partly at Worcester and partly at Concord. +They further advised the procuring of all arms and ammunition that could +be got from the neighboring provinces; and of spades, pick-axes, +bill-hooks, iron shovels and pots, mess-bowls, cannon, ball, &c. &c. + +Every thing now served to increase the mutual apprehension and animosity +between the government and the people. Those of Boston professed to be +under no small terror, from an apprehension of danger to their property, +liberties, and lives. The soldiers, on the other hand, considered +themselves in the midst of enemies. Each side made profession of the +best intentions in the world for its own part, and showed the greatest +suspicion of the other. In this state of doubt and profession, matters +were made still worse by a measure which seems not of sufficient +importance in its consequences, to justify its having been hazarded at +so critical a season. This was the landing of a detachment of sailors by +night, from the ships of war in the harbour, who spiked up all the +cannon upon one of the batteries belonging to the town. + +In the mean time, through the disposition and promptitude of the people, +the resolutions and recommendations of the provincial congress, had all +the weight and efficacy of laws. At length the governor was induced to +issue a proclamation [Nov. 10.] in which they were charged with +proceedings generally understood as nearly tantamount to treason and +rebellion. The inhabitants were accordingly prohibited in the king’s +name, from complying in any degree with the requisitions, +recommendations, directions, or resolves of that unlawful assembly. + +[Nov. 23.] When the provincial congress met again, having Mr. Samuel +Adams present with them, they pushed their preparations for hostile +opposition. These exertions suited not the feelings of many in congress. +Through timidity they began to sicken at heart, and upon the plea of +sickness begged leave to return home, and were indulged. Mr. S. Adams +penetrated the cause of their complaint; and in order to stop the +epidemical distemper, expressed his great willingness, that when members +were not well, they should be allowed to return, but proposed that they +should be enjoined, upon getting back, to inform the towns that they +were no longer represented, that so others might be sent to supply their +absence. The proposal soon cured the malady; for the disordered chose to +remain in congress rather than incur the displeasure of their +constituents, and be supplanted by new successors. + +The provincial congress resolved upon getting in readiness 12,000 men, +to act upon any emergency; and directed that a quarter of the militia +should be enlisted as minute-men, who were allowed the liberty of +choosing their own officers, and were to receive pay. They sent persons +to New-Hampshire, Rhode-Island, and Connecticut, to acquaint them with +what was doing, and to request that they would prepare their respective +quotas to make up an army of 20,000 men when wanted. Upon this a number +of gentlemen were sent from these colonies, to consult and settle with a +committee of about twenty, chosen by the congress for the purpose. There +was a difficulty about fixing what should be the precise period for +opposing general Gage’s troops; at length it was determined, that they +should be opposed whenever they marched out with their baggage, +ammunition, and artillery; for this would carry in it an apparent +intention of acting hostilely in support of British measures. + +[Dec. 6.] A committee was appointed to correspond with the inhabitants +of Canada; and it was resolved, that the following letter be addressed +to the several ministers of the gospel, within this province: + + + “REV. SIR, + +We cannot but acknowledge the goodness of Heaven, in constantly +supplying us with preachers of the gospel, whose concern has been the +temporal and spiritual happiness of this people. In a day like this, +when all the friends of civil and religious liberty are exerting +themselves to deliver this country from its present calamities, we +cannot but place great hopes in an order of men who have ever +distinguished themselves in their country’s cause; and do therefore +recommend to the ministers of the gospel, in the several towns and other +places in this colony, that they assist us in avoiding that dreadful +slavery with which we are now threatened.” + + +The ministers of New-England being mostly congregationalists, are from +that circumstance, in a professional way, more attached and habituated +to the principles of liberty than if they had spiritual superiors to +lord it over them, and were in hopes of possessing in their turn, +through the gift of government, the seat of power. They oppose arbitrary +rule in civil concerns, from the love of freedom, as well as from a +desire of guarding against its introduction into religious matters. The +patriots, for years back have availed themselves greatly of their +assistance. Two sermons have been preached annually for a length of +time, the one on general election day, the last Wednesday in May, when +the new general court have been used to meet, according to charter, and +elect the counsellors for the ensuing year; the other some little while +after, on the artillery election day, when the officers are reelected, +or new officers are chosen. On these occasions political subjects are +deemed very proper; but it is expected that they be treated in a decent, +serious, and instructive manner. The general election preacher has been +elected alternately by the council and house of assembly. The sermon is +stiled _the Election Sermon_, and is printed. Every representative has a +copy for himself, and generally one or more for the minister or +ministers of his town. As the patriots have prevailed, the preachers of +each sermon have been the zealous friends of liberty; and the passages +most adapted to promote and spread the love of it, have been selected, +and circulated far and wide by means of news-papers, and read with +avidity and degree of veneration, on account of the preacher and his +election to the service of the day. Commendations, both public and +private, have not been wanting to help on the design. Thus by their +labors in the pulpit, and by furnishing the prints with occasional +essays, the ministers have forwarded and strengthened, and that not a +little, the opposition to the exercise of that parliamentary claim of +right to bind the colonies in all cases whatever. + +The clergy of this colony are as virtuous, sensible, and learned a set +of men, as will probably be found in any part of the globe of equal size +and equally populous. The first settlers were early attentive to the +providing of suitable persons to fill their pulpits with dignity. They +saw the importance of it, and in 1636 the general court gave some +hundred pounds toward a public school at Newton; but Mr. John Harvard, a +worthy minister of Charlestown, dying in 1638, and bequeathing between +seven and eight hundred pounds to the same use, the school took the name +of Harvard College by an order of court, and the town upon the occasion +changed its name for that of Cambridge.—This college has been encouraged +ever since, and is the first upon the continent. It is the _alma mater_ +to whom the youth of this colony in particular, are sent, whether +designed for the pulpit, the bar, or other callings. Here they receive +the rudiments of those qualifications by which they are enabled to serve +their country in a civil or sacred department. The salaries of the +ministers are moderate, but in general sufficient for their support, by +the aid of good œconomy. They cannot approve of often bringing politics +into the pulpit, yet they apprehend it to be right upon special +occasions. Who but must admit, that “it is certainly the duty of the +clergy to accommodate their discourses to the times; to preach against +such sins as are most prevalent, and to recommend such virtues as are +most wanted. For example, if exorbitant ambition and venality are +predominant, ought they not to warn their hearers against the vices? If +public spirit is much wanted, should they not inculcate this great +virtue? If the rights and duties of magistrates and subjects are +disputed, should they not explain them, show their nature, ends, +limitations, and restrictions?” You have frequently remarked, that +though the partizans of arbitrary power will freely censure that +preacher who speaks boldly for the liberties of the people, they will +admire as an excellent divine, the parson whose discourse is wholly in +the opposite strain, and teaches that magistrates have a divine right +for doing wrong, and are to be implicitly obeyed; men professing +christianity, as if the religion of the blessed Jesus bound them tamely +to part with their natural and social rights, and slavishly to bow their +neck to any tyrant; as if Paul was faulty in standing up for his Roman +privileges, that he might escape a scourging, or falling a sacrifice to +the malice of his countrymen, when he appealed unto Cæsar. + +[Dec. 8.] The provincial congress choose colonel Thomas and colonel +Heath, additional generals, and soon after dissolved themselves, that +they might be at home in time to keep thanksgiving with their families. +It has been long a custom in the colony to have a fast day in the +spring, and a thanksgiving late in the fall of the year, or in the +beginning of winter, when the heads of families collect their children +around them; and beside attending the religious exercises of the day, +feast upon a plentiful though not a splendid table, and are innocently +merry. The observation of this day they call “_a keeping thanksgiving_.” +The appointment of both days, belongs in an orderly way, to the +governor; but in these extraordinary times the provincial congress +appointed the public thansgiving, on which among other enumerated +blessings, a particular acknowledgment was to be made to the Almighty, +for the union which so remarkably prevails in all the colonies. + +The assembly of Pennsylvania met toward the close of the year, and were +the first legal body of representatives that ritified unanimously all +the acts of the general congress, and appointed delegates to represent +them in the new congress, to be held the ensuing May. It is thought that +they were in a great measure dragged into it, from the fear of a +provincial convention. + +No sooner did they receive at Rhode-Island the account of the royal +proclamation, prohibiting the exportation of military stores from +Britain, but the people seized upon and removed from the batteries about +the harbour, above forty cannon, of different sizes. The assembly also +passed resolutions for procuring arms and military stores by every mean, +and from every quarter in which they could be obtained, as well as for +training and arming the inhabitants. + +When copies of these resolutions and of the proclamation, arrived at +Portsmouth, in New-Hampshire, the people of the province were spirited +up to make their first hostile movement. Though governor Wentworth’s +influence could not prevent their appointing deputies, holding a +convention at Exeter, and choosing delegates for the continental +congress, yet he had the address to moderate their tempers, and to keep +them from acts of violence. But the example of their neighbors, and the +alarming situation of affairs, at length roused them to uncommon +exertions. [Dec. 14.] More than four hundred men collected, and beset +his majesty’s castle at Portsmouth. Captain Cochran, who commanded, +ordered three four pounders to be fired on them, and then the small +arms; before he could be ready to fire again, the fort was stormed on +all quarters, and the assailants immediately secured both him and his +men, and kept them prisoners about an hour and a half, during which they +broke open the powder-house, took all the powder away, except one +barrel, and having put it in boats and sent it off, released him from +his confinement. + +The hardy inhabitants of Marblehead, used to all the toils and dangers +of a sea-faring life, being out of employ, have attended to military +exercise for hours, three days in a week, and will soon constitute a +fine regiment of soldiers. The gentlemen of the place have encouraged +them by their own example, and made it profitable to them. Something +similar has been practised at Salem and other towns. The militia of the +colony will, therefore, acquire some knowledge of arms before they are +called to engage in actual service, should that unhappily be the issue +of present measures. + +The Virginia militia officers, under the command of lord Dunmore, +convened at Fort Gower, on November the fifth, have shown what may be +expected from them; for though they resolved to bear the most faithful +allegiance to his majesty, they declared that the love of liberty and +attachment to the real interests and just rights of America, outweighed +every other consideration, and that they would exert every power within +them for the defence of American liberty, when regularly called forth by +the unanimous voice of their countrymen. + +Barnstable, in New-England, and Ridgefield, in Connecticut, have +distinguished themselves in adopting measures different from the other +towns in their respective colonies. But the New-York representatives +have given the greatest disgust. After the assembly’s taking into +consideration the regulations agreed upon at the grand congress, +respecting commerce, they rejected the same. This however was thought to +be compensated for, by the late resolution of the Pennsylvania +convention [Jan. 23, 1775.] wherein they have declared, “That if the +petition of the continental congress should be disregarded, and the +British administration should determine by force to effect a submission +to the late arbitrary acts of the British parliament; in such a +situation, we hold it our indispensable duty to resist such force, and +at every hazard to defend the rights and liberties of America.” The +convention likewise recommended in particular the making of salt, +gun-powder, salt-petre, and steel. Among the many sons of liberty of +which they were composed, Mr. Charles Thomson was eminent for inflexible +spirit; but Mr. Thomas Mifflin was as the very soul of the capital and +province. Such are his natural and acquired accomplishments, his +unwearied exertions, his zeal, his address, his sprightliness, that he +enlightens and invigorates every thing around him. + +The inhabitants of Maryland were no less zealous on the present critical +occasion, than those of the most active provinces. They were all in +motion, forming county meetings, entering into associations, choosing +committees, and recommending measures for carrying the resolutions of +the continental congress into effectual execution. The convention has +appointed a sum of money for the purchase of arms and ammunition. Every +person who refuses to contribute to the purchase, is deemed an enemy to +his country. Many of the principal gentlemen are ambitious of appearing +in arms to defend its liberties. They have taken the power of the +militia out of the hands of the governor, and established it by their +own authority, for the defence of the Massachusetts as well as of +themselves; and thus have shown to all the world, their approbation of +New-England measures. The lower counties of the Delaware have acted in +like manner. + +[Jan. 27.] The New-Hampshire assembly, in answer to a letter from +Maryland, has gone further than ever before, in saying, “You may depend +upon the ready concurrence of this house, with the measures thought +necessary to be pursued by the other colonies in the great cause of +liberty.” + +But the province did not trust to the complection of the assembly. A +convention of deputies was appointed by the several towns, and held at +Exeter, when the proceedings of the continental congress were +unanimously approved; and members chosen to represent them at the +ensuing one, two days before the assembly gave their answer. + +Most of the New-Yorkers accommodate themselves to the measures appointed +by the general congress. + +The general committee in Charleston, South-Carolina, upon receiving an +account of these measures, immediately convened a provincial congress, +and procured a return of representatives from every parish and district +in the colony, by which mean the body consisted of more than two +hundred, while the constitutional assembly amounts to no more than +forty-nine. The increase of the representatives naturally served the +cause of the country, by engaging a greater number of leaders in support +of it. This first provincial congress met on the eleventh of January; +they have unanimously approved the proceedings of the general congress, +and resolved to carry them into execution. Committees of inspection and +observation have also been appointed, whose business it is to see that +the public resolutions are universally obeyed, that so they may not be +broken through the selfishness of individuals. This is the prevailing +mode of guarding against such selfishness in every colony. + +From the former success of non-importation agreements, and a belief that +the trade of America is indispensably necessary to Britain, it is +generally hoped and expected in the southern states, that the obnoxious +acts will be repealed. They have no idea of an appeal to the sword, +notwithstanding all the military parade that exists. A bloodless +self-denying opposition is the whole of their real intention, and all +the sacrifice that they imagine will be required. Similar sentiments +prevail among great numbers in the Massachusetts; who, while they are +preparing for war, expect that present appearances will never terminate +in it; for that Great-Britain will not fight with her best customers, +but will relax and accommodate when they find the Americans absolutely +determined to use their arms rather than submit. + +Persons who discover great anxiety about the continuance of trade, are +considered as selfish, preferring private interest to the good of the +country; and under this thought, the intemperate zeal of the populace in +some places, transports them beyond the limits of moderation, to apply +singular punishments to individuals who counteract the general sense of +the community. + +There is however to appearance an amazing agreement through the +continent; and it may be imagined, that the inhabitants of the twelve +colonies have but one heart, and but one understanding. Assemblies, +conventions, congresses, towns, cities, private clubs and circles, are +seemingly animated by one great, wise, active, and noble spirit—one +masterly soul, enlivening one vigorous body. All their acts tend to the +same point, the supporting of the measures of the continental congress. +But be assured there are great numbers in every colony, who disapprove +of these measures—a few comparatively, from principle and a persuasion +that the same are wrong, and that they ought to submit to the mother +country—some through attachment to the late governmental authority +exercised among them—many from self-interest—but the bulk for fear of +the mischievous consequences likely to follow. The professing friends of +liberty have acted in a spirited manner, while the others have lain +still. Such as have discovered a disposition to oppose popular measures, +have not been supported, and therefore have declined making further +efforts, and absented themselves from town and other meetings. The +popular cry being against them, they have sought personal peace and +safety in remaining quiet. But could the truth be ascertained, it would +probably be discovered, that in most of the town and other meetings, +even in New-England, far more than half the parties having a right to +attend, from various causes were absent; and that there were a great +many among the absentees, who were such, because they knew that matters +would be carried at such meetings contrary to their own sentiments. Not +only so, but it may be reasonably supposed, and time may prove, that +several in assemblies, conventions, and congresses, voted against their +own opinion, to secure themselves from resentment, and to promote their +present interest. + +An inclination has appeared in several of the governmental gentlemen now +in Boston, to attempt opening the court at Worcester, and to support it +by the aid of two regiments. It has been the subject of conversation. +When the proposal of marching them came to be considered in council, it +was laid aside. The governor was well pleased with the determination. He +certainly does not wish to bring on a rupture. + +Now let me conclude with giving you a picture of the Massachusetts +colony, which you will be inclined to pronounce an uncommon and +astonishing curiosity. Some hundred thousand people are in a state of +nature, and yet as still and peaceable at present, as ever they were +when government was in full vigor. We have neither legislators, nor +magistrates, nor executive officers. We have no officers but military +ones; of these we have a multitude, chosen by the people, and exercising +them with more authority and spirit than ever any did who had +commissions from a governor. The inhabitants are determined never to +submit to the act destroying their charter, and are every where devoting +themselves to arms. To force upon them a form of government to which +they are absolutely averse, may not be within the omnipotence of a +British parliament. The attempt has produced a suspension of all legal +authority, and yet individuals enjoy the same security as before, even +when they differ from the public sentiment, have they the prudence to +moderate their tempers and observe a neutrality. By accommodating +themselves so far to the times, they are safe at home and abroad. + +The fortitude with which the town of Boston supports its present +distresses, and the determination it discovers to endure as much as +human nature can, rather than betray the American cause, and endanger +the liberties of posterity, will secure it the encomiums of future +generations. Not a town or city in all the colonies, would have been +likely to have exhibited so glorious a spectacle, had it been called out +to a similar trial; and all the friends of American liberty through the +continent, may congratulate themselves that the storm of ministerial +vengeance has fallen first upon the capital of the Massachusetts, as in +consequence of it they have enjoyed the opportunity of providing against +the worst that may be attempted, in order to reduce them to subjection. + + + + + LETTER XI. + + + _London, March 3, 1775._ + +A strange supineness prevailed for some time after my last was closed, +among the great body of the English nation; and the colony contests were +little regarded. Numbers flattered themselves, that as things had +formerly so often appeared at the verge of a rupture, without actually +arriving at it, some means would be found for accommodating the present +dispute. The opinion also was circulated, that a continuance of +resolution persisted in, would certainly put an end to the contest, +which (it was said) had been nourished wholly by former concessions; +people in general were therefore inclined to trust the trial of +perseverance and resolution to a ministry who valued themselves upon +these qualities. The times have been highly favorable to any purpose +which only required the concurrence of the parliament and the +acquiescence of the public. Administration has taken advantage of these +circumstances [Sept. 30, 1774.] and the late parliament has been +dissolved a twelvemonth before the expected time. This may be meant as a +preparatory step to the most coercive measures with America; but in a +new house of commons, ministry will be left at large, to choose or alter +their line of conduct as incidents may vary, and if necessary can throw +all the odium of the late laws upon the former parliament. + +[Nov. 30.] His majesty in his speech informed the new one, that a most +daring spirit of disobedience to the law, still unhappily prevailed in +the Massachusetts, and had broken forth in fresh violences of a criminal +nature; that these proceedings had been encouraged in other colonies, +and unwarrantable attempts been made to obstruct the commerce of the +kingdom, by unlawful combinations; that such measures had been taken, +and such orders given, as were judged most proper for carrying the laws +into execution; and that they might depend upon a firm resolution to +withstand every attempt to weaken the supreme authority of the +legislature over all the dominions of the crown, his majesty being +assured of receiving their support while acting upon these principles. + +The proposed address in the house of commons, produced a considerable +debate; and the minister was reminded of the mighty effects he had +predicted from the late acts against America—They were to humble that +whole continent in the dust, without further trouble, and the punishment +of Boston was to strike an universal panic on all the colonies; that +refractory town would be totally abandoned, and instead of obtaining +relief, a dread of the same fate would even prevent the appearances of +pity. But the address was carried, without any amendment, by a majority +of more than three to one. + +That from the house of lords was couched in strong terms, and was warmly +debated. It was rendered memorable by a protest, thought to be the first +upon an address, and which was very pointed; it concluded with the +following remarkable declaration: “But whatever may be the mischievous +designs, or the inconsiderate temerity which leads others to this +desperate course, we wish to be known as persons who have disapproved of +measures so injurious in their past effects and their future tendency, +and who are not in haste, without enquiry or information, to commit +ourselves in declarations which may precipitate our country into all the +calamities of a civil war.”[113] The address was carried by a majority +of 63 to 13. + +Notwithstanding the hostile tone of the speech, and the great majority +that supported the addresses, there appeared an irresolution on the side +of ministry; and previous to the Christmas recess they seemed evidently +to shrink from all contest upon American subjects. The national +estimates were entirely formed upon a peace establishment; and the +minister of the naval department publicly asserted in the house of +lords, that he knew it would be fully sufficient for reducing the +colonies to obedience. He spoke with the greatest contempt both of the +power and courage of the Americans; and held that they were not +disciplined, nor capable of discipline, and that formed of such +materials, and so indisposed to action, the numbers, of which such +boasts had been made, would only add to the facility of their defeat. + +The establishment will indeed be fully sufficient, if the ministry mean +to employ the navy only, and to recal the military. Ships may effect +that with little hazard and expence, which if once attempted by +soldiers, may plunge the nation into enormous disbursements, and yet not +be accomplished. A few ships of the line stationed singly near the +capital ports of the colonies, and a number of frigates employed as +cruisers to stop the Americans from sending any vessels to sea; and this +measure continued, would at length weary out the inhabitants of the +towns and cities upon the sea-coast of the continent, and induce one or +other of them to submit; and if but one link of the chain give way, the +whole would soon come to the ground; and were the sea-ports once brought +to adjust the present dispute with administration, the towns in the back +country might be gradually inclined to the same, whatever may be their +present apprehensions. The proper application of the navy to the +American contest, would also exclude all foreign interference. + +The congressional proceedings were received before the Christmas recess, +and ministry were disposed to retract their violent measures and to +redress American grievances. To this end, application was made, under +the auspices of the minister, to the body of the American merchants, +desiring them to frame petitions for the redress of American grievances +and the restoration of American rights, and promising compliance with +them, as it was most agreeable to the ministry to repeal the obnoxious +acts, seemingly in consequence of petitions at home. While this was in +agitation, letters were received from New-York, assuring that the +assembly would reject the proceedings of the general congress, and that +there would be a separation of that colony from the rest. Fresh hopes +were conceived from the prospect of a division, upon which ministry +reverted to measures more adapted to their own inclination.[114] + +But during the recess, persons began to consider the consequences which +might follow the congressional proceedings, and a general alarm was +spread. This produced several meetings of the North-American merchants +in London and Bristol; and petitions to parliament were prepared and +agreed upon in both places. But the times were so altered from what they +were formerly, that no mercantile opposition could prove efficacious by +endangering the continuance of the ministry. + +On the first day of the meeting after the recess, the nobleman at the +head of the American affairs, laid the papers belonging to his +department before the lords, on which lord Chatham rose, and expressed +his utmost dissent and disapprobation of the whole system of American +measures. + +Being in possession at present of your friend Mr. Quincy’s journal, +wherein he gives a particular account of his lordship’s speech, of the +copies of several letters sent by himself to America, and of other +matters, permit me to transcribe from the same, and give you the +thoughts and expressions of Mr. Quincy, with the dates. + +[Nov. 11, 1774.] Viewed Plymouth docks. My ideas of the riches and +powers of this great nation are increased to a degree I should not have +believed if it had been predicted to me. I am not in any measure +reconciled to the British plan of taxing America, but I should with +cheerfulness accede to a contribution from the colonies (they being the +sole judges of the time and quantity of their grants) toward the charges +of the British government. + +[Nov. 18.] This morning J. Williams, esq. informed me, that governor +Hutchinson had repeatedly assured the ministry, that a union of the +colonies was utterly impracticable; that the people were greatly divided +among themselves in every colony; and that there could be no doubt but +that all America would submit; that they must, and would soon. Several +of the nobility and ministry assured Dr. Franklin of the same facts. + +[Nov. 19.] Lord N—— repeatedly said to me, “We must try what we can do +to support the authority we have claimed over America; if we are +defective in power, we must sit down contented, and make the best terms +we can; and nobody then can blame us after we have done our utmost; but +till we have tried what we can do, we can never be justified in +receding; and we ought to, and shall be very careful not to judge a +thing impossible because it may be difficult; nay, we ought to try what +we can effect, before we can determine upon its impracticability.” + +[Nov. 24.] To ——. “The following language hath been reiterated to me in +various companies,”—“We are afraid of nothing but your division and your +want of perseverance. Unite and persevere—you must prevail—you must +triumph.” + +“From parliament expect no favor but what proceeds from fear. Depend not +upon commercial plans for your safety.—Dr. Franklin is an American in +heart and soul. His ideas are not contracted within the narrow limits of +exemption from taxes, but are extended upon the broad scale of total +emancipation.—He is explicit and bold upon the subject.” + +[Nov. 26.] Governor P—— assured me, that all the measures agains America +were planned and pushed on by Bernard and Hutchinson. They were +incessant in their applications to administration, and gave the most +positive assurances of success. + +[Dec. 6.] Mr. commissioner M—— waited on me. In the course of +conversation he said, “You can have no idea of the taxes of this +kingdom, and the distress of our poor. They are extreme poor and +wretched indeed—every thing here is taxed to the utmost. The colonies +must relieve us; they must ease us of our taxes, &c.” He also affirmed +to me, that governors Bernard and Hutchinson were principally attended +to in the late measures against the colonies. But he added, that +government had found many things had turned out different from +Hutchinson’s representation, and had not been at all conformable to what +he foretold. + +To ——. “My whole time is employed in endeavoring to serve my country. I +find every body eager to hear, most people willing to be set right, and +almost all grossly ignorant of the American world. It is agreed on all +hands, that your courage—your courage, I repeat it—will be brought to +the test.—Should it prove answerable to your ostentations, and worthy of +your ancestors, your friends will amazingly increase—your hearty friends +will be in raptures. Prepare—prepare I say, for the worst. + +“Many of your friends here, in both houses, will not take a decisive +part till they see how you act in America. For should they take a +determined part now in favor of that country, and in a short time +America give back, their hopes of rise into power and office (which are +the hopes of all British statesmen) would be for ever at an end. +Therefore, till the colonists discover that union and spirit, which all +parties here agree must force success, you are not to expect any great +exertions in your favor. But when once there is a conviction that the +Americans are in earnest, that they are resolved to endure all hazards +with a spirit worthy the prize (and not till then) will you have many +firm, active, persevering, and powerful friends. For, strange as it may +seem, there is a great doubt here, among many, whether you are really in +earnest, in the full force and extent of those words.” + +[Dec 12.] Lord —— appeared a very warm friend to the Americans; and +said, “If they continue united, they must have all they ask.” He +particularly mentioned, that lord M—— last sessions, assured the house +of lords, that the plan they had laid would go down in America, _sine +clade_; and also that he had the best intelligence what might be carried +through there. His lordship had no doubt that such assurances was +grounded on Hutchinson’s information. + +[Dec. 14.] To E——. “Your countrymen must seal their cause with their +blood. They must preserve a consistency of character. THEY MUST NOT +DELAY. They must——or be trodden down into the vilest vassalage—the +scorn—the spurn of their enemies—a by-word of infamy among all men.” + +[Dec. 16.] To E——. “Permit me to congratulate my countrymen on the +integrity and wisdom with which the congress have conducted. Their +policy, spirit, and union, have confounded their foes and inspired their +friends. All parties agree in giving them a tribute of honor and +applause. My lord N—— endeavored to explain away his expression—“I will +have America at my feet.” Beware of the arts of negociation.” + +“By the way, there is no doubt but the ministry sent large sums to +New-York, in order to bribe your continental delegates. It was openly +avowed and vindicated; and great boast was made of ministerial success +in this way, with the delegates from New-York. It was said, that they +had effected a dis-union which would be fatal to the cause of America. +You can’t well imagine the chagrin with which the ministry received the +result of that glorious body. They are viewed as the _northern +constellation_ of glorious worthies, illuminating and warming the new +world.” + +To Joseph Reed, esq. (of Philadelphia.) + +[Dec. 17.] “Sure I am that the ministry have no where such sanguine +hopes of a defection as from that quarter (New-York.) Their influence is +no where so forcibly extended; it is certain they will be astonishingly +disappointed if they do not find a sensibility to their touch. Lord C—— +said in the house of lords, the other day, “Were I an American, I would +resist to the last drop of my blood.” Your parliamentary friends say, +snatch the opportunity for peace and reconciliation. Your sanguine and +warm partizans say, “You are united and inspired now, circumstances that +may never happen again. Seize the happy and glorious opportunity for +establishing the freedom and social felicity of all America. There is a +tide in the affairs of men.” + +[Jan. 2, 1775.] While (at Bath) viewing the most magnificently elegant +new rooms, in company with colonel Barre, he said, pointing to the +pictures taken from the ruins found at Herculaneum, “I hope you have not +the books containing the draughts of those ruins with you.” I replied, +“There was one set I believed in the public library at our college.” +“Keep them there (said he) and they may be of some service as a matter +of curiosity for the speculative, but let them get abroad and you are +ruined. They will infuse a taste for buildings and sculpture; and when a +people get a taste for the fine arts, they are ruined. ’Tis taste that +ruins whole kingdoms. ’Tis tase that depopulates whole nations. I could +not help weeping when I surveyed the ruins at Rome. All the remains of +the Roman grandeur are of works which were finished, when Rome and the +spirit of Romans were no more, unless I except the ruins of the Emilian +baths. Mr. Quincy, let your countrymen beware of taste in their +buildings, equipage and dress, as a deadly poison.” + +Colonel Barre also added, in the course of conversation—“About fourteen +or fifteen years ago, I was through a considerable part of your country; +for, in the expedition against Canada, my business called me to pass by +land through Pennsylvania, New-Jersey, York and Albany; and when I +returned again to this country, I was often speaking of America, and +could not help speaking well of its climate, soil and inhabitants; for +you must know, sir, America was always a favorite with me. But will you +believe it, sir, yet I assure you it is true, more than two-thirds of +this island at that time, thought the Americans were all negroes.” I +replied, “I did not in the least doubt it; for if I was to judge by the +late acts of parliament, I should suppose that a majority of the people +of Great-Britain still thought so, for I found that their +representatives still treated them as such.” He smiled, and the +discourse dropped. The colonel was among those who voted for the Boston +port-bill. + +[Dec. 20.] Attended the debates of the house of lords.—Good fortune gave +me one of the best places for taking a few minutes. + +Lord Chatham rose like Marcellus. “Viros superiment omnes.” He seemed to +feel himself superior to those around him. His language, voice and +gesture, were more pathetic than I ever saw or heard before at the bar +or senate. He seemed like an old Roman senator, rising with the dignity +of age, yet speaking with the fire of youth. + +The illustrious sage stretched fourth his hand with the decent solemnity +of a Paul, and rising with his subject, he smote his breast with the +energy and grace of a Demosthenes. He opened with some general +observations on the importance and magnitude of the American quarrel (as +he called it.) He enlarged upon the dangerous and ruinous events that +were coming upon the nation in consequence of the present dispute, and +the measures already begun and now carrying on by his majesty’s +ministers. He arraigned their conduct with great severity and freedom. +He then proceeded: + +“My lords, these papers from America, now laid for the first time before +your lordships, have been, to my knowledge, five or six weeks in the +pocket of the minister. And notwithstanding the fate of this kingdom +hangs upon the event of this great controversy, we are but this moment +called to a consideration of this important subject. My lords, I do not +want to look into one of those papers; I know their contents well enough +already. I know that there is not a member in this house but is +acquainted with their purport also. There ought therefore to be no delay +in entering upon this matter; we ought to proceed to it immediately. We +ought to seize the first moment to open the door of reconciliation. The +Americans will never be in a temper or state to be reconciled (they +ought not to be) till the troops are withdrawn. The troops are a +perpetual irritation to these people: they are a bar to all confidence, +and all cordial reconcilement. I therefore, my lords, move—That an +humble address be presented to his majesty, most humbly to advise and +beseech his majesty, that, in order to open the way towards an happy +settlement of the dangerous troubles in America, by beginning to allay +ferments, and soften animosities there; and above all, for preventing, +in the mean time, any sudden and fatal catastrophe at Boston, now +suffering under the daily irritation of an army, before their eyes, +posted in their town, it may graciously please his majesty, that +immediate orders may be dispatched to general Gage, for removing his +majesty’s forces from the town of Boston, as soon as the rigor of the +season, and other circumstances indispensible to the safety and +accommodation of the said troops, may render the same practicable.” + +“The way, my lords, must be immediately opened for reconciliation. It +will soon be too late. I know not who advised the present measures. I +know not who advises to a perseverance and enforcement of them; but this +I will say, that whoever advises them ought to answer for it, at his +utmost peril.—I know that no one will avow, that he advised, or that he +was the author of these measures: every one shrinks from the charge. But +somebody has advised his majesty to these measures, and if his majesty +continues to hear such evil counsellors, his majesty will be undone. His +majesty indeed my wear his crown; but the American jewel out of it, it +will not be worth the wearing.” + +“What more shall I say? I must not say, that the king is betrayed; but +this I will say, the NATION is ruined. What foundation have we for our +claims over America? What is our right to persist in such cruel and +vindictive measures against that loyal and respectable people? They say +you have no right so tax them without their consent. They say truly. +Representation and taxation must go together: they are inseparable. Yet +there is hardly a man in our streets, though so poor as scarce to be +able to get his daily bread, but thinks he is the legislator of America. +_Our_ American subjects is a common phrase in the mouth of the lowest +orders of our citizens; but property, my lords, is the sole and entire +dominion of the owner: it excludes all the world besides the owner. None +can intermeddle with it. It is a unity; a mathematical point. It it at +atom; untangible by any but the proprietor. Touch it—and the owner loses +his whole property. The touch contaminates the whole mass; the whole +property vanishes. The touch of another annihilates it; for whatever is +a man’s own, is absolutely and exclusively his own.” + +“In the last parliament all was anger—all was rage. Administration did +not consider what was practicable, but what was revenge. _Sine clade +victoria_ was the language of the ministry last sessions, but every body +knew, an idiot might know, that such would not be the issue. But the +ruin of the nation was a matter of no concern, if administration might +be revenged. Americans were abused, misrepresented, and traduced in the +most atrocious manner, in order to give a colour, and urge on the most +precipitate, unjust, cruel, and vindictive measures that ever disgraced +a nation.” + + Gnossius hæc Rhadamanthus habet _durissima_ regna, + _Custig at_ que, AUDIT que dolos. + +“My lords, the very infernal spirits, they _chastise_, _castigatque_: +sed _auditque_, my lords. The very spirits of the infernal regions HEAR +_before_ they _punish_. But how have these respectable people behaved +under all their grievances? With unexampled patience, with unparalleled +wisdom. They chose delegates by their free suffrages: no _bribery_, no +_corruption_, no INFLUENCE here, my lords. Their representatives meet +with the sentiments and temper, and speak the sense of the continent. +For genuine sagacity, for singular moderation, for solid wisdom, manly +spirit, sublime sentiments and simplicity of language, for every thing +respectable and honorable, the congress of Philadelphia shine +unrivalled. This wise people speak out. They do not hold the language of +slaves; they tell you what they mean.—They do not ask you to repeal your +laws as a favor; they claim it as a right; they demand it. They tell +you, they will not submit to them; and I tell you the acts must be +repealed; they will be repealed; you cannot enforce them. The ministry +are checker-mated. They have a move to make on the board; and yet not a +move but they are ruined. + +Repeal, therefore, my lords, I say. But bare repeal will not satisfy +this enlightened and spirited people. What! repeal a bit of paper: +repeal a piece of parchment! That alone won’t do, my lords. You must go +through. You must declare you have no right to tax; then they may trust +you; then they will have confidence in you. I have heard a noble lord +speak, who seemed to lay some blame upon general Gage. I think that +honorable gentleman has behaved with great prudence and becoming +caution. He has entrenched himself and strengthened his fortifications. +I don’t know what he could do more. His situation puts me in mind of a +similar transaction in the civil wars of France, when the great Condee +on one side, and Marshall Turenne on the other, with large armies lay +many weeks very near each other. Turenne, conscious of the terrible +consequences of a victory to himself and country, though the armies were +several days in sight of each other, never came to a battle. On his +return to the court of France, the queen asked him, “Why, Marshall, I +think you lay several days in sight of your enemy, and you might have +been up with him at any time; pray why did you not take him?” The +general very shrewdly replied, “Should I have taken him, please your +majesty, I was afraid all Paris would have taken me.”——My lords, there +are three millions of whigs. Three millions of whigs, my lords, with +arms in their hands, are a very formidable body. ’Twas the whigs, my +lords, that set his majesty’s royal ancestors upon the throne of +England. I hope, my lords, there are yet double the number of whigs in +England that there are in America. I hope the whigs of both countries +will join and make a common cause. Ireland is with the Americans to a +man. The whigs of that country will, and those of this country ought, to +think the American cause their own. They are allied to each other in +sentiment and interest, united in one great principle of defence and +resistance; they ought therefore, and will run to embrace and support +their brethren. The cause of ship-money was the cause of all the whigs +of England. _You shall not take my money without my consent_, is the +doctrine and language of whigs. It is the doctrine and voice of whigs in +America, and whigs here. It is the doctrine in support of which I do not +know how many names I could—I may call in this house; among the living I +cannot say how many I could, to join with me and maintain these +doctrines with their blood; but among the dead I could raise an host +innumerable. And, my lords, at this day, there are very many sound, +substantial, honest whigs, who ought, and who will consider the American +controversy as a great common cause.” + +“My lords, consistent with the preceding doctrines, and with what I have +ever and shall continue to maintain, I say, I shall oppose America +whenever I see her aiming at throwing off the navigation act, and other +regulatory acts of trade, made _bona fide_ for that purpose, and wisely +framed and calculated for reciprocation of interest, and the general +extended welfare and security of the whole empire. It is suggested such +is their design. I see no evidence of it. But to come at a certain +knowledge of their sentiments and designs on this head, it would be +proper first to do them justice. Treat them as subjects before you treat +them as aliens, rebels, and traitors.” + +“My lords, deeply impressed with the importance of taking some healing +measurs at this most alarming distracted state of our affairs, though +bowed down with a cruel disease, I have crawled to this house, to give +you my best experience and counsel; and my advice is to beseech his +majesty, &c. &c. This is the best I can think of. It will convince +America that you mean to try her cause in the spirit and by the laws of +freedom and fair enquiry, and not by codes of blood. How can she now +trust you, with the bayonet at her breast? She has all the reason in the +world now to believe you mean her death or bondage.” + +“Thus entered on the threshhold of this business, I will knock at your +gates for justice without ceasing, unless inveterate infirmities stay my +hand. My lords, I pledge myself never to leave this business: I will +pursue it to the end in every shape. I will never fail of my attendance +on it, at every step and period of this great matter, unless nailed down +to my bed by the severity of disease. My lords, there is no time to be +lost; every moment is big with dangers. Nay, while I am now speaking, +the decisive blow may be struck, and millions involved in the +consequence. The very first drop of blood will make a wound that will +not easily be skinned over. Years, perhaps ages may not heal it. It will +be _irritabile vulnus_, a wound of that rancorous, malignant, corroding, +festering nature, that in all probability it will mortify the whole +body. Let us then, my lords, set to this business in earnest, not take +it up by bits and scraps as formerly, just as exigencies pressed, +without any regard to the general relations, connections and +dependencies. I would not by any thing I have said, my lords, be thought +to encourage America to proceed beyond the right line. I reprobate all +acts of violence by her mobility, but when her inherent constitutional +rights are invaded, those rights that she has an equitable claim to the +full enjoyment of by the fundamental laws of the English constitution, +and ingrafted thereon by the fundamental laws of nature, then I own +myself an _American_, and feeling myself such, shall to the verge of my +life, vindicate those rights against all men who strive to trample upon +or oppose them.” + +From the effects of this speech on the great audience without the bar, +and from my own emotions and feelings, the miracles of ancient +eloquence—_the blaze of genius and the burst of thought_—with which +Grecian and Roman orators have been said to work wonders in the senate +and the field, no longer appeared fabulous. + +Lord Camden spoke next on the side of America, and in support of the +motion. He equalled lord Chatham in every thing but that fire and pathos +which are the _forte_ of his lordship. In learning, perspicuity, and +pure eloquence, probably no one ever surpassed lord Camden. + +His lordship opened briefly upon the nature of property, the right of +taxation, and its inseparability from representation. “My lords (he +said) I will not enter into the large field of collateral reasoning +applicable to the abstruse distinctions touching the omnipotence of +parliament. The declaratory law sealed my mouth. But this I will say, +not only as a statesman, politician and philosopher, but as a COMMON +LAWYER, my lords, you have no right to tax America. I have searched the +matter. I repeat it, my lords, you have no right to tax America. The +natural rights of man, and the immutable laws of nature, are all with +that people. Much stress is laid on the supreme legislative authority of +Great-Britain, and so far as the doctrine is directed to its proper +object, I accede to it. But it is equally true, according to all +approved writers on government, that no man, agreeable to the principles +of natural or civil liberty, can be divested of any part of his property +without his consent. Every thing has been staked on this single +position, that acts of parliament must be obeyed; but this general, +unconditional, unlimited assertion, I am far from thinking applicable to +every possible case that may arise in the turn of times. For my part, I +imagine that a power resulting from a trust arbitrarily exercised, may +be lawfully resisted; whether the power is lodged in a collective body, +or single person, in the few or the many. However modified makes no +difference. Whenever the trust is wrested to the injury of the people, +whenever oppression begins, all is unlawful and unjust; and resistance +of course becomes lawful and right. But some lords tell us seriously, +that administration must reduce the Americans to obedience and +submission; that is, you must make them absolute and infamous slaves, +and _then_——what? We will, say they, give them full liberty. Ah! is this +the nature of man? No my lords, I would not trust myself, _American_ as +I am, in this situation. I do not think I should, in that case, be +myself for giving of them liberty. No, if they submitted to such unjust, +such cruel, such degrading slavery, I should think they were made for +slaves; that servility was suited to their nature and genius. I should +think they would best serve this country as their slaves; that their +servility would be for the benefit of Great-Britain; and I should be for +keeping such _Cappadocians_ in a state of servitude, such as was suited +to their constitution, and might redound much to our advantage.” + +“My lords, some noble lords talk very much of resistance to acts of +parliament. King, lords, and commons, are fine sounding names. But, my +lords, acts of parliament have been resisted in all ages. King, lords, +and commons, may become tyrants as well as others. Tyranny in one or +more is the same. It is as lawful to resist the tyranny of many as of +one. Somebody once asked the great Mr. _Seldon_ in what law-book, in +what records or archives of the state, you might find the law for +resisting tyranny. “I don’t know (said Mr. Seldon) whether it is worth +your while to look deeply into the books upon this matter; but I’ll tell +you what is most certain, that it has always been the custom of +England—and the custom of England is the law of the land.” + +“There is a gentleman, whom I need not name, his works are well received +and well known, who avoids stating any rule when resistance is lawful; +and he lays down the revolution as the only precedent. He says, that the +various circumstances, events, and incident that may justify, cannot be +defined; but the people at large will judge of their welfare and +happiness, and act accordingly. The same writer says, that whenever a +case exactly similar in all its parts and circumstances to the +revolution, when a case shall run upon _all fours_ with that, then the +law seems to be settled that resistance is lawful. I do not pretend to +quote his words. I think his meaning is very much as I have stated it. +But undoubtedly in cases in many respects dissimilar, but in equal +degree tyrannical and oppressive, resistance may be lawful, and the +people in all ages, countries, and climes, have at times known these +things, and they have, and will for ever act accordingly.” + +Lord Shelburne, in the course of his argument, said, “My lords, we know, +we all know, that justice and injustice, right and wrong, are not at all +considered in the course of our parliamentary proceedings. We all know +that nothing is debated in parliament for information or conviction, but +for mere form. Every thing is considered in the cabinet, and brought +into parliament, not for consideration, but for the sanction of the +legislature, and the screening the counsellors of the king. The measures +of parliament are the measures of the minister; and the measures of this +minister are very often those of his commissioner.” The marquis of +Rockingham also supported the motion. + +Lords Littleton, Suffolk, Gower, Townsend, Rochford, and Weymouth, spoke +in opposition. I omit relating what their lordships said, lest I should +be suspected by any who may see this journal, of an unfair report of +their speeches. But a very remarkable saying of lord G—— I cannot omit. +His lordship said, “I am for enforcing these measures (and with great +sneer and contempt) let the Americans sit talking about their natural +and divine rights, their rights as men and citizens, their rights from +God and nature.” + +The house, at about ten, divided after the preceding debates on the +question.—Contents 18—Non-contents 77, including proxies. + +Thus far from Mr. Quincy’s papers. + +The language of the lords in administration, was high and decisive. And +it was declared, that the mother country should never relax till America +confessed her supremacy; and it was acknowledged to be the ministerial +resolution, to enforce obedience by arms. + +The principal trading and manufacturing towns in the kingdom, having +waited to regulate their conduct as to American affairs, by that of the +merchants of London and Bristol, followed the example of these two great +commercial bodies, and prepared petitions upon that subject to be +presented to parliament. + +[Jan. 23.] The petition from the merchants of London was of course the +first delivered, and it was moved to be referred to the committee +appointed to take into consideration the American papers; but it was +moved by way of amendment on the ministerial side, that it should be +referred to a separate committee to meet on the 27th, the day succeeding +that appointed for the consideration of American papers. This was +objected to as a shameful pitiful evasion; but upon the question’s being +put, the amendment was carried, 197 against 81, who supported the +original motion. + +A similar fate attended the petitions from Bristol, Glasgow, Norwich, +Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Dudley, and some other +places; all of which, in turn, were consigned to what the opposition +termed the committee of oblivion. + +[Jan. 26.] On the day appointed for the consideration of American affair +a second and very strong petition was presented from the merchants of +London. On which it was moved, that the order for referring the +merchants petition to a separate committee should be discharged, and +that it should be referred to a committee of the whole house, appointed +to consider the American affairs. The indignity and mockery offered to +so great a body as the merchants of London by the late resolution, which +with an insidious affectation of civility, received the petition with +one hand, and threw it out of the window with the other, was painted in +strong colours. All the debates, on the subject of the petitions, were +attended with an unusual degree of asperity, and even acrimony on the +side of opposition. The conduct also of the late parliament was +scrutinized without mercy, and its memory treated with more than want of +respect. A gentleman, remarkable for a sarcastic poignancy in his +observations, in sketching a short history of that parliament, said, +that they began their political life with a violation of the sacred +right of election in the case of Middlesex; that they had died in the +act of popery, when they established the Roman Cotholic religion in +Canada; and that they had left a rebellion in America as a legacy. The +question was rejected upon a division by a very great majority. + +Though it was then late, a petition was offered from Mr. Bollan, Dr. +Franklin, and Mr. Lee, stating that they were authorised by the American +continental congress, to present a petition from the congress to the +king, which petition his majesty had referred to that house, and that +they were enabled to throw great light upon the subject: they prayed to +be heard at the bar in support of the said petition. A violent debate +ensued. The ministry alledged, that the congress was no legal body, and +none could be heard in reference to its proceedings, without giving that +illegal body some degree of countenance. It was answered, that the +congress, however illegal as to other purposes, was sufficiently legal +for presenting a petition. It was signed by the names of all the persons +who composed it, and might be received as from individuals. It was said, +That it was their business rather to find every plausible reason for +receiving petitions, than to invent pretences for rejecting them; that +the rejection of petitions was one principal, if not the most powerful +cause of the present troubles: and that this mode of constantly +rejecting their petitions, and refusing to hear their agents, would +infallibly end in universal rebellion, and not unnaturally, as those +seem to give up the rights of government, who refuse to hear the +complaints of the subject. The ministry insulted the petition as +containing nothing but pretended grievances, while they refused to hear +and discuss it. It was rejected by 218 to 68. This rejection must have +been foreseen by all who knew, that on the fourth of the month, Lord +Dartmouth, by the king’s orders, had written a circular letter to the +governors of his majesty’s colonies, requiring them to use their utmost +endeavors to prevent the holding of any more congresses; and that the +American grievances were in the letter termed _pretended_. This letter +was written a few days after the petition had met with an apparent +gracious reception, and had been promised a due consideration; but +probably not before favorable advices had been received respecting the +New-York assembly. + +It was evident, that both houses of parliament were ready to adopt any +measures which administration should propose; and it was confidently +believed and asserted, that when the merchants and manufacturers were +deprived of all hopes of preventing the operation of force, it would +then become their interest to give all possible effect to it. They would +thus become by degrees, a principal support of that cause which they now +so eagerly opposed. + +The opinion of the efficacy of a forcible mode of proceeding in America, +and the hopes of compelling a great body at home to concurrence, have +made the ministers more and more resolved to go through, and complete +the plan with which they have begun. It may however be much doubted, +whether they suspect that the American contest will end in blood. Some +of them in all probability have such a firm reliance upon Mr. +Hutchinson’s judgment, as to flatter themselves that the colonists will +give way to those appearances of coercion, which they have adopted, and +mean further to adopt; and so have engaged in the present hazardous +politics, in hopes of enjoying a bloodless conquest, and therein a +complete triumph over all opposition. + +[Feb. 8.] Lord Chatham persevered in the prosecution of his conciliatory +scheme with America, and accordingly brought into the house of lords the +outlines of a bill, which he hoped would answer that salutary purpose, +under the title of “A provincial act for settling the troubles in +America, and for asserting the supreme legislative authority, and +superintending power of Great-Britain over the colonies.” + +This bill caused a variety of discussion within and without doors. The +ministry observed, that it was a proposition of reconciliation by +concession, which was cause sufficient to induce them to reject it; +their plan being, at present, to show a firm resolution not to give way +in any instance, while the opposition in America continued. It was usual +in parliament to reject, on the first proposition, any bill for any +object allowed to be necessary; and promising, however faintly or +rudely, any plan for obtaining the end proposed. But the proceeding on +this occasion was different. They condemned without reserve the bill in +the whole, and in all its parts; and it was moved, and strongly +supported by all the lords on the side of administration, that the bill +be rejected in the first instance. The noble framer defended himself and +his bill from the numerous attacks which were made on both, with great +spirit and vigor. The indignity offered him, seemed to renew all the +fire of youth; and he retorted the sarchasms, which were levelled at him +from different quarters, with a most pointed severity. The nature of the +subjects debated, and the state of temper on both sides, produced much +warmth, severe altercation, and even personal animadversion. The bill +was rejected by a majority of 61 to 32, not being allowed to lie upon +the table. The rejection of it may be of no disservice to the colonists. +It contained in it, a proposal to require of congress the making of a +free grant to the king, of a certain perpetual revenue, subject to the +disposition of the British parliament; and congress was to adjust the +proportions of the several charges to be borne by each province toward +the general contributory supply. Had it passed into an act, the +colonists might not have united in the proposal, but dangerous divisions +have followed, so that you may have no occasion to regret its fate, +especially as that will strengthen your union, and increase your +friends. + +A petition was presented to the commons, from the planters of the sugar +colonies residing in Great-Britain, and the merchants of London trading +to those colonies, setting forth the distress to which the West-India +islands will be reduced, unless the former harmony between this kingdom +and the American colonies is restored. Like all the former upon the +subject, it was referred to the established petition committee. The day +it was presented, the minister opened his designs in respect to America. +Having prepared the way by a speech, he moved for an address to the +king, and for a conference with the lords, that it might be the joint +address of both houses. The address returns thanks for the communication +of the American papers; and declares, that they find from them, that a +_rebellion_ actually exists within the province of the Massachusetts +Bay; that the parties concerned in it have been countenanced and +encouraged by unlawful combinations and engagements entered into, in +several of the other colonies; that they never can relinquish any part +of the sovereign authority over all the dominions, which by law is +vested in his majesty and the two houses of parliament; but they ever +have been, and always shall be ready to pay attention and regard to any +real grievances of any of his majesty’s subjects, which shall in a +dutiful and constitutional manner be laid before them; but at the same +time they beseech his majesty to take the most effectual measures to +enforce due obedience to the authority of the supreme legislature; and +in the most solemn manner assure him, that at the hazard of their lives +and properties, they will stand by him against all rebellious attempts, +in the maintenance of the just rights of his majesty and the two houses +of parliament. + +Lord North then gave a sketch of the measures he intended to pursue, +which were to send a greater force to America, and to bring in a +temporary act to put a stop to all the foreign trade of the different +colonies of New-England, particularly their fishery on the banks of +Newfoundland, till they returned to their duty. + +The address was so loaded with consequences, the extent of which could +not be defined, that it called up all the powers of opposition; and even +some few of the most moderate in the house seemed to feel a kind of +horror, at entering upon a measure so dangerous in the tendency, and +inexplicable in the event. + +A gentleman, of the first eminence in the law, followed the minister +through the whole detail of his speech, and answered the different +positions. He insisted, that having examined with legal precision the +definitions of treason, the Americans were not in rebellion, and said, +“Whatever the disorders may be, they are created by the conduct of +those, whose views are to establish despotism, and which are manifestly +directed to reduce America to the most abject state of servility, as a +prelude to the realizing the same wicked system in the mother country.” +He concluded by maintaining, that an opposition to arbitrary measures is +warranted by the constitution, and established by precedent. + +The other gentlemen of the minority entered but little into the +juridical part of the debate; but maintained, that it would be imprudent +for the parliament at this time to _declare_ the disturbances +rebellious. They said, “It is well known no act of violence has been +committed in the Massachusetts Bay, which has not been equalled by +something similar in every other province, and sometimes even exceeded +by acts of a more heinous nature; that therefore the only effect of this +violent, but partial declaration of rebellion, will be to delude +ourselves into preparations of hostility, as if against one province +only, when in truth we have to contend with twelve.” + +On the other side, the crown lawyers and ministerial debaters +maintained, that such Americans as come within certain descriptions, and +have been guilty of certain acts, and still persevere in the support and +commission of such acts, are in a state of actual rebellion; that the +punishment of a few of the worst sort of traitors, such as Hancock and +his crew, may be sufficient to teach the rest their duty in future; and +that the boasted union of the colonies will dissolve the moment +parliament shows itself resolved on vigorous and severe measures. Some +gentlemen of rank in the army, treated all idea of resistance by the +Americans with the utmost contempt. They said, “They are neither +soldiers, nor ever can be made so, being naturally of a pusillanimous +disposition, and utterly incapable of any sort of order or discipline; +and by their laziness, uncleanliness, and radical defect of +constitution, they are disabled from going through the service of a +campaign, but will melt away with sickness before they can face an +enemy; so that a slight force will be more than sufficient for their +complete reduction.” Many ludicrous stories to that purport were told, +greatly to the entertainment of the house. A motion however was made for +an amendment, which, upon a division, was rejected by a large majority, +304 against 105. The question being then put for the address, was +carried by nearly The same majority. + +But the minority had not done with the business. [Feb. 5.] Upon +receiving the report from the committee a few days after, a noble lord +made a motion to re-commit the address, and supported it with many +arguments. He stated our domestic situation, and inferred the +impropriety and danger of a declaration from that house, of the +existence of a rebellion in any part of our dominions; and showed the +desperate measures into which it might precipitate the Americans, and +the advantage that might be taken of such an occasion by our powerful +and watchful neighbors, whose ancient enmity and jealousy were much +increased by the glory we had acquired, and the disgrace and loss they +had suffered in the last war. He said, “My head and my heart join in +deprecating the horrors of a civil war, which will be rendered still +more dreadful, by its involving in it certain consequences, a foreign +one with the combined forces of great and powerful nations.” + +This motion introduced the longest and most interesting debate that had +taken place in the new parliament. It was acknowledged on all hands, +that the present crisis was the most perilous and intricate in which the +nation had been involved since the revolution. It was contended by those +who opposed the motion, that the Americans were not to be won by +kindness, or retained by benefits; and that the tenderness, which had +been constantly practised by government, had produced the present fatal +consequences. The danger from foreign powers supporting the Americans, +was said to be imaginary: and it was still contended by several that an +appearance of vigorous measures, with some reinforcement of the troops +at Boston, would prove sufficient to quell the disturbances in America, +without the drawing of blood. + +On the other side, the address was stigmatized as cruel, sanguinary, and +unjust. It was urged, “The Americans have given the strongest and most +unequivocal demonstrations of their filial piety toward the mother +country. They have fought and bled by our side. In the present state of +distraction, they require no more for the restoration of harmony, than +to be placed in the same situation they were in at the close of the last +war. They have been nursed up, for a long series of years, in ideas of +certain rights, of which, the electing of their own representatives, and +the disposal of their own money for the public service only through +them, are among the principal. If this is an error, the crown and +parliament are equally faulty with the Americans, having in their whole +conduct constantly nourished the delusion. At the time of the repeal of +the stamp-act, two of the first names of this kingdom, for ability as +well as legal knowledge, beside many others, utterly denied the right of +taxation. Is it then to be wondered at, that the Americans, with such +authorities on their side, are tenacious of a right so invaluable in its +nature, which has at all times been considered as the distinction +between freemen and slaves, which has been confirmed by so long a +prescription, and upon which, to this instant, the wisest and honestest +men, even in the mother country, are divided in opinion?—Philip the +second, and his seventeen provinces, are the counterpart of what we are +acting. In comparing the probability of events, can any man say, +Great-Britain has such a prospect of victory in the event as Spain might +then have expected? If we imagine that the powers of Europe will sit +still during this contest, we must suppose a system of policy now to +prevail, or rather an extension of folly, all over Europe, which never +before was known in any period of its existence. + +Much ill temper appeared in every part of the house in the course of +these debates. The ministry were charged with acting uniformly and +systematically upon tory and arbitrary principles, which had thrown the +whole empire into a state of confusion and distraction. “In a word,” it +was said, “the short and simple question before the house is, whether we +shall lose the colonies, or give up our ministry.” + +The ministry, on the other hand, talked much about faction at home, and +republican principles; and the Americans being spirited up to their +rebellion by incendiary writers and speakers in England. After a debate, +which continued till half an hour after two in the morning, the motion +for the re-commitment of the address was rejected by nearly the former +majority. + +When it was moved in the house of lords, to fill up the blank, left open +in the address, by the insertion of the words, “The lords spiritual and +temporal, &c.” to render the instrument the joint act of both houses, a +debate ensued. The questions of treason, rebellion and constructive +treasons, were deeply entered into by two great law lords, who differed +totally in their legal and political sentiments, and carried on a long +argument between them, with great warmth and ability; in which a large +stock of professional and general learning was displayed on each side. +It is to be lamented, that with all the boasted excellency of our +constitution, a question of so vast magnitude as to include in its +consequences, the lives, fortunes, and honors of all the subjects of +this empire, still remains involved in such obscurity, as not only to +admit of a difference of opinion, but that even the great oracles of the +law are bewildered in its darkness. This extraordinary debate was +attended with some singular circumstances. Lord Mansfield, to the great +surprize of most of his auditors, condemned, in very explicit and +unreserved terms, the measure of laying on the duties in 1767, which he +declared to be the most absurd and pernicious that could be advised, and +the cause of all the present impending evils. The duke of Grafton, Lord +Shelburne, and Lord Camden, who were at that time cabinet counsellors +and held the first offices in the state, declared separately in their +places, that they had no share in that measure, nor had ever given any +approbation. The manner in which a measure of ministry was carried +against the opinion of ministers was not explained. A disclosure +relative to a matter, which had already convulsed the whole empire, and +was still more to be dreaded in its future consequences, excited general +amazement, mixt with indignation and regret in individuals. The fatal +and over-ruling secret influence, which had so long guided and marred +all public affairs, was deplored and animadverted upon in different +parts of the house. + +When the question came to be put, whether to agree with the commons in +the address, by inserting the words necessary to fill up the blank, it +was carried by a prodigious majority. But the lords Richmond, Craven, +Archer, Abergavenny, Rockingham, Wycombe, Courtenay, Torrington, +Ponsonby, Cholmondeley, Abington, Portland, Camden, Effingham, Stanhope, +Scarborough, Fitzwilliam and Tankerville, protested against “an address +amounting to _a declaration of war_, which is founded on no proper +parliamentary information, which follows the rejection of every mode of +conciliation, which hold out no substantial offer of redress of +grievances, and which promises support to those ministers, who have +inflamed America, and grossly misconducted the affairs of +Great-Britain.” + +[Feb. 9.] The address was delivered, and an answer given, wherein his +majesty assured both houses, that they might depend upon his taking the +most speedy and effectual measures for enforcing due obedience to the +laws, and the authority of The supreme legislature. + +On that or the preceding day, the petition and memorial from the +assembly of _Jamaica_ to his majesty, was laid before the commons. It +was drawn up in very strong terms. The petitioners entered into a full, +free, and argumentative discussion of the late claims of the mother +country, and of the rights of the colonies: the former of which they +combated, and the latter defended with great force. They equally +deplored and beheld with amazement, a plan almost carried into execution +for reducing the colonies into the most abject state of slavery; and +they supplicated the throne, and demanded and claimed from the +sovereign, as the guarantee of their just rights, that no laws should be +forced upon them, injurious to their rights as colonists or Englishmen; +and that, as the common parent of his people, his majesty would become a +mediator between his European and American subjects. + +[Feb. 10.] The next day the minister moved for leave to bring in a bill +to restrain the trade and commerce of the New-England provinces, to +Great-Britain, Ireland, and the British West-India islands, and to +prohibit them from carrying on any fishery on the Banks of Newfoundland, +and other places therein to be mentioned, under certain conditions, and +for a limited time. In answer to the objections made to it while the +subject of debate, the charges of injustice and cruelty were denied; and +the contrary maintained; it was declared to be necessary; and it was +observed, that though the innocent were involved with the guilty, and +friends with foes, the necessity might be lamented, but could not be +helped. The motion for a bill was carried by a majority of three to one. + +In the progress of the bill, the London merchants and traders interested +in the American commerce, petitioned against it, and were allowed to be +heard. In consequence of this a long train of witnesses were examined, +and it appeared, That in 1764, the four New-England colonies employed in +their several fisheries, no less than 45,880 ton of shipping, and 6002 +men, and that the produce of their fisheries in the foreign markets for +that year, amounted to £.322,220 16s. sterling—that the fisheries were +greatly increased—that all the materials used in them, except salt, and +the timber of which their vessels were built, were taken from this +country, and that the nett proceeds of the fish were remitted here—and +that there was near a million of money owing from New-England to the +city of London only. They stated to the house, that the calamities +consequent upon the bill must fall in a particular degree, upon the +innocent. The case of the inhabitants of Nantucket, would be +particularly hard. They amounted to some thousands; nine-tenths of them +quakers, inhabiting a barren land; but by an astonishing industry they +kept 140 vessels in constant employ, eight in the importation of +provisions for the island, and the rest in the whale fishery. + +[Feb. 20.] While the bill was pending, lord North amazed all parties, +and seemed for a time nearly to dissolve his own, by a _conciliatory +motion_ in regard to America. It proposed, “That when the governor, +council, and assembly, or general court, of his majesty’s provinces or +colonies, shall propose to make provision, according to their respective +conditions, circumstances, and situations, for contributing their +proportion to the common defence (such proportion to be raised under the +authorities of the general court or general assembly of such province or +colony, and disposable by parliament) and shall engage to make provision +also for the support of the civil government, and the administration of +justice in such province or colony, it will be proper, if such proposal +should be approved by his majesty in parliament, and for so long as such +provision shall be made accordingly, to forbear, in respect of such +province or colony, to levy any duties, tax, or assessment: or to impose +any further duty, tax, or assessment, except only such duties as it may +be expedient to impose for the regulation of the commerce, the nett +produce of the duties last mentioned to be carried to the account of +such province, colony or plantation, respectively.” The numerous high +prerogative party, who had ever opposed any relaxation in favor of the +colonies, heard the proposition with horror, and considered themselves +as abandoned or betrayed. They pronounced it a shameful prevarication, +and a mean departure from principle; and finally concluded with +declaring, that they would make no concessions to rebels with arms in +their hands; and that they would enter into no measure for a settlement +with the Americans, in which an express and definitive acknowledgment +from them of the supremacy of parliament was not a preliminary article. +A gentleman of the long robe, and who has lately distinguished himself +for his zeal in promoting all the measures for reducing the colonies +(Mr. W——) had the address in a few minutes to hush the commotion, by +convincing the mal-contents, that the _appearance_ of concession, +lenity, and tenderness, which had so much alarmed them, were of such a +nature, that they could not interfere with the most rigid measures which +they wished to enforce. The gentlemen in opposition said, “The motion is +insidious, base and treacherous in the highest degree.”—The minister +acknowledged it to be a cheat, and designed for the purpose of +dis-uniting the Americans; but it will tend only to consolidate that +common mass of union into which they have been thrown by the Boston port +act. The question was carried by a majority of three to one. + +[Feb. 27.] A petition from the merchants, traders, and principal +inhabitants of Poole in Dorsetshire, was presented, in avowed opposition +to that from London, and in support of the principle of the +fishery-bill. This petition set fourth, that the restraints upon the +colonies would not by any means be injurious to commerce; and that the +foreign markets might be amply supplied, by extending the Newfondland +fishery from England.—They concluded by soliciting, no less for their +own immediate advantage, than for the universal benefit of their +country, such encouragement as parliament should think proper. + +A petition was also delivered from the Quakers in behalf of their +brethren and others, the inhabitants of Nantucket, in which they stated +their innocence and industry, the utility of their labours to themselves +and the community, the hazards attending their occupation, and the +uncertainty of their gains; and showed, that if the bill passed into a +law, they must shortly be exposed to all the miseries of a famine. + +In every stage of the bill, the debate re-kindled; and in the course of +it, the minority observed, “When it was thought wisdom to overthrow +established privileges, and to combat national prejudices, by starting +the new claim of taxation, the Americans went no further than to deny +our right of internal taxation. Having gained the point of urging them +to question one right, we soon convinced them, both by argument and +practice, that an external tax might be made to answer all the purposes, +and to produce all the mischiefs of internal taxation. They then denied +our right of taxing for supply. Parliament then proceeded to deprive +them of their charter, and to change the course of justice and trials. +Then they were pushed to deny the power of internal legislation. But +still they had hitherto never formally rejected the power of parliament +to bind their trade. We are now to convince them, however, that if but a +single branch of legislative power is left to this country, we can +distort that branch in such a manner, that it shall include all the +purposes of unlimited tyranny.” It appeared upon evidence, at the bar of +the house, that by the operation of the bill, many thousands of innocent +inhabitants would be reduced to the sad alternative, either of perishing +through want at home, or of removing to some other less rigorous +government for protection and support; so that a famine among the +New-Englanders was predicted, as the consequence of the bill. + +Some gentlemen on the other side of the question, acknowledged the +harshness of the measure; but lamented its being indispensably +necessary. A much greater number contended, that the bill was in an high +degree merciful, and that the New-England colonies did not want +resources to prevent a famine. A few went so far as to regret that the +bill did not convey punishments adequate to the crimes of the Americans, +and to dread that the famine which had been strongly prognosticated, and +pathetically lamented, would not take place. + +Mr. Quincy sails to-morrow for the _Massachusetts_. He is very far from +being well; and has been attended upon repeatedly by Dr. Fothergill. The +doctor thinks the Bristol air and water would give him perfect health; +and it is greatly against his own opinion and inclination that he takes +the voyage. But he risks his life for the good of his own colony in +particular, and of America in general. His most intimate friends insist +upon his going directly to Boston. They say no letter can go with +safety; and that he can deliver more information and advice, _viva +voce_, than can or ought to be written. They urge that by going now, if +he arrives safe, he must be of great advantage to the American cause. + +He is to tell the people of your colony, by no means to take any step of +great consequence (unless on a sudden emergency) without the advice of +the continental congress; and is to repair to that honorable body, when +met at Philadelphia. + +You will hear from him, how egregiously the Americans have been insulted +by several in both houses of parliament, in being pronounced dastardly +cowards and paltroons, _to be looked into submission_ at the approach of +a regiment; and that if this is your true character, there will be no +great exploit in the brave general _Grant_’s marching successfully, with +only five regiments, from one end of the continent to the other, of +which he has declared himself capable. It is said that an American durst +not look at a red coat. The senator holds this language in the senate; +and the general at the head of an army. It passes for a maxim, and it is +thought scepticism to doubt it. Every subaltern, upon half-pay, looks +upon himself as qualified for subduing America. If a man says otherwise, +the finger is pointed at him as to an enemy of his country. Mr. Quincy +will be likely also to give you the name of the member, who in a late +speech adulterated the English tongue, that he might gratify his +inveteracy by punishing you with _starvation_. + +By a future opportunity you will receive an account of the progress of +the restraining and fishery bill, through the house of lords; of the +further proceedings of parliament and ministry; and of the national +complection. + + + + + LETTER XII. + + + _Roxbury, April 26, 1775._ + +While the Massachusetts had no provincial congress, the active friends +of government had an opportunity to try their strength in a few places, +and to attempt resisting the general current, by refusing a compliance +with the resolutions of the colony congress; but the dissentients were +overwhelmed by numbers, and their attempts proved abortive. + +The royal proclamation prohibiting the exportation of military stores +from Britain, his majesty’s speech, and the addresses of the new +parliament, in the opinion of many, cut off all hopes of reconciliation, +more especially in New-England. + +[Feb. 1.] The new Massachusetts congress met at Cambridge, and Mr. +Hancock was unanimously chosen president. They adjourned to Concord in +about a fortnight, that the distance might afford them greater personal +security, and render them less liable to interruption by any measures of +the governor, That the colony might be somewhat prepared for the sorest +trial, they urged in the strongest terms, the militia in general, and +the minute-men in particular, to spare neither time, pains, nor expence, +at so critical a juncture, for perfecting themselves forthwith in the +military discipline. They passed resolutions for the providing and +making of fire-arms and bayonets, and renewed the prohibition of their +predecessors, against supplying the troops at Boston, with any of those +necessaries peculiarly requisite for the military service. The committee +of safety had directed in the beginning of January, that all the cannon, +mortars, cannon-balls and shells, should be deposited at Worcester and +Concord, in the same proportion as was done by the provision; and while +the congress was sitting, [Feb. 13, 21.] voted, “that the committee of +supplies do purchase all the powder they can, and also all kinds of +warlike stores, sufficient for an army of fifteen thousand men to take +the field.” + +The propriety of the precautions taken to guard against a surprise, was +manifest from the following event. + +[Feb. 26.] General Gage receiving intelligence that cannon and carriages +were deposited in the neighborhood of Salem, sent a corps of troops from +the castle, under lieutenant colonel Leslie, on board a transport, to +seize and bring them away. They landed at Marblehead, proceeded to +Salem, found nothing there, and passed on to the draw-bridge leading to +Danvers, where a number of people assembled, and those of the opposite +side took up the bridge to prevent their crossing. The officer ordered +it to be let down; the people peremptorily refused, saying, “It is a +private road, and you have no authority to demand a passage this way.” +On this refulal he determined to make use of the boats which were at +hand; his intention was perceived, and the owners jumped into their own +boats, and with their axes scuttled them, to make them useless for the +present; during the transaction there was some scuffle between them and +the soldiers. Things were apparently tending to an extremity. The +reverend Mr. Bernard, a congregational clergymen of Salem, and other +gentlemen, urged the letting down of the draw-bridge; but it was not +done, till much time had been spent in altercation, during which period +the articles that colonel Leslie was after, were conveyed away. When the +opportunity of crossing offered, he marched about thirty rods, to the +spot where the artificers had been employed in making carriages, &c. but +finding nothing, and it being now late in the evening, returned and went +on board the transport without meeting with any molestation. This +expedition took place on the Lord’s day, which might contribute to its +ending happily without mischief. On any other day when the people were +not attending public worship, but dispersed about and following their +secular business, the landing of the troops would have been discovered, +and some quarrel might have ensued while they were making it good, or +afterward upon their march. The governor probably pitched upon the +Lord’s day, in hopes that it would prevent every painful catastrophe; +but the expedition spread an alarm. + +The Massachusetts congress were displeased with the proceedings of the +New-York general assembly; who renounced all concern with the late +continental congress, declined choosing delegates for the proposed new +one, and in their own single capacity sent a petition to the king, a +memorial to the lords and a remonstrance to the house of commons. In the +remonstrance they represented the grievances under which they labored, +by the innovations that had been made in the constitutional mode of +government since the close of the last war. They renounced the most +distant desire of independence, acknowledged the supreme government of +the British parliament over the whole empire, and their authority to +regulate the trade of the colonies: remonstrated in the behalf of their +brethren in the Massachusetts, for whose distresses they could not help +feeling; but at the same time expressed their disapprobation of the +violent measures pursued in some of the colonies. They claimed a +restoration of those rights which they enjoyed before the close of the +war; but without entertaining an idea of diminishing the power of the +mother country, or lessening the dignity of parliament. Should the +ministry embrace the offering thus given by the general assembly of +New-York, they may possibly separate this central province from the +others, and break the communication between the northern and the +southern. But the apprehension of such an event is abated by the +intelligence which the Massachusetts congress have received from the +city of New-York. The whig citizens, whose hearts were set upon having +delegates for the new continental congress, upon the assembly’s +declining to appoint them, contrived to collect their fellow-citizens +[Mar. 5.] together in order to obtain their opinion. When assembled in a +body, there was a confused cry of “Congress, or no Congress?” After much +altercation the tories had a recourse to compulsive reasoning and began +dealing about their blows.—The whigs were in the worst situation, not +being provided with similar arguments, till two of their party repaired +to an adjoining cooper’s yard, from whence they drew forth to the +assistance of their friends a number of hoop-sticks, which they reduced +to a proper length, and forwarded to the combatants. The whigs, being +thus supplied, soon carried the day by club-law, and beat their +opponents off the ground. The tories, being worsted, and not a little +terrified lest the fury of captain (whom they term in a way of reproach +king) Sears, should lead him to head a mob, and do them some capital +injury, promoted a provincial convention, which otherwise would not have +existed. The battle royal at New-York, will prove the turning point as +to that colony. + +The Massachusetts congress continued their session, and recommended the +sixteenth of March to be observed as the annual day for fasting and +prayer, which was kept accordingly by the inhabitants of Boston, no less +than of the country. But they did not presume to rely upon religious +exercises in the neglect of those civil means which prudence prescribed. +The people, both within and without, used every device for conveying +safely from Boston into the country, all kinds of military articles, +which might be wanted in case of a rupture. Cannon balls, and such like +heavy stores, were put into carts, and carried out over the Neck, under +the appearance of loads of dung. Half barrels of gun-powder were put +into butchers peds, or the hampers of the market people, and brought out +under some slight, negligent, and unsuspected cover, as they returned +home in the evening. Cartridges were packed up in candle boxes, and sent +off under that deception; but some were at length discovered. The +soldiers on the Neck did not make many prizes; however, one day [Mar. +18.] they seized 13,425 musket cartridges, with 3000lb. weight of ball, +which, though private property, the general was warranted in refusing to +restore, on the application of the owner. + +That general Gage might not succeed in seizing any military stores in +the country, should he send out troops upon that errand, the committee +of safety had voted four days before, “that members from this committee +belonging to Charlestown, Cambridge, and Roxbury, be desired to procure +at least two men, for a watch every night, to be placed in each of these +towns, and that said members be in readiness to send couriers forward to +the towns where the magazines are placed, when sallies are made from the +army at night.” + +[April 23.] The select men of the town of Billerica presented a most +spirited remonstrance to general Gage, on account of an inhabitant of +that town’s being tarred and feathered, and much abused on the 8th of +the month, by a party of his majesty’s 47th regiment, under the command +of lieutenant-colonel Nesbit. The firmness, resolution, and freedom, +with which the people both of town and country have conducted, when +their business called them to an intercourse with the governor, have +often embarrassed and convinced him, that they were not wholly destitute +of sterling courage. There might be some ground for punishing the person +whose case produced the remonstrance; but the punishment should have +been under the direction of a civil, and not a military officer, and of +another kind; for, though it may be deemed a retaliation, upon the +country, it has tended greatly to irritate. + +The Massachusetts congress were solicitous to keep their proceedings +from coming to the knowledge of general Gage; but from several +circumstances which occurred, they entertained a strong suspicion that +they had some one among them, who betrayed their counsels. A gentleman, +who is not a stranger to many considerable defects in the moral and +political character of Dr. Church, is apprehensive that he is the +person; but is exceedingly cautious of mentioning his suspicion, +considering the high reputation in which the doctor is among the sons of +liberty. + +[Mar. 30.] General Gage marched out about eleven hundred men into the +country; who doing much damage by throwing down the stone fences, +occasioned a committee’s waiting upon the Massachusetts congress on the +Saturday, when upon the point of adjourning, which kept them sitting +till they received, on the Monday following, accounts by a vessel from +Falmouth, of what parliament had done and was doing in relation to their +colony. + +It was a providential circumstance that they had so early intelligence, +and obtained it before general Gage had received his dispatches: they +were careful to improve it. The intelligence spread fast, and induced +more of the inhabitants of Boston to remove out of the town. A number +had been for some time withdrawing themselves. The town was liable to be +converted instantly, at the discretion of the governor, into a secure +prison; and the people of it might be held as hostages for the conduct +of the province at large, or be kidnapped and sent to England, to stand +trial for supposed offences. Continuance in it was hazardous to many, +who had distinguished themselves by taking an active part against the +measures of government. But the dauntless courage of some such inclined +them to remain, though there was no knowing what private orders might be +sent to general Gage, who was not inattentive to the service in which he +was employed, while he evidenced a prevailing desire after a peaceable +accommodation. He sent private orders to the commanding officer at +New-York, to purchase up all the duck, blankets, pick-axes, pots, and +other articles proper for camp service. Application was made by the +officer to the Philadelphia merchants, who penetrated the design, and no +less nobly than unanimously refused a compliance. Three of the New-York +merchants had for some time been buying up, selling, and sending the +several articles to Boston; but at length a stop was put to their +proceedings by the influence of captain Sears, who, upon his return to +Philadelphia, urged that they might want those things themselves, and +made a considerable stir upon the occasion. But a great number were +purchased at Portsmouth, before the discovery of the general’s +intention. + +The news of the parliamentary proceedings encouraged the soldiery to +insult the people more than ever; their conduct seemingly intimated, +that they meant to provoke the other to begin a quarrel; while these +bore all with patience, as they were determined not to be the +aggressors. Nothing was wanting but a spark to set the whole continent +in a flame. The important moment, big with inconceivable consequences, +was evidently approaching, when, through accident or design, it would be +applied to those combustibles which had been long collecting. + +The grenadier and light infantry companies were taken off duty, upon the +plea of learning a new exercise, which made the Bostonians jealous that +there was some scheme on foot. A daughter of liberty, unequally yoked in +point of politics, sent word, by a trusty hand, to Mr. Samuel Adams, +residing, in company with Mr. Hancock, at Lexington, about thirteen +miles from Charlestown, that the troops were coming out in a few days. +Upon this their friends at Boston were advised to move out their plate, +&c. and the committee of fafety voted, “that all the ammunition be +deposited in nine different towns; and that other articles be lodged, +some in one place, some in another, so as to the 15 medicinal chests, +2000 iron pots, 2000 bowls, 15,000 canteens, and 1100 tents; and that +the six companies of matrosses be stationed in different towns.” + +Mr. Adams inferred from the number to be employed, that these were the +objects, and not himself and Mr. Hancock, who might be more easily +seized in a private way, by a few armed individuals, than by a large +body of troops, that must march for miles together under the eye of the +public. + +The provincial stores had been hitherto deposited at Worcester and +Concord. To the last of these places, but half the distance of the other +from Boston, the general turned his attention; and, being continually +pestered by the repeated solicitations of the American tories, with whom +he was surrounded, and who persuaded him there was no danger of +resistance, their whig countrymen being too cowardly, he determined, +without the advice of the council, when and in what way to attempt the +seizure of the many stores supposed to be in that place. + +[April 18.] A number of officers dined together at Cambridge, and toward +night scattered themselves upon the road leading to Concord; and took +their station so as to be ready to intercept any expresses going from +Boston to alarm and raise the country with intelligence of the troops +being upon their march. When the corps was nearly ready to proceed upon +the expedition, Dr. Warren, by a mere accident, had notice of it just in +time to send messengers over the Neck and across the ferry, on to +Lexington, before the orders for preventing every person’s quitting the +town were executed. The officers intercepted several; but some, being +well mounted, escaped their vigilance; and the alarm being once given, +spread apace, by the ringing of bells and the firing of signal guns and +vollies. By eleven at night, eight hundred grenadiers and light +infantry, the flower of the army, embarked at the common, proceeded and +landed at Phipps’s farm, from whence they marched for Concord, under the +command of lieutenant-colonel Smith, aided by major Pitcairn, who led +the advanced corps. + +[April 19.] About two in the morning, the Lexington company of militia, +to the amount of one hundred and thirty, repaired to the green, close in +with the meeting-house. The air being chilly, and the intelligence +respecting the regulars somewhat uncertain, the men, after the +roll-call, were dismissed, with orders to appear again at beat of drum. +Some went home, others to the adjoining public house. Word being brought +between four and five, that the troops were not far off, they that were +at hand collected, to the number of about seventy, by the time the +regulars made their appearance. They were mostly in a confused state, +and a few only were drawn up. There were present at the time about forty +spectators without arms. The militia were too few to think of beginning +an attack. But major Pitcairn rode round the meeting (as the +meeting-house is generally called) and approaching them called out, +“_Disperse you rebels, throw down your arms and disperse_.” An instant +compliance not taking place, which he might construe into contempt, he +rode a little further, fired his pistol, flourished his sword, and +ordered the soldiers to fire, with which they complied, huzzaing upon +the occasion. This produced an immediate dispersion; but the firing was +continued. Individuals finding they were fired upon, though dispersing, +had spirit enough to stop and return the fire. Three or four were killed +upon the green; the rest, making the whole number of the slain eight, +were shot on the other side of the walls and fences, over which they had +fled in order to escape. During this interesting period, Messrs. S. +Adams and Hancock, whose residence was near at hand, quitted and removed +to a further distance. While walking alone, Mr. Adams exclaimed, “_Oh! +what a glorious morning is this!_” in the belief that it would +eventually liberate the colony from all subjection to Great-Britain. His +companion did not penetrate his meaning, and thought the allusion was +only to the aspect of the sky. Lest it should be said and believed, that +the meeting was crowded with militia, before and during the fire, let me +mention that there were only a man and a boy in it. The detachment +marched on to Concord. The people of the town, having received the +alarm, drew up in order for defence; but observing that the regulars +were too numerous, retired over the north bridge and waited for +reinforcements from the neighboring towns. A party of light infantry +followed, and possessed themselves of the bridge, while the main body +entered the town, and proceeded to execute their commission. They +disabled two twenty-four pounders, and destroyed their carriages and +seven wheels for the same, with their limbers beside sixteen wheels for +brass three pounders, and two carriages with limber and wheels for two +four pounders. They threw 500lb. of ball into the river, wells, and +other places; and broke in pieces about sixty barrels of flour, half of +which was saved. These were all the stores that they could discover and +destroy, on the account of which a civil war has commenced between the +colonies and the parent state. The inhabitants of Britain may see +reason, for many ages, to curse the memory of the man or men, who has or +have been at the foundation of this fatal catastrophe, should they ever +be known. The militia being reinforced, Mr. John Butterick, of Concord, +major of a minute regiment, and who commanded, ordered the men not to +give the first fire, that so the provincials might not be the +aggressors, for he was ignorant of what had passed at Lexington. Upon +his advancing with them, the light infantry retired to the Concord side +of the river, and began pulling up the bridge; and on his approaching +nearer, immediately fired, and killed captain Isaac Davis of Acton (who +with his company of minute-men made the front) and one of the privates. +The fire was returned, a skirmish ensued, and the troops were forced to +retreat, having several men killed and wounded, and lieutenant Gould +(who would have been killed had not a minister present prevented) with +some others taken. One of their wounded, who was left behind, attempting +to get up, was assaulted by a young fellow going after the pursuers to +join them, who, not being under the feelings of humanity, barbarously +broke his skull with a small hatchet, and let out his brains, but +neither scalped him nor cut off his ears. This event may give rise to +some malevolent pen to write, that many of the killed and wounded at +Lexington, were not only scalped, but had their eyes forced out of the +sockets by the fanatics of New-England; not one was so treated either +there or at Concord. You have the real fact. The poor object languished +for an hour or two before he expired. + +The party was joined by the main body; and the whole detachment +retreated with the utmost expedition; for all the country was now up in +arms, and attacked the troops on every quarter. In their march of six +miles back to Lexington, they were exceedingly annoyed, not only by +those who pressed upon their rear; but by others, who fired upon them +from behind the stone walls and other coverts, which supplied the place +of lines and redoubts to the provincials. At Lexington they were joined +by a detachment under lord Percy. + +The news of what had happened at Lexington, in their way to Concord, +flew to Boston and the neighborhood. But the slaughter of the militia +men was carefully concealed from general Gage, who was not made +acquainted with it till late in the afternoon. He had however, early +intelligence of the rising of the country, and therefore detached, about +eight in the morning, lord Percy, with 16 companies of foot, and a +number of marines, 900 men in the whole, and two pieces of cannon, to +support colonel Smith. The brigade marched out, playing, by way of +contempt, _Yankee Doodle_, a song composed in derision of the +New-Englanders, scornfully called _Yankees_. A smart boy observing it as +the troops passed through Roxbury, made himself extremely merry with the +circumstance, jumping and laughing, so as to attract the notice of his +lordship, who, it is said, asked him at what he was laughing so +heartily; and was answered, “To think how you will dance by and by to +_Chevy Chace_.” It is added, that the repartee stuck by his lordship the +whole day. + +You may wish to know the origin of the term _Yankee_. Take the best +account of it which your friend can procure. It was a cant, favorite +word with farmer Jonathan Hastings, of Cambridge, about 1713. Two aged +ministers, who were at the college in that town, have told me, they +remembered it to have been then in use among the students, but had no +recollection of it before that period. The inventor used it to express +excellency. A Yankee good horse, or Yankee cider, and the like, were an +excellent good horse, and excellent cider. The students used to hire +horses of him; their intercourse with him, and his use of the term upon +all occasions, led them to adopt it, and they gave him the name of +Yankee Jon. He was a worthy honest man, but no conjurer. This could not +escape the notice of the collegiates. Yankee probably became a by-word +among them, to express a weak, simple, aukward person; was carried from +the college with them when they left it, and was in that way circulated +and established through the country (as was the case in respect to +_Hobson’s choice_,[115] by the students at Cambridge, in Old England) +till, from its currency in New-England, it was at length taken up and +unjustly applied to the New-Englanders in common, as a term of reproach. + +The junction of the brigade under lord Percy, with the detachment under +colonel Smith, gave the last a breathing time, especially as they now +had cannon, which awed the provincials from pressing upon the rear in a +direct line. But the whole force ventured not to halt long; for far and +wide the minute-men and militia were collecting, in order to cut off +their retreat to Boston. They soon renewed their march; constant +skirmishing succeeded, and a continued fire, though often irregular and +scattering on their side, as well as on the part of the provincials. The +close firing from behind the walls, by good marksmen, for such were +almost all the provincials, put the troops into no small confusion, and +made it so dangerous for the officers, that they were more attentive to +their safety than in common. Major Pitcairn quitted his horse, which was +taken with the pistols in the holsters. The soldiers loaded and fired +over the stone walls, when there was not a single man behind them. They +were incommoded by the wind’s blowing the smoke directly back upon them +all the time they were retreating; during which they burnt some houses, +attempted others, and plundered many of every thing valuable, destroying +what they could not carry off. They killed several innocent unarmed +persons; and murdered two old men at Menotomy. Before they reached this +place, a few Americans, headed by the Rev. Mr. Payson, of Chelsea, who +till now had been extremely moderate, attacked a party of twelve +soldiers, carrying stores to the retreating troops, killed one, wounded +several, made the whole prisoners, and gained possession of their arms +and stores, without any loss whatever to themselves. The regulars, when +near Cambridge, were upon the point of taking a wrong road, which would +have led them into the most imminent danger, but were prevented by the +direction of a young gentleman residing at the college; by which mean +they made good their retreat a little after sun-set over Charlestown +Neck, to Bunker’s Hill, but spent and wore down by the excessive +fatigues they had undergone, having marched that day between thirty and +forty miles, here they remained secure till the next day, when they +crossed at Charlestown ferry, and returned to Boston. + +Lieutenant-colonel Smith was much displeased with the soldiers firing at +Lexington; probably general Gage had given orders that they should not +fire unless they were first fired upon. Major Pitcairn undoubtedly +directed them to fire, from the mistaken apprehension he had entertained +of American resolution, for he has the character of a good tempered +officer. There were never more than about four hundred provincials +together, attacking at one and the same time; and often scarce that +number. But as some tired and gave out, others came up. They had very +little appearance of discipline. Privates and officers fired away as +they had opportunity of doing execution, without waiting for the word of +command; and used their knowledge of the country to gain the +opportunity, by crossing fields and fences, of acting as flanking +parties against the regulars, while these proceeded along the road. +Colonel Pickering, of Salem, had the command of a fine well exercised +provincial regiment; had he pushed on with his men, so as to have headed +the British before they had gained Charlestown Neck (and he was near +enough) they must have clubbed their firelocks, for they were quite +wearied out with the services of the day, and had but a round or two of +ammunition remaining. No satisfactory reason has been assigned for the +want of greater alertness in colonel Pickering’s regiment. The British +officers are astonished, chagrined, and mortified beyond measure at what +has happened. It’s death to all their glorying; their best troops have +been obliged in this manner to flee before a number of _Yankees_, “when +all the officers in general did every thing that men could do, and when +the soldiers behaved with their usual intrepidity.”[116] They are sore +at heart upon the occasion. They have had 1 lieutenant killed, 2 +lieutenant-colonels wounded, Smith is one, 2 captains and 9 lieutenants +wounded, 1 lieutenant missing, 2 ensigns wounded, 1 sergeant killed, 7 +wounded, 2 missing, 1 drummer killed, 1 wounded, 62 rank and file +killed, and 157 wounded; in all, 65 killed, 180 wounded, and 28 made +prisoners; total, 273. + +Of the provincials, 50 have been killed, 34 wounded, and 4 are missing; +in all, 88. The following officers and gentlemen are of the number, viz. +justice Isaac Gardner, of Brookline, capt. Isaac Davis, of Acton, capt. +Jonathan Wilson, of Bedford, lieut. John Bacon, and sergeant Elisha +Mills, of Needham, and deacon Josiah Haines, of Sudbury, killed; capt. +Eleazer Kingsbury, of Needham, capt. Samuel Williams, of Cambridge, +captains Charles Miles, Nathaniel Barret, and George Minot, of Concord, +capt. Oliver Barnes, and deacon Aaron Chamberlain, of Chelmsford, +wounded. The persons who have fallen, are regretted with the deepest +concern, and are honored not only as patriots, but as martyrs, who have +died bravely in the cause of their country. + +Captains John Ford and Oliver Barron, and deacon Davis, all of +Chelmsford, distinguished themselves in the course of the day. It can be +fully proved that captain Ford killed five regulars. James Howard, a +private in the Acton company, and a regular coming out of a house, +caught sight of each other, and discharged their pieces at the same +instant; both shots taking effect, the last dropt down dead, and the +first expired a few hours after. A big boy joined in the chace of the +retreating troops, and was very expert in firing at them; at length a +ball from the enemy grazed his head, and produced a flesh wound; he soon +recovered the shock, bound up his head with a handkerchief, and renewed +his pursuit. + +Two British officers who have been taken, and the privates who are +wounded and prisoners, are treated with humanity by the provincials; and +general Gage may, if he pleases, safely send his surgeons to dress and +attend them. + +If the contest is to become general between the colonies and the mother +country, it may be deemed a happiness for them that it has commenced in +the Massachusetts, where all the inhabitants are so connected with each +other by descent, blood, uniformity of manners, similarity of civil and +religious sentiments, mediocrity of circumstances, and a general +equality, that the killing of a single individual interesteth the whole +province in the event, and makes them consider it a common cause. + +The inhabitants are now everywhere in arms; and collecting in such +numbers about Boston, that they will not only invest the town +effectually, but excite disagreeable apprehensions in general Gage. No +one is suffered to go in or out at present. The provincials have for +their commander in chief, a native of the Massachusetts, general Ward; +the honorable Jedediah Pribble having, more than a month ago, declined, +on account of his bad health. General Ward might have pleaded the like +excuse; but he wishes to serve his country to the utmost of his +abilities, and is ready to risk his life in the cause of American +liberty. He is to be trusted, being a gentleman of great integrity. His +commission as commander in chief of the Bay troops, was delivered to him +on the 20th of April, by the provincial congress. Three days after, they +chose general John Thomas, lieutenant-general. + +The day general Ward received his commission, the committee of safety +sent letters to New-Hampshire and Connecticut, with an account of the +enemy’s proceedings the day before, and praying all the assistance in +their power. The next day they agreed upon enlisting 8000 men out of the +Massachusetts forces; but the provincial congress being adjourned from +Concord to Watertown, resolved the succeeding day, “that an army of +30,000 men be immediately raised and established; that 13,600 be by this +province; and that a letter and delegate be sent to the several colonies +of Hampshire, Connecticut, and Rhode-Island.” Head-quarters are at +Cambridge; and the students quit the college that the provincials may be +accommodated. General Thomas commands at Roxbury. He is a cool, +courageous, discerning and active officer, well qualified for guarding +the important post he occupies, and preventing the enemy’s making a +sally over the Neck into the country should they be inclined to attempt +it; but for the present they are more afraid of being attacked. + +General Gage, to secure the people within from taking up arms against +the king’s troops, in case of an assault, has agreed with the committee +of the town [April 22.] after a long conference, that upon the +inhabitants in general lodging their arms in Faneuil-Hall, or any other +convenient place, under the care of the select men, all such inhabitants +as are inclined, may depart from the town with their families and +effects; that those who remain may depend upon his protection; and that +the arms aforesaid, at a suitable time, shall be returned to the owners. +The town agreed to this proposal, and their vote upon it was read by the +committee, upon their return to his excellency, who accepted it; and +further agreed, that the inhabitants may remove from town by land and +water with their effects, within the limits specified by the port act. +He also informed the committee, that he would desire the admiral to lend +his boats to facilitate the removal of the effects of the inhabitants; +and that he would allow carriages to pass and repass for that purpose. +He said likewise, that he would take care that the poor, who may remain +in town, shall not suffer for want of provisions after their own stock +is expended; and desired that a letter might be written to Dr. Warren, +chairman of the committee of congress, that those persons in the +country, who may incline to remove into Boston with, their effects may +have liberty so to do without molestation.—An account of these +proceedings was sent to Dr. Warren; who was further informed by the town +committee [April 25.] “Permission will be given for 30 waggons to enter +the town at once, to carry away the effects of the inhabitants; so soon +as those have returned to the end of the causeway leading to Roxbury, +then others will be permitted to come in. None will be permitted to +enter till after sun-rise, nor remain after sun-set. If any vessel or +boat now in the harbour, be employed to remove the inhabitants effects, +security must be given that it be returned. It is expected that leave be +obtained for some persons to go to the different parishes, to give +notice to such persons who incline to come, with their effects, into +Boston, that they may come without molestation; and it is desired, that +the waggons and vessels employed to come to carry away the goods of the +inhabitants of Boston, may bring the effects of those who are desirous +to leave the country, they paying half the charge. + +[April 26.] Doctor Warren has this day written to general Gage: + + + “SIR, + +The unhappy situation into which this colony is thrown, gives the +greatest uneasiness to every man who regards the welfare of the empire, +or feels for the distresses of his fellow men; but even now much may be +done to alleviate those misfortunes which cannot be entirely remedied; +and I think it of the utmost importance to us, that our conduct be such, +as that the contending parties may entirely rely upon the honor and +integrity of each other, for the punctual performance of any agreement +that shall be made between them. Your excellency, I believe, knows very +well the part I have taken in public affairs. I ever scorned disguise. I +think I have done my duty; some may think otherwise; but be assured, +Sir, as far as my influence goes, every thing which reasonably can be +required of us to do, shall be done; and every thing promised shall be +religiously performed. I should now be very glad to know from you, Sir, +how many days you desire may be allowed for such as desire to remove to +Boston with their effects, and what time you will allow the people in +Boston for their removal. When I have received the information, I will +repair to congress, and hasten, as far as I am able, the issuing a +proclamation. I beg leave to suggest, that the condition of admitting +only thirty waggons at a time into the town, appears to me very +inconvenient, and will prevent the good effects of a proclamation +intended to be issued for encouraging all waggoners to assist in +removing the effects from Boston with all possible speed. If your +excellency will be pleased to take the matter into consideration, and +favor me as soon as may be with an answer, it will lay me under a great +obligation, as it so nearly concerns the welfare of my friends in +Boston. I have many things which I wish to say to your excellency, and +most sincerely wish I had broken through the formalities which I thought +due to your rank, and freely told you all I knew or thought of public +affairs; and I must ever confess, whatever may be the event, that you +generously gave me such an opening as I now think I ought to have +embraced; but the true cause of my not doing it, was the knowledge I had +of the vileness and treachery of many persons around you, who I suppose +had gained your entire confidence. + + I am, &c. &c.” + + +The committee of safety have sent letters to Rhode-Island and +Connecticut, importuning immediate assistance; and that as large a +number of troops as can be spared, may be immediately marched forward, +well stocked with provisions and ammunition, and accompanied with as +large a train of artillery as can be granted. They express their +determination, at all events, to act their parts with firmness and +intrepidity, knowing that slavery is far worse than death. + +The committee appointed to examine into the damages done on the 19th, at +Cambridge, Lexington, and Concord, have reported, that by fire, robbery, +and destruction, the same are as follows: at Cambridge, £.901 16s. 5d. +1–4; at Lexington, £.1320 16s. 0d. 3–4; and at Concord, £.206 2s. 5d. +1–4; in all £.2428 14s. 11d. 1–4. sterling. The parties exhibited their +accounts on oath, and the greatest care was taken that the state of the +damages might be just. + +My friend Quincy has sacrificed his life for the sake of his country. +The ship in which he sailed, arrived at Cape Ann within these two days; +but he lived not to get on shore, or to hear and triumph at the account +of the success of the Lexington engagement. His remains will be +honorably interred by his relations. Let him be numbered with the +patriotic heroes who fall in the cause of liberty; and his memory be +dear to posterity. Let his only surviving child, a son of about three +years, live to possess his noble virtues, and to transmit his name down +to future generations. You have my warmest acknowledgments for your last +manuscript. See that you embrace every safe opportunity of continuing +your correspondence; you will find me in that line of conduct. + +The supreme power now extant in the Massachusetts, has given their first +naval commission to captain _John Derby_, of Salem, who is entrusted by +the provincial congress with dispatches for Dr. Franklin, containing an +account of the Lexington fight, and an address to the inhabitants of +Great-Britain. He sails without delay. In the address the congress +profess to place much dependence on the honor, wisdom, and valor of +Britons; from which they hope for their interference in preventing the +prosecution of present measures. They make great professions of loyalty; +but declare, that they will not tamely submit to the persecution and +tyranny of a cruel ministry; and that they are determined to die or be +free. They appeal to Heaven for the justice of their cause. Should not +an accommodation take place, Heaven must grant them its special +protection, or they will be crushed before the power of Britain, +notwithstanding all that the other colonies can do for them; unless the +officers who are employed against them, are not supplied with an +adequate force, or are wretchedly defective in courage, inclination, +activity, prudence, or other military abilities; or unless some foreign +power for its own interest, and to injure the parent state, takes them +by the hand. Their military stores are scarce worth mentioning. They +reckon upon sixteen field pieces. It is well if six of them are +calculated for much actual service. There are four brass ones, of a +small size, that may answer a good purpose. They have a few large iron +cannon, two or three mortars and howitzers, cannon ball, and shells; but +they have only eighty-two half barrels of powder belonging to the public +store; most towns have a small quantity, that however will be soon +exhausted. Considering what ought to be the case to warrant a reasonable +expectation of success in a military contest with a nation that abounds +in all the apparatus of war, they may be pronounced destitute of every +article but men; and, though these are not wanting in natural courage, +it will take a considerable time to make them thorough good soldiers. +They have neither money nor magazines. + + + + + LETTER XIII. + + + _London, June 12, 1775._ + +The restraining and fishery bill did not pass through the house of lords +with less opposition than what it had met with in the house of commons. +Upon the motion for committing it after the second reading, the marquis +of _Rockingham_ opposed it with great ability, and in the course of his +speech showed, that in 1704, the whole amount of the exports to the +New-England colonies was only about £.70,000 annually; that in 1754, it +had arisen to £.180,000, in the succeeding ten years to £.400,000, and +in the last ten years, had nearly doubled that sum. + +The bill was carried by a majority of more than three to one; but was +productive of a protest, signed by sixteen lords. It is particularly +distinguished, by the severe censure passed upon a lord high in office, +who in the late debates, most unadvisedly threw out a charge of general +cowardice against the Americans. + +The fishery bill had scarce cleared the house of commons, when lord +North brought in another, [March 9.] “To restrain the trade and commerce +of the colonies of New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and +South-Carolina, to Great-Britain, Ireland, and the British islands in +the West-Indies, under certain conditions and limitation.” While this +bill was in agitation, a long series of evidence, in behalf of the +West-India merchants and planters, was laid before the house. It +appeared, that upon a very moderate computation, the capital in the +West-India islands, consisting of lands, buildings, negroes and stock of +all kinds, did not amount to less than £.60,000,000. sterling; that +their exports of late years to Britain, ran to about 190,000 hogheads +and puncheons of sugar and rum annually; amounting in weight to 95,000 +tons, and in value about £.4,000,000 exclusive of a great number of +smaller articles, and of their very great export to North-America; that +their growth was so rapid and improvement so great, that within a few +years, their export of sugar to this kingdom was increased 40,000 +hogsheads annually, amounting to about £.800,000 in value. The +probability, was apparent, that more than half of the capital of +£.60,000,000 was either the immediate property of persons resident in +this country, or owing to them; and also that the revenue gained above +£.700,000 a year upon the direct West-India trade, exclusive of its +eventual and circuitous products, and of the African trade. + +[March 20.] Mr. Burke made a number of conciliatory propositions with +respect to the colonies, contained in a set of resolutions, which he +accompanied and elucidated by a celebrated speech. He traced that +unconquerable spirit of freedom, that violent passion for liberty, by +which the colonists are distinguished from all other people of the +world, from the sources of their descent, education, manners, religious +principles, forms of government, and distance from the head of the +empire. He made it appear, that the whole exports to North-America, the +West-Indies, and Africa, in 1704 (from England it must be, for the union +of the two kingdoms had not then taken place) amounted only in value to +£.569,930 but the comparative value of money at that period, was much +greater than at present. In 1772, the exports from Great-Britain to the +same places, amounted at a medium, to no less than £.6,024,171. He also +shewed that the _whole export_ trade of England, including that to the +colonies, amounted in 1704, only to £.6,509,000. Thus the trade to the +colonies alone was in 1772, within less than half a million of being +equal to what was carried on by England with the whole world, at the +beginning of the present century. However astonishing this general +increase of the whole colonies may appear, the growth of the province of +Pennsylvania is still more extraordinary. In 1704, the whole exports to +that colony, amounted to no more than £.11,459 and in 1772, they were +risen to £.507,909 being nearly fifty times the original demand, and +almost equal to the whole colony export at the first period.—This +astonishing growth of the colonies, within little more than half a +century, and the prodigious share they contribute to our greatness, +makes them a matter of the first importance to ourselves, and must +excite the admiration of future ages. + +The previous question was moved on the first proposition, and carried by +270 to 78; and thus ended the business. + +But the ill success which has attended all conciliatory propositions +hitherto, excepting those which have originated from government, did not +deter Mr. Hartley from making a similar attempt. [April 27.] The motion, +however, was rejected without a division. + +During the progress of the second restraining bill, an additional clause +was moved for by the minister; whereby the counties of Newcastle, Kent +and Sussex, on the Delaware, were included in the prohibitions of that +bill, and carried without a division. + +While these matters were transacting, several petitions were received +from manufacturing towns in Britain and Ireland, against the coercive +acts. Some counter petitions were also received, calling for an +enforcement of the laws of Britain, as the only means of preserving a +trade with the colonies. Much altercation arose on the truth of the +facts alledged on both sides, as well as on the manner of obtaining the +signatures, and the quality o£ those who signed. The minority insisted, +that the most who signed the war petitions, as they called them, were +persons who had little or no interest in the American trade, but of that +description of warm and active party men, commonly called tories. And +they entered into several examinations to prove the truth of the former +part of their assertion. This produced many long and hot debates. Other +petitions were presented to the crown, and equally disregarded; one from +the British settlers in Canada, against the Quebec bill; one from the +quakers, in which besides endeavoring to diffuse the influence of that +spirit of peace which is the predominant principle in their religious +system, they declared themselves persuaded, that there are not in his +majesty’s extensive dominions, subjects more loyal, and more zealously +attached to his royal person, his family and government, than in the +provinces of America, among all religious denominations. His majesty, +however, went in person to the house, and gave the royal assent to the +restraining and fishery bill, in the usual form. In this season of +public discontent, when the minds of all were agitated on one side or +other, the city of London, not discouraged by the fate of all its +applications for a number of years past, once more approached the throne +with an address, remonstrance, and petition [April 10.] upon a subject, +and in a manner as little calculated to obtain a favorable reception, as +any of the preceding. In this remonstrance they recapitluated the whole +catalogue of American grievances; declared their abhorrence of the +measures which had been pursued, and were then pursuing; and justified +the resistance to which the Americans had been driven, upon the great +principles of the constitution; “actuated by which,” they said, “at the +glorious period of the revolution, our ancestors transferred the +imperial crown of these realms to the illustrious house of Brunswick.” +They beseeched his majesty immediately and for ever to dismiss from his +councils, those ministers and advisers who had been at the bottom of the +preceding measures. His majesty delivered the following answer: “It is +with the utmost astonishment, that I find any of my subjects capable of +encouraging the rebellious disposition which unhappily exists in my +colonies in North-America. Having entire confidence in the wisdom of my +parliament, the great council of the nation, I will steadily pursue +those measures which they have recommended for the support of the +constitutional rights of Great-Britain, and the protection of the +commercial rights of my kingdom.” + +The earl of Effingham has uniformly opposed the whole system of measures +pursued against the Americans, and finding that the regiment in which he +served was at length destined for America, and thinking it inconsistent +with his character, and beneath his dignity to enforce measures with his +sword, which he had so utterly condemned in his legislative capacity +[Mar. 12.] he wrote a letter of resignation to the secretary of war. In +it he deeply regretted his being necessitated to quit the military +profession; but said, “I cannot, without reproach from my own +conscience, consent to bear arms against my fellow-subjects in America, +in what, to my discernment, is not a clear cause.” Pity that it is not a +point of honor with all military officers, to consider the merits of the +cause wherein their swords are to be employed, and when they are not +satisfied in their own judgments, to practise as the noble earl has +done. Such a point of honor might hinder many a war. + +The British ambassador at the Hague, applied to the States to forbid +their subjects supplying the Americans with arms, ammunition, gun-powder +&c. and they by proclamation prohibited the exportation of all such +articles, in Dutch or foreign ships, from any of their dominions, +without licence, on penalty of forfeiting about £.90 sterling. Judge +whether the profits of the voyage will not be so great as to make it +worth the merchants while to run the risk of that sum. Let the American +vessels repair to Holland, and the Dutch will furnish them with +gun-powder in large glass bottles of several gallons dimensions, under +the notion of spirits, or liquor of one kind or other.[117] France was +also applied to, and could have crushed all assistance, by express +prohibition; but only told her subjects, that if they afforded any, it +was at their own risk; tantamount to—if you will venture, you may. Spain +roundly refused giving the least hindrance to her subjects. + +[March 13.] His majesty went to the house of peers, and gave the royal +assent to the bill for restraining the trade of New-Jersey, +Pennsylvania, &c. Thus the probability of the colonies dividing from +each other is lessened, and their union becomes more established. Some +future proceedings in the provinces of New-York and North-Carolina will +be likely to consolidate the whole continent. + +The American fisheries being now abolished, measures were necessary to +supply their place, and to guard against the consequences of the foreign +markets either changing the course of consumption, or falling into the +hands of strangers. It was also expedient to pay a greater attention to +the interests of Ireland, than what had been practised for many years. +The minister therefore moved for a committee of the whole house [Mar. +27.] to consider of the encouragement proper to be given to the +fisheries of Britain and Ireland. The committee, in its progress, +granted several bounties to the ships of Britain and Ireland, for their +encouragement in prosecuting the Newfoundland fishery; and two +resolutions were introduced and passed, in favor of the latter kingdom. +Complaints, however, were made, that clauses were insidiously stolen +into the act, to prevent its operating in any considerable extent. The +committee agreed also to the granting of bounties for encouraging the +whale fishery, and to take off the duties payable upon the importation +of oil, blubber, and bone, from Newfoundland, &c. and on the importation +of seal skins. + +Ministry have not confined themselves to the making of laws; they have +also sent out against the Americans, generals Howe, Clinton, and +Burgoyne, in the Cerberus [Mar. 28.] The transports with troops to +reinforce governor Gage, sailed a week after from Cork. + +[May 15.] Toward the close of the session, Mr. Burke acquainted the +house with his having received a paper of great importance from the +general assembly at New-York. He observed that it was a complaint, in +the form of a remonstrance, of several acts of parliament, some of which +they affirmed had established principles, and others had made +regulations subversive of the rights of English subjects. He afterward +moved that it might be brought up. The minister immediately moved an +amendment, which proved an indirect but effectual negative upon Mr. +Burke’s motion. The amendment was carried by a majority of 186 to 67; +the question being then put on the amended motion, it was rejected +without a division. The New-York memorial to the lords was brought in by +the duke of Manchester, who moved for its being read. After some +altercation the question was called for, and upon a division, the motion +was rejected by a majority of 45 against 25. The petition to the king +was received, but the prayer of the petition was not granted. Such is +the fate of the applications made by the general assembly of New-York, +for a redress of their supposed grievances. It must tend to widen the +breach between Britain and the colonies. + +[May 17.] Lord Camden presented a petition to the house of lords, from +the British inhabitants of the province of Quebec, in which they stated +their grievances, and implored their lordships favorable interposition +that the Quebec act might be repealed or amended, and that they might +enjoy their constitutional rights, privileges, and franchises. His +lordship, after expatiating on the evils of the act, proposed a bill, +which was read, for the repeal of the late act. This measure was +strongly opposed by administration, and a motion was made by lord +Dartmouth, that the bill be rejected, which was carried by a majority of +60 out of 88, there being only twenty-eight lords who supported the +bill. Much censure having been expressed or implied, both within doors +and without, relative to the whole conduct of the bishops in the Canada +transactions, the reverend father of that bench, stood up during the +debate to justify the Quebec act, so far as it related to religious +matters, which he did upon the principles of toleration, the faith of +the capitulation, and the terms of the definitive treaty of peace, but +many were far from being convinced, that these principles required such +a full and perfect establishment of the popish religion, as is granted +by the act itself. + +[May 18.] Sir George Saville presented to the house of commons, another +petition from the same inhabitants of Quebec, in which, among other +things, they represented with too much truth, that the petition to his +majesty, in the name of all the French inhabitatnts of that province, +and upon which the late law had been avowedly founded, was not fairly +obtained, and had neither received the concurrence of the people in +general, nor even been communicated to them, but had been carried about +in a secret manner, and signed by a few of the noblesse, advocates, and +others, who were in their confidence. They affirmed that the inhabitants +in general were as much alarmed as themselves, at the introduction of +the Canadian laws. They concluded by praying, that the said act might be +repealed or amended. Sir George examined and laid open the week or +obnoxious parts of the act, and threw new light even upon those which +had already undergone the highest degree of colouring, and then +concluded his speech with moving for a repeal of the late act for the +better government of the province of Quebec. Considerable debates +ensued, in the course of which the minister avowed his intention, if it +should become necessary, of arming the Canadians against the other +colonies. But he declared his firm persuasion, that the troubles in +America, would be speedily and happily settled without blood-shed. +Notwithstanding this declaration it was whispered, that he was uneasy +and from what general Gage wrote last, dreaded the news by the April +packet. For some, who professed to have the best information, asserted +that orders were sent to apprehend Messrs. Cushing, Samuel Adams, +Hancock and others, and to transport them to Great-Britain; and that the +receipt of these orders had been acknowledged; but that second orders +had been dispatched to hang them at Boston. Sir George Saville’s motion +was rejected by a majority of more than two to one, the numbers being +174 to 86. + +[May 26.] The speaker, when he presented the money bills for the royal +assent, gave an assurance in his speech to his majesty, that if the +Americans persisted in their resolutions, and the sword must be drawn, +the commons would do every thing in their power to maintain and support +the supremacy of this legislature. + +The king gave his royal assent to the several bills, both public and +private, which remained to be passed into acts; and closed the session +by a speech from the throne, in which he expressed the most perfect +satisfaction in the conduct of the parliament, during the course of +their session; and his persuasion, that the most salutry effects must, +in the end, result from measures formed and conducted on such +principles, as those on which they had acted. A favorable representation +was made of the pacific disposition of other powers, and the usual +assurence given of endeavoring to secure the public tranquility. + +[May 28.] Captain Derby arrived with his dispatches for Dr. Franklin got +to London in the evening, and delivered them to Dr. Lee, as the other +agent had left the country. The circulated accounts of the action were +vague; is was plain however, that the troops had been worsted; and that +government feared it, though they disclaimed all knowledge of what had +happened. + +The Sukey, captain Brown, though she sailed four days before captain +Derby’s vessel, did not arrive till the ninth of June with general +Gage’s dispatches. The Gazette has given us the govermental account of +the Lexington engagement. From the praises bestowed upon officers and +men for their activity and bravery, it is evident, that the Americans +made the business of the day a hard, difficult and dangerous service to +them. The nation in general is not so shocked with this transaction as +the importance of it requires. It was a fatal mistake to send soldiers +instead of shipping; and no less so to order them to Boston, instead of +planting them in New-York (where government has a strong interest) and +securing a fortified line of communication from thence to Canada, with +which to divide he southern from the New-England colonies. + +Six more regiments of foot have received orders to hold themselves in +readiness to embark for America. They are encouraged by an expectation, +into which they are drawn by the informations given them, of possessing +farms and other confiscated property. + + + + + LETTER XIV. + + + _Roxbury, August 15, 1775._ + + MY DEAR SIR, + +To prevent an omission, let me begin with mentioning, that when governor +Martin met the general assembly of North-Carolina, at Newbern [April 4, +1775.] he made a speech to them in a high governmental strain; and +expressed his expectation that they would oppose so dangerous a step as +the unwarrantable measure of appointing delegates to attend a congrees +in Philadelphia. He also told them that they were most peculiarly called +upon to oppose a meeting of delegates which the people had been invited +to choose, and who were appointed to assemble at that very time and +place, in the face of the legislature. The assembly, in their answer, +justified the meeting of the people, and said, “Be it far from us even +to wish to prevent the operations of the convention now held at +Newbern.” They also took the opportunity, the first that had been given +them, to express their warm attachment to their sister colonies in +general, and their heart-felt compassion for the deplorable state of the +town of Boston, and to declare the fixed resolution of the colony to +unite with the other colonies in every effort to retain their just +rights and liberties. + +Let me now enter upon the narration of the effects of the Lexington +engagement, out of the Massachusetts colony. The news of it flew with +the utmost rapidity; and influenced the minds of all people, answerable +to their various apprehensions and attachments. + +Col. _Putnam_ served with the Connecticut troops under Gen. Amherst the +last war. By his courage and conduct he secured to himself a good share +of reputation. When peace commenced, he returned to the civil line of +life. Of late he has occupied a tavern, with a farm annexed to it. Such +a junction is frequent in New-England, and the occupation not at all +inconsistent with a Roman character. The Lexington news was brought him +while working in a leathern frock and apron, at a stone wall, with which +to fence in his land. This was about eleven o’clock in the morning. +After giving his men some direction how to proceed he went home, got his +horse, and rode to the neighboring towns, to acquaint the militia +officers and others with what had taken place. As he was returning, he +found some hundreds mustered, who informed him that they had appointed +him their general, and were determined to march off immediately. He said +that he was not ready, had no money about him, and must go and get some. +They supplied him from among themselves; on which he gave proper orders +for their marching after him, and went forward in his check shirt, upon +the same beast, and got to Concord the next morning by sun-rise, having +rode, as he supposed, from eleven o’clock of the preceding morning, not +less than a hundred miles within the eighteen hours. The militia that +followed him, marched with a quick step till they reached the place of +destination. + +Mr. _Benedict Arnold_ of New-Haven, had been chosen captain of a +volunteer company by the inhabitants, when they began to prepare for +whatever might happen. No sooner did the Lexington news reach him, than +he called his company together, and asked them whether they would march +off with him the next morning for the neighbourhood of Boston, distant +150 miles.—They agreed; and at the proper time paraded before the tavern +where a committee was sitting. He applied to the gentlemen for powder +and ball; they demurred supplying him, as he was not duly authorized. +The captain, in haste to fly to the help of his suffering brethren, +proposed procuring the supply by force if needful, to which the +volunteers consented. He then sent for the committee, and informed them +what he was determined upon. Colonel Wooster came out, and would have +persuaded him to wait till he had received proper orders; to which capt. +Arnold answered, “_None but God Almighty shall prevent my marching_.” +The committee perceiving his fixed resolution, supplied him; and he +marched off instantly, and with his company reached the American +head-quarters by the 29th of April. + +[April 23.] The news reached New-York on the Lord’s day. On hearing it, +capt. Sears conceived the design of stopping all vessels going to +Quebec, Newfoundland, Georgia, and Boston; several were about to sail. +He consulted Mr. Lamb, who joined in the measure. They then wrote a +letter to the committee of Philadelphia, assuring them that all vessels +would be sopt at New-York, and signed it with their names, that so the +assurance might be relied upon. The express being sent off, they +contrived to assemble the people, without its being known upon what +business; and when they were met, it was concluded upon to shut up the +custom-house. The officer was waited on, who considering the expediency +of a compliance, ordered the keys to be delivered up to capt. Sears. The +merchants whose vessels were cleared out, dared not to admit of their +sailing. The Philadelphia committee, relying upon the assurance that had +been given them, so managed as that it was agreed, to shut up their port +also against all vessels going to the before mentioned places. + +The hostilities in the Massachusetts threw the city of New-York into +such a state of tumult, that it was judged expedient, with a view of +restoring tranquility and good order, to appoint a general committee of +a hundred, for the city and county of New-York, which answered. [May 5.] +This committee addressed a letter to the lord mayor, aldermen, and +common council of the city of London, which was signed by seventy-seven +of them. In it they declared, that “The disposal of their own property, +with perfect spontaniety, and in a manner wholly divested of every +appearance of constraint, is their indefeasible birth-right. This +exalted blessing they are absolutely determined to defend with their +blood, and to transfer uncontaminated to their posterity.” They +professed their readiness to submit cheerfully to a regulation of +commerce by the legislature of the parent state, excluding in its +nature, every idea of taxation; but reprobated the minister’s +conciliatory plan. They gave assurance, “That America is grown so +irritable by oppression, that the least shock in any part is, by the +most powerful and sympathetic affection, instantaneously felt through +the whole continent—that while the whole continent are ardently wishing +for peace upon such terms as can be acceded to by Englishmen, they are +indefatigable in preparing for the last appeal.” “Near the close they +said, “We speak the real sentiments of the confederated colonies on the +continent, from Nova-Scotia to Georgia, when we declare, that all the +horrors of a civil war will never compel America to submit to taxation +by authority of parliament.” They concluded with expressing their +confidence of the most vigorous exertions of the city of London to +restore union and mutual peace to the whole empire. + +[May 6.] The next day an association was signed by upward of a thousand +of the principal inhabitants of the city and county. They in the most +solemn manner declared, that they associated to endeavor carrying into +execution whatever measure might be recommended by the continental +congress, or be resolved upon by their own provincial convention, for +the purpose of preserving their constitution, and opposing the execution +of the oppressive acts of the British parliament, until a reconciliation +between Great-Britain and America, on constitutional principles, can be +obtained; and that they would in all things follow the advice of their +general committee, respecting the purposes aforesaid, the preservation +of peace and good order, and the safety of individual and private +property. + +The inhabitants armed themselves also with great diligence and industry. +But it is not to be inferred from these strong appearances, that there +is a real and general union in sentiment among the New-Yorkers. They are +much divided; though each party has thus coaleasced with a view of +serving its own particular interest. The tories have joined, to prevent +the violence which might otherwise exist, and to check the progress of +the sons of liberty. The whigs have joined, in hope of drawing the +others into such lengths in opposing ministerial measures as are +reprobated by them at present. + +The New-Jersey people, on receiving the Lexington news, took possesion +of the province treasury, in which there was about £.20,000 part of it +is appropriated to the payment of the troops they are now raising for +the defence of the liberties of America. + +The citizens of _Philadelphia_, beside stopping the vessels as before +related, were spirited up to attempt perfecting their preparations for +the most serious and painful contest. + +The governor of the province laid before the assembly the minister’s +conciliatory plan; and observed to them that they were the _first_ +assembly on the continent to whom it had been communicated. After +considering it, they said, “If no _other_ objection to the plan +proposed, occurred to us, we should esteem it a desertion of sister +colonies, connected by an union founded on just motives and mutual +faith, and conducted by general councils, for a single colony to adopt a +measure so extensive in consequence, without the advice and consent of +those colonies engaged with us by solemn ties in the same common cause.” +The complection of the assembly has been changed. In the choice of +deputies for the approaching congress, made last December, Mr. Galloway +was left out; and on the sixth of May, the house added three more to the +number of their deputies, and the first on the list was Dr. Franklin. +Thus have they, since his arrival, expressed their approbation of his +conduct, and their confidence in his abilities. The plan has been since +proposed to other colony assemblies, but with no better success than in +Pennsylvania. + +The account of the action arrived at Baltimore, in Maryland, in six +days; The inhabitants immediately seized upon the provincial magazine, +containing 1500 stand of arms, &c. They also stopped all exports to the +fishing islands, and those colonies which have refused to unite with +their brethren in the common cause; and all supplies to the navy and +army at Boston. + +In Virginia a provincial congress met in March, for want of a legal +assembly, and took measures for arraying the militia, the militia laws +being expired; and recommended to each county the raising of a volunteer +company for the better defence of the country. On the 20th of April the +governor employed the captain of an armed vessel to convey, by night, on +board his ship, from the public magazine, out of about one and twenty, +fifteen half barrels of powder, containing 50lb. each. The citizens of +Williamsburg were greatly alarmed, so that the mayor and corporation +addressed his lordship upon the occasion, who, in his answer, informed +them, that hearing of an insurrection in a neighboring county, he had +removed the powder from the magazine to a place of perfect security; and +that whenever it was wanted on any insurrection, it should be delivered +in half an hour. The news of the seizure soon reached Hanover county, +upon which captain Patrick Henry, and the other volunteers of the +county, marched for Williamsburg, with a view of securing the public +treasury from the like catastrophe, and of obtaining a return of the +powder, or a compensation for it. More than a hundred and fifty, all +well accoutred, and making a martial appearance, advanced within 15 +miles of the capital; but a sufficient sum of money being paid by the +receiver-general to compensate for the powder, and the citizens engaging +to guard the public treasury and magazine, they dispersed, and returned +to their respective homes. + +The value of the whole magazine was very inadequate to the alarm and +disturbance which the governor’s measure excited.—Neither powder nor +muskets were sufficient to answer any essential purpose, or even to +justify apprehension. + +His lordship was exceedingly irritated at the behavior of the people, +and threw out threats. Those of setting up the royal standard, of +enfranchising the Negroes, and arming them against their masters, and of +destroying the city; with other expressions of a similar tendency, not +only spread a general alarm thro’ the colony, but excited a kind of +abhorrence of government, and an incurable suspicion of its designs. +Meanwhile, several public meetings were held in different counties, in +all of which the seizing of the powder, and the governor’s threats were +reprobated in the strongest terms. The news of Lexington engagement +arriving when the minds of the Virginians were in such a ferment, tended +to increase their apprehensions, and of course attention to the militia +and volunteer companies. + +It was not long ere the same news reached Charleston, in South-Carolina. +The hopes of the inhabitants, that the non-importation and +non-exportation agreements would induce the parent state to recede from +her demands, were blasted on the arrival of a packet from London, the +19th of April; but when the Lexington news was received, they concluded +that the colonies were to be dragooned into slavery. The thought excited +the greatest indignation; but they paused upon considering their +situation. The province, for near two hundred miles coastways, was +accessible to the British fleets and armies. It had but a few trifling +fortifications, and these held by British officers. The western +frontiers were exposed to the savages; and the Negroes might be +prevailed upon, by insinuations, to slay their masters. The governor had +the command of the militia; and all the officers had their commissions +from him. The inhabitants were quite defenceless, without arms, +ammunition, cloathing, ships, money, or men skilled in the arts of war. +The stores of the merchants afforded no supplies of a warlike nature; no +exception having been made in the general scheme of non-importation. +They could not, however, brook a mean submission to the dictates of +Britain; and therefore determined upon a manly and virtuous resistance. +Accordingly, on the night after intelligence of actual hostilities were +received, a number of the principal gentleman of the town, possessed +themselves of twelve hundred stand of arms, with the accoutrements; +removed them directly from the royal arsenal, and afterward distributed +them among the men enlisted in the public service. + +Let us return to notice an expedition planned in Connecticut. + +The necessity of securing Tyconderoga, was early attended to by many in +New-England; but some Connecticut gentlemen were first in attempting the +measure. Secrecy was essential to success; and delay might be dangerous. +There was no waiting to consult the continental congress; beside, it +would not have been safe to have communicated the scheme to that body, +as it was known there would be individuals in it, on whose fidelity the +Americans could not rely. Messrs. Deane, Wooster, Parsons, and others, +undertook the affair. They applied to the assembly for a loan, which was +furnished, to the amount of about eighteen hundred dollars, on which +they gave bonds to be accountable. General Gage had set the example of +attempting to seize upon military stores, and by so doing had commenced +hostilities; so that retaliation appeared more than warrantable, even an +act of self-defence. The expedition went on with rapidity. Several +militia captains pushed forward to Salisbury, to acquaint Messrs. +Blagdens (nephews to your former acquaintance, the carpenter, of the +same name) with the design, and to procure their assistance. One was +ill, the other[118] joined in the proposed manœuvre. After a little +deliberation, they concluded upon spending no time in obtaining men; but +having provided a sufficient quantity of powder and ball, set off on +horseback for Bennington to engage colonel Allen. They conferred with +him opon their arrival; and then tarried with others to bake bread, and +prepare other necessaries, while the colonel went on to raise the men +who were wanting, and who were to meet the managers at Castelton. While +these were on their way to the place of rendezvous, they were met by a +countryman, apparently an undesigning honest traveller, but who was +either himself well-skilled and a principal, or had been well-tutored by +some one or other, that had either suspected or gained knowledge of the +expedition, and meant to render it abortive. They addressed him, “From +whence came you?—From Ty[119], left it yesterday, at such an hour. Has +the garrison received any reinforcement? Yes; I saw them; there were a +number of artillery men and other soldiers. What are they doing? Are +they making fascines? Don’t know what fascines are. They are tying up +sticks and brush in bundles, and putting them where the walls are down.” +Mr. Samuel Blagden put many insnaring questions about the dress and +trimmings of the men, &c. The answers tended to confirm the man’s story. +The company was staggered; and it being debated in council, whether they +should not return as they had no cannon, it was determined by a majority +of one only, to proceed. At Castleton they met colonel Allen with his +men, and altogether made two hundred and seventy persons; two hundred +and thirty of them were _green mountain boys_, so called from their +residing within the limits of the Green Mountains; as the Hampshire +grants are denominated, from the range of green mountains that runs +through them. They are a brave hardy generation, chiefly settlers from +New-Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut[120]. Sentries were placed +immediately on all the roads, to prevent any intelligence being carried +to Tyconderoga. After the junction at Castleton, colonel Arnold arrived, +with only a single servant. The day after his getting to Cambridge with +his volunteer company, he attended on the Massachusetts committee of +safety, and reported that there were at Tyconderoga, 80 pieces of heavy +cannon, 20 of brass from 4 to 18 pounders, 10 or a dozen mortars, a +number of small arms, and considerable stores; and that the fort was in +a ruinous condition, and as he supposed garrisoned by about forty men. +Upon this the committee, on the third of May, appointed him a colonel of +four hundred men, whom he was to inlist and march for the reduction of +Tyconderoga. The colonel was known only to Mr. Blagden. A council was +called; his powers were examined; and at length it was agreed, that he +should be admitted to join and act with them, that so the public might +be benefitted. It was settled, however, that colonel Allen should have +the supreme command, and colonel Arnold was to be his assistant; with +which the latter appeared satisfied, as he had no right by his +commission, either to command or interfere with the others, who were not +only out of the Massachusetts line, but the subjects of another colony. +The names of the leaders, besides what have been mentioned, were Messrs. +Motte, Phelps’s (two brothers) Biggelow, Bull, and Nichols, beside +colonels Easton, Brown, and Warner, and captain Dickinson. + +After it had been determined in a council to set off the next morning +early for Ty, and some of the managers had retired, a second council was +held, and it was concluded to proceed that very night, leaving Messrs. +Blagden, Biggelow, and Nichols, with a party of men, thirty in all, +officers included, to march early in the morning for Skeensborough, and +secure major Skeen, his negroes and tenants. This council might have +been occasioned by the return of captain Noah Phelps, who the day +before, having disguised himself, entered the fort in the character of a +countryman wanting to be shaved. In hunting for a barber, he observed +every thing cirtically, asked a number of rustic questions, affected +great ignorance, and passed unsuspected. Before night he withdrew, came +and joined in his party, and the morning guided them to the place of +destination. + +Colonel Allen, with his 230 _green mountain boys_, arrived, at Lake +Champlain, and opposite to Tyconderoga, on the ninth at night. Boats +were procured with difficulty; when he and colonel Arnold crossed over +with 83 men, and landed near the garrison. Here a dispute took place +between the colonels, the latter became assuming and swore he would go +in first, the other swore he should not. The gentlemen present +interposed and the matter was accommodated upon the footing that both +should go in together. They advanced along side of each other, colonel +Allen on the right hand of colonel Arnold, and entered the port leading +to the fort, in the gray of the morning, [May 10.] A sentry snapped his +fusee at colonel Allen, and then retreated through the covered way to +the parade; the main body of the Americans followed, and immediately +drew up. Captain De la Place, the commander, was surprised a bed in his +room. He was ordered to give up the fort; upon his asking by what +authority, colonel Allen replied, “I demand it in the name of the great +Jehovah and the continental congress.” The congress knew nothing of the +matter, and did not commence their existence till some hours after: when +they began their session, they chose the honorable _Peyton Randolph_ +president, and Mr. _Charles Thomson_ secretary, each with a unanimous +voice; and having agreed “That the reverend Mr. Duchee be requested to +open the congress with prayers to-morrow morning,” and appointed a +committee to acquaint him with their request, adjourned till the next +day. Had captain De la Place been upon the parade with his men, he could +have made no effectual resistance. The fort was out of repair, and he +had but about thirty effectives. Could he have gained timely +intelligence, he might have procured a reinforcement from St. John’s. +You have the particulars of the military stores taken at Tyconderoga +below[121]. After colonel Allen had landed, the boats were sent back for +the remainder of the men under colonel Seth Warren, but the place was +surprised before he could get over. Immediately upon his joining the +successful party, he was sent off to take possession of Crown Point, +where a sergeant and twelve men performed garrison duty; but the +greatest acquisition was that of more than 100 pieces of cannon. The +complete command of Lake Champlain was of high importance to the +Americans, and could not be effected without their getting possesion of +a sloop of war lying at St. John’s at the bottom of the lake. It was +determined to man and arm a schooner lying at South Bay, and that +colonel Arnold should cammand her, and that colonel Allen should command +the batteaus, a name generally affixed to boats of a particular +construction, calculated for navigating the lakes and rivers, and +drawing but little water, though heavily laden. The wind being fresh in +the south, the schooner out sailed the batteaus, and colonel Arnold +surprised the sloop. The wind shifting suddenly to the north, and +blowing fresh, in about an hour’s time colonel Arnold sailed with the +prize and schooner for Tyconderoga, and met colonel Allen with his +party. + +The surprise of Skeensborough was so conducted, that the negroes were +all secured, and major Skeen, the son, taken while out a shooting, and +his strong stone house possessed, and the pass compleatly gained without +any bloodshed, the same as at Tyconderoga. Had the major received the +least intimation, the attempt must have miscarried; for he had about +fifty tenants nigh at hand, besides eight negroes and twelve workmen. + +Colonel Allen soon left Tyconderoga, under the command of colonel +Arnold, with a number of men, who agreed to remain in garrison. + +[May 18.] When the news of Tyconderoga’s being taken reached the +continental congress, they earnestly recommended it to the committees of +the cities and counties of New-York and Albany, immediately to cause the +cannon and stores to be removed from thence to the south end of Lake +George; but that an exact inventory should be taken of them, “in order +that they may be safely returned, when the restoration of the former +harmoney between Great-Britain and these colonies, so ardently wished +for by the latter, shall render it prudent and consistent with the +over-ruling law of self-preservation.” Whatever may be the drift of a +few in congress, the body wish to keep the door upen for an +accommodation. This was apparent in the advice they gave the +New-Yorkers, three days before the preceding recommendation. The city +and county of New-York applied to them for information how to conduct +towards the troops expected there. The congress resolved, “that it be +recommended, for the present, to the inhabitants of New-York, that if +the troops which are expected, should arrive, the said colony act on the +defensive, so long as may be consistent with their safety and security; +that the troops be permitted to remain in the barracks, so long as they +behave peaceably and quietly, but that they be not suffered to erect +fortifications, or take any steps for cutting off the communication +between the town and country, and that if they commit hostilities or +invade private property, the inhabitants should defend themselves and +their property, and repel force by force; that the warlike stores be +removed from the town; that places of retreat, in case of necessity, be +provided for the women and children of New-York; and that a sufficient +number of men be imbodied, and kept in constant readiness for protecting +the inhabitants from insult and injury.” + +Let us come to the Massachusetts. + +Mr. Hancock having been chosen at the last election, on December 5, +1774, one of the delegates to the general congress; and the time +approaching when it became necessary for him to prepare for his journey, +Dr. Joseph Warren was chosen president of the provincial congress pro +tempore. + +[April 27.] The inhabitants of Boston lodged with the select men, +according to agreement with general Gage, 1778 fire arms, 634 pistols, +273 bayonets, and 38 blunderbusses. The same day the provincial congress +recommended to the inhabitants of the sea-ports, the removal of their +effects, &c. + +[April 28.] A circular letter was written to the several towns of the +colony, wherein after noting the affair of the nineteenth, it was said, +“we conjure you, by all that is dear, by all that is sacred, that you +give all assistance possible in forming the army. Our all is at stake. +Death and devastation are the certain consequences of delay. Every +moment is infinitely precious. An hour lost may deluge your country in +blood, and entail perpetual slavery upon the few of your posterity, who +may survive the carnage. We beg and intreat, as you will answer it to +your country, to your consciences, and above all as you will answer it +to God himself, that you will hasten and encourage, by all possible +means, the inlistment of men to form the army; and send them forward to +head-quarters at Cambridge, with that expedition which the vast +importance and instant urgency of the affair demand.” This address was +attended to; the men discovered a readiness to turn out for the +salvation of their country, and the women applied themselves with +cheerfulness to the fitting out of their husbands, fathers and brothers, +for the important expedition, while the dangers of it were overlooked or +disregarded. After a few days continuance before Boston, great numbers +returned home, some to follow their business, and others to procure +necessaries for the time they had enlisted or meant to enlist for. +During the interval between this return, and the provincials resorting +afresh to the place of rendezvous, the land entrance into and out of the +town by the Neck, was next to unguarded. Not more than betwixt six and +seven hundred men, under colonel Lemuel Robinson of Dorchester, were +engaged in defending so important a pass, for several days together.—For +nine days and nights the colonel never shifted his clothes, nor lay down +to sleep, as he had the whole duty upon him even down to the adjutant, +and as their was no officer of the day to assist. The officers, in +genearl, had left the camp, in order to raise the wanted number of men. +The colonel was obliged therefore, for the time mentioned, to patrole +the guards every night, which gave him a round of nine miles to +traverse. + +[May 1.] The Massachusetts congress alloted to the different towns, the +five thousand poor expected out of Boston.—Rhode-Island and Connecticut +had made paper-money, with which to furnish a plentiful substitute for +cash, and to answer present exigencies. The men repairing from these +colonies, for the defence of the Massachusetts, were supplied with this +money; the Massachusetts therefore resolved, that it should pass in all +payments. + +The general assembly of Connecticut appointed Dr. Johnson, and Oliver +Wolcot, esq. a committee from their body, to wait upon general Gage, and +desired the governor to write in their name to the general, relative to +the situation of public affairs, and the late unfortunate transactions +in the Massachusetts. He wrote on the twenty-eighth of April: and the +committee repaired to Boston with the letter. Both the provincial +congress and the committee of safety were greatly alarmed at the +transaction. The first wrote [May 2.] to the delegates, whom they had +sent to the colony, representing to them the fatal consequences that +might follow, upon any one colony’s undertaking to negociate separately, +either with parliament, ministry or their agent here. The last wrote to +the colony itself, intreating it to afford immediately all possible aid. +Governor Trumbull acquainted them, in his answer of May the 4th, that +they need not fear their firmness, deliberation and unanimity, to pursue +measures which may appear best for common defence and safety; and that +Connecticut will be cautions of trusting promises, which it may be in +the power of any to avade. + +[May 3.] On the same day, on which general Gage sent a sensible and +respectful answer to governor Trumbull, the Massachusetts congress +empowered the receiver general to borrow £.75,000 sterling upon notes, +bearing an interest of six _per cent._ that so they might support their +forces; they also forwarded dispatches to the general congress, +containing accounts of their proceedings. In their letter they +mentioned, “The sudden exigency of our public affairs, precluded the +possibility of waiting for your direction in these important measures, +more especially as a considerable reinforcement from Great-Britain is +daily expected in this colony, and we are now reduced to the sad +alternative of defending ourselves by arms or submitting to be +slaughtered.” They modestly suggested the necessity of a powerful army +on the side of America. They took notice, that the inhabitants of many +of their sea-ports had removed, and were removing their families and +effects, to avoid destruction from the ships of war; and expressed their +confidence in the wisdom and ability of the continent to support them, +so far as it should appear necessary for the common cause of the +American colonies. + +[May 4.] The committee of safety wrote to the governor and company of +Connecticut, most earnestly pressing them to send immediately three or +four thousand men, that so an important post might be secured, which +otherwise the enemy would be likely to possess themselves of, as soon as +their reinforcement arrived. The troops were desired to be forwarded in +companies as fast as they could be got ready. They sent also to +Rhode-Island, and urged their marching a body of troops to assist on the +like occasion. They proceeded to resolve, “That the public good requires +that government in full form ought to be taken up immediately.” Advice +was received, that a number of transports with troops were just arrived +at Boston from England. + +[May 5.] That provincial congress resolved, “The general Gage has, by +the late transactions, and many other means, utterly disqualified +himself from serving this colony as a governor, or in any other +capacity; and that therefore no obedience is in future due to him; but +that on the contrary, he ought to be considered and guarded against, as +an unnatural and inveterate enemy to the country.” + +[May 9.] The committtee of safety ordered the commanding officers of ten +neighbouring towns, to march one half of the militia, and all the +minute-men under their command, forthward to Roxbury that so the British +troops might not come and possess themselves of that post. Before it was +properly strengthened general Gage entertained such design. General +Thomas, who commands there, gained information of what was intended, on +the day it was to be executed. His whole force consisted only of seven +hundred men. The post comprehended a large broad high hill. A road leads +to the top of it, visible in some parts to persons at the entrance into +Boston; it passes over the hill and descends into a hollow, from whence +you can turn off, and passing circuitously enter again upon the said +road. The general took advantage of this circumstance, and continued +marching his seven hundred men round and round the hill, by which he +multiplied their appearance to any who was reconnoitering them at +Boston. The dress of the militia was extremely various, and consisted of +their common clothing, which prevented the discovery of a deception, +that might otherwise have been soon detected, had they worn a uniform +and possessed regimental ensigns. This warlike imposition most probably +prevented general Gage’s attacking and carrying the post, by the +possession of which he would have had it in his power to direct his +march to any part of the country he pleased. The colonels of the several +regiments were ordered to repair immediately to Cambridge, with the men +they had inlisted; and part of the cannon and stores to be removed to +some distance of security; and breast works to be erected at different +places to prevent the enemy’s passing into the country from Boston Neck, +and to annoy them if they crossed the river and advanced through +Charlestown, or if they attempted going by water to Medford. The +Massachusetts congress concluded on disarming the disaffected +inhabitants; and that no person should move with his effects out of the +colony, unless leave was granted. + +[May 15.] They resolved upon a letter to the eastern tribe of Indians, +to secure their friendship, and engage them on the side of the colonies, +and proposed to raise a company of them to serve in the war. Four days +after the committee of safety voted, that captain John Lane have +enlisting papers for raising such company. The provincials reprobate in +the bitterest terms, the idea of the Indians being imployed by the +ministry against themselves; so that there is a seeming inconsistency in +their attempting to engage them against the British troops. But let it +be remembered, that the Indians will probably take part with the one +side or the other; for through a restless warlike temper, they are not +in common disposed to observe a neutrality; and that there is a wide +difference between employing them against armed soldiers and letting +them loose upon defenceless settlers, men, women and children. + +Skirmishes were occasioned at different times and places, by the +attempts of each party to carry off stock from the small islands, with +which the bay of Boston is agreeably interspersed, and afforded the mixt +spectacle of ships, boats and men engaged by land and water. These small +engagements were not trifling in their consequences. The advantage was +generally on the side of the Americans, which elated their spirits. They +also learnt from them to face danger, and to run hazards; and it is by +being habituated to these, that probably the greatest quantum of courage +is acquired. Frequent skirmishes are good preparatives, by which to +qualify raw soldiers to fight as veterans in set battles. + +[May 21.] Two sloops and an armed schooner with soldiers, sailed to +Grape-Island to get hay. The provincials followed them as soon as the +tide admitted, drove them off by their approach, burnt all the hay, +about eighty ton, and brought off the cattle from the island. + +[May 24.] A committee having been appointed to inquire what was the +stock of powder in certain towns, reported, that in thirty-nine towns in +Suffolk, Essex, Middlesex, Plymouth and Worcester, there were 67 3–4 +barrels. The rest of the towns in the colony had none worth mentioning. +How painful a circumstance, the small quantity of powder, to those +Americans, who have any idea of the great consumption which war +occasions! The want of it had been sensibly felt for some time; and +therefore, beside the adoption of other measures, orders were given for +the importation of that, and other military stores, but it must be long +before they can be procured in this way, should they come safe. + +[May 25.] The Cerberus arrived at Boston with the three generals, Howe, +Clinton, and Burgoyne. They were so assured in their own mistaken +apprehensions that there would be no occasion to draw the sword in +support of ministerial measures, that they had prepared to amuse +themselves with fishing and other diversions, instead of expecting to be +engaged in military service. They were astonished at the situation of +affairs, and when in company with generals Gage and Haldiman, asked how +the sortie happened. General Haldiman answered, “I knew nothing about +it, till the barber came in to shave me, and said that the troops were +gone out, and that they had been fighting. I did not choose that he +should know I got my information from him. I therefore called my +footman, and sent him out upon a frivolous errand, well knowing, that if +there was any truth in what the barber reported, he would bring me word +of it, which he did. In this way I became acquainted with what had +happened.” The newly arrived generals declared their surprise in the +significant looks which followed this relation from the second in +command. + +[May 27.] About six hundred of the Massachusetts and New-Hampshire +forces were employed to bring off the stock from Hog-Island and +Noddles-Island, which lie contiguous; the intervening passage is +fordable at certain times of the tide. A party went on and fired the hay +and barn on Noddles-Island, on which a number of marines crossed from +Boston; and, upon the provincials retreating to Hog-Island, were decoyed +down to the water side, when a hot action commenced, which did not close +with the day. The king’s troops amounted to some hundreds, and were +supported by an armed schooner of four six pounders and twelve swivels, +an armed sloop, and the barges all fixed with swivels. The provincials +were commanded by general Putnam. Dr. Warren’s zeal and courage would +not admit of his remaining at a distance; upon hearing what was going +forward, he repaired to the spot to encourage the men. They had two +pieces of artillery, which were well served, and did considerable +execution. The night was very dark, but the action continued all through +it. Toward morning the schooner got aground upon Winnisimmet ferry ways; +the British were obliged to abandon her, and the provincials boarded, +and after stripping her of every thing valuable, set her on fire. They +lost not a man, and had only three wounded, not one mortally. The +regulars were said to have suffered very much, not to have had less than +two hundred killed and wounded. The loss was probably greatly +exaggerated; that, however, had a good effect on the provincials. The +affair was matter of no small triumph to them, and they felt upon the +occasion, more courageous than ever. + +[May 30.] The provincials went afresh on Noddles-Island, and burnt the +mansion house, which answered no good purpose whatever. But there are +too many who destroy property merely because of its having belonged, or +being supposed to belong to those Americans who have taken the opposite +side of the question in the present controversy. The stock, consisting +of between five and six hundred sheep and lambs, twenty head of cattle, +besides horses, was taken off by them in the course of the day. The next +day five hundred sheep and thirty head of cattle were removed off +Pettick’s-Island by a party under colonel Robinson. On the night of June +the second, eight hundred sheep and lambs, together with a number of +cattle, were carried off Deer-Island, by a corps of provincials under +major Greaton. + +The agreement with general Gage, relative to the inhabitants leaving the +town of Boston, was well observed in the beginning; and their request +was granted, with the approbation of all. But after a short time, they +were detained upon the plea that persons going from thence for the goods +of those who chose to abide there, were not properly treated. The +embarrassments and delays which the inhabitants had to contend with, +induced the provincial congress to order the sending of a letter to +general Gage, to remonstrate with him upon the subject. The letter +however, did not answer. The truth is, after a number were allowed to +depart, great clamors were raised. Such persons as were, or pretended to +be well affected to the British government, alledged that none but the +ill-inclined were for removing, and that when they were safe with their +effects, the town would be set on fire. A demur soon afterward arose +about the meaning of the word _effects_, whether merchandise was +included; and the general being sensible, that the permitting articles +of that kind to be carried out, might strengthen the Americans in their +resistance, would not admit of their removal. This proved a hardship to +many who quitted the town, as it deprived them of the resource for +living in their accustomed affluence. In a variety of instances, the +passports were so conducted, that families were cruelly divided; wives +were separated from their husbands; children from their parents; the +aged and the sick from their relations and friends, who wished to attend +and comfort them. The general was very averse to the allowing of women +and children to leave Boston, thinking they contributed to the safety of +the place, and prevented his being attacked; but of that no real danger +existed, notwithstanding the high tone of the people without, and the +intimations of some within the town. Numbers of the poor and hapless +were however sent out, and several of them infected with, or not fully +recovered from the small-pox, by which mean the provincials were greatly +endangered. + +These were employed in collecting their force, from every quarter with +all possible dispatch, which could not be dispensed with, considering +the reinforcements which had arrived, and were arriving at Boston. [June +3.] But they were distressed for want of money; and a letter was +dispatched by the Massachusetts congress, to their receiver-general, +upon the absolute necessity of paying the colony forces immediately, and +directing his attendance forthwith; and also acquainting him, that a +gentleman at Salem had £.375 sterling, which he was willing to lend the +province, and which would be of the utmost importance to pay directly to +the soldiers, and might prevent the greatest mischiefs. The want of cash +obliged them to have a recourse to province notes, which they struck off +night and day, for the advance pay of the men who had inlisted. + +[June 10.] They were better off as to provision, and established a too +plentiful allowance, beyond what the troops could expend. By the general +return of the army at Cambridge, it amounted on the ninth to 1581 +officers, commissioned, sergents, &c. and 6063 privates, in all 7644. +But such was the want of regularity, that no dependence could be had +upon its exactness. The number of privates was probably much aggravated. +Too many of the officers did not scruple to make false returns for their +own emolument. The large proportion of them shows that the regiments +were far from being full, or were much over-officered. Several of the +Massachusetts officers are miserable tools, and must be discarded sooner +or later. It is owing to their having been elected by the very privates +they command; and to the resignations of a number who had governmental +commissions, but have thrown them up from an apprehension that the +Americans will not succeed; this gave an opening to a set of fellows +totally destitute of both courage and honor, to push themselves forward +and get chosen. + +[June 12.] General Gage issued a proclamation offering a pardon in the +king’s name, to all who should forthwith lay down their arms, and return +to their peaceable occupations, except Samuel Adams and John Hancock. +All who did not accept of the proffered mercy, who should protect, +assist, conceal or correspond with such, were to be treated as rebels +and traitors. It also declared, that as a stop was put to the due course +of justice, martial law should take place till the laws were restored to +their due efficacy. The proclamation had no other effect than to put the +provincials upon looking out for the operations which were to succeed +[June 14.] The Massachusetts congress chose their president, Dr. Warren, +second major-general in their own forces; the first having been chosen +the day before. + +A discovery has been made which will deliver down to posterity the name +of governor Hutchinson, loaded with infamy. An accident has thrown into +the hands of the Americans, the books of his copied letters to the +ministry and others, in his own hand writing. By means of them, the +several charges brought against him, of his enmity to his own colony, of +his consummate duplicity of his advising ministry to alter the charter, +and to use force for the establishment of their plans, and of his +assuring them that they would meet with no effectual resistance from the +boasting sons of liberty, whose courage would certainly fail them when +put to the trial, have been authenticated beyond the possibility of a +denial. + +When he quitted the province all his furniture was left behind in his +seat at Milton. After the Lexington engagement, the committee of the +town removed it in order to save it from being totally ruined. Mr. +Samuel Hanshaw,[122] desirous of seeing how the house looked, when +striped of all the furniture, repaired thither with the gentleman who +had the key. He went at length up into a dark garret, where he +discovered an old trunk, which he was told was left behind, as it +contained nothing but a parcel of useless papers. Curiosity led him to +examine them, when he soon discovered at letter book of Mr. +Hutchinson’s, which he secured, and then posted away to Dr. Warren, to +whom he related what had happened; on which an order was soon sent to +general Thomas, at Roxbury, to possess himself of the trunk. It was +brought to his quarters; and there through the imprudent exultations of +some about the general, the contents were too often exposed to person +resorting thither, and some single letters conveyed away; one for the +public good, it being thought that if the same was generally known, it +might be of disservice in the present moment as it had not a favorable +aspect upon the staunch patriotism of Mr. Hancock. The letter books and +other papers were afterward taken proper care of; and have been +submitted to my inspection. Many of his letters beside what have already +appeared, will be printed; those you meet with as his, in the Boston +Gazette, or actually taken from it, you may depend upon as genuine and +faithfully copied. + +Mr. Hutchinson behaved much to the satisfaction of the public as judge +of probates. He was ready to assist, in a most obliging manner, the +widow and the orphan with his advice, whenever their business called +them before them. As chief justice he was not exceptionable, only when +he supported the cause of government against the claims of the people. +When in the chair of the first magistrate, his appointments to different +offices were generally of men will qualified for discharging the duties +of the same, though mostly supporters of government; he was advised by a +British naval officer to secure Mess. Hancock and S. Adams by promoting +them; but replied that though such a scheme might answer in regard to +Mr. H. it would not as to Mr. A. for it would be only giving him more +power to aid him in his opposition and that he should not be able +afterward to remove him. Under the charter the governor cannot remove +from offices without the consent of the council; and Mr. Hutchinson knew +that Mr. S. Adams’s interest in the council would be greater than his +own. He was used to profess the warmest attachments to the good of his +native colony, and that he was ever aiming to promote its happiness; and +would frequently show the letters he had written about the time of the +stamp act, in opposition to that measure. He ingratiated himself by his +free, familiar and condescending intercourse with the common people, +whom he would join, walk, and converse with in his way, from the meeting +to his seat. On these accounts he had a number of friends and advocates, +who thought highly of him; but since the discovery of his letters, they +begin to own that they were deceived in the man, and wofully mistaken in +the good opinion they entertained of him. He will be execrated in +America, if not in Great-Britain. + +The dispatches forwarded to the general congress from the Massachusetts +the beginning of May, led on to their resolving themselves into a +committee of the whole to take into consideration the state of America. +Before they finished this great business, they resolved, unanimously, +“That all exportations to Quebec, Nova-Scotia, the island of St. John’s, +Newfoundland, Georgia, except the parish of St. John’s, and to East and +West Florida, immediately cease, and that no provision of any kind, or +other necessaries, be furnished to the British fisheries, on the +American coasts, until it be otherwise determined by the congress.” The +parish of St. John’s was excepted, as it had sent a delegate to +congress. They continued to sit in a committee from day to day till the +24th, when the honorable Peyton Randolph being under a necessity of +returning home, and the chair being thereby vacated, they unanimously +chose the honorable John Hancock, esq. president. + +[May 26.] A report from the committee being read, the congress came +unanimously into certain resolutions; and among other matters they +resolved, “That the colonies be immediately put into a state of defence: +but that, as they most ardently wish for a restoration of the harmony +formerly subsisting between the mother country and these colonies, for +the promotion of this most desirable reconciliation, an humble and +dutiful petition be presented to his majesty.” It was then resolved, but +not unanimously, “That measures be entered into for opening a +negociation, in order to accommodate the unhappy disputes subsisting +between Great-Britain and these colonies, and that this be made a part +of the petition to the king.”—Afterward, “That the militia of New-York +be armed and trained, and in constant readiness to act at a moment’s +warning.” + +Mr. Dickinson, the author of the farmer’s letter, is now a member of +congress for Pennsylvania. His heart was much engaged in bringing about +a reconciliation, and he labored hard in procuring a second petition to +the king; but it was opposed by several, and occasioned strong debates +for several days. However for the sake of congressional harmony, it was +at length unanimously agreed to; as they that opposed it had not the +least idea of its proving effectual, from a full persuasion that the +British ministry would be so irritated, by what had happened on April +the nineteenth, as to reject all tenders short of full submission.—These +nevertheless declined voting, that measures for a negociation should +make a part of the petition. Since the Lexington engagement, many of the +New-Englanders believe that the contest must end in absolute slavery or +real independence. + +[May 29.] Congress wrote a letter to the Canadians, stiling them _the +oppressed inhabitants of Canada_, and themselves _friends and +countrymen_. It was designed to persuade them, that their present form +of government is a form of tyranny, and that they, their wives and +children, are made slaves, to prevent their taking a part against the +colonies in the present contest, and to procure a union of all in +defence of common liberty. + +[June 2.] It was resolved, “That no provisions of any kind be furnished +or supplied to, or for the use of the British army or navy, in the +Massachusutts Bay, or of any transport.” + +[June 7.] Congress, for the first time, stiled the colonies THE TWELVE +UNITED COLONIES, in a resolve, “That Thursday, the 20th of July, be +observed throughout the twelve united colonies, as a day of humiliation, +fasting and prayer.” From henceforward the _united colonies_ will come +into use. + +[June 8.] Major Skeen (the father) of Skeensborough, with other +officers, upon their arriving the evening before at Philadelphia, in a +vessel from London, were taken into custody.—Congress being informed of +it, and the said Skeen had been lately appointed governor of the forts +of Tyconderoga and Crown-Point, and had declared that he was authorized +to raise a regiment in America; they appointed a committee to examine +his papers, as also those of a lieutenant in the regulars. + +[June 9.] They having been applied to by a letter of May 16th from the +Massachusetts convention, for their explicit advice, resolved, “That +no obedience being due to the act of parliament for altering the +charter of the colony of Massachusetts Bay, nor to a governor or +lieutenant-governor who will not observe the directions of, but +endeavor to subvert that charter, the governor and lieutenant-governor +of that colony are to be considered as absent, and their offices +vacant; and as there is no council there, and the inconveniences +arising from the suspension of the power of governments are +intolerable; that, in order to conform as near as may be to the spirit +and substance of the charter, it be recommended to the provincial +convention to write letters to the inhabitants of the several places +entitled to representation in assembly, requesting them to choose such +representatives; and that the assembly, when chosen, do elect +counsellors; and that such assembly or council exercise the powers of +government, until a governor of his majesty’s appointment will consent +to govern the colony according to its charter. + +[June 10.] It was recommended to the united colonies to collect +salt-petre and sulphur, and to manufacture the same into gun-powder, for +the use of the continent. + +[June 14.] Congress agreed to the resolutions of the committee of the +whole house, “That six companies of expert riflemen be immediately +raised in Pennsylvania, two in Maryland, and two in Virginia; and that +each company, consisting of sixty-eight privates, beside officers, march +as soon as completed, and join the army near Boston, to be there +employed as light infantry.” + +[June 15.] They proceeded to choose by ballot a general to command all +the continental forces, and _George Washington_, esq. was unanimously +elected. + +[June 16.] The president informed him of the choice which the congress +had made, and of their requesting his acceptance of that employment. +Colonel Washington, standing in his place, answered, + + “Mr. _President_, + +“Though I am truly sensible of the high honor done me in this +appointment, yet I feel great distress from a consciousness, that my +abilities and military experience may not be equal to the extensive and +important trust. However, as the congress desire it, I will enter upon +the momentuous duty, and exert every power I possess in their service, +and for the support of the glorious cause. I beg they will accept my +most cordial thanks for this distinguished testimony of their +approbation. + +“But, lest some unlucky event should happen unfavorable to my +reputation, I beg it may be remembered by every gentleman in the room, +that I this day declare, with the utmost sincerity, I do not think +myself equal to the command I am honored with. + +“As to day, Sir, I beg leave to assure the congress, that as no +pecuniary consideration could have tempted me to accept this arduous +employment, at the expense of my domestic ease and happiness, I do not +wish to make any profit from it. I will keep an exact account of my +expences. Those, I doubt not they will discharge, and that is all I +desire.” + +The colonel did not aspire to the honor of commanding the army; he was +rather solicitous to avoid it, upon an apprehension of his inadequacy to +the importance of the service. The partiality of congress, however +assisted by a _political motive_, rendering his reasons unavailing; and +led him to “_launch into a wide and extensive field, too boundless for +his abilities, and far, very far beyond his experience_,” as his +prevailing modesty induced him to express himself. He is doubtless +active, attentive to business, temperate, humane, formed for gaining and +securing the affections of officers and soldiers, far from haughty and +supercilious, though naturally reserved, which is a quality that may +secure him from answering, without offending many improper questions, +that the New-Englanders will be likely to ask, for they are amazingly +addicted to inquisitiveness; this is greatly owing to the equality that +prevails among them, and leads them into those mutual freedoms, which +are censured in places where distinction in fortune and rank are far +more prevalent and disproportioned. The personal appearance of the +colonel is noble and engaging. He certainly possesses strong powers of +mind, which will tend much to supply in a short season, any present +deficiencies, that the want of more extensive reading, and of more +practical knowledge in military matters, may inevitably occasion. His +days have been spent in America, and he has had little opportunity of +seeing service. As you have already been informed, in 1755, he prevented +the total ruin of the British troops after general Braddock’s defeat, by +covering their retreat with his rangers; but he has never been +accustomed to the command of a regular regiment, to which is to be +imputed his saying to the volunteers he lately commanded in Virginia, +that a gun and a good sword or hanger was all the soldier wanted, +without mentioning a word of the bayonet—it was all that the ranger +wanted. When the last French war was closed, the cessions made to +Britain in these American regions, cut off all expectation of future +hostile armies in the country; and made the professed study of the arts +of war superfluous to a person inclined to the pleasure of a plantation. + +Though the late Rev. Mr. Davis, whom you well remember when at London, +inserted the following note in a sermon of his on some special occasion, +“I may point out to the public that heroic youth colonel Washington, +whom I cannot but hope Providence has hitherto preserved in so signal a +manner for some important service to his country;” yet as no human +knowledge could, at that period, fathom the events of the present day, +and as there was no evidence of its being in a degree prophetic, it can +be ascribed only to the admiration the author felt while contemplating +the character of the colonel. But his being a person of strict honor and +probity, was undoubtedly a main reason with congress for electing him to +the chief command of the American army. They are fully persuaded of his +patriotism, that it is not pretended; that he will not betray the cause +of the united colonies; that he will not lavish away those scanty +supplies, which call for the greatest œconomy; that he will never prey +upon the vitals of his country to enrich himself, nor countenance others +in doing it; that while he is entrusted with the power of the sword he +will pay a sacred regard to the civil rights of his fellow-subjects; and +that he will not add needless barbarity to the unavoidable horrors and +calamities of war. He does not understand French; the knowledge of which +many will view as an important accomplishment, especially should the +continuance of the present rupture make the aid of France hereafter a +desirable acquisition. But should the times ever induce French +adventurers to repair in shoals to head-quarters, he may bless his +ignorance for securing him from many impertinent, long, and tiresome +applications of military men, of no eminence and little worth, mere +soldiers of fortune, who are after rank and riches, both which the +united colonies should deal out with a parsimonious hand, in +accommodation to their own circumstances. He entered on the forty-fourth +year of his age the 11th of last February. You will wish to know the +_political motive_ which may have swayed colonel Washington. You must +not look for it in any supposed neglect on the part of the British +government, after he had done them such eminent service in covering the +retreat of the troops in 1755. This may be insinuated to lessen his +character. But did he even think himself slighted at the time, he would +scarce have remembered it, much less have harbored any resentment upon +the occasion, for twenty years together. The _political motive_ must +certainly have been of another nature. It was probably complex. A common +danger has united the colonies; but has not eradicated all the +jealousies that before existed among them. New-York, Pennsylvania, and +the colonies to the southward, have not such confidence in the +Massachusetts Bay, as to admit that one of their own natives should be +the commander in chief. There is too great a nationality among the +Bay-men; such a one might be unduly prejudiced in favor of his own +colony. Beside, colonel Washington and the other colonists were in +pursuit of an honorable accommodation, and had not the most distant +thought of separating from Great-Britain. They could not be certain, +whatever was the case at present, that the Massachusetts would not +shortly aim at a separation; it was then a matter of consequence who +headed the army. Whatever some of the Massachusetts delegates might wish +in their hearts, they perceived the necessity of accommodating +themselves to the inclinations of others at such a crisis; and hence the +unanimity with which colonel Washington has been elected; for though it +was by ballot, it was not without pre-concerted counsel. + +[June 17.] A draught of general Washington’s commission was agreed to, +and ordered to be fairly transcribed, signed, and delivered to him; +after which the congress declared, that they would maintain and assist, +and adhere to him, with their lives and fortunes, in the maintenance and +preservation of American liberty. They then proceeded to choose by +ballot, Artemas Ward, esq. first major-general, Horatio Gates +adjutant-general, and Charles Lee, esq. second major-general. Two days +after, they choose Philip Schuyler, esq. third major-general, and Israel +Putnam, esq. unanimously, fourth major-general. + +Having attended to the proceedings of the general congress down to the +choice of their first officers to command the continental army, let us +return to the Massachusetts. + +[June 15.] The committee of safety, having received various accounts of +the movements of general Gage’s army, and of his intention soon to make +an attempt to penetrate into the country, recommended to the congress +the ordering of all the militia to hold themselves in readiness to march +on the shortest notice; and to the council of war, the maintaining of +Bunker’s Hill by a sufficient force posted thereon, and the taking of +such steps respecting Dorchester Neck, as to them should appear to be +for the security of the colony. Bunker’s Hill is just at the entrance of +the peninsula of Charlestown, and is considerably high and large. + +[June 16.] Orders were issued, that a detachment of a thousand men, +under colonel Prescott, do march at evening, and entrench upon the hill. +By some mistake Breed’s Hill, high and large like the other, but +situated on the furthest part of the peninsula next to Boston, was +marked out for the entrenchment instead of Bunker’s. The provincials +proceeded therefore to Breed’s Hill; but were prevented going to work +till near twelve o’clock at night, when they pursued their business with +the utmost diligence and alacrity, so that by the dawn of day they had +thrown up a small redoubt, about eight rods square. Such was the +extraordinary silence which reigned among them, that they were not heard +by the British on board their vessels in the neighboring waters. The +sight of the works was the first notice that the Lively man of war had +of them, when the captain began firing upon them, about four in the +morning. The guns called the town of Boston, the camp, and the fleet, to +behold a novelty which was little expected. The prospect obliged the +British generals to alter the plan which they meant to execute the next +day. They grew weary of being cooped up in Boston; and had resolved upon +making themselves masters of Dorchester Heights, and securing the _elbow +room_ which general Burgoyne proposed enjoying. But the present +provincial movement prevented the expedition. They were now called to +attempt possessing themselves of _Breed_’s Hill; on which the +provincials continued working, notwithstanding a heavy fire from the +enemy’s ships, a number of floating batteries, and a fortification upon +_Copp_’s Hill in Boston, directly opposite to the little American +redoubt. It is called Copp’s Hill, though the original name was Cope’s +Hill, from the name of the first owner. An incessant shower of shot and +bombs was rained by the batteries upon the American works, and yet but +one man was killed. The Americans continued laboring indefatigably till +they had thrown up a small breast-work, extended from the east side of +the redoubt to the bottom of the hill, but were prevented completing it +by the intolerable fire of the enemy. By some unaccountable error, the +detachment which had been working for hours, was neither relieved nor +supplied with refreshment, but was left to engage under these +disadvantages. + +Between twelve and one o’clock, and the day exceeding hot, a number of +boats and barges, filled with regular troops from Boston, approach +Charlestown. The men are landed at Moreton’s Point. They consist of four +battalions, ten companies of the grenadiers, and ten of light infantry, +with a proportion of field artillery, but by some oversight their spare +cartridges are much too big for them, so that when the Americans are at +length forced from their lines, there is not a round of artillery +cartridges remaining. Major-general Howe and brigadier-general Pigot, +have the command. The troops form, and remain in that position till +joined by a second detachment of light infantry and grenadier companies, +a battalion of the land forces, and a battalion of marines, making in +the whole near upon 3000 men. Generals Clinton and Burgoyne take their +stand upon Copp’s Hill, to observe and contemplate the bloody and +destructive operations that are now commencing. The regulars form in two +lines, and advance deliberately, frequently halting, to give time for +the artillery to fire, but it is not well served. The light infantry are +directed to force the left point of the breast-work, and to take the +American line in flank. The grenadiers advance to attack in front, +supported by two battalions, while the left, under general Pigot, +inclines to the right of the American line. One or two of the +continental regiments had been posted in Charlestown; but afterward +removed to prevent their being cut off by a sudden attack; so that the +British are not hurt in the least by any musketry from thence, whatever +may hereafter be pretended; neither do generals Clinton and Burgoyne +perceive any[123] though properly stationed for observing all that +passes. General Gage had for some sime resolved upon burning the town, +when once any works were raised by the Americans upon the hills +belonging to it;[124] and while the British are advancing nearer and +nearer to the attack, orders come to Copp’s Hill for executing the +resolution; soon after a carcass is discharged, which sets fire to an +old house near the ferry way; the fire spreads, and most of the place is +instantly in flames. The houses at the eastern end of Charlestown are +fired by men landed from the boats. The regulars derive no advantage +from the smoke of the conflagration, for the wind suddenly shifting, +carries it another way, so that they have not the cover of it in their +approach. The provincials have not a rifleman among them, not one being +yet arrived from the southward; nor have they any rifle guns; they have +only common muskets, nor are these in general furnished with bayonets; +but then they are almost all marksmen, being accustomed to sporting of +one kind or other from their youth. A number of the Massachusetts troops +are in the redoubt and the part of the breast-work nearest it. The left +of the breast-work, and the open ground stretching beyond its point to +the water side, through which there has not been the opportunity of +carrying the work, is occupied partly by the Massachusetts forces, and +partly by the Connecticut, under capt. Nolton of Ashford, and the +New-Hampshire, under colonel Stark. + +By the direction of the officers, the troops upon the open ground pull +up the post and rail fence, and carrying it forward to another of the +same kind, and putting some newly mowed grass between them, form a +slight defence in some parts. General Warren joins the Massachusetts +forces in one place, and general Pomeroy in another. General Putnam is +busily engaged in aiding and encouraging, here and there as the case +requires. The provincials are impatiently waiting the attack of the +enemy. What scenes now offer to our view! Here, a large and noble town, +consisting of about 300 dwelling houses, and near upon 200 other +buildings, in one great blaze, burning with amazing fury, being chiefly +timber, with but little exception. The only place of worship, a large +commodious meeting house, by its aspiring steeple, forms a pyramid of +fire above the rest. There, in Boston, the steeples, houses, and +heights, are covered with the inhabitants, and those of the military, +whose duty does not call them elsewhere. Yonder, the hills around the +country, and the fields, that afford a safe and distinct view of the +momentous contest, are occupied by Americans of all ages and orders. The +British move on steadily, but slowly, instead of using a quick step; +which gives the provincials the advantage of taking surer and cooler +aim. These reserve their fire till the regulars come within ten or +twelve rods, when they began a furious discharge of small arms, by which +the enemy is arrested, and which they return for some time without +advancing a step. The stream of American fire is so incessant, and does +such execution, that the regulars retreat in disorder, and with great +precipitation toward the place of landing, and some seek refuge even in +their boats. The officers are seen by the spectators on the opposite +shore running down to them, using the most passionate gestures, and +pushing them forward with their swords. At length they are rallied; but +march with apparent reluctance up to the entrenchment. The Americans +again reserve their fire, till the enemy come within five or six rods; +then discharge their well directed pieces, and put them a second time to +flight. Such is the loss already sustained, that several of the officers +say, “It is downright butchery to lead the men on afresh against the +lines.” But British honor is at stake; these must therefore be carried. +General Howe and the officers double their exertions. General Clinton +perceiving how the army is staggered, passes over, without waiting for +orders, and joins them in time to be of service. The united and +strenuous efforts of the different officers are again successful, +notwithstanding the men discover an almost insuperable aversion to +renewing the attack. The Americans are in want of powder, send for a +supply, but can procure none; for there is but a barrel and a half in +the magazine. This deficiency disables them from making the same defence +as before; while the British reap a farther advantage by bringing some +cannon to bear so as to rake the inside of the breast-work from end to +end; upon which the provincials retreat within their fort. The regular +army now makes a decisive push. The fire from the ships and batteries +and field artillery is redoubled. The officers in the rear goad on the +soldiers, and the redoubt is attacked on three sides at once. The +provincials are of necessity ordered to retreat; but they delay, and +keep the enemy at bay for some time with the butt end of their muskets, +till the redoubt is half filled with regulars; the works of which are +easily mounted, a few hours only having been employed in throwing them +up. + +While these operations are going forward, at the breast-work and +redoubt, the light infantry are engaged in attempting to force the left +point of the former, through the space between that and the water, that +they may take the American line in flank. They exhibit repeated proofs +of undaunted courage; but the resistance they met with is as formidable +and fatal as what their fellow soldiers experienced in the other +quarter. Here the provincials also, by command, reserve their fire till +the enemy is near, and then pour in their shot upon the infantry with +such a true direction, and amazing success, as to mow them down in +ranks. Some of them are slightly guarded by the rail fences above +mentioned: but others are quite exposed, and more than is needful; and +the regulars will have no reason in future to charge them with fighting +unfairly, because of their using defences not formed by military rules +and workmen. The engagement between the two parties is kept up with +great resolution, but the well-aimed fire of the Americans does +astonishing execution; and the strenuous exertions of the regulars +cannot compel them to retreat, till they observe that their main body +has left the hill: when they give way but with more regularity than +could be expected from troops who had been no longer under discipline, +and in general never before saw an engagement. + +The courage and conduct of the provincials that opposed the light +infantry, saved their co-patriots, who were overpowered and obliged to +retreat from the fort; and who must otherwise have been cut off, as the +enemy, but for such opposition, would have been instantly upon the back +of the redoubt. While these brave men were retreating, general Warren +was shot in the back part of his head, on the right side:[125] having +mechanically clapt his hand to the wound, he dropt down dead. + +The retreat of the Americans lay over the Neck, which joined the +peninsula of Charlestown to the main land; and the Glasgow man of war +and two floating batteries were so stationed as to rake every part of it +with her shot, it was feared that they would be cut off after all, but +they retired with very little loss. The incessant fire kept up by the +ship and batteries across the Neck from the beginning of the engagement, +prevented any considerable reinforcements getting to the hill; but this +was owing more to the cowardice of some provincial officers than to the +execution of the shot. + +The number of Americans engaged, including those who dared to cross the +Neck and join them, amounted only to fifteen hundred; but the unengaged, +who appeared in various parts, did, by their different movements, lead +many of the Boston spectators to apprehend, at that distance, that they +consisted of some thousands. + +It was feared by the Americans, that the British troops would push the +advantage they had gained, and march immediately to head-quarters at +Cambridge, about two miles distant, and in no state of defence. But they +advanced no further than to Bunker’s Hill, of which they possessed +themselves the night of their retreat from Lexington; and here they +threw up works for their own security. The provincials did the same upon +Prospect Hill in front of them, about half way to Cambridge. The +apprehensions of each side in regard to the other appeared to be +similar. Both were guarding against an attack, in hopes of preventing +it. Had the resolution of either led on immediately to a fresh +engagement, the day would probably have been far more decisive. But the +loss of the peninsula damped the courage of the Americans, and the loss +of men depressed the spirits of the British. A veteran officer, who was +at the battles of Dittengen and Minden, and at several others in +Germany, has said, that for the time the engagement lasted, and the +number of men in it, he never knew any thing equal it. There was a +continued sheet of fire from the provincials for near half an hour, and +the action was hot for about double that period. In this short space, +the loss of the British, according to general Gage, amounted to 1054, of +whom 226 were killed, of these 19 were commissioned officers, including +a lieutenant-colonel, 2 majors, and 7 captains; 70 other officers were +wounded. Among those more generally regretted, were lieutenant-colonel +Abercrombie and major Pitcairn, who occasioned the first shedding of +blood at Lexington. The battle of Quebec, in the late war, with all its +glory, and the vastness of the consequences it produced, was not so +destructive to the British officers as this affair of an American +entrenchment, the work of only a few hours. Even at the battle of +Minden, where the British regiments sustained the force of the whole +French army for a considerable time, the number of officers killed, +including two who soon died of their wounds, was only 13, and the +wounded remaining 66; their whole loss in killed, was 291, in wounded +1037, together 1328.[126] That the officers suffered so, must be imputed +partly to their being aimed at by the Americans; and this may account +for most of those who were near the person of general Howe being slain +or disabled. It was a wonder that the general himself escaped. The men, +habituated to take sight, would naturally aim at the officers, without +expecting or waiting for orders, from an apprehension that much +confusion would follow upon their dropping. Gage’s account of the killed +and wounded is large, but does not equal by much, what has been given to +one of the select men of Boston, remaining in the town, by a sergeant +who declared he had seen the returns from the proper persons, the total +of which was 1325. The light infantry and grenadiers, the moment they +presented themselves, lost three-fourths of their men, and in a few +instances more. Of one company only three or five, and of another only +fourteen escaped. A number of tories served as volunteers, several of +whom were killed. The unexpected resistance of the Americans called +forth all the courage and exertions of the British officers, which did +not fail upon the occasion; but whatever commendations they are entitled +to upon that account, the Americans are certainly entitled to a proper +portion of the like, for having made the same necessary. These have now +wiped away the reproaches unjustly cast upon them by their enemies in +Britain. Let such praise the spirited conduct of general Howe and of +general Clinton, and attribute in a great measure the success of the day +to the firmness and gallantry of general Pigot; but let them no more +pronounce the colonists cowards, who will fly at the very sight of a +grenadier’s cap. The British, beside gaining the peninsula, took thirty +wounded prisoners, and five pieces of cannon out of six. + +The loss of the provincials has been trifling. The killed and dead of +their wounds, are 139; the wounded living, 278; and the missing 36, in +all 453. They deeply regret the deaths of major general Warren, of +colonel Gardner of Cambridge, of lieutenent-colonel Parker, of +Clemsford, who was wounded taken prisoner, and perished in Boston jail; +of major Moore and major M‘Clany, who were the only officers of +distinction that they lost. But the death of general Warren will be most +severely felt and occasions the greatest sorrow. His enemies bear +testimony to his importance, by triumphing at his fall, and rating it as +better to them than 500 men. Neither resentment nor interested views, +but a regard to the liberties of his country induced him to oppose the +measure of government. He stepped forward into public view, not that he +might be noted and admired for a patriotic spirit, but because he _was_ +a patriot. He was a gentleman of integrity, in whom the friends of +liberty could confide. The soundness of his judgment enabled him to give +good advice in private consultations. His powers of speech and reasoning +commanded respect and gained him influence in the provincial congress. +He aimed not at a separation from, but a coalition with Britain, upon a +full redress of grievances, and a reciprocal intercourse of interests +and affection. He was valued in private life for his engaging manners, +and as a physician for his professional abilities. The death of an +amiable consort had made his life of the greatest importance to his +children; he was willing however to risk it in the service of the +public. His intrepidity and zeal for the cause he had espoused, together +with the electing voice of the provincial congress, induced him to enter +upon the military line. Within four days after his appointment to a a +major-generalship, he fell a noble sacrifice to the natural rights of +mankind. He was of a middling size, and, of a lowish stature. The ladies +pronouced him handsome. + +The tories exulted upon the acquisition of the peninsula of Charlestown; +but the experienced officers in the British service thought the +advantage too dearly purchased, and their countenances became gloomy +upon the occasion. The reason for it has been increasing from the +frequent and multiplied deaths of the wounded. These have suffered +greatly for want of fresh provisions and other supplies, which the +country alone could furnish: many would have survived, had they been as +well nursed as the wounded Americans out of Boston, of whom but few have +died; with regard to the wounded prisoners in town, there are complaints +of their having been ill-treated. + +The burning of Charlestown, now a heap of ruins, though before the +present troubles, a place of great trade, has not had the least tendency +toward discouraging the provincials from prosecuting their opposition to +ministerial measures, whatever might have been the intention of general +Gage. It has not excited fear, but resentment, wrath and execration. +Such military executions may distress and impoverish, but will not +subdue the colonists. They might answer for the old world, but are not +calculated for the new. + +In the opinion of many, general Howe was chargeable with a capital error +for landing and attacking as he did. It might originate from too great a +confidence in the forces he commanded, and in too contemptuous an +opinion of the enemy he had to encounter. He certainly might have +entrapped the provincials by landing on the narrrowest part of +Charlestown Neck, under the fire of the floating batteries and ships of +war. Here he might have stationed and fortified his army, and kept up an +open communication with Boston by a water carriage, which he would have +commanded through the aid of the navy, on each side of the peninsula. +Had he attempted this manœuvre, the provincials on observing it must +have made a rapid retreat from Breed’s Hill, to have escaped having his +troops in their rear, and being inclosed. It is said that general +Clinton proposed it. The rejection of the proposal, if really made, has +greatly weakened the British army, and probably prevented the ruin of +the American. + +The colonists may regret, that general Howe conquered at Breed’s Hill; +but had the provincials driven him back into Boston it might have been +of far greater detriment to the common cause, than the present situation +of affairs. The Massachusetts colony would scarce have been easy under +the appointment of general Washington to the chief command, had general +Ward been crowned with the laurels of victory. The victory, as it +stands, will make the appointment go down easily, and prevent +objections. Not only so, but it has occasioned Gage’s dividing his army +to secure the conquest he has made. He has another post to maintain +which will employ so great a force, as to cramp his future operations. +Besides, had the British been driven back into Boston, they might have +removed to New-York, which would have answered their general design +better than remaining cooped up in their present position. In that city +and colony they would have had many more friends. There it is that the +ministry have their greatest influence. That would have been the +securest place for the troops, and where they might have procured those +supplies from the country which they are now deprived of. By early +reinforcements from Great-Britain, it might have been made so strong a +post, as to have commanded the North-river, and cut of the communication +between the colonies which that separates. + +The provincials have been indefatigable in throwing up works and +securing the most exposed parts of their lines, with strong redoubts, +covered with artillery. They had strangely neglected fortifying the +passage from the Neck to the post of Roxbury, and even the post itself: +but since the Breed’s Hill battle they have compensated for the defect; +and to make their defence the more perfect have pulled down a very good +house (on a point where the road coming from Boston divides) which was +built by governor Dudley, and to whose false politics many are ready to +ascribe the early origin of those designs which the ministry are now +endeavoring to accomplish. The ministerial army abound in military +stores and artillery, and are not sparing in throwing shells and +supporting a great cannonade upon the provincial works, especially at +Roxbury. It was terrifying at first to raw troops, who, not being +accustomed to, expected to suffer greatly by it. Some damage has been +done among the houses in the street, one or two have been burnt, and a +man or two killed. But the provincials stationed there have found by +experience, that tho’ the noise is great, the damage is trifling, and +therefore despise it. They are so hardened by repeated firing, that a +cannonading is no more minded than a common thunder shower. + +Breed’s Hill engagement excited fresh desires in the inhabitants of +Boston to leave the town. The select men had given repeated assurances +to general Gage, that they had delivered up their arms according to +agreement. In order to justify his detaining them [June 19.] he issued a +proclamation, in which he declared, that he had full proof of the +contrary, and that many had been perfidious in that respect, and had +secreted great numbers. Some few might secrete their sporting guns, or +curious arms. No doubt however is to be made, but that the greatest +part, or nearly all the training arms were delivered up. The impartial +world will scarcely acquit him of having been guilty of a notorious +breach of faith, even admitting his own plea. If individuals had not +complied with the proposal of delivering up their arms, yet as the +community had done it, the innocent were entitled to all the benefits of +the agreement. Numbers were afterward allowed to quit the town, but not +to take their effects, tho’ that was stipulated in the beginning; the +allowance, however, was thought to be owing to a desire of reducing the +consumption of provisions, when a scarcity was approaching. + +The day the proclamation appeared, the chiefs and warriors of the +_Oneida_ tribe of Indians, directed the following speech to governor +Trumbull, to be communicated by him to the four New-England provinces: + +“As my younger brothers of the New-England Indians, who have settled in +the vicinity, are now going down to visit their friends, and to move up +parts of their families that were left behind—with this belt, by them, I +open the road wide, clearing it of all obstacles, that they may visit +their friends and return to their settlements here in peace. + +“We Oneidas are induced to this measure on account of the disagreeable +situation of affairs that way; and we hope by the help of God, they may +return in peace. We earnestly recommend them to your charity through +their long journey. + +“Now we more immediately address you our brother, the governor, and the +chiefs of New-England. + +“Brothers!—We have heard of the unhappy differences and great contention +between you and Old England. We wonder greatly, and are troubled in our +minds. + +“Brothers! Possess your minds in peace respecting us Indians.—We cannot +intermeddle in this dispute between two brothers.—The quarrel seems to +be unnatural.—You are _two brothers of one blood_.—We are unwilling to +join on either side in such a contest, for we bear an equal affection to +both you Old and New-England.—Should the great king of England apply to +us for aid—we shall deny him.—If the colonies apply—we will refuse.—The +present situation of you two brothers, is new and strange to us.—We +Indians cannot find, nor recollect in the traditions of our ancestors, +the like case, or a similar instance. + +“Brothers!—For these reasons possess your minds in peace, and take no +umbrage that we Indians refuse joining in the contest.—We are for peace. + +“Brothers!—Was it an alien, a foreign nation, who had struck you, we +should look into the matter.—We hope through the wise government and +good pleasure of God, your distresses may be soon removed, and the dark +clouds be dispersed. + +“Brothers!—As we have declared for peace, we desire you will not apply +to our Indian brethren in New-England for assistance.—Let us Indians be +all of one mind, and live with one another; and you white people settle +your own disputes betwixt yourselves. + +“Brothers!—We have now declared our minds—please to write to us, that we +may know yours. We the sachems and warriors, and female governesses of +_Oneida_, send our love to you, brother governor, and all the other +chiefs in New-England.” + +Signed by _William Sunoghsis_, _Nicklasha Watshaleagh_, _William +Kanaghquaesea_, _Peter Thayeheare_, _Jimmy Tekayaheare Nickhis +Aghsenhare_, i. e. garter; _Thomas Yoghtanowea_, i.e. spreading the dew; +_Adam Ohonwano_, _Quedellis Agwerondongwas_, i. e. breaking of the +twigs; _Handereheks Tegahsweahdyen_, i. e. a belt (of wampum) extended; +_Johnko Skeanendo_, _Thomas Teondeatha_, i. e. a fallen tree. Above a +hundred years back, a sachem of a family which was becoming extinct, +adopted a numerous family, and to commemorate their own decay and +extinction, called the adopted _Teondeatha_, which name is perpetuated, +as are several of their family names. + +The speech was dated from _Kononwarohare_, i. e. a head erected on a +pole. + +My friend the Rev. Mr. Samuel Kirkland, a missionary among the Oneidas, +and who understands the language, interpreted and wrote the above. He +tells me, that the Indian names of men, rivers and places, have often +special meanings, alluding to events or qualities, as is much the case +in the Hebrew language. The Indians are very deliberate in their +speeches, often pausing, to engage a closer attention to what they +deliver. They have a prevailing species of politeness, frequently +wanting in the conversation of civilized Europeans, too apt to pronounce +them savages and barbarians. They give close attention to the person +addressing them. They do not interrupt him while speaking, but wait till +he has finished; and consider it as great rudeness to be interrupted. In +their councils every one is heard with patience in all that he has to +say; profound silence reigns among the audience, to the exclusion o£ all +disturbance, and there are no private confabulations + +The above Indian speech seems to refer to one which had been delivered +to the provincial congress eleven days before, by the Stockbridge +delegate, being the answer of the Indians dwelling there, to a message +of the former congress. This answer was—“Brothers! we have heard you +speak by your letter—we thank you for it—we now make answer. Brothers! +you remember when you first came over the great waters I was great and +you was little, very small. I then took you in for a friend, and kept +you under my arms, so that no one might injure you; since that time we +have ever been true friends; there has never been any quarrel between +us. But now our conditions are changed. You are become great and tall. +You reach to the clouds. You are seen all round the world. I am become +small, very little. I am not so high as your heel. Now you take care of +me, and I look to you for protection. Brothers! I am sorry to hear of +this great quarrel between you and Old England. It appears that blood +soon must be shed to end this quarrel. We never till this day understood +the foundation of this quarrel between you and the country you came +from. Brothers! Whenever I see your blood running, you will soon find me +about you to revenge my brother’s blood. Although I am low and very +small, I will gripe hold of your enemy’s heel, that he cannot run so +fast and so light as if he had nothing at his heels. + +“Brothers! You know I am not so wise as you are, therefore I ask your +advice in what I am now going to say—I have been thinking before you +come to action, to take a run to the westward, and feel the mind of my +Indian brethren the six nations, and know how they stand, whether they +are on your side or for your enemies. If I find they are against you, I +will try to turn their minds. I think they will listen to me, for they +have always looked this way for advice concerning all important news +that comes from the rising of the sun. If they hearken to me, you will +not be afraid of any danger from behind you. However their minds are +affected, you shall soon know by me.—Now I think I can do you more +service in this way, than by marching off immediately to Boston, and +staying there; it may be a great while before blood runs. Now as I said, +you are wiser than I, I leave this for your consideration, whether I +come down immediately or wait till I hear some blood is spilled. + +“Brothers! I would not have you think by this that we are falling back +from our engagements. We are ready to do any thing for your relief, and +shall be guided by your counsel. + +“Brothers! One thing I ask of you, if you send for me to fight, that you +will let me fight in my own Indian way. I am not used to fight English +fashion, therefore you must not expect I can train like your men. Only +point out to me where your enemies keep, and that is all I shall want to +know.” + +This speech was delivered the eleventh of April, 1775, by the chief +sachem of the _Moheakounuck_ tribe of Indians, residing at Stockbridge, +after sitting near two days in council. The provincial congress ordered +the following reply on the eighth of June, viz. + +“Brothers! We this day, by the delegate from Stockbridge, first heard of +your friendly answer to our speech to you by captain William Goodrich, +which answer we are told you made to us immediately by a letter, which +we have not yet received. We now reply. + +“Brothers! You say that you was once great, but that you are now little; +and that we were once little, but are now great. The supreme spirit +orders these things. Whether we are little or great, let us keep the +path of friendship clear which our fathers made, and in which we have +both travelled to this time. The friends of the wicked counsellors of +our king, fell upon us, and shed some blood soon after we spake to you +last by our letter. But we, with a small twig, killed so many, and +frightened them so much, that they have shut themselves up in our great +town called Boston, which they have made strong. We have now made our +hatchets, and all our instruments of war sharp and bright. All the chief +counsellors who live on this side the great water, are sitting in the +grand council-house in Philadelphia; when they give the word, we shall +all as one man fall on, and drive our enemies out of their strong fort, +and follow them till they shall take their hand out of our pouches, and +let us sit in our council-house, as we used to do, and as our father’s +did in old times. + +“Brothers! Though you are small, yet you are wise. Use your wisdom to +help us. If you think it best, go and smoke your pipe with your Indian +brothers toward the setting of the sun, and tell them of all you hear +and all you see; and let us know what their wise men say. If some of +your young men should have a mind to see what we are doing here, let +them come down and tarry among our warriors. We will provide for them +while they are here. + +“Brothers! When you have any trouble, come and tell it to us, and we +will help you.” + + To captain Solomon _Ahhaunnauwaumut_, chief sachem of the + _Moheakounuck_ Indians. + +[June 20.] the Massachusetts congress wrote to the several towns, that +the continental congress resolved on the 9th instant, “that no obedience +being due to the act of parliament for altering the charter of the +colony, &c.” and directed them to elect one or more freeholders to +represent them in a great and general court, to be held upon the 19th of +July, at Watertown. They also chose colonel Heath major-general, in the +place of the late general Warren. + +[June 22.] Before general Washington left Philadelphia, the continental +congress chose by ballot, eight brigadier-generals—Seth Pomeroy, esq. of +the Massachusetts colony, the first; Richard Montgomery, esq. of +New-York, the second; David Wooster, esq. of Connecticut, the third; +William Heath, esq. of the Massachusetts, the fourth; Joseph Spencer, +esq. of Connecticut, the fifth; John Thomas, esq. of the Massachusetts, +the sixth; John Sullivan, esq. of Hampshire, the seventh; and Nathaniel +Greene, esq. of Rhode-Island, the eighth; and resolved, that the +officers in the army should receive their new commissions through the +hands of the general. + +The same day they resolved, “That a sum not exceeding 2,000,000 of +Spanish milled dollars, be emitted by the congress, in bills of credit, +for the defence of America; and that THE TWELVE CONFEDERATED COLONIES +(thus they are termed) be pledged for the redemption of the bills.” This +is an expedient, without which they are not able to prosecute the +defence of America, as they have neither money nor revenues to recur to. +Some few of the delegates know, from what has happened in the northern +colonies, that the effects of a paper emission will be bad when it +becomes plentiful; has no stable fund for the speedy redemption of it; +and cannot be exchanged in the common intercourse of business for specie +or specie value. But the risk of smaller and personal evils must take +place rather than the total subversion of the rights of the united +colonies be endangered. No one delegate therefore opposed the present +expedient. As the news of Breed’s Hill battle had reached them by means +of a quick conveyance, they resolved, “That Pennsylvania raise two more +companies of riflemen, and that the whole eight be formed into a +battalion, to be commanded by such officers as shall be recommended by +the assembly or convention of said colony.” + +Measures being pursued in North-Carolina to defeat the American +association, they resolved [June 26.] “That it be recommended to all in +that colony, who wish well to the liberties of America, to associate for +the defence of American liberty, and to embody themselves as militia, +under proper officers; and that in case the assembly or convention of +that colony shall think it absolutely necessary for the support of the +American association and safety of that colony to raise a thousand men, +this congress will consider them as an American army, and provide for +their pay.” They have gone too far to recede from the use of force, and +so must employ it wherever wanted to secure their friends, till the +point in dispute with Great-Britain is settled. The zeal, activity, and +unanimity of those Pennsylvanians in general, whose principles admit of +hostile resistance, have superceded the necessity of such like +resolutions in respect to them. The Philadelphia militia have been +formed into three battalions for some time; and in the beginning of the +month these, consisting of 1500 men, an artillery company of 150, with +two twelve and four six pound brass field pieces; a troop of light +horse, several companies of light infantry, rangers, and riflemen, in +the whole about two thousand, marched to the common, and having joined +in brigade went through the manual exercise, firing and manœuvres (with +a dexterity scarcely to be expected from so short a practice) in the +presence of the members of the continental congress, and several +thousand spectators. A considerable number even of the quakers, have +joined in the military association of the city. There is one company +composed entirely of gentlemen belonging to the religious denomination +of people they are convinced that weapons of war may be lawfully +employed in defending their national rights and liberties, though they +are averse to all offensive operations to gratify ambition covetousness +or revenge. The Pennsylvanians are careful to order the militia of the +counties to be frequently exercised. The colony has put on the most +martial appearance. + +About the begining of June a committee of congress drew up a declaration +containing an offer to Great-Britain, “That the colonies would not only +continue to grant extraordinary aids in time of war, but also, if +allowed a free commerce, pay into the sinking fund such a sum annually +for one hundred years, as should be more than sufficient in that time, +if faithfully applied, to extinguish all the present debts of Britain. +Or, provided this was not accepted, that to remove the groundless +jealousy of Britain, that the colonies aimed at independence, and an +abolition of the navigation act which in truth they have never intended: +and also, to avoid all future disputes about the right of making that +and other acts for regulating their commerce for the general benefit +they would enter in a covenent with Britain, that she should fully +possess and exercise that right for one hundred years to come.” This +declaration was never entered upon the minutes of congress, for before +that could be done, they received the accout of the two restraining +acts, which proved its ruin.[127] + +They resolved, “That in case any agent of the ministry shall induce the +Indian tribes, or any of them, to commit actual hostilities against +these colonies, or enter into an offensive alliance with the British +troops, thereupon the colonies ought to avail themselves of an allience +with such Indian nations as will enter into the same, to oppose such +British troops and their Indian allies.” + +[July 2.] General Washington, accompanied by general Lee and other +gentlemen, arrived at Cambridge. A committee from the Massachusetts +congress repaired to Springfield, about a hundred miles from Boston, on +the way to Connecticut, there to receive them, and provide proper +escorts for them from thence to the army. They had been treated with the +highest honors in every place through which they passed; and been +escorted by large detachments of volunteers composed of gentlemen. The +general was addressed by the provincial congress of New-York as he came +along. They expressed their joy in his appointment; and toward the close +said, “We have the fullest assurances, that whenever this important +contest shall be decided by that fondest wish of each American soul, an +accomodation with our mother country, you will cheerfully rasign the +important deposit committed into your hands, and re-assume the character +of our worthiest citizen.” The general, after declaring his gratitude +for the regard shown him, added, “Be assured, that every exertion of my +worthy colleagues and myself, will be extended to the re-establishment +of peace and harmony, between the mother country and these colonies; as +to the fatal but necessary operations of war, when we assumed the +soldier, we did not lay aside the citizen and we shall most sincerely +rejoice with you, in that happy hour, when the establishment of American +liberty, on the most firm and solid foundations, shall enable us to +return to our private stations, in the bosom of a free, peaceful and +happy country.” Since his arrival he has been addressed in the most +affectionate and respectful manner by the Massachusetts congress. You +must have a recourse to the public prints for his whole answer, but take +the beginning for a specimen, “Gentlemen, your kind congratulations on +my appointment and arrival, demand my warmest acknowledgments and will +be ever retained in grateful remembrance. In exchanging the enjoyments +of domestic life for the duties of my present honorable but arduous +station, I only emulate the virtue and public spirit of the whole +province of Massachusetts Bay, which, with a firmness, and patriotism +without example in modern history, has sacrificed all the comforts of +social and political life, in support of the rights of mankind, and the +welfare of our common country. My highest ambition is, to be the happy +instrument of vindicating those rights, and to see this devoted province +again restored to peace, liberty, and safety.” This paragraph was +extremely gratifying to the persons to whom it was directed. + +The general began to give out the congressional commissions, but +suspended all further delivery when general Putnam had received his, +upon learning that the appointments so degraded general Thomas by +ranking him far below is juniors in office, that he could not with any +propriety continue in the army on that footing, but must decline serving +the country in a military capacity. The several generals regretted the +mistake, and wished to have the difficulty removed. Washington +acquainted the congress with it, upon which they appointed him first +brigadier-general, in the room of Seth Pomeroy, who had never acted +under his commission, and was too far advanced in life. + +General Green testified his regard for the commander in chief, by +addressing him on his appointment and arrival, and by declaring the +satisfaction he should feel in serving under his command. He was joined +in the address by the officers of his brigade. If other generals and +officers have done the like, it has not come to my knowledge. This +singular instance of respect must make a favorable and lasting +impression on the mind of general Washington. The general, after a +careful inspection, could not estimate the continental army at more than +14,500 men capable of duly, who had to defend an extent of at least +twelve miles. But such has been the precaution and guard exercised on +every side of Boston, that the regiment of light cavalry arrived there, +has not set foot beyond the garrison, and serves only to create new +wants, and to increase the inconveniencies of the people as well as of +the British army. The hay growing upon the islands, together with the +sheep and cattle remaining upon them, proved an object of necessary +attention:—but the continentals possessing a number of whale boats, and +being masters of the shores and inlets, were successful in burning, +destroying, or carrying off those essential articles of supply, +notwithstanding the number of British ships of war and armed vessels. + +[July 11.] A party of 500 continentals went at night from the Roxbury +camp, and getting into 65 whale boats, proceeded to Long-Island, and +brought off 15 of the enemy, about 20 head of cattle, and 100 sheep. The +next day [July 12.] they went again and burnt the hay, &c., when there +was considerable fighting between them and the British boats and +schooners. About six days after, a number burnt the light-house on an +island, nine miles below Boston, at the entrance of the harbour, though +a man of war lay within a mile of the place. + +Since the arrival of the continental generals, the regulations of the +camp have been greatly for the better. Before, there was little +emulation among the officers: and the soldiers were lazy, disorderly and +dirty. The freedom of which the New-Englanders have alway been +accustomed, makes them impatient of controul, and renders it extremely +difficult to establish that discipline so essential to troops, in order +to success. Discipline will not inspire cowards with courage, but it +will make them fight. The army has been thrown into three grand +divisions: general Ward commands the right wing at Roxbury; general Lee +the left at Prospect Hill; and the centre, in which is included a corps +de reserve, is commanded by general Washington. Adjutant-general Gates +has been of special service in arranging the army. His military skill in +those matters has supplied the want of it in others. The public cannot +be too thankful for this benefit. Every officer and private begins to +know his place and duty. Method and punctuality are growing into use, +and becoming habitual. The troops will shortly have the mechanism and +movements, as well as the name of an army. + +The continental lines are so strengthened, the number of redoubts and +mounted cannon so many, as to make an attack upon Cambridge, or a +penetration into the country that way impracticable. The British +according to the intelligence obtained from Boston, have lost by death, +including the slain, and those who died of their wounds near upon 2500, +since the nineteenth of April. + +General Washington acquainted congress, that the allowance of provisions +to the troops and the mode of delivering out, are different from what +has fallen within his experience, and must prove very wasteful and +expensive. The high pay of the soldiers,[128] which greatly exceeds that +of the British will make a more œconomical plan necessary. But the most +painful information he had to communicate, was that of the want of +powder. [August 13.] He discovered, that the whole stock of the army at +Roxbury, Cambridge, and the adjacent places, consisted but of ninety +barrels or thereabouts: that there were no more than 36 in the +Massachusetts magazine, which with the stock of New-Hampshire, +Rhode-Island and Connecticut, made but 9937lb. not more than nine rounds +a man. The continentals remained in this destitute condition for about a +fortnight or more, till the Jersey committee of Elizabeth-Town, upon +receiving the alarming news, sent on a few tons, which they were obliged +to do with the greatest privacy, lest the fears of their own people, had +it been known, should have stopt it for their own use, in case of an +emergency. During this interval, the scarcity of powder became a camp +talk; and a deserter carried the account of it to Boston. The British +dared not to rely upon the intelligence, having been so often deceived. +Beside, though they had met with unexpected proofs of American courage, +yet they could not believe the colonists possessed of such consummate +assurance, as to continue investing them, while so destitute of +ammunition. They rather suspected a deep laid plot to ensnare them. + +All the riflemen are arrived in camp. The congressional resolve, for +raising eight hundred, passed on the fourteenth of June, and on the +twenty second they agreed upon two additional companies of +Pennsylvanians. No orders were dispatched before the fourteenth, and the +expresses had to ride three or four hundred miles to the persons +directed to raise them. The men to the amount of 1430, were raised, +completely armed, most with their own rifles, and accoutred for the +field with such expedition as to join the army at Cambridge, one company +on the 25th of July, the rest on the 5th and 7th of August; all had +marched from four to seven hundred miles. The whole business was +performed in less than two months, without a farthing advanced from the +continental treasury. + +The present is a good time for relating what the congress have been +doing. + +[July 6.] They agreed to a _Declaration_ in behalf of the colonies, +_setting forth the causes and necessity of their taking up arms_. After +enumerating the injuries they had suffered, they reprobated the +principles of lord North’s conciliatory plan, without naming it, and +said, “Parliament adopted an insidious manœuver, calculated to divide +us, to establish a perpetual auction of taxations, where colony should +bid against colony, all of them uninformed what ransom would redeem +their lives.” They went on to mention the perfidy of general Gage in +breaking his agreement with the inhabitants of Boston—the wanton burning +of Charlestown, and a considerable number of houses in other places—the +seizure of their ships and vessels—the instigation of the Canadians and +Indians to fall upon them. They then said, “We are reduced to the +alternative of choosing an unconditional submission to the tyranny of +irritated ministers, or resistance by force. The latter is our choice. +We have counted the cost of this contest, and find nothing so dreadful +as voluntary slavery. Honor, justice, and humanity, forbid us tamely to +surrender that freedom which we received from our gallant ancestors, and +which our innocent posterity have a right to receive from us. We cannot +endure the infamy and guilt of resigning succeeding generations to that +wretchedness which inevitably awaits them, if we basely entail +hereditary bondage upon them.” + +“Our cause is just. Our union is perfect. Our internal resources are +great; and if necessary _foreign assistance_ is undoubtedly attainable.” +This intimation of _foreign assistance_, was not founded upon any +private information, but flowed solely from the persuasion that one or +more foreign powers will readily embrace the opportunity of a fixed +breach between Great-Britain and the colonies, to weaken the power of +the first by assisting the last. But that they might not by their +declaration, disquiet the minds of their friends and fellow-subjects, +congress assured them, that they meant not to dissolve that union which +had so long and so happily subsisted between them and Britain. They +concluded thus, “With an humble confidence in the mercies of the supreme +and impartial Judge and Ruler of the universe, we most devoutly implore +his divine goodness to protect us happily through this great conflict, +to dispose our adversaries to reconciliation on reasonable terms, and +thereby to relieve the empire from the calamities of civil war.” + +The declaration of congress has been read with religious solemnity by +the chaplains, to the different bodies of the American army about +Boston, and received with loud acclamations by the troops, and the +numerous spectators who were present upon the occasion. The same day +that congress agreed upon the declaration, they resolved upon a letter +of thanks to the lord mayor, aldermen, and livery of the city of London, +for their virtuous and spirited opposition to the oppressive and ruinous +system of colony administration adopted by the British ministry. + +[July 8.] The petition to the king being ready, it was signed by the +members present. It is a decent, dutiful, and truly filial petition, and +deserves to be written in letters of gold, for the sentiments it +breathes toward the parent state. Had money been wanting to have +purchased it, it would have been wisdom to have bought it at any price. +If properly received, it may be made the basis of an internal compact +between Great-Britain and her American colonies, which may to all ages +bid defiance to the intrigues of France, and the murmurs of rotten +hearted men, either in Britain or America. The sincerity of it may be +called into question by the ministry. Let them put the sincerity of it +to the test, by promoting a compliance with the contents, and so +over-reach those individual delegates who may wish a continuance of the +present quarrel. The colonies, as yet, desire no more than a redress of +grievances, and security against a repetition of them. They most +ardently long for a firm and indissoluble union with the parent state, +upon these grounds. Thus it is with the army. It is the wish of general +Washington particularly, and such is its reasonableness, that he hopes +and expects that the contest will be shortly terminated, so as to admit +of his eating his next Christmas dinner at his own delightful residence +on _Mount Vernon_. + +The same day the congress agreed to an _Address to the inhabitants of_ +Great-Britain—In it they said, “We have again presented an humble and +dutiful petition to our sovereign; and to remove every imputation of +obstinacy, have requested his majesty to direct some mode by which the +united applications of his faithful colonists may be improved into a +happy and permanent reconciliation. We are willing to treat on such +terms as can alone render an accommodation lasting; and we flatter +ourselves that our pacific endeavors will be attended with a removal of +ministerial troops, and a repeal of those laws, of the operation of +which we complain, on the one part, and a disbanding of our army, and a +dissolution of our commercial associations, on the other.” They, after +that, insinuated the danger the inhabitants of Britain would be in of +losing their freedom, in case their American brethren were subdued. The +address is intended to conciliate the minds of the inhabitants of +Britain to the measures that the colonists have already taken, or may be +obliged further to take, and to obtain the countenance of the former. + +The petition to the king, the address to the inhabitants of +Great-Britain, and the letter to the lord mayor, &c. were ordered to be +sent under cover to Richard Penn, esq. whom the president was to +request, in behalf of the congress, to join with the colony agents in +presenting the petition to the king. Mr. Penn sailed four days after +this order, for England. + +[July 12.] The congress agreed upon appointing commissioners to +superintend Indian affairs in behalf of the colonies.—Proper talks to +the Indians were ordered to be prepared, which were reported the next +day [July 13.] and accepted. + +[July 18.] The congress resolved to recommend to all able-bodied +effective men in each colony, between sixteen and fifty, immediately to +form themselves into regular companies of militia; to acquire military +skill, and to be well prepared for defence; and that a fourth part of +the militia in every colony be selected for minute-men, and be ready to +march wherever their assistance may be required. It was earnestly +recommended to those who could not conscientiously bear arms in any case +to contribute liberally to the relief of their distressed brethren, and +to do all other services to their oppressed country, which they could +consistently with their religious principles. They also proposed that +each colony should appoint a committee of safety, to direct all matters +necessary for the security of their respective colonies, in the recess +of their assemblies and conventions; and should make such provision, by +armed vessels or otherwise, as might be judged expedient for the +protection of their harbours and navigation on their sea-coasts, against +all hostile cutters and ships of war. + +[July 20.] This being the day appointed for the continental fast, +congress agreed to meet, and go in a body to divine service both parts +of the day. They requested Mr. _Duche_ to preach before them in the +morning, and Dr. _Allison_ in the afternoon. But before the service, +they met time enough to read some dispatches brought by express from +general Schuyler, and a letter from the convention of Georgia, setting +forth that the colony had acceded to the general association, and +appointed delegates to attend the congress. + +The day was kept at Philadelphia as the most solemn fast ever held in +that city. It was religiously observed throughout the united colonies. +The united synod of New-York and Philadelphia had published a pastoral +letter some time before; it was read on that day in the churches under +their care, which are very numerous. They said in it, “As the whole +continent, with hardly any exception, seem determined to defend their +rights by force of arms, it becomes the peculiar duty of those who +profess a willingness to hazard their lives in the cause of liberty, to +be prepared for death, which to many must be a certain, and to every one +is a possible or probable event. It is well known to you (otherwise it +would be impudent thus publicly to profess) that we have not been +instrumental in inflaming the minds of the people, or urging them to +acts of violence and disorder. Perhaps no instance can be given, on so +interesting a subject, in which political sentiments have been so long +and so fully kept from the pulpit, and even malice itself has not +charged us with laboring from the press; but things are now come to such +a height, that we do not wish to conceal our opinions as men. Suffer us +therefore to exhort you, by assuring you, that there is no army so +formidable as those who are superior to the fear of death. Let, +therefore, every one who, from generosity of spirit, or benevolence of +heart, offers himself as a champion in his country’s cause, be persuaded +to reverence the _Lord of Hosts_, and walk in the fear of the _Prince of +the kings of the earth_, and then he may, with the most unshaken +firmness, expect the issue either in death or victory.” + +After several other exhortations, they offered six advices, in substance +as follows: 1st, Let every opportunity be taken to express your +attachment to king George and the revolution principles. We recommend +esteem and reverence for the person of the prince, who has probably been +misled into the late and present measures by those about him; neither +have we any doubt, that they themselves have been in a great degree +deceived by false information from interested persons residing in +America.—2dly, Be careful to maintain the union which at present +subsists in all the colonies, on which the success of every measure +depends.—3dly, We earnestly beseech all societies to watch over their +members, and discourage luxury of living, public diversions, and gaming +of all kinds.—4thly, We recommend a regard to public order and peace; +that all persons conscientiously pay their debts, and to the utmost of +their power serve one another, so that the evils inseparable from a +civil war may not be augmented by wantonness and irregularity.—5thly, We +recommend to all ranks, but particularly to those who may be called to +action, a spirit of humanity and mercy. We recommend that meekness and +gentleness of spirit which is the noblest attendant on true valor. That +man will fight most bravely, who never fights but when it is necessary, +and who ceases to fight as soon as the necessity is over.—Lastly, We +would recommend to all societies, not to content themselves with +attending devoutly on fasts, but to continue habitually in prayer, and +to have frequent voluntary meetings for solemn intercession with God on +the important trial.” + +The accession of Georgia, was owing much to the exertions of the +reverend Dr. Zubly; who roused the attention of many in the province to +the alarming situation of American affairs; so that at length a general +election was held for delegates to set in provincial congress. They met +on the fourth of July in Savannah: and requested the governor to appoint +a day of fasting and prayer throughout the province, that a happy +reconciliation might soon take place between America and the parent +state, and that, under the auspicious reign of his majesty and his +descendants, both countries might remain united, virtuous, free and +happy, till time should be no more. His excellency James Wright +consented, as the request was expressed in such loyal and dutiful terms, +and the ends proposed such as every good man most ardently wished. They +chose the reverend Dr. Zubly, and four others, delegates to represent +the province in the continental congress; and at once entered into all +the spirit of the resolutions formed by the other colonies, and adopted +similar. They declared, that, though their province was not included in +the late restraining bill, they considered that circumstance rather as +an insult than a favor, as being meant to break the union of the +provinces, as being grounded on the supposition, that the inhabitants of +the excepted province could be base enough to turn the oppression of +America into a mean advantage. They also agreed upon an humble address +and representation to his majesty, which as it was not deficient in a +certain freshness of colouring, had the appearance of novelty. + +[July 25.] The congress agreed in an address to the assembly of Jamaica: +and in it said, “We receive uncommon pleasure from observing the +principles of our righteous opposition distinguished by your +approbation. We feel the warmest gratitude for your pathetic mediation +in our behalf with the crown. The peculiar situation of your island +forbids your assistance. But we having your good wishes to the friends +of liberty and mankind, shall always derive consolation.” + +They also resolved, That a body of forces, not exceeding five thousand, +be kept up in the New-York department:—and that a further sum of one +million Spanish milled dollars, be struck in bills of thirty dollars +each. + +[July 26.] They established a post-office, to reach from Falmouth, in +New-England, to Savannah, in Georgia; and then unanimously elected +Benjamin Franklin, esq. post-master general. + +[July 27.] They proceeded to the establishment of an hospital for an +army of 20,000 men; and elected Benjamin Church, to be director of and +physician in it. + +[July 28.] They agreed to an address to the people of Ireland, and in it +furnished them with a true state of the colonial motives and objects, +the better to enable them to judge of the conduct of the colonists with +accuracy, and to determine the merits of the controversy with +impartiality and precision. They then anticipated the golden period, +when liberty, with all the gentle arts of peace and humanity, should +establish her mild dominion in the western world, and erect eternal +monuments to the memory of those virtuous patriots and martyrs, who +shall have fought and bled, and suffered in her cause. Toward the close +the language is, “Accept our most greatful acknowledgments for the +friendly disposition you have always shown toward us.—We know that you +are not without your grievances—We sympathize with you in your distress, +and are pleased to find that the design of subjugating us, has persuaded +administration to dispense to _Ireland_ some vagrant rays of ministerial +sunshine.—Even the tender mercies of government have long been cruel +toward you.—In the rich pastures of Ireland, many hungry parricides have +fed, and grown strong to labour in its destruction.” In the body of it, +a shaft is elegantly pointed at one of the British generals.—“_America_ +is amazed to find the name of _Howe_ in the catalogue of her +enemies:—she loved his brother.” The former lord _Howe_ fell by the shot +of a French Indian, after landing on the left toward the bottom of Lake +George, and while heading his corps and marching under the command of +general Abercrombie, to attack Tyconderoga. The Massachusetts assembly, +to express their affection and strong sense of his worthy character, had +a monument erected to his memory in Westminster-abby. + +[July 29.] The quotas of the several colonies toward the common expence +was settled, for the present, subject to a future revision and +correction. + +[July 31.] The assemblies of New-Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia, +having referred to the congress the resolution of the house of commons, +comprehending lord North’s conciliatory plan, they expressed their +opinion upon it, to the following purpose, viz. “The colonies are +entitled to the sole and exclusive privilege of giving and granting +their own money. As they possess a right of appropriating their gifts, +so are they entitled at all times to inquire into their application. +This privilege of giving or withholding their monies, is an important +barrier against the undue exertion of prerogative. + +“The proposition contained in the resolution is unreasonable and +insidious: _unreasonable_, because, if we declare we accede to it, we +declare without reservation, we will purchase the favor of parliament, +not knowing at the same time at what price they will please to estimate +their favor; it is _insidious_, because individual colonies, having bid +and bidden again, till they find the avidity of the seller too great for +all their powers to satisfy, are then to return into opposition, divided +from their sister colonies, whom the minister will have previously +detached by a grant of easier terms, or by an artful procrastination of +a definitive answer. The suspension of the exercise of their pretended +power of taxation being expressly made commensurate with the continuance +of our gifts, these must be perpetual to make that so. The proposition +is altogether unsatisfactory, because it imports only a suspension of +the mode, not a renunciation of the pretended right to tax us; because +too, it does not propose to repeal the several acts of parliament +complained of as grievances. + +“Upon the whole, this proposition seems to have been held up to the +world, to deceive it into a belief that there was nothing in dispute +between us, but the mode of levying taxes; and that the parliament +having now been so good as to give up this, the colonies are +unreasonable if not perfectly satisfied: whereas, in truth, our +adversaries still claim a right of demanding _ad libitum_, and of taxing +us themselves to the full amount of their demand, if we do not comply +with it. This leaves us without any thing we can call property.” + +Congress had reprobated the conciliatory plan in their address to the +British inhabitants; but now they discussed it fully, and exposed its +futility. The next day, August the first, they adjourned to Tuesday the +fifth of September. + +The declaration of congress, their petition to the king, their address +to the inhabitants of Great-Britain, the other to the people of Ireland, +and their opinion upon the resolution of the house of commons, must +evidence to the world, that they have men of the first abilities among +them, whose writings will vie with the public declarations and acts of +any powers, on the greatest occasions, in respect to art, address and +execution. + +When you consider the variety of climates, soils, religions, civil +governments, commercial interests, &c. which were represented in the +former congress, and the late session of the present; and the various +occupations, educations and characters of the gentleman who composed +them; you will judge, that the general harmony and unanimity which +prevailed in them, is scarcely to be paralleled. At the revolution, such +mighty questions as, “Whether is the throne vacant or not? Whether shall +the prince of Orange be king or not?” were determined in the convention +parliament, by small majorities—the last question by two only. The great +majorities, the almost unanimity, with which most capital questions have +been decided in the continental congress, will be considered by numbers +in no other light than as the happiest omens; or rather as providential +dispensations in favor of the colonies; as well as the clearest +demonstrations of their cordial, firm, radical, and indissoluble union. + +The adjournment of congress affords the delegates the best means of +consulting with their constituents, as to what further measures it may +be necessary to adopt: as also certain individuals who may look forward +to independency, a much more favorable opportunity of ripening their +designs by private, personal intercourse with special confidents, than +can be enjoyed by an epistolary correspondence. By well-timed hints, +they may scatter those sentimental seeds, which shall at length produce +events not at present suspected even by the persons attending to such +hints. + +The Georgia delegates did not come on, and join the congress before the +session was closed. + +The inhabitants of South-Carolina were so zealous, and the alarm spread +by the Lexington engagement so extensive through the colony, that 172 +members met in provincial congress, [June 1.] agreeable to the summons +issued three and twenty days before by the general committee. + +[June 2.] They unanimously resolved, that an association was necessary, +which was drawn up and signed by their president Henry Laurens, esq. and +all the members present. In it they declared—“Thoroughly convinced that, +under our present distressed circumstances, we shall be justified before +God and man, in resisting force by force, we do unite ourselves under +every tie of religion and honor, and associate as a band in the defence +of an injured country against every foe—hereby solemnly engaging, that, +whenever our continental or provincial councils shall decree it +necessary, we will go fourth, and be ready to sacrifice our lives and +fortunes to secure her freedom and safety. This obligation to continue +in full force until a reconciliation shall take place between +Great-Britain and America, upon constitutional principles—an event which +we most heartily desire. And we will hold all those persons inimical to +the liberty of the colonies who shall refuse to subscribe this +association.” This was afterward prettly generally subscribed by the +inhabitants. + +[June 5.] It was resolved to raise two regiments of foot, and a regiment +of rangers; and to put the town and province in a respectable posture of +defence. The provincial congress were sensible that the expences would +be great. But it was the language there, as well as in the other +colonies, among the friends to freedom, “_We will freely give up half, +or even the whole of our fortunes to secure our liberties_.” Bills of +credit were struck, which, through the consent and enthusiasm of the +people, supplied the present emergency. + +So great was the military order among the gentlemen, that candidates for +commissions were four times more than could be employed; and in the +number were many of the first families and fortunes. The militia +officers resigned their commissions under the governor, and by their own +consent were subjected to the orders of the provincial congress. + +Thus the popular leaders, in a few weeks, had an army and treasury at +their command. Thirteen gentlemen were chosen a council of safety. + +While this congress was setting, lord William Campbell, governor of the +province, arrived, and was received with all the demonstrations of joy +usual on similar occasions. + +[June 12.] The congress waited on him with an address, in which they +disclosed to him the true causes of their present proceedings; and +declared, that no love of innovation, no desire of altering the +constitution of government, no lust of independence, had the least +influence upon their councils; but that they had been impelled to +associate and take up arms, solely for the preservation, and in defence +of their lives, liberties and properties. They entreated his excellency +to make such a representation of the state of the colony, and of their +true motives, as to assure his majesty, that he had no subjects who more +sincerely desired to testify their loyalty and affection, or would be +more willing to devote their lives and fortunes in his real service. His +lordship returned a very mild and prudent answer. + +[June 22.] They adjourned, having first delegated a great part of their +authority to the council of safety and the general committee; the former +of which is in the nature of an executive, and the latter of a +legislative authority. It was particularly recommended to the general +committee, to take effectual methods to have the association signed +through the province, and to demand from the non-subscribers the reasons +of their refusal. + +The non-subscribers have been advertised as inimical to the liberties of +America, and all intercourse between them and the associators +interdicted. An oath of neutrality has been required of all, to which +some have agreed; others refusing have been disarmed; and a few, who +would not enter into any engagements for the public security, have been +confined to their houses and plantations. + +In these kinds of interesting civil broils, matters are generally +carried to an excess, and policy often tramples upon truth and justice. +Among the non-subsribers, there may have been several real friends to +the liberties of America, who could not in conscience subscribe the +association. + +The South-Carolinians, having agreed upon a military opposition, were +resolved to defend Charlestown to the last extremity; and yet the whole +quantity of powder in the colony did not exceed three thousand pounds. A +military opposition, not being originally designed or expected by them +any more than by the people of the other colonies, there was the like +inattention as elsewhere, in regard to the providing of stores. Reduced +now to the alternative of fighting or submitting, they took +extraordinary methods to obtain a supply. The inhabitants of +East-Florida, having never joined in measures of opposition to Britain, +the ports of that province were open for the purposes of trade. + +Twelve persons, therefore, authorised by the council of safety, sailed +from Charlestown for that coast; and by surprise, boarded a vessel near +the bar of St. Augustine, though twelve British grenadiers, of the 14th +regiment, were on board. They took out fifteen thousand pounds of +powder, for which they gave a bill of exchange to the captain; and +having secured a safe retreat to themselves, steered for Beaufort, and +from thence by an inland navigation escaped their pursuers, and got safe +to Charlestown. + +North-Carolina was no less spirited than South. The militia were arrayed +and exercised, and other measures taken to support whatever opposition +they might be called to make against the British adherents. Governor +Martin was equally vigorous, though not equally successful. He expected, +by means of the back settlers, Scotch inhabitants, and Highland +emigrants, to have made a stand against the patriotic party, and +therefore took pains to fortify his palace at Newbern; but before it +could be effected, his attempting to move the palace guns, alarmed the +committee of the place; who, at the head of a body of armed men, +interposed, seized and carried off six pieces of artillery, which lay +behind the palace. This occasioned the governor’s making a precipitate +flight to Fort Johnson on Cape-Fear river. The people, apprehensive that +he would strengthen, and prepare it for the reception of a force to be +employed in reducing the colony, and concluding, that he would encourage +the slaves to revolt, in case of the failure of all other means to +maintain the king’s government; collected at Wilmington under colonel +Ashe, who had resigned his governmental commission, [July 17.] and +accepted one from popular authority. The colonel designed removing the +king’s artillery from the fort; but the cannon and stores were secured +in time, by order of the governor, who retired on board the king’s sloop +the Cruiser. + +[July 18.] Colonel Ashe, in the dead of the night, entered the fort, +fired it, and reduced the houses and buildings to ashes. The next day he +compleated the destruction of its wooden defences, to which the fire had +not extended; and burnt the houses, and desolated every thing in the +neighborhood of the place, that so they might prove of no benefit to the +governor. + +The Newbern committee apprehending he means to erect the king’s +standard, and to commence hostilities, have resolved “That no person or +persons whatsoever have any correspondence with him, on pain of peing +deemed enemies to the liberties of America, and dealt with accordingly.” +Persons, throughout the united colonies, dread being advertised for +_enemies to the liberties of America_. + +In treating of Virginia, we must go back to captain Henry’s advancing +with his volunteers toward Williamsburgh. The alarm it occasioned, put +lord Dunmore upon converting his palace into a garrison, fortifying it +in the best manner he could, and surrounding it with artillery. From +thence he issued a proclamation, charging Mr. Henry and his followers +with rebellious practices, and attributing the present commotions to +disaffection in the people, and a desire of changing the established +form of government; which served only to increase the discontent. On the +other hand, the Virginians, in their county meetings, applauded Mr. +Henry’s conduct; and insisted, that they wanted nothing but to preserve +their ancient constitution, and only opposed innovations. The +disturbances they charged to the governor’s late conduct. The +discontents of the people were increased by some procured copies of +letters from his lordship to the minister of the American department, +and which were severely censured as containing not only unfavorable, but +unfair and unjust representations, as well of facts, as of the temper +and disposition of the colony. + +In this state of disorder, on the arrival of dispatches from +Great-Britain, the house of burgesses was suddenly and unexpectedly +convened by the governor, [June 1.] The grand motive for it was to +procure their approbation of lord North’s concilitary plan; accordingly +in his speech he used the utmost address to carry this point. + +The first act however of the house, was the appointment of a committee +to inquire into the causes of the late disturbances, and particularly to +examine the state of the magazine, that measures might be taken for its +replenishment. Means having been contrived by his lordship’s order for +securing the magazine, and notice having been given of spring guns being +prepared, some inconsiderate young men attempted to furnish themselves +with arms out of it, and one of them was wounded. The mode of defending +the magazine by spring guns, and the unfortunate accident, irritated the +minds of many, who were joined by others. A great concourse of people, +from different parts, assembled, and though the house was sitting, broke +open the magazine, and took away many of the arms. Some of the members, +hearing what was going forward, repaired to the magazine, and though not +in time to prevent its being forced open, by remonstrating with all the +people they met against such proceedings, prevailed with them to return +the arms. The keys of the magazine were afterwards delivered to the +committee of the house, by his lordship’s order; who, upon examination, +found most of the remaining powder buried in the magazine yard, where it +suffered considerable damage by the rain; the muskets were deprived of +their locks; and the magazine was naked and insufficient in all +respects. + +[June 7.] An account was brought into Williamsburgh, that captain +Collins of the Magdalen, had slipped his cables, and was come up the +river with a number of boats, containing a hundred men at least, +intended to be marched into the city. Upon this report a number of +people assembled under arms, that they might defend the city and its +inhabitants, in case any thing hostile should be attempted. Upon hearing +what his lordship had said to the council, they retired peaceably and +quietly, without any disturbance. However, their readiness to assemble +under arms upon reports, without waiting to know whether they were true +or false, made such an impression upon the governor’s mind that he with +his lady and family quitted the place, early in the morning of July 8, +proceeded to York-town, and went on board the Fowey man of war. He had +the honor of being the first governor,[129] who thinks it necessary to +quit his government, and take refuge on board his majesty’s fleet: +though in his letter of May the first, he held out to ministry his hope, +that with a supply of arms and ammunition, he should be able to collect +from among Indians, negroes, and other persons, a sufficient force to +defend government. He left a message for the house of burgesses, +acquainting them, that both himself and family were in constant danger +through the fury of the people; that he hoped they would proceed in the +business before them; and that he should attend as usual to the duties +of his office, and was disposed to restore the harmony, which had been +so unhappily interrupted. + +[June 9.] The message produced a joint address from the council and +house, declaring that they would cheerfully concur in any measure he +should propose for the security of himself and family; observing how +impracticable it would be to carry on business at such a distance, and +intreating his return with his lady and family to the palace, as what +would also afford great public satisfaction, and be the likeliest means +of quieting the minds of the people. + +[June 10.] His lordship returned a written answer, in which he justified +his apprehensions of danger, and specified several charges against the +house of burgesses. It contained many other matters tending to irritate; +but concluded with mollifying terms, by no means equal, however, to the +removal of the acrimony excited by the preceding severe charges and +implications. It soon produced a reply, of an uncommon length, under the +form of an address. The address comprehended the substance of the report +of the committee, appointed by the house of burgesses when they first +met; and was fraught with all the bitterness of recrimination, as well +as with defensive arguments, and an examination of facts. And yet the +terms in which it was expressed, were as respectful as possible, and of +a nature suited to the representative of their sovereign, and to their +own dignity. When upon his lordship’s letter to the earl of Dartmouth, +they replied to his assertion, “_not a few did join_ (in what he was +pleased to call an _opprobrious measure_) _to avoid paying their debts, +in which many of the principal people here are much involved_.” “We can +only answer for ourselves in the negative; and must consider so +indiscriminate a charge as extremely injurious.” It is well known, that +many not only in Virginia, but in every other colony, were deeply +indebted to British creditors; and it many be admitted, that several of +the number became professedly zealous patriots for American liberty, +with a view either of escaping or of delaying the payment of their just +debts. However to infer from thence that the great body of popular +leaders in the present dispute, were or are actuated by such a motive, +would be highly culpable. All the supporters of a good cause should be +influenced by principles that are unexceptionable; but the state of +mankind forbids the expectation of so desirable an event. + +The report of the committee asserted, that a general tranquility +prevailed previous to the affair of the powder, and the governor’s +declaration about freeing the slaves; that the people had no design or +wish after an independency of Great-Britain; that they had a most eager +desire for such a connection as existed before the late acts of +parliament; and that a redress of grievances would immediately establish +tranquility, and be productive of a reconciliation with the parent +state. + +[July 14.] The house of burgesses presented their address in answer to +the governor’s speech; in which they said of lord North’s conciliatory +motion, “We examined it minutely; we viewed it in every point of light +in which we were able to place it, and, with pain and disappointment, we +must ultimately declare, it only changes the form of oppression, without +lightening its burden.” They close with these expressive words—“We have +decently remonstrated with parliament; they have added new injuries to +the old. We have wearied our king with supplications; he has not deigned +to answer us. We have appealed to the native honor and justice of the +British nation: their efforts in our favor have beer hitherto +ineffectual. What then remains to be done? That we commit our injuries +to the even-handed justice of that Being who doth no wrong; earnestly +beseeching him to illuminate the councils, and prosper the endeavors of +those to whom America hath confided her hopes, that, through their wise +direction, we may again see re-united, the blessings of liberty and +property, and the most permanent harmony with Great-Britain.” The body +of the address contains this remark, “Lord Chatham’s bill on the one +hand, and the terms of the congress on the other, would have formed a +basis for negociation, which a spirit of accommodation, on both sides, +might herhaps have reconciled.” + +Every day afforded new ground for bickering, and every incident fresh +room for altercation between the governor and the house of burgesses. At +length the necessary bills having passed the house, and the advanced +season requiring the attendance of the members in their several +counties, the council and burgesses jointly intreated the governor’s +presence to give his assent to them and finish the session. After +messages to and fro, his lordship declined meeting them at the capital, +though they pledged their honor and every thing sacred for his security; +but he informed them, that he would be ready to receive them at his +present residence. This answer put an end to all public correspondence +between the governor and the colony. The burgesses passed resolutions, +declaring, that the message requiring them to attend him on board a ship +of war, was a high breach of their rights and privileges; that they had +reason to fear a dangerous attack might be meditated against the unhappy +people of the colony; and that it was therefore their opinion, that they +should prepare for the preservation of their property, and their +inestimable rights and privileges. They then made strong professions of +loyalty to the king, and amity to the mother country, and adjourned +themselves to October. + +[July 18.] A convention of delegates was appointed to supply the place +of the house of burgesses, who, having an unlimited confidence reposed +in them by the people, became accordingly possessed of an unlimited +power in all public affairs. They also formed themselves into a +committee to take into consideration the state of the colony; and the +next day resolved [July 19.] that a sufficient armed force be +immediately raised and embodied for its defence and protection. + +Nothing more need be said of the Delaware counties, than that they +remain firm to the cause they have espoused. + +[July 26.] The Maryland convention met at Annapolis, and unanimously +resolved upon an association, to be signed by the members, and by all +other the freemen of the province. They said, “We do unite as one band, +and solemnly pledge ourselves to each other, and to America, that we +will, to the utmost of our power, support the present opposition +carrying on, as well by arms as by the continental association, +restraining our commerce.” They also resolved, “That there be forty +companies of minute-men enrolled as soon as may be; and that every able +bodied effective freeman within the province, between sixteen and fifty +(clergymen of all denominations, practising physicians, the household of +the governor, minute and artillery men, and persons who from their +religious principles cannot bear arms in any case, excepted) as soon as +may be, and at furthest before the fifteenth of September, shall enroll +himself in some company of militia.” They established a council of +safety, consisting of sixteen persons, who are to regulate the +operations of the minute-men and militia, and are also, during the +recess, to do all other matters for securing the province, and for +providing for its defence. + +They ordered committees of observation and of correspondence to be +chosen; and bills of credit, to the amount of 266,666 dollars, to be +struck with all convenient speed, for the service of the province. + +The Pennsylvania assembly have established a military association +through the colony, and ordered several battalions to be raised, clothed +and armed. The whole colony is preparing for a vigorous defence. The +change in the assembly from a most pacific to a martial complexion, is +owing to the times. The number of Quakers returned to serve in it, was +not so large as formerly; and some of them, being upon principle opposed +to present measures, have resigned their seats, (which they have the +privilege of doing) and left them to be filled by persons of a different +judgment. + +The Philadelphians, with a view to the safety of the city, are also +engaged in making huge machines to sink in the narrow part of the +Delaware, and in completing a number of large galliots, carrying at +their bows guns from 32 to 48 pounders, swivels, &c. The machines are +formed of large heavy square pieces of timber. Two long ones, at a +proper parallel distance from each other, form the horizontal base, that +is to rest on the bed of the river. Right over these are placed two +others of similar size, rising from toward the ends of the horizontal +base, in such an angular direction, as with their elevated ends, +fortified with strong iron points, to pierce any vessel which may sail +against them. The degree of elevation is such as to give the greatest +resistance with the least danger to the timbers. The four main pieces +are joined to each other by many shorter ones. The whole machine is so +contrived, that, with its own weight, and what may be added to it when +sunk, it can neither be broken, nor forced backward, nor turned over. +They have given the name of chevaux-de-frise to these machines. + +There is nothing in New-Jersey which requires particular notice. + +The New-Yorkers were freed from the apprehensions they were under, +through the expectation of troops from Europe, soon after their arrival. +The second embarkation from Cork, consisting of four regiments, got safe +to Sandy-Hook, where they received orders from general Gage to sail for +Boston. They were wanted to strengthen the army, after the loss it had +sustained by Breed’s Hill battle. The few troops that were stationed at +the barracks, about fifty, went on board the Asia man of war some time +before, on the sixth of June, so that the city of New-York was wholly +without regulars. + +[June 24.] Governor Tryon arrived at New-York from London. He is in much +esteem with a large number of the citizens and others; and if any one +can succeed in drawing off that colony from the union, he will probably +be the person. It is not to be thought that he is limited by ministry +either as to expences or promises; but may suit himself to persons and +emergencies. There is apparently good policy in employing him to effect +the recovery of New-York, on the side of administration. He was in hope +of finding the province disunited from the others. + +[July 3.] The mayor, aldermen, and commonalty of the city, presented him +with a congratulatory address; complimented him upon the rectitude of +his former administration, and expressed their trust in the aid of his +intercession with his majesty, for a speedy termination of the hostile +animosities of his contending subjects. + +The governor in his answer confessed his disappointment at the change of +circumstances in the province. To palliate the treatment which the +memorial and representation of the New-York general assembly met with, +and to conciliate the minds of as many as could confide in his +expressions, he closed with saying, “I am acquainted with a dispatch +from the earl of Dartmouth, that the memorial and representation of the +general assembly of this province, were unfortunately blended with +expressions containing claims which made it impossible for parliament, +consistent with its justice and dignity to receive them; yet the +petition to the king has been presented to his majesty, who was pleased +to receive it with the most gracious expressions of regard and attention +to the humble requests of his faithful subjects in New-York; and I am +authorized to say, that nothing can give greater satisfaction to the +royal breast, than to see us again a happy and united people.” + +The same day the address was presented, all the king’s stores of various +kinds, were taken from Turtle Bay, and carried clear off by the friends +of congress. + +Connecticut and Rhode-Island, having had no occasion to change their +forms of government, proceed in their usual modes of business, to fulfil +the engagements that they are under to the united colonies in general, +and the Massachusetts in particular, and flag not in their ardor to +support the cause of America. + +[June 28.] Let us return to the Massachusetts. Political necessity +obliged the provincial congress to resolve, “That the notes and bills of +the colony of Rhode-Island, of this and all the other colonies (except +Nova-Scotia and Canada) shall be taken and received, and accounted a +good and sufficient tender for the payment of all debts and damages +arising upon the non-performance of any promises; and the committees of +correspondence, inspection, and safety, in the respective towns, are to +return the names of all persons who shall contravene this resolve.” + +[July 9.] To procure a supply of articles for the troops of the colony, +a resolve passed for the inhabitants of the several towns to furnish +shirts, breeches, stockings and shoes, for the soldiers.——In a few days +after a recommendation passed, not to kill any sheep or lambs, excepting +in cases of absolute necesssity. + +In consequence of the letters sent to the several towns and districts +within the colony, for the choice of representatives, in order to take +up a form of government, more than two hundred members met at Watertown +[July 19.] and constituted the house of assembly. The general fast +interposing, the counsellors were not chosen till Friday morning the +twenty-first. + +[Aug. 8.] The house agreed to raise £.30,000 sterling. The raising of +money will probably produce much dissatisfaction. Great numbers, who are +warm for the liberties of America, and violently opposed to being taxed +by Great-Britain, are so inconsiderate as to imagine, they are to be +exempted from almost every tax upon their succeeding in the present +contest. They are for enjoying all the advantage of civilized society, +without paying their proportion toward the expence of supporting it. + +[Aug. 9.] Captain Linzee, of the Falcon sloop of war chaced two +schooners from the West-Indies, one of which he soon brought to; the +other, having the advantage of a fair wind, put into Gloucester harbour, +at Cape-Ann, and the captain pursued into the harbour, bringing the one +with him. He anchored, and sent two barges with fifteen men each, armed +with swivels and muskets, attended with a whale boat, in which was the +lieutenant and six privates, meaning to seize the loaded schooner. The +militia and inhabitants took the alarm, collected, fired from the shore, +and killed three men, beside wounding the lieutenant. On this the +captain sent the other schooner and a small cutter well armed, with +orders to fire on the damn’d rebels wherever they could see them, while +he engaged in cannonading the town. Not a ball struck or wounded a +single person, though they passed through the houses filled with women +and children, in almost every direction. The party at the water side +soon made themselves masters of both the schooners, the cutter, the two +barges, the boat, and every man in them. The action lasted several +hours. The provincials lost but one man, and had two others wounded; one +of whom is since dead. They captured thirty-five men belonging to the +Falcon, several of whom are wounded, and one of them since dead. Captain +Linzee after this warped off, having lost half his men. + +[Aug. 12.] The scarcity of ammunition is so alarming, that the house +agreed upon recommending it to the inhabitants, not to fire a gun at +beast, bird, or mark, without real necessity, to prevent a waste of +powder. + +About five weeks since general Gage sent two officers to New-York, to +procure all the men they could, out of ships expected from Scotland or +elsewhere, to join him as volunteers; and with orders to return to +Boston with all expedition. This bespeaks a want of men. The want of +fresh provision will be supplied for a short space, by the return of a +fleet of transports this day [Aug. 15.] from the Sound, bringing with +them about 2000 sheep and 110 oxen, beside eggs, butter, &c. which they +have taken off from Gardner’s and other islands. + +Governor Wentworth still continues in New-Hampshire; but the influence +of the popular leaders is increasing, while his diminishes daily. He can +no longer confide, as formerly, in the attachment of the people for +safety; and has for these two months taken up his residence at Fort +William and Mary. + +The bulk of the colonists have certainly been much encouraged in their +struggles against the claims of parliament and administration, from the +multiplied assurances they have received that the body of the people in +England wish them success; and from their knowing that many of the most +virtuous and independent of the nobility and gentry are for them; and +among this order, in their estimation, the best bishop that adorns the +bench,[130] as great a judge as the nation can boast,[131] and the +greatest statesman it ever saw.[132] + + + + + LETTER XV. + + + _Roxbury, December 30, 1775._ + +The accession of _Georgia_ to the colonies, will occasion their being +called henceforward THE THIRTEEN UNITED COLONIES. To aid in the defence +of that colony, congress resolved early in November, to keep up a +battalion there at the continental expence. Toward the close of the +year, Dr. Zubly, perceiving that there was an apparent propensity to +independency in several of the delegates, withdrew and returned to +Georgia. His opposition to it being well known, and his influence upon +the Georgia inhabitants being feared, it was contrived that one of his +brother delegates, Mr. John Houston, should likewise return, with a +design of counteracting him, in case he soould set himself to oppose +independency. + +The first hostilities which happened in this colony between the opposite +parties, commenced about the middle of November, when a number of +royalists attacked the American whigs, and by their superiority obliged +the latter, after three days, to surrender the fort, in which they +expected to make an effectual resistance. + +The governor of South-Carolina, lord William Campbell, after the +provincial congress had raised troops, gave commissions to the officers +of the volunteer companies of militia, that were formed and trained on +the recommendation of the popular leaders. His lordship also convened an +assembly, of which several officers in the provincial regiments were +members; but finding them and their colleagues inflexibly set against +his schemes, he dissolved them [Sept. 15.] and never afterward issued +writs for a new election. He was indefatigable in secretly promoting +opposition to the popular measures, and kept up a constant +correspondence with the back country royalists. These people were told, +that it would be impossible to resist the power of Britain; that the +whole dispute was about a trifling tax on tea; and that the expences of +the new raised provincial regiments would be infinitely more than the +insignificant taxes imposed by the British parliament. They were +therefore much disaffected with the proceedings of the provincial +congress. It being suspected in Charleston that their disaffection was +greatly owing to the governor, in order to ascertain, if possible, the +connection between them, captain Adam M‘Donald, of a new raised +provincial regiment, introduced himself to his lordship about the middle +of September, under the feigned name of Dick Williams, a supposed +confidential messenger from these royalists. In this assumed character +he had a long conversation with his lordship, and was informed, that a +letter received the day before, set forth, “That his majesty was +determined speedily to send out troops to execute his schemes from one +end of the continent to the other.” The conversation being reported to +the general committee, they sent a deputation, of which captain M‘Donald +was one, to demand a communication of his lordship’s late dispatches +from England, and a perusal of his correspondence with the back country. +These requisitions being refused, it was moved to take the governor into +custody, but the motion was rejected by a great majority. His lordship, +mortified at the deception which had been passed upon him, and +distrustful of his personal safety in Charleston, took the provincial +seal with him, and retired on board the Tamar sloop of war. + +[Nov. 1.] When the new provincial congress met, it was thought by the +royalists, that the determinations of the former would have been +reversed; but they were disappointed. + +In order to obstruct the passage of the king’s ships to Charleston +through Hog-Island channel, a number of hulks were ordered to be sunk, +and captain Tufts had the charge of covering the workmen, on board a +schooner, armed for the security of the town, and called the Defence. +[Nov. 12.] The Tamar and Cherokee warped in the night, within gun-shot +of him, and began a heavy cannonade; but at sun-rise dropped down to +their moorings, without having done any material injury. This was the +commencement of open hostilities in South-Carolina. + +[Nov. 13.] The provincial congress impressed the ship Prosper, and +ordered her to be fitted as a frigate of war. They voted to raise a +regiment of artillery, [Nov. 14.] to consist of three companies of a +hundred men each; and that bills of credit, amounting to £.17,000 +sterling should be struck for their support. About the same time a new +council of safety was appointed, and authorised “to do all such matters +and things relative to the strengthening and defending the colony, as +should by them be judged expedient and necessary.” + +That you may comprehend the nature of the opposition to popular measures +in this colony, you must be informed of various events relative to the +back country. About 1770, the extreme difficulty of bringing criminals +from remote settlements to a legal condemnation, induced numbers, stiled +regulators, to take the law into their own hands. They inflicted +corporal punishment on persons without a regular condemnation. Lord +Charles Greville Montague, the governor, to correct these abuses, +advanced one Scovil, a man of low character, to the rank of colonel, and +employed him to enforce settled law among these regulators. He adopted +severe measures, which involved multitudes in great distress, who having +suffered so for opposing regular government, could not be persuaded to +co-operate with their countrymen in the support of congresses and +committees, whom they conceived to be similar to their own regulating +assemblies. + +A number of Dutch inhabitants had settled in the same part of the +country, on lands granted by the government. They brought from Europe +the monarchical ideas of the holding their possessions at the king’s +pleasure. They were therefore easily made to believe, that the loss of +their freeholds would be the consequence of their acceding to American +measures. After the peace of Paris, lands were offered upon easy terms, +to induce foreign Protestants to exchange their native country for a +settlement in South-Carolina. The Irish, who accepted these offers, owed +all their indulgences to the bounty of the king, and so took part with +his friends. Their countrymen, who had emigrated from the northern +provinces, commonly entered with zeal into the new measures. + +The violence of some over-zealous friends, who insisted upon their +neighbors signing the association, produced in several a determined +spirit of opposition. + +At an election for representatives in the first popular assemblies, +Moses Kirkland was an unsuccessful candidate. In wrath he exclaimed, “If +this dispute becomes serious, the people of South-Carolina shall feel +the weight of my influence.” The provincial congress, to gain him, gave +him the rank of captain in one of the provincial regiments; but he was +disgusted that his rival was promoted to the higher rank of major. He +accepted his commission, and inlisted men; but soon resigned, and to the +utmost encouraged opposition to the measures of congress. + +The people in general felt themselves secure in their persons and +property. It was therefore easy to offer arguments against renouncing +present comforts, to ward off future evils. It was insinuated to them, +that the gentlemen on the sea-cost, in order to obtain their tea free +from tax, were adopting measures which would involve the back country in +the want of salt, osnaburgs, and imported necessaries. The popular +leaders could not urge the inhabitants to the dangers and expences of +war, otherwise than on speculation, to prevent the more alarming +consequences which would probably take place in future, if the +proceedings of the British parliament, against Boston and the +Massachusetts, were suffered to pass into precedent. + +Though there were many royalists in most parts of the colony, the +principal settlement, in which they out-numbered the friends of +congress, was in the country between the Broad and Saluda rivers. When +it was determined to raise troops, the inhabitants of that part could +not be persuaded that the measure was necessary. They were happy, and +free from present oppression, and averse to believing that any designs, +inimical to American liberty, had been adopted by the British +government. The council of safety sent the honorable William Henry +Drayton, and the reverend William Tennent, to explain to them the nature +of the dispute. They had several meetings, and much eloquence was +exerted to induce them to sign the association. Some subscribed; but the +greater part could not be persuaded that there was any necessity for +congresses, committees, or military establishments. Suspicions +prevailed. The friends of the royal government doubted the authenticity +of all pamphlets and news-papers, which ascribed to the British troops +in Boston, or to the British government, any designs injurious to the +rights of the colonists. They viewed the whole as an imposition by +artful men. The friends of congress suspected the leading men of the +loyalists to be in the pay of lord William Campbell. Reports were +circulated by one party, that a plan was laid to seize the commissioners +sent by the council of safety: by the other, that the third provincial +regiment was brought up to compel the inhabitants to sign the +association. Motives and designs were reciprocally attributed to each +other of the most mischievous tendency. The royalists imbodied for +reasons similar to those which had induced the other inhabitants to arm +themselves against Britain. They suspected their adversaries of an +intention to dragoon them into a compliance with the measures of +congress; and they in their turn, were suspected of a design to commence +hostilities against the associators, for disturbing the established +royal government. Camps were formed in opposition to each other, and +great pains taken to increase their respective numbers. Moderate men +employed their good offices; and after some days, the leaders on both +sides met in conference. Several explications having taken place, a +treaty was reciprocally agreed to, [Sept. 16.] by which it was +stipulated, that the royalists should remain in a state of neutrality. +Both parties retired to their homes, and a temporary calm succeeded. + +But Mr. Robert Cunningham, a principal leader among the royalists, +continued to encourage opposition to popular measures, and declared that +he did not consider himself as bound by the treaty. This declaration was +construed as an evidence of a fixed intention again to disturb the +peace. To prevent his attempting it, he was apprehended, brought to +Charleston, and committed to jail. His brother Mr. Patrick Cunningham, +instantly armed a party of friends and pursued, in expectation of +rescuing him. The party collected on this occasion seized a thousand +pounds of power, and a quantity of lead, which was passing through their +settlement, as a present to the Cherokee Indians; and was intended to +confirm them in their pacific disposition. Some persons among the +royalists propagated a report, that it was accompanied with instructions +to them, to kill every man who should refuse to sign the association. +This answered the purpose of inflaming the minds of several. It was also +confidently asserted that private marks had been agreed on by the +popular leaders and Indian chiefs, to distinguish the associators from +the non-associators; the former of whom were to be spared, and the +latter sacrificed. Great pains were moreover taken, to exasperate the +inhabitants against the council of safety, for furnishing the Indians +with powder, at a time when the white people could not be supplied with +that article. + +Lord William Campbell had uniformly recommended to the royalists to +remain quiet till the arrival of a British force. This advice had been +providentially frustrated. Similar reasons of policy to those which +induced the royal governor to recommend inaction to the royalists, +operated with the council of safety to crush their intestine foes before +that force should arrive. The rising occasioned by the seizing of Mr. +Cunningham, was construed into a violation of the treaty, and gave +ground to doubt the sincerity of their engagements to continue in a +state of neutrality. It was feared, that as soon as a proper opportunity +offered, they would throw their weight into the royal scale. It was +therefore judged necessary, to march an army into their settlements +before that event should exist. But to remove prejudices, the provincial +congress, first of all circulated through their settlements, [Nov. 19.] +a declaration assigning the reasons for the present to the Cherokees, +and detesting the invidious misrepresentations that had been put upon +the measure. They solemnly declared before Almighty God, that they did +not believe any order was ever issued, or any idea ever entertained by +the late council of safety, or any member of it, or by any person under +authority of congress, to cause the Indians to commence hostilities upon +the frontiers or any part thereof. They then sent forward a large body +of militia and new raised regulars who were joined by seven hundred +militia from North-Carolina, and two hundred and twenty regulars. They +soon had an army of seven thousand men under their direction, with +instructions “to apprehend the leaders of the party which had seized the +powder, and to do all other things necessary to suppress the present and +prevent future insurrections.” Assurances were publicly given, that no +injury should be done to inoffensive persons, remaining quietly on their +plantations. The leaders of the royalists found great difficulty in +persuading their followers to imbody; and they themselves were destitute +of political knowledge and military experience. The unanimity of the +whigs and the numbers, which from all sides invaded the settlements of +the royalists, disheartened them from facing their adversaries in the +field. The whigs acted by system, and in concert with their brethren of +neighbouring colonies, and were directed by a council of safety, +composed of the greatest and wisest men in the province. They easily +carried every point, seized the leaders of the royalists, and dispersed +their followers, without the loss of a single man; most of the royalists +returned to their plantations, while several retired over the mountains. + +In _North-Carolina_, the committees of the district of Wilmington +alledged a number of charges against governor Martin, particularly those +of fomenting a civil war, and of exciting an insurrection among the +negroes; upon which they declared him an enemy to America in general, +and to that province in particular, and forbad all persons holding any +communication with him. + +[Aug. 8.] When their proceedings appeared in print, the governor +published his remarks upon them, in a proclamation of uncommon length; +which the provincial congress, in their subsequent meeting at +Hillsborough, [Aug. 25.] resolved unanimously, to be a false, +scandalous, scurrilous, malicious and seditious libel, and ordered it to +be burnt by the hands of the common hangman. Four days before, a plan of +confederation was laid before them. Upon mature deliberation they +resolved, that “They are of opinion, that the plan of general +confederation between the united colonies is not at present eligible; +and that the present association ought to be further relied on for +bringing about a reconciliation with the parent state, and a further +confederacy ought only to be adopted in case of the last extremity.” +Afterward [Sept. 8.] Mr. Hooper submitted to them an address to the +inhabitants of the British empire, which was unanimously received. In +answer to the suggestion, that independence was their object, they say, +“We again declare, that we invoke that Almighty Being who searches the +recesses of the human heart, and knows our most secret intentions, that +it is our most earnest wish and prayer to be restored, with the other +united colonies, to the state in which we and they were placed before +the year 1763, disposed to glance over any regulations which Britain had +made previous to this, and which seems to be injurious and oppressive to +these colonies, hoping that, at some future day, she will benignly +interpose, and remove from us every cause of complaint.” + +They broke up two days after, having sat three weeks. During the +session, they agreed upon raising a 1000 men; upon striking a quantity +of paper money, for the subsistence of the troops; upon inlisting a +considerable body of minute-men; in a word, upon putting the colony +immediately into a state of defence. + +Within a fortnight after the session closed, the grand repository of the +governor’s magazine was discovered. In the palace garden, under a bed of +cabbages, was found a barrel, containing about three bushels of +gun-powder. In the palace cellar were dug up two quarter casks of the +same commodity; and in the garden about 1000lb. of musket-balls, about +500 weight of iron, swivel balls, a large quantity of small shot, lead, +iron, worms for the cannon, and the whole apparatus for his park of +artillery. + +The Virginia convention continued to establish rules for the defence and +regulation of the colony; and passed an ordinance for imbodying a +sufficient force for its protection. It appearing to them, that only 15 +half barrels of powder had been taken out of the magazine by lord +Dunmore’s order, they valued it fairly, and then directed the surplus +money received by Patrick Henry, esq. to be returned to the receiver +general. [August 22.] + +Upon a petition of sundry merchants and others, natives of +Great-Britain, mostly from Scotland, praying to be exempted from bearing +arms against the people among whom they were born, and promising to +observe a strict neutrality in case the colony was attacked by the +British troops, the convention unanimously recommended to the +committees, [Aug. 25.] and others the good people of the colony, to +treat all such resident natives as did not show themselves enemies to +the common cause of America, with lenity and friendship; to protect all +persons whatsoever in the just enjoyment of their civil rights and +liberty; to discountenance all national reflections; and to promote +union, harmony, and mutual good will, among all ranks of people. + +Before the session ended, the delegates in a declaration set forth the +cause of their meeting, and the necessity of immediately putting the +country into a posture of defence, for the better protection of their +lives, liberties and properties. In it they solemnly declare, “before +God and the world, we do bear faith and true allegiance to his majesty; +and will, so long as it may be in our power, defend him and his +government, as founded on the laws and well-known principles of the +constitution: we will, to the utmost of our power, endeavor by every +honorable mean, to promote a restoration of that friendship and amity, +which so long and happily subsisted between our fellow subjects in +Great-Britain, and the inhabitants of America: and as, on the one hand, +we are determined to defend our lives and properties, and maintain our +just rights and privileges, at even the extremest hazard, so, on the +other hand, it is our fixed and unalterable resolution to disband such +forces as may be raised in this colony, whenever our dangers are +removed, and America is restored to its former state of tranquility and +happiness.” + +Lord Dunmore, however, being joined by a number who had rendered +themselves obnoxious to the country, as well as by a parcel of run-away +negroes, and supported by the naval force upon the station, endeavored +to establish such a marine, as might enable him, by means of the noble +rivers with which the colony abounds, to be always at hand, and ready to +profit by every favorable occasion which should offer. He by degrees +fitted and armed several vessels, in one of which he constantly resided, +never setting his foot on shore, but in an hostile manner. The force was +calculated only for depredations; and while these were confined to the +procuring of provisions or other necessaries, respect was shown to the +rank and office of the governor: but being at length changed into open +and avowed hostility, his lordship met with resistance. The Virginians +could not brook his seizing persons, and conveying them on board the +ships; destroying plantations, and carrying off the negroes, and burning +houses. They therefore sent detachments of the new-raised forces to +protect the coasts; and from thence ensued a small mischievous war, +incapable of affording honor or benefit. + +During this state of hostility, his lordship procured a few soldiers, +with whose assistance an attempt was made to burn the port-town of +Hampton. The inhabitants having a previous suspicion of the design, sunk +a number of boats across the channel to prevent a landing. The ships, +having surmounted all obstacles in the night, drew up close to the town, +[October 27.] and began a furious cannonade in the morning. At this +critical period, a detachment of riflemen from Williamsburgh, that had +marched all night, arrived, and being joined by the minute-men and +others, who had assembled the day before, took such a position as +enabled them, with their small arms, to compel the enemy precipitately +to quit their station, with the loss of some men and of a tender. + +[Nov. 7.] In consequence of this repulse, the governor issued a +proclamation, declaring that martial law should take place, and be +executed through the colony; requiring all persons capable of bearing +arms, to resort to his majesty’s standard, or to be looked upon as +traitors; and further declaring all indented servants, negroes or others +(appertaining to rebels) free, who were able and willing to bear arms, +upon joining his majesty’s troops. The Virginians highly resented his +lordship’s declaring martial law; and by his single fiat attempting to +strip them of their property, and to arm their negroes and servants +against them to effect their destruction. This measure occasioned to +government the loss of many friends. + +The proclamation, with his lordship’s presence and his marine, produced +some effect in the town of Norfolk and the adjoining country, where many +were well effected to the old government. He was accordingly joined by +some hundreds of blacks and whites; but the pleasure it afforded, was +soon interrupted by intelligence that a party of Virginians were +marching toward them with great expedition. To obstruct their designs, +and protect the well effected, he took possesion of the Great Bridge, +near Norfolk, a pass of much consequence, being the only way by which +the town could be approached He constructed a fort on the Norfolk side, +and rendered it as defencible as time would admit. His force consisted +of about 200 regulars, including the grenadiers of the 14th regiment, +and a body of Norfolk volunteers; the rest was a motley mixture of +blacks and whites. The Virginians, under colonel Woodford, fortified +themselves within less than cannon shot of the royalists, having a +narrow causeway in front, which was to be passed to come at their works. + +In this state they continued quiet on both sides for some days. At +length a servant belonging to major Marshall, being properly tutored, +deserted to the royalists, and told them that colonel Woodford had not +more than 300 shirtmen (as they called the riflemen, on account of their +being dressed in their hunting shirts) badly provided with ammunition. +The bait took, and a design was formed for surprising the Virginians in +their entrenchments. Captain Leslie, with the regulars, arrived at the +bridge about three in the morning; and being joined by about 300 white +and black slaves, laid planks upon the bridge, and crossed just after +the Virginians had beaten the reveille, a lucky time for the last, as +their men were of course all under arms. Captain Fordyce, at the head of +his grenadiers, amounting to about sixty, led the van, while lientenant +Batut commanded the advanced party. They passed the causeway, which +admitted only of a few men’s marching abreast, and approached the +intrenchments with fixed bayonets, and a coolness and intrepidity which +excited astonishment. They were not only exposed naked to the fire in +front, but infiladed by another part of the provincial lines. The +captain fell with several of his men, within a few yards of the breast +work. The lieutenant with others were taken, and all the survivors of +the grenadier company, whether prisoners or not, were wounded. The +royalists were soon obliged to sound a retreat, having sixty-two men +killed and wounded. The provincials, during the whole action, did not +lose a single man, and had only one slightly wounded. The fire of the +artillery from the fort covered the retreat of the royalists. None of +the blacks, &c. in the rear, with captain Leslie, advanced further than +the bridge. Captain Fordyce was buried with every military honor by the +victors, who showed a due respect to his former merit, as well as to the +gallantry which signalized his last moments. The British prisoners were +treated with great kindness: the American royalists, who joined the +king’s standard, with rigor. The king’s forces retired the ensuing +night, without other loss than a few pieces of cannon. Captain Leslie, +it is said, has absolutely refused to act any more on shore, till he can +be better supported; on the other hand, the Norfolk volunteers, and the +black battalions, have declined acting without the regulars; this has +induced his lordship to abandon the entrenchments at Norfolk, and to go +on board the ships. Most of the wretched negroes who had joined him, +were now left to shift for themselves. + +[Dec. 14.] Colonel Woodford, with the provincials, entered Norfolk; but +almost all the inhabitants had fled on board the ships. At night he +resigned the command to colonel Howe, designing to return to his family, +and attend on his private affairs. + +Many of the Scotch petitioners having, contrary to their faith, solemnly +plighted, become strict adherents to lord Dunmore, and active promoters +of his measures; and having excited their slaves to act against the +colony, the convention has totally rescinded the former recommendation +in their favor. But persons of ability, declining to act with the +Virginians, and who have not taken up arms nor showed themselves against +them, may be permitted to leave the country. + +A scheme for raising a considerable force for the service of lord +Dunmore, has been lately discovered in Maryland. + +One John Connelly, a native of Pennsylvania, waited on his lordship with +certain proposals, toward the latter end of July, which being approved +of, he dispatched intelligence to the officers of the militia on the +frontiers of Augusta county, with assurances from his lordship, that +such of them as would hereafter evince their loyalty to his majesty, by +putting themselves under his command, should be amply rewarded. He had +before, by direction, prepared the Indians on the Ohio, to act in +concert with him against his majesty’s enemies in that quarter. His +lordship sent him to general Gage, at Boston, about the 15th of +September; and about the middle of October he returned with instructions +from the general to his lordship. A commission of lieutenant-colonel +commandant of a regiment, to be raised in the back parts and in Canada, +was to be granted to this adventurer; who was to be assisted by the +garrisons at Detroit and Fort Gage, at the Illinois, with artillery and +ammunition. He was to use means to urge the Indian chiefs to act with +vigor in the execution of his orders; and to have the supreme direction +of the new forces. When they were in sufficient condition, he was to +penetrate through Virginia, so as to meet lord Dunmore at a set time in +next April, at Alexandria, on the Potomak; his lordship was to bring +such a naval strength and other assistance, as might be deemed necessary +for the purpose. He had so far succeeded, that he was on his way, with +two associates, to Detroit; where he was to meet his commission and +instructions; but when they had reached about five miles beyond +Hager’s-town, they were taken into custody and brought before the county +committee, at Frederick-town, in Maryland [Nov. 23.] for examination, +about ten days after parting with lord Dunmore. Their papers have +betrayed every thing. Among them were the geneneral plan of the whole +business, and a letter from lord Dunmore to one of the Indian chiefs, +and other authentic vouchers, which leave nothing to be doubted. His +lordship’s letter was accommodated, as is usual in all such cases, to +the Indian taste, and addressed to _Brother Captain White Eyes_, who was +to acquaint the _Corn-Stalk_, as well as the chiefs of the Mingoes, and +the other six nations, with the sentiments contained in it. + +The capture of Connelly and his associates, is ascribed to the seizure +of an express passing between an Indian commissary and the governor; +from whose papers such intelligence was gained as to put the provincial +committee upon keeping a good look-out for the parties. The Indian +commissary was known to be disaffected to the American cause, by a +gentleman whose suspicions made him a principal in effecting the +discovery. + +The Pennsylvania general assembly, in their November session, instructed +their delegates to exert their endeavors at the continental congress, +for the adoption of such measures as might afford the best prospect of +obtaining a redress of American grievances, and of restoring the union +and harmony between Great-Britain and the colonies. They said, “Though +the oppressive measures of the British parliament and administration +have compelled us to resist their violence by force of arms, yet we +strictly enjoin you, that you, in behalf of this colony, dissent from, +and utterly reject any propositions, should such be made, that may cause +or lead to a separation from the mother country, or a change in the form +of this government.” The reason for mentioning _a change in the form of +this government_, was, congress’s recommendation of a measure of that +kind to the provincial convention of New-Hampshire, which will be +properly noticed in its place. + +[Nov. 16.] Governor Franklin met the general assembly of New-Jersey. In +his speech he acquainted them, “That the commanders of his majesty’s +squadrons in America, have orders to proceed as in the case of a town in +actual rebellion, against such of the sea-port towns and places, being +accessible to the king’s ships, as shall offer any violence to the +king’s officers, or in which any troops shall be raised, or military +works erected, or other than by his majesty’s authority, or any attempts +made to seize or plunder any public magazine of arms or ammunition.” He +said “Sentiments of independency, are by some men of present +consequence, openly avowed, and essays are already appearing in the +public papers, to redicule the people’s fears of that horrid measure.” +The house of assembly in their answer declared, [Nov. 29.] “There is +nothing we desire with greater anxiety, than a reconciliation with our +parent state, on constitutional principles. We know of no sentiments of +independency that are by men of any consequence openly avowed; nor do we +approve of any essays tending to encourage such a measure. We have +already expressed our detestation of such opinions; and we have so +frequently and fully declared our sentiments on this subject, that we +should have thought ourselves, as at present we really deserve to be, +exempt from all suspicion of this nature.” The governor in his reply +mentioned, that he had not the most distant thought while speaking of +the sentiments of independency openly avowed by some that they would +consider the remark as at all meant for, or applicable to their house. +He concluded with pointedly saying, “I sincerely wish that both you and +I may ere long have the happiness to see those who either openly or +privately avow sentiments of independency, _men of no consequence_.” + +The New-York convention having resolved upon the removal of the cannon +from the battery in the city, captain Sears was appointed to the +business. Captain Vandeput, of the Asia man of war, was privately +informed of the design, and prepared to oppose its execution. Learning +when it was to be attempted, he appointed a boat to watch the motion of +the people assembled for that purpose about the dead of night. The +sailors in the boat giving the signal, with a flach of powder, of what +was going forward, the persons on shore mistook it for an attempt to +fire a musket at them, and immediately aimed a volley of shot at the +boat, by which a man was killed. Captain Vandeput soon after commenced a +firing from the Asia with grape shot, swivel shot, 18 and 24 pounders, +without killing a single person, and wounded only three, two slightly, +the other lost the calf of his leg. He then ceased for a considerable +time, supposing that the people had desisted from their purpose, while +they were only changing their mode of operation. Captain Sears provided +a deceiving party, intended to draw the Asia’s fire from the line of the +working party. He sent the former behind a breast-work, by which they +were secured on dodging down upon observing the flash of the Asia’s +guns. When all was in readiness, they huzzaed, and sung out their notes, +as though tugging in unison, and fired from the walls: while the working +party silently got off twenty-one eighteen pounders, with carriages, +empty cartridges, rammers, &c. Upon hearing the noise, and seeing the +fire of the musketry, the captain ordered the Asia to fire a whole +broad-side toward that part of the fort, where the deceiving party had +secured themselves, without intending a particular injury to the city; +however, some of the shot could not but fly into it and do damage. This +affair happened at a very late hour, between twelve and two, [August +22.] and threw the citizens into the utmost consternation. Such was the +stillness of the night, that the report of the cannon was heard at +Philadelphia, ninety miles off. The distress of the Yorkers was much +increased, by a painful apprehension, that captain Vandeput would renew +the firing upon the city. A removal of men women, children and goods +commenced and continued till Saturday. Matters were afterward so +adjusted, as to quiet the apprehensions of the people, in reference to +their suffering further from the Asia. To prevent it, the convention +permitted Abraham Lott, esq. to supply all his majesty’s ships stationed +at New-York, with all necessaries, as well fresh as salted, for the sole +use of said ships. + +The art and influence of governor Tryon alarmed the continental +congress, some of the members especially, so that it was moved, that he +should be seized. But Mr. Duane, one of the New-York delegates, speaking +in behalf of, and answering for him, no resolution to that purpose was +taken. Mr. Duane saying, in his eagerness to defend the governor, that +he was as good a friend to the American cause as any one present, called +up captain John Langdon from New-Hampshire, who resenting the assertion +as an aspersion on the several members, answered with much acrimony, and +was permitted to go on as long as he pleased, Mr. Duane’s conduct not +having answered, in several instances, the warm wishes of the zealous +delegates. Though nothing was resolved upon against governor Tryon, the +matter only subsided for the present, under an apprehension that if the +motion was made, it would not be carried, or when carried, would be +conveyed to the governor time enough for him to secure himself. The +affair was brought on again after a while in another form; and congress +resolved, [October 6.] “That it be recommended to the several provincial +assemblies or conventions, and councils or committees of safety, to +arrest and secure every person in their respective colonies, whose going +at large may in their opinion endanger the safety of the colony, or the +liberties of America.” + +An authentic copy of the resolve was to be transmitted by the delegates, +to proper persons in the different colonies. The fathers of it aimed at +governor Tryon; they had little or no expectation that the New-York +convention would secure him; but they hoped that the sons liberty at +large would effect the business. It has been asserted, that Mr. Duane +was uneasy at the resolution, and withdrew from congress for near an +hour before he returned to his seat. Be that as it may, it is certain +that Mr. Duane’s footman went off to governor Tryon in season to give +him information of what was resolved; which occasioned his writing to +the mayor of New-York [Oct. 13.] acquainting him that he knew from +_undoubted authority_, what was recommended to the provincial congress, +and desiring to be informed whether he should be secure in the +protection of the corporation and citizens. The provincial congress had +not then received the recommendation. Several letters passed upon the +occasion, but the governor not obtaining satisfaction as to his being +secure, went on board the Halifax packet [Oct. 19.] of which he informed +the mayor by letter; and in that expressed his readiness to do such +business of the country, as the situation of the times would permit. + +A correspondent residing at New-York complains, that the leaders of the +people in that colony, are inconsistent and perfidious, and that their +councils are stampt with folly, timidity, and treachery. Some days +before the governor went on board, members of the provincial convention +declared, even in the convention, that they would not receive the bills +of credit to be emitted by themselves; that they would join the king’s +standard if troops came, in order to save their estates, &c. These +speeches were uttered without meeting with any censure. + +The day the governor sent his letter from on board, Messrs. Low, De +Lancey, Walton, Kissam, Verplank, &c. &c. labored hard in the provincial +congress, to preclude the freemen of the city from voting for new +members, and the mode of voting by ballot. They were for polling, as +formerly, and expected, that if the freemen were excluded, the +freeholders would return none but such as would be for preserving the +city, though at the expence of the liberties of America. + +The New-York troops are not to be depended upon in general. Persons who +have been pretty hearty, are now afraid of falling a sacrifice. The +defection becomes greater every day in both city and country. This may +be owing to the arts of governor Tryon, whose exertions may be as +strenuous and successful in the ship as in the city. He is not at a loss +how to intrigue with the people of his government. + +Such is the importance of securing the North River, that the continental +congress have given direction for rendering it defensible, by erecting a +fortification in the High-lands, and garrisoning the same. They have +also directed Mr. Alexander, titular lord Sterling, to collect the +troops in and for the defence of New-Jersey [Nov. 27.] (except six +companies ordered to the forts on the North River) and to place them in +barracks in the eastern division of the colony, as contiguous to +New-York as can be, there to remain till further orders. The city +abounds with persons opposed to congressional measures. This opposition +was much strengthened by Mr. Rivington’s press, which was carried off +four days before the above order. Captain Sears observing the +mischievous effects of this press, determined upon a violent and +effectual mode of silencing it. He procured seventy-five Connecticut +horsemen, well armed, with muskets, &c. unexpectedly entered the city at +the head of them; repaired immediately to Mr. Rivington’s, and seized +all his types and printing materials, many of which were destroyed. +While he was thus employed, people collected, and the street was +thronged. To prevent interruption, he called out and told them, that if +they attempted to oppose him, he would order his men to fire upon them; +and preparation was made for doing it, in case it should be needful. +This appearance instantly cleared the street, when captain Sears and his +party rode off in triumph, with the booty they were pleased to take +away. + +[Sept. 30.] Captain Wallace, in the Rose man of war, and two tenders, +began in the morning to fire upon Stonington, in Connecticut, close in +with the Sound; and continued it the whole day, with very little +intermission. They killed two men, much shattered the houses, stores, +&c. and carried off a schooner loaded with molasses, and two small +sloops. The firing was brought on by a vessel (which he was in chace of) +escaping and securing itself in the harbour of the town. The men of war +and transports at Newport, exciting a suspicion by their movements, that +there was an intention of taking off live stock from the farms in the +south part of Rhode-Island, a number of persons went down in the evening +[Oct. 2.] and brought off about 1000 sheep and 50 head of cattle. The +next day and the following one, the ships took off a quantity from the +two farms, where it was thought they were collected for the purpose of +supplying the British troops at Boston. Soon after 300 minute-men +arrived, who marched to the spot [Oct 5.] and brought off the remaining +cattle, sheep, hogs and poultry, though fired upon by the ships which +lay within gun shot. The interposition of the minute-men subjected the +town to threats of being cannonaded by the men of war; so that many of +the inhabitants moved their effects, while others left the place. On +Saturday afternoon [October 7.] the ships weighed anchor, went up the +river to Bristol, and demanded 300 sheep, which not being complied with, +between eight and nine o’clock, they began a heavy fire on the town, and +continued it upward of an hour. The women and children, in great anxiety +(dark and rainy as it was) were obliged to leave their habitations, and +seek shelter in the adjacent country. Between nine and ten a committee +went on board, and purchased peace and the safety of the town at the +expence of forty sheep. The firing thus upon a defenceless town, greatly +irritated the minds of the Americans in distant colonies, and they have +censured it in their public transactions. + +[Nov. 11.] The general assembly of _Rhode-Island_ passed an act for the +capital punishment of persons who should be found guilty of holding a +traitorous correspondence with the ministry of Great-Britain, or any of +their officers or agents, or of supplying the ministerial army or navy +employed against the united colonies, with provisions, arms, &c. or of +acting as pilots on board any vessels. They however excepted the +negociation and treaty of the town council with captain Wallace, +respecting the supplying the ships of war stationed in the harbour of +Newport, and regulation thereof by the commanding officer, which they +had before permitted. They also passed an act for sequestring the +estates of several persons, whom they considered as avowed enemies to +the liberties of America. + +[Nov. 30.] Captain Wallace, about one in the morning, left the harbour +of Newport, went to Conanicut with several vessels, and landed about 200 +marines, sailors, and negroes, who were employed in burning the houses +and barns upon the island. The men, while upon the service, were ordered +to fire on one Mr. Martin, who gave no provocation, and was standing +unarmed at his own door. He was shot in the belly, and died. He was an +inoffensive person, and had treated captain Wallace with great civility +and friendship. + +General Lee was at length detached with a small corps, from the army in +the Massachusetts, to the assistance of the Rhode-Islanders; on whom, +upon his arrival, he imposed a most tremendous oath. This act of the +general’s does not meet with the approbation of the congress. + +The _Massachusetts_ military and naval transactions will be related +separate from the civil, as far as convenient. + +The American prisoners taken on the 17th of June, were thrown +indiscriminately into the jail at Boston, without any consideration +being paid to those of rank, though languishing with wounds and +sickness. The sick and wounded were put under the hands of a man who had +never before been employed but in the diseases of horses.[133] The +inhabitants of the town who befriended the American cause, were not +allowed to afford the prisoners all that relief they were entitled to +upon the principles of humanity. The sufferers had even some of their +books of devotion taken from them, and were reproached for their much +reading, as leading them into rebellion. Being accounted rebels, no +cruelty was thought more than they deserved, while their existence was +not terminated by a halter. + +The education and reading of the colonists have undoubtedly contributed +to encourage and support their opposition to measures deemed destructive +to the liberties of their country. Every town in the Massachusetts and +Connecticut, has a public English school for the education of youth, +supported by an annual tax upon the inhabitants; to which any one may +send his children, while the expence of their education is nothing more +than his proportion of the tax. The masters are often young men who have +finished their college education; and who spend a year or more in this +employ, till they take to a different one, which often leads to their +becoming some of the first persons in the colony. The universal +education promoted by these schools, spreads a general knowledge among +the lowest orders of people; and gives them a taste for reading the +interresting publications of the day; while able writers have been and +are employing their pens in nourishing the spirit of resistance, by +arguments, historical narrations, and all the various arts of animated +persuasion. + +[Aug, 11.] General Washington wrote to general Gage upon the subject of +the ill treatment of the prisoners, and apprized him, that he should +regulate his conduct toward those gentlemen who are or may be in his +possession, exactly by the rule that the other should observe toward the +Americans who may be in his custody. [Aug. 13.] General Gage in his +answer asserted, that the prisoners had hitherto been treated with care +and kindness, though indiscriminately, as he acknowledged no rank that +was not derived from the king. He mentioned, “I understand there are of +the king’s faithful subjects, taken by the rebels, laboring like negro +slaves to gain their daily subsistence, or reduced to the wretched +alternative to perish by famine, or take arms against their king and +country.” He remarked upon the passage relating to retaliation, with an +appeal to God; and closed with this charge, “unfortunately for both +countries, those who long since projected the present crisis, and +influence the councils of America, have views very distant from +accommodation.” General Gage was mistaken, in charging the party alluded +to, with _projecting_ the present crisis, which is the casual and +unexpected consequence of pernicious ministerial councils. He was no +less far from the truth, while he intimated that the American leaders +“have views very distant from accommodation.” Some few have such views, +but the great body of them at present long for an accommodation. + +[Aug. 19.] General Washington replied to general Gage, in a pointed +manner, and told him, “I have taken time, Sir, to make a strict enquiry, +and find the intelligence you have received, has not the least +foundation in truth. Not only your officers and soldiers have been +treated with a tenderness due to fellow citizens and brethren, but even +those execrable parricides, whose councils and aid have deluged the +country with blood, have been protected from the fury of a justly +enraged people. You affect, Sir, to despise all rank, not derived from +the same source with your own. I cannot conceive one more honorable than +that which flows from the uncorrupted choice of a brave and free people, +the purest source and original fountain of all power. May that God to +whom you appeal, judge between America and you! Under his providence, +those who influence the councils of America, and all the other +inhabitants of the united colonies, at the hazard of their lives, are +determined to hand down to posterity those just and invaluable +privileges which they received from their ancestors.” + +[Aug. 26.] At night about two thousand of the American troops intrenched +on Plow’d Hill, within point blank shot of the British on Bunker’s Hill: +notwithstanding a continual fire almost all the day following, they had +only two killed and two wounded. While the intrenchments were carrying +on, parties of riflemen were employed in firing upon the advanced guards +on Charlestown Neck. One of the British officers and several men were +seen to fall. Two of the British floating batteries attempting to annoy +the Americans at work upon the hill, were silenced in Mystick river, and +one partly sunk. More than 300 shells were thrown at the fortress on +Plow’d Hill, without a single person’s being thereby hurt; and the +consequent contempt they entertained of shells, induced them to omit +providing a bomb-proof cover for the garrison. Bunker’s Hill, Plow’d +Hill and Winter Hill, which last the Americans have possessed and +fortified for some time, are situated in a range from east to west, each +of them on or near Mystick river. Plow’d Hill is in the middle, and the +lowest of the three, the summit is about half a mile from the works on +Bunker’s Hill. The British finding that their firing did not answer, +relaxed, and after a while desisted entirely, and the Americans remained +quiet in their new post. General Washington received, in the beginning +of September, a very acceptable remittance of ammunition from +Rhode-Island, even 7000lb. of powder—a great quantity, compared with the +late amazing scarcity. It is probably a part of what has been brought +from Africa. The Americans practised a manœuvre, which credits their +understanding. They sent out a quantity of New-England rum, which was +exchanged for a fiery commodity of a different quality, so successfully +as not to leave an ounce for sale in any of the British forts on the +African coast. + +The general having obtained pleasing accounts from Canada, being assured +that neither Indians nor Canadians could be prevailed upon to act +against the Americans, and knowing there was a design of penetrating +into that province by Lake Champlain, concerted the plan of detaching a +body of troops from head-quarters, through the province of Mein, across +the country to Quebec. He communicated the same to general Schuyler, who +approving it, all things were got in readiness. The corps was to be +commanded by colonel Arnold, aided by colonels Christopher Green and +Roger Enos, and majors Meigs and Bigelow; and was to consist of ten +companies of musket men, and three companies of riflemen, amounting to +eleven hundred. + +[Sept. 13.] In the evening the detachment marched from Cambridge for +Newbury-port, where, six days after, they embarked on board ten +transports bound to Kennebec, fifty leagues distant. [Sept. 20.] They +entered the mouth of the Kennebec in the morning, and favored with the +wind and tide proceeded up to Gardner’s town. It was only fourteen days +from first giving orders for building 200 batteaux, for collecting +provisions, and for draughting the 1100 men, to their reaching this +place. Such was the dispatch! + +[Sept. 22.] The troops embarked on board the batteaux, and proceeded to +Fort Western on the east side of the river. From thence, captain Morgan, +with three companies of riflemen, was sent forward by water, [Sept. 25.] +with orders to get on to the great carrying place in the most +expeditious manner, and to clear the road, while the other divisions +came up. The second division embarked the next day, and the third the +day after. As they advanced up the river, the stream grew very rapid, +and the bottom and shores were rocky. [Sept. 29.] By eleven in the +morning, major Meigs with the third division, arrived at Fort Halifax, +standing on a point of land between the rivers Kennebec and Sebasticook. +In their progress up the river, they met with two carrying-places, over +which they were obliged to carry their batteaux, baggage, and every +other article, till they came again a part of the river which was +navigable, and no longer obstructed by water-falls, rapids, rocks or +other encumbrances, as was that which they avoided. [October 3.] They +got to Norridgewalk, where the major’s curiosity was entertained by the +sight of a child 14 months old, the first white one born in the place. +After crossing over more carrying places, he and his men encamped at the +great carrying place, [Oct. 10.] which was twelve miles and a half +across, including three ponds that they were obliged to pass. These +ponds had plenty of trout. Two days after colonel Enos arrived at the +same place with the 4th division of the army consisting of three +companies of musket men. [Oct. 13.] Colonel Arnold meeting with an +Indian, wrote to general Schuyler, and inclosed his letter to a friend +in Quebec. Though he had no knowledge of the Indian, he venturously +intrusted the packet with him, to be carried and delivered according to +order. This strange confidence may ruin his expedition, beside involving +his friend in great trouble. [Oct. 15.] The provision was so reduced, +that the men were put to allowance, 3–4lb. of pork and 3–4lb. of flour a +day for each. The next day they reached Dead river. Colonel Enos having +got up with his division in about three days, was ordered to send back +the sick, and those that could not be furnished with provision; but, +contrary to colonel Arnold’s expectation, returned to Cambridge with his +whole division a few days after. Major Meigs received orders to push on +with his division, [Oct. 19.] for Chaudiere head, with the greatest +expedition. But they proceeded very slowly by reason of falls, carrying +places and bad weather. Their course was only three miles. [Oct. 22.] +The rains made the river raise the preceding night in some parts eight +feet perpendicular: and in many places it overflowed its banks, and +rendered it very difficult for the men on shore to march. The next day +the stream was so rapid, that, in passing it, five or six batteaux +filled and overset, by which they lost several barrels of provision, a +number of guns, clothes, and other articles. Such was the rapidity of +the stream, and interruptions by carrying places, that it was with much +fatigue they got on one-and-twenty miles within the three following +days. To their great satisfaction they reached the carrying place, [Oct. +27.] which lies across the height of land that runs through the colonies +to Georgia, and on the further side of which the stream run the reverse +of the river they had ascended. They crossed the heights to Chaudiere +river, and continued their march by land to Quebec. [Nov. 1.] The +marching through the woods was extremely bad. Major Meigs passed a +number of soldiers who had no provisions, and some of whom were sick. It +was not in his power to help or relieve them. But one or two dogs were +killed, which the distressed soldiers eat with a relishing appetite, +without sparing either feet or skin. A few eat their cartouch-boxes, +breeches and shoes, being several days without provision. The major and +his men marched on upon the banks of the Chaudiere, [Nov. 3.] and at +twelve o’clock met with supplies, to the inexpressible joy of the +soldiers, who were near starving. Colonel Arnold, with a small party, +made a forced march, and returned with provisions purchased of the +inhabitants; on which the hunger-bitten adventurers made a voracious +meal. [Nov. 4.] The next day at eleven, major Meigs and his men arrived +at a French house, and were hospitably treated. It was the first house +he had seen for 31 days, having been all that time in a rough, barren, +and uninhabited wilderness, where he never saw a human being except +those belonging to the detachment. He and his party were immediately +supplied with fresh beef, fowls, butter, pheasants and vegetables, at +this settlement called Sertigan 25 leagues from Quebec. They were kindly +entertained while marching down the country. When colonel Arnold got +within two leagues and a half of Point Levi, [Nov. 8.] he wrote to +general Montgomery, that as he had received no answer either from +general Schuyler or his friend, he made no doubt but that the Indian had +betrayed his trust: and that he was confirmed in it, upon finding that +the inhabitants of Quebec had been some time apprised of his coming, and +had destroyed all the canoes at Point Levi to prevent the detachments +from passing over. The fact was, the Indian, instead of delivering the +packet as directed, carried it to the lieutenant-governor, who on +reading the letters, secured Mr. Mercier the merchant, and began +immediately to put the city in the best state of defence he could; +whereas before it was wholly defenceless, and might easily have been +carried by surprise. [Nov. 9.] Colonel Arnold arrived at Point Levi, +where we leave him to remove, if possble the embarrasments into which +his own imprudence has brought him, by needlessly trusting an unknown +Indian with dispatches of the utmost consequence. The detachment +suffered hardships, beyond what can well be conceived of, in the course +of the expedition. The men had to haul their batteaux up over falls, up +rapid streams, over carrying places; and to march through morasses, +thick woods and over mountains, for about 320 miles. In many places they +had to pass over the ground and the mountains several times, as without +it they must have left much of their baggage behind, and have failed in +the enterprise. They lost all their powder, except what was in +cartridges and horns, while penetrating through the woods. But what +proved the greatest trial to them, was the starving condition to which +they were reduced, when approaching the end of their tedious and +distressing march. The pork being gone, they had for four days only half +a pound of flour a day for each man. Their whole store was then divided, +which yielded about four pints of flour per man—a small allowance for +men near a hundred miles from any habitation or prospect of supply. It +was used sparingly; but several when they had baked and eaten their last +morsel, discovered, to their great confusion, that they had thirty miles +to travel before they could expect the least mouthful more. But their +dread of consequences was soon removed, by the unexpected return of +colonel Arnold with cattle. The soldiers exercised the greatest +fortitude and patience under the difficulties and sufferings that +occurred; and when again in the midst of plenty and an easy situation, +soon lost all painful remembrance of what had happened, and gloried in +having accomplished, by their indefatigable zeal and industry, an +undertaking above the common race of men in this debauched age. Let us +attend to colonel Enos. His return to camp excited both astonishment and +indignation. [Dec. 1.] A court martial was ordered to sit upon him; when +it appeared, that he had but three days provisions, and was about one +hundred miles from the English settlements; that a council of war was +called, which agreed upon the return of the colonel’s whole division, +and that he was for going on without, but that it was opposed. It was +the unanimous opinion of the court, that colonel Enos was under a +necessity of returning, and he has been acquitted with honor. A number +of officers of the best character are fully satisfied, and persuaded +that his conduct deserves applause rather than sensure. Had he not +returned, his whole division must have been starved. + +We must now resume the account of the military transactions in the +Massachusetts, from the period of colonel Arnold’s leaving the camp. + +The Americans, that they might equal in some measure the British, have +built some floating batteries with a deck, to secure the people on board +from suffering by musketry. General Washington perceiving that the +expence of supporting the army will by far exceed any idea formed of it +in congress, is alarmed at the apprehension of consequences, and most +earnestly wishes for such a termination of the campaign, as may make the +army no longer necessary. The want of powder has subsided in part. +Salt-peter is made in every colony. Powder-mills have been erected at +Philadelphia and New-York. Non only so, but upward of a hundred barrels +of powder have been taken out of the magazine at Bermuda, as supposed by +a sloop from Philadelphia, and a schooner from Carolina. It was easily +accomplished from the magazine’s being situated far distant from the +town, without any dwelling-house in the vicinity. Some of the +inhabitants were probably concerned in the transaction. It might be +connected with the address to the deputies from the different parishes +of Bermuda presented to congress in July, and might influence the +subsequent resolve of congress in November, “That the inhabitants of +Bermuda appear friendly to the cause of America, and ought to be +supplied with such a quantity of the produce of these colonies, as may +be necessary for their subsistence and home consumption.” + +[Oct.] The perfidy of Dr. Church has been at length detected, by the +discovery of a traiterous correspondence with a British officer in +Boston. He had intrusted a letter in cypher with his kept mistress to be +forwarded, which being found upon her, she was taking and carried to +head quarters. The Doctor not being suspected, had an opportunity of +speaking to her, so that she would not discover the writer, till +terrified into it by the severest threats. The general was shocked at +the discovery, and talked with the doctor upon the baseness of his +conduct. The marks of guilt were apparent. The doctor was confounded, +and never attempted to vindicate himself. He was immediately secured. +Since the letter has been decyphered, and the doctor has had opportunity +of recollecting himself, he has pleaded that his intentions were not +criminal; admitting his plea, so gross a piece of stupidity in so +sensible a man is quite a prodigy. But this plea was invalidated, though +not by the contents of the letter, which served mainly to point out the +necessity of a speedy accommodation; yet by the marks of guilt he +discovered in the presence of the general, and in his attempt to conceal +the writer, instead of declaring at once who he was, what was his +design, and what he had written. The doctor being a representative, was, +on the 27th of October, examined at the bar of the house. He endeavored +to evade the censure of the house, by insisting, that as the affair +would be before another court where the matter must have a final issue, +should the house proceed to expel him it would have a fatal effect +whenever a final judgment was to be given on his conduct. He made the +most solemn appeal to heaven, that the letter was written with the +design of procuring some important intelligence. He observed, that there +was not a single paragraph in it which contained information that could +hurt the Americans; and that the exaggerated accounts of their force, +strength and unanimity, tended to dishearten the enemy, and keep them +quiet, at a time when the Americans were poorly able to have withstood a +vigorous attack. It is impossible to write all he said; but if the force +of rhetoric and the powers of language, if the most pathetic arts of +persuasion, enforced by all the ingenuity, sense, and spirit of the +doctor, could have made him innocent, he would have appeared spotless as +an angel of light.—The house however expelled him as guilty; and +congress afterward resolved, “That he be close confined in some secure +jail in Connecticut, without the use of pen, ink and paper, and that no +person be allowed to converse with him, except in the presence and +hearing of a magistrate or the sheriff of the county.” + +The time for which the continental soldiers were engaged to serve, was +hastening to a close; the evil of a very short inlistment was felt; it +was therefore unanimously agreed at a council of war, [Oct. 8.] that the +men to be raised for the future army, should be engaged to the first of +December 1776, but be discharged sooner if necessary. Hopes still +remain, that an accommodation may possibly take place. + +[October 10.] General Gage sailed for Great-Britain, leaving several +thousand of the inhabitants of the town in want of bread and every +necessary of life. Before his departure, he was addressed by his +majesty’s mandamus council; by a number of gentlemen and principal +inhabitants of the town; and by such as were driven from their +habitations in the country to Boston, amounting to no more than +seventy-six, a small number considering the extent and populousness of +the colony, and that many of them would not pass for gentlemen in +Great-Britain. The command of the army devolved of course upon general +Howe, who issued one proclamation, condemning to military execution, +such inhabitants as attempt to quit the town without a written licence, +if detected and taken; if they escape, they are to be proceeded against +as traitors, and their effects are to be forfeited: and another, +declaring that if such as are permitted to depart, attempt carrying away +more than five pounds in specie, to which sum they have been restrained +for some time past, they shall forfeit the whole sum discovered, beside +suffering fine and imprisonment. + +Congress having intimated to general Washington, that an attack upon +Boston was much desired, a council of war was called, [October 18.] but +unanimously agreed that it was not expedient, at least, for the present. +On the same day captain Mowat destroyed 139 houses, and 278 stores and +other buildings, the far greatest and best part of the town of Falmouth +in the northern part of the Massachusetts. The inhabitants, in +compliance with a resolve of the provincial congress to prevent tories +carrying out their effects, gave some violent obstruction to the loading +of a mast ship, which drew upon them the indignation of the admiral. +Captain Mowat was dispatched in the Canceaux, of sixteen guns, with an +armed large ship, schooner and sloop. After anchoring toward the evening +of the seventeenth, within gun-shot, he sent a letter on shore giving +them two hours for the removal of their families, as he had orders to +fire the town, they having been guilty of the most unpardonable +rebellion. A committee of three gentlemen went on board, to learn the +particular reasons for such orders. He answered, that his orders were to +set on fire all the sea-ports between Boston and Halifax; but agreed to +spare the town till nine o’clock the next morning, would they consent to +send him off eight small arms, which was immediately done. The next +morning the committee applied afresh; he concluded to spare the town +till he could hear from the admiral, in case they would send him off +four carriage guns, deliver up all their arms, ammunition, &c. and four +gentlemen of the town as hostages. That not being complied with, about +half past nine he began to fire from the four armed vessels, and +continued it till after dark. With shells and carcases, and about thirty +marines whom he landed, he set the town on fire in several places. About +a hundred of the worst houses escaped destruction, but suffered damage. +The inhabitants got out a very considerable part of their furniture, and +had not a person killed or wounded, though the vessels fired into the +town about three thousand shot, beside bombs and carcases. General Lee +reprobates their cowardice, in admitting such a paltry party to land +with impunity, an set their town in flames, when they had at least two +hundred fighting men, and powder enough for a battle. In the private +letter wherein he expressed these sentiments, he made no mention of the +sailors being repulsed, with the loss of a few men; though this might +happen in the close of the day, and give occasion for its being related +by others. The burning of Falmouth spread an alarm upon the sea-coast, +but produced no disposition to submit to the power and mercy of the +armed British agents. The people in common, chose rather to abandon the +sea-ports that could not be defended, than quit their country’s cause; +and therefore removed back with their effects to a safe distance. + +The congress, the latter end of September, concluded upon sending a +committee of three members, to confer with general Washington and the +governor of Connecticut, the lieutenant-governor of Rhode-Island, the +council of Massachusetts, and the president of the convention of +New-Hampshire, and others, touching the most effectual method of +continuing, supporting, and regulating a continental army. They met and +agreed on the measures to be pursued. Dr. Franklin being one of the +committed, the Massachusetts general court embraced that opportunity +[Oct. 23.] of ordering the treasurer to pay him £.1854 sterling, in full +for his late services as agent, from October 31, 1770, to March 1, 1775. +You may recollect that governor Hutchinson always refused signing the +grants made him by the house of assembly. The doctor might lave liked +specie at the time such grants were made, better than the present paper +money; but his foresight will undoubtedly transform the latter into some +solid substance. He had to pay £.100 of it back into the hands of a +committee, appointed to wait upon him within a day or two, being the +amount of a sum sent by several persons from England, for the relief of +those Americans who were wounded in the battle of Lexington, and of the +widows and children of those who were then slain. + +[October 27.] The old south meeting-house, a large, handsome brick +building, well fitted up without and within, was taken possession of, +and destined for a horse riding-school and the service of the light +dragoons. It is said and believed, that an offer was made of building a +complete riding-school for less money than it would cost to remove the +pews and the side galleries (the front remains for the accommodation of +tea-company and others) and to make a proper flooring for the horse. In +clearing every thing away, a beautiful carved pew, with silk furniture, +formerly belonging to a deceased gentleman in high estimation, was taken +down and carried to Mr. John Amory’s house, by the order of an officer, +who applied the carved work to the erecting of a hogsty. Had the +meeting-house and its contents been honored with episcopal consecration, +these proceedings would be deemed by multitudes, profane and +sacriligious. But they, who in the present day hold not with the +holiness of any buildings, will censure the insults offered professors +of whatever denomination, by needlessly demolishing their places of +worship, or consigning them to despicable and filthy uses. When Roman +virtue and patriotism were at their height, the Roman officers would not +allow the religion or temples of the persons with whom they fought, to +be insulted and profaned. They were more politic than to exasperate men +into a ferocious courage for the defence of their altars. But too many +of the present British officers act as though they owed a spite to all +the meeting-houses of the presbyterians, by which common name they +stigmatize those who dissent from the church of England, without +reflecting that it is no stigma in Scotland, but the reverse. + +The southern colonies, in consequence of accounts transmitted to them +from the camp, begin to entertain prejudices with respect to the troops +raised in the Massachusetts. They ought to allow for the precipitation +with which the army was necessarily collected. General Thomas declared +[Oct. 24.] that the regiments at Roxbury were equal, as to the privates, +to any with whom he served the last war, and many of them have proved +themselves brave. The greatest part of the officers are unexperienced, +and in general unqualified, being strangers to subordination, which was +not unexpected to the general, as they were chosen by their privates. He +complained of many of the southern riflemen, that they often deserted to +the enemy, were mutinous, repugnant to all kind of duty, and so +exceedingly vicious that the army would be as well without them; but +spake with satisfaction of their officers. It is a mortifying truth, +that some of the Massachusetts officers disgrace the colony, by +practising the meanest arts of peculation. Every subtilty that avarice +can invent, or rascality carry on, are used to cheat the public, by men +who procured commissions, not to fight for the liberty of their country, +but to prey upon its distresses. The army about to be enlisted, will +undoubtedly be better officered. + +Gentlemen, ladies, and others, from neighboring and distant colonies, +attracted by curiosity, have visited the American troops, and animated +them by their presence. A number of Indian chiefs have also been down, +that they might see and judge for themselves, how far the reports +propagated among them, were true or false. They were treated at +head-quarters, and by different officers, with much respect. One evening +they entertained the general and others with a war dance, if that may be +called an entertainment, wherein the motions and actions of the dancers +were calculated to alarm and terrify those who were not acquainted with +such sights. They were pleasant and agreeable company. Two of them had +their squaws or wives with them; who were well looking women, allowing +for their dark complexion; one of them was much dejected, having lately +lost her papoos or child. When the Indians danced in company with the +American gentlemen and ladies, both men and women kept time with far +greater exactness than the others. They went off upon their return, +fully satisfied with the treatment they had received; and it is hoped +will carry back those accounts which will keep their tribes peaceable. + +Many of the Americans have sickened and died of the dysentery, brought +upon them, in a great measure, through an inattention to cleanliness. +When at home, their female relations put them upon washing their hands +and faces, and keeping themselves neat and clean; but being absent from +such monitors, through an indolent heedless turn of mind, they have +neglected the means of health, have grown filthy, and poisoned their +constitutions by nastiness. + +[Nov. 2.] The weather set in very cold, and the soldiers were distressed +for want of wood. The building of barracks had been delayed too long: +and they were not in sufficient forwardness to admit and accommodate all +the troops. Several regiments were obliged to keep the field; and some +in a bleak position on the brow of hills, where it was difficult to drag +up the wood with which they could be supplied. It is mortifying to +reflect how these supplies have been reduced by short measure. But many +persons think it no harm in this way to cheat the united colonies, and +to deliver a less quantity than they are paid for. + +[Nov. 9.] Several companies of the British regulars passed over from +Charlestown to Phipp’s farm, and kept possession of the ground for near +an hour before they could be obstructed, owing to a high tide that +prevented the Americans crossing the causeway, which was overflowed. +During this period they were employed in shooting cattle with a design +of carrying them off. At length a battalion of riflemen, under colonel +Thomson, took to the water, when up to their middles, and a quarter of a +mile across; at their approach the British hastened to their boats.—The +Charlestown forts, one in Boston and a frigate, kept up a warm fire upon +the Americans the whole time, killed them one man and wounded three. The +British have provided for the security of Charlestown, by the erection +of a strong citadel on Bunker’s Hill, with convenient barracks for the +garrison. [Nov. 16.] Such was the distress of the inhabitants in Boston, +that fences, trees, houses, &c. were taken down and carried off for +fuel: beef, mutton and pork, were 1s. 1½d. sterling per lb. geese, half +a guinea a piece, and fowls five shillings. At the scarcest season half +a guinea was given for a dozen of common eggs. + +General Washington, desirous of improving the troops to the utmost ere +the army was weakened by the return of the Connecticut ones to their own +colony, resolved upon securing Cobble, or Miller’s Hill, about half a +mile in a direct line from the enemy’s works on Bunker’s Hill, and at a +like distance from the shipping at West Boston. About 1000 men broke +ground on the hill, [Nov. 22.] without having a single cannon fired at +them. They went on intrenching and planting several 9, 18, and 24 +pounders, till they made themselves secure. General Howe does not seem +so fond of cannonading as was general Gage. [Oct. 24.] To lessen the +demand for provision, he ordered a transport ship to carry about 400 of +the inhabitants out of the town to Point Shirley, to be taken care of by +the country. Ten days after he sent out 300 more. The persons thus sent +out were not thought to be wholly free from the small-pox; and it was +suspected that there might be a design of spreading that disorder among +the American troops, which induced the Massachusetts assembly to resolve +upon measures for preventing such an event. + +The Massachusetts assembly resolved, October the ninth, to fit out armed +vessels; which proving a sufficient encouragement for individuals to +apply themselves to that business, and some being in proper forwardness, +an act was passed in November for granting letters of marque and +reprisal, and the establishment of courts of admiralty. The declared +intention of the act was for the defence of the American coast, and the +condemnation of those vessels only which should be proved to be the +property of, or in any wise employed by the enemies of the united +colonies, or for supplying said enemies. The Lee privateer, captain +Manly, belonging to Marblehead, was soon at sea, and took the brig +Nancy, [Nov. 29.] an ordinance ship from Woolwich, containing, beside a +large brass morter upon a new construction, several pieces of fine brass +cannon, a large quantity of small arms and ammunition, with all manner +of tools, utensils and machines, necessary for camps and artillery, in +the greatest abundance. General Washington, but thirteen days before +wrote, “I am in very great want of powder, lead, morters, indeed of most +sorts of military stores.” Had congress sent an order for articles most +wanted, they could not have made a more satisfactory invoice. The morter +is now at Cambridge, in the park of artillery, is named _the Congress_, +and is much admired for its size by every spectator, whether acquainted +or nor with the uses for which it is designed. About two months before +this capture, a ship from Bristol with flour for Boston, having parted +with her convoy, was decoyed into Portsmouth in New-Hampshire, and +secured for the benefit of the Americans. + +[Dec. 8.] Three ships from London, Glasgow, and Liverpool, with various +stores for the army, and a brig from Antigua with rum, were taken in the +bay by captain Manly, by whale-boats, &c. A number of men in whale-boats +can overpower unarmed vessels, and carry them off into secure harbours. +These and the privateers captured several more store-ships before five +days were ended. Among the privateers were some continental ones, for +general Washington fitted out a few armed vessels, which has met with +the approbation of congress. These repeated and considerable captures +have increased the distress of the troops and people in Boston, and +furnished the continental army with many, valuable articles. But though +the success of the Americans upon the watery element has been matter of +joy and triumph, their affairs upon land do not answer the wishes of the +genuine patriots. On the first of the month the enlistment of the +Connecticut troops expired. They were urged to tarry longer by different +persons, who harrangued them upon the occasion. A few hundreds were +prevailed upon to continue; but the main body marched off, leaving the +army in too week a condition. It is true they had suffered greatly +through the intenseness of the cold, and the want of fuel, with which +they ought to have been more faithfully and punctually supplied. The +Massachusetts and New-Hampshire men complete their term the first of +January; and the enlistment of the new army goes on very heavily. There +is a general reluctance among the soldiers to inlisting afresh. The +Massachusetts people show as much backwardness as the others. In short, +they expect to be hired, and that at a very high price, to defend their +own liberties; and choose to be slaves unless they can be bribed to be +freemen. _Quid facit libertas, cum sola pecunia regnat?_ How must it +afflict general Washington to observe in the present crisis, so little +of that patriotic spirit, which he was taught to believe was the +characteristic of the Massachusetts people; and on which he relied +greatly for support. While burdened with an apprehension that he might +possibly be deserted, he could recollect the severity of the season, and +the distresses of his fellow-creatures at a distance, and wrote to the +gentleman with whom he had intrusted the management of his concerns at +Mount-Vernon, “Let the hospitality of the house be kept up with respect +to the poor. Let no one go hungry away. If any of this kind of people +should be in want of corn, supply their necessities, provided it does +not encourage them in idleness. I have no objection to your giving my +money in charity, when you think it will be well bestowed. I mean, it is +my desire that it should be done. You are to consider, that neither +myself or wife are now in the way to do these good offices.” + +[Dec. 11.] About 2000 militia arrived in camp, and 3000 more were +expected every hour, making in the whole the number required by the +general to supply the deficiency of the continental regiments. The +American army being by this mean sufficiently strengthened, carried +their approaches to within half a mile of Boston, and broke ground at +Lechmere’s Point which brought on a cannonade from the batteries of +Charlestown and Barton’s Point, that continued for four days, without +obliging them to desist. Their labor was hard, owing to the ground’s +being so frozen; but they persevered till they had perfected their +design. + +[Dec. 25.] Some persons have been so curious as to note the number of +men killed by the firing of the enemy on Cambridge side of the American +lines, and on the Roxbury, as also, the number and nature of their +firings. The accounts stands thus “From the burning of Charlestown down +to this day, the enemy have fired upward of 2000 shot and shells, an +equal number of 24 pounders with any other sort. They threw more than +300 bumbs at Plowed Hill, and 100 at Lechmere’s Point. By the whole +firing on Cambridge side, they killed only seven, and on Roxbury side +five, just a dozen.” + +Let me now give you the following anecdote. Deacon Whitcomb of +Lancaster, (who was a member of the Massachusetts assembly till the +present contest, had served in former wars, and been in different +engagements) has served as a colonel in the American army; but on +account of his age was left out upon the late new regulation. His men +highly resented it, and declared they would not inlist again, after +their time was out. The colonel told them, he did not doubt there were +sufficient reasons for the regulation, and he was satisfied with it; he +then blamed them for their conduct, and said he would inlist as a +private. A colonel Brewer heard of it, and offered to resign in favor of +colonel Whitcomb. The whole coming to general Washington’s ears, he has +allowed of colonel Brewer’s resignation in colonel Whitcomb’s favor, +appointed the former barrack-master, till he can further promote him, +and acquainted the army with the whole affars in general orders. This +terminates the narrative of the military and naval transactions within +the Massachusetts; little remain to be mentioned of the civil. The great +call there was for salt-petre, put the house of assembly upon resolving +[Oct. 30.] to pay a bounty of three shillings sterling in paper currency +per lb. for all that shall be manufactured before the first of next +June, beside two shillings and three-pence per lb. purchase money. The +assembly was far from giving satisfaction to general Lee, who about the +middle of November, pronounced them benumbed in a fixed state of +torpitude, without the symptoms of animation, unless an apprehension of +rendering themselves unpopular among their particular constituents, by +any act of vigor for the public service, deserved the name of animation. +He charged them with inconsistent and timid conduct; and ascribed it to +their torpor, narrow politics, or call it what you will, that the army +had been reduced to very great distress. There was however, about the +beginning of December, an act passed for emitting bills of credit to the +amount of more than £.50,000 sterling, with a pretty device on the back, +viz. an American with a sword in his right hand, with the following +inscription suspended therefrom, “_Ense petit placidam sub libertate +quietem_;” and from his left hand “_Magna Charta_;” and round the figure +these words, “_Issued in defence of American liberty_.” The assembly +also gave orders relating to wood [Dec. 26.] that so the great +distresses of the army on that head might be removed. + +_New-Hampshire_ colony has presented us with a novelty, which the +polititians will apply to the purpose of promoting independency. By some +dextrous, or rather sinister management, instructions were delivered to +the New-Hampshire delegates at the continental congress containing these +expressions, “we would have you immediately use your utmost endeavours +to obtain the advice and direction of the congress, with respect to a +method for our administering justice and regulating our civil police. We +press you not to delay this matter, as its being done speedily will +probably prevent the greatest confusion among us.” They were laid before +congress Oct. the eighteenth, and proved a fine opening for those +individual delegates, who were looking forward to a separation from +Great-Britain, to introduce an entering wedge wherewith to divide the +empire. Even these very instructions might be designedly obtained by +confidential letters written to trusty deputies in the New-Hampshire +convention, by certain delegates in the general congress. The first step +to be taken by such was, to procure, in some one colony, the +establishment of a new form of government, in which the people at large +should have a leading influence, that so their attachments and efforts +might be secured in support of the same. The inhabitants of adjoining +colonies would soon be eager to enjoy the like power and importance, +which would pave the way for their insisting also upon a change. These +changes being once effected, the parties will then have gone too far to +retreat, and must seek their security in independence. The scheme met +with opposition, and the New-Hampshire delegates used unwearied +importunity, both within doors and without, before they obtained the +recommendation they were after. At length the report of the committee +was taken into consideration, and it was resolved by congress, [Nov. 3.] +“That it be recommended to the provincial convention of New-Hampshire, +to call a full and free representation of the people, and that the said +representatives, if they think it necessary, establish such a form of +government, as in their judgment will best produce the happiness of the +people, and most effectually secure the peace and good order in the +province, during the continuance of the present dispute between +Great-Britain and the colonies. The vote was far from being unanimous; +and, in order to make it pass, was qualified with a seeming desire of an +accommodation with Britain, and of restoration by that mean to the old +form of government. The provincial convention, without waiting for the +arrival of the recommendation, appointed a committee to report a mode of +representation, which being laid before them, [Nov. 14.] they agreed, +that precepts be sent to elect persons to represent the towns, &c. in +congress, to meet at Exeter on the twenty-first of December, and to be +empowered to prosecute such measures as they may deem necessary for the +public good, during the term of one year, unless they see fit to disolve +themselves sooner. And in case there should be a recommendation from the +continental congress for this colony to assume a government, in a way +that will require a house of representatives, that the said congress of +this colony be empowered to resolve themselves into such a house as may +be recommended, and remain such for the aforesaid term of one year.” The +provincial congress met agreeable to the receipts, and after a while +voted, “That congress will at any time take up civil government, to +continue during the present contest with Great-Britain; and resolve +themselves into a house of representatives, and then choose a council to +continue one year from the twenty-first of December.” + +The continental congress having dispatched the New-Hampshire case, +immediately took into consideration the state of _South-Carolina_ and +appointed a committee to consider a number of papers relative thereto, +and to report what in their opinion was necessary to be done. What this +opinion would be was easily foreseen, from Messrs. Chase and Samuel +Adams being of the committee. The report was brought in the next day, +[Nov. 4.] and it was resolved, “That for the defence of South-Carolina, +there be kept up in that colony, at the continental expences, three +battalions of foot: That if the convention, or council of safety shall +think it expedient, for the security of the colony, to seize or destroy +any ship or vessel of war, this congress will approve of such +proceeding:—That Charleston ought to be defended against any attempts to +take possession thereof by the enemies of America; and that the +convention or council of safety ought to proceed immediately to erect +such fortifications and batteries as will best conduce to its +security;—That if the convention of South-Carolina shall find it +necessary to establish a form of government in that colony, it be +recommended to that convention to call a full and free representation of +the people, &c. &c.” as to the convention of New-Hampshire. + +The measures pursued by lord Dunmore naturally led congress to resolve, +[Nov. 10.] “That a committee be appointed to inquire into the state of +the colony of _Virginia_, to consider what provisions may be necessary +for its defence, and to report the same.” Mr. Samuel Adams was of the +number. New information being received before they reported, when they +did it, it was in such a way that congress resolved [Dec. 4.] “That +three companies of the Pennsylvania battalion immediately march into +Northampton county, in Virginia, for the protection of the +association—That it be recommended to the inhabitants to resist to the +utmost, the arbitrary government intended to be established therein.” +They then said, “Whereas lord Dunmore by his proclamation, has declared +his intention to execute martial law, thereby tearing up the foundations +of civil authority and government within the colony; resolved, +therefore, that if the convention of Virginia, &c. &c.” as to the +conventions of New-Hampshire and South-Carolina. + +A growing change in the sentiments of congress, would of course follow +upon the dispatches received the day before the committee on the state +of Virginia was appointed. Their agents informed them, that the American +minister told them, some days after the delivery of the petition by the +late governor Penn, _No answer will be given to it_; and that no one +person in authority had, since the arrival of that gentleman, deigned to +propose a single question to him, or to desire the smallest information +from him. This cavalier treatment of a petition containing professions +of the greatest loyalty to the king, and attachment to the mother +country, and couched in terms the most moderate and humble; and of the +person who was intrusted with it; left no reasonable ground for hoping +that the present dispute could be amicably adjusted. + +Having been led by the New-Hampshire instructions, to mention some of +the doings of congress, let me proceed to relate some others which have +been unnoticed. + +Congress resolved, that the new army intended to lie before Boston [Nov. +4.] consist of 20,372 men, officers included. Beside, it has been +recommended to particular colonies to raise battalions at the expence of +the continent. Orders have also been given for fitting out four armed +vessels, for the intercepting of such transports as may be laden with +warlike stores and other supplies for the enemy; and for the protection +and defence of the united colonies. [Nov. 9.] It was agreed, “That every +member consider himself under the ties of virtue, honor, and love of his +country, not to divulge, directly or indirectly, any matter or thing +agitated or debated in congress, before the same shall have been +determined, without the leave of congress; or any other matter or thing +determined in congress, which the majority of congress shall order to be +kept secret; and that if any member shall violate this agreement, he +shall be expelled this congress, and be deemed an enemy to the liberties +of America, and liable to be treated as such; and that every member +signify his consent to this agreement by signing the same.” [Nov. 10.] +They resolved upon raising two battalions of marines, to be considered +as part of the number of which the continental army before Boston is to +consist. + +[Nov. 28.] A committee appointed to take into consideration the state of +_North-Carolina_, made their report, whereupon it was resolved, among +other matters, that two ministers of the gospel be applied to, to go +immediately among the regulators and highlanders of that colony, for the +purpose of informing them of the nature of the present dispute between +Great-Britain and the colonies. Instead of a similar recommendation to +what was given to South-Carolina about establishing a form of +government, it was only recommended to the convention or committee of +safety, in case the method of defending the colony by minute-men, be +inadequate to the purpose, to substitute such other mode as to them +should appear most likely to effect the security of the colony. + +[Nov. 29.] Congress resolved, that a committee of five be appointed for +the sole purpose of corresponding with their friends in Great-Britain, +Ireland, and other parts of the world. Information being given, that +there is a large quantity of powder in the island of Providence, the +secret committee were ordered to take measures for securing and bringing +away the said powder. To prevent any petition to the king from a +particular colony, they declared [Dec. 4.] that in the present situation +of affairs, it would be very dangerous to the liberties and welfare of +America, if any colony should separately petition the king, or either +house of parliament. This declaration is thought to be owing to an +apprehension that the New-Jersey assembly would be drawn in, by the art +and persuasion of governor Franklin and his adherents, to adopt such a +measure. Congress were certainly alarmed at some disagreeable +appearances, for they appointed a committee to confer with that assembly +immediately after the declaration. [Dec. 6.] They agreed to the report +of the committee on proclamations. It contained many severe remarks upon +the royal proclamation of August, for suppressing rebellion and +sedition; together with many pointed questions, designed to sink it into +equal contempt with what it experienced at the Royal Exchange, where we +have heard it was read by one of the lord mayor’s officers, accompanied +only by the common crier, without horse or mace to grace the ceremony, +and when finished, saluted with a general hiss. Toward the close, the +report holds forth the following threat; “we, in the name of the people +of these united colonies, and by authority, according to the purest +maxims of representation, derived from them, declare, that whatever +punishment shall be inflicted upon any persons in the power of our +enemies, for favoring, aiding, or abetting the cause of American +liberty, shall be retaliated in the same kind and the same degree, upon +those in our power, who have favored, aided, or abetted, or shall favor, +aid, or abet the system of ministerial oppression.” + +[Dec. 13.] Congress determined upon building five ships of 32 guns, five +of 28, and three of 24, in all 13; one in New-Hampshire, two in +Massachusetts, one in Connecticut, two in Rhode-Island, two in New-York, +four in Pennsylvania, and one in Maryland. [Dec. 20.] They, having taken +into consideration the dispute between the people of Pennsylvania and +Connecticut, on the lands near Wyoming, on the Susquehannah river, +recommended, that “the contending parties immediately cease all +hostilities; that all persons seized and detained on account of said +dispute, on either side, be dismissed and permitted to go to their +respective homes; and that, things being put in the same situation they +were before the late unhappy contest, they continue to behave themselves +peaceably, until a legal decision can be had on said dispute, or +congress shall take further order thereon.” The committee appointed to +fit out armed vessels, having procured a few, laid before congress [Dec. +22.] a list of the officers by them appointed; and were directed to give +such instructions to the commander of the fleet, Ezekiel Hopkins, esq. +touching the operations of the ships under his command, as should appear +to them most conducive to the defence of the united colonies, and to the +distress of the enemy’s naval forces and vessels. + +In Canada, Sir Guy Carleton was no sooner acquainted with the Americans +having surprised Tyconderoga and Crown-Point, and obtained the command +of Lake Champlain, than he planned a scheme for their recovery. The +British troops he had with him were too few to admit of their being +drawn out of garrison. He expected a supply of Canadians sufficient for +his purpose, and to have the assistance of the Indians in his intended +operations; but both failed him. He established martial law in the +province, that he might be able in that way authoritatively to force the +people to take arms, but they refused. They had tasted the sweets of the +English mode of government since the conquest of the country; and were +disgusted (the noblesse excepted) at the re-establishment of the French. +The Quebec act was of no use in exciting them against the colonists; on +the contrary they talked much of liberty.[134] They declared themselves +ready to defend the province, but absolutely refused to march out of it, +and commence hostilities upon their neighbors. The governor applied to +the bishop of Quebec to use his spiritual influence, particularly to +issue an episcopal mandate, to be read by the parish priests in the time +of divine service, but the bishop excused himself. The ecclesiastics, in +the place of this, issued their letters, which were however greatly +disregarded. The noblesse alone, who were chiefly considered in the +Quebec act, showed a zeal against the English colonists. + +Colonel Johnson, a son of the late Sir William Johnson, had repeated +conferences with the Indians; at the one in Montreal, he delivered to +each of the Canadian tribes a war-belt and the hatchet; after which he +invited them to feast on a Bostonian, and to drink his blood, +figuratively, an ox being roasted for the purpose, and a pipe of wine +given; but the entertainment could not prevail with them to take up the +hatchet. The congress, being made acquainted with the disposition of the +Canadians, and the designs of governor Carleton, and expecting a +powerful opposition from that quarter when European troops were arrived, +unless they could prevent it by securing the country, determined upon +penetrating into Canada, in hope of gaining the speedy possession of it, +and of joining it to the union. The more effectually to support the +reasonableness of the measure, and to strengthen the operation, it was +given out, that the powers with which governor Carleton was entrusted by +his commission, were special and extraordinary, _purposely_ designed to +warrant his attempting by force to suppress the opposition making in the +colonies to the British measures. Several, or even most of the members +of congress could not but know, that the words of the commission for +governing their own colonies, name and place excepted. Sir Guy’s +commission was in the usual mode, and similar to what was given to +Danvers Osborne, esq. governor of New-York.[135] + +General Montgomery was sent forward to Tyconderoga with a body of +troops, New-Yorkers and New-Englanders. When he took leave of his lady, +his parting words were, “You shall never blush for your Montgomery.” +[Aug. 21.] He arrived with the continental army (if not too diminutive +to be so called) at the place of destination. General Schuyler, who was +the chief commander, remained at Albany, to attend the Indian treaty +carrying on in that city. General Montgomery made a movement down Lake +Champlain, without waiting the arrival of more troops, that so he might +hinder the enemy’s armed vessels getting into the lake. [Sept. 4. 5.] +Schuyler having pushed forward, notwithstanding great indisposition, and +joined Montgomery at Isle la Motte, they moved on, and arrived at Isle +aux Noix. Here he drew up a declaration, which he sent among the +Canadians by colonel Allen and major Brown, assuring them, that the army +was designed only against the English garrisons, and not the country, +their liberties or religion. [Sept. 6.] The army, not exceeding a +thousand men, proceeded without any obstruction toward St. John’s. When +in sight of the works, and about two miles distant, the enemy began to +fire, without doing any damage. After advancing half a mile nearer, the +troops landed without opposition, in a close deep swamp; and being +formed, marched through grounds marshy and covered with woods, in order +to reconnoitre the fortresses. The left was attacked in crossing a +creek, by a party of Indians, who killed a sergeant, corporal, and three +privates, beside wounding eight, three of whom died. Three officers also +were wounded. The Indians were soon compelled to give way, and had five +killed and four badly wounded. Gen. Schuyler receiving certain +intelligence in the evening, that the enemy’s fortifications were +complete, and plentifully furnished with cannon, it was thought +advisable the next morning, to return to Isle aux Noix, which was +accordingly done; and the troops were employed in erecting proper works +to secure the entrance into the lake; and in getting ready, on the +arrival of further reinforcements, to take advantage of any events that +might happen in Canada. Schuyler returned, leaving the command to +Montgomery; who, being strengthened by an addition of men and artillery, +and receiving orders to undertake the siege of St. John’s, [Sept. 17.] +proceeded to execute the same. The next day the enemy threw bombs, but +did no damage. The Americans returned the salute. [Sept. 21.] The lines +of circumvallation were finished; but between 20 and 30 waggons with +provisions, rum, brandy, &c. for the garrison, were taken prior to it. +Afterwards there was a continual firing for some days and nights; and +could the general have depended upon the troops, he might have ventured +to promise success, but he could say nothing pleasing on that head. The +men took good care of themselves; and one night captain Mott, of the 1st +regiment of Yorkers, basely deserted the mortar battery without ever +being attacked. + +Colonel Allen being upon his return, with a guard of about eighty men, +from a tour upon which he had been sent by the general, was desired to +halt by major Brown, who proposed that colonel Allen should return to +Longuil, procure canoes and cross the river St. Lawrence a little north +of Montreal; while he crossed a little to the south of the town with +near 200 men, as he had boats sufficient. The plan was approved of, and +colonel Allen crossed in the night. Major Brown by some means failed on +his part; and colonel Allen found himself, the next morning, in a +critical situation; but concluded upon maintaining his grounds. [Sept. +25.] General Carleton learning how weak colonel Allen was, marched out +against him with about forty regulars, together with Canadians, English +and Indians, amounting to some hundreds. The colonel defended himself +with much bravery; but being deserted by several, chiefly Canadians, and +having had fifteen of his men killed, was under the necessity of +surrendering with thirty-one effectives and seven wounded. He was +directly put into irons. Had the plan been executed according to major +Brown’s proposal, Montreal would probably have been surprised and taken. +Success would have prevented the censures, which are now passed upon the +one for proposing, and the other for adopting a plan of operation to +which the general was an entire stranger. [Oct. 4.] A party of +Canadians, who had joined and greatly assisted the besiegers, intrenched +themselves on the east side of the lake, on which the enemy sent an +armed sloop with troops to drive them away; but the Canadians attacked +the sloop with vigor, killed a number of the men, and obliged her to +return to St. Johns in a shattered condition. The main body of the army +decamped from the south, [Oct. 7.] and marched to the north side of the +fort: and in the evening began to throw up a breast work, in order to +erect a battery of cannon and mortars. The continental troops brought +such a spirit of liberty into the field, and thought so freely for +themselves, that they would not bear either subordination or discipline. +The general could not in truth direct their operations, and would not +have stayed an hour at their head, had he not feared that the example +would be too generally followed and so the public service suffer. There +was a great want of powder, which with the disorderly behavior of the +troops was a damp to the hope of terminating the siege successfully. + +[Oct. 18.] The prospect was much brightened. The Canadians planned an +attack upon Chamblee, and carried down in batteaux the artillery, past +the fort of St. John’s. After a short demur it surrendered to major +Brown and major Livingston.—The greatest acquisition was about six tons +of powder, which enabled the general to accomplish his wishes. The other +particulars you have below,[136] except the colours of the 7th regiment, +which were immediately transmitted to congress—the first present of the +kind they ever received. The garrison became prisoners of war, but were +allowed all their baggage, the quantity of which was astonishing. Their +women and children, whose number was equally astonishing, were permitted +to go with them and to take their effects. The besiegers having obtained +a full supply of ammunition, went to work in earnest, compleated a +battery within 250 yards of the fort, and mounted in it [Oct. 30.] four +guns and six mortars, in defiance of the continual fire of the enemy. +While the army was busily engaged in preparing for a cannonade, and an +assault if necessary, they received the agreeable news of governor +Carleton’s being repulsed. [Oct. 31.] The governor, with a view of +raising the siege, collected a body of about 800 forces, consisting of +the militia of Montreal, a number of Canadians, whom he had maintained +for some time, a few troops, not a hundred, and some Indians. They left +Montreal in high spirits, and attempted to cross the river St. Lawrence +and land at Longeuil; but colonel Warner, with 300 Green Mountain boys, +and a four pounder which kept pouring grape-shot into the boats, +prevented their making good a landing. They were suffered to come very +near the shore, and then the fire was so hot and distructive, that they +were thrown into great confusion, and retired with the utmost +precipitation. [Nov. 1.] The batteries kept an incessant fire all day on +the garrison of St. John, which returned a very brisk one.—In the +evening general Montgomery sent a flag, with a letter to major Preston, +the commander, by one of the prisoners taken by colonel Warner, +informing him of governor Carleton’s defeat, and recommending to him the +surrender of the fort, as he could now have no longer reason to expect +relief from that quarter. Major Preston in return sent an officer to the +camp, proposing to answer the letter fully in the morning, and that in +the mean time hostilities should cease on both sides. Two officers came +into the camp [Nov. 2.] with an answer from major Preston, who requested +the general to wait four days, to see whether no relief would come in +that time, if not, they would make proposals for a surrender. The +advanced season of the year did not allow of the general’s complying. He +required them immediately to surrender prisoners of war; but referred +them for the truth of the governor’s defeat to another prisoner. It was +at length agreed that the garrison should march out with the honors of +war, as what was due to their fortitude and perseverance. The +non-commissioned officers and privates were to ground their arms on the +plain; the officers were to keep their side arms, and their fire arms +were to be reserved for them. The effects of the garrison were not to be +withheld from them. The Canadian gentlemen and others, at St. John’s, +were considered as part of the garrison, which amounted to about 500 +regulars, and better than 100 Canadian volunteers. The next morning they +marched out [Nov. 31.] and the continental troops took possession of the +fort, in which were 17 brass ordnance, from 2 to 24 pounders, 2 eight +inch howitzers, seven mortars, and 22 iron ordnance, from 3 to 9 +pounders, a considerable quantity of shot and small shells, and about +800 stand of small arms, beside a small quantity of naval stores. The +ammunition and provision was trifling, these having been nearly +expended. + +General Montgomery pressed on to Montreal. It being capable of making no +defence, governor Carleton quitted it in one day; the general entered it +the next [Nov. 12.] He treated the inhabitants with becoming liberality, +engaging upon his honor to maintain the individuals and religious +communities of the city in the peaceable enjoyment of their property of +every kind; and the inhabitants, whether English, French, or others, in +the free exercise of their religion. The general, in all his +transactions, wrote, spake, and behaved with that attention, regard, and +politeness to both privates and officers, soldiers and citizens, which +might be expected from the gentleman. He was careful to push forward in +time, a number of continental troops under colonel Easton, to the point +of Sorel River, which they guarded so with cannon, an armed gondola, and +their fire arms, that the fleet which had fallen down below Montreal, +would not venture to attempt passing it. General Prescot, who was on +board, with about 120 privates and several officers, was reduced to the +necessity of surrendering by capitulation. [Nov. 17] 11 sail of vessels, +with all their contents, consisting of, beside sailors and soldiers, 760 +barrels of flour, 675 ditto of beef, 376 firkins of butter, 3 barrels of +powder, 4 nine and six pounders, cannon cartridges and ball, 2380 musket +cartridges, 8 chests of arms, 200 pair of shoes, and a quantity of +entrenching tools; all of which proved very acceptable to the +continental troops, who had no redundency of any articles whatever. In +the preceding midnight, governor Carleton was conveyed, in a boat, with +muffled paddles, by a secret way, to the Three Rivers, and arrived safe +at Quebec the Sunday following. + +Notwithstanding the advanced and severe season, general Montgomery +marched on for the capital, expecting to be joined by colonel Arnold and +his detachment in its neighbourhood, and designing to complete the +reduction of Canada before the arrival of any British reinforcement. But +while he was advancing, numbers were returning. An unhappy home sickness +prevailed, and no specific was so efficacious as a discharge. No sooner +was it administered, but the cure of nine out of ten was perfected; who, +refusing to wait for boats to go by the way of Fort George, upon their +arrival at Tyconderoga, flung their heavy packs over their shoulders, +crossed the lake at that place, and undertook a march of two hundred +miles with the greatest good will and alacrity. Three hundred of the +continentals passed by Tyconderoga on their way home, by the end of the +month. The ruin of the cause was further hazarded by the turbulent and +mutinous spirit of several officers. + +Colonel Arnold’s arrival with his detachment, at Point Levi, was not +known at Quebec for twenty-four hours; and was at length discovered by +his ordering out some men to secure the midshipman of the Hunter sloop +of war, who was just landed on that side the river; the boat returned, +and carried the intelligence to Quebec; on which two ships of war were +stationed, one above and the other below Wolfe’s Cove, to prevent the +Americans crossing over. A council was called, and by a majority of one +it was agreed _not_ to proceed immediately to attack the town. The +contrary resolution, backed by vigorous exertion, would probably have +put him into the possession of it. On the fifth of November it was +really in a defenceless state, without a single soldier. Had the +detachment crossed, the gates would, it is thought, have been opened by +the disaffected and faint-hearted. The colonel however declared, that he +would certainly make the attack when he had crossed, in case they were +not discovered to be over. In the mean time the troops were employed in +preparing scaling ladders. Before they were ready with these, colonel +Maclean, the deputy governor, arrived at Quebec from Sorel [Nov. 12.] +with about 170 men of his new raised regiment of emigrants; of this +colonel Arnold had advice the next day, when, in the evening at nine +o’clock, he began to embark his forces on board thirty-five canoes, +leaving the ladders behind, and by four the next morning, got over and +landed 500 men, wholly undiscovered. They landed in the small cove where +the brave and enterprising general Wolfe did, now called Wolfe’s Cove. +The Lizard’s barge rowing up the river, the colonel ordered her to be +hailed, and fired upon for refusing to come in shore; on which she +pushed off, and carried the account of the detachment’s having crossed +over. But before this discovery, the men paraded on the Heights of +Abraham. From thence they sent out a reconnoitering party toward the +city, marched across the plain, and took possession of a large house, +formerly owned by general Murray, and other adjacent houses, which +afforded fine accommodations for the troops. Guards were placed on the +different roads, to cut off the communication between the city and +country. The main body, about noon, marched fairly in view of the enemy, +and gave them three huzzas, which were returned by a few shot from the +ramparts. In the evening the colonel sent a flag of truce with a demand +of the garrison, in the name and on hehalf of the united colonies, which +was fired upon as it approached the walls. The colonel was certainly +overseen; he should have taken the scaling ladders along with him, have +concealed his being over, and attempted a coup-de-main the next night, +which might have been done with a prospect of success, as his Canadian +friends, English and French, were in the city to second his operations, +and as the sailors were then scattered on board the ships, some about +Quebec, and others up the river. [Nov 16.] A company of men were sent to +take possession of the general hospital. The Canadians were continually +coming in to express their satisfaction at the continental forces having +entered the country. The next day a certain account was received of the +capture of Montreal. Early in the morning [Nov. 19.] the troops +decamped, and marched up to Point-au-Trembles, about seven leagues from +Quebec, through a thick settled country, where you meet every few miles +with a handsome little chapel. This was the day on which governor +Carleton arrived at Quebec; and the first thing he did was to turn out +the suspected, and all who would not assist in the defence of the city. +[Nov. 23.] By express from Montreal, the forces were informed that +Montgomery was upon his march, and had sent down clothing for them. The +general finding plenty of woollens at Montreal, at a reasonable price, +gave his soldiers new clothes, after their having suffered much by the +severity of the climate, to which they submitted with patience and +resolution, particularly in marching from St. John’s to Montreal, the +road being half leg deep in mire. He was also mindful of colonel +Arnold’s detachment, which had suffered still greater hardships. General +Montgomery arrived at one o’clock [Dec. 1.] with three armed schooners, +men, ammunition, and provision, to the great joy of the colonel’s +forces, who toward evening turned out and marched to the general’s +quarters, and were there received and complimented by him upon their +appearance. The next day the batteaux were sent to Point Levi for the +scaling ladders. The general appeared before Quebec [Dec. 5.] which is +the last we have heard of his movements. + +[Dec. 14.] General Howe issued orders for taking down the old north +meeting-house, a large wooden building, containing a great deal of +timber; and a hundred old wooden dwelling-houses and other buildings, to +be used for fuel. The scarcity of this article, now that the usual +supplies from the country are cut off, will reduce the inhabitants to an +entreme difficutly. + + +[Dec. 30.] P. S. Admiral Shuldham is just arrived from Great-Britain in +the Chatham man of war of 50 guns, to supersede admiral Greaves. + + + END OF THE FIRST VOLUME. + +----- + +Footnote 1: + + Townshend’s Historical Collections, p. 76. + +Footnote 2: + + Prince’s New-England Chronology, part I. + +Footnote 3: + + Wood’s New-England’s Prospect, ed. 1764, p. 5. + +Footnote 4: + + See the Charter in Hutchinson’s Collection of papers, p 1.–23. + +Footnote 5: + + Neale’s History of the Puritans. 4to. Vol. 1. p. 543. + +Footnote 6: + + Hutchinson’s History of the Massachusetts Bay. Vol. II. p. 3. + +Footnote 7: + + Suffolk Records. + +Footnote 8: + + Suffolk Records. + +Footnote 9: + + Hutchinson’s History, Vol. I p. 487. + +Footnote 10: + + Prince’s Chronology, p. 238. + +Footnote 11: + + Governor Winthrop’s MS. History. + +Footnote 12: + + Hutchinson’s Letter of December 7. 1762. + +Footnote 13: + + Hutchinson’s History, Vol. I p. 251 and 252. + +Footnote 14: + + Extract from Governor Winthrop’s MS. History sent me by Gov. Trumbull + from Connecticut. + +Footnote 15: + + Massachusetts Records, Vol. I. + +Footnote 16: + + Hutchinson’s History. Vol I. p. 424. + +Footnote 17: + + Massachusetts Records, in many places. + +Footnote 18: + + Mr. John Calender’s Century Sermon. + +Footnote 19: + + Massachusetts Records for the 4th of November, 1646, Vol. I. + +Footnote 20: + + Hutchinson’s History, Vol. II. p. 2 and 4. + +Footnote 21: + + ibid. Vol. I. p. 115. + +Footnote 22: + + Hutchinson’s Collection, p. 420. + +Footnote 23: + + Chalmer’s Political Annals, under Connecticut and Rhode-Island. + +Footnote 24: + + Neal’s History of _New-England_, Vol. I. p. 214–217. + +Footnote 25: + + Hutchinson’s History. Vol. I. p. 268. + +Footnote 26: + + Ibid. p. 328. + +Footnote 27: + + See Hutchinson’s collection of papers, p. 477–506. The Massachusetts + assembly in their answer to Gov. Hutchinson in 1773, quoted the above + passages in such a manner and to such a purpose, as expresses their + opinion of the truth of what Randolph declared. + +Footnote 28: + + Chalmer’s Political Annals, p. 313. + +Footnote 29: + + Smith’s History of New Jersey, p. 513. + +Footnote 30: + + Smith’s History of New-Jersey, p. 517. + +Footnote 31: + + ibid. p. 528–529. + +Footnote 32: + + ibid. 536. + +Footnote 33: + + Corrupted by time into Whore-Kill. The name of many rivers, in + New-York particularly terminate with kill, which means both river and + rivulet. + +Footnote 34: + + The manuscript copy contains a number of authorities from Bracton, + Fortesque, the petition of right, &c. See Smith, p. 129, the note. + +Footnote 35: + + Smith, p. 117–123. + +Footnote 36: + + See Chalmer’s Political Annals under the head of Virginia, for many of + the preceding and subsequent articles respecting that colony. + +Footnote 37: + + Bland’s Inquiry into the rights of the British colonies. + +Footnote 38: + + Bland’s Inquiry into the rights of the British colonies. + +Footnote 39: + + Chalmer’s Political Annals, under Virginia. + +Footnote 40: + + Locke’s Works, Vol. IV, p. 519, &^c. 1779. + +Footnote 41: + + Chalmers’s Political Annals, B. I. p. 537, 538. + +Footnote 42: + + Most of what is said upon Carolina is taken from Chalmers’s Political + Annals, under the head of that province. + +Footnote 43: + + A defence of the American Constitution of Government, by John Adams, + Esq. p. 365. + +Footnote 44: + + The Modern Universal History, Vol. xl., 1763. + +Footnote 45: + + Chalmers’s Political Annals, under the head of Pennsylvania. + +Footnote 46: + + Chalmers’s Annals. + +Footnote 47: + + Chalmers’s Annals, p. 654. + +Footnote 48: + + The Modern Universal History, vol. xli. p. 19. 1764. + +Footnote 49: + + Ibid. p. 20. + +Footnote 50: + + Modern Universal History’ vol. xl. p. 453–463. 1763. + +Footnote 51: + + William Smith’s History of New-York, p. 75. + +Footnote 52: + + Chalmers’s Political Annals. + +Footnote 53: + + Lord Camden’s Speech in April 1766. + +Footnote 54: + + Hutchinson’s History, Vol. II. p. 74. + +Footnote 55: + + Hutchinson’s History, Vol. II. p. 271, 290, 294, 321. and governor + Burnet’s Speech to the Massachusetts general court, in the + Massachusetts Records for 1728. + +Footnote 56: + + Massachusetts Records for 1729 and 1731. Hutchinson’s History, Vol. + II. p. 355, 360, 363. + +Footnote 57: + + The present lieutenant governor. [1772.] + +Footnote 58: + + The present governor. (1772.) + +Footnote 59: + + Grand father of the present Sir William Pepperrell. (1787.) + +Footnote 60: + + Governor Shirley’s letter of February 16, 1744. + +Footnote 61: + + Hutchinson’s History, Vol. II. p. 407–420. The above account varies + from Hutchinson’s, being corrected in some instances, from a + manuscript copy of the History of the Reduction of Louisburg, sent by + Mr. Shirley, to the duke of Newcastle; and improved in others from + information given me, + +Footnote 62: + + See the postscript of Dean Tucker’s Humble Address. + +Footnote 63: + + The Dean’s Letter to Edmund Burke, esq. p. 27. + +Footnote 64: + + Hutchinson’s History, Vol. II. p. 424. + +Footnote 65: + + See a collection of letters and essays in favour of public liberty, in + three Vols. printed for Wilkie. Vol. III. p. 34. 42. + +Footnote 66: + + See a short account of the proceedings of the deputation. p. 9. + +Footnote 67: + + Dr. Chauncey’s thanksgiving sermon for the repeal of the stamp act in + a note. + +Footnote 68: + + Dr. Langdon told it me in conversation: and afterward mentioned it in + his sermon preached before the convention of the ministers. + +Footnote 69: + + Now president of Yale College in Connecticut. + +Footnote 70: + + From Brooke Woodcock, Esq. of Saffron Waldon, who served at the taking + of Bellisle, Martinico, and the Havannah. + +Footnote 71: + + Mr. Burke’s speech on American taxation, April 19, 1774. + +Footnote 72: + + Otis’s Rights of the British Colonies, p. 57. + +Footnote 73: + + Ibid, p. 59. + +Footnote 74: + + Otis’s Vindication of the British Colonies, p. 57. + +Footnote 75: + + Ibid. p. 59. + +Footnote 76: + + His Rights of the British Colonies, p. 63. + +Footnote 77: + + Mr. Hutchinson’s letter of March 8, 1766. + +Footnote 78: + + Mr. Agent Bollan’s letters of that date to the Massachusetts general + court. + +Footnote 79: + + Mr. Sayre’s letter to Captain Sears, of New-York, dated London, 7th of + Febuary, 1764. + +Footnote 80: + + Mr. Jackson’s letter to lieutenant-governor Hutchinson, Dec. 26, 1765. + +Footnote 81: + + Mr. Ingersoll’s letter of March 6, 1765. + +Footnote 82: + + The present secretary of congress. + +Footnote 83: + + Late governor Trumbull of Connecticut. + +Footnote 84: + + Mr. Hughes’s letters of October and November, 1765. + +Footnote 85: + + See the Gentleman’s Magazine, Vol. XXXV. p. 538. + +Footnote 86: + + Ibid. Vol. XXXVI. p. 94. + +Footnote 87: + + Ibid. Vol. XXXVI. p. 94 and 95. + +Footnote 88: + + Mr. Edmund Burke’s speech; April 19, 1774. + +Footnote 89: + + Political Memoirs, printed 1783. + +Footnote 90: + + Mr. Burke’s speech. + +Footnote 91: + + The London merchants letter to John Hancock, Esq. and others, dated + February 28. + +Footnote 92: + + The lords protest against the repeal of the stamp act. + +Footnote 93: + + Mr. Hutchinson’s loss was 2396l. 3s. 1d. 1–2. Mr. Oliver’s 129l. 3s. + Mr. Hallowell’s 289l. 0s. 1d. 1–2. Mr. Story’s 50l. 11s. 6d. 3–4, all + sterling. + +Footnote 94: + + Mr. Hartley’s letters. + +Footnote 95: + + January 21, 1768. + +Footnote 96: + + January 30. + +Footnote 97: + + February 2. + +Footnote 98: + + Mr. Bollan’s letter to Mr. Hutchinson, August 11, 1767. + +Footnote 99: + + The Lanceston of 40 guns, the Mermaid of 28, Glasgow 20, Beaver 14, + Senegal 14, Bonetta 10, and several armed schooners, besides the + Romney of 60 guns, and other ships which had been some time in the + harbour. + +Footnote 100: + + Mr. M. H’s letter to Mr. Hutchinson. + +Footnote 101: + + Mr. Otis afterward prosecuted Mr. Robinson for the assault, and the + law gave heavy damages against him; but Mr. Otis generously forgave + him upon an acknowledgment of the offence. + +Footnote 102: + + The date of the committee’s letter to the Philadelphians after taking + the sense of the inhabitants a second time. + +Footnote 103: + + The doctor’s account to me, when discoursing upon what is called the + massacre. + +Footnote 104: + + The trial of the soldiers, p. 52. + +Footnote 105: + + Samuel Gray, Samuel Maverick, James Caldwell, and Crispus Attucks. + Samuel Gray was a journeyman, and wrought in the rope-walks belonging + to Mr. John Gray, the rope-maker. + +Footnote 106: + + Lieutenant-governor Hutchinson’s letter of December 10, 1770. + +Footnote 107: + + The Rev. Mr. Whitney’s discourse on the public fast. + +Footnote 108: + + M. Hartley. + +Footnote 109: + + The word _caucus_, and its derivative caucusing, are often used in + Boston. The last answers much to what we stile parliamenteering or + electioneering. All my repeated applications to different gentlemen + have not furnished me with a satisfactory account of the origin of + _caucus_. It seems to mean a number of persons, whether more or less, + met together to consult upon adopting and prosecuting some scheme of + policy, for carrying a favorite point. The word is not of novel + invention. More than 50 years ago, Mr. S. Adam’s father, and 20 + others, one or two from the north end of the town, where all the ship + business is carried on, used to meet, make a caucus, and lay their + plan for introducing certain persons into places of trust and power. + When they had settled it, they separated, and used each their + particular influence within his own circle. He and his friends would + furnish themselves with ballots, including the names of the parties + fixed upon, which they distributed on the days of election. By acting + in concert together, with a careful and extensive distribution of + ballots, they generally carried the elections to their own mind. In + like manner it was, that Mr. Samuel Adams first became a + representative for Boston. + +Footnote 110: + + The Rev. Mr. Whitney’s Discourse. + +Footnote 111: + + The lords protest against the act for the better regulating of the + government. + +Footnote 112: + + Parliamentary Debates relative to general Howe. Mr. Galloway’s + answers. + +Footnote 113: + + Lords who signed the protest—Richmond, Portland, Rockingham, Stamford, + Stanhope, Torrington, Ponsonby, Wycombe, Camden. + +Footnote 114: + + See the Remembrancer, Part II. p. 227, the note. + +Footnote 115: + + See the Spectator, No. 509. + +Footnote 116: + + See general Gage’s account of the behavior of the troops, in the + London Gazette. + +Footnote 117: + + This was practised. + +Footnote 118: + + Afterward a lieutenant-colonel in Shelden’s light horse. + +Footnote 119: + + So Tyconderoga is frequently called for the sake of brevity, + especially by the people dwelling in its neighborhood. + +Footnote 120: + + The territory has now the name of Vermont. + +Footnote 121: + + Between 112 and 120 iron cannon from 6 to 24 pounders; 50 swivels of + different sizes; 2 ten inch mortars; 1 howitzer; 1 cohorn; 10 tons of + musket balls; 3 cart load of flints 30 new carriages; a considerable + quantity of shells; a warehouse full of meterials to carry on boat + building; 100 stand of small arms; 10 casks of very indifferent + powder; a brass cannon; 30 barrels of flour; 18 barrels of pork, and + some beans and pease. + + The prisoners were the captain, lieutenant, a gunner, 2 serjeants, and + 44 rank and file, beside women and children. + +Footnote 122: + + Since collector of imposts and excise for the county of Suffolk in + Massachusetts. + +Footnote 123: + + General Burgoyne’s Letter. + +Footnote 124: + + This resolution was assigned by a near female relation of the general, + to a gentlewoman with whom she had been acquainted at school, as a + reason why the other, upon obtaining a pass to quit Boston, should not + tarry at her father’s (Mr. Cary’s) house in Charlestown. + +Footnote 125: + + Mr. afterward major Winslow, of the American artillery (who was + personally acquainted with the general, and crossed over from Boston + to the place of action after the battle, and narrowly surveyed the + body) related his being so shot, and the hand’s being bloody as if by + the wound. + +Footnote 126: + + Entick’s History of the War, from 1755, Vol. IV. p. 20. printed for + Mr. Dilly. + +Footnote 127: + + Dr. Price’s two tracts on civil liberty, Part II. p. 111 and 112, + 1788. The first restraining act was passed March the 30th, the second + April the 13th. The news of them was undoubtedly carried by the + vessels from London, which arrived at Philadelphia the evening of June + the 7th, and had on board major Skeen. + +Footnote 128: + + A shilling a day. + +Footnote 129: + + Governor Martin went not on board the Cruiser sloop till the middle of + July. + +Footnote 130: + + The bishop of St. Asaph. + +Footnote 131: + + Lord Camden. + +Footnote 132: + + Lord Chatham. + +Footnote 133: + + General Washington’s Private Letter. + +Footnote 134: + + Mr. Thomas Gamble’s letter to general Gage. + +Footnote 135: + + See the copy in Mr. Smith’s History of New-York. + +Footnote 136: + + Eighty barrels of flour, 11 ditto rice, 7 ditto pease, 6 furkins of + butter, 134 barrels of pork, 7 ditto damaged, 124 barrels of + gun-powder, 300 swivel shot, 1 box of musket shot, 6564 musket + cartridges, 150 stand of French arms, 3 royal mortars, 61 shells, 500 + hand-granades, Royal fusileers muskets 83, accoutrements 83, rigging + for three vessels at least, 1 major, 2 captains, 3 lieutenants, the + captain of the schooner which is sunk, a commissary and surgeon, + soldiers 83. + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + + + + TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES + + + ● No typos were fixed. + ● Used numbers for footnotes, placing them all at the end of the last + chapter. + ● Enclosed italics font in _underscores_. + ● The caret (^) serves as a superscript indicator, applicable to + individual characters (like 2^d) and even entire phrases (like + 1^{st}). + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75984 *** diff --git a/75984-h/75984-h.htm b/75984-h/75984-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..30efd80 --- /dev/null +++ b/75984-h/75984-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,20713 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> + <head> + <meta charset="UTF-8"> + <title>Independence of the United States of America | Project Gutenberg</title> + <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> + <style> + body { margin-left: 8%; 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} + h1 {line-height: 150%; } + .footnote {font-size: .9em; } + div.footnote p {text-indent: 2em; margin-bottom: .5em; } + .chapter { clear: both; page-break-before: always; } + body {font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: justify; } + table {font-size: .9em; padding: 1.5em .5em 1em; page-break-inside: avoid; + clear: both; } + div.titlepage {text-align: center; page-break-before: always; + page-break-after: always; } + div.titlepage p {text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; + line-height: 1.5; margin-top: 3em; } + .ph1 { text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; font-size: xx-large; + margin: .67em auto; page-break-before: always; } + .ph2 { text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; font-size: x-large; margin: .75em auto; + page-break-before: always; } + .x-ebookmaker p.dropcap:first-letter { float: left; } + </style> + </head> + <body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75984 ***</div> + +<div class='tnotes covernote'> + +<p class='c000'><strong>Transcriber’s Note:</strong></p> + +<p class='c000'>New original cover art included with this eBook is granted to the public domain.</p> + +</div> + +<div class='titlepage'> + +<div> + <h1 class='c001'><span class='small'>THE</span><br> <span class='xlarge'>HISTORY</span><br> <span class='small'>OF THE</span><br> <span class='large'>RISE, PROGRESS, AND ESTABLISHMENT</span><br> <span class='small'>OF THE</span><br> INDEPENDENCE<br> <span class='small'>OF THE</span><br> <span class='xlarge'>United States of America:</span><br> <span class='small'>INCLUDING</span><br> <span class='large'>AN ACCOUNT OF THE LATE WAR,</span><br> <span class='small'>AND OF THE</span><br> <span class='xlarge'>THIRTEEN COLONIES,</span><br> <span class='small'>FROM THEIR ORIGIN TO THAT PERIOD.</span></h1> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c002'> + <div><span class='large'><span class='sc'>By</span> WILLIAM GORDON, <em>D. D.</em></span></div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c003'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span lang="la"><em>Quid verum *** curo, et rogo et omnis in hoc sum.</em></span></div> + <div class='line in24'><span lang="la"><span class='sc'>Horat.</span> I Ep. I Lib.</span></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div>THE THIRD AMERICAN EDITION.</div> + <div class='c004'>VOL. I.</div> + <div class='c004'><em>NEW-YORK</em>:</div> + <div>PRINTED FOR SAMUEL CAMPBELL, NO. 124, PEARL-STREET,</div> + <div>BY JOHN WOODS.</div> + <div>M.DCCC.I</div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 class='c005'>PREFACE.</h2> +</div> + +<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c006'>History has been stiled, “The evidence of time—The +light of truth—The school of virtue—The depository of +events.” It is culculated for the purposes of showing the principles +on which states and empires have risen to power, and +errors by which they have fallen into decay, or been totally +dissolved: and of pointing out the fatal effects of intestine +divisions and civil wars, whether arising from the ambition, +weakness, or inattention of princes; or from the mercenary +disposition pride, and false policy of ministers and statesmen; +or from mistaken ideas, and the abuse of government and liberty. +It should oblige all, who have performed any distinguished +part on the theatre of the world, to appear before us +in their proper character; and to render an account of their +actions at the tribunal of posterity, as models which ought to +be followed, or as examples to be censured and avoided.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The instructions that events afford, are the soul of history, +which doubtless ought to be a true relation of real facts during +the period it respects. An essential requisite in an historian +is the knowledge of the truth; and, as in order to perfection, +he ought to be superior to every temptation to disguise it: +Some have said, that “he should have neither country, nor +particular religion.” The compiler of the present history can +assure the public, that he has paid a sacred regard to truth, +conscious of his being answerable to a more awful tribunal than +that of the public; and has labored to divest himself of all undue +attachment to every person, country, religious name or +profession: whenever the reader is inclined to pronounce him +partial, let him recollect that he also is subject to the like human +frailty. A regard to truth has often restrained him from the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_I'>I</span>use of strong and florid expressions, that he might not impose +upon the reader a pleasing delusion, and lead him into false +conceptions of the events undertaken to be related.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The following work is not confined to the contest between +Great-Britain and the United States of America, but includes +all the other parts of the war which originated from that contest.</p> + +<p class='c007'>In the beginning of the first letter, the reader is acquainted +with the reasons that produced an historacal account of the +first settlers in the Thirteen Colonies, and of their successors, +down to the close of 1771. The insertion of what followed +to the commencement of hostilities, was necessary for the connecting +of the two periods.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The form of letters, instead of chapters, is not altogether +imaginary, as the author, from his arrival in America in 1770, +maintained a correspondence with gentlemen in London, Rotterdam +and Paris, answering in general to the prefixed dates.</p> + +<p class='c007'>He apprehended, that by keeping to such form, and making +the narrative agree with the moment to which it related, and +by introducing the various insertions necessary for the authenticating +of facts, a present ideal existence of past events might +be produced in the mind, similar to what is felt when a well +executed historical painting is examined. The better to secure +this point, several parts are written in the present tense. +If the author has failed in the execution, it is hoped that the +candid reader will admit of the good intention as an apology.</p> + +<p class='c007'>He has kept, as far as he could, to a chronological order. +This has necessarily interrupted the narrative of particular +parts; which, though a disappointment to some, may prevent +the tediousness that might otherwise have been felt by persons +of a different taste. It may at least serve to prevent or correct +<span class='pageno' id='Page_II'>II</span>the too frequent mistakes of ascribing prior events, partly or +wholly to subsequent facts. The author regrets his not having +given every European letter the immediate resemblance +of being written to him by a correspondent. He flatters himself, +that he has in some measure compensated for that and +other defects, by the general contents of every letter in each +volume, prefixed to the same; by a copious index to the +whole at the end of the last; and by a set of maps, about +which neither care nor expence has been spared to render +them valuable.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Struck with the importance of the scenes that were opening +upon the world, in the beginning of 1776, he formed an +early design of compiling their history, which he made known +to the late commander in chief of the American army; and +meeting with the desired encouragement from him, he applied +himself to the procuring of the best materials, whether +oral, written, or printed. Oral communications were minuted +down while fresh in the memory; the written were +directed immediately to himself in many instances, in others +only imparted: the productions of the European press could +not be received with any regularity or certainty during the +war, but were improved as they could be obtained.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The United States, in congress assembled, favored him +with an inspection of such of their records as could with propriety +be submitted to the perusal of a private person; and +he was indulged by the late generals Washington, Gates, +Greene, Lincoln, and Otho Williams, with a liberal examination +of their papers, both of a public and more private nature.</p> + +<p class='c007'>He had the opportunity of acquainting himself with the +records of the first settlers in New-England; and examined +those of the Massachusetts Bay, from their formation as a +company to the close of the war, contained in near thirty +folio manuscript volumes.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_III'>III</span>Dr. Ramsay’s History of the War in Carolina, was communicated +to him while in manuscript; and liberty was granted +to make full use of it; the present opportunity is embraced +for acknowledging the benefit received from it, and +for returning grateful thanks to the Doctor. The Americans +remarked, that Dodsley’s Annual Register contained the best +foreign printed summary account of affairs: But it was not +possible for writers on this side the Atlantic to avoid mistakes. +That Register and other publications, have been of service to +the compiler of the present work, who has frequently quoted +from them, without varying the language, except for method +and conciseness. He gathered from every source of intelligence +in his power, while at the place of his residence near +Boston; and since his return to his native country, in 1786, +has improved the advantage arising from it.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The accounts here given of American affairs, are so different +in several respects from what have been the conceptions +of many on each side the Atlantic, that it was necessary to +insert a variety of letters, papers, and anecdotes, to authenticate +the narrative. The publication of these, it is presumed, +will obtain credit for such parts as could not with propriety be +supported by the introduction of similar proofs.</p> + +<p class='c007'>To write a history worthy the approbation of his friends, +and (as far as his power extended) of the present age, and of +posterity; and to convince mankind, that <span class='sc'>Truth</span> <em>was his care, +his search, and what his soul was engaged in</em>, have been the +great objects of</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='sc'>The</span> <em class='gesperrt'>AUTHOR</em>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c007'><em>London, Oct. 28, 1788.</em></p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_IV'>IV</span> + <h2 class='c005'><span class='sc'>The</span> GENERAL CONTENTS<br> <span class='large'><span class='sc'>of the several Letters in Vol. I.</span></span></h2> +</div> + +<h3 class='c008'><span class='sc'>Letter I.</span> P. 13–72.</h3> +<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c009'>The rise of the Puritans and Brownists, p. 14. The Brownists +flee to Holland; remove to America; settle at New-Plymouth; +and adopt the congregational mode of church government, +p. 17. The Puritans purchase and settle the Massachusetts +Bay, p. 22. Connecticut and New-Haven colonies +settled, p, 32. The settling of Providence and Rhode-Island +colony, p. 35. New-Hampshire and the Main settled, p. 36. +New-York, p. 40. New-Jersey, p. 41. Virginia, p. 45. Maryland, +p. 53. Carolina, p. 55. Pennsylvania and Delaware +counties, p. 63. Georgia, p. 70.</p> + +<h3 class='c008'><span class='sc'>Letter II.</span> P. 72–104.</h3> + +<p class='c010'>The New-York and Massachusetts settlements on the subject +of taxation, p. 72. Parliamentary acts respecting the colonies, +p. 75. The latter co-operate with the mother country, p. 77. +The expedition against Louisburgh, in 1745, p. 81. The Ohio +company, in 1749, p. 86. Hostilities commence in 1754, p. +89. The plan of the Albany congress for uniting all the colonies, +p. 90. The ministerial plan, and Dr. Franklin’s objections +to it, p. 91. General Braddock’s defeat, p. 95. Lord +Loudon and the Massachusetts general court, p. 96. The exertions +of the Massachusetts in the common cause, p. 97. Governor +Bernard, p. 98. Mr. James Otis, p. 100. The Massachusetts +people jealous of ministerial designs against their liberties, +p. 101.</p> + +<h3 class='c008'><span class='sc'>Letter III.</span> P. 105–140.</h3> + +<p class='c010'>The Massachusetts assembly declare against parliamentary +taxation, p. 105. Appoint a committee to correspond with the +several assemblies on the continent, p. 108. The stamp act, p. +111. It occasions a general discontent in the Massachusetts, p. +117. The Virginia resolves respecting it, p. 118. A congress +meet at New-York, in 1765, p. 120. Riots at Boston and elsewhere +on account of the stamp act, p. 121. Associations against +its operation, p. 123. The stamp act repealed, p. 128.</p> + +<h3 class='c008'><span class='sc'>Letter IV.</span> P. 140–204.</h3> + +<p class='c010'>Mr. Samuel Adams chosen a member for Boston, p. 140—as +also Mr. John Hancock, p. 142. Compensation made to the +sufferers in the time of the riots, p. 144. The proceedings of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_V'>V</span>the Massachusetts and New-Yorka assemblies, p. 145. Mr. Charles +Townsend’s bills for taxing the colonies afresh, p. 146. The +New-York legislative power suspended, p. 147. A board of +commissioners established in America, <em>ibid.</em> Non-importation +renewed, p. 148–162. The New-England spirit of patriotism +approved of at Philadelphia, p. 149. The Massachusetts assembly +agree upon a circular letter to the rest of the assemblies, +p. 151. The new assembly required to rescind the resolution +which gave rise to it, p. 154—refuse, and are dissolved, p. 155. +Mr. Hancock’s sloop Liberty seized, p. 156. Troops ordered +to Boston, p. 161. A convention is called, and meets at Boston, +p. 165. Troops land in the town, p. 166. The letters of +the Philadelphia merchants to the committee at London, p. +168–178. The parliamentary resolutions against the Massachusetts +proceedings, p. 170. The counter resolves of Virginia +and Massachusetts, p. 171–174. Governor Bernard recalled, +p. 182. Goods re-shipped from Boston, p. 185. The act for repealing +the duties on glass, paper, and colours, p. 186. The +soldiers at Boston fire upon the inhabitants, on March 5, 1770, +p. 190. Captain Preston and the soldiers are tried, p. 193. +Mr. M‘Dougall, of New-York, committed to jail for publishing +an address to the inhabitants, p. 199. Massachusetts assembly +and lieutenant-governor Hutchinson, p. 201.</p> + +<h3 class='c008'><span class='sc'>Letter V.</span> P. 205–213.</h3> + +<p class='c010'>Governor Hutchinson and the Massachusetts general court, +p. 205. The Gaspee schooner burnt, p. 206. Mr. James +Warren proposes committees of correspondence through the +Massachusetts, p. 207. Governor Hutchinson, in his speech +to the general court, introduces the subject of the supremacy +of parliament, p. 212.</p> + +<h3 class='c008'><span class='sc'>Letter VI.</span> P. 214–215.</h3> + +<p class='c010'>An act for the better securing of his majesty’s dock-yards, +ships, &c. p. 214. The East-India Company empowered to +export their own teas, p. 215.</p> + +<h3 class='c008'><span class='sc'>Letter VII.</span> P. 215–229.</h3> + +<p class='c010'>The Virginia burgesses resolve to maintain an intercourse +with the sister colonies, p. 216. A number of letters transmitted +by Dr. Franklin, are communicated to the Massachusetts assembly, +p. 217. The measures pursued by the colonies to prevent +the introduction of the tea sent by the East-India Company, +p. 218. The proceedings at Boston relative thereto, p. 220. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_VI'>VI</span>The tea is thrown into the water, p. 224. The conduct of the +Massachusetts assembly respecting the judges receiving their +support from the crown, p. 227. The sentiments of the professed +patriots in the Massachusetts, p. 228.</p> + +<h3 class='c008'><span class='sc'>Letter VIII.</span> P. 229–236.</h3> + +<p class='c010'>A duel occasioned by the letters sent over by Dr. Franklin, +p. 229. The Massachusetts petition for the removal of the governor, +dismissed, p. 230. The Boston port-bill, p. 231. The +bill for regulating the government of the Massachusetts, p. 232—for +the impartial administration of justice, <em>ibid.</em>—for the government +of the province of Quebec, p. 235.</p> + +<h3 class='c008'><span class='sc'>Letter IX.</span> P. 237–257.</h3> + +<p class='c010'>Governor Gage arrives at Boston, p. 237. The measures pursued +relative to the Boston port-bill, p. 238. The Massachusetts +assembly appoint a committee to attend a general congress, p. +241. The measure is adopted by other colonies, p. 242. Boston +considered as suffering in the common cause, p. 245. Observations +on the port-bill, p. 246. General Gage alarmed, p. 248. +The Massachusetts people prepare to defend their rights with +the sword, p. 249. The courts of judicature suspended, p. 253. +Gage fortifies the entrance into Boston, p. 254—seizes a quantity +of powder, <em>ibid.</em> An assembly of delegates form the towns +in Suffolk, of which Boston is the county town, p. 255.</p> + +<h3 class='c008'><span class='sc'>Letter X.</span> P. 258–279.</h3> + +<p class='c010'>The general congress meet at Philadelphia, p. 258—write to +Gen. Gage, p. 259—make a declaration of rights, <em>ibid.</em>—enter +into a non-importation, non-consumption, and non-exportation +agreement, p. 261—address the people of Great-Britain, p. 262—their +memorial to the inhabitants of British America, p. 263, +address the king, p. 264—the Canadians, p. 266. Messrs. Galloway +and Duane on the side of ministry, p. 267. Massachusetts +provincial congress form and adopt measures for the defence +of the colony, p. 263. Proceedings in Pennsylvania, +Rhode-Island, New-Hampshire, Virginia, Maryland, & South-Carolina, +p. 275. The state of the Massachusetts colony, p. 278.</p> + +<h3 class='c008'><span class='sc'>Letter XI.</span> P. 279–304.</h3> + +<p class='c010'>The parliament dissolved, p. 279. His majesty’s speech to +the succeeding new one, p. 280. Transcript from Mr. Quincy’s +journal, p. 282. Lord Chatham’s speech, Jan. 30, 1775, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_VII'>VII</span>p. 286—Lord Camden’s, p. 290. The petition of the house of +commons in favour of the colonist neglected, p. 293. Lord North +proposes a joint address from both houses to the king, p. 296—It +occasions great debates, p. 297—is protested against, p. 300. +North’s conciliatory motion, p. 301. Opposition to the bill for +restraining the New-England provinces from fishing on the +banks of Newfoundland, p. 302. The Americans insulted by +several in both houses of parliament, p. 303.</p> + +<h3 class='c008'><span class='sc'>Letter XII.</span> P. 304–319.</h3> + +<p class='c010'>The Massachusetts congress meet, p. 305. General Gage +sends troops to Salem, <em>ibid.</em> A battle between the whigs and tories +at New-York, March 5, 1775, p. 307. The precautions of +the Massachusetts people to supply themselves with military articles, +and to prevent a surprise, <em>ibid.</em> Gage sends troops to Concord, +p. 310—they fire upon the militia at Lexington, <em>ibid.</em> The +country rises, p. 311. A reinforcement of British sent from Boston, +p. 312. The origin of the term Yankee, <em>ibid.</em> The royal +troops obliged to retreat to Bunker’s-hill in Charlestown peninsula, +p. 314—cross over to Boston, <em>ibid.</em>—which is invested by +the provincials on every side by land, p. 315. Gage agrees with +the committee of the town, p. 316. Dr. Warren’s letter to him, +p. 317. The provincials no wise prepared for a military contest +with Great-Britain, p. 318.</p> + +<h3 class='c008'><span class='sc'>Letter XIII.</span> P. 319–326.</h3> + +<p class='c010'>The fishery restraining bill, and the bill for restraining the +commerce of the colonies, p. 319. Petitions against the coercive +acts, and counter petitions, p. 321. The city of London approaches +the throne with an address, remonstrance, and petition, +in favour of the Americans, p. 322. The earl of Effingham resigns +his regiment, p. 323. Generals Howe, Clinton, and +Burgoyne, sail for Boston in the Cerberus, p. 324. The news +of the Lexington engagement reaches London, p. 326.</p> + +<h3 class='c008'><span class='sc'>Letter XIV.</span> P. 327–387.</h3> + +<p class='c010'>The North-Carolina general assembly meet, p. 327. The effects +of the Lexington engagement, p. 328. The expedition +against Tyconderoga, p. 332. The proceedings of the Massachusetts +congress, p. 336. Transactions in and about Boston, p. +341. Governor Hutchinson’s letter books discovered, p. 344. +The acts of the general congress, p. 346. George Washington, +esq. elected commander in chief of the continental forces, p. 347. +The battle at Breed’s-hill, erroneously called Bunker’s hill, p. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_VIII'>VIII</span>350. A speech of the Oneida Indians, p. 360. An answer of +the Stockbridge Indians, p. 361. The reply of the Massachusetts +congress, p. 362. The acts of the general congress, p. 363. +General Washington’s arrival at the American camp, and the +affairs of the army, p. 365. The acts of the general congress to +the time of their adjourning, p. 369. Georgia accedes to the +union, p. 373. The proceedings of the South-Carolinians, p. 376—of +the North-Carolinians, p. 378—of the Virginians, p. 380—of +the Maryland convention, p. 383. The affairs of Pennsylvania, +Philadelphia, New-York, and other places, p. 384.</p> + +<h3 class='c008'><span class='sc'>Letter XV.</span> P. 387–431.</h3> + +<p class='c010'>The Thirteen United Colonies, p. 387. The proceedings +of the South-Carolinians, p. 388. The nature of the opposition +to popular measures in their colony, p. 389. They send +troops into the settlements of the royalists, p. 392. The measures +taken by the North-Carolinians, p. 393—by the Virginians, +p. 394—in regard to Lord Dunmore, p. 395—his lordship disappointed +at Norfolk, <em>ibid.</em>—in his expectation of being joined +by a considerable force under Connelly, p. 397. The orders of +the Pennsylvania assembly to their delegates in congress, p. 398. +The sentiments of the Jersey assembly, <em>ibid.</em> The Asia man of +war fires upon New-York, p. 399. Governor Tryon’s influence +alarms congress, p. 400. Letters between Generals Washington +and Gage, p. 404. Colonel Arnold’s expedition into Canada, +p. 406. Dr. Churche’s correspondence with a British officer +discovered, p. 410. Falmouth destroyed, p. 412. The old +south meeting-house in Boston turned into a horse riding school, +p. 413. The Massachusetts assembly resolve to fit out armed +vessels, p. 416. The steps taken to introduce independency, +p. 419. Acts of congress, p. 422. General Montgomery is +sent to Canada, p. 424—appears before Quebec, p. 430.</p> + +<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_X'>X</span></div> +<div class='chapter ph1'> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c011'> + <div><span class='small'>THE</span></div> + <div class='c004'><span class='xlarge'>RISE, PROGRESS, AND CONCLUSION</span></div> + <div class='c004'><span class='small'>OF THE</span></div> + <div class='c004'>NORTH AMERICAN REVOLUTION.</div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 class='c005'>LETTER I.</h2> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-r c002'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><em>Roxbury, December 28, 1771.</em></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-l'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='sc'>My good Sir</span>,</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c012'>To your properly understanding the nature and origin of +the uneasiness that has so strongly agitated the colonies of +late years, and still exists, though now somewhat abated; and +which has been occasioned by parliamentary taxation and the +modern measures of government; you must be acquainted with +the sentiments and history of the first settlers, no less than of +their descendants and successors.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Several of the most zealous and eminent protestants, in the +reign of <em>Edward</em> the VIth, opposed the popish ceremonies and +habits, though otherwise united to their brethren in religious +tenets. The opposition became more general and determined, +after hundreds of them fled to, and resided in foreign parts, in +order to escape the <em>Marian</em> persecutions. There the sentiments +of numbers, through their intercourse with protestants of other +nations, were much changed and improved; and they were +more than ever desirous of proceeding further in the reformation, +than was directed by the service-book of king <em>Edward</em>.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Upon the accession of <em>Elizabeth</em>, the refugees returned to +<em>England</em>, [1558.] loaded with experience and learning, but in +the utmost distress and poverty. Those of the clergy, who +could comply with the queen’s establishment, were quickly +preferred. The rest, after being admitted to preach a while, +were suspended, and reduced to former indigence. Several +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XI'>XI</span>were offered bishopricks, but declined the tender, on account of +the garments, ceremonies, &c. while the necessity of the times +and the flattering hope of obtaining hereafter an amendment +in the constitution of the church, induced others to accept preferments, +though with trembling.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The queen affected much pomp in religion; was fond of the +old popish ceremonies, in which she had been educated; and +thought her brother, king <em>Edward</em>, had gone too far in demolishing +ornaments.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The clergy and laity, who sought after greater ecclesiastic +purity, in vain struggled hard for the abolishment of popish +ceremonies and habits; or, at least, leaving the use of them, +in divine service, indifferent. They obtained nothing but the +honorable nick-name of PURITANS. The queen proved an +inflexible bigot, and would be obeyed, or punish. The parliament, +in their first session, had very injudiciously passed the +two acts of supremacy and uniformity, without guarding them +properly; and by a clause in the latter, delivered up to the +crown, all ecclesiastic jurisdiction. Men of solid learning and +piety, of sober lives, popular preachers, professed enemies to +popery and superstition, and of the same faith in point of +doctrine, with the conformists, were suspended, deprived, imprisoned +and ruined, for not complying with the use of those +garments and ceremonies, which their opponents acknowledged +to be indifferent in themselves; while the sufferers adjudged +such compliance sinful, from their having been abused to +idolatry, and serving as marks and badges of that religion they +had renounced.</p> + +<p class='c007'>All the puritans of these times were desirous of remaining +in the church, might they be indulged as to the habits and a few +ceremonies, though they were far from being satisfied with the +hierarchy, and had other objections beside those for which they +had been deprived. Instead of indulgence, their grievances +were multiplied, and the penal laws were rigorously executed. +However, the body of the conforming clergy being extremely +illiterate and ignorant, the deprived ministers were employed as +curates or lecturers; and received for their services, a small +consideration from the incumbent, together with the voluntary +contribution of the parish. By their warm and affectionate +preaching, and eminent faithfulness, they gained the hearts of +the common people, who were the more attached to them, the +more cruelty was exercised upon them; and who had the utmost +aversion to the popish garments, as their hatred to popery increased. +The preachers appealed to the scriptures. Their +hearers searched them carefully; obtained more and clearer +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XII'>XII</span>discoveries of the popish superstitions; grew in their abhorrence +of them; venerated the divine institutions; and longed to have +the worship of the church rendered more pure and primitive. +The popularity of the deprived ministers drew numbers from +neighboring parishes. <em>Puritanism</em> spread and gained ground +by being persecuted. Its growth was the greatest grief to the +queen and archbishop Whitgift. But neither the supreme head +of the church, nor the primate of all <em>England</em>, had policy or +christianity enough to apply the proper remedy, in granting <em>liberty +of conscience</em>. Instead of that, new acts were passed, and +greater severities practised. Such inhuman proceedings against +protestants of good moral characters, did not pass unnoticed. +They were the subjects of conversation. The right of acting +thus toward fellow creatures, and its non-agreement with the +mild and benevolent principles of christianity, were freely canvassed. +The supreme head and chief dignitaries of the <em>English</em> +church being such intolerable persecutors, it became a question, +“Is she any longer a <em>true church</em> of Christ, and are her +ministers <em>true</em> ministers.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>At length one <em>Robert Brown</em>, descended from an ancient and +honorable family, and nearly related to lord treasurer <em>Cecil</em>, a +fiery zealot, travelled through the country [1586] a second +time, holding forth, wherever he went, against <em>bishops</em>, <em>ecclesiastic +courts</em>, <em>ordaining of ministers</em>, &c. and gathered a <em>separate</em> +congregation. The parties held, that the <em>church of</em> <span class='sc'>England</span> +was not a <em>true</em> church; that her ministers were not <em>rightly</em> ordained; +that her discipline was <em>popish</em> and <em>anti-christian</em>; and +that all her ordinances and sacraments were <em>invalid</em>. Therefore +they would not join with her members in <em>any part</em> of public +worship. They not only renounced communion with the <em>church +of</em> <span class='sc'>England</span>, but with <em>all</em> other reformed churches, except +they were of their own model.</p> + +<p class='c007'>These <em>separatists</em> were called <em>Brownists</em>, which was long afterward +the common name for all that separated <em>totally</em> from the +church of <em>England</em>, even when they disowned the rigid principles +of <em>Brown</em> and his congregation. We must carefully distinguish +the <em>Brownists</em> from the <em>Puritans</em>. Most of the latter +were for keeping within the pale of the church, apprehending +it to be a <em>true</em> church in its <em>doctrines</em> and <em>sacraments</em>, though +defective in <em>discipline</em> and corrupt in <em>ceremonies</em>. They thought +it <em>unlawful</em> to separate; submitted to suspensions and deprivations; +when driven out of one diocese, took sanctuary in another, +being afraid of incurring the guilt of <em>schism</em>; and were +the chief writers against the <em>Brownists</em>.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[1593] A fresh effort was made to crush the <em>non-conformists</em>. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XIII'>XIII</span>A most obnoxious act was passed, for punishing all who refused +to come to church, and every one who persuaded others to oppose +the queen’s authority in ecclesiastic causes, or was present at +any conventicle or meeting. The punishment was imprisonment +without bail, till the convicted agreed to conform, and make a +declaration of his conformity. In case the offender did not sign +the declaration within three months, he was <em>to abjure the realm, +and go into perpetual banishment</em>. If he departed not within the +time limited, or returned afterward without the queen’s licence, +he was <em>to suffer death without benefit of clergy</em>. By this act, the +case of non-conformists was worse than that of felons at common +law. The statute was levelled against the laity, no less +than the clergy. The moderate Puritans evaded it, by going to +church when prayers were nearly ended, and by receiving the +sacrament when administered with some latitude. The weight +of it fell upon the <em>Brownists</em>, whose sentiments had gained +ground, so that they were increased to near twenty thousand, +besides wives and children, according to the opinion of <em>Sir +Walter Raleigh</em>, given in the house of commons, when the +bill was read the second time and debated.<a id='r1'></a><a href='#f1' class='c013'><sup>[1]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>Several were <em>put to death</em> about this period; which excited +an odium against the bishops and high commissioners, who were +universally known to have been at the bottom of the proceedings +against them. It was resolved therefore to send the remainder +of the imprisoned into banishment, instead of continuing to +execute them. Others preferred a voluntary exile, rather than +be exposed to the merciless persecutions that awaited them in +their native country. Is it strange that these persons, thus +forced or frightened out of it, for claiming and exercising the +common right of human nature, that of judging for themselves +in matters of religion, should at length think that their allegiance +terminated with their departure; or that those who commiserated +them, inclined to the same sentiment?</p> + +<p class='c007'>The parliament, especially the lower house, perceiving how +the queen, and many of the bishops and ecclesiastics abused +their spiritual power; what mischiefs they brought upon the +church; and the miseries to which honest men were reduced for +mere difference in religious sentiments, attempted repeatedly to +regulate matters, and to redress the hardships of the non-conformists, +but was stopped by her majesty, in the most dictatorial +manner. Some of the members, roused by such unwarrantable +acts of sovereignty, spake boldly and freely upon the occasion, +and censured the arbitrary proceedings of the bishops. The +queen added to her other faults, that of sending them to the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XIV'>XIV</span>Tower. But though she could awe the parliament, imprison +its members, and protect her favorite bishops, she could not +overpower the consciences of the non-conformists.</p> + +<p class='c007'>A number of religious people upon the borders of <em>Nottinghamshire</em>, +<em>Lincolnshire</em>, and <em>Yorkshire</em>, having suffered persecution +patiently for years, and searched the scriptures diligently, +were at length fully of opinion, that the <em>ceremonies</em> of the <em>English</em> +church were <em>unlawful</em>; that the lordly power of her prelates +was contrary to the <em>freedom</em> of the gospel; and that her offices, +courts and canons, had no warrant in the word of God; but +were <em>popish</em>. They determined therefore to shake off that yoke +of bondage, viz. human impositions, brought into the church by +popish policy and power, against the superior law of Christ, the +genius of his plain religion and christian liberty. They resolved +[1602] as the Lord’s free people, “<em>to join themselves +by covenant into a church state; and, agreeable to present or +future knowledge, to walk in all the ways of God, according to +their best abilities, whatever it costs them</em>.”<a id='r2'></a><a href='#f2' class='c013'><sup>[2]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>The assembly [1606] owing to the distance of habitations, +was obliged to form itself into two distinct religious societies; +the one, with which is our concern, soon had for its pastor +the famous Mr. <em>John Robinson</em>. The church kept together +about a year; but being extremely harrassed by persecutors, concluded +upon removing to <em>Holland</em>. The pious refugees repaired +to and settled at Amsterdam; but after a while removed to +<em>Leyden</em>; where they were highly respected, and would have been +allowed some public favor, had it not been for fear of offending +England. By hard and continued labor they obtained a living. +The <em>Dutch</em> employed them before others, for their honest and +exemplary behaviour; and readily trusted them when in want +of money. Matters, however, were not altogether to their +mind [1617] and some of the most sensible began to think of +another removal. It was imagined, that if a better and easier +place of living could be had, numbers would join them. The +morals of the Dutch were too dissolute; and they were afraid +that their offspring would become irreligious. Beside, they had +an ardent, noble, and godly desire, of laying a foundation for +spreading the religion of <em>Jesus</em> over the remote regions of the +earth; and of handing down to future ages what they thought to +be, the pure and unadulterated worship of the great <span class='sc'>Jehovah</span>. +They therefore directed their views to <em>America</em>. To those who +objected—the length and danger of the voyage, the difficulties +and calamities to which they should be exposed, the barbarities +and treacheries of the <em>Indians</em>, and their inability to support the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XV'>XV</span>expence—it was answered “The difficulties are not invincible, +and may be overcome by fortitude and patience; the ends proposed +are good and honorable; the calling lawful and urgent; +the blessing of God may therefore be expected. We live but as +exiles now, and are in a poor condition. The truce with the +<em>Spaniards</em> is hastening to a close. Nothing but preparations for +war are going forward. The <em>Spaniards</em> may be as cruel as the +<em>Savages</em>; and famine and pestilence may be as sore in <em>Holland</em> +as in <em>America</em>.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>After serious and solemn application to God for direction, +they concluded on carrying the proposal of crossing the <em>Atlantic</em> +into execution; endeavoring to live in a distinct body by +themselves, under the general government of the <em>Virginia</em> +company; and suing to his majesty, king <em>James</em>, for <em>full liberty +and freedom of conscience</em>.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The Virginia company were ready to give them a patent, with +as ample privileges as they could grant; but, notwithstanding the +great interest made by gentlemen of the first character, and by the +chief secretary of state, the king and bishops refused to allow the +refugees (though at the distance of 3000 miles) liberty of conscience +under the royal seal. All they could obtain from his majesty, +was a promise that he would connive at, and not molest +them, provided they carried themselves peaceably; but he would +not tolerate them by his public authority. Upon this occasion, +it was wisely observed, “If his majesty’s promise is no security, a +further confirmation will be of little value, though it has a seal +as broad as the house floor, it will not serve the turn, for there +will be means enough found, when wanted, to recall or reverse it; +and we must rest herein on God’s providence.” This reasoning +and the hope of being placed beyond the reach of ecclesiastic +courts, prevailed. They resolved to venture; and after long +attendance, much cost and labor, obtained a patent.</p> + +<p class='c007'>They agreed that the minor part of younger and stronger men, +with Mr. <em>Brewster</em>, an elder of the church, should go first, and +that the pastor, Mr. <em>Robinson</em>, should remain behind with the +majority, for a future favorable opportunity. Their enemies +whispered, that the stats of <em>Holland</em> were weary of their company; +but the reverse was evident from the following occurrence, +viz. the magistrates of the city, when reproving the <em>Walloons</em> +in open court, said, “<em>These</em> English <em>have lived now ten +years among us, and yet we never had any accusation against +any of them, whereas your quarrels are continual</em>.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>The colony destined for America, sailed from <em>Delft-Haven</em> for +<em>Southampton</em>, July 22, 1620; and there met a ship having some +English friends on board, who proposed removing with them. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XVI'>XVI</span>Both vessels proceeded to sea; but returned twice into port, on +account of defects in the one from Delft, which was dismissed. +Part of the company returned to <em>London</em>, the remainder betook +themselves to the ship, and sailed from <em>Plymouth</em> the 6th of September. +After many delays, difficulties and dangers, they made +<em>Cape Cod</em> at break of day on the 9th of November, and entered +the harbor on the 10th. They offered up their devout and ardent +acknowledgments to God for his protection, and had thoughts of +landing; but remarking that they were out of the limits of their +patent, and in a sort reduced to a state of nature; and hearing +some, who came from London, hint, <em>there is now no authority +over us</em>; they, while on board, formed themselves into a civil +body politic, under the crown of <em>England</em>, for the purpose of +framing “just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and +offices,” to which they promised “all due submission and obedience.” +This <em>contract</em> was subscribed by forty-one persons, on +Saturday the 11th of November. The whole company of settlers, +men, women, children, and servants, amounted to no more than +one hundred and one, the exact number that left England—for +one had died, but another was born upon the passage.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Enfeebled and sickly, we now behold them at the distance of +3000 miles, not only from their native country, but the hospitable +land where they lately resided for years, when unfeeling +persecution drove them into a voluntary banishment. They have +a long and dreary winter before them, and are upon the strange +coast of an uncultivated wilderness, without a relation or friend +to welcome their arrival, or an house to shelter them; without +even a kind inhabitant to comfort them by tender acts of humanity, +much less a civilized town or city, from which succour may +be obtained on an emergency. Thus circumstanced, they are +employed in making discoveries till the 20th of December, +when they concluded upon a place for immediate settlement, +which they afterward name <em>New-Plymouth</em>, in grateful remembrance +of the last town they left in their native country.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The winter proved remarkably mild<a id='r3'></a><a href='#f3' class='c013'><sup>[3]</sup></a> for the American climate, +though excessively severe to an English constitution; and +what with disorders brought upon them through uncommon +labors and fatigues, and their being exposed to the rigors of the +season; and what with the scurvy and other diseases occasioned +by a tedious voyage, and the want of proper accommodations +while making it, they buried by the end of March, 1621, forty-four +of their little society, of whom one-and-twenty were subscribers +to the <em>contract</em>. The number of their dead increased +to fifty by the beginning of November, when, to their great joy a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XVII'>XVII</span>vessel arrived with thirty-five settlers from London. It was +years before their plantation amounted to three hundred people; +when nearly so, the council established at <em>Plymouth</em>, in the +county of <em>Devon</em>, for the planting, ruling, ordering, and governing +of <em>New-England</em>, in <em>America</em>, granted them a <em>patent</em>, +[Jan. 13, 1630] by which their lands were secured against all +English claims.—Be it noted, that they early agreed with, and +satisfied the <em>Indian</em> proprietors.</p> + +<p class='c007'>It would have been astonishing, had not these planters brought +with them opinions favorable to liberty. The arbitrary proceedings +of <em>Elizabeth</em> and <em>James</em>, produced a spirit of enquiry; and +induced the sufferers and others to canvass the equity of those +powers which were so improperly exercised. When the film +of prejudice was removed, it was easy to discern that tyranny, +whether in church or state, could not be vindicated by reason +or revelation; and that Heaven’s permitting it, was no more a +countenance to that, than any other wickedness. Beside, the +<em>Plymouthians</em> had lived for many years among a people who had +been engaged in a bloody war with a cruel unrelenting tyrant, +whose sovereignty they had renounced. The frequent conversation +that must have passed between the Dutch and English refugees, +must have improved the attachment of the last to the +cause of freedom. It might also have been hinted to them, that +it began to be the sentiment of some English nobles and principal +commoners, that in case of a removal to America, persons, +without any charter from the crown, were at liberty to establish +what form of government they pleased; and to set up a new +state, as fully to all intents and purposes, as though they were +making their first entrance into civil society.</p> + +<p class='c007'>No wonder then, especially considering the general equality +prevailing among them, that the <em>Plymouthians</em>, by their contract +before landing, formed themselves into a <em>proper democracy</em>, and +that it was entered in the <em>Plymouth</em> records of [Nov. 15, 1636] +“<em>Finding, that as free born subjects of the state of</em> <span class='sc'>England</span>, +<em>we hither came with all and singular the privileges belonging to +such; in the first place we think good, that it be established for an +act, that, according to the</em> [<em>rights</em> supposed to be wanting] <em>and +due privileges of the subjects aforesaid, no imposition, law or ordinance, +be made or imposed upon them at present or to come, but +such as shall be made and imposed by consent, acccording to the free +liberties of free born subjects of the state and kingdom of</em> <span class='sc'>England</span>, +<em>and no otherwise</em>.” They meant to continue their allegiance +to the crown; to retain their connection with the mother +country; to adopt the general laws of England for the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XVIII'>XVIII</span>rule of government, wherein they suited; and to be governed +by their own particular acts in other instances.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Persons devoted to church authority and particular national +establishments, may exclaim against the <em>Plymouthians</em> for their +religious sentiments; but a fair and brief statement of them, it +is apprehended, will be thought the best defence that can be +offered by those who candidly examine the <em>New-Testament</em>, +and are properly impressed with the words of our Saviour—<em>My +kingdom is not of this world</em>.</p> + +<p class='c007'>When Mr. <em>Robinson</em> and his associates separated from the +church of England, they were rigid <em>Brownists</em>. After his removal +to Holland, and there conversing with learned divines, he +being a gentleman of a liberal mind and good disposition, became +moderate, as did his people; so that they who continued rigid +<em>Brownists</em> would hardly hold communion with them. Mr. <em>Robinson</em> +and his society did not require of those who joined them, a +renunciation of the church of England. They also acknowledged +the other reformed churches for true and genuine; allowed +their own members occasional communion with them in the +word preached and in the prayers conceived by the preacher before +and after sermon, but not in the sacraments and discipline; +and admitted their members, known to them to be pious, to occasional +communion with themselves in the sacraments. Still it +is to be remarked, that they were not admitted because of their +being members of such churches, but on account of their known +piety; their belonging to and continuing in such churches, was +not an argument for rejecting them; nor was it the argument for +their reception. Mr. <em>Robinson</em>, however, by his conversation +and writings, proved a principal in ruining <em>Brownism</em>; and, in +the opinion of some was the father, of others the restorer, of +the <em>independent</em> or <em>congregational</em> churches. Congregational is +the term used in <em>New-England</em>, the other is discarded, as +seeming to imply too great a separation from sister churches.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The <em>Plymouthians</em> held, that the Bible was the sole religious +code of protestants; and that every man had a right to judge +for himself, and to try all doctrines by it, and to worship according +to what he apprehended that directed. In doctrinal tenets +they agreed with the articles of the church of England. The +main difference between them and other reformed churches was +about hierarchy. They maintained, that no particular church +ought to consist of more persons than could worship in one congregation; +that every man ought, in appearance, to be a true +believer in Christ, and subject to his authority; that when there +was a suitable number of such believers, who thought themselves +bound in conscience to do it, they had a right to embody into a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XIX'>XIX</span>church, by some certain contract or covenant, expressed or implied; +and that, being embodied, they were to choose all their +officers, who were pastors or teaching elders, mere ruling elders, +meant to assist the former, and qualified to teach occasionally, +and deacons who were to manage the temporalities of the church, +to take care of the poor, and to officiate at the Lord’s table, by +providing the bread and wine, laying the cloth, carrying the +elements, &c. [The custom of having ruling elders has now +ceased.] The elders of both kinds were to form the presbytery +of overseers and rulers. They also held, that no churches or +church officers, had any power over other churches or officers, to +control or impose upon them, all having equal rights and privileges. +Their own officers were removable by them upon justifiable +reasons; in case of capital errors, gross misconduct, and the +like. When they baptised, they rejected the sign of the cross, +and other ceremonies not enjoined by scripture. They received +the elements of the Lord’s supper, in the table-posture of the +day and place in which they lived. Excommunication they +deemed to be wholly spiritual; and denied that the church or +its officers had any authority to inflict temporal pains and penalties. +They considered no days as holy, but the Lord’s day, +which they observed with great strictness. Solemn fastings and +thanksgivings, as the aspects of providence required, they had +a pious regard to, as agreeable to both natural and revealed +religion.</p> + +<p class='c007'>A better sort of emigrants never crossed the <em>Atlantic</em>. “They +were a plain, frugal, industrious, conscientious, and loving +people; and, for the day in which they lived, and considering +their education, possessed a good share of politeness. The important +light in which they viewed morality, led them, in many +instances to such critical exactness as would be deemed by the +moderns ridiculous; from thence, however, the community derived +substantial benefits. They have been stigmatized as enthusiasts; +but nothing like enthusiasm is to be met with in the +records of any of their transactions, either civil or ecclesiastic. +Their piety indeed was eminent and fervent, but it was also +rational; and their religion was that of the Bible, and had a +proper influence upon their conduct.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>The <em>Plymouthians</em> having cleared the way for other sufferers +to settle in <em>America</em>, with less difficulty and danger than what +they had experienced; the fame of their plantation spreading +through the western parts of <em>England</em>; and the government in +church and state growing more and more oppressive; the territory +of the <em>Massachusetts-Bay</em> was purchased of the <em>Plymouth +Council</em> [1628] and a company soon formed, who consulted +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XX'>XX</span>on settling a plantation, to which non-conforming <em>puritans</em> +might emigrate in order to enjoy their own principles in full security. +Their sufferings had been moderated for a few years +before <em>Elizabeth</em>’s death. The queen was far advanced in life; +the next heir to the crown was a <em>presbyterian</em>, who had subscribed +to the <em>Scotch</em> national covenant, and, with hands uplifted +to Heaven, had pronounced, “The <em>Scotch</em> kirk is the purest in +the world, and the service of the kirk of <em>England</em> an evil said +mass in <em>English</em>, that wants nothing of the mass but the liftings;” +he had interceded for some of the persecuted ministers; and +the bishops were cautious of acting against a party for whom +king <em>James</em> had declared; but upon his ascending the throne, +the fears of the high-churchmen and the hopes of the non-conformists +were soon ended. It was not long before the king +became in the church a furious persecutor of the non-conformists, +and in the state as errant a despot as his cowardice would +allow. In stigmatizing for <em>puritans</em>, all who stood by the laws +of the land, and opposed his arbitrary government, though +strenuous churchmen, he strengthened the cause of the <em>church +puritans</em>; the former, called by way of distinction <em>state-puritans</em>, +joining the latter, both together became at length the +majority of the nation.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Still the times were not mended; and the death of <em>James</em> +made way for their becoming much worse. King <em>Charles</em> unfortunately +took for his bosom-counsellor in religious affairs, +bishop <em>Laud</em>, the most unqualified person for the purpose, of +any to be found in his three kingdoms; he also resigned himself +up to arbitrary councils.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The lowering prospect thickened apace; the <em>Massachusetts</em> +company therefore provided a safe retreat in season. They +applied immediately to the improvement of their purchased territory; +and sent out capt. <em>John Endicott</em> and others, with servants, +to begin a plantation; who arrived at (what is now named) <em>Salem</em>. +They soon after petitioned for a <em>royal charter</em>, hoping that their +existence and powers would be thereby secured and promoted. +They succceeded, and a charter of incorporation was granted, +[March 4, 1629] making them a body politic, by the name of +“The Governor and Company of the <em>Massachusetts-Bay</em> in +<em>New-England</em>,” with as full powers as any other corporation in +the realm of <em>England</em>. The grant and sale of the <em>Plymouth +Council</em> was confirmed. Till the annual election by the company +could commence, the governor, deputy-governor, and +eighteen assistants were specified. The mode of governing, and +of admitting freemen, was prescribed. They were empowered to +elect and constitute such other officers as might be thought +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XXI'>XXI</span>requisite for the managing of their affairs, and to make laws and +ordinances, not contrary to the laws and statutes of the realm, +for the good of the said company and the government of their +lands and plantations, and the inhabitants thereof. They were +allowed to transport persons, whether subjects or strangers, +weapons, merchandize, &c. <em>any law to the contrary notwithstanding</em>—such +was the dispensing power the king assumed. He +also exempted them from paying custom or subsidy for seven +years; the governor and company, their factors and assigns, +were to pay neither that nor any taxes <span class='fss'>IN</span> <em>New-England</em> for the +<em>same space</em>. All were freed from duties upon goods imported +or exported for 21 years, except the old 5 per cent. custom upon +imports after the expiration of the seven years. All his majesty’s +subjects going to and inhabiting the company’s lands, +together with their children, were to enjoy all the liberties of +free and natural subjects within any of his dominions, the same +as though born in England. The king could mean only, that, +by removing to and residing in the Massachusetts, they should +not forfeit for themselves or children the privileges of <em>Englishmen</em>, +and be treated as foreigners; and not, that they should +be governed by laws and officers of their own making or +choosing, personally or by representation; for they were evidently +distinguished from the governor and company (of whom +it appears to be supposed, that they were to remain in England) +as these were authorized to administer the oaths of supremacy +and allegiance to all and every person or persons, who should +hereafter go to inhabit the lands and premises of the company. +Beside, the governor and company were entrusted with the +power of making laws, ordinances, &c. not contrary to the +laws of England; of settling the government and magistracy +of the plantation; and its inhabitants; of naming all the officers; +and of setting forth their several duties, powers and limits; +and the king commanded that all such laws, ordinances, +&c. should be published, in writing, under the common seal of +the company, and thereupon be carefully observed and put into +execution, according to their true meaning. The charter<a id='r4'></a><a href='#f4' class='c013'><sup>[4]</sup></a> +does not once mention <em>liberty of conscience</em> or <em>toleration</em>; tho’ +one<a id='r5'></a><a href='#f5' class='c013'><sup>[5]</sup></a> historian has inadvertently advanced, that “free liberty +of conscience was likewise granted to all who should settle in +the <em>Massachusetts-Bay</em>, to worship God in their own way;” +and another<a id='r6'></a><a href='#f6' class='c013'><sup>[6]</sup></a>, “the charter granted toleration to all christians, +except papists.” The assertions apply only to the charter +granted by king <em>William</em> and queen <em>Mary</em>.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_XXII'>XXII</span>[April 30, 1629.] The company, in the exercise of their +chartered powers, determined that a governor and council of +twelve, residing on the plantations, should have the sole ordering +of its affairs and government. They appointed Captain <em>Endicott</em> +governor, and seven gentlemen going from England to +be counsellors, and directed how the other five should be elected, +together with a deputy-governor and secratary.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Messrs. <em>Higginson</em>, <em>Skelton</em>, <em>Bright</em>, <em>John</em> and <em>Samuel Browne</em> +were of the seven counsellors nominated by the company. The +three first, being ministers, had declared themselves to be of one +judgment, and to be fully agreed on the manner how to exercise +their ministry. The company’s committee in the letter to +governor <em>Endicott</em>, expressed good hopes on account of it; and +at the same time recommended Messrs. <em>John</em> and <em>Samuel Browne</em> +as men who they much respected, being fully persuaded of +their sincere affections to the good of the plantation.<a id='r7'></a><a href='#f7' class='c013'><sup>[7]</sup></a> The +ministers and passengers coming to settle in it were episcopally +inclined when they left England, though they could not conform +to many ceremonies and customs, nor submit to what they judged +different corruptions, imposed upon their consciences by the +king and prelates. They were also strongly prejudiced against +the <em>separatists</em> in which class the <em>Plymouthians</em> were numbered. +But long before they arrived, or even sailed, a Dr. <em>Fuller</em>, a +deacon of the church at Plymouth, and well versed in its discipline, +having been sent for, on account of a fatal sickness +which broke out among the emigrants after their arrival at +<em>Salem</em>, had, by his conversation with Captain <em>Endicott</em>, taken off +the ill effect of common report, and brought him to think favorably +of the outward form of worship espoused by the <em>Plymouthians</em>. +The influence of the doctor’s intercourse with the <em>Salem</em> +settlers cannot be thought to have been confined to the Captain. +When the business of organizing a church was brought forward +after the arrival of the consellors, the matter was frequently +canvassed, and at length it was determined to form it, nearly +upon the plan of the one at Plymouth; and to invite the latter +to be present by their messengers, at the solemn ordination of +the ministers Messrs. <em>Skelton</em> and <em>Higginson</em>, [August 6.] Notwithstanding +cross winds the Plymouth messengers were time +enough to give the right hand of fellowship, by which ceremony +the two churches professed mutual affection and communion.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Probably none of the newly arrived settlers had the least idea +of such ecclesiastic proceedings, when they left England; but +thought very differently. Some continued to do so; for Mr. +<em>Bright</em>, disagreeing in judgment from the other ministers, removed +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XXIII'>XXIII</span>to a distance before their ordination; and Messrs. <em>John</em> +and <em>Samuel Browne</em>, dissatisfied with the proceedings of the +society, separated with several who were like minded, and set +up another. Governor <em>Endicott</em>, being of a hot temper, and +not possessed of the greatest prudence, summoned the brothers +before him as ringleaders of a faction; and apprehending that +their conversation and conduct would occasion divisions, sent +them back to <em>England</em>, against their own inclination notwithstanding +their being counsellors, thinking himself justified by his +public orders.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Let us return to the company in <em>England</em>.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[July 28.] Mr. <em>Matthew Craddock</em>, the governor, proposed +at the general court, that, for the advancement of the plantation, +the encouragement of persons of worth and quality to +transplant themselves and families, and other weighty reasons, +the government of the plantation should be transferred to its inhabitants, +and not be continued in subordination to the company +at <em>London</em>. The matter was debated; and it was agreed, that +the persons present should seriously consider the business against +the next general court; it was also requested, that they would +in the mean while, conduct with that privacy, that the affair +might not be divulged. At a month’s end they met, and consented +that the government and patent should be settled in <em>New-England</em>, +if it could be done legally. They soon after received +letters respecting the difference between governor <em>Endicott</em> and +Messrs. <em>John</em> and <em>Samuel Browne</em>; and fearing that these two +had in their private letters defamed the plantation, they opened +and read a number of them, and ordered that none from Mr. +<em>Samuel Browne</em> should be delivered; however, upon application +from the brothers, they directed that they should have a copy of +the accusation sent against them from <em>New-England</em>. The company’s +letter upon this business one to Messrs. <em>Skelton</em> and +<em>Higginson</em>, and another to governor <em>Endicott</em>, intimated, that +there had been in the parties addressed a degree of intemperance; +that direct or oblique espersions had been thrown out against the +state; and that undigested counsels had been too suddenly put +into execution. They besides expressed an apprehension, lest, +through an ill construction, the same might make the company +obnoxious to any adversary.<a id='r8'></a><a href='#f8' class='c013'><sup>[8]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>The difference that happened in the plantation, the treatment +of the <em>Brownes</em>, and the reports circulated by them, undoubtedly +occasioned much talk. Many would think it strange, that, +while the charter was totally silent upon the head of religion, and +several of the grantees and company though strongly opposed to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XXIV'>XXIV</span>the tyrannies of the high-churchmen, were real episcopalians; +persons of this profession should be debarred the right of worshiping +according to their own judgment and consience, and be +even expelled the plantation. These occurrences most probably +forwarded the plan of Mr. <em>Craddock</em>. The advice of learned +council was ordered to be taken, and it was considered how to +execute the projected removal without offending government.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Among the other weighty reasons which induced them to +remove, we must include the hope of getting beyond the reach +of <em>Laud</em> and the high commissoned court: for the Massachusetts +general court declared in 1651, “That seeing just cause to fear +the persecution of the then Bishop and high commission, for not +conforming to the ceremonies, they thought it their safest course +to get to this outside of the world (America) out of their view, +and <em>beyond their reach</em>.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[October 20.] The company, at a general court, proceeded +to a new election of officers, who were to repair to and settle in +<em>New-England</em>. They chose for governor <em>John Winthrop</em>, esq. +of <em>Groton</em>, in <em>Suffolk</em>, a gentleman well known for his piety, +liberality, wisdom and gravity. The business of transferring +the patent and corporation, and of taking over new settlers, +was prosecuted with vigor. The enterprise produced a general +rumour, as its extent and magnitude, the number and principles +of the person engaging in it, opened upon the public. The intentions +of the parties being suspected, and jealousies arising +concerning them, governor <em>Winthrop</em> and other gentlemen, to +remove prejudices, conciliate the minds of the disaffected, and +recommend themselves and their expedition to the favourable +regards of all serious christians of the episcopal persuasion, addressed +their brethren in and of the church of <em>England</em>, [April 7, +1630.] and afterwards sailed from <em>Yarmouth</em> in the isle of <em>Wight</em>, +for <em>America</em>. The signers of the address, pray in the most +solemn manner to be considered as their brethren, and desire it +to be noted, that the principals and body of their company esteem +it their honour to call the <em>church</em> of <span class='sc'>England</span> their dear +mother. They acknowledge, that such hope and part as they +have obtained in the common salvation, they have received in +her bosom, and sucked from her breasts. They declare themselves +members of her body, and that, while they have breath, +they shall sincerely endeavour her welfare. They pronounce +themselves a church springing out of her own bowels. Their +professions are made in the strongest language.<a id='r9'></a><a href='#f9' class='c013'><sup>[9]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>[June 12.] The company arrived at <em>Salem</em>; and soon were +in number more than fifteen hundred persons from different +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XXV'>XXV</span>counties in England. Thy applyed themselves early to the +forming of churches; but, the Rev. Mr. <em>Cotton</em> (who come +from <em>Boston</em> in <em>Lincolnshire</em> to take leave of his departing friends +at <em>Southampton</em>) having told them to advise with the <em>Plymouthians</em> +and to do nothing to offend them, and a precedent existing +in the church at <em>Salem</em>, they dismissed all the peculiarities of +episcopacy, and preferred the congregational mode in general. +However, they had no settled plan of church-discipline till after +the arrival of Mr. <em>Cotton</em>, [1633.] who was considerd as a +kind of oracle in both civil and sacred matters, and gradually +moulded all their church administrations, and thus determined +the ecclesiastic constitution of the colony; therein verifying +what Mr. <em>Robinson</em> had judiciously predicted, when he said +“Many of those who have both wrote and preached against me +and my people, were they in a place where they could have liberty +and live comfortably, should do as we do.”<a id='r10'></a><a href='#f10' class='c013'><sup>[10]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>Governor <em>Winthrop</em> inserted in his manuscript history, a +couple of anecdotes, of an earlier date than Mr. Cotton’s arrival, +which may amuse you. “July 30, 1631, Mr. <em>Ludlow</em>, in digging +the foundation of his house at <em>Dorchester</em>, found two +pieces of <em>French</em> money, one was coined 1596. They were in +several places, above a foot within the firm ground.” “June +13, 1632, At <em>Watertown</em> there was in the view of divers witnesses, +a great combat between a mouse and snake; and after +a long fight, the mouse prevailed and killed the snake.” The +minister of Boston, Mr Wilson a very sincere holy man, gives +this interpretation—“The snake is the devil, the mouse is a +poor contemptable people whom God has brought hither, and +who shall overcome Satan here, and dispossess him of his kingdom.” +“At the same time he told the governor, that before +he resolved to come into the country, he dreamed that he was +here, and saw a church arise out of the earth, which grew up +and became a marvellous goodly church.” He might think his +dream divine; but it is easily accounted for as a common event, +arising with the church-building out of a lively imagination, +warmed and directed by a preponderating inclination. If, instead +of interpreting the combat, he had only mentioned, that +the event suggested to him such thoughts, and such an improvement, +he would have evidenced more judgment and an equal +degree of wisdom in seizing the happy circumstance.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The colony increased apace, by frequent and numerous accessions. +But “it appears by private letters, that the departure +of so many of the best, both ministers and private christians, did +breed sad thoughts in those behind of the Lord’s intention in +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XXVI'>XXVI</span>the work, and an apprehension of some evil days to come upon +England; yea, it began to be viewed by the council as a matter +of state, so that warrants were sent to stay the ships, and to +call in the patent; but, upon the petition of the ship-masters, +alledging how beneficial the plantation was, they were released: +Mr. Craddock, however, had strict charge to deliver in the +pattent, and wrote to the company to send it home upon receipt +of his letter. [July, 1634.] The governor and assistants consulted +about it, and resolved to answer Mr. Craddock, but not +to return any answer or excuse to the council for the present<a id='r11'></a><a href='#f11' class='c013'><sup>[11]</sup></a>.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>On the death of the duke of <em>Buckingham</em>, <em>Laud</em> became the +king’s prime minister in all affairs of both church and state; and +on the death of Archbishop <em>Abbot</em>, he was exalted to the see of +<em>Canterbury</em>. Possessed of such powers, he by his pliant tools <em>made +havock of the church, hauling and committing to prison</em> conscientious +ministers and laymen who would not bend to his antiscriptural +impositions so that the people were scattered abroad and passed +over the <em>Atlantic</em> into <em>America</em>. The daily inroads of the court +on the civil rights of the subject, helped forward the emigration.</p> + +<p class='c007'>From the beginning of the colony, until the emigration ceased +through a change of affairs in England, [1640.] there arrived in +298 vessels about 21200 settlers (men, women and children) or +4000 families, but they did not all confine themselves to the <em>Massachusetts</em>. +Notwithstanding the numbers that repaired thither +when Josselyn visited Boston, in 1638, “he found it rather a +village than a town, there being not above 20 or 30 houses.” +These settlers were no less strenuous for their own particular +rights and previleges than the Plymouthians. When the governor +and company removed from <em>London</em> to the <em>Massachusetts</em> +they renounced the appearance of a corporation, and assumed +the form of a commonwealth, varying, as it suited them, from +the directions of the charter. The change of place and circumstances +prevented their keeping to it in certain instances, tho’ +not in others; but they could easily satisfy themselves as to any +violations; for “they apprehended themselves subject to no +other laws or rules of government, than what arose from natural +reason and the principles of equity, except any positive rules +from the word of God<a id='r12'></a><a href='#f12' class='c013'><sup>[12]</sup></a>.” Persons of influence among them +held, that birth was no necessary cause of subjection; for that +the subject of any prince or state, had a natural right to remove +to any other state or quarter of the world, when deprived of +liberty of conscience; and that upon such removal his subjection +ceased. They called their own a voluntary civil subjection, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XXVII'>XXVII</span>arising merely from a mutual compact between them and the +king, founded upon the charter. By this compact they acknowledged +themselves bound; so that they could not be subject to or +seek protection from any other prince, neither could make laws +repugnant to those of <em>England</em>, &c. but, on the other hand, +they maintained, that they were to be governed by laws made by +themselves, and by officers of their own electing<a id='r13'></a><a href='#f13' class='c013'><sup>[13]</sup></a>. They meant +to be independent of English parliaments; and therefore when +their intimate friends were become leading members in the house +of commons, and they were advised, on account of the great +liberty to which king Charles left the parliament, to send over +some to solicit for them, and had hopes given that they might +obtain much, the governor and assistants, after meeting in +council upon the occasion, “declined the motion, for this consideration, +that, if they should put themselves under the protection +of the parliament, they must then be subject to all such +laws as they should make, or at least such as they might impose +upon them, in which course, (though they should intend their +good, yet) it might prove very prejudicial to them<a id='r14'></a><a href='#f14' class='c013'><sup>[14]</sup></a>.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>Whatever approbation such sentiments may meet with from +the friends of liberty, these must regret the inconsistencies to +which human nature is subject, in those very persons whose experience +should have taught them, to do unto others, as they +would that others should have done unto them, when they themselves +were suffering under the relentless hand of arbitrary government. +But, what is man! [May 18, 1631.] So early as +the second general court after the arrival of the governor and +company, instead of resolving to admit all the suitable and deserving, +to a generous participation of their freedon, they passed +the pernicious and disingenuous order, “For time to come no +man shall be admitted to the freedom of this body politic, but +such as are members of some of the churches, within the limits +of the same<a id='r15'></a><a href='#f15' class='c013'><sup>[15]</sup></a>.” They soon after concluded, that none but such +should share in the administration of civil government, or have +a voice in any election. Thus a powerful and mischievous alliance +was formed between the churches and the state. The +ascendency of the clergy was secured and much increased; for +no one could be proposed to the church for a member, unless +the minister allowed it. The ministers were consulted by the +general court, in all matter of great moment; and nothing was +determined in such cases, without a formal reference to them; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XXVIII'>XXVIII</span>who, of course, used their influence with the people to procure +an approbation of the measures which they themselves had advised<a id='r16'></a><a href='#f16' class='c013'><sup>[16]</sup></a>;</p> + +<p class='c007'>[May, 1634.] Instead of the freemen’s appearing personally +in the general court, they for the first time sent deputies, to the +number of twenty-four. This was a variation from the charter +which gave no power to admit representatives. These with the +governor, deputy-governor, and assistants, formed the legislature +of the colony, met and voted together in one apartment till +March 1644, when it was ordained, that the governor and assistants, +should sit apart: and thus commenced the house of representatives, +as a distinct body.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The general court assumed spiritual jurisdiction. Being church +members, they might suppose they represented the churches no +less than the colony. [March 8, 1636.] They would approve +of no churches, after a certain period, unless they had the approbation +of the magistrates and elders of most of the churches +within the colony; nor would admit to freedom any of their +members. They pressed colonial uniformity in religion, till they +became persecutors<a id='r17'></a><a href='#f17' class='c013'><sup>[17]</sup></a>. Whatever apology may be made for the +treatment given to episcopalians, baptists and quakers, the colony +cannot be cleared from the charge of persecuting: that however +will not justify those who persecute with reproaches and +ill-will the present generation, now reprobating the intolerance +of their forefathers, which at that period was, more or less, the +stain of most religious parties. “It was not peculiar to the +Massachusetts people to think themselves bound in conscience +to use the sword of the civil magistrate to convince, or cut off +heretics, so that they might not infect the church, or injure the +public peace<a id='r18'></a><a href='#f18' class='c013'><sup>[18]</sup></a>.” The true grounds of liberty of conscience, were +not then known or embraced by many sects of christians. But +remember, that the <em>Massachusetts-Bay</em> now surpasses the mother +country, in its regard for the sacred and civil rights of mankind. +It not only exempts those of other denominations from paying +to the support of its own colonial establishments, the congregational +churches; and has been a great number of years in this +laudable practice; but it protects all protestants without requiring +any qualifying subscriptions or tests, and excludes none by +partial laws from the exercise of civil power.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The government was in divers respects absolute. Both magistrates +and general court often judged and punished, in a +summary way, without a jury, according to discretion, as occasions +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XXIX'>XXIX</span>occurred. It was four years before it was enacted or ordered, +that no trial should pass upon any for life or banishment, +but by a jury of freemen: and within three years after, [1637.] +that law was violated even by the general court. They exercised, +while sitting, legislative, judicial and executive powers—a +practice which must ever be dangerous to the rights of a people, +even when allowed to their own annual representatives.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The country at length grew uneasy at these proceedings; +were suspicious that the general court had effected arbitrary government; +and earnestly expected a body of laws to aid and protect +them in all their just rights and previleges<a id='r19'></a><a href='#f19' class='c013'><sup>[19]</sup></a>. It was the more +necessary to comply with the prevailing expectation, for the business +had been long in agitation: not only so, but a great majority +of the inhabitants were not freemen not being members of the +congregational churches, or declining to take up their freedom, in +order to secure an exemption from serving in civil offices. It +was not till 1648 that the body of laws was digested and printed.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The conduct of the colony on the one hand, and the inveteracy +of the English administration on the other, would certainly have +produced a revocation of the charter, and probably the ruin of +the plantation, had not the disturbances in England prevented. +It became a favorite upon the change that followed them; and +while <em>Oliver Cromwell</em> ruled, met with the utmost indulgence. +From 1640 to 1660 it approached very near to an independent +commonwealth<a id='r20'></a><a href='#f20' class='c013'><sup>[20]</sup></a>. The house of commons in a memorable resolve +of the 10th of March 1642, passed in favour of it, gives +<em>New-England</em> the title of <em>kingdom</em><a id='r21'></a><a href='#f21' class='c013'><sup>[21]</sup></a>. The commissioners for +<em>New-England</em>, sent over by king <em>Charles</em> II. assert in their narrative<a id='r22'></a><a href='#f22' class='c013'><sup>[22]</sup></a>, +that the colony solicited <em>Cromwell</em> to be declared a free +state, which is not unlikely.</p> + +<p class='c007'>It has been already mentioned, that all the persons passing +over to the <em>Massachusetts</em> did not confine themselves to that +colony.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[1635.] Several families removed to <em>Connecticut</em> river, by +mutual agreement with their fellow emigrants that remained +behind. Plantations were formed at <em>Hartford</em>, <em>Windsor</em> and +<em>Weathersfield</em>. The inhabitants being soon after fully satisfied, +that they were out of the Massachusetts limits, and of course +jurisdiction, entered into a combination among themselves, +[1639.] became a body politic, without restraining the freedom +of their civil government to the membership of their churches; +and proceeded to the choice of magistrates and representatives. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XXX'>XXX</span>By the articles of government, it was determined that there +should be annually two general courts; and that no person should +be chosen governor more than once in two years. But it must +be observed, that the same year, in which the families removed +from the Massachusetts, Lords <em>Say</em> and <em>Brooke</em>, with other gentlemen, +having obtained a grant, John Winthrop, esq. was appointed +governor, took possission of Connecticut river, and +began to erect a fort (which he called Say-Brooke) to secure +the mouth of it. He was supplied with men, provisions, and +all things necessary by a vessel from England, sent by the +grantees, which arrived the latter end of November. Some of +the grantees had in contemplation to transport themselves, families +and effects, to the territory they had obtained; but the +design of emigrating was laid aside, when matters began to take +a new turn in their native country; and at length the agent Mr. +<em>Fenwick</em>, was authorized to dispose of their lands, which were +purchased, in 1644, by the people who had removed from the +Massachusetts.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[1637.] Two large ships arrived at the <em>Massachusetts-Bay</em> +with passengers from <em>London</em>. Great pains were taken to prevail +upon them to remain in the colony; but they hoped by removing +to a considerable distance, to be out of the reach of a general +governor, with whom the country was then threatened. They +sent to their friends in <em>Connecticut</em> to purchase of the natives the +lands laying between them and <em>Hudson’s</em> river. They laid the +foundation of a flourishing colony, of which <em>New-Haven</em> was the +capital. They, as Connecticut, formed a government, much +like the Massachusetts, by a voluntary agreement, without any +charter, or commission, or authority whatsoever, from the crown +or other powers in England. They admitted no one to any office +civil or military, or to have a voice in any election, except he +was a member of one of the churches in New-England. They +had no jury either in civil or criminal cases.</p> + +<p class='c007'><em>Connecticut</em> and <em>New-Haven</em> continued two distinct colonies +for many years. At length the general court of Connecticut +determined to prefer an address and petition to Charles II. professing +their subjection and loyalty to his majesty, and soliciting +a royal charter; and John Winthrop, esq. who had been chosen +governor, was appointed to negociate the affair with the +king. He succeeded, and a royal charter was obtained, April +23, 1662, constituting the two colonies forever one body +corporate and politic. New-Haven took the affair ill; and for +some time declined the union. But difficulties were amicably +settled at last, and the colonies united by agreement. [1665.]</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_XXXI'>XXXI</span>The royal charter established a pure democracy. Every +power, as well deliberative as active, was invested in the freemen +of the corporation or their delegates, and the colony was +under no obligation to communicate the acts of their local legislature +to the king. It was the same as to the <em>royal</em> charter, +granted the next year to <em>Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations</em>.<a id='r23'></a><a href='#f23' class='c013'><sup>[23]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>[1685.] In July various articles of high misdemeanor were +exhibited against the governor and company of Connecticut, +and orders were given to issue a writ of <em>quo warranto</em> forthwith +against the colony. The next year two writs were served by +Mr. <em>Randolph</em>; and after them a third in December. This is +taken notice of by the governor and company in their letter of +Jan. 26, 1686–7, wherein they mention their readiness to submit +to his majesty’s royal commands; and that, “if it be to +conjoin them with the other colonies and provinces under Sir +<em>Edmund Andros</em>, it would be more pleasing than to be joined +with any other province.” Such professed submission probably +prevented the <em>quo warranto’s</em> being prosecuted with effect; and +produced an order to Andros to accept the surrender of the +charter and the submission of the colony. Sir Edmond went to +<em>Hartford</em> in October; but when at night he expected the charter +would have been surrendered into his hands, the candle was +blown out, and the charter withdrawn from the table, carried off +and secreted by one of the company: whose extraordinary service +was afterwards rewarded by the general assembly with five +shillings, agreeable to the plain simple manners of the people. +He however published in the general court his orders and commission +which every one tacitly obeyed. He dissolved the +former government, and assumed the administration, receiving +into his legislative council the late governor and secretary, for +the better carrying on the business of the colony. The subsequent +revolution in England brought matters back, after a +while to the former course; as the legal validity of the charter +was admitted.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The peopling of these three last colonies was owing chiefly +to the <em>Puritan Ministers</em>, who, being silenced at home, repaired +to <em>New-England</em>, that they might enjoy liberty of conscience; +and drew after them vast numbers of their friends and favorers. +They amounted to seventy-seven before 1641; and though all +were not person of the greatets learning and abilities, they had +a better share of each than most of sheir neighbouring clergy +at that period; and were men of eminent soberiety and virtue, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XXXII'>XXXII</span>plain, serious, affectionate preachers, exactly conformable to +the doctrines of the church of <em>England</em>, and laboured much to +promate a reformation of manners in their several parishes.—Many +planters who accompained or followed them, were gentlemen +of considerable fortunes and of no mean education, who +spent their estates in New-England, and were at the charge of +bringing over many poor families, that were not able of themselves +to bear the expence.<a id='r24'></a><a href='#f24' class='c013'><sup>[24]</sup></a> The body of laity and clergy, collectively +considered, furnishes such a glorious constellation of +characters, as would employ the pen of a first-rate writer to do +them justice; notwithstanding what has been above remarked +of their governmental mistake.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The dangers to which the <em>New-England</em> colonies were early +exposed, induced them to think of confederating for their mutual +safety. Articles were drawn up in 1638; but they were not +finished and ratified till the seventh of September 1643; from +which time we are to look upon <em>Plymouth</em>, <em>Massachusetts</em>, <em>Connecticut</em> +and <em>New-Haven</em> as one body, in regard to all public +transactions with their neighbours, though the private affairs +of each colony were still managed by their own courts and magistrates.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Pass we on to the settlement of the other <em>New-England</em> colonies.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Mr. <em>Roger Williams</em>, who succeeded Mr. <em>Skelton</em>, upon his +decease, as pastor of the church at Salem, being banished from +the Massachusetts, repaired with twelve companions to the <em>Narraganset</em> +country, [1635] and had land given him by the <em>Indian +Sachem Canonicus</em>; of whom he afterwards purchased the large +tract, lying between <em>Pawtucket</em> and <em>Pawtuxet</em> rivers (the great +falls and the little falls, as the Indian names signify,) and stiled +it <em>Providence</em> “from a sense of God’s merciful providence to +him in his distress.” The authority and power of <em>Miantonomy</em>, +another Sachem, and his uncle <em>Canonicus</em>, awed all the Indians +round to assist him and his few associates. When the determinations +of the Massachusetts general court (occasioned, by what +they called antinomian disputes) banished many, and induced +others to leave the colony, the heads of the party were entertained +in a friendly manner by Mr. <em>Williams</em>; [1638.] who +advised them to seek a settlement on <em>Rhode-Island</em>, and was very +instrumental in procuring it of the Indian Sachems.</p> + +<p class='c007'>They, to the number of eighteen, incorporated themselves, +and began settling the island. The plantations there and at Providence +increased apace, owing to the liberel sentiments of the +first settlers; and in 1643 Mr. <em>Williams</em> went to England as agent, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XXXIII'>XXXIII</span>and obtained [March 16, 1644.] “a free and absolute charter of +incorporation of <em>Providence</em> and <em>Rhode-Island</em> Plantations, empowering +them to rule themselves, by that form they might voluntarily +agree upon.” They agreed upon a democratic. Mr. +<em>Williams</em> justly claims the honor of having been the first legislator +in the world, in its latter ages, who effectually provided for, +and established a free, full, and absolute liberty of conscience. +This was the chief cause that united the inhabitants of <em>Rhode-Island</em> +and those of <em>Providence</em>, and made them one people, and +one colony. The foundation principle on which this colony +was first settled, was, that “<em>every man who submits peaceably to +the civil authority, may peaceably worship God according to the +dictates of his own conscience without molestation</em>.” When the +colony was applied to in 1656 by the four <em>United Colonies</em> “to +join them in taking effectual methods to suppress the quakers, +and prevent their pernicious doctrines being propagated in the +country; the assembly returned for answer “We shall strictly +adhere to the foundation principle on which this colony was +first settled.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>[July 8, 1663.] King <em>Charles</em> II. granted an ample charter, +whereby the colony was made a body corporate and politic, by +the name of the <em>Governor and Company of the English colony of +Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, in New-England, in +America</em>. The charter reserved only allegiance to the king without +the smallest share of the legislative or executive powers.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[1685.] A writ of <em>quo warranto</em> was issued out against the +colony, which was brought June 26, 1686. The assembly determined +not to stand suit. After the revolution, they were allowed +by government to resume their charter, no judgment +having been given against it.</p> + +<p class='c007'><em>New-Hampshire</em> and the <em>Main</em> were settled about the same time +with the <em>Massachusetts</em>, by different proprietors who had obtained +patents, and whose views were to enrich themselves, by the +fishing trade at sea, and the beaver trade ashore. Religion had +little concern in the settlements; but it had some in the plantation +of <em>Exeter</em>, on the river <em>Pascataqua</em>; which was began by +Mr. <em>Wheelwright</em> (a minister banished from the Massachusetts, +on account of the antinomian dissensions with which the colony +was convulsed) and by a number of his adherents. They formed +themselves into a body politic. Three other distinct governments +were also established on the branches of the said river. +These governments, being altogether voluntary, had no security +as to their continuance; and the several settlers were too divided +in opinion to form any good general plan of permanent administration. +Therefore the more considerate among them treated +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XXXIV'>XXXIV</span>with the Massachusetts, about taking them under its protection; +which fully suited the wishes of that colony, as it afforded the +heads of it the opportunity of realizing the construction they had +put upon a clause of this charter, by which they extended their +line, so as to comprehend both <em>New-Hampshire</em> and the <em>Main</em>. +The business terminated in the incorporation of the two colonies, +on condition that the inhabitants of each should enjoy equal privileges. +They continued long united, and were of one heart +and mind in civil and religious affairs.<a id='r25'></a><a href='#f25' class='c013'><sup>[25]</sup></a> When separated by the +king’s commission for the government of <em>New-Hampshire</em>, the +new assembly at their first meeting, in a letter of March 25, 1680, +to the governor of the Massachusetts, to be communicated to +the general court, expressed their full satisfaction in the past connection; +grateful sense of the care that had been exercised over +them; and of their having been well governed; and an unfeigned +desire, that a mutual correspondence between them might +be settled.<a id='r26'></a><a href='#f26' class='c013'><sup>[26]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>The towns in the province of <em>Main</em>, after a time, fell into a +state of confusion. The Massachusetts took that opportunity, +for encouraging the disposition which prevailed in many of the +inhabitants to submit to their jurisdiction; and, to forward their +compliance, granted the people larger privileges than were enjoyed +by their own; for they were all freemen upon taking the +oath, whereas every where else no one could be made free, unless +he was a church member. The province was made a county, +by the name of <em>Yorkshire</em>; and the towns sent representatives +to the general court at <em>Boston</em>. Though the major part of the +inhabitants were brought to consent to this regulation, great opposition +was made by some principal persons, who severely reproached +the Massachusetts, for using force in order to reduce +the province: but the people experienced the benefit of it, and +were contented. They continued in union with the Massachusetts +until 1665, when a short separation commenced.</p> + +<p class='c007'>You have now a sketch of the settlement of all <em>New-England</em>. +It would have been far more concise, had it not been necessary, +to correct the mistakes frequently committed, by those who publish +on the subject; and to remove the reproaches cast upon the +bulk of the inhabitants, on account of their religious profession. +Whether there was any material difference between them and +the other colonies, in regard to the opinion they entertained of +their civil rights, you will be able to observe in the course of +your reading. Their judgment in respect to the exercise of parliamentary +powers over them, may be further known by what +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XXXV'>XXXV</span><em>Randolph</em> wrote concerning the Massachusetts, in his narrative +and letters, after the restoration; from whence “<em>it seems to have +been a general opinion that acts of parliament had no other force +than what they derived from acts passed by the general court to +establish or confirm them</em>.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>[1676.] <em>Randolph</em> declared, “No law is in force or esteem +there, but such as are made by the general court; and therefore +it is accounted a breach of their privileges, and a betraying the +liberties of the commonwealth to urge the observation of the +laws of <em>England</em>.”—“No oath shall be urged, or required to be +taken by any person, but such oath as the general court hath +considered, allowed and required.”—“there is no notice taken +of the act of navigation, plantation, or any other laws made in +<em>England</em> for the regulation of trade.”—“All nations have free +liberty to come into their ports, and vend their commodities +without any restraint; in this as well as in other things, that +government would make the world believe they are a free state, +and do act in all matters accordingly.”—“The magistrates have +continually disobeyed his majesty’s command in his royal letters, +of 1662, 64, 65, and those of March last; ever reserving to +themselves a power to alter, evade and disannul any law or command +not agreeing with their humour, or the absolute authority +of their government, acknowledging no superior.”—” He (the +governor) freely declared to me, that the laws made by your +majesty and your parliament obligeth them in nothing, but what +consists with the interest of the colony; that the legislative +power is and abides in them <em>solely</em>.<a id='r27'></a><a href='#f27' class='c013'><sup>[27]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>The <em>Massachusetts</em> general court, in a letter to their agents, +mentioned, that not being represented in parliament, they looked +not upon themselves to be impeded in their trade by the acts of +trade and navigation, and that these could not be observed by +his majesty’s subjects in Massachusetts without invading their +liberties and properties, until the general court made provision +therein by a law, which they did in October. Notwithstanding +such law, and a subsequent order, Feb. 15, 1681, “that the act +of navigation and the act for the encouragement of trade, be +published in Boston by beat of drum, and all clauses in said acts +relating to the plantation be strictly observed.” <em>Randolph</em> complained +to the commissioners of the customs in England, because +of their not being duly observed. When the people found +themselves in danger of a <em>quo warranto</em>, they agreed upon such +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XXXVI'>XXXVI</span>emendations of their acts of trade, as to make them accord in all +things with the laws of England. But it was too late. A <em>quo +warranto</em> was sent them, and brought by <em>Randolph</em>, Nov. 3, +1683; and the next year a writ of <em>scire ficias</em> was prosecuted +in the court of chancery against the governor and company, and +judgment given, that the charter should be annihilated. Considering +the temper of <em>Charles</em> II. it is rather matter of astonishment, +that the sentiments and conduct of the Massachusetts government +did not provoke him to vacate the charter much sooner. +However mortifying, yet it would have been more prudent, +to have declined contending with the king, when they +knew that they must be vanquished, than virtually to bid him defiance. +Such submission might not have saved them from the +arbitrary government that followed, but could have been of no +disservice, had there not been a subsequent revolution: that +event taking place, it would have been extremely beneficial. +They might have been allowed to resume their charter, nearly, +if not wholly.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Before we proceed to the southward, let it be noted, that in +1672, the English parliament enacted by law, “That if any vessel, +which by law may trade in the plantations, shall take on +board any enumerated commodities, and a bond shall not have +been given with sufficient security to unlade them in England, +there shall be rendered to his majesty, for sugars, tobacco, ginger, +cocoa nut, indigo, logwood, fustic, cotton wool, the several +duties mentioned in the law, to be paid in such places in the +plantations, and to such officers as shall be appointed to collect +the same: and for their better collection, it is enactad, that the +whole business shall be managed, and the imposts be levied by +officers appointed by the commissioners of the customs in England.” +This is the first act that imposed customs on the colonies +alone, to be regularly collected by colonial revenue officers. +But the best affected colonies, Barbadoes, Virginia and Maryland, +considering the laws of trade either as inconsistent with +their privileges, or destructive to their infant commerce, hesitated +to obey, or elude the provisions of the laws; and trafficked +without restraint, wherever hope of gain directed their navigators. +Charles II. reprimanded them, and his successors gave +standing instructions upon the head, but without effect.<a id='r28'></a><a href='#f28' class='c013'><sup>[28]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>Governor <em>Nicholson</em> of Maryland wrote to the board of trade, +August 16, 1698, “I have observed that a great many people in +all these provinces and colonies, especially in those under proprietaries, +and the two others under Connecticut and Rhode-Island, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XXXVII'>XXXVII</span>think that no law of England ought to be in force and +binding to them without their own consent; for they foolishly +say, they have no representatives sent from themselves to the +parliament of England; and they look upon all laws made in +England, that put any restraint upon them, to be great hardships.” +These were the colonial sentiments two years after +passing the famous declaratory act of Willian and Mary, which +you will find mentioned below. Molyneux’s Case of Ireland, +asserting openly the same doctrines, was first published in February, +1697–8.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The colony of <em>New-York</em> demands our next attention. The +Dutch had settled, and named it the <em>New-Netherlands</em>. Charles +II. resolved upon its conquest in 1664, and in March granted +to his brother the Duke of York, the region extending from the +western banks of Connecticut to the eastern shore of the <em>Delaware</em>, +together with <em>Long-Island</em>, conferring on him the civil +and military powers of government. Colonel <em>Nichols</em> was sent +with four frigates and three hundred soldiers to effect the business. +The Dutch governor being unable to make resistance, the New-Netherlands +submitted to the English crown, in September, +without any other change than of rulers. Few of the Dutch +removed; and Nichols instantly entered upon the exercise of his +power, as deputy governor of the duke of York, the proprietary.</p> + +<p class='c007'>In July, 1673, the Dutch repossessed themselves of the province, +by attacking it suddenly when in a defenceless state. By +the peace in February following it was restored. The validity +of the grant, while the Dutch were in quiet possession having +been questioned, the duke of York thought it prudent to obtain +a new one the following June, and <em>Edmund Andros</em> having been +appointed governor, the Dutch resigned their authority to him +in October. Thus was New-York regained; but the inhabitants +were again enslaved to the will of the conqueror; for, being +admitted to no share in the legislature, they were subject to +laws to which they had never assented.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[1681.] To be relieved from a servitude that had degraded +the colony, and now gave dissatisfaction to every one, the council, +the court of assizes, and the corporation of New-York, concurred +in soliciting the duke, “to permit the people to participate +in the legislative power.” The duke, though strongly prejudiced +against democratic assemblies, yet in expectation that the +inhabitants would agree to raise money to discharge the public +debts, and to settle such a fund for the future as might be sufficient +for the maintenance of the government and garrison, informed +the lieutenant-governor, in 1682, that “he intended to +establish the same frame of government as the other plantations +enjoyed, particularly in the choosing of an assembly.”</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_XXXVIII'>XXXVIII</span>Mr. Dongan was appointed governor in September, and instructed +to call an assembly, to consist of a council of ten, and of +a house of representatives, chosen by the freeholders, of the +number of eighteen members. The assembly was empowered +to make laws for the people, agreeable to the general jurisprudence +of the state of England, which should be of no force, +however, without the ratification of the proprietary. “Thus +the inhabitants of New-York, after being ruled almost twenty +years at the will of the duke’s deputies, were first admitted to +participate in the legislative power.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>[1683.] An assembly was called on governor Dongan’s +arrival, which passed an act of general naturalization, in order +to give equal privileges to the various kinds of people then inhabiting +the province; together with an act “declaring the +liberties of the people;” as also one “for defraying the requisite +charges of government for a limitted time.” The legislature +was convened once more in August 1684, when it explained +the last act. These seem to have been the only assemblies +called prior to the revolution.</p> + +<p class='c007'>When the duke became king of England, he refused to confirm +that grant of privileges to which, as duke, he had agreed. +He established a real tyranny, and reduced New-York once +more to the deplorable condition of a conquered province.</p> + +<p class='c007'><em>New-Jersey</em>, which was also taken from the <em>Dutch</em> (who were +considered as having no right to any of their settlements in these +parts of America) was included in the grant to the duke of York. +The duke disposed of it to lord <em>Berkely</em> Sir <em>George Carteret</em> +who, being sole proprietors, for the better settlement of it, +agreed [1664.] upon certain constitutions of government, so +well relished, that the eastern parts were soon considerably +peopled. One of the stipulations was, “no qualified person, at +any time, shall be any ways molested, punished, disquieted, or +called into question, for any difference in opinion or practice in +matters of religious concernments, who does not acturally disturb +the civil peace of the province; but all and every such person +and persons, may, from time to time, and at all times, freely +and fully have and enjoy his and their judgments and consciences +in matters of religion, they behaving themselves peaceably and +quietly, and not using this liberty to licentiousness, nor to the +civil injury or outward disturbance of others; <em>any law, statute, +or clause contained or to be contained, usage or custom of the +realm of England, to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding</em>.”<a id='r29'></a><a href='#f29' class='c013'><sup>[29]</sup></a> +The lords proprietors further agreed, “for the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XXXIX'>XXXIX</span>better security of all the inhabitants in the province—That <em>they +are not to impose</em>, <span class='fss'>NOR SUFFER TO BE IMPOSED</span>, <em>any tax, +custom, subsidy, tallage, assessment, or any other duty whatsoever, +upon any colour or pretence, upon the said province and inhabitants +thereof, other than what shall be imposed by the authority and +consent of the general assembly</em>.”<a id='r30'></a><a href='#f30' class='c013'><sup>[30]</sup></a> What can more strongly express +the then opinion of Lord <em>Berkely</em> and Sir <em>George Carteret</em>, as +to the parliaments having no right to tax the inhabitants of the +province, possessed by them as lords proprietors!</p> + +<p class='c007'>[1674.] Lord <em>Berkely</em> sold his moiety of the province to +<em>John Fenwick</em>, in trust for <em>Edward Byllinge</em> and his assigns.—After +which the proprietors, <em>E. Byllinge, William Penn, Gawen +Lawrie, Nicholas Lucas, and Edmund Warner</em>, of the quaker +persuasion, agreed with Sir <em>George Carteret</em> [1676.] upon a division; +and that his moiety should be called <em>New East-Jersey</em>; +and theirs <em>New West-Jersey</em>. The agreement respecting the <em>not +imposing or suffering to be imposed any tax, &c.</em> was adopted: the +other stipulation is worded somewhat differently—“No man, +nor number of men upon earth, hath power or authority to rule +over men’s conscience in religious matters; therefore it is consented, +agreed and ordained, that no person or persons whatsoever, +within the province, at any time or times hereafter, shall +be any ways, upon any pretence whatsoever, called in question, +or in the least punished or hurt, either in person, estate or privilege, +for the sake of his opinion, judgment, faith or worship +towards God in matters of religion; but that all and every such +person and persons, may from time to time, and at all times, +freely and fully have and enjoy his and their judgments, and the +exercise of their consciences, in matters of religious worship, +throughout all the province.”<a id='r31'></a><a href='#f31' class='c013'><sup>[31]</sup></a> It was also agreed, “that all +elections be not determined by the common and confused way of +cries and voices; but by putting balls into balloting boxes, to +be provided for that purpose, for the prevention of all partiality, +and whereby every man may freely choose according to his own +judgment and honest intention.”<a id='r32'></a><a href='#f32' class='c013'><sup>[32]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>Soon after, many quakers resorted to <em>West-Jersey</em> from +England, and the country filled apace. But the people early +experienced the dreadful effects of arbitrary power. Major <em>Andros</em> +the governor of <em>New-York</em>, imposed 10 per cent. on all +goods imported at the <em>Hoar-kill</em>,<a id='r33'></a><a href='#f33' class='c013'><sup>[33]</sup></a> and demanded 5 percent. of the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XL'>XL</span>settlers at arrival or afterwards, though neither <em>West-Jersey</em>, nor +the <em>Hoar-kill</em>, was legally under his jurisdiction. They complained +of the hardship from the first, but bore it patiently, till +about 1680, when application was made to the duke of York, +who referred the matter to the council, where it rested for a +considerable time, and then was reported in their favour, and +the duty ordered to be discontinued. Among the arguments +used by Messrs. <em>William Penn</em>, <em>George Hutchinson</em> and others, +chiefly if not all quakers, in the paper presented to the duke’s +commissioners, were these, “Powers of government are expressly +granted, in the cenveyance lord Berkely made us; for +that only could have induced us to buy it; and the reason is +plain, because to all prudent men, the government of any place +is more inviting than the soil: for what is good land without +good laws; the better, the worse. And if we could not assume +people of an easy and free, and safe government, both with respect +to their spiritual and worldly property, that is an uninterrupted +liberty of conscience and an inviolable possession of their +civil rights and freedoms, by a just and wise government, a +mere wilderness would be no encouragement; for it were a +madness to leave a free, good and improved country, to plant +in a wilderness, and there adventure many thousands of pounds, +to give an absolute title to another person to tax us at will and +pleasure.” Natural right and human prudence oppose such doctrine +all the world over, as says, “that people free by law, under +their prince at home, are at his mercy in the plantations +abroad.” The King’s grant to the duke of York, is plainly restrictive +to the laws and government of England. Now, we +humbly conceive, it is made a fundamental in our constitution, +and government, that the king of England cannot justly take his +subjects goods without their consent: this needs no more to be +proved than a principal; ’tis <em>jus indigene</em>, and home-bore right, +declared to be law by divers statutes; as in the great charter, ch. +29 and 34. Ed. III. ch. 2; again 25 Ed. ch. 7.<a id='r34'></a><a href='#f34' class='c013'><sup>[34]</sup></a> To give up +the power of making laws is to change the government, to sell +or rather resign ourselves to the will of another; and that for +nothing; for we buy nothing of the duke, if not the right of an +undisturbed colonizing, with no diminution, but expectation of +some increase of these freedoms and privileges enjoyed in our +own country. We humbly say, that we have not lost any part +of our liberty, by leaving our country; but we transplant to a +place with express limitation to erect no policy contrary to the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XLI'>XLI</span>established government (of England) but as near as may be to +it; and this variation is allowed but for the sake of emergencies; +and that latitude bounded with these words, <em>for the good +of the adventurer and planter</em>. This tax is not to be found in +the duke’s conveyances, but is an after business. Had the +planters foreseen it, they would sooner have taken up in any +other plantation in America—[a plain intimation that no such +tax was imposed in any other American plantation.] Beside, +there is no end of this power; for since we are by this precedent +assessed without any law, and thereby excluded our English +right of common assent to taxes; what security have we of any +thing we possess? We can call nothing our own, but are tenants +at will not only for the soil, but for all our personal estates; we +endure penury, and the sweat of our brows, to improve them +at our own hazard only. This is to transplant from good to bad. +<em>This sort of conduct has destroyed government, but never raised +one to any true greatness.</em><a id='r35'></a><a href='#f35' class='c013'><sup>[35]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>The paper presented to the duke’s commissioners, evidently +proves, that it was the opinion of these gentlemen, who were +quakers, that no tax could be justly imposed upon the inhabitants, +without their own consent first had, and by the authority of their +own general assembly. The report of the council in favour of +the aggrieved, and the relief that followed, were virtual concessions +to the same purport. This will not be judged wholly +unprecedented by those who are acquainted with what happened +relative to the county-palatine and city of <em>Chester</em>, in the 35th +year of the reign of <em>Henry</em> VIII. [1543.] The inhabitants +complained in a petition to the king, that for want of knights +and burgesses in the court of parliament, they sustained manifold +damages, not only in their lands, goods, and bodies, but in the +civil and politic governance and maintenance of the commonwealth +of their said county; and that while they had been always +bound by the acts and statutes of the said court of parliament, +the same as other counties, cities, and boroughs, that had +knights and burgesses in said court, they had often been touched, +and grieved with acts and statutes made within the said court, +as well derogatory unto the most ancient jurisdictions, liberties, +and privileges of the said court-palatine, as prejudicial unto +the commonwealth, quietness, and peace of his majesty’s subjects. +They proposed to the king, as a remedy, that it would please +his highness, that it be enacted, with the assent of the lords spiritual +and temporal, and by the commons in parliament assembled, +that from the end of the session, the county-palatine shall +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XLII'>XLII</span>have two knights for the said county, and likewise two citizens +to be burgesses for the city of Chester. The complaint and remedy +were thought to be so just and reasonable, that the relief +for which they prayed was granted, and they were admitted to +send representatives to parliament, to guard their interests and +to secure their liberties and privileges.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The reasons for my passing from the Jerseys to Virginia will +soon be obvious.</p> + +<p class='c007'><em>Virginia</em> was the original name for all the English North-American +continental claims, given in honor to the virgin queen, +Elizabeth. King James, being applied to, granted letters patent +to a body of gentlemen on the 6th of April, 1606, with powers +to divide themselves into two distinct companies, the one consisting +of London adventurers, called the first or southern colony +of Virginia; the second or northern colony, composed of +merchants belonging to Bristol, Plymouth and Exeter. The +territory granted to the first or southern colony, was generally +called <em>Virginia</em> without any distinguishing epithet; and retained +that name after the second or northern colony obtained the +name of New-England, in 1614.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The London company applied their attention immediately to +the forming of a settlement, and sent off a hundred and ten emigrants, +who arrived on the coast of Virginia, April 29th, 1607: +a party landed on the promontory, called, in honor of the prince +of Wales, <em>Cape-Henry</em>; afterward proceeded to and took possession +of a peninsula in James-river, and began a settement at +<em>James-town</em>. The instructions given by the company of proprietors, +when they sent out their second supply the following +year, show that the most active projectors in England had for +their chief objects discovery and gain, rather than colonization.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[1609.] A new charter was obtained: many of the first nobility +and gentry were added to the former proprietors, and were +incorporared by the name of “The Treasurer and Company of +Adventurers, of the city of London, for the first colony of Virginia.” +To them was granted in absolute property the lands extending +from Cape Comfort along the sea-coast southward 200 +miles, from the same promontory 200 miles northward, and +from the Atlantic westward to the South-sea. The company +was empowered to make ordinances for the colony, and for those +on the seas going thither. There was granted to the treasurer +and company and their assigns, a freedom from all subsidies in +Virginia for 21 years, and from all impositions on importations +and exportations to and from England, or any other of the king’s +dominions, “except only the five pounds in the hundred due +for customs.” Little was conceded to the emigrants by the charter; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XLIII'>XLIII</span>and much conferred on the corporation. The colonists +were to be governed by the ordinances of a corporation residing +in England, in which they were not represented, and over the +deliberations of which they had no control. The powers of the +corporation were indeed controlable, as it was subject to the +superintendance of the courts of justice within the realm, which +could compel it to act agreeable as well to the grant, as to the +laws of the state.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The adventurers, warmed with golden dreams of great riches, +soon fitted out nine ships, with 500 emigrants, and every necessary +for the establishment of a permanent colony, excepting suitable +encouragement to the settlers. Lord Delaware was appointed +captain-general for life. Only seven vessels arrived safe.</p> + +<p class='c007'>When Mr. Smith, who had governed the colony, departed +for England, he left behind him 500 persons, of whom, what with +bad management, dissensions, attacks from the Indians, waste of +provisions, which occasioned a famine, &c. there remained only +sixty of all ages and sexes, at the expiration of six months. When +Sir <em>Thomas Gates</em>, the lieutenant-governor arrived in May, 1610, +and saw the calamitous situation of affairs, he concluded on embarking +the colonists and sailing for England: but before he +could proceed to sea, Lord <em>Delaware</em> arrived with three ships, +bringing abundant supplies, and carried back with him to James-town +the feeble remains of the colony. He soon re-established +matters; but his health obliging him, he sailed for England the +beginning of the subsequent year, [1611.] leaving about 200 colonists, +possessed of health, plenty, and peace with their neighbours. +After his departure they relapsed; but his successor, Sir +<em>Thomas Dale</em>, arriving in May with more emigrants, cattle, and +provision for a year, things were again restored. This same +year the adventurers obtained a new charter, by which the two +former were confirmed, and they had also granted to them all the +islands situated in the ocean, within 300 leagues of any part of +the Virginia coast. The corporation was now considerably new +modelled, and, in order to promote the effectual settlement of +the plantation, licence was given to open lotteries in any part of +England. The lotteries alone, which were the first ever granted +in England, brought 29,000l. into The campany’s treasury. At +length being considered as a national evil, they attracted the +notice of parliament, were presented by the commons as a grievance, +and in March, 1620, suspended by an order of council.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Sir <em>Thomas Gates</em> was dispatched with six large ships, carrying +300 colonists, 100 cattle, and useful supplies. He arrived +in August: and parties were sent out from James-town to form +distant settlements. He returned the beginning of 1614, and the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XLIV'>XLIV</span>administration devolved once more on Sir <em>Thomas Dale</em>, to whom +the Virginians owe the introduction of landed property. In +1615, fifty acres of land were granted to every emigrant and +his heirs, and the same quantity to every person imported by +others. Dale sailed for England in the beginning of 1616, giving +up the trust to Sir <em>George Yeardley</em>, as deputy governor, and +in this year the cultivation of tobacco was introduced. It was +originally carried from Tobago to England. Mr. <em>Argal</em>, a new +deputy, arrived in May, 1617. He published a variety of edicts, +and was guilty of those wrongs and oppressions, that the treasurer +and council appointed <em>Yeardly</em> captain-general, and empowered +him to examine into and redress grievances. Sir George arrived +April, 1619, bringing with him several instructions favourable +to freedom, and soon declared his intention of calling a general +assembly, which gave the greatest joy to men, who had been +hitherto subjected to the arbitrary orders of their prince, to the +interested ordinances of an English corporation, or to the edicts +of a haughty governor; and who enjoyed none of those liberties +which Englishmen claim as their birth-right.</p> + +<p class='c007'>In June, Yeardley, pursuant to his instructions from the +company, issued writs for the election of delegates, called burgesses. +The colony had been divided into seven hundreds or +distinct settlements, which seemed to enjoy some of the privileges +of boroughs, and from this circumstance the democratic branch +of the assembly has been called to this day the house of burgesses, +though composed almost entirely of the representatives of counties. +The assembly, formed of the governor and council of +state, who were appointed by the treasurer and company, and of +the burgesses chosen by the people, met together in one apartment, +and transacted affairs like the parliament of Scotland of +old, which mode continued till after the restoration of Charles +II. Thus convened, and thus composed, the legislature “debated +all matters thought expedient for the good of the whole.” +The laws were transmitted to England, for the approbation of +the treasurer and company, without whose confirmation they +were of no validity. The introduction of an assembly was attended +with the happiest effects. The emigrants, for the first +time, resolved to settle themselves, and to perpetuate the plantation. +The assembly thanked the company for their favour, and +begged them “to reduce into a compendious form, with his +majesty’s approbation, the laws of England proper for Virginia, +with suitable additions;” giving as a reason, “that it was not +fit that his subjects should be governed by any other rules, than +such as received their influence from him.” This year the +treasurer and council received a letter, “commanding them to +send a hundred dissolute persons (convicts) to Virginia.” They +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XLV'>XLV</span>were accordingly transported; and were at that period very acceptable +to the colonies,” though the unlimited practice of emptying +the English jails on the American continent has of late +years been complained of as a nuisance. [1602.] The subsequent +year must, on account of the introduction of <em>African +slaves</em> into the colonies, be stigmatized as a much viler æra.—The +Hollanders were not then precluded by any law from trading +with the colonies. A Dutch vessel carried to Virginia a +cargo of negroes, and the Virginians, who had themselves just +emerged from a state of slavery, became chargeable with reducing +their fellow men to the condition of brutes.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[1621.] In July, the treasurer and company carried into +execution a resolution formerly taken, for establishing a proper +constitution for the colony. The ordinance they passed, declared +that there should be two supreme councils in Virginia, the one +to be called the council of state, to be appointed and displaced +by the treasurer and company, and which was to advise the +governor in governmental affairs; the other was to be denominated +the general assembly, and to consist of the governor and +council, and of two burgesses, to be chosen, for the present, by +the inhabitants of every town, hundred, and settlement in the +colony. The assembly was to determine by the majority of the +voices then present, and to enact general laws for the colony, +reserving to the governor a negative voice. They were to imitate +the laws and customs, and judicial proceedings used in England. +“No acts were to be in force till confirmed by the general +court in England: on the other hand, no order of the general +court was to bind the colony, till assented to by the assembly.” +The company having offered territory to those who +should either emigrate themselves, or engage to transport people +to the colony, found this policy so successful, that upward of +3500 persons emigrated to Virginia during this and the two preceding +years.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[1622.] This year was remarkable for a massacre of the colonists +by the <em>Indians</em>, which was executed with the utmost subtilty, +and without any regard to age, sex, or dignity. A well +concerted attack on all the settlements, destroyed, in one hour, +and almost at the same instant, 347 persons, who were defenceless +and incapable of making resistance. The emigrants, notwithstanding +the orders they had received, had never been solicitous +to cultivate the good-will of the natives, and had neither +asked permission when they occupied their country, nor given +a price for their valuable property, which was violently taken +away. The miseries of famine were soon superadded to the horrors +of massacre. Of eighty plantations, which were filling apace, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XLVI'>XLVI</span>only eight remained; and of the numbers which had been +transported thither, no more than about 1800 survived those +manifold disasters.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Frequent complaints having been made to king James of the +oppressions of the treasurer and company, and the before-mentioned +calamities being attributed to their misconduct or neglect, +it was determined that a commission should issue to enquire +into the affairs of Virginia and the Somer-isles, from the earliest +settlement of each. Upon the report of the commissioners, +the king concluded on giving a new charter, and required of +the company the surrender of former grants, which being refused, +a writ of <em>quo warranto</em> issued in November, 1623, against +the patents of the corporation; and judgment was given by the +court of king’s-bench against the treasurer and company, in +Trinity-term, 1624. These proceedings “were so conformable +to the general strain of the arbitrary administration of that +reign, that they made little impression at the time, though the +Virginia company was composed of persons of the first quality, +wealth, and consequence in the nation.” The company probably +would not have exercised so tame and submissive a spirit, +had they not been wholly disappointed in their visionary prospects, +and met with considerable losses, instead of acquiring +enormous profits. They had obtained from individuals, who +sported in their lotteries from the hope of sudden riches, +£. 29,000. but the transportation of more than 9000 English +subjects, had cost them £.150,000. They did not, however, +abandon the colony in its distress, while they continued a corporation. +Timely supplies were sent from England to the Virginia +settlers, which so animated them, that they carried on an +offensive war against the Indians, pursued them into their fastnesses, +and drove them from the neighbourhood of those rivers +where they had fixed their own plantations.</p> + +<p class='c007'>As to king <em>James</em>, he “assuredly considered the colonies as +acquired by conquest; and that they ought to be holden of his +person, independent of his crown or political capacity; and +might be ruled according to his good will, by prerogative; and +he endeavored, agreeable to the strange œconomy of his reign, +to convert them into a mere private estate, descendable to his +personal heirs.”<a id='r36'></a><a href='#f36' class='c013'><sup>[36]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>The Virginia company being dissolved, James took the colony +under his immediate dependence, which occasioned much +confusion. Upon his death, king <em>Charles</em> [1625.] being of the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XLVII'>XLVII</span>same judgment with his father as to the government of Virginia, +determined to tread in the same steps. In May he named a new +governor and council for Virginia, and invested them with an +authority fully legislative and arbitrary. They were empowered +to make and execute laws, to impose taxes, and enforce payment. +Neither the commission nor instructions mentioned expressly, +or even alluded to an assembly, to the laws of England, +or to the acts of the provincial legislature, as a rule of government. +They were required to transport colonists into England, +to be punished there for crimes committed in Virginia. This +system increased the colonial dissatisfaction, which continued +for years, till the Virginians received a letter containing the +royal assurance, that “all their estates, trade, freedom, and +privileges, should be enjoyed by them in as extensive a manner +as they enjoyed them before the recalling of the company’s +patent.” On this they were reconciled, and began again to +exert themselves in making improvements.<a id='r37'></a><a href='#f37' class='c013'><sup>[37]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>Being left for some years in a manner to themselves, they increased +beyond expectation. They remained under the administration +of their governors and other officers, who respected their +privileges because they loved the colony. The governor whom +Charles had been anxious to appoint, had no opportunity of exercising +those illegal and extraordinary powers with which he had been +invested. His death in 1627, put an end to his authority, and prevented +the colony’s feeling its full extent. His successor, <em>John +Harvey</em>, esq. was nominated in March 1629; and his commission +and instructions were precisely the same with those of the +former. He departed soon after for Virginia. The spirit of +his administration was an exact counterpart of what had too long +prevailed in England. He was severe in his extortions, proud +in his councils, unjust and arbitrary in every department of his +government. The <em>Virginians</em>, roused almost to madness by oppression, +seized and sent him prisoner to England, accompanied +with two deputies, to represent their grievances and his misconduct. +His behaviour was so thought of, that he was honored +with a new commission which confirmed former powers, and he +was sent back to Virginia in April, 1637. After that, his government +was so excessively oppressive and cruel, that the complaints +of the colonists became at length too loud to be longer +neglected, and his commission was revoked in January, 16389—. +During his ten years administration, the Virginians were ruled rather +as the vassels of an eastern despot, than as subjects entitled to +English liberties; but it is to their credit, that, having tasted the +sweets of a simple government, they opposed with a firm spirit, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XLVIII'>XLVIII</span>during the reign of Charles, the attempts of those who endeavoured +to revive the patents, and to restore the corporation.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Sir <em>William Berkely</em> was appointed governor the beginning of +1639. His instructions evidenced a prodigious change in colonial +policy, which must be partly ascribed to the then state of +affairs in England. He was directed to summon all the burgesses +of the plantations; who with the governor and council were to +constitute the grand assembly, with power to make acts for the +government of the colony, as near as might be to the laws of +England—to cause speedy justice to be administered to all, according +to English forms—and to forbid all trade with foreign +vessels except upon necessity. Thus were the Virginians restored +to that system of freedom which they had derived from +the Virginia company, and which the writ of <em>quo warranto</em> had +involved in the same ruin with the corporation itself.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Civil dissentions however took place, which were embittered +by religious differences, and inflamed by acts made to prohibit +the preaching of the doctrines of the puritans. The discontented +party presented a petition to the house of commons, in the +name of the assembly, “praying for the restoration of the antient +patents and corporation government.” But the governor, +council and burgesses, no sooner heard of the transaction, than +they transmitted an explicit disavowal of it. They sent also an +address to king <em>Charles</em> acknowledging his bounty and favor toward +them, and earnestly desiring to continue under his immediate +protection. In 1642, they declared in the form of an act, +“that they were born under monarchy, and would never degenerate +from the condition of their births, by being subjects to +any other government.” Nothing could be more acceptable +than this act, which being presented to the king at <em>York</em>, drew +from him an answer, in which he gave them the fullest assurances, +that they always should be immediately dependent upon the +crown, and that the form of government should never be changed.</p> + +<p class='c007'>They remained unalterably attached to the cause of their sovereign. +But when the commons of England had triumphed +over their European opponents, their attention was turned to +the plantations; and an ordinance was passed in October, 1650, +“for prohibiting trade with <em>Barbadoes</em>, <em>Virginia</em>, <em>Bermuda</em>, and +<em>Antego</em>.” It recited, that “in Virginia, and other places in America, +their are colonies, which were planted at the cost, and +settled by the people, and by the authority of this nation, which +ought to be subordinate to, and depend upon England—that +they ever had been, and ought to be subject to such laws and +regulations, as are, or shall be made by the parliament—that divers +acts of rebellion have been committed by many persons inhabiting +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XLIX'>XLIX</span>Virginia, whereby they have set up themselves in opposition +to the commonwealth” It therefore declared them +“notorious robbers and traitors.” Persons in power generally +reason alike against those who oppose their authority, and dispute +the legality or equity of their measures, whatever might be +their own sentiments when in a lower station, and while aggrieved +by superiors. The ordinance authorised the council of state +to send a fleet thither, and to grant commissions to proper persons +to enforce to obedience all such as stood opposed to the authority +of parliament. In consequence hereof commissioners +were appointed, and a powerful fleet and army detached, to reduce +all their enemies to submission. They were to use their +endeavors, by granting pardons and by other peaceful arts, to +induce the colonists to obey the state of England; but, if these +means should prove ineffectual, then they were to employ every +act of hostility; to free those servants and slaves of masters opposing +the government, that would serve as soldiers to subdue +them; and to cause the acts of parliament to be executed, and +justice to be administered, in the name of the commonwealth. +After the arrival of the commissioners with the naval and military +force, the Virginians refused to submit, till articles of surrender +had been agreed upon, by which it was stipulated, “The +plantation of Virginia, and all the inhabitants thereof, shall enjoy +such freedoms and privileges as belong to the free people +of England. The general assembly, as formerly, shall convene +and transact the affairs of the colony. The people of Virginia +shall have a free trade, as the people of England, to all +places, and with all nations.” Virginia shall be free from all +taxes, customs, and impositions whatsoever; and none shall be +imposed on them without consent of the general assembly; and +neither forts nor castles shall be erected, nor garrisons maintained +without their consent.”<a id='r38'></a><a href='#f38' class='c013'><sup>[38]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>The hardships the <em>Virginians</em> experienced from restrictions on +their trade under <em>Oliver Cromwell</em>, together with their attachment +to the royal family, induced them to seize the occasion of the +death of the protector’s governor, for applying to Sir <em>William +Berkely</em>, who had lived privately during the revolutions of the +day, to resume the government of the colony, to which he consented, +on their solemnly promising to venture their lives and +fortunes with him for Charles II. Before they had heard of the +death of Cromwell, <em>Charles</em> was proclaimed by them king of +England, Scotland, Ireland, and Virginia. During the distresses +to which the royalists were exposed in England prior to this +<span class='pageno' id='Page_L'>L</span>event, they resorted to that colony, so that Virginia contained +about 30,000 persons at the restoration. Sir William Berkely, +in his answer to the enquiries of the lords of the committee of +the colonies, writes, June 20, 1671, “there are 40,000 persons, +men, women, and children, 2000 black slaves, and 6000 christian +servants for a short time.” You will not have your good +opinion heightened of him for his adding—“I thank God there +are no free schools, nor printing, and I hope we shall not have +them these hundred years. For learning has brought disobedience, +and heresy, and sects into the world, and printing has divulged +them and libels against the government. God keep us +from both!”<a id='r39'></a><a href='#f39' class='c013'><sup>[39]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>You will remark, that, however zealous the Virginians were +to honor the Charles’s with their loyalty, they boldly declined +complimenting king, commonwealth, and protector with their +liberties.</p> + +<p class='c007'><em>Maryland</em> comes now to be considered.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Sir <em>George Calvert</em> was one of the original associates in the +great Virginia company, and continued a member of that corporation +during its existance: and, as secretary of state, he acted +as one of the committee of council for the affairs of the plantations +while James I. lived. Sir George in his reign, having +thought proper to alter his religious sentiments and embrace popery, +ingenuously avowed the change. The king pleased with +his sincerity, granted him a part of <em>Newfoundland</em>, which the +French at length obliged him to abandon. His majesty further +testified his regard, by creating him Lord Baltimore of Ireland. +King <em>Charles</em>, to compensate for his loss of the Newfoundland +territory, gave him a grant of the country on the north side of +the <em>Chesapeak-bay</em>.</p> + +<p class='c007'>His Lordship died April 15, 1632, before the patent was made +out; on which his son Cecil took it out in his own name the +June following. Charles, in honor to his royal consort Henrietta +Maria, named the colony Maryland; and, being desirous +of gratifying the proprietary all in his power invested him with +as much sovereignty as could well consist with an immediate subjection +to the crown of England. His Lordship, with the assent +of the freemen, or their delegates, whom he was required to assemble +for that purpose, might make laws of what kind soever +for the province, so that they were not repugnant, but agreeable +to the jurisprudence and rights of the realm of England; and +he was authorised to execute the acts of the assembly. There +was no clause in the charter obliging him to transmit their acts +<span class='pageno' id='Page_LI'>LI</span>to the king for approbation or dissent: nor any saving of the +royal interference in the government of the colony. Charles +reserved to himself and his heirs forever, imposts, duties, and +customs, which the colonies were bound to pay; but declared +in the same charter, “We, our heirs and successors, shall at no +time set and make, or cause to be set, any imposition, custom, +or taxation on the inhabitants of the province, for their lands, +goods, tenements, or chattels whithin the said province.” By +this clause the king covenanted for himself, heirs and successors, +that having reserved for ever the imposts, duties, and customs, +he would not contribute toward setting upon the inhabitants any +imposition, custom, or taxation, for their lands, goods, tenaments, +or chattels, within the said province; and therein bound both +himself and them, not to assent to any bill subjecting the inhabitants +to an internal taxation by an external legislation.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The first emigration consisted of two hundred gentlemen of +considerable fortune and rank, with their adherents, chiefly Roman +Catholics, who hoped to enjoy liberty of conscience, under +a proprietary of their own profession. They sailed from +England in November, and landed in Maryland the beginning of +1633. Governor <em>Colvert</em>, brother to lord Baltimore, very wisely +and justly purchased, by presents of various goods, the rights of +the Indians, and with their free consent took possession of their +town, which he called St. Mary’s. The country was settled +with so much ease, and furnished with so many conveniences, +that emigrants repaired thither in such numbers, that the colony +soon became popular and flourishing. A third assembly +of freemen was held at St. John’s in February, 1638–9, when +an act was passed “for establishing the house of assembly.” +It inacted that those who shall be elected pursuant to writs issued, +shall be called burgesses, and shall supply the place of the freemen +who chose them—that the gentlemen summoned by the special +writ of the proprietary, and those freemen who shall not +have voted at any of the elections, together with the governor +and secretary, shall be called “the house of assembly”—that all +acts assented to by that body, shall be deemed of the same force, +as if the proprietary and freemen had been personly present. +Slavery seems to have gained an early establishment in Maryland, +for an act of this assembly describes “the people” to consist of +all christian inhabitants “slaves only excepted.” The persecuting +laws which were passed by the Viginians, soon after this +period against the puritans, made the latter emigrate in considerable +numbers to Maryland, that they might enjoy, under a popish +proprietary, that liberty of conscience, of which they were +deprived by fellow protestants.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_LII'>LII</span>In 1642, the burgesses “desired that they might be separated, +and sit by themselves, and have a negative,”—such was their +progress in entertaining just conceptions of their own democratic +rights. The governor did not grant their request; but +they were afterwards more successful. The assembly of 1649, +was assuredly divided into two parts, and transacted business in +the form of an upper and lower house. That assembly, which +convened in April, enacted, that no persons professing to believe +in Jesus Christ, shall be molested in respect of their religion, +or in the exercise thereof, or be compelled to the belief +or exercise of any other religion against their consent, so that they +be not unfaithful to the proprietary, or conspire against the civil +government—that those reproaching any with opprobrious names +of religious distinction, shall forfeit ten shillings to the persons injured—that +any one speaking reproachfully against the blessed +Virgin, or the Apostles, shall forfeit five pounds—but blasphemy +against God, shall be punished with death.</p> + +<p class='c007'>In 1650, a law was passed “for settling this present assembly.” +It enacted, that those who were called by special writ shall form +the upper house—that those who were chosen by the hundreds +shall compose the lower house—and that all bills which shall be +assented to by the two branches of the legislature thus established, +and assented to by the governor, shall be deemed the laws of +the province, and have the same effect as if the freemen were +personally present. There was also passed “an act against +raising money without the consent of the assembly.” It mentioned, +“That no taxes shall be assessed or levied on the freemen +of the province, without their own consent, or that of their deputies, +first declared in a general assembly. The printed words +and early date of this Maryland act demand particular notice. +The act of the general assembly and governor were of the +same force in their own province, as acts of parliament in England; +and could not be repealed without the concurring assent +of the proprietary, or his deputy, with the other two estates.</p> + +<p class='c007'><em>Carolina</em> follows Maryland in the order of existence.</p> + +<p class='c007'>A few adventurers emigrated from the Massachusetts, and +settled round <em>Cape Fear</em>, about the time of the restoration. +They considered mere occupancy, with a transfer from the +natives, without any grant from the king, as a good title to the +lands which they possessed. They deemed themselves entitled to +the same “civil privileges” as those of the country from whence +they had emigrated. For years they experienced the complicated +miseries of want. They solicited the aid of their countrymen; +and the general court, with an attention and humanity +which did it the greatest honor, ordered an extensive contribution +<span class='pageno' id='Page_LIII'>LIII</span>for their relief. But the final settlement of the province was +effected equally through the rapacity of the courtiers of Charles +the II. and his own facility in rewarding those to whom he was +greatly indebted, with a liberality that cost him little. The pretence +which had been used on former occasions, of a pious +zeal for the propagation of the gospel among the Indians, was +successfully employed to procure a grant of the immense region +lying between the 36° of north latitude and the river St. Matheo, +under the 31°. March 24, 1663, this territory was erected +into a province, by the name of <em>Carolina</em>, and conferred on lord +<em>Clarendon</em>, the duke of <em>Albemarle</em>, lord <em>Craven</em>, lord <em>Berkely</em>, +lord <em>Ashley</em>, Sir <em>George Carteret</em>, Sir <em>John Colleton</em>, and Sir +<em>William Berkely</em>, as absolute lords proprietaris for ever, saving +the sovereign allegience due to the crown. The charter seems +to have been copied from that of Maryland, so extensive in its +powers, and so noble in its privileges. The noblemen held their +first meeting in May; and at the desire of the New-England people +abovementioned, published proposals to all that would plant +in Carolina. They declared, that all persons settling on Charles +River, to the southward of Cape Fear, should have power to fortify +its banks, taking the oath of allegiance to the king, and submitting +to the government of the proprietaries—that the emigrants +might present to them thirteen persons, in order that they +might appoint a governor and a council of six for three years—that +an assembly, composed of the governor, the council, and +delegates of the freemen, should be called as soon as circumstances +would allow, with power to make laws, not contrary to +those of England, nor of any validity after the publication of +the dissent of the proprietaries—that every one should enjoy the +most perfect freedom in religion—that during five years, every +freeman should be allowed one hundred acres of land, and fifty +for every servant, paying only an half-penny an acre—and that +the same freedom from customs which had been confirmed by +the royal charter, should be allowed to every one.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The proprietaries appointed Sir <em>William Berkely</em>, then governor +of Virginia, general superintendant of the affairs of the +county of Albemarle, within the boundaries of which, a small +plantation, of the New-Englanders probably, had been established +for some years, on the north eastern shores of the river +Chowan. Sir William Berkely repaired to the county, confirmed +and granted lands on the conditions beforementioned, appointed +Mr. Drummond the first governor, and likewise other +officers, and then returned to Virginia.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The assembly of 1666, being dissatisfied with the tenures by +which they held their lands, petitioned the proprietaries, that the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_LIV'>LIV</span>people of Albemarle might hold their possessions on the same +terms on which the Virginians enjoyed theirs, and were gratified.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[1665.] The proprietaries appointed <em>John Yeamans</em>, a respectable +planter of Barbadoes, commander in chief of Clarendon +county, stretching from Cape Fear to the river St. Matheo; +and he was at the same time created a baronet. To secure its +prosperity, the same powers were conferred, and the same constitution +established, as those which had made Albemarle happy.</p> + +<p class='c007'>A settlement was also now projected to the southward of Cape +Romain, which acquired the name of Carteret. Thus a variety +of separate and independent colonies, each of which had its own +government, its own assembly, its own customs and laws, were +established in Carolina.</p> + +<p class='c007'>In June, 1665, the proprietaries obtained a second charter +which recited and confirmed the former. They were enabled +to make laws for the province, with the consent of the freemen +or their delegates: and likewise to grant titles of honor by creation +of a nobility. No one prerogative of the crown was reserved, +except the sovereign dominion.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Samuel Stevens, esq. was appointed governor of Albemarle +in October, 1667, and was commanded to act agreeable to the +advice of a council of twelve, the one half of which he was to +appoint, the other was to be chosen by the assembly. The assembly +was to be composed of the governor, the council, and +twelve delegates chosen annually by the freeholders. Various +regulations provided for the security of property: and no taxes +were to be imposed without the consent of the assembly. The +proprietaries might mean no more, than that neither they, nor +the governor and council, shall impose taxes without the consent +of the assembly: but the mode of expression tended to confirm +the people at large in the opinion of their being exempted +from all taxes which had not the consent of their own assembly. +The settlers had their land confirmed, and granted to be now +held by the free tenure of soccage, expressing a certain rent and +independence. All men were declared entitled to equal privileges +on taking the oath of allegiance to the king, and of fidelity +to the proprietaries.</p> + +<p class='c007'>It was not till 1669 that an assembly constituted as abovementioned +was convened: when it was enacted—“none shall +be sued, during five years, for any cause of action arising out +of the country—and none shall accept a power of attorney, to +receive debts contracted abroad.” Hence this colony was long +considered as the refuge of the criminal, and the asylum of the +fugitive debtor.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_LV'>LV</span>The proprietaries, at length dissatisfied with every system which +they had hitherto divised for the government of their province, +signed in July, a body of <em>fundamental constitutions</em> compiled by +the celebrated <em>Locke</em>, giving as a reason, “That we may establish +a government agreeable to the monarchy of which Carolina is a +part, and may avoid making too numerous a democracy.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>By this edict a palatine was to be chosen from among the proprietaries +for life; who was to act as president of the palatine +court, composed of the whole; which was intrusted with the +exection of the powers of the charter. A body of hereditary +nobility was created, and denominated landgraves and caciques; +the former were to be invested with four baronies, each consisting +of 12,000 acres; the latter to have two, containing one half of +that quantity: and those estates were to descend with the dignities +inseparably. There were to be as many landgraves as counties; +and twice as many caciques, but no more. Two fifths of +the counties, stiled signiories and baronies, were to be possessed +by the nobility; the other three fifths, called The colonies, were +to be left among the people.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The provincial legislature, dignified with the name of parliament, +was to be biennial, and to consist of the proprietaries, alias +landgraves, or the deputy of each, of the cacique nobility, +of the representatives of the freeholders of every district, who +were to meet in one appartment, and every member to enjoy an +equal vote: but no business was to be proposed till it had been +debated in the grand council, whose duty it was to prepare bills +for the parliamentary consideration. The grand council was to +be composed of the governor, the nobility, and the deputies of +the proprietaries, these being absent; and was invested with the +executive of the province. The church of England alone was +to be allowed a public maintenance by parliament; but every +congragation might tax its own members for the support of its +own ministers; and to every one was allowed perfect freedom +in religion. However the most degrading slavery was introduced +by investing in every man the property of his negro.<a id='r40'></a><a href='#f40' class='c013'><sup>[40]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>These constitutions, consisting of 120 articles, and containing +a great variety of perplexing regulations, were declared to be the +sacred and unalterable rule of government in Carolina for ever; +and yet they were never altogether adopted. The parties engaged +in this act of legislation should have reflected, that the inhabitants +had settled no conditions, which it was no longer in +their power to abrogate; and that in the forms of government +which had been actually established, the people had acquired an +interest which could not be taken away without their consent.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_LVI'>LVI</span>[1670.] A number of emigrants were sent in January, under +<em>William Sayle</em>, esq. appointed governor of that part of the coast +which lies south-westward of Cape Carteret, to form a colony +at Port-Royal. They arrived safe; and as it was found impracticable +to conform to the constitutions, it was determined to keep +as close to them as possible. Sayle dying, Sir <em>John Yeamans</em> +had his command extended to and over this colony in August, +1671. This year planters resorted from Clarendon on the north, +and Port-Royal on the south, to the banks of Ashley river, for +the convenience of pasture and tillage; and laid on the first high +land the foundation of old Charles-Town. The proprietaries +promulgated temporary laws, till through a sufficient number of +inhabitants, government could be administered according to the +fundamental constitutions. The temporary laws were of no +long duration, being derided by a people without whose consent +they had been established.</p> + +<p class='c007'>In May, 1674, <em>Joseph West</em>, esq. was appointed governor of +the southern colony, in the room of Sir John Yeamans, with +whose conduct the proprietaries were dissatisfied. But the difficulty +of establishing the colony was not overcome for years; not +till the people repaired to it at their own expence, and men of +estate ventured thither under the firm persuasion of being fairly +treated. In expectation of such treatment, the dissenters, being +harrassed by persecutions in England, and dreading a popish +successor, emigrated to Carolina in great numbers, and made a +considerable part of the inhabitants. They acquired the honor +of introducing religion into the province, while they strengthened +it also by their personal accessions. But the promising +appearances of the country inviting many over of a very different +stamp, after a while disturbances followed.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The planters being informed that the <em>Oyster-Point</em>, so delightfully +formed by the confluence of the rivers Ashley and Cooper, +was more convenient than what was fixed upon eight years before, +and the proprietaries encouraging their inclination, they +began to remove, and in the subsequent year laid the foundation +of the present Charles-Town, and built 30 houses [1680.] +It was instantly declared the <em>port</em> for the purposes of traffic, and +the <em>capital</em> for the administration of government. It was long unhealthy; +but the adjacent country being now cleared and cultivated, +it is allowed to enjoy the most salubrious air of Carolina.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Though the province had been formed into manors and baronies, +it was not till 1682, that it was divided into three counties. +In the autumn of this year, governor West held a parliament; +and afterwards immediately resigned his administration to Mr. +Joseph Moreton. Thence commenced a reiterated change of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_LVII'>LVII</span>governors. Cyrle, West, Kuerry, Moreton, were successively +appointed. There was a similar change of every public officer. +These changes produced turbulency and faction.</p> + +<p class='c007'>But prior to this period, an insurrection broke out in the colony +of Albemarle, in December, 1677. At the end of two +years succesful revolt, Culpepper, who was deeply concered in +the business, was dispatched with another person to England with +a promise of submission to the proprietaries, on certain conditions. +When about to return after executing his trust, he was +impeached by the commissioners of the customs, for acting as collector +without their authority, and embezzling the king’s revenue +in Carolina. He was seized on board a vessel in the Downs, +brought back, and in Trinity-term, 1680, tried by virtue of the +statute of <em>Henry</em> VIII. on an indictment of high treason committed +without the realm. The famous Lord Shaftesbury, then in +the zenith of his popularity, appeared on his behalf, and represented, +contrary to the most undoubted facts, “That there never +had been any regular government in Albemarle, that its disorders +were only feuds between the planters, which could only amount +to a riot.” On this <em>Culpepper</em> was acquitted. He is the first colonist +who appears to have been regularly tried in the court of +King’s-bench upon that statute:<a id='r41'></a><a href='#f41' class='c013'><sup>[41]</sup></a> but he was not transported from +America in order to trial. His acquittal induced the proprietaries +to resolve upon governing, in future, according to the portion +of obedience which the insurgents should be disposed to yield. +They recommended, however, an healing disposition. But the +persons bearing the chief sway, being actuated too much by a +vindictive spirit, proseeded against their opponents by imprisonment, +fine, and banishment The seenes of anarchy produced +by these measures were not changed, nor the condition of the +colony mended by the arrival of governor <em>Seth Sothel</em>, in 1683, +who was sent in hopes of quieting the disorders by his authority, +as he had purchased Lord Clarendon’s share of the province. He +was guilty of that bribery, extortion, injustice, rapacity, breach +of trust, and disobedience of orders, for five years, that the +inhabitants, driven almost to dispair, seized him with a view of +sending him to England to answer to their complaints: but upon +his intreaties, and offering to submit to their mutual accusations to +the next assmbly, they accepted his proposal. The assembly +gave judgment against him in all the above-mentioned particulars, +and compelled him to abjure the country for twelve +months, and the government for ever.</p> + +<p class='c007'><em>Charles-town</em> having been made the principal port, the first +collector was established there in 1685. The governor and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_LVIII'>LVIII</span>council were at the same time ordered, not to fail to shew their +forwardness in assisting the collection of the duty on tobacco +transported to other colonies, and in seizing ships that presumed +to trade contarary to the acts of navigation. Little regard was +paid to orders so contrary to the views of every one. An illicit +trade was not only practised, but justified under the clause of +the patent, <em>which the people believed to be of superior force to +the law</em>.—Though the royal grant of 1665 was passed subsequent +to the act of navigation, the present exemption was insisted +upon, with the same spirit that it was contended during this +reign, that a king of England may dispense with the law. The +principle of the Carolinians, and the doctrine so fashionable at +the court of James, were therefore exactly the same.</p> + +<p class='c007'><em>James Colleton</em>, esq. a proprietary, was appointed governor, +in August. The next year he called an assembly, in which he +and his party took upon them to pass such laws as lost him the +affections of the people. During the ferments that followed, +Seth Sothel, whom we have seen banished from Albemarle, +suddenly arrived at Charles-town. Countenanced by a powerful +party, and presuming on his powers as a proprietary, he +seized the reins of government in 1690, notwithstanding the +opposition of governar and council. A general return of member +was procured, who readily sanctioned by their votes whatever +was dictated by those that had thus acquired power. Colleton, +whose conduct had been far from blameless, was instantly +impeached of high crimes and misdemeanors, disabled from holding +any office, and banished. Others were fined, imprisoned, +and expelled the province. The proprietaries appointed a new +governor; and the next year, [1692] upon the requisitions of +the Carolinians, abrogated Mr. Locke’s system of laws, <em>the fundamental +constitutions</em>, which far from having answered their end +introduced only dissatisfaction and disorders, that were not cured +till the final dissolation of the proprietary government.<a id='r42'></a><a href='#f42' class='c013'><sup>[42]</sup></a> The +operation and fate of Mr. Locke’s system may convince us of +this truth, that a person “may defend the principles of liberty +and the rights of mankind, with great abilities and success; and +yet after all, when called upon to produce a plan of legislation, +he may astonish the world with a signal absurdity.”<a id='r43'></a><a href='#f43' class='c013'><sup>[43]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>Governor <em>Archdale</em> arrived at Carolinia in August, 1695. He +managed with great prudence, and succeeded so well, that the assembly +voted him an address of thanks. He was succeeded by <em>Joseph +<span class='pageno' id='Page_LIX'>LIX</span>Blake</em>, esq. whose sentiments were so liberal, that, though +a dissenter, he prevailed with the assembly to settle £ 150 <em>per +annum</em> upon the episcopal minister of Charles-town for ever, +and likewise to furnish him with a good house, a glebe, and two +servants. A very different spirit wrought in the earl of Bath, +when he succeeded to the power of palatine [1701.] and became +eldest proprietary. Being a zealot for the church of England, +he was ambitious of establishing its worship, and of excluding +non-episcopalians from a share in the government of Carolina; +a similar principle was at that time too prevalent in England. +His views were seconded by the pliableness of governor <em>Moor</em>, +who was after a while succeeded by Sir <em>Nathaniel Johnson</em>. +Then the assembly being convened, a bill was brought in for the +more effectual preservation of the government, by requiring all +persons chosen members of the assembly, to conform to religious +worship, and receive the sacrament of the Lord’s supper, +according to the usage of the church of England. By this act, +all dissenters were disqualified from sitting in the assembly, +though legally elected, and the candidate who had the greatest +number of voices, after the disqualified dissenter, was to be admitted. +The passing of this act was unconstitutional and oppressive. +Another bill was passed for establishing religious worship +in the province, according to the church of England, and +also for the erecting of churches, the maintenance of ministers, +and the building of convenient parsonages. Both these acts +were afterwards signed and settled by John lord Granville, then +palatine, for himself and the other proprietors. In consequence +of the last act, many oppressions were committed by the government +against the dissenters, who laboured under these and +other grievances, till the matter at length was brought before +the house of lords, who having fully weighed the same, addressed +the queen in favour of the Carolinians; and the laws complained +of [1706.] were declared null and void.</p> + +<p class='c007'>An Indian war having broken out in Carolina, and the proprietaries +finding themselves unable to maintain it against the Indians, +while these were supported by the French and Spaniards, +[1728.] resolved to surrender their charter to the crown. One-eighth +of the province belonged to lord Carteret. The proprietors +of the other seven-eighths were to receive for their cession +£ 17,500 together with £ 5000 more, due to them from the province +on account of outstanding debts. The surrender and payment +was confirmed by a British act of parliament, wherein was +a clause, reserving always to John lord Carteret, his heirs, executors, +administrators, and assigns, all such estate, right, and title +to one-eighth part of the share of the said provinces or territories, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_LX'>LX</span>and to one-eighth part of all arrears as was his due. After +passing the act, the British government applied itself in earnest +to encourage this colony, and <em>Robert Johnson</em>, esq. was appointed +governor, and continued such till he died in 1735; in which +year Carolina was divided into two Colonies, North and South, +and each placed under a separate governor.<a id='r44'></a><a href='#f44' class='c013'><sup>[44]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'><em>Pennsylvania</em> and the <em>Delaware Counties</em> next demand our attention. +Mr. <em>William Penn</em>, one of the joint purchasers of the +western part of the Jerseys, having received the most exact information +of the country to the westward of the Deleware, while +engaged in the administration of the joint purchase, became desirous +of acquiring a separate estate.</p> + +<p class='c007'>He presented a petition to <em>Charles</em> II. in June 1680, stating +not only his relationship to the late admiral; but that he was deprived +of a debt due from the crown, when the exchequer was +shut. He prayed for a grant of land, lying to the northward +of Maryland, and westward of the Delaware; and added, that +by his interest he should be able to settle a province which might, +in time, repay his claims. Having the prospect of success, he +copied from the charter of Maryland the sketch of a patent which +in November was laid before the attorney-general for his opinion. +Penn had the same object in view as lord Baltimore had, +the guarding against the exertions of prerogative, which experience +had taught both were very inconvenient. The attorney-general +declared the clause of exemption from taxation illegal: +and chief justice North, being of the same opinion, and observing +its tendency, added the saving of the authority of the English +parliament, so that it was stipulated by the king, for himself and +his successors, “that no customs or other contribution shall be +laid on the inhabitants or their estates, unless by the consent of +the porprietary, or governor and assembly, or <em>by act of parliament +in England</em>.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>The next year [1681] the patent was granted, in consideration +of “the merits of the father, and the good purposes of the +son, in order to extend the English empire, and to promote +useful commodities.” It was provided by fit clauses, that the +sovereignty of the king should be preserved; and that acts of parliament, +concerning trade and navigation and the customs, be +duly observed. Penn was empowered to assemble the freemen, +or their delegates, in such form as he should think proper, for +raising money for the uses of the colony, and for making useful +laws, not contrary to those of England, or the rights of the kingdom. +A duplicate of the acts of the assembly was to be transmitted +<span class='pageno' id='Page_LXI'>LXI</span>within five year to the king in council, and the acts might +be declared void within six months, if not approved.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The novel introduction of the clause subjecting the inhabitants +of Pennsylvania to taxation by act of parliament, might afford an +argument against being so taxed, to all the colonies whose charters +contained no such clause. Dr. Franklin being asked, when examined +by the house of commons, in the time of the stamp act, +“Seeing their is in the Pennsylvania charter, an express reservation +of the right of parliament to lay taxes there, how could +the assembly assert, that laying a tax on them by the stamp act +was an infringement on their rights? answered, “They understand +it thus—by the same charter and otherwise they are entitled +to all the privileges and liberties of Englishmen. They find +in the great charters and the petition and declaration of rights, +that one of the privileges of English subjects is, that they are +not to be taxed but by their own consent: they have therefore +relied upon it, from the first settlement, that the parliament never +would or could, by colour of that clause, tax them till it +had qualified itself for the exercise of such right, by admitting +representatives from the people to be taxed.” You will recollect +governor Nicholson’s writing in 1698, “a great many people +in all the colonies, especially in those under proprietaries, +think that no law of England ought to be binding to them without +their own consent: for they foolishly say, they have no +representatives sent from themselves to the parliament of England.” +[p. 39.]</p> + +<p class='c007'>The Pennsylvanians, it may be noted, were not declared by +the patent to be English subjects. There was no express stipulation, +as had been inserted in all the other colonial patents, +“that the Pennsylvanians and their descendants should be considered +as subjects born within the realm;” for the lawyers who +revised it, considered such declaratious as nugatory, since they +were inferred by law.<a id='r45'></a><a href='#f45' class='c013'><sup>[45]</sup></a> If the right of the English parliament +to tax the colonies could also have been inferred by law, why was +not the express reservation of that right considered likewise as +nugatory.</p> + +<p class='c007'>In May, Penn detached Mr. Markham, his kinsman, with a +small emigration, in order to take possession of the country, and +prepare it for a more numerous colony. Care was taken to order +an humane attention to the rights of the Indians.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[1628] The frame of government for Pennsylvania was +published in April. It was forced from the proprietary by +friends, who would not have settled his country, unless gratified +in whatever they demanded. It underwent a similar fate with +<span class='pageno' id='Page_LXII'>LXII</span>the constitutions of Locke; and after a variety of alterations, +was at length wholly laid aside, and a simpler form established. +As a supplement to the frame, there was published, in the subsequent +May, a body of laws agreed upon in England by the +adventurers, which was intended as a great charter, and does +honor to their wisdom as statesmen, to their morals as men, and +to their spirit as colonists.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Mr. <em>Penn</em>, desirous of carrying his religion southward to the +Chesapeak, was continually soliciting the duke of York, for a +grant of the <em>Delaware colony</em>. The prince at length wearied +out, conveyed, in August, the town of Newcastle, with a territory +of twelve miles round; as also that tract of land extending +southward from it upon the Delaware to Cape-Henlopen. It +was known to both parties, that the title of what was now granted +was extremely exceptionable, as the duke could transfer no +other right than mere occupancy in opposition to the legal claim, +of lord Baltimore. Penn, however, who was intent on his own +interest in those parts, immediately assumed the powers of jurisdiction.</p> + +<p class='c007'>When, for the first time, he arrived on the banks of the Delaware, +October the 24th, he found them inhabited by 3,000 +persons, composed of Swedes, Dutch, Finlanders and English. +Not only his own colonists, but the rest, received him with joy +and respect. He was accompanied thither by about 2,000 emigrants, +who being either quakers or other dissenters, wished to +enjoy their peculiarities and religion, in a country that offered a +peaceful asylum to the persecuted. Mr. Penn immediately entered +into a treaty with the Indians, and, agreeable to the bishop +of London’s counsel, purchased from them as much of the soil +as the circumstances of the colony required, for a price that +gave them satisfaction: he also settled with them a very kind +correspondence. In December, he convened the first assembly +at Chester, consiting of seventy-two delegates from the six counties, +into which they had divided Pennsylvania and the Delaware +colony, soon after denominated the <em>territories</em>. The inhabitants +proposed that the deputies might serve both for the provincial +council and general assembly; three out of every county for the +former, and nine for the latter. Their proposals were passed by +the assembly without hesitation into an act of settlement. The +persons returned were declared to be the legal council and assembly, +and every county was empowered to send the same +number in future, which in the same manner should constitute the +legislature; and after the addition of a few other explanations, +the modified frame of government was solemnly recognized and +accepted. Then an act was passed, annexing the territories to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_LXIII'>LXIII</span>the province, and communicating to the one the same privileges, +government, and laws, as the other already enjoyed. Every foreigner +who promised allegience to the king, and obedience to +the proprietary, was at the same time declared to be a freeman, +and entitled to his rights. By the legislative regulation, established +as fundamentals by this assembly, factors who wronged their +employers were to make satisfaction and one-third over—not +only the goods, but the lands of the debtor were subjected to the +payment of debts—every thing which excited the people to rudeness, +cruelty, and irreligion, was to be discouraged and severely +punished—no person acknowledging one God, and living peaceably +in society, was to be molested for his opinions or practice, +or to be compelled to frequent or maintain any ministry whatsoever. +It was a principle of the great charter, “that children +shall be taught some useful trade, to the end that none may be +idle, but the poor may work to live, and the rich, if they become +poor may not want.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>Penn, dissatisfied with the act of settlement, without difficulty +created a second frame, agreeing partly with the first, modified +according to the act of settlement in certain particulars, and in +some measure essentially different from both; to which he procured +the assent of the next assembly, in 1683; but which in +time shared the fate of the former.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[1684.] He departed for England. The most violent dissensions +followed almost instantly upon it, the provincial council +and the assembly contending eagerly with regard to their mutual +privileges and powers. Tranquility was not restored by the +duputy governor Blackwell, who entered upon his government +in December, 1688.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[1685.] Toward the close of this year Mr. Penn obtained a +new grant to the Delaware colony, which he had been soliciting +for some time.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[1688.] The Pennsylvanians and their rulers, when Blackwell +entered upon his administration, were so much engaged in +their own contests and pursuits, and so actuated by the principles +of their superior, [the proprietary whose attachments to James +II. during those days are well known] that they seem to have +disregarded that signal revolution which transferred their allegience +and Pennsylvania to the prince and princess of Orange: +for the very laws and government of the province were administered +in the name of the abdicated monarch, long after +William and Mary had been formally proclaimed in other colonies.</p> + +<p class='c007'>It is a singularity in the history of this province, that neither +its various systems, nor its fundamental laws, were communicated +<span class='pageno' id='Page_LXIV'>LXIV</span>to the king for dissent or approbation, though strongly +enforced.<a id='r46'></a><a href='#f46' class='c013'><sup>[46]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>Penn’s adherence to James carried him to such lengths, that +he was considered as an inveterate enemy to the protestant establishment, +and was for some time excepted out of the acts of +grace published by William and Mary; who appointed colonel +<em>Fletcher</em>, by the same commission, governor both of New-York +and Pennsylvania. In the commission no manner of regard +seems to have been had to the original charter. But when the +assembly met, though sixteen short in number to what had been +before usual, through the change made in the writs, they passed +a vote, <em>nem. con.</em> “That the laws of this province, which were +in force and practice before the arrival of this present governor, +are still in force; and that the assembly have a right humbly to +move the governor for a continuation or confirmation of the +same.” That and subsequent assemblies shewed such a fixed determination +to secure their rights, that neither governor nor +lieutenant governor could bring them to bend to their wishes.</p> + +<p class='c007'>In 1696 Penn had so well managed matters at the court of +England, that he was restored to his right of naming a governor; +and in the beginning of 1700 he went to Pennsylvania in person. +After the meeting of several assemblies, he convened one in September, +1701, and informed them of the indispensable necessity +he was under of going to England, to obviate some ill offices +done by his and their enemies with the government there; but +offered to do every thing that was in his power to secure to them +their privileges and properties. The assmbly, in their answer, +expressed their dissatisfaction at the state of both, and required +farther security; to which he gave evasive answers, but offered +to leave the nomination of the deputy governor to themselves; +they declined it, and went upon a new charter of privileges.</p> + +<p class='c007'>This introduced a breach between the members of the province +and those of the territories; the latter insisting upon some +particular privileges, which, when refused by the others, made +them withdraw from the meeting, and it required all the authority +and address of the proprietary to make up the breach. At +last, after great heart-burnings on both parts, just when Mr. +Penn was about to embark, a charter of privileges was presented +to him and being ratified by him, became the rule of government +in Pennsylvania. By this important charter liberty of conscience +is granted; and all christians, of whatever denomination, +taking the proper oaths of allegiance and fidelity, are enabled to +serve the government, either legislatively or executively. The +<span class='pageno' id='Page_LXV'>LXV</span>exclusion of all persons from the legislative and executive +branches, however eminently qualified, and well behaved as +members of civil society, unless they are christians, does not accord +with that general liberty which ought to prevail in national +communities, now that the existance of all theocracy is ended by +the introduction of the kingdom of Christ. The piety of the +theorist, and the subtilty of the politician, desirous of securing +the support of christians, may introduce the exclusion into written +or printed agreements, but cannot establish a practical exclusion +of persons opposed to christianity. He must be both simple +and uninformed, who will not admit, that many deists have served +the Pennsylvania and other excluding governments, either +legislatively or executively.</p> + +<p class='c007'>By the second article of the charter it is provided, that an assembly +shall be yearly chosen by the freemen, to consist of four +persons out of each county, or of a greater number, if the governor +and assembly shall so agree, on the 1st of October for +ever, and shall sit on the 14th following, with power to choose +a speaker and other their officers, and be judges of the qualifications +and elections of their own members; shall sit upon their +own adjournments, prepare bills, impeach criminals, and redress +grievances; and shall possess all other powers and privileges +of an assembly, according to the rights of the free-born +subjects of England, and the customs observed in any of the +king’s plantations in America. If any county or counties shall +neglect to send deputies, those who meet, provided they are not +fewer in number than two thirds of the whole, shall be considered +as the legal representatives of the province.</p> + +<p class='c007'>By the eighth article, in cases of suicide, all property is to +descend to the next heirs, as if the deceased had died a natural +death: nor is the governor to be entitled to any forfeiture, if a +person shall be killed by causualty or accident. The same article +provides, that no act, law, or ordinance whatsoever, shall at +any time hereafter be made, to alter or diminish the form or effect +of this charter, or of any part of it, without the consent of +the governor for the time being, and six parts in seven of the assembly +met—that the first article, relating to liberty of conscience, +shall be kept without any alteration inviolably for ever—and +that William Penn, for himself, <em>&c.</em> does solemnly declare, +that neither he, <em>&c.</em> shall do any thing whereby the liberties, in +this charter contained, nor any part thereof, shall be infringed; +and that if any thing shall be done by any person contrary thereto, +it shall be held of no effect.</p> + +<p class='c007'>This new constitution differed greatly from the original.—The +governor might nominate his own council, and he was left +<span class='pageno' id='Page_LXVI'>LXVI</span>single in the executive part of the government, and had liberty +to restrain the legislative, by refusing his assent to their bills.—The +assembly, on the other hand, acquired the important privilege +of propounding laws, as well as of amending or rejecting +them; but though this new constitution was thankfully accepted +by the province, it was unanimously rejected by the territories; +and affairs stood in this untoward state when the proprietary sailed +for England. The representatives of the province and those +of the territories divided, and acted as two distinct bodies; and +the attempts to unite them proved ineffectual.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The <em>territories</em> consisted of the three counties, <em>Newcastle</em>, +<em>Kent</em>, and <em>Sussex</em>, on the Delaware, and are commonly known +by the name of the three <em>Lower Counties on the Delaware</em>.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Notwithstanding Mr. Penn is celebrated as the wisest of legislators, +the assembly, about the year 1704, unanimously came to +nine resolutions, in which they complain with great grief of him, +“for undermining his own foundations; and by a subtle contrivance, +laid deeper than the capacities of some could fathom, +finding a way to lay aside the act of settlement, and dissove his +second charter.”<a id='r47'></a><a href='#f47' class='c013'><sup>[47]</sup></a> He was likewise charged with having extorted +from the province great sums of money. They complained +also of the abuses of surveyors, the clerks of the courts, and justices +of the peace, who, they said, were all put in by the proprietary, +so that he became his own judge in his own cause.—These +and other matters were the heads of a representation, or +rather remonstrance, drawn up and sent to Mr. Penn, then in +England, in which he is represented as an oppressor, and as falsifying +his word in almost every respect, with the provincials.<a id='r48'></a><a href='#f48' class='c013'><sup>[48]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>The disputes which subsisted in Pennsylvania were greatly augmented +by the intemperance of the quakers themselves, who, +notwithstanding all their zeal for liberty of conscience, persecuted +about or soon after 1694, George Keith (who had been one of +their most famous preachers) upon his conforming to the church +of England; and went so far as to throw him into prison. They +apologized for their conduct by pleading, that they did not punish +him for his religious principles, but for having insulted the civil +government.<a id='r49'></a><a href='#f49' class='c013'><sup>[49]</sup></a> If this was a good plea, the New-Englanders +might gain great advantages from it, in vindicating themselves +as to many of the severities they practised upon the quakers, who +insulted their civil governments, beyond what will be easily credited +by those who have not had the opportunity of knowing the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_LXVII'>LXVII</span>transactions of that period, or are not acquainted with the abusive +language of some of the then leaders of that denomination—language +which the body of modern quakers will not vindicate.</p> + +<p class='c007'>It only remains to give a concise account of the settlement +of <em>Georgia</em>.</p> + +<p class='c007'>In 1732 a number of gentlemen, considering the vast benefit +that might arise from the tract of land lying between the Savannah +and the river Altamahat petitioned the king for a charter, +which was accordingly granted on the ninth of June. They +meant that the country should be made a bulwark for the southern +colonies against the Spaniards; and should give employment +to numbers of people who were burthensome at home to their +friends and parishes. The charter constituted them a corporation, +by the name of trustees for establishing a colony, by the +name of Georgia, including the country from the most northern +stream of the Savannah, to the most southern stream of the Altamaha. +The corporation was to subsist for 21 years; and after +the expiration of that term, the governor and all officers were +to be appointed by the crown.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Toward the end of August, Sir William Heathcote recommended +in the strongest terms, to the directors of the bank, the +interests of the colony. His speech had the desired effect, and +the members of the court, after his example, contributed largely +toward the undertaking, as did great numbers of the nobility, +gentry, clergy, and others; and the parliament granted £.10,000. +By the beginning of November, about a hundred and sixteen +colonists presented themselves, most of them labouring people; +and were furnished with working tools of all kinds, stores, and +small arms. Mr. <em>Oglethorpe</em>, one of the trustees, generously attended +the first set of emigrants to Carolina, where they arrived +in good health on the 15th of January 1733. The Carolinians +made them a present of 100 breeding cattle, besides hogs, and +twenty barrels of rice; and furnished them with a party of horse +and with scout boats, by the help of which they reached the +Savannah, where Mr. Oglethorpe, ten miles up the river, pitched +upon a spot for a town; and on February the 9th, the building +of the first house commenced. The colonists were most +generously assisted by the Carolinians and their governor, cololonel +Bull, not only with their purses, but their labour, in raising +the new town, named Savannah, from the river.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Mr. Oglethorpe was waited upon by a numerous deputation +from the Lower Creek Nation, with whom he concluded a treaty; +and soon after set out for Charles-Town, on his return to England, +where he arrived in 1734, bringing with him several Indian +chiefs and a war captain. But before the end of March +<span class='pageno' id='Page_LXVIII'>LXVIII</span>this year, more emigrants, to the amount of six hundred, were +either sent over by charity, or went at their own expence.</p> + +<p class='c007'>On the 30th of October the Indians embarked for their own +country, having had an allowance while in London of £.20 a +week, of which they spent little, as they commonly ate and +drank at the tables of persons of the highest distinction. They +moreover received presents to a very considerable amount. They +embarked at Gravesend, in a ship which carried over a number of +Saltzburghers, being German protestants, who, with others of +their countrymen that followed, settled on the Savannah, a town +they called Ebenezer, and which by their habits of industry and +sobriety soon became considerable. The Georgians made a surprising +progress in clearing their lands and building their houses: +and, as an encouragement, the British parliament granted them +a supply of £.26,000 which, with very great private donations, +was expended upon strengthening the south part of Georgia. +This being a necessary service for the colony, the trustees pitched +upon the highlanders of Scotland, 160 of whom went over +in 1735, settled themselves upon Altamaha river, and gave the +name of Darien to a fort they built there, to which they afterwards +added a small town called New Inverness.</p> + +<p class='c007'>In February, 1736, Mr. Oglethorpe, with about 300 passengers +on board two ships, anchored in the road of Savannah. He +soon began building another town, named Frederica.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[1737.] A misunderstanding subsisting between the courts of +London and Madrid, and advice being sent from South-Carolina +to Britain, that the Spaniards at St. Augustine and the Havannah, +were making preparations for attacking Georgia, the +government, at the request of the trustees, sent thither a regiment +of 600 men, any of whom at the end of seven years might +have a regular discharge, and be entitled to a grant of twenty +acres of land. The parliament this year granted the colony another +supply of £.20,000 which enabled the trustees to send +over a fresh embarkation, of persecuted protestants.</p> + +<p class='c007'>On the breaking out of the war between England and Spain, +Mr. Oglethorpe, being invested with a general’s command, proceeded +with a body of troops to attack St. Augustine in 1740, +but the expedition proved unfortunate.</p> + +<p class='c007'>In 1742 Georgia was invaded by about 5000 Spaniards and +Indians from St. Augustine, in about fifty vessels of various +kinds, who were repulsed by the general at the head of the English +forces, and a small body of Indians. Had the Spanish descent +proved successful, the Carolinians must have been in imminent +danger: but the general’s good conduct secured them, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_LXIX'>LXIX</span>and he received congratulatory letters of thanks from several of +the American governors, for his great and important services.<a id='r50'></a><a href='#f50' class='c013'><sup>[50]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>On the review of what you have read, you will note, that the +colonists were very early in declaring, that they ought not to be +taxed but by their own general courts, and that they considered +subjection to the acts of a parliament in which they had no representatives +from themselves, as a hardship—that like true +born Englishmen, when grievously oppressed by governors or +others, they resisted, deposed, and banished; and would not +be quieted till grievances complained of were redressed—and +that not a colony, Georgia excepted, was settled at the expence +of government. Toward the settlement of the last, parliament +granted £.56,000 at three different periods.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 class='c005'>LETTER II.</h2> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-r c002'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><em>Roxbury, July 9, 1772.</em></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c012'>The present letter begins with some special colonial transactions +subsequent to the glorious revolution. Upon information +of the accession of William and Mary, the fort at New-York +was seized by the rabble, while the lieutenant governor +Nicholson and the council, waited with anxiety for orders to proclaim +their new sovereign. On this occasion, Jacob Leisler +placed himself at the head of the insurgents; and notwithstanding +the protest of the council, possessed himself by force of a letter +transmitted by king William to the lieutenant governor, or +to such as for the time executed the law, and instantly assumed the +name and exerted the authority of governor. He convened two +sessions of assembly in 1690, which passed various laws. But +colonel Sloughter, who had been appointed governor in August, +1689, arriving in March, 1691, Leisler was made prisoner, and, +with others, condemned for treason and murder; he and his +principal adviser were executed. A legal general assembly was +now convened. The precaution taken in the declaration and +bill of rights, by the convention and parliament, to state the +claims of Englishmen, might naturally induce the Yorkers to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_LXX'>LXX</span>propose somewhat similar for themselves, had there been no +prior propensity to that business. But the prevailing opinion of +the colonists naturally dictated to them the seizing of the present +fovorable opportunity. The New-York general assembly passed +“an act, declaring what are the rights and privileges of their +majesty’s subjects within the province.” The law enacts, “That +the supreme legislative power and authority under their majesties, +shall for ever be, and reside in a governor and council, appointed +by their majesties, their heirs and successors; and the people +by their representatives met and convened in general assembly.” +It further enacts, “<em>That no aid, tax, tallage, &c. whatsoever, +shall be laid, assessed, levied, or required, of or on any their majesties +subjects within the province, &c. or their estates, upon any +manner of colour or pretence whatsoever, but by the act and consent +of the governor and council, and representatives of the people +in general assembly met and convened</em>.” This memorable act was +a virtual declaration, that the inhabitants of the colony had a +right to be represented in assembly, and enjoyed it not as a privilege, +through the grace of the crown.<a id='r51'></a><a href='#f51' class='c013'><sup>[51]</sup></a> Six years after, in +1697, a negative was put upon the act, probably by the regency, +while the king was absent, which was from April the 26th, +to the middle of November, when he returned after the peace +of Ryswick was settled.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The <em>Massachusetts</em> petitioned for a renewal of their former +charter, but it could not be obtained; and many reasons were +assigned for not granting it, among the rest, its giving them no +power to lay taxes and raise money, especially on inhabitants +not being of the company, and on strangers coming to or trading +with them. One of the chief acts of delinquency alleged in the +writ of <em>scire facias</em>, issued against their former charter, was, +their having <em>levied money of the inhabitants</em>.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[1691.] King <em>William</em> and queen <em>Mary</em> granted a new charter, +in which <em>Plymouth</em>, the <em>Main</em>, <em>Acadia or Nova-Scotia</em>, and +the tract lying between <em>Nova-Scotia</em> and the <em>Main</em>, were annexed +to and made a part of the <em>Massachusetts</em>. It was complained of, +as being not much more than a shadow of the old; seeing that the +appointment of the governor, lieutenant-governor, secretary, and +all the officers of the admiralty, was vested in the crown; that the +power of the militia was wholly in the hands of his majesty’s governor +as captain general; that all judges, justices, and sheriffs, were +to be nominated by the governor, with the advice of the council; +that the governor had a negative upon the choice of counsellors; +that all laws enacted by the general assembly, were to be sent +<span class='pageno' id='Page_LXXI'>LXXI</span>home for the royal approbation or disallowance: and that no +laws, ordinances, elections, or acts of government whatsoever, +were to be of any validity, without the consent of the governor, +signified in writing. The new charter, however, conferred on +the inhabitants a number of very important privileges, and was +to be preferred to the old in many respects. They were informed +by the best civilians, that their religious liberties were forever +secured; and that they could be touched by no tax or law, but +of their own making; which had a good effect in quieting them +under the variations to which they objected.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[1692.] The first act of the <em>Massachusetts</em> legislature, after +the arrival of the charter, was a kind of Magna Charta, asserting +and setting forth their general privileges, and this clause was +among the rest, “<em>No aid, tax, tallage, assessment, custom, loan, +benevolence, or imposition whatsoever, shall be laid, assessed, imposed, +or levied on any of his majesty’s subjects, or their estates, +on any pretence whatever, but by the act and consent of the governor, +council and representatives of the people, assembled in +general court</em>.” The general court passed others favourable to +liberty, which were perused by the ministers of England at a distant +period; and with the preceding, disallowed of by the regency +in 1695. In December the reasons of this dissent were transmitted +to the governor and council. The following extract from +the letter sent by the committee of plantations, is subjoined, because +of its being so extraordinary and decisive: “Whereas, by +the act for securing the liberty of the subject, and preventing +illegal imprisonments, the writ of Hæbeas Corpus is required to +be granted, in like manner as is appointed by the statute of 31 +Charles II. in England, which privilege has not yet been granted +in any of his majesty’s plantations; it was not thought in his +majesty’s absence, that the said act should be continued in +force, and therefore the same hath been repealed.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>The above extract makes this a proper place for mentioning, +that the ancient colonists being destitute of proper security, for +want of an Hæbeas Corpus act, were in some provinces grievously +oppressed. Edward Randolph, surveyor-general, during +the reign of William III. represented their condition to the board +of trade, March 1700; and among other beneficial regulations, +he recommended, “That it being the practice of governors to +imprison the subjects without bail, the Hæbeas Corpus act should +be extended as fully to the colonies as it is in England.” It was +accordingly soon after conferred on Virginia, by queen Anne. +The council in their address said upon the occasion, “We, the +council of Virginia, acknowledge your majesty’s late favour, in +allowing us the benefit of the Hæbeas Corpus act, and in appointing +<span class='pageno' id='Page_LXXII'>LXXII</span>courts of oyer and terminer, for the more speedy execution +of justice, and relief from long imprisonments.” The +lower house, in theirs, said, “We the burgesses now assembled, +do beseech your majesty to accept our sincere thanks for your +many favours bestowed on your subjects of this colony. We +shall not pretend to enumerate the particulars, nor can we omit +mentioning those lately communicated to us by your majesty’s +royal instructions to your governor, wherein you have asserted +to your subjects their legal rights and properties, by allowing +them the Hæbeas Corpus act.”<a id='r52'></a><a href='#f52' class='c013'><sup>[52]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>The extension of the Hæbeas Corpus act to the plantations, +by queen Anne, appears to have been only by instructions to the +governors, and not by any act of parliament. By what prerogative +could she extend that act to the colonists, were they not +before entitled to its benefit? If entitled to, it was unjust in any +power to deny them the advantage of the act; and the royal +favour to the Virginians, consisted solely in the queen’s <em>asserting +to her subjects their legal rights and properties</em> (as the burgesses +expressed themselves) by giving suitable directions on the +business. The high sense of colonial liberty exhibited by the +<em>York</em> and <em>Massachusetts</em> general courts, was opposed by the +<em>English</em> government.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[1696.] An act was passed by the parliament, declaring that +“All laws, bye-laws, usages and customs, which shall be in +practice in any of the plantations, repugnant to any law made +or to be made in this kingdom, relative to the said plantations, +shall be void and of none effect.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>There might be no design on the part of the ministry of taxing +any of the colonies; but about 1696, a pamphlet was published, +recommending the laying a parliamentary tax on one of +them. It was answered by two others much read; which totally +denied the power of taxing the colonies, because they had no representation +in parliament to give consent. No answer, public +or private, was given to these pamphlets; no censure passed +upon them; men were not startled at the doctrine, as either new +or illegal, or derogatory to the rights of parliament.<a id='r53'></a><a href='#f53' class='c013'><sup>[53]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>Though the parliament might not then claim the right of taxing, +they claimed the right of punishing disobedience to their +laws, with the loss of charter privileges. In the 11th of <em>William</em> +III. an act was passed [1699.] for the trial of pirates in <em>America</em>, +in which there is the following clause, “Be it further declared, +<em>that if any of the governors, or any person or persons in authority</em> +there, shall <em>refuse to yield obedience to this act</em>, such refusal is +<span class='pageno' id='Page_LXXIII'>LXXIII</span>hereby declared to be a <em>forfeiture</em> of all and every the <em>charters</em> +granted for the <em>government</em> or <em>propriety</em> of such plantation.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>Severity is stamped upon the very face of the act, in making +the disobedience of a governor, the forfeiture of a charter, meant +to secure the liberties of thousands, who might not have any +the least power of preventing such disobedience. The proprieties +and charter colonies were so disinclined to admit of appeals +to his majesty in council, and were thought so to thirst after independence +that these and other objections against them were +laid before the parliament, [1701.] and a bill thereupon brought +into the house of lords for re-uniting the right of government in +those colonies to the crown: but better council prevailed, and +matters were left unaltered. Some are for bringing as a precedent +for the parliament’s raising a revenue from the colonies, +what was passed in 1710, viz. “An act for establishing a general +post-office for all her majesty’s dominions, and for settling, a +weekly sum out of the revenues thereof, for the service of the +war and other her majesty’s occasions.” By this act the postage +of England, Scotland, Ireland, and America, were consolidated, +to the end that a general post-office might be established through +Great-Britain and Ireland, her colonies and plantations in North-America +and the West-Indies, and all her other dominions, in +such manner as might be most beneficial to the people: and that +the revenue arising form the said office might be better improved. +The consolidation made a new act necessary; and afforded the +opportunity of advancing the rates of letters. The weekly sum +amounted to £.700 and was to be paid out of the revenue for 32 +years; the payment was made perpetual in the third year of her +successor, having been soon after granted, appropriated by another +act toward paying off, with interest at six <em>per cent.</em> the principal +of £.2,602,200, which government borrowed of the public. +By the act, the post-riders carrying the mail, were exempted +from paying any thing for passing the ferries in North-America, +and the ferryman was subjected to a penalty of five pounds, if +he did not convey them over within half an hour after demanded.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Whatever power over the colonies the parliament might exercise +in the act, the dissimilarity between this and the sugar act, +passed in 1764, will not admit of the former’s being quoted, with +propriety, as a precedent for the latter. The colonists were in +no wise uneasy at it, and considered not the American postage +in the light of an internal tax, designed for the raising of a revenue +from them; for it was but a few comparatively who were +affected by it; and these were accommodated in the conveyance +of their letters, received a full equivalent for the postage of them, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_LXXIV'>LXXIV</span>and were not bound to send them by the public post, when they +preferred a private conveyence.</p> + +<p class='c007'>In respect of the readiness of the colonies to co-operate with +each other and the mother country, for the general good, they +manifested the same as occasion required.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[1690.] The <em>Massachusetts</em> general court wrote to the several +governors of the neighbouring colonies, desiring them to appoint +commissioners “to meet, advise, and conclude upon suitable methods +in assisting each other for the safety of the whole land.” +The governor of <em>New-York</em> was requested to signify the same +to <em>Maryland</em>, and parts adjacent.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The commissioners met on the 1st of May, at <em>New-York</em>, and +were stiled a <em>Congress</em>, as may be concluded from the following +paragraph in Mr. <em>Stoughton’s</em> letter of October 20, 1693, to Lord +<em>Nottingham</em>:<a id='r54'></a><a href='#f54' class='c013'><sup>[54]</sup></a> “I crave leave further to acquaint your lordship, +that the governor of <em>New-York</em> having written unto his excellency +the governor here, signifying his appointment of a meeting +at <em>New-York</em>, upon the first Wednesday of this month, of commissioners +from the several governments of <em>New-England</em>, <em>Virginia</em>, +&c. to concert and agree upon a certain <em>quota</em> of men and +money, for the defence of <em>Albany</em>, &c. in observance of their +majesties commands; it happened to be at such a time, and under +such a conjuncture of affairs here, that no meet persons could +be procured to attend <em>that Congress</em>.” It does not appear, that +there was any congress between the two periods. It may also +be observed, that the first was procured at the motion of the <em>Massachusetts</em> +general court, formed, from the necessity of the day, +upon the vacated charter, before a new one was granted; and +that the motion originated in the court, from zeal for the common +safety of the colonies, without any interposition of their +majesties command. We meet with no congress prior to what +was thus procured.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Oct. 14, 1709.] At the desire of colonel <em>Vetch</em>, there was a +congress of several governors, with some of their council and +assembly, to consult upon the intended expedition against <em>Canada</em>, +and to resolve on methods for securing the frontiers.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Oct. 31, 1711.] The <em>Massachusetts</em> house of assembly, at +the motion of lieutenant-general <em>Nicholson</em>, advised, to a congress +of her majesty’s governors attended with such persons as +the governments might appoint. The council appointed two, +and the house three, out of their respective bodies, to attend the +governor to congress, which appears to have met afterwards at +<em>New-London</em>.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_LXXV'>LXXV</span>But though the conduct of the <em>Massachusetts</em>, in their exertions +for the general good, was highly commendable, their behaviour +afterward, in their own colonial affairs, under governor +<em>Shute</em>, was greatly censurable.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[1722.] The house of assembly attempted to take from colonel +<em>Shute</em>, those powers in matters relative to the war, which +belonged to him by the constitution, and to vest them in a committee +of the two houses. They by degrees acquired, from the +governor and council, the keys of the treasury; and no monies +could be issued, not so much as to pay an express, without the +vote of the house for that purpose; whereas by the charter, all +monies were to be paid out of the treasury, “by warrant from +the governor, with the advice and consent of the council.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>The ministry were greatly offended at the governor’s being +made uneasy; for colonel <em>Shute</em> was known at court and the offices +of state, under the character of a very worthy gentleman, +of a singular good temper, fitted to make any people under his +command happy. When, therefore, they found the contrary +in the <em>Massachusetts</em>, they concluded, that the people wished to +have no governor from <em>Great-Britain</em>, but wanted to be independent +of the crown. The cry of the city of <em>London</em> ran exceedingly +against them; and a scheme, that had been long planned for +taking away the charter, had nearly been executed; but was fortunately +frustrated by the indefatigable pains of Mr. <em>Dummer</em>, +their then agent. Their own council at home were obliged to a +confession of their illegal proceedings. [Jan. 15, 1725.] An +explanatory charter was prepared, proposed, and accepted. Had +it not been accepted, the design was to have submitted to the +consideration of the British legislature, “What further provision +may be necessary to support and preserve his majesty’s authority +in the colony, and prevent similar invasion of his prerogative +for the future.”<a id='r55'></a><a href='#f55' class='c013'><sup>[55]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>It had been usual to give instructions to the several governors, +to recommend to the assembly the establishing of a salary suitable +to the dignity of their post; but the house had always declined +complying, prudently apprehensive, that disagreable consequences +might ensue, from the independency of the governor on the people +over whom he was placed. These instructions were renewed +when governor <em>Burnet</em> was appointed to the chair, who adhering +to them, and showing a fixed determination not to part with govermental +rights, warm disputes followed between him and the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_LXXVI'>LXXVI</span>house of representatives; whose treatment of him was so unwarrantable, +that the council board [1729.] within a week after +the affair, expressed their concern at the unbecoming and undutiful +treatment given to his excellency, in the message of the +house on the sixth of December.</p> + +<p class='c007'>In divers instances they showed such a disposition to encroach +upon the prerogative, to wrangle with their governor, and to +dispute with the crown, that the ministry and other persons in +public offices, as is natural for those who look for submissive +compliance, were much irritated; and improved to the utmost +all advantages to excite prejudices against them.</p> + +<p class='c007'>It was suggested that they were aiming at independence; and +jealousies were raised in the minds of some, that there was danger +of the colonies setting up for themselves. Nevertheless, it +was certain that such a scheme appeared to the whole country +wild and extravagant; because of the universal loyalty of the +people, beyond what was to be found in any other part of the +British dominions, together with the infancy of the colonies, +and their being distinct from one another in forms of government, +religious rights, emulation of trade, and, consequently, +their affections; so that it was not supposable that they could +unite in so dangerous an enterprise.<a id='r56'></a><a href='#f56' class='c013'><sup>[56]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>However, when the <em>Massachusetts</em> petitioned the house of +commons, praying that they might be heard by council on the +subject of grievances, the house took that opportunity of discovering +how jealous it was of the kingdom’s supremacy and uncontroulable +authority over the colony; for the commons having +considered the matter, resolved, “That the petition was +frivolous and groundless, a high insult upon his majesty’s government, +and tending to <em>shake off the dependency</em> of the said +colony upon this kingdom, to which, <em>in law and right, they +ought to be subject</em>.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>The colonies might object to some acts passed respecting them, +particularly—the act prohibiting the cutting down of pitch and +tar trees, not being within a fence or enclosure—the act prohibiting +the exportation of hats made in the colonies, even from +one colony to another; and restraining all makers of hats from +taking more than two apprentices at a time, or any for less than +seven years, and entirely from employing negroes in the business—the +act for the more easy recovery of debts in his majesty’s +plantations and colonies in America, which made houses, lands, +negroes, and other real estates, assets for the payment of debts. +It was passed in 1732, upon the petition of the English merchants +<span class='pageno' id='Page_LXXVII'>LXXVII</span>trading to the colonies, who complained, that the Virginia and +Jamaica, a privilege was claimed to exempt their houses, lands, +tenements, and negroes, from being attached for debt; the +lords of trade at the same time represented, that the assemblies +of those colonies could never be induced to divest themselves of +these privileges by any act of their own. But whatever objections +were made to the above acts, no general measure was adopted +to obtain their repeal. They continued in being; but the +hatters act was disregarded: and methods were devised for felling +the prohibited trees, when the neighbourhood wanted a supply. +The operation of the act designed for the benefit of creditors, +was too often, as in other countries, weakened or evaded +by the dishonest debtor. Men of principle gave themselves little +concern about its existance, as they had nothing to fear from it, +and knew that the same was intended to prevent persons being +cheated out of their property.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The sugar colonists combined together, and obtained an act +against the trade carried on from the British northern provinces +to the Dutch and French colonies, for foreign rum, sugar, and +molasses. The act passed in 1733, laid a duty of nine-pence a +gallon on rum, six-pence a gallon on molasses, and five pounds +on every hundred weight of sugar, that came not from the British +West-India islands, and were brought into the nothern colonies. +It was professedly designed as a prohibition from the +foreign islands; but did not answer. It was found expedient, +and for the general benefit, to admit of the molasses, &c. being +mostly run into the colonies, without insisting upon the duties, +or making frequent seizures. The act unhappily produced an +illegal spirit of trading; but was continued by subsequent ones +down to 1761; when the duty on the molasses was reduced to +three-pence, to prevent its being run any longer. The act did +not oppropriate the monies to be raised by the duties, so that +when, in length of time, there was a sum in the hands of the +receiver worth remitting, a demur ensued as to the application +of it.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The monies produced by this and other acts, were not considered +as real <em>taxes</em>, either by the colonies or the mother country. +But some persons wished to have taxes imposed upon +them which would necessarily produce many good posts and +places in <em>America</em> for courtiers; and during the war with <em>Spain</em>, +which broke out in 1739, a sheme for taxing the <em>British</em> colonies +was mentioned to Sir <em>Robert Walpole</em>. He smiled, and said, +“I will leave that to some of my successors, who have more +courage than I have, and are less friends to commerce than I +am. It has been a maxim with me, during my administration, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_LXXVIII'>LXXVIII</span>to encourage the trade of the <em>American</em> colonies in the utmost +latitude; nay, it has been necessary to pass over some irregularities +in their trade with <em>Europe</em>; for by encouraging them to an +extensive growing foreign commerce, if they gain £.500,000 I +am convinced, that in two years afterwards full £.250,000 of their +gains will be in his majesty’s exchequer, by the labour and produce +of this kingdom, as immense quantities of every kind of +our manufactures go thither; and as they increase in their foreign +American trade, more of our produce will be wanted. This is +taxing them more agreeably to their own constitution and ours.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>Had the scheme for taxing the colonies been attempted, it +would have occasioned a ferment that must have prevented those +exertions in the common cause, which were given into by the +<em>New-Englanders</em>, especially the <em>Bay-men</em>, so the inhabitants of +the <em>Massachusetts Bay</em> are frequently called.</p> + +<p class='c007'>War being declared against <em>Spain</em>, a requisition of troops was +made to the <em>Massachusetts</em>, and a larger number raised and embarked +on his majesty’s service than was required, of whom, +scarce one in fifty returned.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[1744.] Upon receiving the declaration of war with <em>France</em>, +the general court, then sitting, made immediate provision for +raising forces for <em>Anapolis</em>, in Nova-Scotia: they happily arrived +in season; and were the probable means of saving the country. +Divers times afterward, Nova-Scotia, when attacked by the +French, was relieved by the Bay-men; so that during that unprosperous +war, possession was always kept of it for the crown +of Great-Britain.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[1745.] But the most important service to be mentioned, +is the reduction of <em>Louisburg</em>. Governor <em>Shirley’s</em> heart was +set upon effecting it. He prevailed upon the two houses to lay +themselves under an oath of secrecy; and then communicated +his plan of the expedition. A committee was appointed to consider +it, and were several days in deliberation. After mature +consideration, a majority disapproved of the proposal. The report +was accepted, and the members of the court laid aside all +thoughts of the expedition. By the governor’s influence probably, +as well as with his approbation, a petition from a number of +merchants was presented to the house of representatives, praying +a re-consideration of their vote, and their agreement to the governor’s +proposal. A second committee reported in favour of it. +The report was debated in the house the whole day. It is remarkable +that Mr. <em>Oliver</em><a id='r57'></a><a href='#f57' class='c013'><sup>[57]</sup></a> fell down and broke his leg, while +going to the house, with a full design of opposing the expedition. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_LXXIX'>LXXIX</span>His presence would have made a majority, and overset it; but +this accident occasioned his absence; and upon the division in +the house at night, the numbers were equal. The speaker, +<em>Thomas Hutchinson</em>, esq.<a id='r58'></a><a href='#f58' class='c013'><sup>[58]</sup></a> was called upon to give the casting +vote; which he did in favour of it, though he opposed it when +in the committee. He was, probably, prevailed upon thus to +vote, that he might secure the favour of the governor, and render +himself the more popular.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Jan. 25.] The point being now settled, there is an immediate +union of both parties; and all are equally zealous in carrying +the design into execution. Messengers are dispatched as far as +<em>Pennsylvania</em>, to entreat the junction of the several governments +in the expedition. All excuse themselves, except <em>Connecticut</em>, +<em>New-Hampshire</em>, and <em>Rhode-Island</em>. The first agrees to raise +500 men, the other two 300 each. <em>Connecticut</em> and <em>Rhode-Island</em> +consent also, that their colony sloops shall be employed +as cruisers.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The time for preparing is short. But the winter proves so +favourable that all kinds of out-door business is carried on as +well, and with as great dispatch as at any other season. The +appointment of a general officer is of the utmost consequence. +He must be acceptable to the body of the people; the inlistment +depends upon this circumstance. It is not easy to find a person +thus qualified, willing to accept. Colonel <em>Pepperrell</em><a id='r59'></a><a href='#f59' class='c013'><sup>[59]</sup></a> has the +offer from the governor: but it has rather pressed into the service +than engage voluntarily. His example, in quitting for the present +his extensive mercantile business, has considerable influence, +and induces inferior officers, and even private soldiers, to quit +their smaller concerns, for the service of their country. Governor +Wentworth, of New-Hampshire, offers afterwards to take +the command of the expedition. Two or three gentlemen of +prudence and judgment, are consulted upon the occasion, by +governor Shirley, who finds them clearly of opinion, that any +alteration of the present command, would be attended with the +greatest risk of entirely disgusting both the Massachusetts assembly +and soldiers.<a id='r60'></a><a href='#f60' class='c013'><sup>[60]</sup></a> By the efforts of a general exertion in all +orders of men, the armament is ready, sails, and arrives at <em>Canso</em> +the fourth of April. The <em>Bay-men</em> consist of 3,250 troops, exclusive +of commission officers. The <em>New-Hampshire</em> forces +304, including officers, arrived four days before. The <em>Connecticut</em>, +being 516, inclusive, arrive on the 25th. The 300 <em>Rhode-Islanders</em> +do not arrive till the place has surrendered.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_LXXX'>LXXX</span>Toward the end of the month, commodore <em>Warren</em> arrives +from the West-Indies, with a sixty gun ship, and two of forty; +and joins another of forty, which had reached <em>Canso</em> the day +before, in consequence of his orders, received while under sail +from <em>Portsmouth</em> in <em>New-Hampshire</em>, on her way to Britain. +The men of war sail immediately to cruise before <em>Louisburg</em>. +The forces soon follow, and land at <em>Chapeaurouge Bay</em> the last +day of April. The transports are discovered from the town +early in the morning, which gives the inhabitants the first knowledge +of the design.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The second day after landing, 400 men march round behind +the hills, to the north-east harbour, where they get about midnight, +and fire all the houses and store-houses until they come +within a mile of the grand battery. The clouds of thick smoke +proceeding from the pitch, tar, and other combustibles, prevent +the garrison’s discovering the enemy, though but a few rods distant. +They expect the army upon them, and desert the fort, +having thrown their powder into a well; but the cannon and +shot are left, and prove of service to the Americans. A party, +less than twenty, come up to the battery the next morning early; +and seeing no signs of men, suspect a plot, and are afraid to +enter. At length, an <em>Indian</em>, for a pint of rum, ventures in +alone through an embrasure, and discovers the state of it to the +rest, just as a number of French are re-landing to recover possession. +The army has near two miles to transport their cannon, +mortars, &c. through a morass. This must be done by +mere dint of labour. The hardiest and strongest bodies are employed, +and the service performed, agreeable to the advice of +major Ezekiel Gilman, of Exeter, who having been used to draw +the masts over the swamps, proposed making sleds to put the +cannon, &c. upon, and then yoking the men together for +draught. The men know nothing of regular approaches. They +make merry with the terms <em>zigzags</em> and <em>epaulements</em>; and taking +advantage of the night, go on, void of art, in their own natural +way.</p> + +<p class='c007'>While the forces are busy ashore, the men of war and other +vessels are cruising off the harbour, when the weather permits; +and on the eighteenth of May, capture a French sixty-four gun +ship, having 560 men on board, and stores of all sorts for the +garrison. This prize, with the arrival of other British ships, +make the commodore’s fleet eleven by the 12th of June, consisting +of a 64, four of 60 guns, one of 50, and five of 40. It +is given out that an attack will be made by sea with the ships, +on the eighteenth, while the army do the like by land. Whether +a general storm is really intended or not, the French seem +<span class='pageno' id='Page_LXXXI'>LXXXI</span>to expect it, from the preparations on board the men of war, +and do not incline to stand it. On the fifteenth, a flag of truce +is sent to the general, desiring a cessation of hostilities, that they +may consider of articles for a capitulation. Time is allowed; +but their articles are rejected by the general and commodore, +and others offered, which are accepted by the French, and hostages +exchanged. The city is delivered up on the 17th of June. +But as it is the time to expect vessels from all parts to <em>Louisburg</em>, +the French flag is kept flying as a decoy. Two East-India, +and one South Sea ship, of the value of £.600,000 sterling, are +taken by the squadron, at the mouth of the harbour, into which +they undoubtedly meant to enter.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The weather proved remarkably fine during the siege; the +day after the surrender the rains began, and continued ten days +incessantly, which would undoubtedly have proved fatal to the +expedition, had not the capitulation prevented. It is not of +material consequence for us to determine whether the land or +sea force had the greatest share in the reduction of <em>Louisburg</em>. +Neither would have succeeded alone. But there was certainly +the strongest evidence of a generous, noble, public spirit, in the +<em>New-Englanders</em>, which first inclined them to the undertaking, +and of a firmness of mind in the prosecution of it; for the labour, +fatigue, and other hardships of the siege were without parallel +in all preceding American operations.<a id='r61'></a><a href='#f61' class='c013'><sup>[61]</sup></a> The paying of +the charges of this expedition in 1748, lessens not the merit of +the New-England attempt; for they began it when they had no +promise, and very little prospect of being reimbursed. Had it +not succeeded, they would not have been reimbursed, and must +therefore have been involved in the greatest distress. This they +foresaw, and yet cheerfully ran the risk for the public service. +It would have cost the crown double the sum paid the New-England +governments, to have sent an armament from Great-Britain +for the reduction of the same place. The colonies met +with a heavy loss, not easily repaired, in the destruction of the +flower of their youth, by camp fevers, other sicknesses, the hardships +and distresses of the siege. Of how much importance +Louisburg was in the opinion of the French, appeared from +their demanding two hostages of the first nobility in Britain as +pledges for its restitution.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_LXXXII'>LXXXII</span>Should you hereafter read, “The leading men in the government +of the <em>Massachusetts</em>, having been guilty of certain mal-practices, +for which they were in danger of being called to an +account, projected the expedition against <em>Cape Breton</em>, in order +to divert the storm: and proving successful, the English nation +was so overjoyed that they forgot every other idea in the general +transport, so that the planners and conductors of the expedition, +instead of being called to an account for former misdemeanors, +found themselves caressed and applauded”—believe it +not—especially should the writer give “this public notice, I +build nothing upon the present narration; and I only offer it +(because not corroborated by sufficient evidence) as a probable +case, and as my own opinion.”<a id='r62'></a><a href='#f62' class='c013'><sup>[62]</sup></a> Should he be a D. D. you +may think it would have been well for him to have recollected +the complaint of <em>Jeremiah</em>, “I heard the defaming of many; +report, <em>say they</em>, and we will report;” and so to have been silent +on the head of <em>Cape Breton</em>. Should you judge it uncharitable +to retort upon him; yet you may deem it just to remind him of +his own, do you find him using such like expressions as these, +“As I never believed Dr. <em>Franklin</em> in any public matter, excepting +in his electrical experiments, I was resolved to see with +my own eyes, whether what he advanced was true or not, having +a strong suspicion that he fibbed designedly, like Sir <em>Henry +Wotton</em>’s ambassador, <em>patriæ causa</em>.”<a id='r63'></a><a href='#f63' class='c013'><sup>[63]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>But to return, the year after the reduction of Louisburg +[1746.] Great-Britain entertained the design of reducing <em>Canada</em>; +and requisitions were made to the colonies, from New-Hampshire +to Virginia, inclusive. It was expected that they +should raise at least 5,000 men; they voted 8,200; and the +<em>Massachusetts</em>, to the amount of 3,500, were ready to embark +by the middle of July, about six weeks from the first notice.<a id='r64'></a><a href='#f64' class='c013'><sup>[64]</sup></a> +Though the expedition was not prosecuted, this did not lessen +the merit of the colonies in preparing to second the views of the +British government.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[1748.] No sooner were the distresses of war closed, by the +renewal of peace, than the colonists, particularly of <em>New-England</em>, +were alarmed with the report of an <em>American Episcopacy</em>; +which it was the most earnest desire of Dr. <em>Thomas Secker</em>, late +archbishop of <em>Canterbury</em>, to establish. The doctor, when bishop +of <em>Oxford</em>, in his sermon before the society for propagating +she gospel, &c. “began those invectives against the colonists and +their religious character, which have been unwarily continued, +and were founded entirely upon misinformations and misrepresentations +<span class='pageno' id='Page_LXXXIII'>LXXXIII</span>of interested persons, the missionaries especially, +who found their account in abusing better christians than themselves.”<a id='r65'></a><a href='#f65' class='c013'><sup>[65]</sup></a> +This conduct had not the least tendency to reconcile +them to the project, but the direct contrary: and argued a secret +bitterness of spirit, which promised no great moderation, if the +scheme of episcopising succeeded. The talk of introducing bishops +into America, was very warm among the episcopalians in +Connecticut; and it is not an uncharitable conjecture, that it +originated from, or was promoted by the zeal of bishop Secker. +During the height of the conversation, a worthy divine, now +at Rhode-Island, had the hopes of a bishopric held out to him, +to induce him to turn episcopalian, though without effect. The +colonists had reason to dread the introduction of episcopacy, for +it could not be thought it should come unaccompanied with such +a degree of civil power as would at length trample upon the +rights of other denominations. An extensive and united hierarchy, +however named, when armed with civil authority and in +alliance with state power, is a dangeaous engine, if under the +direction of a crafty politician. The failure of the episcopising +project at this period, might be owing in a great measure, to +the part the <em>dissenting deputation</em> acted upon the occasion: for +which the representatives of the Massachusetts Bay returned them +their thanks, in a message signed by the speaker.<a id='r66'></a><a href='#f66' class='c013'><sup>[66]</sup></a> But though +the colonies were relieved from this cause of uneasiness, they +were laid under another, by the parliament’s passing an act, enacting, +“That from and after the twenty-fourth of June, 1750, +no <em>mill</em> or <em>other engine</em> for <em>slitting</em> or <em>rolling</em> of <em>iron</em>, or any +<em>platting forge</em>, to work with a <em>tilt hammer</em>, or any <em>furnace</em> for +<em>making steel</em>, shall be erected; or, after such erection, continued +<em>in any of his majesty’s colonies in America</em>.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>The four New-England colonies, however, had no just reason +to complain, when the power of parliament passed an act [1751.] +“to regulate and restrain paper bills of credit in said governments, +and to prevent the same being legal tenders in payment +of money;” as they had made the act absolutely necessary, that +so British creditors might be secured from being defrauded by a +legal tender of a depreciated and depreciating paper currency.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The year after the peace, a grant of 600,000 acres of the finest +American land in the neighbourhood of the <em>Ohio</em>, was made out +to certain noblemen, merchants, and others, of <em>Westminster</em>, +<em>London</em>, and <em>Virginia</em>, who associated under the title of the <em>Ohio +Company</em>. The governor of Canada obtained early intelligence +<span class='pageno' id='Page_LXXXIV'>LXXXIV</span>of it; and was alarmed with the apprehension that a scheme was +in agitation, which would forever deprive the French of the advantage +arising from the trade with the <em>Twightwees</em>, and cut off +the communication so beneficial to the colonies of <em>Louisiana</em> and +<em>Canada</em>. He wrote therefore to the governors of <em>New-York</em> and +<em>Pennsylvania</em>, acquainting them that the English traders had encroached +on the French territories, by trading with their Indians; +and that if they did not desist, he should be obliged to seize +them wherever they were found. This was the first time that +either French or British had pretended to any exclusive trade +with any Indians, or even the declared friends and allies of +either; for it was expressly stipulated at the treaty of <em>Utrecht</em>, +that, on both sides, the two nations should enjoy full liberty of +going and coming among the Indians of either side, on account +of trade; and that the natives of the Indian countries should, +with the same liberty, resort as they pleased, to the British or +French colonies, for the purpose of trade, without any molestation +from either the British or French subjects.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The British Indian trade had been carried on mostly with +<em>Pennsylvania</em> by the river <em>Susquehanna</em>; a great part of it was +now to be diverted into another channel by the <em>Ohio company</em>; +who by opening a waggon road through the country, and building +a truck-house at <em>Will’s-creek</em>, were providing for its being +carried into <em>Virginia</em> by the <em>Patomack</em>. The Pennsylvania traders, +jealous of the Ohio company, were upon the watch to injure +them, which soon offered, when Mr. <em>Gist</em> was employed by +the company, in surveying the lands upon the <em>Ohio</em>, in order to +their procuring 600,000 acres of the best and most convenient for +the Indian trade. He carefully concealed his design from the +Indians, who were no less suspicious and inquisitive; and being +jealous that he meant to settle their lands, made use of threats. +They were not pacified till there was delivered to them a pretended +message from the king of Great-Britain. The Pennsylvania +traders, actuated by revenge, informed both French and +Indians, what was the service on which he was employed; and +while he was on his progress in the spring of 1771, some French +parties, with their Indians, put the governor of Canada’s menace +into execution, and [1753.] seized the British traders who +were trading among the <em>Twightwees</em>, and carried them to a fort +they were building on the south side of lake <em>Erie</em>. The British, +alarmed at the capture of their brethren, retired to the Indian +towns for shelter, and the <em>Twightwees</em>, resenting the violence +done their allies, assembled to the number of five or six hundred, +and scoured the woods till they found three French traders, whom +they sent to Pennsylvania. The French, however, determined +<span class='pageno' id='Page_LXXXV'>LXXXV</span>to persist; and proceeded to build a second fort, about fifteen +miles south of the former, upon one of the branches of the +Ohio. They also erected a fort at the conflux of the <em>Ohio</em> and +<em>Wabache</em>; and thus completed their designed communication +between the mouth of the <em>Missisippi</em> and the river <em>St. Lawrence</em>. +Nothing was done by the Pennsylvania government, so that +the French continued to strengthen themselves without interruption; +and encouraged by the little notice taken of their violence, +began to seize and plunder every British trader they found +on any part of the Ohio.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Repeated complaints were made to lieutenant governor <em>Dinwiddie</em>, +of Virginia; and as the Ohio company, whose existence +depended upon stopping the French encroachments and +pretensions on that river, had great influence there, that colony +was prevailed upon to act with some vigor.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The lieutenant governor having informed the house of burgesses, +on the first of November, that the French had erected a fort +on the Ohio, it was resolved to send some body to Mr. <em>St. Pierre</em>, +the French commandant, to demand the reason of his hostile +proceedings, and to require him at the same time to withdraw +his forces. Major <em>Washington</em>, who was of age only on the +eleventh of the preceding February, offered his service on this +important occasion. The distance he had to go was more than +four hundred miles; two hundred of which lay through a trackless +desert, inhabited by Indians; and the season was uncommonly +severe. Notwithstanding these discouraging circumstances, +the major, attended by one companion only, set out upon +this hazardous enterprise. He travelled from Winchester on +foot, carrying his provisions on his back. Upon his arrival at +the place of destination and delivering his message, the French +commandant refused to comply, denied the charge of hostilities, +and said that the country belonged to the king of France; +that no Englishman had a right to trade upon any of its rivers; +and that, therefore, he would seize, according to orders, and +send prisoners to Canada, every Englishman that should attempt +to trade upon the Ohio or any of its branches. Before major +<em>Washington</em> had got back, or the Virginians had heard of the +French commandant’s answer, they sent out proper people, provided +with materials for erecting a fort at the conflux of the +Ohio and Monongahela, whom he met on his return. After +excessive hardships, and many providential escapes, during his +long and tedious undertaking, he arrived safe at Williamsburgh, +and gave an account of his negociation to the house of burgesses +the 14th of February following.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_LXXXVI'>LXXXVI</span>Before the Virginians had finished their fort, the French came +upon them, drove them out of the country, and erected a regular +fort on the very spot where they had been at work. The +consent of the Indian warriors had not been gained by the Virginians, +or they would have supported the British against the +French attack.</p> + +<p class='c007'>These proceedings of the French galled the British ministry. +The Ohio Company whose schemes were now demolished, was +their fondling. They could not submit to have their friends so +treated; and therefore no sooner had they the news, than it was +resolved to instruct the colonies to oppose the French encroachments +by force of arms. The instructions were received at Virginia +early in the spring of 1754. The Virginians applied to +the other colonies for additional troops. Captain James Mackay, +with his independent company, upon the first order marched +with the utmost expedition from South Carolina to their assistance. +Without waiting for two independent companies from +New-York, who were likewise ordered to assist them, the Virginians +resolved by themselves with Mackay’s company, to oppose +the French encroachments; and sent off that and three +hundred men raised by the colony, under the command of late +major, but now colonel Washington. An engagement ensued +between a party of French from fort <em>Du Quesne</em>, whom colonel +Washington attacked and defeated, on the twenty-eight of May—which +put Mr. <em>de Villier</em> upon marching down against him +with 900 men besides Indians, and attacking him on the third of +July. Washington made so brave a defence behind a small +incomplete intrenchment, called fort <em>Necessity</em>, that Villier seeing +what desperate men he had to deal with, and desirous of saving +his own, offered him an honorable capitulation; but the +French officer was careful, in forming the articles, to throw the +blame of the war upon the British, and to make it thought that +they were the agressors.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The lords commissioners for trade and plantations, had also +recommended to the several colonies, to appoint commsssioners +to meet each other. Their Lordships designed, that there should +be a general league of friendship, between all the colonies, +and the Indians, in his majesty’s name. The <em>Massachusetts</em> general +court not only acceded to the proposal, but both houses +desired his excellency, governor <em>Shirley</em> (April 10.) “to pray +his majesty, that affairs which relate to the six nations and their +allies may be put under some general direction as his majesty +shall think proper; that the several governors may <em>be obliged</em> +to bear their proportions of defending his majesty’s territories against +<span class='pageno' id='Page_LXXXVII'>LXXXVII</span>the encroachments of the French, and the ravages and +incursions of the Indians.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>[July.] A general meeting of the governors and chief men +from several of the colonies, was held at <em>Albany</em>. At this congress, +the commissioners were unanimously of opioion, that +an <em>union of all the colonies</em> was absolutely necessary for their +common defence. The plan was, in short, “That a grand +council should be formed of members, to be chosen by the +assemblies, and sent from all the colonies; which council, together +with a governor-general to be appointed by the crown, +should be empowered to make general laws, to raise money in +all the colonies for the defence of the whole.” It was drawn +up by Mr. <em>Hutchinson</em>, was accepted, and sent home. Had it +been approved and established, <em>British America</em> thought itself sufficiently +able to cope with the <em>French</em> without further assistance; +several of the colonies, in former years, having alone withstood +the enemy, unassisted not only by the mother country, but by +any of the neighbouring provinces. A <em>stamp act</em> was talked of +among the commissioners, of which number was Mr. (now Dr.) +<em>Franklin</em>, one of the three from Pennsylvania; and it was thought +a proper mode of taxing; under the apprehension, that in its +operation it would affect the several governments fairly and +equally. The idea of a stamp act had been held out, so early as +1739, in two publications drawn up by a club of American merchants +at the head of whom were Sir <em>William Keith</em>, governor +of Pennsylvania, Mr. <em>Joshua Gee</em>, and many others. They proposed, +for the protection of the British traders among the Indians, +the raising a body of regulars, to be stationed all along the +western frontier of the British settlements; and that the expence +should be paid from the monies arising from a duty on stamp +paper and parchment in all the colonies to be laid on them +by act of parliament. The congress plan was not agreeable to +the views of ministry; another was proposed—“That the governors +of all the colonies, attended by one or two members of +their respective councils, should assemble, concert measures for +the defence of the whole, erect forts where they judged proper, +and raise what troops they thought necessary, with power to draw +upon the British treasury for the sum that should be wanted; +and the treasury to be re-imbursed by a tax laid on the colonies +by an act of parliament.” When you are reminded, that the governors +and councils were chiefly of the king’s appointing, you +will be apt to view the scheme as a most subtle and dangerous +contrivance, to provide for favorites, to sap the liberties of the +Americans, and eventually to chain them down to the most abject +slavery. Had the congress plan met with the countenance of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_LXXXVIII'>LXXXVIII</span>minstry, it might have been adopted after a while; though +of that, it appeared, there could be no certainty; for when the +governor laid it before the <em>Massachusetts</em> assembly in October, the +assembly determined, not to give it the least countenance. The +ministerial plan was transmitted to governor <em>Shirley</em>, who was +known to be for the British parliament’s laying the tax. It was +communicated by him to Mr. Franklin, then at his native place, +Boston, who soon returned it with a few short remarks, and the +next day sent the governor the following letter, <em>viz.</em></p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c002'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“<span class='sc'>Sir</span>, <em>Wednesday morning, Dec. 1754</em></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c007'>I mentioned it yesterday to your excellency, as my opinion, +that excluding the people of the colonies from all share in the +choice of the grand council, would probably give extreme dissatisfaction, +as well as the taxing them by an act of parliament, +where they have no representative. In matters of general concern +to the people and especially where burthens are to be laid +upon them, it is of use to consider, as well what they will be apt +to think and say, as what they ought to think; I shall therefore, +as your excellency requires it of me, briefly mention what of +either kind occurs to me on this occasion.</p> + +<p class='c007'>First, they will say, and perhaps with justice, that the body +of the people in the colonies are as loyal, and as firmly attached +to the present constitution and reigning family, as any subjects +in the king’s dominions:</p> + +<p class='c007'>That there is no reason to doubt the readiness and willingness +of the representatives they may choose, to grant from time to +time such supplies for the defence of the country, as shall be judged +necessary, so far as their abilities will allow:</p> + +<p class='c007'>That the people in the colonies, who are to feel the immediate +mischiefs of invasion and conquest by an enemy, in the +loss of their estates, lives and liberties, are likely to be better +judges of the quantity of forces necessary to be raised and maintained, +forts to be built and supported, and of their own abilities +to bear the expence, than the parliament of England at so +great a distance:</p> + +<p class='c007'>The governors often come to the colonies merely to make fortunes +with which they intend to return to Britain; are not always +men of the best abilities or integrity; have many of them +no estates here, nor any natural connections with us, that should +make them heartily concerned for our welfare; and might possibly +be fond of raising and keeping up more forces than necessary, +from the profits accruing to themselves, and to make provision +for their friends and dependants:</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_LXXXIX'>LXXXIX</span>That the counsellors in most of the colonies being appointed +by the crown, on the recommendation of governors, are often +of small estates, frequently dependent on the governors for offices, +and therefore too much under influence;</p> + +<p class='c007'>That there is, therefore, great reason to be jealous of a power +in such governors and councils, to raise such sums as they shall +judge necessary, by draft on the lords of the treasury, to be afterward +laid on the colonies by act of parliament, and paid by +the people here; since they might abuse it, by projecting useless +expeditions, harrassing the people, and taking them from their labour +to execute such projects, merely to create offices and employments, +and gratify their dependants, and divide profits:</p> + +<p class='c007'>That the parliament of England is at a great distance, subject +to be misinformed and misled by such governors and councils, +whose united interests might probably secure them against the +effect of any complaint from hence:</p> + +<p class='c007'>That it is supposed to be an undoubted right of <em>Englishmen</em> +not to be taxed but by their own consent given through their +representatives:</p> + +<p class='c007'>That the colonies have no representatives in parliament:</p> + +<p class='c007'>That to propose taxing them by parliament, and refuse them +the liberty of choosing a representative council, to meet in the +colonies, and consider and judge of the necessity of any general +tax, and the quantum, shows a suspicion of their loyalty to the +crown, of their regard for their country, or of their common +sense and understanding, which they have not deserved:</p> + +<p class='c007'>That compelling the colonies to pay money without their consent, +would be rather like raising contributions in an enemy’s, +country, than taxing <em>Englishmen</em> for their own public benefit:</p> + +<p class='c007'>That it would be treating them as a conquered people, and +not as true British subjects:</p> + +<p class='c007'>That a tax laid by the representatives of the colonies might +easily be lessened, as the occasion should lessen; but being once +laid by parliament, under the influence of the representations +made by governors, would probably be kept up, and continued +for the benefit of governors, to the grievous burden and discouragement +of the colonies, and prevention of their growth and +increase:</p> + +<p class='c007'>That a power in governors to march the inhabitants from one +end of the British and French colonies to the other, being a +country of at least 1500 square miles, without the approbation +or consent of their representatives first obtained, might occasion +expeditions grievous and ruinous to the people, and would put +them upon a footing with the subjects of France in Canada, that +now groan under such oppression from their governor, who for +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XC'>XC</span>two years passed, has harrassed them with long and destructive +marches to the Ohio:</p> + +<p class='c007'>That, if the colonies in a body may be well governed by governors +and councils appointed by the crown without representatives, +particular colonies may as well, or better, be so governed: +a tax may be laid on them all by act of parliament for support +of government, and their assemblies be dismissed as an useless +part of the constitution:</p> + +<p class='c007'>That the powers proposed by the <em>Albany</em> plan of union, to be +vested in a grand representative council of the people, even with +regard to military matters, are not so great as those of the colonies +of <em>Rhode-Island</em> and <em>Connecticut</em> are entrusted with by their charter, +and have never abused: for by this plan, the president general +is appointed by the crown, and controuls all by his negative; +but in these governments the people choose the governor, +and yet allow him no negative:</p> + +<p class='c007'>That the British colonies bordering on the French, are properly +frontiers of the British empire; and the frontiers of an +empire are properly defended at the joint expence of the body +of the people in such empire. It would now be thought hard, +by act of parliament, to oblige the cinque ports, or sea coasts of +Britain to maintain the whole navy, because they are more immediately +defended by it; not allowing them at the same time, +a vote in choosing the members of parliament; and if the frontiers +in America must bear the expence of their own defence, it +seems hard to allow them no share in voting the money, judging +of the necessity and sum, or advising the measures:</p> + +<p class='c007'>That besides the taxes necessary for the defence of the frontiers, +the colonies pay yearly great sums to the mother country +unnoticed; for taxes paid in Britain, by the landholder or artificer, +must enter into and increase the price of the produce of +land, and of manufactures made of it; and great part of this is +paid by consumers in the colonies, who thereby pay a considerable +part of the British taxes.</p> + +<p class='c007'>We are restrained in our trade with foreign nations; and +where we could be supplied with any manufacture cheaper from +them, but must buy the same dearer from Britain, the difference +of price is a clear tax to Britain. We are obliged to carry great +part of our produce directly to Britain, and wherein the duties +there laid upon it lessen its price to the planter, or it sells for +less than it would in foreign markets, the defference is a tax +paid to Britain.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Some manufactures we could make, but are fobidden, and +must take of <em>British</em> merchants; the whole price of these is a +tax paid to Britain.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_XCI'>XCI</span>By our greatly increasing the demand and consumption of +British manufactures, their price is considerably raised of late +years; their advance is clear profit to Britain, and enables its +people better to pay great taxes; and much of it being paid by +us, is a clear tax to Britain.</p> + +<p class='c007'>In short, as we are not suffered to regulate our trade, and restrain +the importation and consumption of British superfluities, (as +Britain can the consumption of foreign superfluities) our whole +wealth centres finally among the merchants and inhabitants of +Britain; and if we make them richer, and enable them better +to pay their taxes, it is nearly the same as being taxed ourselves, +and equally beneficial to the crown. These kind of secondary +taxes, however we do not complain of, though we have no share +in the laying or disposing of them: but to pay immediate heavy +taxes, in the laying, appropriation, and disposition of which we +have no part, and which, perhaps, we may know to be as unnecessary +as grievous, must seem hard measure to <em>Englishmen</em>; +who cannot conceive, that by hazarding their lives and fortunes, +in subduing and settling new countries, extending the dominion, +and increasing the commerce of their mother nation, they have +forfeited the native rights of <em>Britons</em>, which they think ought rather +to be given them as due to such merit, if they had been before +in a state of slavery. These and such kind of things as +these, I apprehend, will be thought and said by the people, if +the proposed alteration of the Albany plan should take place. +Then the administration of the board of governors and councils +so appointed, not having any representative body of the people +to approve and unite in its measures, and conciliate the minds +of the people to them, will probably become suspected and odious: +dangerous animosities and feuds will arise between the governors +and governed, and every thing go into confusion.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Perhaps I am too apprehensive in this matter; but having freely +given my opinion and reasons, your excellency can judge better +than I whether there be any weight in them; and the shortness +of the time allowed me, will, I hope, in some degree, excuse +the imperfections of this scrawl.</p> + +<p class='c007'>With the geatest respect and fidelity, I have the honor to be, +your excellency’s most obedient and most humble servant,</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c014'>These letters might be transmitted to, and might dispose the +ministry to decline urging their plan of uniting and governing +the colonies; but Mr. Shirley wrote to governor <em>Wentworth</em>, of +<em>New-Hampshire</em>, May 31, 1755—“I may assure your excellency, +from every letter I have of late received from Sir Thomas +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XCII'>XCII</span>Robinson, I have reason to think that his majesty hath a dependance +upon a <em>common fund’s</em> being raised in all his colonies upon +this continent, in proportion to their respective abilities, for defraying +all articles of expence entered into for their common defence; +and that such an one must in the end, be either voluntarily +raised, or else assessed in some way or other.” The ministry +discovered a disposition to raise a revenue in them, which +induced the <em>Massachusetts</em> general court [Nov. 6.] thus to instruct +their agent; “It is more especially expected, that you +oppose every thing that shall have the remotest tendency to +raise a <em>revenue</em> in the plantations, for any public uses or services +of government;” he wrote to them the twenty-ninth of May +following, “The inclinations I have reason to think still contitinue +for <em>raising a revenue</em> out of the molasses trade.” The +alarming state of public affairs might divert the ministry from +pursuing their inclinations.</p> + +<p class='c007'>It had been concluded to take effectual measures for driving +the French from the <em>Ohio</em>; and for the reduction of <em>Niagara</em>, +<em>Crown-Point</em>, and their forts in <em>Nova-Scotia</em>. General <em>Braddock</em> +was accordingly sent from Ireland to Virginia, with two regiments +of foot; and when arrived, and joined by the rest of +the forces destined for that service, found himself at the head of +about 2200 men. He had bravery, but wanted other qualifications +to render him fit for the service to which he was appointed. +His severity prevented his having the love of the regulars; his +haughtiness, the love of the Americans; and, what was worse, +disgusted the Indians, and led him to despise the country militia, +and to slight the advice of the Virginia officers. Colonel <em>Washington</em> +earnestly begged of him, when the army was marching for +fort <em>Du Quesne</em>, to admit of his going before, and scouring the +woods with his rangers, which was contemptuously refused. The +general had been cautioned by the duke of <em>Cumberland</em>, to guard +against a surprise; and yet he pushed on heedlessly with the first +division, consisting of 1400 men [July 9, 1755.] till he fell into +an ambuscade of 400, chiefly Indians, by whom he was defeated +and mortally wounded, on the ninth of July. The regulars were +put into the greatest panic, and fled in the utmost confusion; the +militia had been used to Indian fighting, and were not so terrified. +The general had disdainfully turned them into the rear: +they continued in a body, unbroken, and served under colonel +<em>Washington</em> as a most useful rear-guard; covered the retreat of +the regulars, and prevented their being entirely cut off.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Previous to this, and agreeable to the views of the British ministry, +the <em>Massachusetts</em> assembly, who had never been remiss +upon the prospect of a French war, raised a body of troops, which +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XCIII'>XCIII</span>were sent to <em>Nova-Scotia</em>, to assist lieutenant governor <em>Lawrence</em> +in driving the French from their several encroachments within +that province. The secrecy and dispatch used in this service, +was rewarded with success.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The expedition against Niagara was entrusted with governor +Shirley; but failed through various causes.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Sir <em>William</em> (then colonel) <em>Johnson</em>, appointed to go against +Crown-Point. The delays, slowness, and deficiency of preparations, +prevented the several colonies joining their troops till +about August. Meanwhile the active enemy had transported +forces from <em>France</em> to <em>Canada</em>, marched them down to meet the +provincials, and attacked them; but, meeting with a repulse, +lost six hundred men, besids having their general, baron <em>Dieskau</em>, +wounded and made prisoner.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The <em>Massachusetts</em> the next year, raised a great armament to +go to <em>Crown-Point</em>; but lord <em>Loudon</em>, on his arrival, did not +think it proper that the forces should proceed. Afterward a temporary +misunderstanding took place between his lordship and the +general court; from his apprehending that they thought a provincial +law necessary to enforce a British act of parliament, and +were willing to dispute upon that subject. He determined to +have no dispute, but that the troops under his command should +be quartered agreeable to what he thought the public good required; +and wrote to governor <em>Pownall</em> [Nov. 15, 1757.] “I have +ordered the messenger to wait but 48 hours in <em>Boston</em>; and if, +on his return, I find things not settled, I will instantly order into +<em>Boston</em> the three battalions from New-York, Long-Island, and +Connecticut; and if more are wanted, I have two in the Jerseys +at hand, beside three in Pennsylvania.” Notwithstanding +this declaration, on December the sixth, the legislature passed an +act which led him to conceive that he was under an absolute necessity +of settling the point at once, and therefore he ordered the +troops to march. The general court finding how matters were +going, did not venture upon extremities, but became pliable; +so that his lordship wrote, December 26, “As I can now depend +upon the assembly’s making the point of quarters easy in all +time coming, I have countermanded the march of the troops.” +The general court were certainly terrified; and to remove all unfavorable +impressions, said, in the close of the address to the governor +[Jan. 6, 1758.] “The authority of all acts of parliament +which concern the colonies, and extend to them, is ever acknowledged +in all the courts of law, and made the rule of all judicial +proceedings in the province. There is not a member of the +general court, and we know no inhabitant within the bounds of +the government, that ever questioned this authority. To prevent +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XCIV'>XCIV</span>any ill consequences that may arise from an opinion of our +holding such principles, we now utterly disavow them, as we +should readily have done at any time past, if there had been occasion +for it; and we pray that his lordship may be acquainted +therewith, that we may appear in a true light, and that no impressions +may remain to our disadvantage.” However they might +not question, whether the authority of acts of parliament, concerning +and extending to the colonies, was made the rule of all +<em>judicial</em> proceedings in the province; yet you are not to infer +from their disavowal of the contrary principle, that they admitted +the right of parliament, either to impose internal taxes, +or to controul their colonial government.</p> + +<p class='c007'>When, happily for the British nation, the great Mr. <em>Pitt</em> was +placed at the head of the ministry, the face of affairs was soon +changed; the war was prosecuted with unexampled success, and +the enemy at length driven out of <em>America</em>. But the frequent +delays given to the raising of the necessary supplies, especially in +proprietary governments, through the refusal of their governors +or councils, to admit that the estates of the proprietors should be +taxed, led Mr. <em>Pitt</em> to tell Mr. <em>Franklin</em>, that when the war +closed, was he in the ministry, he should take measures to prevent +its being in the power of the colonies to hinder government’s +receiving the supplies that were wanted; and he added, that, +was he not in the ministry, he would advise his successors to do +it. What these measures were he did not mention. But toward +the close of 1759, or the beginning of 1760, Mr. <em>Pitt</em> wrote +to <em>Francis Fauquier</em>, esq. lieutenant governor of <em>Virginia</em>, and +mentioned in his letter, that though they had made grants to the +colonies, yet, when the war was over, they should tax them, in +order to <em>raise a revenue</em> from them. Mr. <em>Fauquier</em>, in his answer, +expressed his apprehension that the measure would occasion +great disturbance. The answer might divert Mr. Pitt from +his intention. Many months before, the present lord <em>Camden</em> +(then Mr. <em>Pratt</em>) said to Mr. <em>Franklin</em>, in a course of free conversation, +“For all what you <em>Americans</em> say of your loyalty, I +know you will one day throw off your dependance upon this +country; and notwithstanding your boasted affection to it, will +set up for independence.” The other answered, “No such +idea is entertained in the mind of the Americans; and no such +idea will ever enter their heads, unless you grossly abuse them.” +“Very true (replied Mr. <em>Pratt</em>) that is one of the main causes +I see will happen, and will produce the event.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>The colonies in general, and the Massachusetts in particular, +complied with the requisitions of the minister, and shewed themselves +ready to support his plans for the reduction of the French +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XCV'>XCV</span>power. To assist and encourage their extraordinary exertions, +the parliament granted them during the war, at different periods, +no less than £.1,031,666 13s. 4d. But though the large importation +of specie annually, did not answer one half or their +expences, it was still of such benefit to each government, that +they cheerfully seconded the views of ministry. Upon application +from admiral <em>Saunders</em>, the squadron employed against +<em>Louisburg</em> and <em>Quebec</em>, was supplied by 500 seamen from the +<em>Massachusetts</em>; beside, many were at several times impressed out +of vessels on the fishing banks. The colonies lost by the war +25,000 of their robust young men, exclusive of sailors. The +<em>Massachusetts</em> continually raised the full number of troops assigned +them; nor was it to be ascribed to the peculiar address of +Mr. <em>Pownall</em>, who guided them with a silken cord, and by praising +them plentifully, and flattering their vanity, did business +with them in an easy manner; for it was the same after he was +succeded by governor <em>Bernard</em>. [August 13, 1760.] Beside +their annual quota of men, in some years of the war they garrisoned +Louisburg and Nova-Scotia, which gave the regular forces +opportunity for retaining Canada. The whole cost they were at +upon these accounts, and for scouting companies sent into the +Indian country, and for two armed vessels built and maintained +for the protection of the trade, amounted to £.754,598 10s. 10½d. +sterling. In this sum, the expence of many forts and garrisons on +the frontiers is not included. Add, that no estimate can be made +of the cost to individuals, by the demand of personal service. +They that could not serve in person, who were much the greater +number, when it came to their turn, were obliged to hire substitutes +at a great premium. They also who could not be impressed, +to lighten the burdens of others, advanced largely for +encouraging the levies. Moreover, the taxes were exceeding +heavy. A Boston gentleman, of reputation and fortune, sent +one of his rate bills to a correspondent in London, for his judgment +on it; and had for answer, “That he did not believe there +was a man in all <em>England</em> who paid so much in proportion toward +the support of government.” Such was the assessment of +the town in one of the years, that if a man’s income was £.60 +per annum, he had to pay two-thirds or £.40 and in that proportion +whether the sum was more or less; and if his house or +land was valued at £.200 per annum, he was obliged to pay £.72 +He had also to pay for his poll, and those of all the males in his +house, more than sixteen years old, at the rate of 14s. 3d. each: +and to all must be added, the part he paid of the excise on tea, +coffee, rum, and wine.<a id='r67'></a><a href='#f67' class='c013'><sup>[67]</sup></a> Other towns and colonies might not +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XCVI'>XCVI</span>have been assessed so exorbitantly, but some must certainly have +been burdened with taxes.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The above statement of expences is thought to be more correct +than what governor Bernard transmitted, in his letter of +August 1, 1764, to the lords of trade, in which he wrote, “From +1754 to 1762, the sums issued amount to £.926,000 sterling; +out of which deduct, received by parliamentary grant, £.328,000 +and the ordinary expences of government estimated at £.138,000 +there remains £.490,000 that is near £500,000 sterling expended +by this province in the extraordinary charges of the war within +eight years. An immense sum for such a small state! the burden +of which has been grievously felt by all orders of men.—Whereas +if we compare this with the southern governments, +Pennsylvania for instance, which has expended little more than +they have received from parliament, and Maryland which has +expended scarce any thing at all, we cannot sufficiently admire +the inequality of the burden between one province and another, +and when Pennsylvania has not been prevented by domestic dissensions, +and have as it were done their best, they have sent to +the field only 2,700 men, when this province has sent 5,000—5,500, +and one year 7,000. And notwithstanding the vast sums +this province has raised, is has, by severe taxations, kept its +debt under.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The first part of governor <em>Bernard’s</em> administration was agreeable +to the <em>Massachusetts</em> general court. The two houses, in answer +to his speach, [May, 1761.] said, “It gives us pleasure to +see, that the civil rights of the people are not in danger; nor +are we in the least degree suspicious, that they ever will be, +under your excellency’s administration. The experience we +have had of your excellency’s disposition and abilities, encourage +us to hope for a great share of public happiness under your +administration.” The next year the governor told them, at the +close of the session, [April 23, 1762.] “The unanimity and +dispatch with which you have complied with the requisitions of +his majesty, require my particular acknowledgment.” In his +sheech he said, “Every thing +that has been required of this province, has been most readily +complied with.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>[May 31, 1763.] Both houses in their address to him expressed +themselves thus: “We congratulate your excellency +upon that unanimity which your excellency recommends, and +which was never greater in the province than at that time.”—The +governor at the close of the session, declared his great satisfaction, +in having observed, that the unanimity they assured +him of, had fully evinced itself throughout all their proceedings. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XCVII'>XCVII</span>But the lieutenant governor, Mr. <em>Hutchinson</em>, gained after a while +too much ascendency over him, and encouraged him in the pursuit +of wrong measures, highly offensive to the colony. He had +indeed done him an irreparable injury, not long after his coming +to the chair. Colonel <em>James Otis</em> (who was repeatedly returned +for <em>Barnstable</em>, in <em>Plymouth</em> county, notwithstanding the +strenuous efforts which had been made to prevent it, on account +of his siding with government) being a lawyer, had been promised +by Mr. Shirley, when in the chair, to be made a judge of +the superior court, upon an opportunity’s offering. The first +vacancy which happened, was filled up by the appointment of +the secretary’s son-in-law; for which Mr. Shirley apologized by +pleading a promise made to the secretary, and his having forgotten +the former one. Mr. Otis was satisfied with a fresh assurance +of the next vacancy, which was considered by him in the light +of a governmental promise; and it was expected that whenever a +new vacancy happened, Mr. Otis would be appointed. There +was no new vacancy till a short time after governor Bernard entered +upon his administration, when chief justice <em>Sewall</em> died.—Upon +this death, Mr. <em>James Otis</em>, the son, of whom there will be +a call to make frequent mention, expressed himself as follows: +“If governor Bernard does not appoint my father judge of the +superior court, I will kindle such a fire in the province as shall +singe the governor, though I myself perish in the flames.” Mr. +Hutchinson, however hurried to Mr. Bernard, procured a promise, +which being once given, the governor would not retract, +and got himself appointed chief justice, by which he gratified both +his ambition and covetousness, his two ruling passions. The +friends of government regretted the appointment, foreboding the +evils it would produce. The governor lost the influence and +support of colonel Otis. The son quitted the law place he held; +would never be persuaded to resume it, or to accept of another; +joined himself to the party which was jealous that the views of +administration were unfavorable to the rights of the colony, and +stood ready to oppose all encroachments; and soon became its +chief leader. He signalised himself by pleading in a most masterly +manner, against granting <em>writs of assistance</em> to custom-house +officers. These writs were to give them, their deputies, &c. a +general power to enter any houses, &c. that they would <em>say they +suspected</em>. The custom-house officers had received letters from +home, directing them to a more strenuous exertion in collecting +the duties, and to procure writs of assistance. The idea of these +writs excited a general alarm. A strong jealousy of what might +be eventually the effect of them upon the liberties of the people, +commenced. They might prove introductory to the most horrid +<span class='pageno' id='Page_XCVIII'>XCVIII</span>abuses; which the meanest deputy of a deputy’s deputy +might practise with impunity, upon a merchant or gentleman of +the first character; and there would be the greater danger of +such abuses, by reason of the immense distance of the scene of +action from the seat of government. The voice of the complainant +would not be heard three thousand miles off, after the servants +of government had deafened the ears of administration by +misrepresentations. From this period may be dated the fixed, +uniform, and growing opposition which was made to the ministerial +plans of encroaching upon the original rights and long established +customs of the colony. In 1761, the officers of the +customs applied to the superior courts for such writs. The great +opposition that was made to it, and the arguments of Mr. <em>Otis</em>, +disposed the court to a refusal; but Mr. <em>Hutchinson</em>, who had +obtained the place of chief justice, prevailed with his brethren +to continue the cause till next term; and in the mean time wrote +to England, and procured a copy of the writ, and sufficient evidence +of the practice of the exchequer there, after which, like +writs were granted. But before this was effected, Mr. <em>Otis</em> was +chosen one of the representatives for Boston, by the influence +of the friends to liberty; whose jealousies there and elsewhere, +afterward increased apace, upon hearing that the British officers +insisted frequently upon the necessity of regulating and <em>reforming</em>, +as they stiled it, the colonial governments; and that certain travellers +were introduced to particular persons [1762.] with a—“This +is a gentleman employed by the earl of <em>Bute</em> to travel the +country, and learn what may be proper to be done in the grand +plan of <em>reforming</em> the <em>American governments</em>.” It was understood +that their business was to make thorough observation upon +the state of the country, that so the ministry might be enabled +to judge what regulations and alterations could safely be made in +the police and government of the colonies, in order to their being +brought more effectually under the government of parliament. +They were also, as much as possible, to conciliate capital +and influential characters, to ministerial measures speedily to +be adopted. The British ministry have been greatly mistaken, +in supposing it is the same in <em>America</em> as in their own country. +Do they gain over a gentleman of note and eminence in the colonies, +they make no considerable acquisition. He takes few or +none with him; and is rather despised than adhered to by former +friends. He has not, as in Britain, dependants who must +act in conformity to his nod. In <em>New-England</em> especially, individuals +are so independent of each other, that though there +may be an inequality in rank and fortune, every one can act +freely according to his own judgment.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_XCIX'>XCIX</span>But nothing, it may be, excited a greater alarm in the breasts +of those to whom it was communicated, than the following anecdote, +viz. The Rev. Mr. <em>Whitefield</em>, ere he left <em>Portsmouth</em> in +<em>New-Hampshire</em>, on Monday afternoon, April the second, 1764, +sent for Dr. <em>Langdon</em> and Mr. Haven, the congregational ministers +of the town, and upon their coming and being alone with +him, said, “I can’t in conscience leave the town without acquainting +you with a secret. My heart bleeds for <em>America</em>. O poor +<em>New-England</em>! There is a deep laid plot against both your civil +and religious liberties, and they will be lost. Your golden days +are at an end. You have nothing but trouble before you. My +information comes from the best authority in <em>Great Britain</em>. I +was allowed to speak of the affair in general, but enjoined not +to mention particulars. Your liberties will be lost.”<a id='r68'></a><a href='#f68' class='c013'><sup>[68]</sup></a> Mr. +Whitefield could not have heard what the commons did in the +preceding month; his information must have been of an earlier +date, and might have been communicated before he left Great +Britain. Beside the general design of taxing the colonies, the +plan was probably, this in substance—Let the parliament be engaged +to enter heartily and fully into American matters; and then +under its sanction let all the governments be altered, and all the +councils be appointed by the king, and the assemblies be reduced +to a small number like that of New-York. After that, +the more effectually to secure the power of civil government by +the junction of church influence, let their be a revisal of all +the acts in the several colonies with a view of setting aside those +in particular, which provide for the support of the ministers. +But if the temper of the people make it necessary, let a new bill +for the purpose of supporting them pass the house, and the council +refuse their concurrence; if that will be improper, then the +governor to negative it. If that cannot be done in good policy, +then the bill to go home and let the king disallow it. Let +bishops be introduced, and provision be made for the support of +the episcopal clergy. Let the congregational and presbyterian +clergy, who will receive episcopal ordination, be supported; and +the leading ministers among them be bought off by large salaries.—Let +the liturgy be revised and altered. Let episcopacy be accommodated +as much as possible to the cast of the people. Let places +of power, trust and honor, be conferred only upon episcopalians, +or those that will conform. When episcopacy is once +thoroughly established, increase its resemblance to the English +hierarchy at pleasure.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_C'>C</span>These were the ideas which a certain gentleman communicated +to Dr. Stiles,<a id='r69'></a><a href='#f69' class='c013'><sup>[69]</sup></a> when they were riding together in 1765. +The Doctor, after hearing him out, expressed his belief, that +before the plan could be effected, such a spirit would be roused +in the people as would prevent its execution. The good man +groaned and replied, “If the commotions now existing prevail +on the parliament to repeal the stamp-act, I am afraid the plan +cannot be accomplished.</p> + +<p class='c007'>In reference to alterations in the civil line, Dr. Langdon informed +me, that governor <em>Wentworth</em> told him, the <em>Massachusetts</em> +and <em>New-Hampshiere</em> were to be one government, under one governor; +the Doctor thought the design of joining <em>Rhode-Island</em> +with them was also mentioned, though of this he could not be +certain. The New-England colonies would have suffered most +by the proposed alterations, while they deserved it the least and +were entitled for their ready exertions, to a return expressive of +gratitude. Many of the common soldiers, who gained such laurels, +by their singular bravery on the plains of Abraham, when +Wolfe died in the arms of victory, were natives of the Massachusetts-Bay. +When Martinico was attacked in 1761, and the +British force was greatly weakened by the death and sickness, the +timely arrival of the New-England troops, enabled the former to +prosecute the reduction of the island to an happy issue. A part +of the British force being now about to sail from thence for the Havannah, +the New-Englanders, whose health had been much impaired +by service and the climate, were sent off in three ships, +to their native country for recovery. Before they had completed +their voyage they found themselves restored, ordered the +ships about, steered immediately for the Havannah, arrived +when the British were too much reduced to expect success, and +by their junction served to immortalize afresh, the glorious first +of August, old stile, in the surrender of the place on the memorable +day; they exhibited at the same time, the most signal evidence +of devotedness to the parent state. Their fidelity, activity, +and courage were such as to gain the approbation and confidence +of the British officers.<a id='r70'></a><a href='#f70' class='c013'><sup>[70]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>As to the religious part of the plan, recollect what has been +already mentioned of archbishop <em>Secker</em>; carefully peruse Dr. +<em>Mayhew’s</em> noted answer to one of his publications, and what is +related concerning him in the collection of papers above quoted; +and you will scarce doubt, “but that it was the metropolitan’s intention +to reduce all the British colonies under episcopal authority.” +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CI'>CI</span>Remember also, that the bishop of <em>Landaff</em> in his sermon +of 1766, assures us, that <em>the establishment of episcopacy</em> being obtained, +“the <em>American</em> church will grow out of its infant state, +be able to stand upon its own legs, and without foreign help, +support and spread itself, and <em>then this society will be brought to +the happy issue intended</em>.” Mr. Whitefield said upon it, in his +letter to Mr. <em>Durell</em>, “supposing his lordship’s assertions true, +then I fear it will follow, that a society, which since its first institution +hath been looked upon as <em>a society for propagating the +gospel</em>, hath been all the while rather <em>a society for propagating +episcopacy in foreign parts</em>.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>This letter will close with a few more articles of information. +Among the original instructions to <em>Benning Wentworth</em>, esq. governor +of New-Hampshire, signed June 30th, 1761, the 27th +says, “you are not to give your assent to, or pass any law imposing +duties on negroes imported into New-Hampshire:” some +of the colonies were for discouraging the introduction of negroes—for +which purpose they wished to lay a duty upon them. The +69th contains the following direction, “No school-master to be +henceforth permitted to come from England without the licence +of the bishop; and no other person now there, or that shall come +from other parts, shall be admitted to keep school without your +licence first obtained.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Feb. 1762.] A law passed in the Massachusetts, entitled, +“An act to incorporate certain persons, by the name of <em>The society +for promoting Christian knowledge among the Indians in +North America</em>; but was disallowed at the court of St. James’s +the 20th of May, 1763. Mr. <em>Jasper Mauduit</em>, in his letter to +Mr. <em>Bowdoin</em> of April 7, 1763, writes, “So long ago as the +10th of December, I was told at the plantation-office, that this +act was opposed by the archbishop and the society for propagating +the gospel. Mr. <em>Pownall</em> told me that the bill would not +pass; that the lords would not dispute the laudableness of the design, +but there were political reasons for not confirming it; +that the people might apply the money to oppose the missionaries +of the church of England. I answered, I wished that the society +for propagating the gospel had employed their missionaries +more among the Indians than they had hitherto done in +North America.” From what passed, the real reasons for disallowing +the bill may be gathered.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_CII'>CII</span> + <h2 class='c005'>LETTER III.</h2> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-r c002'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><em>Roxbury, December 24, 1772.</em></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c007'>[1763.] <span class='c015'>M</span>r. <em>Israel Mauduit</em>, the Massachusetts agent, gave +early notice of the ministerial intentions to tax the +colonies; but the general court not being called together till the +latter end of the year, instructions to the agent, though solicited +by him, could not be sent in season.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[1764.] The house of representatives came to the following +resolutions—“That the sole right of giving and granting the money +of the people of that province, was vested in them as their +legal representatives; and that the imposition of duties and taxes +by the parliament of Great-Britain, upon a people who are not +represented in the house of commons, is absolutely irreconcileable +with their rights.” “That no man can justly take the property +of another without his consent; upon which original principle, +the right of representation in the same body which exercises +the power of making laws for levying taxes, one of the +main pillars of the <em>British constitution</em>, is evidently founded.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>These resolutions were occasioned by intelligence of what had +been done in the British house of commons. It had been there +debated in March, whether they had a <em>right</em> to tax the <em>Americans</em>, +they not being represented, and determined unanimously in the +affirmative. Not a single person present ventured to controvert +the <em>right</em>. Soon after, the sugar or molasses act was passed; +[April 5.] and “it is certainly true, that till then, no act avowedly +for the purpose of revenue, and with the ordinary title and +recital taken together, is found in the statute book. All before +stood on <em>commercial</em> regulations and restraints.”<a id='r71'></a><a href='#f71' class='c013'><sup>[71]</sup></a> It is stiled +“an act for granting certain duties in the British colonies and +plantations in America, for continuing, amending, and making +perpetual, an act passed in the sixth year of George the second +(entitled an act for the better securing and encouraging +the trade of his majesty’s colonies in America) for applying the +produce of such duties, &c.” From its perpetuating the sugar +act of George II. it is called the sugar or molasses act. It runs +thus, “Whereas it is expedient that new provisions and regulations +should be established in improving the revenue of this +kingdom, and for extending and securing the navigation and +commerce between Great-Britain and your majesty’s dominions +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CIII'>CIII</span>in America—And whereas it is just and necessary, that a <em>revenue</em> +be raised in <em>America</em> for defraying the expences of defending, +protecting, and securing the same—We, the commons, &c. toward +raising the same, give and grant unto your majesty, after +the 29th of September, 1764, upon clayed sugar, indigo and coffee +of foreign produce—upon all wines, except French—upon all +wrought silks, Bengals and stuffs mixed with silk of Persia, China, +or East-India manufacture—and all calicoes painted, printed +or stained there (certain specified duties)—upon every gallon of +molasses and syrups, being the produce of a colony not under the +dominion of his majesty, the sum of three-pence—the monies +arising, after charges of raising, collecting, &c. are to be paid +into the receipt of his majesty’s exchequer—shall be entered separate, +and be reserved to be disposed of by parliament, toward +defraying the necessary expences of defending, &c. the British +colonies.” The wording of the act might induce the colonies +to view it as the beginning of sorrows; and they might fear that +the parliament would go on in charging them with such taxes as +it pleased, for such military forces as it should think proper.—This +ill prospect seemed to the Americans boundless in extent, +and endless in duration.</p> + +<p class='c007'>They objected not to the <em>parliament’s right of laying duties +to regulate commerce</em>; but the <em>right of taxing them</em> was not admitted. +The ministerial plan sent to Mr. Shirley in 1754, occasioned +much conversation on the subject, and the common opinion +was, that the parliament could not tax them till duly represented +in that body, because it was not just, nor agreeable to the +nature of the English constitution. But though few or none +were willing to admit the <em>right</em>, the generality were cautious, +how they denied the <em>power</em>, or the obligation to submit on the part +of the Americans, when the power was exercised. Even Mr. +<em>Otis</em> tells us, “we must and ought to yield obedience to an act of +parliament, though erroneous, till repealed.”<a id='r72'></a><a href='#f72' class='c013'><sup>[72]</sup></a> “The power +of parliament, is uncontrolable, but by themselves, and we +must obey. There would be an end of all government, if one +or a number of subordinate provinces should take upon themselves +so far as to judge of the justice of an act of parliament, as +to refuse obedience to it. If their was nothing else to restrain +such a step, prudence ought to do it; for forcibly resisting the +parliament and the king’s law is high treason. Therefore let the +parliament lay what burthens they please upon us we must, it is +our duty to submit, and patiently to bear them, till they will be +pleased to relieve us.”<a id='r73'></a><a href='#f73' class='c013'><sup>[73]</sup></a> He went so far as to publish “It is +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CIV'>CIV</span>certain that the parliament of Great-Britain has a just and equitable +right, power and authority, to impose taxes on the colonies, +internal and external, on lands as well as on trade.”<a id='r74'></a><a href='#f74' class='c013'><sup>[74]</sup></a> “The +supreme legislative represents the whole society or community, +as well the dominions as the realm. This is implied in the idea +of a supreme power; and if the parliament had not such an authority, +the colonies would be independent.”<a id='r75'></a><a href='#f75' class='c013'><sup>[75]</sup></a> But the two last +quotations were extorted from him through fear of being called +to an account for the part he had acted, or for what he had before +advanced in print, conversation or debate. His first pamphlet, +<em>The Rights of the</em> <span class='sc'>British</span> <em>Colonies</em>, which had been +twice read over in the house of assembly within the space of five +days, though guarded by some expressions, had a strong tendency +to excite a powerful opposition to ministerial plans; especially +where he says, “I cannot but observe here, that if the parliament +have an equitable right to tax our trade, it is indisputable, that +they have as good a one to tax the lands and every thing else. +There is no foundation for the distinction some make in England, +between an internal and external tax on the colonies.”<a id='r76'></a><a href='#f76' class='c013'><sup>[76]</sup></a> These +expressions could not but spread a general alarm through the +country, and enflame every planter against parliamentary taxation. +The house had so high an opinion of this pamphlet, that +they ordered it to be sent over to Mr. <em>Mauduit</em>, with a letter, +wherein they instructed him to use his indeavours to obtain a repeal +of the sugar act, and to exert himself to prevent a stamp +act, or any other imposition and taxes upon this and the other +American provinces. They do not appear to have made any +particular objection to the term <em>revenue</em> introduced into the sugar +act; but to have confined their objections to the laying on +of the duty, when they were not represented.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The act disgusted the more, because of its being so unseasonable. +The duties were to be paid in specie, while the old means +of procuring it were cut off. The ministry, resolved to prevent +smuggling, obliged all sea officers, stationed on the American +coasts, to act in the capacity of the meanest revenue officers, +making them submit to the usual custom-house oaths and regulations +for that purpose. This proved a great grievance to the +American merchants and traders. Gentlemen of the navy were +unacquainted with custom-house laws. Many illegal seizures +were made. No redress could be had but from Britain, which +it was tedious and difficult to obtain. Beside, the <em>American</em> +trade with the <em>Spaniards</em> by which the British manufactures +were vended in return (for gold and siver in coin or bullion, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CV'>CV</span>cochineal, &c. as occasion served) was almost destroyed instantly, +by the armed ships under the new regulations. The trade +was not literally and strictly according to law, but highly beneficial; +and a thorough statesman would have declined employing +his own navy in crushing it. The trade also from the northern +colonies with the <em>French West-India</em> islands was nearly suppressed. +These irritating measures strengthened the opposition to +the sugar act.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[June 13.] The Massachusetts assembly, who were the first +representative body that took the act into consideration, ordered, +that Mr. <em>Otis</em> and four others of the house should be a committee +in the recess of the court, to write to the other governments, +and acquaint them with the instructions voted to be sent +to their agent; and that the said committee, in the name and +behalf of the house, should desire the several assemblies on the +continent to join with them in the same measures. The committee +attended to the business; and the end proposed by it was +answered: committees were moreover appointed by divers +other colonies to correspond with the several assemblies, or +committees of assemblies on the continent. Thus a new kind +of correspondence was opened between the colonies, tending +to unite them in their operations against ministerial encroachments +on their privileges, and which proved of great advantage +to them afterward.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Oct. 24.] At the next session a committee was appointed to +consider the state of the province, as it might be affected by certain +duties and taxes laid, and proposed to be laid by acts of parliament +upon the colonies. The consequence was, a committee +of the council and house to prepare an address to the parliament. +The lieutenant governor, Mr. <em>Hutchinson</em>, who was of the council, +was chairman, but declined drawing up any. Several were +proposed, which expressed in strong terms an exclusive right in +the assembly to impose taxes. He urged the indecency and bad +policy, when they had the resolutions of the house of commons +before them, of sending an address, asserting, in express words, +the contrary. Many days having been spent upon the business, +at the desire of the committee he drafted an address, which considered +the <em>sole power</em> of taxation as an indulgence of which they +prayed the continuance, and it was <em>unanimously</em> agreed to. The +petition does not intimate the least denial of the right of parliament +to tax them; but sets forth the impolicy of the laws, and +the hardships brought upon the petitioners, and prays that they +may be relived from the burdens brought upon them by the sugar +sct; that the privileges of the colonies relative to their internal +taxes, which they have so long enjoyed, may be still continued; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CVI'>CVI</span>or that the consideration of such taxes as are proposed +to be laid upon the colonies may be referred, until the petitioners, +in conjunction with the other governments, can have an +opportunity to make a full representation of the state and condition +of the colonies, and the interest of Great-Britain with regard +to them. The proceeding of the general court was approved +of out of doors, until the copy of the <em>New-York</em> address +was received, which was so high, that many of the friends of +liberty were mortified at their own conduct, and if possible, +would gladly have recalled their own doings.<a id='r77'></a><a href='#f77' class='c013'><sup>[77]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>[Nov. 18.] The Massachusetts petition was forwarded by governor +Bernard, and accompanied with a letter to lord <em>Halifax</em>; +in which he wrote, “Massachusetts is the only one of the old +colonies, that I know of, that enjoys a specie currency. This +reflects great honor upon the province itself, as it is a great instance +of their prudence, who took hold of a singular opportunity +to destroy their paper money, which other colonies who had +it equally in their power neglected. But I fear, that if the great +sums which are expected to be raised in America are to be transported +to Great-Britain, there will soon be an end to the specie +currency of the Massachusetts, which will be followed by a total +discouragement for other provinces to attempt the same in future. +In which case, perpetual paper money, the very negative power +of riches, will be the portion of America.” After arguing against +the duties, from America’s being unable, for want of a sufficient +specie currency, to pay them without being drained of their specie, +as it would require a dead stock of three years value of the +annual income of the revenues, he added, “If due care be taken +to confine the sale of manufactures and Eoropean goods (except +what shall be permitted) to Great-Britain only, all the profits of +the American foreign trade will necessarily centre in Great-Britain; +and therefore if the first purpose is well secured, the foreign +American trade is the trade of Great-Britain. The augmentation +and diminution, the extension and restriction, the profit +and loss of it all, finally comes home to the mother country. +It is the interest of Great-Britain, that the trade to both the Spanish +and French West-Indies should be encouraged as much as +may well be, and the British West-Indies should be taught that +equitable maxim, <em>live and let live</em>. It appeared to be the decided +opinion of the governor, that the sending home the produce of +the duties and taxes proposed, would take from the Americans +the means of trade, and render it impracticable for them to make +remittances to Great-Britain.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CVII'>CVII</span>The <em>Virginia</em> council and house of burgesses petitioned the +king, presented a memorial to the house of lords, ramonstrated +to the house of commons. <em>New-York</em>, <em>Rhode-Island</em>, &c. petitioned.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The <em>New-York</em> petition was conceived in such strong terms, +and deemed so inflammatory, that their agent could not prevail +on any one member of the house to present it.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The colonies denied the <em>parliamentary right of taxation</em> many +months before any member of the British parliament uttered a +single syllable to that purpose: and the American opposition to +the stamp act was fully formed before it was known by the colonists +that their cause was espoused by any man of note at home, +as <em>Britain</em> is stiled.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Beside the colonial proceedings related above, it must be noted, +that the inhabitants of several places met, and agreed not to buy +any clothing (they could do without) which was not of their own +manufacturing. Divers associations also were formed, all of +whom resolved to consume as few British manufactures as possible.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The raising of a revenue from the molasses trade, and a fund +to defray the expences of denfeding the colonies, were in contemplation +nine years before;<a id='r78'></a><a href='#f78' class='c013'><sup>[78]</sup></a> but the resolutions taken by the +house of commons in the beginning of this year, might be forwarded +by Mr. <em>Huske</em>, an <em>American</em>, a native of <em>Portsmouth</em> in +<em>New-Hampshire</em>, who a short time before obtained a seat in parliament. +Instead of standing forth a firm advocate for the country +which gave him birth, he officiously proposed to the house +laying a tax on the colonies that should annually amount to five +hundred thousand pounds sterling, which he declared they were +well able to pay: and he was heard with great joy and attention.<a id='r79'></a><a href='#f79' class='c013'><sup>[79]</sup></a> +He, or some other, recollecting that the stamp act was +talked of by the commissioners at Albany in 1754, might suggest +that mode of taxing: for whatever was thought, <em>the stamp +act was not originally Mr. Grenville’s</em>.<a id='r80'></a><a href='#f80' class='c013'><sup>[80]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>The dispositon to tax the <em>Americans</em>, unless they would tax +themselves equal to the wishes of the ministry, was undoubtedly +strengthened by the reports of their gaiety and luxuary, which +reached the mother country: it was also said, that the planters +lived like princes, while the inhabitants of <em>Britain</em> laboured hard +for a tolerable subsistence. The officers lately returned, represented +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CVIII'>CVIII</span>them as rich, wealthy, and even overgrown in fortune. +Their opinion might arise from observations made in the American +cities and towns during the war, while large sums were +spent in the country for the support of fleets and armies. American +productions were then in great demand, and trade flourished. +The people, naturally generous and hospitable, having a +number of strangers among them, indulged themselves in many +uncommon expences. When the war was terminated, and they +had on further apprehension of danger, the power of the late +enemy in the country being totally broken—<em>Canada</em>, and the +back lands to the very banks of the <em>Missisippi</em>, with the <em>Floridas</em>, +being ceded to <em>Great-Britain</em>—it was thought they could not well +make too much of those who had so contributed to their security. +Partly to do honor to them, and partly, it is to be feared, to +gratify their own pride, they added to their show of plate, by +borrowing of their neighbours, and made a great parade of riches +in their several entertainments. The plenty and variety of +provisions and liquors anabled them to furnish out an elegant +table at comparatively trifling expence.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Mr. <em>Grenville’s</em> intended stamp act was communicated to the +American agents. Many of them did not oppose it. Half their +number were placemen, or dependent on the ministry. Mr. <em>Joseph +Sherwood</em>, an honest quaker agent for <em>Rhode-Island</em>, refused +his assent to America’s being taxed by a British parliament. +Mr. <em>Mauduit</em>, the Massachusetts agent, favored the raising of +the wanted money of a stamp duty, as it would occasion less expence +of officers, and would include the West-India islands. But +the scheme was postponed, and the agents authorised to inform +the American assemblies, that they were at liberty to suggest any +other way of raising monies; and that Mr. Grenville was ready +to receive proposals for any other tax that might be equivalent +in its produce to the stamp tax. The colonies seemed to consider +it as an affront, rather than a compliment. He would not +have been content with any thing short of a certain specific sum, +and proper funds for the payment of it. Had not the sums been +answerable to his wishes, he would have rejected them; and he +would scarce have been satisfied with less than £.300,000 per annum, +which was judged absolutely necessary to defray the whole +expence of the army proposed for the defence of America: he +might rather have expected that it should amount to what Mr. +<em>Huske</em> had mentioned. No satisfactory proposals being made, +he adhered to his purpose of bringing forward the stamp bill, +though repeatedly pressed by some of his friends to desist, while +he might have done it with honor. <em>Richard Jackson</em>, esq. had +been chosen agent for the Massachusetts; he, with Mr. <em>Ingersoll</em>, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CIX'>CIX</span>Mr. <em>Garth</em>, and Mr. <em>Franklin</em>, lately come from Philadelphia, +waited on Mr. <em>Grenville</em> the second of February, 1765, by desire +of the colonial agents, to remonstrate against the stamp bill, +and to propose, that in case any tax must be laid upon America, +the several colonies might be permitted to lay the tax themselves. +At this interview Mr. <em>Jackson</em> opened his mind freely on the +subject; and Mr. <em>Franklin</em>, as must be supposed, mentioned, +that he had it in instruction from the assembly of <em>Pennsylvania</em>, +to assure the ministry, that they should alway think it their +duty to grant such aids to the crown as were suitable to their +circumstances, whenever called for in the usual constitutional +manner. Mr. Grenville, however, pertinaciously adhered to +his own opinions; and said, that he had <em>pledged his word for +offering the stamp bill to the house</em>, and that the house would +hear their objections, &c. &c.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The bill was brought in; and on the first reading, Mr. <em>Charles +Townsend</em> spoke in its favor. He took notice of several +things that colonel <em>Barre</em> had said in his speech against it; and +then concluded with the following or like words: “And now +will these <em>Americans</em>, children planted by our care, nourished +up by our indulgence, until they are grown to a degree of +strength and opulence, and protected by our arms, will they +grudge to contribute their mite to relieve us from the heavy +weight of that burden which we lie under?”</p> + +<p class='c007'>On this colonel <em>Barre</em> rose, and, after explaining some passages +in his speech, took up Mr. <em>Townsend</em>’s concluding words in +a most spirited and inimitable manner, saying, “<em>They planted by</em> +<span class='fss'>YOUR</span> <em>care</em>! No, your oppressions planted them in America. +They fled from your tyranny, to a then uncultivated and unhospitable +country, where they exposed themselves to almost all the +hardships to which human nature is liable; and, among others, +to the cruelties of a savage foe, the most subtle, and I will take +upon me to say, the most formidable of any people upon the face +of God’s earth; and yet, actuated by principles of true English +liberty, they met all hardships with pleasure, compared with those +they suffered in their own country, from the hands of those that +should have been their friends. <em>They nourished up by</em> <span class='fss'>YOUR</span> <em>indulgence</em>! +They grew by your neglect of them. As soon as you +began to care about them, that care was exercised in sending +persons to rule them, in one department and another, who +were, perhaps, the deputies of deputies to some members of this +house, sent to spy out their liberties, to misrepresent their actions, +and to pry upon them—men, whose behaviour on many occasions, +has caused the blood of those <em>sons of liberty</em> to recoil within +them—men promoted to the highest seats of justice; some who +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CX'>CX</span>to my knowledge were glad, by going to a foreign country, to +escape being brought to the bar of a court of justice in their own. +<em>They protected by</em> <span class='fss'>YOUR</span> <em>arms</em>! They have nobly taken up arms +in your defence; have exerted a valor, amidst their constant +and laborious industry, for the defence of a country, whose frontier +was drenched in blood, while its interior parts yielded all its +little savings to your emolument. And believe me, remember +I this day told you so, that same spirit of freedom, which actuated +that people at first, will accompany them still—but prudence +forbids me to explain myself further. God knows I do not at +this time speak from motives of party heat; what I deliver are +the genuine sentiments of my heart. However superior to +me in general knowledge and experience the respectable body +of this house may be, yet I claim to know more of America +than most of you, having seen and been conversant in that +country. The people, I believe, are as truly loyal as any subjects +the king has; but a people jealous of their liberties, and +who will vindicate them if ever they should be violated—but the +subject is too delicate—I will say no more.” These sentiments +were thrown out so entirely without premeditation, so forcibly +and so firmly, and the breaking off was so beautifully abrupt, +that the whole house sat a while amazed, intently looking, without +answering a word.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The London merchants trading to America, being much alarmed +on account of their outstanding debts, petitioned against +the stamp act. Their petition was offered at the second reading +of the bill. The rule of the house, never to receive petitions +against money bills, was urged. General <em>Conway</em> observed, that +it appeared undeniable, that the practice was by no means invariable; +at best it was but a practice of convenience, from which +they ought, in the present instance, to vary. The ministry publicly +declared, “<em>That it was intended to establish the power of +Great-Britain to tax the colonies</em>.” They were induced to make +a point of it, because most of the petitions from thence denied, +in the strongest terms, the right of Britain to impose taxes. It +was evident that the ministerial forces would prevail, the petition +of the London merchants was therefore withdrawn. After that +the others from the colonies were offered, but rejected upon the +plea taken from the rule of the house. During the debate upon +the bill, in this stage of it, “General <em>Conway</em> denied the <em>right</em> of +parliament to tax the <em>Americans</em>, in the most peremptory manner; +and urged, with great vehemence, the many hardships, and +what he was pleased to call absurdities that would follow from +the contrary doctrine and practice.”<a id='r81'></a><a href='#f81' class='c013'><sup>[81]</sup></a> Alderman Beckford also +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXI'>CXI</span>disputed the right of parliament, according to Mr. Ingersoll’s +letter.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The supporters of the stamp act insisted much upon the colonies +being <em>virtually</em> represented, and mentioned <em>Leeds</em>, <em>Halifax</em>, +<em>Birmingham</em>, <em>Manchester</em>, &c. as enjoying a <em>virtual representation</em>. +Whoever had a recourse to a <em>virtual representation</em> of the colonies, +in vindication of the parliament’s taxing them, therein acknowledged, +that there ought not to be taxation without representation. +But the difference between <em>Leeds</em>, <em>Halifax</em>, &c. and +the <em>American</em> colonies, is as wide as the <em>Atlantic</em>. The landholders +of those towns enjoy a real representation, if their freeholds +yield a certain annual income. Many of the inhabitants +have a choice in the election of members, in one place or another. +The general interests of the freeholders and tenants, electors +and non-electors, are so interwoven, that all are liable to +be equally affected by the same common taxes. The one pays +the same duty on his sugar, tea, coffee, and chocolate, as the +other. The relative connection between them, produces what +may be called, with a kind of propriety, a <em>virtual representation</em>; +answering, though in a lower degree, to what the family of a +freeholder or freeman enjoys. But was all the soil in the British +colonies a man’s freehold, it would not give him a single vote +for any one member of parliament. There is not an individual +in them, who, should he cross the Atlantic, would have a right to +vote in any election, by virtue of any privileges enjoyed in America. +He must be a freeholder of Britain, or a freeman of some +British city, borough, or corporation, and have a British qualification, +before he can elect or be elected. The interests of <em>America</em> +and <em>Britain</em> are not interwoven, as are those of British electors +and non-electors. If the British parliament impose taxes on +the Americans, Britons do not bear with them their part and +proportion in the said taxes. The former are burdened that the +latter may be eased. The monies raised have the nature of a tribute +exacted from a conquered people in a slavish dependence, +and not of a tax voluntarily granted by the voice of freemen, +through their own elected representatives, paying scot and lot +with themselves, for the support of government. Beside, the +British parliament are so far removed from America, that they +cannot obtain that full information respecting the colonies which +ought always to accompany the exercise of a taxing power.</p> + +<p class='c007'>When the question upon the bill, in its last stage, was brought +to a vote, there were about 250 for, and 50 against it. In the +house of lords, so strong was the unanimity, that there was not a +single syllable uttered against the bill; and on the twenty-second +of March, it obtained the royal assent. The night after it was +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXII'>CXII</span>passed, Dr. <em>Franklin</em> wrote Mr. <em>Charles Thomson</em>,<a id='r82'></a><a href='#f82' class='c013'><sup>[82]</sup></a> “the sun +of liberty is set; you must light up the candles of industry and +œconomy.” Mr. <em>Thomson</em> answered, he was apprehensive +that other lights would be the consequence, and predicted the +opposition that followed.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The framers of the stamp act flattered themselves, that the +confusion which would arise upon the disuse of writings, would +compel the colonies to use the stamp paper, and therefore to pay +the taxes imposed. Thus they were led to pronounce it, <em>a law +which would execute itself</em>. Mr. Grenville, however, appears to +have been apprehensive that it might occasion disorders; to prevent +or suppress which, he projected another bill, which was +brought in the same session, whereby it was to be made lawful +for military officers in the colonies, to quarter their soldiers in +private houses. This seemed intended to awe the people into a +compliance with the other act. Great opposition being made to +it, as under such a power in the army, no one could look on his +house as his own, that part of the bill was dropt; but there still +remained a clause, when passed into a law, to oblige the several +assemblies to provide quarters for the soldiers, and to furnish +them with firing, bedding, candles, small beer, rum, and sundry +other articles, at the expence of the several provinces; which +continued in force when the stamp act was repealed. It equally +militated with the other against the American principle, <em>That +money is not to be raised on English subjects without their consent</em>.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Whatever might be urged, government was under no necessity +of adopting the mode of taxing the colonies for their defence, +and the securing of the new ceded countries. Though after the +general peace an Indian war might be continued or renewed, +that was no reason for continuing British forces in America. +The colonists were better able to deal with them than the regulars. +The new ceded countries required no great number of +troops to secure them. The colonies were at hand to support +the British garrisons in case assistance was wanted: and they +had repeatedly shewed their readiness upon former occasions. +The idea of a dangerous enemy upon the American continent, +was at an end; and the British administration must have been +inexcusable, had they not guarded against the transferring of +one from Europe. It was become futile to exclaim—“Shall it +depend upon the resolutions of a Philadelphia assembly, whether +our fellow subjects shall arm in defence of liberty and property? +Does the fate of a whole continent bear any proportion to an almost +imperceptible encroachment upon the important privilege +of an American, deliberating for a year or two, whether he will +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXIII'>CXIII</span>pay six-pence in the pound to save himself and family from perdition?” +The danger of perdition was a mere bugbear, which +might frighten the ignorant into an apprehension that it was absolutely +necessary to maintain an army in America, for the expence +of which the colonies should be made to answer; but the +Americans knew better than to startle at the spectre. Had no +more troops been stationed upon the American continent than +circumstances called for, the ministry might have obtained all +the aids it was reasonable for the colonies to have given, by the +old mode of requisition. From the time that they were first considered +as capable of granting aids, the constant mode of obtaining +them, was by <em>requisition from the crown</em>, through the +governors to the several assemblies; and the ministers, from +<em>Charles</em> II. to the present king, most effectually recognised the +distinction between parliamentary superintendance and taxation, +in their requisitions to the colonies to raise men and money by +acts of assembly. Had this happy method been continued, all +the money that could have been justly expected from them in +any manner, might have been procured without the least breach +of that harmony which so long subsisted between the colonies +and the mother country; and it was not acting wisely to thwart +unnecessarily the prejudices of the Americans. But the imposition +of taxes upon them might be introductory to, or a part of +the plan for overturning their civil and religious liberties, alluded +to by the Rev. Mr. <em>Whitefield</em>, before even the sugar act had +passed.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The stamp act having passed, the colony agents waited upon +Mr. Wheatley by desire, who told them, that Mr. Grenville +did not think of sending from Great-Britain stamp officers, but +wished to have discreet and respectable persons appointed from +among the inhabitants; and that he would be obliged to them to +point out to him such persons. Thus the agents were drawn in +to nominate. Dr. Franklin recommended Mr. <em>Hughes</em> to be +chief distributor of stamps in <em>Pennsylvania</em>, and Mr. <em>Cox</em> in the +<em>Jerseys</em>; and being consulted by Mr. <em>Ingersoll</em>, advised him to +accept, adding, <em>go home and tell your countrymen to get children +as fast as they can</em>—thereby intimating his opinion of the oppression +the colonists were under, and of their present inability to +make effectual resistance; but that they ought, when sufficiently +numerous, to shake off the yoke and recover their liberty. It is +apparent from the recommendations, and the appointments +made in consequence of the nominations, that the agents were +far from thinking that such disturbances would have been +occasioned by the stamp act, or they would have spared their +friends. They certainly expected the act would have gone +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXIV'>CXIV</span>down, and the stamp papers have been used. But it was the +reverse.</p> + +<p class='c007'>A general discontent through the <em>Massachusetts</em> discovered itself +immediately on the first advice of the acts having passed; +but there was no other expectation among the bulk of the +people, than that the act would be submitted to, and the duty +paid; and several who afterward opposed it violently, made interest +with the distributor, that they or their friends might obtain +appointments. The newspapers, indeed, groaned for the +loss of liberty; however, nothing extravagant appeared in them; +but the friends to the claims of the colonies, pleased with Barre’s +sheech, and what he had pronounced the Americans, assumed +to themselves the title of—SONS OF LIBERTY.</p> + +<p class='c007'>In Connecticut the inhabitants were quite inattentive to the +fatal consequences that the act might draw after it in some distant +period. The judges themselves, several of whom were of +the council, appeared perfect secure, and were no ways alarmed. +The Rev. Mr. <em>Stephen Johnson</em> of <em>Lyme</em>, vexed and grieved +with the temper and inconsiderateness of all orders of people, determined, +if possible, to rouse them to a better way of thinking. +He consulted a neighbouring gentleman, an Irishman by birth, +who undertook to convey the pieces he might pen to the <em>New-London</em> +printer, so secretly as to prevent the author’s being discovered. +Three or four essays were published upon the occasion. +The eyes of the public began to open, and fears were excited. +Other writers engaged in the business, while the first +withdrew, having fully answered his intention. The congregational +ministers saw further into the designs of the British administration +than the bulk of the colony; and, by their publications +and conversation, increased and strengthened the opposition.—It +became so considerable, that when governor <em>Fitch</em> proposed +that he and the counsellors should be sworn agreeable to the +stamp act, colonel <em>Trumbull</em><a id='r83'></a><a href='#f83' class='c013'><sup>[83]</sup></a> went out, and refused even to witness +to the transaction. Others followed this spirited example, +and only four of the council remained.</p> + +<p class='c007'>In <em>Virginia</em> a general disposition appeared to submit to the +stamp act: but <em>George Johnston</em> and <em>Patrick Henry</em>, esqrs. consulted +together; and afterward, at the close of the sessions, when +there was but a thin house, many members being absent preparing +to return home, Mr. Henry brought in a number of resolves.—They +were as follows, viz. “Whereas the honorable house of +commons in <em>England</em>, have of late drawn into question how far +the general assembly of this colony hath power to enact laws for +laying of taxes and imposing duties, payable by the people of this +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXV'>CXV</span>his majesty’s most ancient colony—for settling and ascertaining +the same to all future times, the house of burgesses of this present +general assembly, have come to the following resolves:</p> + +<p class='c007'>Resolved, That the first adventurers, settlers of this his majesty’s +colony and dominion of <em>Virginia</em>, brought with them and +transmitted to their posterity, and all other his majesty’s subjects +since inhabiting in this his majesty’s said colony, all the liberties, +privileges, franchises, and immunities, that have at any time been +held, enjoyed, and possessed by the people of <em>Great-Britain</em>:</p> + +<p class='c007'>Resolved, That by two royal charters, granted by king <em>James</em> +I. the colonists aforesaid are declared and entitled to all liberties, +privileges and immunities of denizens and natural subjects, to all +intents and purposes, as if they had been abiding and born within +the realm of <em>England</em>:</p> + +<p class='c007'>Resolved, That his majesty’s liege people of this ancient colony +have enjoyed the right of being thus governd by their +own assembly, in the articles of taxes and internal police; and +that the same have never been forfeited, or any other way yielded +up, but have been constantly recognised by the king and +people of <em>Britain</em>:</p> + +<p class='c007'>Resolved therefore, That the general assembly of this colony, +together with his majesty or his substitutes, have in their representative +capacity, the only exclusive right and power to lay +taxes and imposts upon the inhabitants of this colony; and that +every attempt to vest such power in any other person or persons +whatsoever, than the general assembly aforesaid is illegal, unconstitutional, +and unjust, and hath a manifest tendency to destroy +<em>British</em> as well as <em>American</em> liberty:</p> + +<p class='c007'>Resolved, That his majesty’s liege people, the inhabitants of +this colony, are not bound to yield obedience to any law or ordinance +whatever, designed to impose any taxation whatsoever +upon them, other than the laws and ordinances of the general assembly +aforesaid:</p> + +<p class='c007'>Resolved, That any person who shall, by speaking or writing, +assert or maintain, that any person or persons, other than the +general assembly of this colony, have any right or power to impose +or lay any taxation on the people here, shall be deemed an +enemy to this his majesty’s colony.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>Upon reading these resolves the <em>Scotch</em> gentlemen in the +house, cried out treason, &c. They were however adopted.—The +next day, some old members got them revised, though they +could not carry it to reject them. As revised they stand thus on +the printed journals of the house of burgesses.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CXVI'>CXVI</span><em>Thursday, May 30, 1765.</em></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c007'>Resolved, That the first adventurers, &c. &c. as above:</p> + +<p class='c007'>Resolved, That by two royal charters, &c. &c.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Resolved, That the taxation of the people by themselves, or +by persons chosen by themselves to represent them, who can +only know what taxes the people are able to bear, or the easiest +method of raising them, and must themselves be effected by every +tax laid on the people, is the only security against a burdensome +taxation, and the distinguishing characteristic of <em>British</em> freedom, +without which the ancient constitution cannot exist:</p> + +<p class='c007'>Resolved, That his majesty’s liege people of this his most ancient +and loyal colony, have, without interruption, enjoyed the +inestimable right of being governed by such laws, respecting +their internal policy and taxation, as are derived from their own +consent, with the approbation of their sovereign or his substitute; +and that the same hath never been forfeited or yielded up, +but hath been constantly recognised by the king and people of +<em>Great-Britain</em>.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[June 1.] Lieutenant-governor Farquier dissolved the house +of burgesses upon being made acquainted with their resolves.</p> + +<p class='c007'>A manuscript of the unrevised resolves soon reached <em>Philadelphia</em>, +having been sent off immediately upon their passing, that +the earliest information of what had been done might be obtained +by the sons of liberty. From thence the like was forwarded on +the seventeenth of June. At <em>New-York</em> the resolves were handed +about with great privacy: they were accounted so treasonable, +that the possessors of them declined printing them in that city. +The <em>Irish</em> gentleman alluded to above, being there, inquired after +them, and with much precaution was admitted to take a copy.—He +carried them to <em>New-England</em>, where they were published +and circulated far and wide in the newspapers, without any reserve, +and proved eventually the occasion of those disorders +which afterward broke out in the colonies. Till they appeared, +it was thought that the <em>Rhode-Islanders</em> would submit. Murmurs +indeed were continually heard; but they seemed to be such as +would die away. The Virginia resolutions gave a spring to all +the disgusted, and they began to adopt different measures.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The <em>Massachusetts</em> assembly had hit upon a wise and quiet +mode of seeking address, before ever they could be acquainted +with what had been done in Virginia. It was projected and +brought on by Messrs. <em>Otis</em>, father and son. They were visiting +at <em>James Warren’s</em>, esq. of Plymouth, a son and brother-in-law, +he having married Miss <em>Otis</em>. The state of public affairs, and +how to get rid of the burdens coming upon the colonies, were the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXVII'>CXVII</span>subjects of conversation. Congresses had often been held, and +though there was no precedent of any one’s being called, but at +the instance of persons authorised or employed by the ministry, +excepting the first congress we read of, which was proposed by the +<em>Massachusetts</em> general court in 1690; yet no reasonable objection +could be made against holding one upon the present emergency, +notwithstanding it might want the sanction of administration.—It +was agreed to forward the meeting of a congress as a proper +method for obtaining the removal of American grievances. The +matter was moved in the house of assembly; [June 6.] the consequence +was, an agreement, that “It is highly expedient there +should be a meeting, as soon as may be, of committees from the +houses of representatives or burgesses in the several colonies, to +consult on the present circumstances of the colonies, and the +difficulties to which they are and must be reduced, and to consider +of a general address—to be held at New-York, the first +Tuesday of October.” Within two days, a letter was drafted to +be sent to the several speakers; and at the close of a fortnight, +<em>James Otis</em>, jun. <em>Oliver Partridge</em>, and <em>Timothy Ruggles</em>, esqrs. +were chosen the committee for the Massachusetts. The governor, +in his account to the lords of trade, said, “It was impossible +to oppose this measure to any good purpose; and therefore +the friends of government took the lead in it, and have kept it +in their hands. Two of the three chosen are fast friends to government, +prudent and discreet men, such as I am assured will +never consent to any improper applications to the government +of Great-Britain.” Lieutenant governor <em>Colden</em> designedly prorogued +the meeting of the <em>New-York</em> assembly, till after the time +appointed for the congress; but the committee ordered, by the +vote of the house of the eighteenth of October 1764, to be a +committee during the recess, to write to and correspond with +the several assemblies or committees of assemblies on the continent, +did, by virtue of that order, meet in congress; and the +house afterward approved of their conduct on the twentieth of +November; and moreover resolved, “that for the obtaining +relief from the operation and execution of the stamp act, and +other acts for levying duties and taxes on the colonies, humble +petitions be prepared to the king, the house of lords, and the +house of commons, as nearly similar to those drawn up by the +congress as the particular circumstances of the colony will admit.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>The assemblies of <em>Virginia</em>, <em>North-Carolina</em> and <em>Georgia</em>, were +prevented, by their governors, having the opportunity of sending +committees to congress. <em>The Massachusetts-Bay</em>, <em>Rhode-Island +and Providence Plantations</em>, <em>Connecticut</em>, <em>New-York</em>, <em>New-Jersey</em>, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXVIII'>CXVIII</span><em>Pennsylvania</em>, the <em>Delaware Counties</em>, and <em>South-Carolina</em>, +had their respective committees present at the place appointed; +and Mr. <em>Ruggles</em> was chosen chairman. The petition to the +house of commons being finished, was signed, though only by +member from six colonies; the committees from <em>Connecticut</em>, +<em>New-York</em> and <em>South-Carolina</em>, not having been sufficiently +empowered. Mr. <em>Ruggles</em>, took leave of the members, Thursday +evening the twenty-fourth of October, and came off the next +morning without signing; for which he was afterward censured +by the <em>Massachusetts</em> assembly. Mr. <em>Otis</em> was upon the point of +trespassing in like manner; but was prevented by the influence +of Mr. <em>Thomes Lynch</em> of the <em>South-Carolina</em> committee. The +congress dissolved on October the twenty-fifth, having finished +the business to which they had been appointed. The colonies +that could not send committees, showed, as opportunities offered, +their approbation of what had been done, by forwarding to their +agents petitions to the like purpose with that of congress. <em>New-Hampshire</em> +had excused their not sending to congress, from the +then situation of their governmental affairs; but the speaker laying +before the assembly the proceedings of congress, on November +the twenty-second, they voted unanimously, “That this +house do fully approve of, and heartily join in the resolves and +several petitions agreed to by the said general congress; and that +the speaker, with two others, (all whose names are mentioned) +be empowered to sign the same in behalf of this house, if not too +late; if the general petitions are forwarded, in that case the said +petitions be fairly engrossed, that they sign them in behalf of +the house, and forward them, with duplicates, to <em>Barlow Trecothick</em> +and <em>John Wentworth</em>, esqrs. who are appointed special agents +for the house, and are empowered and desired to present +the said petitions, &c.” The committee wrote to these agents +on December the sixth, and concluded with saying, “We in +this province have not been so boisterous and irregular as some +others, not because we are insensible of our distresses, but because +we though the present method most likely to obtain relief.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>The <em>Virginia</em> resolves having had their full operation, and the +spirits of the people being highly inflamed, the colonial disturbances +break out upon the following occasion. Messrs. <em>John +Avery</em>, jun. <em>Thomas Crafts</em>, <em>John Smith</em>, <em>Henry Welles</em>, <em>Thomas +Chace</em>, <em>Stephen Cleverly</em>, <em>Henry Bass</em>, and <em>Benjamin Edes</em>, to +manifest their abhorrence and detestation of those persons who +they supposed were endeavouring to subvert the British constitution +to enslave the colonies, and to alienate the affections of his +majesty’s most faithful subjects in America, provide and hang +out early in the morning of August the fourteenth, upon the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXIX'>CXIX</span>limb of a large old elm, toward the entrance of Boston, over +the most public street, two effigies, one of which by the labels +appear to be designed for the stamp officer; the other is a jack +boot, with a head and horns peeping out of the top. Not only +the usual passengers pass under it, but the report spreads, and +draws great numbers from every part of the town and the neighbouring +country. The affair is left to take its own course; an +enthusiastic spirit diffuses itself through the body of the spectators. +In the evening the pageantry is cut down, and carried in funeral +procession, the populace shouting, <em>liberty and property for ever</em>, +<em>no stamps</em>, &c. &c. They direct their way to a new building, +lately erected by Mr. <em>Oliver</em>, which they pull down, falsely supposing +it to be designed for the tsamp office. They go on to his +house, before which they behead his effigy, breaking at the same +time all the windows next the street. They then repair to Fort +Hill, on the ascent of which stands his house, where they burn +his effigy. After this they return to attack his premises; and +many of they with clubs, staves, &c. go to work on the garden, +fences, barns, &c. Mr. Oliver had prudently retired, leaving a +few friends behind to keep possession of the dwelling: these committed +some slight indiscretions, the populace are so enraged, +that they force themselves into the lower part of it, break the +windows and destroy the furniture. They disperse about midnight. +The next day [August 15.] Mr. Oliver, fearful of +what may otherwise happen declares that he has written to England, +and resigned. The mob assemble again at night: and, +after some expressions of joy for the resignation, proceed to the +lieutenant-governor’s, Mr. <em>Hutchinson’s</em> house, which they besiege +for an hour, though in vain, insisting repeatedly upon +knowing whether he had not written in favor of the stamp act: +at length, through the influence of some discreet persons, they +withdrew and finished their evening’s entertainment at a bonfire.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[August 26.] Eleven days after, the disorders grew more +enormous and alarming. In the evening a number of persons, +disguised and armed with clubs, sticks, &c. collect in King-street, +in consequence of a preconcerted plan. They go first to Mr. +<em>Paxton’s</em>, marshal of the court of admiralty and surveyor of the +port; being assured by the owner of the house, that Mr. Paxton +had quitted it with his best effects; and being invited by him to +the tavern to drink a barrel of punch, they accept the offer, and +the house is saved. Having finished the punch, they proceed to +and attack the house of Mr. <em>William Story</em>, deputy register of +the court of admiralty; break the windows; force into the dwelling; +strip the office of the books and files belonging to the said +court; burn and destroy them with many other papers; injure +and ruin a great part of his furniture.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CXX'>CXX</span>It is the opinion of some, that the first movers in the affair, +meant mainly an assault upon the house of the deputy register, +who, by various mal-practices, had made himself highly obnoxious +to persons doing business in his office. But mobs once +raised, soon become ungovernable by new and large accessions, +and extend their intentions for beyond those of the original instigators. +Crafty men may intermix with them when they are +much heated, and direct their operations quite differently from +what was at first designed.</p> + +<p class='c007'>How far the scheme of the present mob extended, when it +first collected, is hard to say; but upon leaving Mr. <em>Story</em>’s, they +proceed to the house of Mr. <em>Benj. Hallowell</em>, comptroller of the +customs for Boston; and to the repetition of similar excesses to +what have been just committed, add the drinking and destroying +of liquors in the cellars, the taking away of wearing apparel, the +breaking open of desk and drawers, and the carrying off thirty +pounds sterling in money. Many being now inflamed with liquor, +and numbers having joined them, they become more riotous, +and are ready for any mischief. They hurry away to +Mr. <em>Hutchinson</em>’s house with the rage of madmen. He sends off +his children, bars his doors and windows, and means to remain; +but is soon under the necessity of withdrawing, first to one +house, then to another, where he continues till four in the morning, +by which time one of the best finished houses in the colony, +has nothing remaining but the bare walls and floors. Gentlemen +of the army, who have seen towns sacked by an enemy, +declare they never before saw an instance of such fury. The +rioters carry off about nine hundred pounds sterling, beside plate, +family pictures, household furniture of every kind, and the apparel +of the lieutenant governor, his children and servants.—They +also empty the house of every thing whatsoever, except +a part of the kitchen furniture; and scatter or destroy all the +manuscripts and other papers he has been collecting for thirty +years back, beside a great number of public papers in his custody. +The loss of papers is irreparable.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Aug. 27.] The next day it was strongly reported by the +enemies of Dr. <em>Jonathan Mayhew</em>, that he approved of these doings; +and had, indeed, encouraged them, in a sermon preached +the preceding Lord’s day, on <em>Gal.</em> v. 12, 13. This led him to +write immediately to Hutchinson; and in his letter he condoled +with him, “on account of the almost unparalleled outrages committed +at his house the preceding evening;” and said, “God is +my witness, that, from the bottom of my heart, I detest these +proceedings; and that I am sincerely grieved for them, and have +a deep sympathy with you and your distressed family on this occasion. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXXI'>CXXI</span>I did, indeed, express myself strongly in favor of civil +and religious liberty, as I hope I shall ever continue to do; and +spoke of the stamp act as a great grievance, like to prove detrimental, +in a high degree, both to the colonies and the mother +country, and I have heard your honor speak to the same +purpose. But as my text led me to do, I cautioned my hearers +very particularly against the abuses of liberty, and expressed +my hopes, that no persons among ourselves had encouraged the +bringing of such a burden on their country, notwithstanding it +had been strongly suspected. In truth, Sir, I had rather lose my +hand than be an encourager of such outrages as were committed +last night. I do not think my regard to truth was ever called +into question by those that knew me; and therefore hope +your honor will be so just as to give entire credit to these solemn +declarations.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>This same day the superior court began its term. The chief +justice, Mr. <em>Hutchinson</em>, attended in his only suit, and necessarily +without those ensigns of office so wisely calculated to +procure regard to authority; while the other gentlemen of the +bench and bar, appeared in their respective robes. The court +refused to do any business, and adjourned to the fifteenth of +October, to show their resentment of the insult offered to the +lieutenant governor, as well as their sense of the anarchy to +which the government was reduced. Half a dozen of the dregs +of the people, who, being taken up, refused to discover the +ringleaders, were committed. Three broke jail and fled, against +one of whom a bill was found; against the other three in custody +none was found; for it was not thought safe to prosecute. +The temper of the public would not admit of it, without hazarding +further disturbances; and for that reason, one who was +capitally charged with being a principal in the riot, and secured, +was finally dismissed by the justices.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Various causes might contribute toward the outrageous attack +upon the house and property of Mr. Hutchinson. As long back +as 1748, the currency having depreciated to about an eighth of +its original value, he, being then speaker of the house, projected +and carried through a bill for abolishing it, and substituting gold +and silver in its place, which made him extremely obnoxious to +several who had lived by fraud, and were much dissatisfied with +the alteration. They then threatened him with destruction; and +retaining their rancour, are supposed to have been aiders and +abettors, if not actors in the riot. A certain gentleman of great +integrity, and who fills a place in the judicial department with +much credit, and to the satisfaction of the public, has expressed +a strong apprehension that the mob was led on to the house by +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXXII'>CXXII</span>a secret influence, with a view to the destruction of certain papers, +know to be there, and which, it is thought, would have +proved, that the grant to the New-Plymouth compay on Kennebec +river, was different from what was contended for by some +claimants. The papers were never found afterward.—But Mr. +<em>Hutchinson</em> had certainly disgusted the people exceedingly, by +promoting the superior court’s granting writs of assistance; and +by showing himself so strenuous in supporting government, when +become odious, by the measures adopted for obliging the colonies +to pay taxes in compliance with British acts of parliament.—He +was also strongly suspected of having forwarded the stamp act, by +letters written upon the occasion. These circumstances, co-operating +with the general disposition in the people to tumult, produced +by a prevailing persuasion, that they were deprived of +the liberties of Englishmen, will account for the excessive outrages +against him in particular. But their enormity was alarming. +No one knew who might be the next sacrafice. The town +of Boston, therefore, beside condemning them the next day, +unanimously voted, “That the select men and magistrates be desired +to use their utmost endeavours to suppress the like disorders +for the future:” and for some time, the magistrates and private +gentlemen, the cadet and other companies, kept watch at night +to prevent further violences.</p> + +<p class='c007'>In justice to Mr. <em>Hutchinson</em>, it must be observed, that from +his letters to Messrs. <em>Bollan</em>, <em>Jackson</em>, and others, it appears, +that he then considered parliament’s taxing the colonies as inconsistent +with the rights of the colonists, and as a mere act of power, +without regard to equity. He was at the trouble of writing +a pamphlet in 1764, cantaining <em>A brief state of the claim of the +colonies, and the interests of the nation with respect to them</em>. +This, when he had disguised it so as that it might not be suspected +to come from America, he sent to Mr. Jackson the agent, +who was either to suppress or publish it; and he afterward +expressed a surprise at his not having done the latter. +The following are extracts from it.</p> + +<p class='c007'>“The right to new acquired countries, according to the constitution +of England, two hundred years ago, was allowed to be +in the crown. The crown from time to time disposed of these +countries not only to their own subjects, but to foreign princes: +particulary <em>Acadia</em> and <em>Nova-Scotia</em>, when begun to be settled +by British subjects, were ceded to <em>France</em>, although France +had no better claim to them than New-England: and <em>Surinam</em> +was sold to, or exchanged with the <em>Dutch</em>.” He might have +adduced in proof of James I. being of opinion, that he had a personal +right to alienate at pleasure new acquired territory, his +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXXIII'>CXXIII</span>granting, in September 1621, <em>Nova-Scotia</em>, which he could not +inherit but as king of England, to Sir <em>William Alexander</em>, of +Menstry, afterward Lord Stirling, under the seal of Scotland; +and his erecting it into a palatinate, to be holden as a fief of +the crown of Scotland. Under the same seal, and in the same +words, the grant was confirmed by Charles I. in June 1625. +The legality of these grants appear not to have been questioned +at the time, which indicates that the prevailing opinion of the +English corresponded then with that of their sovereigns.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Mr. Hutchinson goes on to mention, “<em>American</em> lands in their +natural state are of no value; there is not any colony which has +not cost more to render it capable of rendering profit than it is +now worth.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>“In the trading towns, in some of the colonies the last war, +one fourth part of the profit of the trade was annually paid to +the support of the war, and other public charges. In the country +towns, a farm which would not rent for twenty pounds a year, +paid ten pounds taxes. Was it from parental affection to the colonists, +and to save them from French vassalage, that Great-Britain +was at such expence; or was it from fear of losing the +advantageous trade she had carried on with her colonies?”</p> + +<p class='c007'>“When there is peace in Europe, what occasion is there for +any national expence in America?”</p> + +<p class='c007'>“It cannot be good policy to tax the Americans; it will prove +prejudicial to the national interests. The advantages proposed +by the increase of the revenue, are fallacious and delusive. You +will lose more than you will gain. Britain reaps the profit of +all their trade, and the increase of all their substance.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>“Your commerce with the colonies will be enough for you, +should you have no commerce elsewhere, if you encourage, the +colonies to increase the consumption of your manufactures for +fifty years to come, as they have done for fifty years past; and +with no more than reasonable encouragement they will infallibly +do it, and in much greater proportion.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>Though the disturbances began in <em>Boston</em> yet they were not +confined to the <em>Massachusetts</em>. They broke out in the other colonies; +and so near to the same time, as to excite suspicions that +it was not wholly the effect of accident, but partly of a pre-concerted +design. <em>Rhode-Island</em> and <em>Providence Plantations</em> shewed +themselves among the foremost in their opposition to the +stamp act.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Aug. 24.] A gazette extraordinary was published at <em>Providence</em>, +with <em>Vox populi, Vox Dei</em>, in large letters for the frontispiece; +and underneath, <em>Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is +liberty</em>. The publication had a tendency to prepare the people +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXXIV'>CXXIV</span>for action. Effigies were also exhibited; and in the evening +cut down and burnt by the populace.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[27.] About nine in the morning, the people of <em>Newport</em>, +in <em>Rhode-Island</em>, brought forth three effigies, meant for Messrs. +<em>Howard</em>, <em>Moffat</em>, and <em>Johnson</em>, in a cart, with halters about +their necks, to a gallows near the town-house, where they were +hung; after a while cut down, and burnt amid the acclamations +of thousands.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[28.] By the next day there was time enough to hear of +what had been done at <em>Boston</em>. The people collected, or rather +were mustered afresh, and beset the house of Mr. <em>Martin Howard</em>, +jun. a lawyer of reputation, and a writer in defence of the +parliament’s right to tax the colonies. They destroyed every +thing, and left only a shell. They passed on to Dr. <em>Thomas Moffat’s</em>, +a physician, one who had warmly supported in conversation +the same right, and behaved in like manner. They intended +doing it to Mr. <em>Augustus Johnson</em>, but desisted upon persuasion; +and on his coming to town, and giving it under his hand +that he would not accept the office of distributor of the stamps, +unless the public were satisfied, they became quiet. Messrs. +Howard and Moffat hastened on board a ship of war for personal +protection.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The commotions in <em>Connecticut</em> were not equally violent; but +Mr. <em>Ingersoll</em> was the subject of exhibition in several places.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Aug. 22.] They had their pageantry at <em>Norwich</em>, which they +committed to the flames when the day closed.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[26.] They had the same at <em>Lebanon</em>; but before they executed +and burnt, they had a parade of a mock trial.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[27.] The next day there was a repetition of the like, excepting +the trial. At length the resentment against the stamp +distributor became so general and alarming, that he resigned +his office.</p> + +<p class='c007'>A like resignation takes place in <em>New-York</em>, some time in August. +It becomes a necessary point of prudence from the spirit +which the citizens discover. The stamp act is treated with the most +indignant contempt, by being printed and cried about the streets, +under the title of, <em>The folly</em> of <span class='sc'>England</span> <em>and ruin of</em> <span class='sc'>America</span>. +Toward the end of October the stamp papers arrive; +and Mr. M‘Evers having resigned, lieutenant governor Colden +takes them into <em>Fort George</em>. Some extraordinary preparations +for securing them, having displeased the inhabitants, joined to +the dislike they have entertained to Colden’s political sentiments, +[Nov. 1.] and its being the day for the stamp act to take place, +numbers are induced to assemble in the evening. They proceed +to the fort walls; break open his stable; take out his coach; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXXV'>CXXV</span>and, after carrying it through the principal streets of the city in +triumph, march to the common, where a gallows is erected; on +one end of which they suspend his effigy, having in his right +hand a stamped bill of lading, and in the other, a figure for the +devil. After hanging a considerable time, they carry the whole, +with the gallows entire, the coach preceding, in procession to the +gate of the fort; from whence it is removed to the bowling-green, +under the muzzles of the guns, where a bonfire is immediately +made, and all, coach included, are consumed amid the exultations +of some thousands of spectators. They go from hence to +major <em>James’s</em> house, before known by the name of <em>Vaux-Hall</em>, +which is genteelly furnished, contains a valuable library, and +many curiosities, and has a handsome garden belonging to it. +They strip it of every article, make another bonfire, and consume +the whole, beside destroying the garden; and all because +of his being a friend to the stamp act.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Nov. 2.] The next morning a paper is privately drawn up, +and given to a man to read from the balcony of the coffee-house, +to and about which the citizens are used to frequent; it sets forth +the necessity of being peaceable, and calls upon the inhabitants +to turn out with their arms upon any alarm, and quell all riotous +proceedings. The effect it appears to have upon being heard, is +frustrated by captain <em>Isaac Sears</em>, who formerly commanded a +privateer, and is bitterly set against the stamp act. Having been +secretly informed in the morning what is to be done, he is present, +and tells the populace who collect about him, “The intention +of the proposal that has been read, is to prevent our having +the stamp papers;” and adds, “but we will have them within +four and twenty hours.” He then flourishes his hat, and cries, +“Huzza, my lads.” They immediately comply in loud shouts. +He turns to several gentlemen present, and says, “Your best +way, as you may now see, will be to advise lieutenant governor +<em>Colden</em> to send the stamp papers from the fort to the inhabitants.” +In the evening the mob assemble, and insist upon his delivering +them into their hands. He hopes to satisfy them, by declaring +he will do nothing in relation to the stamps, but leave it to +Sir Henry Moore to do as he pleases on his arrival. The people +are not contented; they will have the stamps, or attempt taking +them away by force; which must probably be attended with +much bloodshed. After repeated negociation, it is agreed that +they shall be delivered to the corporation; which is accordingly +done, and they are deposited in the city-hall, to general satisfaction. +Ten boxes of the like, which arrive afterward, meet +with a worse fate, being committed to the flames.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CXXVI'>CXXVI</span>The destruction of major <em>James’s</em> house, (for it was reduced +to a shell) convinced the gentlemen who were standing up for +the rights of the colonies, that it was necessary to have leaders +to manage the mob. It was therefore contrived to call the +people together.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Nov. 6.] They met in the fields; and it was proposed, that +a committee be appointed to open a correspondence with the +other colonies. This was a measure of so serious and important +a nature, as to endanger the lives and property of the committee, +especially should the stamp act be enforced and carried +through; and therefore there was no one, for more than half +an hour who would venture to accept. Mr. <em>James De Lancey</em>, +who had joined the popular side, in order to secure a seat in the +assembly at the next general election, was nominated; but declined, +pleading his being upon the committee to converse with +the lawyers, on their proceeding to business without stamps, instead +of suspending it, as they appeared to intend. At length, +however, captain Sears, with four others, offered and were approved.</p> + +<p class='c007'>They agreed among themselves to sign all the letters with +their several names, and to open a correspondence with all the +colonies. The <em>Philadelphians</em> were requested to forward their +inclosed letters to the more southern states, and the <em>Bostonians</em> +to forward those for <em>New-Hampshire</em>.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Here we see another set of corrosponding sons of liberty originated +to strengthen the opposition of the colonies to parliamentary +taxation.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The commotions beyond <em>New-York</em>, did not terminate in similar +excesses to what had happened there, at <em>Newport</em> and <em>Boston</em>; +but the exhibition of effigies in the day, the burning them +at night, and other marks of displeasure, induced the stamp officers +to resign. Some did it with a better grace than others. +Mr. <em>George Mercer</em>, distributor for <em>Virginia</em>, arrived in the evening +at <em>Williamsburg</em>. The people immediately urged him to +resign. The next day he declined acting, in so genteel a manner, +that he had the repeated acclamations of all present. At +night the town was illuminated, the bells were set a ringing, +and all was joy and festivity.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Oct. 3.] At <em>Philadelphia</em> upon the appearance of the ships +having on board the stamps, all the vessels in the harbour hoisted +their colours half-staff high; the bells were muffled and continued +to tool till evening; and every ccuntenance added to the +marks of sincere mourning. A large number of people chiefly +of the presbyterian persuasion, and of the proprietary party, +with <em>William Allen</em>, esq. the chief justice’s son at their head, assembled +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXXVII'>CXXVII</span>and endeavoured to procure the stamp distributor’s resignation. +It had been for some time warmly talked of, that +he ought to resign. Mr. <em>Hughes</em> was obnoxious to both the +presbyterian and the proprietary party; but particularly hateful +to the latter as it was his <em>interest</em>, <em>assiduity</em>, and <em>influence</em>, in the +<em>Pennsylvania</em> house of assembly that enabled the province to +send home Dr. <em>Franklin</em> to present their petitions, for a change +of govenment from proprietary to royal—a change highly disagreeable +to each party. The body of quakers seemed disposed +to pay obedience to the stamp act, and so did part of the church +of <em>England</em>, and of the baptists not under proprietary influence. +But no pains were spared to engage the <em>Dutch</em> and lower class +of people in the opposition; and though Mr. <em>Hughes</em> held out +long,<a id='r84'></a><a href='#f84' class='c013'><sup>[84]</sup></a> yet he found it necessary at length to comply.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Mr. <em>Hood</em>, stamp distributor for <em>Maryland</em>, that he might +avoid resigning fled to <em>New-York</em>, and obtained protection in +the fort. Upon Sir <em>Henry Moor’s</em> arrival he left the fort, and +went to <em>Long-Island</em>. A number of the freemen crossed over +unexpectedly; surprised him; obliged him to sign a paper, declaring +his absolute and final resignation; and then took him +before a magistrate, to whom he read the paper, and afterward +made oath to the matter therein contained.</p> + +<p class='c007'>At <em>Boston</em> they took care to keep up the spirit of liberty, though +they avoided former violence. [Sept. 21.] A new political +paper appeared, under the significant title of “The Constitutional +Courant, containing matters interesting to <em>liberty</em>, and no ways +repugnant to <em>loyalty</em>; printed by <em>Andrew Marval</em>, at the sign +of the <em>Bribe refused</em>, on <em>Constitution Hill, North America</em>.” It +wore a more significant head-piece—a snake cut into eight pieces, +the head part having N E, The initials of <em>New-England</em> affixed +to it, and the rest the initials of the other colonies to <em>South-Carolina</em> +inclusive and in order, NY, NJ, P, M, V, NC, SC.—The +device accompanying them was, JOIN or DIE.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Nov. 1.] The morning of the day when the stamp act took +place, was ushered in with the tolling of bells. The large old +elm (which since the fourteenth of August, when the riots began, +had been adorned with an inscription, and obtained the +name of <em>liberty tree</em>, as the ground under it had that of <em>liberty +hall</em>—and which gave rise to other trees being so called, upon +an appropriation to popular purposes by the sons of liberty) was +decorated with two effigies. They were cut down at there o’clock +amid the acclamations of thousands, carried about town, +then to the gallows upon the Neck, there hung up again, after +a while cut down, torn in pieces, and scattered. The people +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXXVIII'>CXXVIII</span>repaired home; and the evening passed away quietly. But a +transaction took place afterward not much to the credit of the +town.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Dec. 16.] Mr. <em>Oliver</em> was called upon by a letter from (as +is was improperly signed) <em>the true sons of liberty</em>, to make a public +resignation of his office on the morrow under liberty tree. He desired +a gentleman to interpose, and procure him at least leave to +resign in the town-house; but after several consultations, nothing +more could be obtained than a promise of having no affront offered, +and a proposal to invite the principal persons of the town +to accompany him. He was obliged to repair to liberty tree; +there to read his declaration in the presence of more than two +thousand people; and then to swear to it before a justice, on +the spot for that purpose. The cool, firm, and judicious sons +of liberty must condemn this procedure toward the secretary, as +mean, revengeful and cruel. It was torturing his feelings afresh, +as upon a stage, in the most conspicuous manner, after having +been terrified into a resignation four months before; and when it +might be expected, that the bitterness of the resentment against +him was ended.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The opposition to the stamp officers was not confined to the +continent. The people of St. <em>Kitts</em> obliged the distributor and +his deputy to resign. <em>Barbadoes</em> submitted to the act. <em>Jamaica</em> +in general cleared out with stamps; but <em>Kingston</em>, as before, +without. Upon the continent, <em>Canada</em> and <em>Halifax</em> submitted.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The general fears that individuals were under, either of distributing +or using stamps, was increased in one government by +the following paper, pasted up at the door of every public office, +and at the corner of the streets—</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c016'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span lang="la">Pro Patria.</span></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c007'>The first man that either distributes or makes use of stamped +paper, let him take care of his house, person, and effects.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c003'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>We dare</div> + <div class='line in16'><span lang="la">Vox populi.</span></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c014'>The public resentment was kept alive and lively by the contemptuous +treatment which the stamp act itself met with, being openly +burnt in several places with the effigies of the officers; and by +caricatures, pasquinades, puns, bon mots, and such vulgar sayings +fitted to the occasion, as being short, could be most easily +circulated and retained, while, being extremely expressive, they +carried with them the weight of great many arguments.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The resignation of the officers, and the want of persons, either +to undertake the delivery of stamps or to receive and use +them, necessarily laid the colonists under a legal inability for doing +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXXIX'>CXXIX</span>business, according to parliamentary law. They however +ventured upon it, and risked the consequence. The vessels sailed +from the ports as before; excepting that, in some instances, a certificate +was given, that the person appointed to distribute stamped +papers in the province, refused to deliver them, which certificate +being handed by the masters to the naval officer, they were +admitted to give bond in his office, and to pass through the other +offices without stamps. The <em>Rhode-Island</em> and <em>Providence</em> +Plantations kept their courts open the whole time, even when +they were suspended in the other colonies. Toward the end of +November it was agreed in <em>Maryland</em> and <em>Virginia</em> to proceed +on business in the usual manner without stamps. In the Massachusetts +the popular party so far prevailed, that the house of assembly +resolved, January the twenty-third, 1766, “That the +shutting up the courts of justice is a very great grievance; and +that the judges, justices, and all other public officers in this province +ought to proceed as usual.” But when the superior court +opened, on the eleventh of March, the parties concerned evaded +the prosecuting of business. The lawyers in a body waited, +as usual, upon the judges, on the first day of the term, before +they went into the court. The chief justice, Mr. Hutchinson, +not being present at this meeting, Mr. Peter Oliver said he attended +according to his duty, and that he understood it would +be expected that he and his brethren should proceed in business +in defiance of the late act of parliament: such proceeding, he +added, was contrary to his judgment and opinion; and if he submitted +io it, it would only be for self-preservation, as he knew +he was in the hands of the populace: he therefore previously +protested, that all such acts of his, if they sould happen, would +be acts under duress. To which the other judges assenting, it +was proposed to each of the lawyers singly, <em>Do you desire that +business should proceed contrary to the act of parliament?</em> Every +one of them answered in the negative, even Mr. Otis himself.—But +they said, it would be proper to try a cause or two to quiet +the people: accordingly one cause, which had been at issue before +the stamp act took place, was tried and all other civil business +was postponed to the middle of April.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Though the violent and righteous proceedings, which have +been noticed, were severely censured by many; and numbers in +all the colonies might seem inclined to submit to the stamp act, +yet the right of imposing it was universally condemned, and the +colonial rights as universally acceded to by the most peaceably +disposed. The resolutions of the <em>Pennsylvania</em> assembly, which +met at <em>Philadelphia</em> in September 1765, were passed <em>nemine contradicente</em>; +and left upon their minutes, “as a testimony of the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXXX'>CXXX</span>zeal and ardent desire of that house, to preserve their inestimable +rights, which as <em>Englishmen</em> they possessed ever since the province +was settled, and to transmit them to their latest posterity.” +They “resolved, That the only legal representatives of the inhabitants +of this province, are the persons they annually elect to +serve as members of assembly—Resolved, therefore, That the +taxation of the people of this province by any other persons +whatsoever, than such their representatives in assembly, is unconstitutional, +and subversive of their most valuable rights—Resolved, +That the laying of taxes upon the inhabitants of this province, +in any other manner, being naturally subversive of public +liberty, must of necessary consequence, be utterly destructive +of public happiness.”<a id='r85'></a><a href='#f85' class='c013'><sup>[85]</sup></a> There might not be so many quakers in +the house as usual; the times probably occasioned a larger choice +out of other denominations; but there must have been several, +and these we find acquiesced. These resolutions are as much +opposed to the claims of the British parliament, as are those of +the <em>Massachusetts</em> assembly, passed October the twenty-ninth. +Indeed the latter dwell more upon the unalienable essential rights +of mankind, of which these cannot be divested, consistent with +the law of God and nature, by any law of society; and they evidently +mark it out, in their opinion, as one of those rights, that +no man can justly take the property of another without his consent. +They also resolved, that a representation in parliament of +the inhabitants of their province, such as the subjects of Britain +actually enjoy, is impracticable for the subjects in America.<a id='r86'></a><a href='#f86' class='c013'><sup>[86]</sup></a>—But +both assemblies, though their expressions differed, agreed in +resolving, that the extensions of the court of admiralty within the +provinces, is a most violent infraction of the right of trials by +juries. The resolves of the <em>Maryland</em> and <em>Connecticut</em> assemblies, +passed, the one September the twenty-eighth, and the +other November the first, breathed the same spirit.<a id='r87'></a><a href='#f87' class='c013'><sup>[87]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>[Oct. 31.] But we have now to attend to a judicious measure +pursued by the <em>New-York</em> merchants, the more effectually +to obtain a repeal of the stamp act. They resolved to direct +their correspondents not to ship any more goods till it was repealed; +and that they would not sell any goods upon commission, +which should be shipped from Britain, after the first of January, +unless upon that condition. They were the foremost in +adopting the non-importation agreement; and recommended +the like conduct to the <em>Massachusetts</em>, and the neighboring provinces +in trade.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CXXXI'>CXXXI</span>[Nov. 7.] The merchants and traders of <em>Philadelphia</em> had a +general meeting, and entered into a similar agreement. Some +quakers, who would not sign the combination, thought it prudent +to be governed by the same restriction; and gave directions +that the goods ordered should not be sent, unless the +stamp act was repealed.</p> + +<p class='c007'>It was not till December the ninth, that the merchants and +traders of Boston resolved upon a non-importation. Government +may deem such combinations illegal, as they are apt to do +all that are opposed to their own measures; but surely the case +of communities is bad indeed, if they have not a right voluntarily +to agree among themselves, merely to suspend buying till +they can obtain their own terms, when equitable.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The peaceable line pursued in these agreements, had not been +attended to by all who opposed the stamp act. They therefore, +for their own safety, had a recourse to another, which might +have drenched the country with blood, had not the repeal prevented. +The way had been prepared by the publication of a +system of politics, which appeared originally in the New-York +papers, the principal point of which was, that the colonies are +no otherwise related to Great-Britain than by having the same +king. The essays meant to propagate and support this system, +made their first appearance in the New-York prints, but most +probably some of the manuscripts were sent from Boston. The +New-York sons of liberty had, at length, a meeting, wherein +they resolved, that they would go to the extremity, with lives +and fortunes to prevent the stamp act. This spirit produced +the following agreement between them and the sons of liberty +in Connecticut:</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Dec. 25.] “Certain reciprocal and mutual agreements concessions +and associations made, concluded, and agreed upon by +and between the sons of liberty of the colony of <em>New-York</em>, of +the one part, and of the sons of liberty of the colony of <em>Connecticut</em>, +on the other part, this twenty-fifth day of December, +in the sixth year of the reign of our sovereign lord <em>George</em> the +Third, by the grace of God, of <em>Great-Britain</em>, <em>France</em> and <em>Ireland</em>, +king, defender of the faith, and in the year of our Lord +one thousand seven hundred and sixty-five.</p> + +<p class='c007'>“The aforesaid parties taking into their most serious consideration +the melancholy and unsettled state of <em>Great-Britain</em> and +her <em>North-American</em> colonies, proceeding, as they are fully persuaded, +from a design in her most insidious and inveterate enemies, +to alienate the affections of his majesty’s most loyal and +faithful subjects of <em>North-America</em> from his person and government—Therefore +to prevent as much as in us lies, the dissolution +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXXXII'>CXXXII</span>of so inestimable an union, they do, in the presence of <em>Almighty +God</em>, declare, that they bear the most unshaken faith and true allegiance +to his majesty king <em>George</em> the Third—that they are most +affectionately and zealously attached to his royal person and family, +and are fully determined, to the utmost of their power, to +maintain and support his crown and dignity, and the succession +as by law established; and with the greatest cheerfulness they +submit to his government, according to the known and just +principles of the <span class='sc'>British constitution</span>, which they conceive +to be founded on the eternal and immutable principles of +justice and equity, and that every attempt to violate or wrest +it, or any part of it, from them, under whatever pretence, colour, +or authority, is an heinous sin against God, and the most +daring contempt of the people, from whom (under God) all +just government springs. From a sacred regard to all which, +and a just sense of the impending evils that might befal them +in consequence of such a dreadful dissolution, they do hereby +voluntarily, and of their own free will, as well for the support +of his majesty’s just prerogative and the British constitution, +as their own mutual security and preservation, agree and +concede to associate, advise, protect, and defend each other in +the peaceable, full, and just enjoyment of their inherent and +accustomed rights as British subjects of their respective colonies, +not in the least desiring any alteration or innovation in the grand +bulwark of their liberties and the wisdom of ages, but only to preserve +it inviolate from the corrupt hands of its implacable enemies—And +whereas a certain pamphlet has appeared in America, +in the form of an act of parliament, called and known by the +name of the <em>Stamp Act</em>, but has never been legally published or +introduced, neither can it, as it would immediately deprive them +of the most invaluable part of the British constitution, viz. the +trial by juries, and the most just mode of taxation in the world, +that is, of taxing themselves; rights that every British subject becomes +heir to as soon as born. For the preservation of which, +and every part of the British constitution, they do reciprocally +resolve and determine to march with the utmost dispatch, at their +own proper costs and expence, on the first proper notice (which +must be signified to them by at least six of the sons of liberty) +with their whole force, if required, and it can be spared, to the +relief of those that shall, are, or may be in danger from the +<em>stamp act</em>, or its promoters and abettors, or any thing relative +to it, on account of any thing that may have been done in opposition +to its obtaining—and they do mutually and most fervently +recommend it to each other to be vigilant in watching all those +who, from the nature of their offices, vocations or dispositions, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXXXIII'>CXXXIII</span>may be the most likely to introduce the use of stamped papers, +to the total subversion of the British constitution and American +liberty; and the same, when discovered, immediately to advise +each other of, let them be of what rank or condition soever; and +they do agree that they will mutually, and to the utmost of their +power, by all just ways and means, endeavor to bring all such +betrayers of their country to the most condign punishment—and +further, they do mutually resolve to defend the liberty of the +press in their respective colonies from all unlawful violations and +impediments whatever, on account of the said act, as the only +means (under divine Providence) of preserving their lives, liberties, +and fortunes, and the same in regard to the judges, clerks, +attornies, &c. that shall proceed without any regard to the +<em>stamp act</em>, from all pains, fines, mulcts, penalties, or any molestation +whatever—and finally, that they will, to the utmost +of their power, endeavor to bring about, accomplish and perfect +the like association with all the colonies on the continent, for +the like salutary purposes, and no other.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>The opposition to the stamp act raged apparently more in +New-York and Connecticut than in the Massachusetts; but the +association being agreed upon, was sent by express to the sons +of liberty at Boston, and received Sunday the second of February, +1766. On its receipt, letters were forwarded to a few individuals; +and on the sixth of February, a circular letter to the +several towns in the colony, containing the association and the +desire of the first original associators to accomplish the like association, +with a request to be informed of the sentiments and +dispositions of the people in such towns. A letter was also sent +on the same subject, to the sons of liberty at Portsmouth, in +Hampshire colony. They met; and in their answer of February +the eighth, testified their approbation of the measure already +taken, and their determination to oppose the execution of +the stamp act, &c.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The Boston sons of liberty accepted the proposal of uniting +themselves to <em>New-York</em> and <em>Connecticut</em>; and in their letter +to the brotherhood at <em>Norwich</em>, proposed to commence a continental +union, of which the latter greatly approved in their answer +of February the tenth.</p> + +<p class='c007'>On February the thirteenth, the sons of liberty at <em>Boston</em> +wrote a <em>circular letter</em> to <em>New-Hampshire</em>, <em>Connecticut</em>, and <em>New-York</em>; +and before the month was ended, the <em>New-Yorkers</em> sent +circular letters as far as <em>South-Carolina</em>, urging a continental union.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Most of the towns in the <em>Massachusetts</em> having been applied +to, signified “their determination to march with their whole +force to the support of the British constitution, and consequently +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXXXIV'>CXXXIV</span>the relief of those that shall or may be in danger from the stamp +act, or its abettors.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>It is not to be supposed, that the disorderly proceedings above +related, were chargeable solely on the dregs of the colonies.—The +sons of liberty at New-York, who held regular meetings, +were said to be directed by much greater persons than any that +appeared among them. The mobs consisted not of mere rabble; +but were composed much of independent freemen and freeholders, +so that some of the first people in the provinces were intimidated, +and left the cause of the parliament without proper support. +Merchants, assemblymen, magistrates, &c. united directly +or indirectly in the riots, and without their influence and instigation +the lower class of inhabitants would have been quiet; but +great pains were taken to rouse them into action. At <em>Boston</em> +such was the protection and countenance given to the rioters, that +some of the principal ringleaders walked the streets with impunity, +no officer daring to attack them, no attorney-general to +prosecute them, no witness to appear against them, and no judge +to sit upon them. But when the enormities are said to have +originated from the Presbyterians and Congregationalists, the +charge must be imputed to malevolence, or to gross ignorance, +or a mixture of both. The gentlemen on the side of government +who were upon the spot, in their letters written at the time, +placed them to the account of the <em>Virginia</em> resolves. Mr. <em>Hutchinson</em> +tells his correspondent, “Nothing extravagant appeared +in the papers till an account was received of the <em>Virginia</em> resolves.” +Mr. <em>Hughes</em> writes, “the fire began in Virginia:”—governor +<em>Bernard</em>, “the publishing the <em>Virginia</em> resolutions +proved an alarm bell to the disaffected:” another, in his letter +to Mr. Secretary <em>Conway</em> from <em>New-York</em>, “the resolves of the +assembly of <em>Virginia</em> gave the signal for a general outcry over the +continent.” The <em>Virginians</em> are episcopalians and if there is +either blame or merit in exciting that fixed and spirited opposition +to the stamp act which followed upon their resolves, let +them be credited for the same; to them belongs the honor or +disgrace; and solely to particular colonies the disgrace of the +several enormites committed in them. The bulk of the people +at <em>Boston</em> are congregationalists; at <em>New-York</em>, the presbyterians, +including the Dutch and foreign societies, may possibly be fully +equal to, or even exceed the episcopalians. At <em>Newport</em> all denominations +are equally encouraged, and enjoy no ascendency +over each other, and therefore might be equally concerned, the +peaceable quakers excepted. At <em>New-York</em> the most violent actors +were episcopalians; at <em>Boston</em> congregationalists; though +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXXXV'>CXXXV</span>here they were joined by a number of episcopalians, and there +by a number of presbyterians.</p> + +<p class='c007'>People in <em>Britain</em> were differently affected by the disturbances +in the colonies. This party was for supporting the authority of +parliament at all adventures, and for enforcing the stamp act, if +needful, with the point of the sword: that for quieting the colonies +by the repeal of it. Happy for them, Mr. <em>Grenville</em> and +his party had thrown themselves out of place on a difference as +to the regency bill; so that the marquis of <em>Rockingham</em>, and +others in opposition, who were better inclined to the Americans, +came into office, July 10, 1765. The marquis and his friends +did not come to a resolution directly to repeal the act. The +main lines of their own plan were not marked out, nor the repeal +determined upon, until a little before the meeting of parliament. +But the choice of the measure, and of the principle to proceed +upon was made before the session. The papers relative to American +affairs were produced to the house of commons; and it +was a kind of plan on all sides, to maintain the authority of parliament, +and by that very authority to give the colonies every +relief the nature of the case required. But the great commoner +Mr. <em>Pitt</em>, who neither communicated, nor connected himself +with any one, came to the house and declared, that parliament +had <em>no right</em> to tax the colonies; and said also, <em>I am glad America +has resisted</em>. He hereby deranged matters; threw the opposition +into a rage; and reduced the ministry to a necessity of accompanying +the repeal, with a declaratory bill, expressive of the +<em>right</em> of parliament to <em>bind</em> the colonies <em>in all cases whatsoever</em>.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[1766.] Mr. <em>Grenville</em> moved that the stamp act should be +enforced, and was supported by 134, but opposed by 274—The +merchants and manufacturers joined their efforts with ministry +to obtain a repeal. They were alarmed at the non-importation +agreement, and the confusions which existed, as being necessarily +prejudicial to their own interests, and tending to the +destruction of commerce. The ministry did not fail to encourage +petitions, complaining of hardships brought on by the great +decay of trade to the American colonies; and also instructions +to members from the trading and manufacturing towns. The +petition of congress was not admitted; the members not being +called together by the authority of the crown, though a futile, was +yet a prevailing argument against its admission. But the repeal +was grounded on the other petitions; and after a six weeks inquiry +into <em>American</em> affairs, was moved for, with the greatest +propriety, by general <em>Conway</em>, the secretary, who had opposed +the stamp bill at the second reading, and denied the right of parliament +to tax the Americans. The debate, which ensued, was +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXXXVI'>CXXXVI</span>warm, interesting and long. But, by three o’clock in the +morning, “[Feb. 22.] the house, by an independent noble spirited +and unexpected majority, in the teeth of all the old mercenary +<em>Swiss</em> of the state, in despite of all the speculators and augurs +of political events, in defiance of the whole embattled legion +of veteran pensioners and practised instruments of court, +gave a total repeal to the stamp act, and (if the scheme of taxing +the colonies had been totally abandoned) a lasting peace to the +whole empire.”<a id='r88'></a><a href='#f88' class='c013'><sup>[88]</sup></a> The motion was carried by 275 against 167. +The cyder counties supported it; for they expected a repeal of +the duty on cyder, and obtained it in April. It has been said, +that had not the ministry bartered the stamp act against the repeal +of the cyder duty, they would not have succeeded.<a id='r89'></a><a href='#f89' class='c013'><sup>[89]</sup></a> This +however must be a false charge, if the former marked paragraph +is strictly true. During the debate, “the trading interests of the +empire crammed into the lobbies of the house of commons, with +a trembling and anxious expectation, and waited, almost to a +winter’s return of light, their fate from the resolution of the +house. When at length, they had determined in their favor, +and the doors thrown open, showed them the figure of their deliverer, +in the well earned triumph of his important victory, from +the whole of that grave multitude there arose an involuntary +burst of gratitude and transport. They jumped upon him, like +children on a long absent father. They clung about him as captives +about their redeemer, All <em>England</em> joined in his applause. +Nor did he seem insensible of the best of all earthly rewards, +the love and admiration of his fellow citizens. <em>Hope elevated, +and joy brightened his crest.</em>”<a id='r90'></a><a href='#f90' class='c013'><sup>[90]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>The ministry had certainly great difficulties to encounter: the +principal originated in the colonies, and were caused by the intemperate +proceedings of the various ranks of men within them. +“Their violence awakened the honor of parliament, especially +after Mr. <em>Pitt’s</em> speech, and thereby involved every friend of the +repeal into the imputation of betraying its dignity. This is so +true, that the act could not have been repealed, had not men’s +minds been in some measure satisfied with the <em>declaration of +right</em>.”<a id='r91'></a><a href='#f91' class='c013'><sup>[91]</sup></a> All the <em>Scotch</em> members, save two, voted against the +repeal. Mr. Bollan, who informed lieutenant-governor Hutchinson +of it by letter, omitted mentioning the names of the +gentlemen.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The bill having passed the house of commons, went up to the +house of lords. Lords <em>Bute</em> and <em>Strange</em> publicly declared, that +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXXXVII'>CXXXVII</span>his majesty’s wish was nor for a repeal. The marquis of <em>Rockingham</em> +and Lord <em>Shelberne</em> went together to the king, and told +what was reported. They were informed, that his majesty had +expressed his desire that it should be inforced; but if it could not +be done peaceably and without bloodshed, it was his sincere desire +and intention that it should be totally repealed. The dukes of +York and Cumberland, the lords of the bedchamber and the officers +of the household, were for carrying fire and sword to America. +Most of the bench of bishops joined them. Instead of +ascribing that to a sanguinary disposition, to which their profession +was opposed; let it be imputed to the painful prospect of being +hindered eventually from establishing the English hierarchy +whithin the American colonies. There was in the house of lords, +proxies included, for the repeal 105, against it, 71.</p> + +<p class='c007'>On Wednesday, March the nineteenth, his majesty went to +the house of peers, and passed the bill for repealing the American +stamp act; as also that for securing the dependency of the +colonies on the British crown. On this occasion the American +merchants made a most numerous appearance, to express their +gratitude and joy; ships in the river displayed their colours; +houses at night were illuminated all over the city, and every decent +and orderly method was observed, to demonstrate the just +sense they entertained of his majesty’s goodness, and wisdom +of parliament in conciliating the minds of the people on this +critical occasion. An express was dispatched immediately to +Falmouth, with letters to the different provinces, acquainting +them with the news of the repeal: that so their fears might vanish, +and give place to joy and exultation.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 class='c005'>LETTER IV.</h2> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-r c002'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><em>Roxbury, April 14, 1773.</em></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c012'>Mr. <em>Samuel Adams’s</em> name will occur frequently in the course +of our correspondence; be it noted, therefore, that the +first time of his being returned for <em>Boston</em>, [Sept. 27, 1765] and +serving as a representative, was upon an election occasioned by +the death of <em>Oxenbridge Thacher</em>, esq. The deceased belonged +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXXXVIII'>CXXXVIII</span>to the band of patriots; but when he happened to think differently +from Mr. <em>Otis</em>, jun. in the house of assembly, the latter +treated him in so overbearing and indecent a manner, that he +was obliged at times to call upon the speaker to interpose and +protect him. The state of affairs required a particular attention +to the political sentiments of the person who should be chosen. +The inhabitants, in fixing upon Mr. S. Adams, made choice of +a member who was zealously attached to the rights of the Massachusetts +in particular, and the colonies in general, and but little +to his own personal interests. He was well qualified to second +Mr. Otis, and learned in time to serve his own public views +by the influence of the other. He was soon noticed by the house, +chosen and continued their clerk from year to year, by which +means he had the custody of their papers, and of these he knew +how to make an advantage for political purposes. He was frequently +upon important committees, and acquired great ascendency +by discovering a readiness to acquiesce in the proposals +and amendments of others, while the end aimed at by them, +did not eventually frustrate his leading designs. He showed a +pliableness and complaisance in these smaller matters, which +enabled him in the issue to carry those of much greater consequence; +and there were many favorite points which the sons +of liberty in the <em>Massachusetts</em> meant to carry, even though the +stamp act should be repealed.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[1766.] Mr. <em>Pitt</em>’s declaration against the parliament’s right +to impose <em>internal taxes</em>, and his saying <em>I am glad America has +resisted</em>, were seized with eagerness by the popular leaders in +the colonies. They praised and idolized him for the same, without +regarding what he had declared in favor of the authority of +parliament in all cases of <em>external taxation</em>, and for enforcing +all laws for that purpose; and notwithstanding his having said, +“If obedience be refused, I would not suffer a horse-nail to be +made in the plantations.” Their spirits were elated, and they +took encouragement from his declaration, to fortify themselves +in their own sentiments upon American liberty.</p> + +<p class='c007'>It is impossible to express or describe the extraordinary joy +with which the body of the Americans received the news of the +repeal, though the power of the vice-admiralty courts remained +unabridged, and the declaratory act was added. The latter was +considered by some, as passed merely to save appearances, while +contemned by others, whose wisdom would have been more evident +had they repressed their contempt, whatever was their opinion. +In regard to the former, “the judges of the vice-admiralty +courts in the colonies, had assigned them, by acts of parliament, +a jurisdiction for the recovery of penalties upon the laws +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXXXIX'>CXXXIX</span>of revenue and trade, without juries for near a century past.”<a id='r92'></a><a href='#f92' class='c013'><sup>[92]</sup></a> +Had a prudent and moderate temper taken possession of all parties +at this period, it had been happy: but they were so much +heated in some colonies, as to be determined upon opposing +each other.</p> + +<p class='c007'>When the choice of members for <em>Boston</em>, to represent the +town in the next general court, was approaching, Mr. <em>John +Rowe</em>, a merchant, who had been active on the side of liberty +in matters of trade, was thought of by some influential persons. +Mr. <em>Samuel Adams</em> artfully nominated a different one, by asking +with his eyes looking to Mr. <em>Hancock</em>’s house, “Is there not another +<em>John</em> that may do better?” The hint took. Mr. <em>John +Hancock</em>’s uncle was dead, and had left him a very considerable +fortune. Mr. <em>Samuel Adams</em> judged that the fortune would +give credit and support to the cause of liberty; that popularity +would please the possessor; and that he might be easily secured +by prudent management, and might make a conspicuous figure +in the band of patriots.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Messrs. <em>James Otis</em>, jun. <em>Thomas Cushing</em>, <em>Samuel Adams</em>, +and <em>John Hancock</em> (who had never been of the house before) +were returned for <em>Boston</em>. The town of <em>Plymouth</em> made choice +also of a new representative, the high sheriff of the county, +<em>James Warren</em>, esq. a gentleman of real abilities, and who espoused +the side of liberty upon principle. The government +wished to have him upon their side, and played off both threats +and promises; however he was immoveable.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[May 28.] The general court met according to charter. The +house of assembly chose Mr. <em>Otis</em> speaker. Governor <em>Bernard</em> +negatived, instead of adopting the conciliating measure of accepting +him. The acceptance might have softened and induced him +to have dropped the plan of leaving out of the council, in the +new election, the crown officers and justices of the superior +court; but the refusal confirmed him in it, and by irritating the +house, enabled him to execute it the more easily. The crown +officers were, the lieutenant governor and secretary, Messrs. +<em>Hutchinson</em> and <em>Oliver</em>; the others held only provincial commissions. +The opposition assigned as the reason for leaving them +out, that they might redress a grievance long complained of by +their constituents, a dangerous union of legislative and executive +powers in the same persons. But the true ones probably were, +the suspicions and dislike they entertained of and to their political +sentiments, and Mr. <em>Otis</em>’s having been negatived. Mr. <em>Bernard</em> +retaliated, and excepted against the six counsellors chosen +in the room of the others. Thus the animosity was increased. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXL'>CXL</span>Had he negatived two or three only, there might have been +an opening for healing the breach; but now it was otherwise. +The liberty party gained strength, and it was ordered by the assembly +[June 12.] “That the debates of this house be open, +and that a gallery be erected for the accommodation of such as +shall be inclined to attend them.” A gallery was prepared with +the utmost expedition, and finished in a few days. It was viewed +as a great acquisition to the common cause; and certainly +served a double purpose. The admission of the people at large +to hear the debates, and to watch the members, restrained some +from speaking with their usual freedom in support of governmental +measures; and encouraged others to indulge themselves in all +that animated language, and those solemn protestations of disinterested +zeal for the rights and privileges of their country, which +are so taking with men of honest minds and plain understandings. +But you are not to suppose that these protestations were always +true on this side of the Atlantic any more than on yours. Many +joined the banners of liberty, and violently opposed the governor +and governmental measures, because of the restraints they +were under from the laws of trade, the danger they were in of +suffering by them, and his persisting to give these laws all the +support in his power. The opposition had great advantage in +the political contest, by branding all the supporters of government +as friends to the stamp act, though they knew to the contrary. +Both sides were sensible that the act was merely financial, +without any regard to the political state of America, or +any purpose to remove one of its difficulties.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The house was unanimous in voting, that thanks should be returned +to the duke of <em>Grafton</em> and other noblemen, to Mr. <em>Pitt</em> +and other gentlemen, who had been active and aiding in the repeal +of the stamp act. However, when his majesty’s recommendation +to make up the losses of the sufferers in the late unhappy +times, came before them from the governor, with these words, +“The justice and humanity of this requisition is so forcible that +it cannot be controverted; the authority with which it is introduced, +should preclude all disputation about complying with it;” +they objected to the manner in which it was proposed, as being +“derogatory to the honor of the house, and in breach of the +privileges thereof,” and unreasonably declined making compensation; +whereas their privileges might have been preserved uninjured, +by a vote to relieve the sufferers on their own application, +out of dutiful respect to the mild representation of his +majesty, and out of humanity and generosity to the sufferers.</p> + +<p class='c007'>When a compensation was first talked of, it was the general +opinion that it ought to be made, but that it was due from Boston +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXLI'>CXLI</span>only, and not the province in general. This thought probably +determined the Boston members to oppose making the compensation +even out of the treasury; a way in which it might have +been done, had they and their friends joined the friends of government. +But had the money been ordered out of the treasury, +a subsequent motion might have charged it upon Boston, +which as the tax bill was to be past at that time, would have been +easily effected. The interest of the town induced its members to +employ every circumstance to prevent the compensation’s being +voted at present. After a while repeated advices were received, +that the honor of parliament was engaged to see the compensation +made, and that they would certainly take it in hand, if the +provincial assembly refused. It was obvious that the parliament +could enforce payment from a sea port. The people of Boston +grew uneasy that the money was not paid. A town-meeting +was called; the above mentioned expedient was proposed and +approved of, and their representatives were directed to use +their influence that compensation might be granted upon those +principles, and the money be paid out of the treasury.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Sept.] Mr. <em>Hutchinson</em> and the other sufferers petitioned for +relief.<a id='r93'></a><a href='#f93' class='c013'><sup>[93]</sup></a> Their petitions were considered; and on the question +being put, “Whether shall compensation be made out of the +province treasury?” it passed in the negative. A bill, however, +was finally admitted for making compensation, which was +to be transmitted to the several towns, for the sentiments of the +constituents.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Dec. 5.] It passed to be engrossed, yeas 53, nays 35; but +not without the house’s resolving, “That it is under a full persuasion +that the sufferers have no just claim or demand on the +province.” A needless resolve, tending to excite disgust in +many, without answering any important purpose. The act +granted compensation to the sufferers; and a free and general +pardon, indemnity, and oblivion to the offenders in the late +times. It was disallowed at home, on account of the assembly’s +having incorporated an act of pardon with an act of compensation, +without having obtained his majesty’s previous consent to +such an act of pardon. The sufferers, however, received the +compensation, and the offenders were not prosecuted.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Nov. 7.] In <em>Virginia</em> a bill passed the house of burgesses, +for erecting a statue to his majesty, as an acknowledgment for +repealing the stamp act, and also an obelisk to commemorate +those worthy patriots who distinguished themselves in bringing +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXLII'>CXLII</span>about that happy event. And at <em>New-York</em> [Dec.] an act was +passed for making restitution to the several persons therein +named, for losses sustained in the late commotions. But when +the assembly was applied to for carrying into execution the act +of parliament of the preceding year, for quartering his majesty’s +troops, they said in their address to the governor, Sir <em>Henry +Moore</em>, “According to the construction put on it here, it is required +that all the forces which shall at any time enter this colony, +shall be quartered during the whole year in a very unusual +and expensive manner; by marching several regiments into +this colony, this expence would become ruinous and insupportable; +and therefore we cannot, consistent with our duty to our +constituents, put it in the power of any person (whatsoever confidence +we may have of his prudence and integrity) to lay such +a burden on them,” and so justified their declining to provide +for the troops.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Before closing the account of 1766, be it observed, that the +people of <em>Connecticut</em> failed not to show their resentment against +their late governor’s having qualified, agreeable to what +the stamp act enjoined. There was a meeting of gentlemen at +<em>Hartford</em>, for concerting a plan for the choice of a new governor +and counsellors, in the room of those, who with him had +taken the oath required. Matters were so managed at this meeting, +that when the election came on, Mr. <em>Petkin</em> was chosen +governor, and colonel <em>Trumbull</em> deputy governor. But the +episcopalians, almost to a man, voted for Mr. <em>Fitch</em>; and by +thus making a party with administration against the claims and +rights of their colony, rendered themselves obnoxious.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Jan. 31, 1767.] The <em>Massachusetts</em> house of assembly continued +their opposition to the lieutenant governor Mr. <em>Hutchinson</em>, +and resolved, “That he not being elected a counsellor, has +by the charter, no right to a seat at the council board, with or +without a voice, while the commander in chief is in the province.” +March the fifth the council determined the same; but +in their message to the house, expressed their surprise at what +had been done without them, and at its not being mentioned +to the board till February the twenty-fourth. Mr. <em>Hutchinson</em> +afterward did not attempt to be present. Lord Shelburne, in +answer to what was transmitted to him by the governor upon the +affair, wrote in September, “the admission of the lieutenant +governor, lies after all in the breast of the council only, as being +the proper judges of their own privileges, and as having a right +to determine whom they will admit to be present at their deliberations.” +These proceedings of the <em>Massachusetts</em> and <em>New-York</em> +assemblies, thought to be, in name at least, two of the most +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXLIII'>CXLIII</span>considerable in the colonies, were ascribed to an unreasonable +perverseness of temper; and exasperated the friends of America +by exposing them, however unjustly, to the imputation of +sacrificing the interests of Great-Britain to those of America. +They also encouraged the anti-Americans to resume the plan of +taxing the colonies; and Mr. <em>Charles Townsend</em> pawned his credit +to them for effecting it, and became chancellor of the exchequer. +But three of the ministry opposed in the council +taxing the Americans afresh, and it would have been a blessing +had their opinion prevailed.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[May 13.] The chancellor of the exchequer moved for leave +to bring in bills for granting a duty upon paper, glass, painters +colours, &c. in the British American colonies; for settling salaries +on the governors, judges, &c. in North-America; and for +taking off the duty on teas exported to America, and granting +a duty of three-pence a pound on the importation in America. +Two bills were at length framed, the one for granting duties in +the British colonies in America, on paper, glass, painters colours, +tea, &c. the other for taking off the duty of a shilling +a pound on all black and singlo tea, and for granting a drawback +on teas exported to Ireland and America. The first received +the royal assent June the twenty-ninth; the last July the +second. The preamble to the first act expresses, that the duties +are laid “for the better support of government, and the administration +of the colonies.” The colonists deemed it unnecessary, +unjust, and dangerous to their most important rights. +There is a clause in it enabling the crown, by sign manual to +establish <em>a general civil list</em> throughout every province in <em>North-America</em>, +to any indefinite extent, with any salaries, pensions, +or appointments, to any unlimited amount, even to the produce +of the last farthing of the American revenue. The point +was now carried, which had been the object of every minister +since the reign of Charles II. viz. <em>the establishment of a civil list +in America, independent of the assemblies</em>. Mr. <em>Richard Jackson</em> +spoke in the house of commons against that part of the bill, +and was supported only by Mr. <em>Huske</em>, and no other member. +He was convinced, that though the judges ought to be independent +both of crown and people, yet mischiefs might arise from +the independency of governors on the people, much greater than +could arise from their dependence; and that it was not fit that +such persons as governors usually are, should be independent of +the people, and dependent upon the crown for their governments. +The act provides, that after all such ministerial warrants +under the sign manual, as are <em>thought proper and necessary</em>, +shall be satisfied, the residue of the revenue shall be at the disposal +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXLIV'>CXLIV</span>of the parliament. But who can suppose that such warrants +will ever be satisfied till ministers have provided for all their +friends and favorites? May it not be said upon the plan of this +act, “the mockery of an American revenue proves at last to be +the crumbs that fall from the minister’s table—the residue, indeed, +of a royal warrant, countersigned by the first lord of the +treasury.”<a id='r94'></a><a href='#f94' class='c013'><sup>[94]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>An account being received of <em>New-York</em>’s having refused to +provide for quartering the troops, Mr. <em>Grenville</em> and his adherents +raised such a clamor against America, that it was thought +necessary to bring in a bill [May 27.] “for restraining the assembly +of <em>New-York</em> from passing any act till they had complied +with the act of parliament for the furnishing his majesty’s troops +with the necessaries required by that act;” and it had the royal +assent the second of July. The taking away in this manner from +the province of <em>New-York</em> all the powers of legislation, till they +should comply with the former act, occasioned a general alarm +among the Americans. They now saw that their own colonial +parliaments, as they considered them, were to be bound to what +the British ministry might deem their good behavior, by the +acts of a British parliament. Nothing could be more grating +to the sons of liberty in every province. It was the club of +power, which, while it knocked down the <em>New-York</em> assembly, +threatened every other with the like, if not pliable.</p> + +<p class='c007'>A plan of a board of commissioners for the American department, +in order to ease the old board of commissioners of part of +its burden through increasing business, had been in contemplation. +It was intended to be placed in London, in order to be +near the treasury, the ultimatum of revenue matters. Mr. <em>Paxton</em>, +thought to be the most plausible and insinuating of mankind +though not the most sincere, having left Boston and gone to Britain, +had free access to the chancellor of the exchequer, Mr. +<em>Charles Townsend</em>. It is said that he whined, cried, professed, +swore, and made his will in favor of that great man; and then +urged the necessity of an <em>American board of commissioners</em>, and +his having a seat at it. He might forward the business. Be +that as it may, the chancellor brought in a bill [June 3.] for +establishing a custom-house and a board of commissioners in +America, which also passed into an act at the same time with +the former. Mr. Paxton, for his own convenience and pleasure, +might procure the fixing the board at Boston; but of all +places it was the most improper. The people were, of all others, +the most jealous of infringements on their liberties; and were +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXLV'>CXLV</span>the least suited to see crown officers living among them in great +state, upon what they could not but deem, from the mediocrity +of their own circumstances, large salaries, payable from the revenue +to be raised from the colonies. The board should have +been placed at <em>New-York</em>. Smuggling was as prevalent there as +at Boston. The inhabitants had been long used to crown officers +with splendid appearances; the commanders of his majesty’s +troops resided much among them; numbers of them lived in a +higher stile than the Bostonians; beside, there the commissioners +would have had forces at hand to have supported them, and +have met with greater assistance from the servants of a royal government +and their connections. The timing also as well as the +placing of the board, was rather unfortunate; for it supplied the +Americans with the opportunity of propagating that it was appointed +merely to enforce the new duties. By this means the +people were inflamed, and the appointment was pronounced unconstitutional +and oppressive. The duties were to take place +after the twentieth of November; and in the beginning of that +month, three of the commissioners, <em>Henry Hulton</em>, <em>William +Burch</em>, and <em>Charles Paxton</em>, esqs. arrived at Boston; the other +two, <em>John Temple</em> and <em>John Robinson</em>, esqs. were in America +before. As to the expence of the board of customs, including +the whole, it was a thousand pounds less than that of the four +surveyors general, and the office connected with them at London. +The chancellor had been instrumental in reviving those +American animosities which the repeal of the stamp act had +quieted; but did not live to see the fatal consequences which +have followed, as he died the fourth of September.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Oct. 28.] A few gentlemen at a private club in <em>Boston</em>, having +suggested a non-importation agreement, the thought was +improved upon, till at length the inhabitants, at a town meeting, +agreed upon measures to promote industry, œconomy, and +manufactures; thereby to prevent the unnecessary importation +of <em>European</em> commodities. They also voted, that a subscription +paper should be prepared, and a committee appointed to procure +subscriptions to it; by which the parties engaged to encourage +the use and consumption of all articles manufactured in +any of the British American colonies; and after the thirty-first +of December following, not to purchase certain enumerated articles +imported from abroad.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The failure of expected success from these measures, and an +apprehension of disagreeable consequences from an ineffectual +opposition, were probably the motives that induced Mr. <em>Otis</em> at +a subsequent town-meeting [Nov. 20.] to make a long speech +on the side of government, wherein he asserted the king’s right +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXLVI'>CXLVI</span>to appoint officers of the customs, in which number and by what +denomination he pleased; and that as to the new duties, it +would be very imprudent in the town to make an opposition to +them, when every town in the province, and every other province +in America seemed to acquiesce in them and be contented. +But the proposed measures were afterward approved of and adopted +<em>Providence</em> and <em>Newport</em>.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Jan. 1768.] The <em>Connecticut</em> towns and <em>New-York</em> followed +the exemple. Still the business laboured without being productive +of any important effects. This engaged the attention of one +captain Malcolm, a small trader, who about eighteen months before +had made himself famous by a violent and successful resistance +with sword and pistol to the custom-house officers, when +endeavouring to search his house for uncustomed goods, under +the authority of a writ of assistance. Having, about the middle +of February, safely run the cargo of a schooner from Fyall, consisting +of about sixty pipes of wine, he, within two or three days, +procured a meeting of some merchants and traders at which he +presided. Nothing was determined upon more, than the calling +of a general meeting of the merchants on Friday, March the +fourth. This may be stiled the first movement of the merchants +against the new acts of parliament. The result of this +meeting was, that a subscription for not importing any English +goods, except for the fishery, for eighteen months, should be +prepared and carried round the town. It met with no great +encouragement, and many declined subscribing. On this all engines +were set to work; some were threatened and made afraid +for their person and houses; others for their trade and credit.—By +such means the subscription was filled. But the merchants +of New-York and Philadelphia declined to concur in the measure, +those of Boston were obliged to give it up for the present. +However, they renewed it within a few months, as you will +learn below.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The <em>New-England</em> spirit of patriotism and œconomy was +greatly approved of at <em>Philadelphia</em>: and it was said, that “If +America is saved from its impending danger, New-England will +be its acknowledged guardian.” Periodical pieces were published +at Boston on the nature and extent of British parliamentary +power. Hints were thrown out about independency, and intimations +given, that freemen were not to be governed any more +than taxed but by their own consent, in real or virtual representatives. +The power of British legislation over the Americans was +questioned, and virtually denied. Matters were brought to this +length, by broaching a new dispute that should never have been +moved again; and which might happily have lain dorment for +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXLVII'>CXLVII</span>half a century or more had no fresh attempt been made to tax +the Americans. Before the stamp act they allowed the mother +country a certain prerogative over them. They acquiesced in +the parliament’s right to make many acts, binding them in divers +internal matters, and regulating their trade. They did not reason +neither then nor immediately after the repeal, “if the parliament +has no right to tax us <em>internally</em>, they have none to tax us <em>externally</em>, +or to make any other law to bind us.” They admitted the +distinction between internal and external taxation, and between +raising money from the regulation of trade, and raising it for the +purpose of a revenue. The wisdom of parliament should have abode +by their concessions, and have adopted and confirmed their distinction. +But being obliged to enter afresh the field of political controversy, +great numbers began to think, that the want of representation +in parliament, freed them absolutely from any obedience to the +power of the British legislature; and that there was no real, and +only a nominal difference between internal and external taxation, +agreeable to what was insisted upon by the party opposing the repeal +of the stamp act. <em>John Dickinson</em>, esq. began so early as in +November, 1767, to employ his pen against the act which had +been passed, in a series of <em>Letters from a farmer in Pennsylvania +to the inhabitants of the British Colonies</em>. They amounted to +twelve; and in them he ably maintained the rights of the colonists. +He closed with a postscript in these words: “Is there not +the greatest reason to hope, if the universal sense of these colonies +is immediately exprest by <em>resolves</em> of the assembles in support +of their rights, by <em>instructions</em> to their agents on the subject, +and by <em>petitions</em> to the crown and parliament for redress, that +those measures will have the same success now that they had in +the time of the stamp act?” The inhabitants of Boston were so +sensible of the eminent service he did to the common cause, that +they wrote to him upon the occasion. It his answer, April the +eleventh, he said, “Never will my heart become insensible till +insensible of all worldly things, of the unspeakable obligation I +owe to the inhabitants of the <em>Massachusetts Bay</em>, for the vigilance +with which they have watched over, and the magnanimity +with which they have maintained the liberties of the <em>British colonies</em> +on this continent.” It was probably owing to Mr. <em>Dickinson’s</em> +publications, that the <em>Pennsylvania</em> assembly, early in February, +before they knew what measure the <em>Massachusetts Bay</em>, +or any other colony, would pursue, took into consideration the +act imposing duties on paper, glass, &c. and gave positive instructions +to their agents, to unite with other agents, in applying +to parliament and praying relief.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CXLVIII'>CXLVIII</span>It may be justly concluded, from governor <em>Bernard’s</em> letters +to lord Shelburne, that the Massachusetts assembly were inclined +to bury in oblivion the discords occasioned by the stamp act, and +to escape other subjects of future controversy, had not the late +chancellor unhappily revived the animosities. “The house, +(says the governor) from the time of opening the session to this +day, has shown a disposition to avoid all dispute with me; every +thing having passed with as much good humor as I could desire, +except only their continuing to act in addressing the king, remonstrating +to the secretary of state, and employing a separate +agent. It is the importance of this innovation which induces me +to make this remonstrance, at a time when I have a fair prospect +of having in all other business, nothing but good to say +of the proceedings of the house.”<a id='r95'></a><a href='#f95' class='c013'><sup>[95]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>“They have acted in all thing, even in their remonstrance, +with temper and moderation: they have avoided some subjects +of dispute, and have laid a foundation for removing some causes +of former altercation.”<a id='r96'></a><a href='#f96' class='c013'><sup>[96]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>“I will make such a prudent and proper use of the letter, +as, I hope, will perfectly restore the peace and tranquility of +this province, for which purpose considerable steps have been +made by the house of representatives.”<a id='r97'></a><a href='#f97' class='c013'><sup>[97]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>[Jan. 21.] The <em>Massachusetts</em> house of representatives, in a +debate upon the expediency of writing to the assemblies of the +other colonies upon the continent, with respect to the importance +of joining with them,” put a question on the proposition +of writing letters, desiring those assemblies to join them, which +was negatived for this very reason, because containing the proposition +of joining. The house thought exceptions might be taken +at it, as having a tendency to from combinations; and that +it might be considered at home as the appointing another congress. +It is an excellent rule of the house, that no vote shall be +re-considered, unless the number of members present equals the +number at its passing. When they had the same number, eithty-two, +which makes a full house, a motion was made [Feb. 4.] for +re-considering the vote against applying to the other colonies; +and the vote of re-consideration was obtained by a large majority. +The same day a committee was appointed to prepare a letter to +be transmitted to the several houses of representatives and burgesses +upon the continent, to inform them of the measures the +house had taken with regard to difficulties they were apprehensive +would arise from the operation of several acts of parliament +for levying duties and taxes on the American colonies. The +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXLIX'>CXLIX</span>committee after deliberating a week, reported the letter, [Feb +11.] which being read in the house, was accepted almost unanimously, +in the presence of eighty-three members. It began +thus: “Sir, the house of representatives of this province have +taken into their serious consideration the great difficulties that +must accrue to themselves and their constituents, by the operation +of several acts of parliament imposing duties and taxes on +the American colonies.” It then related the measures they had +taken in petitioning the king, making representations to the ministry, +&c. and concluded with, “the house is fully satisfied that +your assembly is too generous and enlarged in sentiment, to believe +that this letter proceeds from an ambition of taking the lead +or dictating to the other assemblies. They freely submit their +opinion to the judgment of others, and shall take it kind in your +house to point out to them any thing further that may be though +necessary. This house cannot conclude without expressing their +firm confidence in the king, our common head and father, that +the united and dutiful supplications of his distressed American +subjects will meet with his royal and favorable acceptance.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Feb. 25.] <em>Peter Gilman</em>, esq. speaker of the <em>New-Hampshire</em> +assembly wrote by order of the house, in answer to the Massachusetts +circular letter—“The sentiments contained in it are +highly approved, and the communication kindly received and +gratefully acknowledged. The time of the house’s existance in +that relation is near expiring; they cannot engage for their successors +and can only express their satisfaction in the Massachusetts +proceedings, and declare their hopes, that the next assembly +will heartily concur in sentiments on this affair, and pursue the +same method.” The letter ran in the highest recommendatory +strain of the Massachusetts Bay assembly; and concluded with, +“What remains for us at present, is to offer our daily prayer to +the Governor and Lord of the universe, to avert the impending +evil, and to make way for the full establishment of British liberty +in every branch of it, and to quiet every colony in the enjoyment +of all their civil and religious rights and privileges.” For +these courtly expressions, with which the house declined doing +any thing in the business, the next assembly was rewarded with +courtly commendations. The governor, <em>John Wentworth</em>, esq. +in a message of October the twentieth, communicated the copy +of the following extract of a letter from Lord <em>Hillsborough</em>, of +July the ninth: “It is his majesty’s pleasure that you should assure +his faithful subjects in <em>New-Hampshire</em>, that his majesty has +nothing more at heart than to promote their welfare and happiness, +whose cheerful obedience to the laws of this kingdom, and +steady resolution in refusing to accede to the measures and proposals +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CL'>CL</span>which have been urged with so much indecent warmth +in other colonies, cannot fail to recommend them to his royal +favour and countenance.” The assembly, however, nine days +after, petitioned the king, and mentioned that his royal predecessors +granted them a power of legislation, limited to the approbation +or disallowance of the crown, with the powers and privileges +essential to British liberty, of raising internal taxes by +their own representatives. The petition was most profoundly +humble, and so softly worded, that it could not offend the most +delicate ear of the highest parliamentary prerogative man. By +some accident or contrivance, it was not sent till antiquated and +out of season. Mr. <em>Wentworth</em> had gained an ascendency over +the people of his government, by which he kept them from entering +into such spirited measures for the redress of grievances +as would be offensive to ministry. The other colonies adopted +a different line of conduct. The <em>Virginia</em> house of burgesses applauded +the <em>Massachusetts</em> representatives for their attention to +American liberty; took notice of the act suspending the legislative +powers of <em>New-York</em>; and said, “If the parliament can +compel the colonies to furnish a single article to the troops sent +over, they may, by the same rule, oblige them to furnish clothes, +arms, and every other necessary, even to the pay of the officers +and soldiers, a doctrine replete with every mischief, and utterly +subversive of all that is dear and valuable.” The council concurred +with them in all their proceedings; and their agent was +enjoined to consult the agents of the other colonies, and to co-operate +with them in applying for redress. Most of the assemblies +upon the continent, as they had opportunity, approved of +the doings of the Massachusetts, and harmonized with them in +resolves and petitions. [April 22.] But an account of their doings +had not reached Great-Britain long, before lord <em>Hillsborough</em> +wrote Gov. <em>Bernard</em> upon the occasion. For want of fuller and +juster information, or of due attention to the governor’s expressions, +the proceeding which originated the circular letter, was +mentioned—“as unfair, contrary to the real sense of the assembly, +and procured by surprise; and therefore” upon this mistaken +principle, the governor was instructed, “so soon as the +general court is again assembled, to require of the house of representatives, +in his majesty’s name, to rescind the resolution +which gave birth to the circular letter from the speaker, and to +declare their disapprobation of, and dissent to that rash and hasty +proceeding.” In case they refused to comply, he was immediately +to dissolve them, and to transmit to his lordship an account +of their transactions. [June 21.] The house was informed of what +was required; and three days after, of what they were to expect +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLI'>CLI</span>if unpliable. Their resolution not being returned within six days +of the last part of the information, the governor sent them word +he could wait no longer, which hastened the business in which +they were engaged.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[30.] A committee of the house reported a letter to Lord +<em>Hillsborough</em>, setting forth the several votes and resolutions +which passed in the last house of representatives, relating to the +circular letter; and showing that the whole of these matters was +transacted in the height of the cession in a full house, and by +a large majority. The letter was approved of by 93 out of +105 members present, and ordered to be transmitted to his lordship. +The house agreed also upon a message to the governor, +in which they said, “It is to us incomprehensible that we should +be required, on the peril of a dissolution of the general court, +to rescind a resolution of a former house, when it is evident, that +that resolution has no existence but as a mere historical fact. Your +excellency must know, that the resolution is, to speak in the language +of the common law, not now executory, but to all intents +and purposes executed. If, as is most probable, by the word rescinding +is intended the passing a vote, in direct and express disapprobation +of the measure taken by the former house as illegal, +inflammatory, and tending to promote unjustifiable combinations +against his majesty’s peace, crown and dignity, we must take +the liberty to testify and publicly declare, that we take it to be +the native, inherent, and indefeasible right of the subject, jointly +or severally, to petition the king for the redress of grievances; +provided alway, that the same be done in a decent, dutiful, loyal +and constitutional way, without tumult, disorder and confusion.—If +the votes of the house are to be controuled by the direction +of a minister, we have left us but a vain semblance of liberty.—We +have now only to inform you, that this house have voted <em>not +to rescind</em>, and that on a division on the question, there were ninety-two +nays, and seventeen yeas.” The message was firm, patriotic, +and spirited; and in some parts allusively severe upon the +governor, but every where decently expressed. The rescinders +were governmental receivers or expectants. They had, or looked +for a reward for their crouching compliance. The next day +[July 1.] the governor passed some necessary acts, and then dissolved +the assembly. It is scarce conceivable how a new assembly +of representatives could think themselves capable of being +more grossly insulted, than by being made accountable for the +proceedings of a dissolved and dead one, and by being punished +with immediate destruction for not declaring themselves of opposite +sentiments to their predecessors. Mr. <em>Otis</em>, in his speech +against rescinding, said, “When Lord Hillsborough knows that +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLII'>CLII</span>we will not rescind our acts, he should apply to parliament to rescind +theirs. <em>Let Britain rescind their measures or they are lost +for ever.</em>” His speech, by the patriotic enthusiasts was extolled +to the skies; and by the governmental ones, was declared to be +the most violent, insolent, abusive, treasonable declamation, that +perhaps ever was delivered. While the matter of rescinding was +under consideration, the house received an answer from <em>Virginia</em>, +and one from <em>New-Jersey</em>, which, though not so very high as +the other, was far from being unfavorable. They had also intelligence +that they might expect the like from other assemblies: +these circumstances probably increased the majority against rescinding. +Had it not been for the mandate to rescind, the sessions +might have terminated prosperously and peaceably; for Mr. +<em>Otis</em>, though he had distinguished himself by carrying the objections +to the authority of parliament to the greatest length, had +retracted all his former opinions, in a set speech at the opening +of it. He said, he had fully informed himself of the relation +between Great-Britain and her colonies; and was convinced +that the power of parliament over her colonies was absolute, with +this qualification, that they ought not to tax them until they allowed +them to send representatives; and that if the colonies had +representatives, the power of parliament would be as perfect in +America as in England. He then argued for an American representation. +This surprised the assembly, and induced a member +on the side of government to charge the opposition with the +intention of making an American representation necessary, by +denying the authority of parliament over them because not represented. +The answers of the other party were thought to +strengthen the suspicion. Upon which Mr. Timothy Ruggles +pointedly said, that as they were determined to have representatives, +he begged leave to recommend to them a merchant who +would undertake to carry their representatives to England for +half what they would sell for when they arrived there. But the +best argument to have silenced any of the opposition, who might +interestedly hanker after an American representation, would have +been to have repeated the resolve of the house on the 29th of +October, 1765—“A representation in parliament of the inhabitants +of the province, such as the subjects in Britain actually enjoy, +is impracticable for the subjects in America.” The day before +lord <em>Hillsborough</em> wrote to Mr. <em>Bernard</em> upon the business +of rescinding, a circular letter was written to the governors of +the respective provinces, to accompany a copy of that of the +<em>Massachusetts</em>, in which his lordship said, “It is his majesty’s +pleasure, that you should immediately, on the receipt hereof, +exert your utmost influence to defeat this flagitious attempt to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLIII'>CLIII</span>disturb the public peace, by prevailing upon the assembly of your +province to take no notice of it, which will be treating it with +the contempt it deserves.” He then added a closing paragraph +meant to influence the assemblies into a compliance. The circular +letter was in some instances received in time, but produced a +very different effect from what was intended. The <em>New-York</em> +assembly had felt the weight of the parliament’s high displeasure, +and been bereaved of legislative power till they should +comply with the billeting act. In the beginning of the year they +voted the sum wanted to the general, for the purchase of salt, +pepper and vinegar, instead of passing an act conformable to the +parliament’s act, which vote was accepted. But when they met +at the close of the year, after having completed a petition to his +majesty, another to the lords, and a remonstrance to the commons, +they proceeded to consider the circular letters from the +assemblies of <em>Massachusetts-Bay</em> and <em>Virginia</em>, and unanimously +agreed to answer them in the most respectful manner. They +then entered into some very spirited resolves in favor of liberty, +and the rights of their constituents; and appointed a committee +to correspond and consult with any other his majesty’s subjects +out of the colony, either individually or collectively, on any +matter or thing whatsoever, whereby the rights or privileges of +the house or its constituents might be affected. These doings +occasioned their being dissolved.</p> + +<p class='c007'>We are now entering upon another interesting period.</p> + +<p class='c007'>It had been the common practice for the tide-waiter, upon the +arrival of a vessel, to repair to the cabin, and there to remain, +drinking punch with the master, while the sailors and others +upon deck were employed in landing the wines, molasses, or +other dutiable goods. The commissioners of the customs were +determined that the laws of trade should be executed.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Upon the arrival of Mr. <em>Hancock</em>’s sloop <em>Liberty</em>, <em>Nathaniel +Bernard</em>, master, from <em>Madeira</em>, the tidesman, <em>Thomas Kirk</em>, +went on board in the afternoon. Captain <em>Marshall</em>, in Mr. +<em>Hancock</em>’s employ, followed; and about nine in the evening, +made several proposals to <em>Kirk</em>, which being rejected, captain +<em>Marshall</em>, with five or six others, laid hold of, overpowered, and +confined him below for three hours, in which time the wine was +taken out, before entry had been made at the custom-house or +naval office. <em>Marshall</em> threatened <em>Kirk</em> in case of discovery. +The captain wrought so hard in unloading the sloop, that his +sudden death, that night, while in bed, before assistance could +be obtained, was generally believed to have been owing to some +injury received from his uncommon exertions. The next morning +the master entered, as it is said, four or five pipes, and swore +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLIV'>CLIV</span>that was the whole of his cargo. It was resolved to seize the +sloop for a false entry’s being made; though it was thought by +many that no one would undertake the business.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[June 10.] Mr. <em>Joseph Harrison</em>, the collector, and Mr. <em>Benjamin +Hallowell</em>, the comptroller, repaired to Hancock’s wharf. +Mr. <em>Harrison</em> objected to the unseasonableness of the time, being +between six and seven, when the lower class of people were returning +from their day labour. The seizure however was made +before sun-set, so as to be perfectly legal. Mr. <em>Harrison</em> thought +the sloop might lie at the wharf, after clapping the broad arrow +upon her; but Mr. <em>Hallowell</em> judged it would be best to move +her under the guns of the <em>Romney</em>, and made signal for her boats +to come ashore. The people upon the wharf cried out, “There +is no occasion, she will lie safe, and no officer has a right to remove +her;” but the master of the man of war cut her moorings +and carried her off. Every mean was used to interrupt the officers +in the execution of their business, and numbers swore that +they would be revenged. A mob was soon collected, which increased +to a thousand or two, chiefly of sturdy boys and negroes. +The minds of the people were inflamed by the seizure and removal +of the vessel. They had been before irritated by the captain +of the man of war’s pressing some seamen belonging to the +town; add to that; their aversion to the board of commissioners, +the popularity of the owner, and the name of the sloop—these +of course excited their resentments, and wrought them up into +a combustible body. Captain Malcolm, who was deeply engaged +in running the wines, headed a number of men after the seizure, +and was very active in attempting to prevent the sloop’s being +removed. Mr. <em>Harrison</em> was pelted with stones, bricks, and +dirt, and received several blows with sticks, particularly one on +the breast, so that it was with difficulty he could keep from falling; +he was afterward confined to his bed from the injuries he +had received. Mr. <em>Hallowell</em>, Mr. <em>Irving</em>, inspector of imports +and exports, and the collector’s son were sharers in the treatment. +They all escaped with the utmost hazard of their lives. +Mr. <em>Hallowell</em> was confined to his house under the care of a surgeon +from wounds and bruises. Mr. <em>Richard Harrison</em>, the collector’s +son, was thrown down, dragged by the hair of his head, +and otherwise treated barbarously. Mr. <em>Irving</em> was beaten with +clubs and sticks; had his sword broken to pieces, and received a +few slight wounds. The mob proceeded to the houses of the collector +and comptroller, broke their windows, and those of Mr. +<em>Williams</em>, inspector general, then dragged the collector’s boat +through the town, and burnt it on the common. This was on +Friday evening. Saturday and Sunday evenings are sacred; and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLV'>CLV</span>the commissioners <em>Hulton</em>, <em>Burch</em>, <em>Paxton</em> and <em>Robinson</em>, esqrs. +remained pretty easy; during the outrages, to avoid insults, they +retired from their own to neighbours houses. But receiving information +that further riots were intended, and the governor +telling them he could not protect them, and that there would +be no safety for them in Boston, considering the temper of the +people; on Monday morning early, they sent a card to the +governor, to let him know that they were going on board the +Romney, and desired his orders for their reception at the castle, +which he readily gave. They repaired first on board the man of +war, and then proceded from thence to the castle. The collector +and comptroller, and most of the other officers of the customs +withdrew, either then or afterward. [13.] On the Monday +morning large numbers of people were gathered together, and +to appearance regularly formed into parties, under their different +leaders, in several parts of the town. If they meant any thing +against the commissioners, they were disappointed by their having +withdrawn. In the afternoon printed tickets were put up, +notifying a meeting of the sons of liberty the next day at ten +o’clock. This prevented all mischief in the evening. [14.] At +the appointed time, thousands of the lower class met; but the +day being rainy, numbers adjourned to Faneuil-hall, and there +agreed to send the constables about to notify a legal town meeting +for the afternoon. Little else was done at this meeting, but +the appointing a committee to wait upon the governor with a petition, +the receiving his answer, writing a letter to a friend, and +voting such instructions as they thought proper to their representatives. +The common talk was that the removal of the sloop +was an affront to the town, as it contained an insinuation, that +she would not have been safe if left at the wharf in custody of a +custom-house officer. It was asserted, and very truely, that there +had been no rescue lately; but an invincible reason existed for +it, as no seizure had been lately made. When captain Malcolm, +more that a year and a half back, opposed in an armed manner, +the officers attempting to search his house, such a number of +people assembled about it, when he had got the officers out and +shut his gates against them, that they were glad to retreat without +doing their business. This defiance the of law passed unnoticed +and unpunished, so that the officers never afterward attempted +to make a seizure, although informations were not wanting, +until the present time, when they were ordered by their superiors. +About a month after, a schooner was seized for having +thirty hogsheads of molasses on board, and was left at the wharf +in custody of two custom-house officers. July the eighth at night, +thirty men boarded her, confined the officers to the cabin, and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLVI'>CLVI</span>carried off the molasses. The town’s-people were dissatisfied that +their declarations concering the sloop Liberty, that she would +have been safe if left at the wharf, should be so soon falsified. +The select men sent for the master, and ordered him to return +the molasses directly under pain of the displeasure of the town. +It was immediately done, and the molasses put on board again, +the day after it was conveyed away.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The day before the town meeting of June the fourteenth, a +committee of both houses was appointed to inquire into the state +of the province. When they made their report, [30.] in speaking +of the affair on Friday the tenth, they said, “The seizure occasioned +a number of people to be collected, who, from the violence +and unprecedentedness of the procedure in carrying off the +vessel, <em>&c.</em> took occasion to insult and abuse the officers, and to +commit other disorders, <em>&c.</em>—Resolved, that though the extraordinary +circumstances of said seizure may extenuate the criminality, +yet being of a very criminal nature, and of dangerous +consequence, the two houses delare their utter abhorrence and +detestation of them and resolve that the governor be desired to +direct the attorney-general to prosecute all persons concerned in +the said riot, and that a proclamation be issued, offering a reward +for making discovery, so as the rioters or abettors may be +brought to condign punishment.” Neither rioters not abettors +had any thing to fear from either proclamation or prosecution; +and knew themselves to be perfectly safe, notwithstanding the +report; but the politicians saw it was expedient to say something +to save appearances, and well-meaning persons might join them, +in the simplicity of their hearts, believing that the others intended +their words should be productive of the events to which they +seemingly pointed. At the sitting of the superior court in August, +the grand jury was found to have among them several of +the abettors of the Boston rioters, and particularly the famous +captain Malcolm, a circumstance that necessarily quashed all informations +and prosecutions, as it strongly foreboded their issue.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The council in a letter to Lord <em>Hillsborough</em> insinuated, that +the commissioners had concerted a plan, with the design of raising +a disturbance by the seizure of the sloop Liberty. The insinuation +must be placed to the ill will they bore to the commissioners, +more than to any thing beside. On the twenty-ninth +of July, they said, “The commissioners were not obliged to +quit the town; there never had been any insult offered to them; +their quitting the town was a voluntary act of their own; we +do not apprehend there was any sufficient ground for their quitting +it.” But it appears from a manuscript in Mr. <em>Hutchinson</em>’s +hand writing, that the commissioners applied, December the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLVII'>CLVII</span>nineteenth, to each of the four judges of the superior court separately +for their opinions upon four questions; and that after +having conferred together, they were unanimously of opinion,</p> + +<p class='c007'>“That from the spirit which had been excited in the populace +against all the commissioners of the customs, Mr. <em>Temple</em> excepted, +they could not have remained long in safety at Boston +after the seizure of the sloop Liberty, but would have been in +great danger of violence to their persons and properties from a +mob, which, at that time, it was generally expected would be +raised for that purpose:</p> + +<p class='c007'>“That government was insufficient to restrain, suppress or +punish the several mobs, which had been assembled since the +fourteenth of August, 1765; and that at the time of the commissioners +retiring to the castle, there was no probability that the +same authority could have had any greater force:</p> + +<p class='c007'>“That they could not have returned to town, and executed +their commission with safety, at any time after they withdrew, +before the arrival of his majesty’s troops:</p> + +<p class='c007'>“And that they knew of no better measure that they could +have taken, than retiring to Castle William.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>Mr. <em>Temple</em> was excepted, for he was not obnoxious to the +populace, being averse to the establishment of the board of commissioners, +which lessoned both his salary and his power. He wished +the dissolution of it and to be restored to his former place of +surveyor general of the customs. Though the rest of the commissioners +could not have returned to have executed their commission +with safety, they might most probably have returned and +been safe, had they declined executing the same, which however +was not to be expected. They continued at, but were not confined +to the castle. They rode adout the country at pleasure, without +any interuption from the people.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[June 15.] The commissioners wrote to general Gage, colonel +Dalrymple, and commodore Hood, desiring troops to support +them in their office. Whatever this application might contribute +toward the sending of them, yet it certainly did not give +rise to it. Measures had been taken to procure them long before. +Mr. <em>Paxton</em>, when in London the preceding year, told +Mr. <em>Bollan</em> repeatedly, that Mr. <em>Hutchinson</em> and some other of +his friends were of opinion, that standing troops were necessary +to support the authority of the government at Boston; and that +he was authorised to inform him of this their opinion. Most +probably he was authorised to inform others also. Mr. <em>Bollan</em> +was against sending troops, and when there was a talk of doing +it, endeavoured to prevent it, and freely related to a gentleman +of considerable influence, what some of the principal merchants +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLVIII'>CLVIII</span>said, that they who should send over the standing troops, would +certainly be cursed to all posterity.<a id='r98'></a><a href='#f98' class='c013'><sup>[98]</sup></a> But the disposition of +some to try the experiment was strengthened by a letter from the +commissioners to the lords of the treasury, received before the +riot happened; and rendered efficacious upon the arrival of governor +<em>Bernard</em>’s letters at the secretary’s office, especially that +of March, giving an aggravated detailed account of a terrible +disturbance on the joyous anniversary of the repeal of the stamp +act, which general <em>Gage</em>, in his letter of October to Lord <em>Hillsborough</em>, +declared, from the best intelligence he could procure, +to have been trifling. When the matter came to be considered, +it was agreed to send troops to Boston. Accordingly, Lord +<em>Hillsborough</em>, in his secret and confidential letter to Gen. <em>Gage</em>, +[June 8.] wrote, “I am to signify to you his majesty’s pleasure, +that you do forthwith order one regiment, or such force as you +shall think necessary, to Boston, to be quartered in that town, +and to give every legal assistance to the civil magistrate, in the +preservation of the public peace, and to the officers of the revenue, +in the execution of the laws of trade and revenue; and as +this appears to be a service of a delicate nature, and possibly +leading to consequences not easily foreseen, I am directed by the +king to recommend to you to make choice of an officer for the +command of those troops, upon whose prudence, resolution and +integrity, you can entirely rely.” And on the eleventh, he informed +the governor, that his majesty, from the representation +made by him and the commissioners of the customs, had directed +one regiment at least to be stationed in Boston, and to garrison, +and (if necessary) to repair the castle; and had ordered a frigate, +two sloops, and two cutters to repair to, and remain in the harbour +of Boston, for supporting and assisting the officers of the +customs in the execution of their duty. His lordship’s letter to +Gage being dated two days before the riot occasioned by the +seizure of the sloop Liberty, the order contained in it, could not +possibly be founded on such riot; though the riot, with the subsequent +transactions of the town, might be related as a reason +in the resolves afterward drawn up, exhibiting the necessity of +sending a military force to Boston. But persons in office are liable +to fall into mistakes, through the multiplicity and hurry of +business, and for want of due consideration or better intelligence. +In this way you may account for his lordship’s signing a circular +letter, [Sept. 2.] to the governor and council of <em>Rhode-Island</em>, +to the following purpose—“Gentlemen, the king having observed, +that the governors of his colonies have, upon several +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLIX'>CLIX</span>occasions, taken upon them to communicate to their councils +and assemblies, either the whole or parts of letters from his majesty’s +principal secretary of state, I have it in command to signify, +that it is his majesty’s pleasure that you do not, upon any +pretence whatever, communicate to the assembly, any copies or +extracts of such letters, unless you have his majesty’s particular +directions.” This was soon published in the <em>Providence</em> Gazette +after being received. That colony chooses its own governor annually +and he has neither right nor power to with-hold from +the assembly copies of any such letters. Upon another occasion +his lordship gave orders to the governor of <em>Pennsylvania</em>, in case +the assembly did not act conformable to what was expected, immediately +to dissolve them; whereas it is the inherent privilege +of that house to set on their own adjournments; and the governor +has no power to dissolve them.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Nov. 3.] A month after the arrival of the troops at <em>Boston</em> +Mr. <em>Hancock</em> was served with a precept for £.9000 sterling, by +the marshal of the court of admiralty. The marshal having arrested +him, demanded bail for £.3000. Five other gentlemen were +arrested for the like sum. He and the five others gave bail.—The +commissioners prosecuted the supposed owner, and each +person they imagined concerned in unloading the wines, for the +value of the whole cargo and treble damages. The vessel seized +was restored after a long detention; and the suits in the courts of +admiralty dropped, March the twenty-sixth, 1769, by a declaration +from the king’s advocate, that his majesty would prosecute +no further. It was idle to think of supporting the prosecution +by sufficient evidence. Want of inclination or fear would prevent +witnesses appearing, and corruption would procure counterevidence +from men of no principle, who would justify themselves +from the prosecution’s being built upon acts of parliament, to +which they supposed the colonies owed no obedience; and would +plead, as in too many instances is done at home, that it is not +he who takes, but he who imposes the oath, who is chargeable +with the crime of swearing falsely. The law would not allow +the prosecuted any costs or damages. In this case the allowance +would have been unreasonable; the innocence of the parties +could not have been urged in its behalf.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The colonists could not overlook the good effects produced by +the former non-importation agreement; and were earnest for +playing off the same engine against the new attempts of ministry, +to saddle them with the payment of taxes. About the beginning +of April, several gentlemen of <em>Boston</em> and <em>New-York</em>, wrote to +others at <em>Philadelphia</em>, in order to learn, whether they would +unite with them in stopping the importation of goods from <em>Great-Britain</em>, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLX'>CLX</span>until certain acts of parliament should be repealed, which +were thought to be injurious to their rights, as freemen and British +subjects. A numerous meeting of merchants followed, when +an address was read to them. It set forth the claims of the colonies, +and then went into an enumeration of grievances, which the +colonists had long borne, and seemed willing to forget, had they +not been alarmed afresh by the late proceedings of the ministry. +The address remarked, that, in the act obliging the several assemblies +to provide quarters for the soldiers, &c. a power is granted +to every officer, upon obtaining a warrant from any justice +(which warrant the justice is empowered and ordered to grant, +without any previous oath) to break into any house by day or by +night, under pretence (these are the words of the act) of searching +for deserters. It pointed out to them the danger they were +in, of having erected over them a despotic government, to rule +them as slaves. It called upon them to deliberate, by what +means they might defend their rights and liberties, and obtain a +repeal of the obnoxious acts. It urged them to join in the measure +proposed by their brethren of <em>Boston</em> and <em>New-York</em>; and +closed with “<em>United we conquer, divided we die</em>.” The <em>Pennsylvania</em> +merchants agreed with the other colonies in opinion, that +the revenue acts were unconstitutional; but declined adopting the +non-importation agreement, as they believed it to be premature. +They knew that multitudes in Great-Britain would suffer much +by a suspension of trade with her, whenever it should be carried +into execution; and judged that it ought not to be made use of +but as the last and most certain remedy, when petitions proved +ineffectual. They saw clearly that the acts were manifestly injurious +to the British trade, and hoped the parliament would therefore +find it expedient to repeal them; and were willing to allow +a proper time for the repeals being effected. These reasons induced +them to refuse complying with the solicitations of their +neighbours. But the merchants and traders of Philadelphia agreed +upon a memorial, wherein they stated their grievances, +which was transmitted to their mercantile friends in London, on +whose assistance they relied for an application to government +for relief; and this they hoped to obtain as to some of the chief, +though it might not be all the articles of complaint.</p> + +<p class='c007'>But the <em>Boston</em> merchants and traders having been drawn in, +partly by their connections with the politicians and the fear of opposing +the popular stream, agreed upon a new subscription paper, +[Aug. 1.] wherein they engaged as follows:—“We will not +send for or import from Great-Britain, either upon our own account, +or upon commissions, this fall, any other goods than what +are already ordered for the fall supply.”—“We will not send for +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLXI'>CLXI</span>or import any kind of goods or merchandise from Great-Britain, +<em>&c.</em> from the first of January, 1769, to the first of January, 1770, +except salt, coals, fish-hooks and lines, hemp and duck, bar lead +and shot, wool-cards and card-wire.”—“We will not purchase +of any factor or others, any kind of goods imported from Great-Britain, +from January, 1769, to January, 1770.”—“We will +not import on our own account, or on commissions, or purchase +of any, who shall import from any other colony in America, +from January, 1769, to January, 1770, any tea, glass, paper or +other goods commonly imported from Great-Britain.”—“We +will not, from and after the first of January, 1769, import into +this province any tea, paper, glass, or painters colours, until the +act imposing duties on those articles shall be repealed.” The +subscription paper was carried about town; and, at length, generally +signed, though several respectable merchants remained +non-subscribers. The same month the <em>Connecticut</em> and <em>New-York</em> +merchants came into similar agreements; and those of <em>Salem</em>, the +beginning of September. Some merchants had undoubtedly the +foresight to provide for an abstinence from importation for a +year, by unusually large orders.</p> + +<p class='c007'>A report having been spread that governor <em>Bernard</em> had intimated +his apprehensions that one or more regiments were to be +daily expected at <em>Boston</em>, a meeting of the inhabitants was called, +and a committee appointed to wait on him to know the grounds +of his apprehensions, and to pray him to issue precepts forthwith +for convening a general assembly. He acknowledged his having +received those informations which produced such apprehensions, +but said they were of a private nature. The calling of another +assembly he told them could not be complied with, till his majesty’s +commands were received. The answer being reported, it +was resolved, “That the freeholders, and other inhabitants of +the town of Boston, will, at the peril of their lives and fortunes, +take all legal and constitutional measures to defend all and singular +the rights, liberties, privileges, and immunities, granted in their +royal charter.” It was also declared to be the opinion of those +present, “That a suitable number of persons to act for them as a +committee in convention, with such as may be sent to join them +from the other towns, should be now chosen, in order that such +measures may be consulted and advised, as his majesty’s service, +and the safety of the province may require.” It was then voted, +“That the select men of Boston should write to the select men of +the other towns, to acquaint them with the foregoing resolutions, +and to propose, that a convention be held at Fanueil-hall in +Boston, on the twenty-second instant.” It was afterward voted, +“That, as there is an apprehension, in the minds, of many, of an +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLXII'>CLXII</span>approaching war with France, those inhabitants who are not provided, +be requested to furnish themselves forthwith with arms.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Sept. 22.] The <em>convention</em>, consisting of committees from +ninety-six towns and eight districts, met as proposed; and after +conference and consultation, petitioning the governor, declaring +that they only considered themselves as private persons, making +loyal professions, expressing their aversion to standing armies, to +tumults and disorders, their readiness to assist in suppressing riots +and preserving the peace, and recommending patience and regard +to good order, they broke up and went home on Thursday the +twenty-ninth. Advice was received the day before, that the +men of war and transports from Halifax, with some hundreds of +troops, were safe arrived at Nantasket harbour, a few miles below +Castle William. Two days before the convention closed, they +dispatched a letter to Mr. <em>Berdi</em>, containing a representation of +what had taken place, with such papers and instructions as were +judged most suitable to the circumstances of their assembly.</p> + +<p class='c007'>When the news was first received of troops being ordered to +Boston, broad hints were thrown out that they should never land; +and to strengthen the appearance of an intention to oppose +them, a barrel was placed upon the beacon, supposed to be a tar +barrel, to have been fired to call in the country upon the troops +appearing, which was afterwards found to be an empty nail +barrel. Many of the deputies came down to the convention, +with instructions and dispositions to prevent the Bostonians involving +the province in the fatal consequences of their own furious +devices. Numbers were from the beginning sensible of the +impropriety and danger of their proceeding, and desirous by a +moderate conduct, to correct the one and ward off the other. +The governor’s message to them after their address, was high, and +might tend to keep some of them in awe, as the troops were +thought to be at no great distance. When Mr. <em>Otis</em> joined them, +instead of being violent he was quite moderate: and when Mr. +<em>Samuel Adams</em> attempted to launch out into the same free and +unrestrained language to which he was accustomed in the house +of representatives, he was presently silenced.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The convention having finished in the above manner, the persons +just named assumed to themselves the moderation of those +whom they called together for very different purposes. The governor +himself was not always wholly ignorant of what was going +forward among the sons of liberty. He kept up an acquaintance +with some of them, and by that means, at times, procured +useful intelligence, while he gave his informers the strongest assurance +that their names should not be quoted, nor any communication +be made of it, which could make them suspected. Too +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLXIII'>CLXIII</span>much occasion was given for this paragraph, which soon after +appeared in the New-York Journal. “I blame the Bostonians +for having given some room for the idle reports of their designing +to oppose the landing of the troops, by the ridiculous puff and +bombast (for which our eastern brethren have always been too +famous) of warning every man to provide himself with a good +firelock, ammunition, &c. under the disingenuous jesuitical pretence +of the prospect of a French war, full as absurd and hypocritical +as is the pretence of a military establishment in America +for its protection and defence.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>When the troops from Halifax were daily expected, the governor +would have prevailed upon the council to have provided +quarters for them in Boston, but they refused; and in answer to +what he advanced, said, “the troops are by act of parliament, +to be quartered no where else but in the barracks, until they are +full: there are barracks enough at the castle to hold both the regiments; +and it is therefore against the act to bring any of them +into town.” However, the orders of general <em>Gage</em> to lieutenant-colonel +<em>Dalrymple</em> were positive to land one of them at Boston. +But in the interim, captain Montresor, the engineer arrived, +with letters of a subsequent date, from general Gage, for the governor +and the colonel, wherein the general mentioned, that it +being reported and believed from a number of private letters and +the publications, that the people in and about Boston had revolted, +he had therefore sent the captain to assist the forces, and enable +them to recover and maintain the castle, and such other +posts as they could secure. Upon this the colonel altered his +plan, and concluded to land both regiments at Boston without +loss of time. The fleet therefore was immediately put into +motion, and the next morning commanded the whole town.—Every +thing being fully prepared, near upon fourteen<a id='r99'></a><a href='#f99' class='c013'><sup>[99]</sup></a> ships of +war lying with their broadsides to the town, having springs on +their cables, and their guns ready for firing instantly upon the +place, in case of the least opposition; about one o’clock at +noon, October the first, the troops began landing, under cover +of the ships cannon, without molestation; and having effected +it, marched into the common, with muskets charged, bayonets +fixed, drums beating, fifes playing, &c. making with the train +of artillery, upward of 700 men. In the evening, the select +men were required to quarter the two regiments in town, but +absolutely refused. One of the regiments, however, being without +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLXIV'>CLXIV</span>their camp equipage, was humanely permitted to enter Faneuil-hall +and its chambers, about nine o’clock at night, that so +the men might enjoy a temporary shelter. The next being Lord’s +day, the town or state-house was opened in the evening, by order +of the governor, for the reception of the troops, who took possession +of all the chambers, except the one appropriated for the +meeting of the council. He certainly stretched his authority in +several points; but particularly in thus acting. This step was +an insult not only to the town, as it was a great annoyance to +the gentlemen and merchants, who had been accustomed to make +the lower floor their exchange, but to the whole colony, as the +representatives chamber was now possessed by the soldiery. After +the quarters of the troops were settled, the main-guard was posted +directly opposite to, and not twelve yards from the state-house +with two field pieces pointed to it. It was with no small indignation +that the people beheld the representatives chamber, court-house, +and Faneuil-hall—seats of freedom and justice—occupied +by troops, and guards placed at the doors, and the council passing +through the guards in going to their own chamber. They +resented also the common’s being covered with tents, and alive +with soldiers; their marchings and counter-marchings to relieve +the guards; the town’s being a perfect garrison, and the inhabitants +being challenged by the sentinels, as they passed and repassed. +Persons devoutly inclined, complained much of being disturbed +at public worship on the sabbaths, with drums beating, +and fifes playing, to which they had never been accustomed in +the Massachusetts. Quarters being obtained for the troops, the +council were required to provide barrack provisions for them, +agreeable to act of parliament; but resolutely declined going into +any measure which might be construed into a submission to +the said act. The opposition of the council to the quartering of, +and providing for the troops, was so encouraged and strengthened +by Mr. <em>James Bowdoin</em>, who was one of them, that Mr. <em>Hutchinson</em>, +in his letter of November 6, ascribed the whole to his +management. It was thought that the peaceable landing of the +troops was not what some of the ministry either expected or desired; +and that they were in hopes, that the folly and rage of the +town and colony would have led them into an hostile opposition, +and thereby have afforded an opportunity for giving them some +naval and military correction. Under this apprehension, the +gentleman who delivered the first dispatches from governor +Bernard, containing the account of the troops having landed, &c. +narrowly watched the countenance and conduct of the person +who read them, and was confirmed in such opinion. But had +he not possessed that opinion, it might not have been excited by +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLXV'>CLXV</span>what he observed. The sentiments of the military differed so +extremely from those of the Bostonians, who were unjustly viewed +as rebelliously inclined, that it was not to be wondered at that +they were insulted and abused, and that quarrels should ensue, +tho’ they did not proceed soon to a dangerous height. Undoubtedly +the inhabitants could not be continually blameless; there +would necessarily be some rash and imprudent persons among such +a multitude; but the greatest rashness and imprudence lay in the +sending of troops on a service which could have been effectually +and better executed by a naval force properly stationed and employed. +Ships of war might have possessed the harbour till the +commissioners could have executed their office with safety.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The committee of merchants in London paid a due attention +to the memorial sent them by the merchants and traders of Philadelphia, +and took pains to obtain relief from the grievances +therein complained of, though without effect. The department +to which they applied, afforded little hopes of redress in a way +that might put an end to the differences that had arisen between +Great-Britain and her American colonies. The act imposing +duties on glass, paper, &c. was acknowledged to be inexpedient; +but it was added, “Such has been the unjustifiable conduct of +some in America, that the present juncture is not a proper season +for a repeal.” Administration was firmly resolved to oppose it +with their utmost strength, while it should be insisted on by threats +on the part of the colonists, for in that light they consider the +steps which had been taken by them to obtain redress It was +said, “If a proper disposition appears in the colonies, and their +merchants, in a succeeding session, shall think proper to petition +parliament on the principle of expediency only, there is every +reason to believe that no part of administration will object to the +repeal.” But the minister did not declare what was the proper +disposition he expected. No sooner were the Philadelphians apprised, +by the receipt of this information, that no hope remained +of a repeal in that session, than they unanimously entered into +the very agreement, which some months before, when proposed +to them, they had declined; and it was their opinion, that +as the agreement had been formed on mature deliberation, the +people of the province would firmly adhere to it. Of this they +gave notice to the committee of merchants in London, by letter +of April 8, 1769. In that letter, remarking upon the information +they had received, they wrote—“It would become persons +in power to consider, whether even the unjustifiable behavior +of those who think themselves aggrieved, will justify a perseverance +in a matter confessed to be wrong. Certain it is, that the +wisdom of government is better manifested, its honor and authority +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLXVI'>CLXVI</span>better maintained and supported, by correcting the errors it +may have committed, than by persisting in them, and thereby +risking the loss of the subjects affections. We are apprehensive +that persons in power are greatly abused, and that the people of +America have been grossly misrepresented, otherwise the steps +which they have taken to obtain redress, could never be looked +upon as threats. Threats they never intended; but as all the +American colonies were equally affected, it was thought that +their joint petitions would have more weight; and for this end +the several assemblies communicated their sentiments to each +other. This step, to the inexpressible surprise of all America, is +represented as “a flagitious attempt, a measure of a most dangerous +and factious tendency, &c. The dissolution of assemblies +that followed, and the measures pursued to enforce the acts in +America, awakened the fears, and exasperated the minds of the +people to a very great degree. They therefore determined not +only to defeat the intent of the acts, by refraining from the use +of those articles on which duties were laid, but to put a stop to +the importation of goods from Great-Britain. This is the only +threat we know of; and if this is sufficient to engage the ministry +to oppose a repeal of the acts, we apprehend the ministry +must, by a change of measures, endeavour to regain the affections +of the people before they can be induced to alter their determinations.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>“The Americans consider themselves as British subjects, entitled +to all the rights and privileges of freemen. They think +there can be no liberty without a security of property; and +that there can be no property, if any can, without their consent, +deprive them of the hard-earned fruits of their labour. +They know that they have no choice in the election of the members +of parliament; and from their situation never can have +any. Every act of parliament therefore, that is made for raising +a revenue in America, is in their opinion, depriving them of +their property without their consent, and consequently is an invasion +of their liberty.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>“If then the acts cannot be repealed while the ministry objects, +and if to remove the objections the Americans must give +up their sentiments, we must candidly confess we have little +hopes of a repeal ever taking place; much less it is to be expected, +that the merchants will presume to petition parliament on +the principle of inexpediency only, when every assembly on the +continent are applying for a repeal on the principle of <em>right</em>.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>“Happy had it been for both countries if the idea of raising +taxes in America had never been started; however, if the acts +complained of are repealed, and no other of the like nature are +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLXVII'>CLXVII</span>attempted hereafter the present unhappy jealousies will, we +believe, quickly subside, and the people of both countries in a +short time, return to their usual good humor, confidence and +affection.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>If ministry thought that the resolves of the house of lords, the +preceding December, would have put a stop to non-importation +agreements and the spirited exertions of the colonists, they soon +found themselves much mistaken. It can scarce be imagined, +but that some of the Philadelphia gentlemen had received the +account of such resolves; for the above letter was in answer to +London ones of January 4th and 26th, and yet they proceeded +as has been related.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The resolve censured the votes, resolutions and proceedings +of the house of representatives of <em>Massachusetts</em> of January and +February; as also the declarations, resolutions and proceedings +in the town of <em>Boston</em>. They pronounced the election of deputies +to sit in convention, and the meeting of such convention, +daring insults offered to his majesty’s authority, and audacious +usurpations of the powers of government. The lords then ordered +an humble address to be presented to his majesty, in which +they expressed their satisfaction in the measure his majesty had +pursued; gave him the strongest assurances, that they would effuctually +support him in such further ones as might be found necessary +to maintain the civil magistrates, in a due execution of +the laws, within the Massachusetts Bay; and beseeched him to +direct the governor to take the most effectual methods for procuring +the fullest information, touching all treasons committed within +that government since the 30th of December, 1767, and to +transmit the same, with the names of the persons most active in +the commission of such offences; in order that his majesty might +issue a special commission for hearing and determining the said +offences, within the realm, pursuant to the statute of the 35th +year of <em>Henry</em> VIII.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The resolutions and address were sent down to the house of +commons for their concurrence. Colonel <em>Barre</em> opposed them; +and directing himself to the ministry, said, “Away with these partial +resentful trifles, calculated to irritate, not to quell or appease, +inadequate to their purpose, unworthy of us! Why will you endeavor +to deceive yourselves and us? You know that it is not +this place only that disputes your right, but every part. They +tell you, that you have no right from one end of the continent +to the other. My sentiments of this matter you well know. Consider +well what you are doing. Act openly and honestly. Tell +them you will tax them, and that they must submit. Do not +adopt this little, insidious, futile plan. They will despise you +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLXVIII'>CLXVIII</span>for it.” However on the ninth of February, they were agreed +to and returned with some amendments; and the address was ordered +to be presented to both houses. The <em>Massachusetts</em>, with +becoming firmness, constantly asserted their rights, which drew +down upon them ministerial vengeance. They had no general +assembly when the resolves and address reached America, the last +having been dissolved for refusing to comply with the mandate +to rescind, and the time appointed by charter for calling another +not being arrived. But the <em>Virginia</em> house of burgesses entered +upon the subject. They met on the eighth of May, and on the +sixteenth took into serious consideration the state of the colony, +being alarmed at the distress in which all America was likely to +be involved. They came to several necessary resolutions, copies +of which they gave their speaker, with particular directions to +transmit them without delay to the speakers of the several houses +of assembly on the continent; whose concurrence in the like +was requested.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The resolves express, “That the sole right of imposing taxes +on the inhabitants of the colony, is now, and ever hath been legally +and constitutionally vested in the house of burgesses, with +consent of the council, and of the king, or his governor for the +time being—That it is the privilege of the inhabitants to petition +their sovereign for redress of grievances, and that it is lawful to +procure the concurrence of his majesty’s other colonies in dutiful +addresses, praying the royal interposition in favor of the violated +rights of America—That all trials for treason, misprison +of treason, or for any felony or crime whatsoever, committed by +any person residing in said colony, ought to be in and before his +majesty’s courts within said colony; and that the seizing any person +residing in the colony, suspected of any crime whatsoever, +committed therein and sending such person to places beyond the +sea to be tried, is highly derogatory of the rights of British subjects, +as thereby the inestimable privilege of being tried by a jury +from the vicinage, as well as the liberty of producing witnesses +on such trial, will be taken away from the party accused.” These +resolutions were followed by a humble address to his majesty, +beseaching his royal interposition to quiet the minds of his royal +subjects in the colony, and to avert those dangers and miseries +which will ensue from seizing and carrying beyond sea the inhabitants +of America, to be tried in any other manner than by the +ancient and long established mode of proceeding.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[May 17.] The next day Lord <em>Bottetourt</em> sent for them, and +said, “Mr. speaker, and gentlemen of the house of burgesses, I +have heard of your resolves, and augur ill of their effects. You +have made it my duty to dissolve you, and you are dissolved accordingly.” +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLXIX'>CLXIX</span>The gentlemen who composed the house, being, +reduced by the dissolution to private persons, repaired immediately +to another place, that so they might consider what measures +were proper to be taken, and chose the late speaker <em>Peyton +Randolph</em>, esq. moderator.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[18.] They entered into an association unanimously [which +they subscribed and recommended to all merchants, gentlemen, +traders and others] against importing any goods taxed, and many +other articles; against wines, against importing and purchasing +negroes, &c.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The next month the Maryland gentlemen and merchants entered +into a non-importation agreement similar to the Virginian.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The <em>South-Carolinians</em> followed the example.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The inhabitants of <em>Charlestown</em> broke off all commerce with +the <em>Rhode Islanders</em> and <em>Georgians</em>, whom they charged with +having acted a most singularly infamous part, from the beginning +of the present glorious struggle for the preservation of American +rights. This had its effect, and <em>Georgia</em> came into the non-importation +agreement September the nineteenth; <em>Providence</em>, +October the tenth; but <em>Rhode-Island</em> not till the thirtieth.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Oct.] The <em>North-Carolina</em> assembly came to the like resolution +with the <em>Virginia</em> house of burgesses, for which governor +<em>Tryon</em> dissolved them. Upon that, the gentlemen who had composed +it, repaired to the court-house, chose the late speaker moderator, +and came to a resolution for an association against importing, +<em>&c.</em> comformable to what had been done elsewhere. +Thus the non-importation agreement became general, and was +forwarded by the very means applied for its prevention. Meetings +of the associators were regularly held. Committees were +appointed to examine the cargoes of all vessels arriving from +Britain; and regular votes and resolutions of censure were passed +in those meetings, upon such as refused to concur in the associations, +and their names published in the newspapers as enemies +to their country. The decrees of those committees met with a +respect and obedience denied to the constitutional authority of +government. In some cases goods imported from Britain were +locked up in warehouses, under the care of the committees, and +in a few instances returned. <em>Portsmouth</em>, the only sea-port in +<em>New-Hampshire</em>, never came into the non-importation agreement. +Governor <em>Wentworth</em> had address enough to prevent it, +and keep all quiet. There are few private schools in that colony, +and the bulk of the people are very illiterate. If a person can +write a note of hand, read a chapter, and cypher to the rule of +three, he passes for a man of learning. Men, whose capacities +remain small for want of use and improvement, and who have +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLXX'>CLXX</span>little knowledge, are liable to be duped by those who possess superior +rank and abilities. The associations were as general, and +in common as well observed as could reasonably be expected, +considering the disadvantages and losses they necessarily occasioned +to many. But it is not to be thought, that there were no collusions; +that all the goods belonging to the professing sons of +liberty, which were stored, remained in the warehouses, without +being conveyed out upon particular occasions, and to serve certain +purposes; that all, who had given their names or honors not +to import, did not privately order some of the prohibited articles +to please themselve, families or neighbours; that when, some +months afterward, the zeal of the daughters of liberty in several +of the colonies, proscribed the drinking of tea, and rendered the +disuse of it a universal fashion, all were so true to their engagements, +as not to sip their green or bohea in secret, or under a +new name; and that all who associated or agreed to the storing +of their goods, did it voluntarily and without compulsion. The +fear or appearance of a mob often produced a compliance in persons +who would gladly have retained their goods till they could +have turned the same into cash; and brought them to own, that +they were willing that they should be stored, just as they would +have been willing at sea to have thrown them overboard to escape +personal shipwreck. The committees had the arts of persuasion; +and in some places their most powerful arguments for reducing +the obstinate were not known to be used by them.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The importer is sent for, and desired to come into the agreement; +he declines; he must sell; his livelihood depends upon it. +Arguments are used for his complying, and he is urged, soothed +and entreated; but it avails nothing. He is determined at all hazards +to dispose of his goods as purchasers offer. Some of the +mobility, or their leaders, are told, that the importer cannot be +prevailed upon. In a day or two he finds himself surrounded; +in danger of an assault; is terrified; inquires the reason; and +upon learning it, hurries to the committee; begs their interposition; +complies with what was before desired of him; hopes that +they will restore him to the good graces of his fellow townsmen +or citizens, and thanks them for their promised assistance, not in +the least suspecting the depth of their contrivance. Every committee +however, had not this prudent forecast, whereby to accomplish +their designs without exposing their own characters.</p> + +<p class='c007'>We have hitherto omitted recording the transactions of the +<em>Massachusetts</em> assembly in the persent year, the <em>Virginia</em> house of +burgesses demanding a prior attention, but now proceed to them.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[May 31.] The general court being called together according +to charter, a committee from the house of representatives remonstrated +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLXXI'>CLXXI</span>to his excellency, “That an armament by sea and land +investing this metropolis (<em>Boston</em>) and a military guard with cannon +pointed to the door of the state house where the assembly is +held, are inconsistent with that dignity and freedom with which +they have a right to deliberate, consult, and determine. They +expect that your excellency will, as his majesty’s representative, +give effectual orders for the removal of the above mentioned +forces by sea and land out of this port, and the gates of this city +during the session of the said assembly.” The governor returned +for answer, “gentlemen, I have no authority over his majesty’s +ships in this port, or his troops within this town.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>[June 1.] He negatived eleven of the persons elected to form +the council.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[13.] The house in a message to him declared—“The use of +the military power to enforce the execution of the laws, is, in +the opinion of this house, inconsistent with the spitit of a free +constitution, and the very nature of government. This military +force is uncontroulable by any authority in the province: it is +then a power without any check here, and therefore it is so far +absolute. What privilege! what security then is left to this +house!”</p> + +<p class='c007'>It was not urged, whatever the case might admit; “The governor +is the king’s <em>locum tenens</em>, and his office entire. The chief +civil and military authority being by the British and our constitution +inseparable, the king cannot serve them. An independent +military tends to the utter overthrow of the civil power. The +operations of the great seal, which is <em>clavis regni</em>, cannot be controlled +by the privy seal, the king’s signet, sign manuel, or significations +of his pleasure by his secretary; in other words, our +charter cannot be infringed by any of these.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>The house firmly declined doing business surrounded with an +armed force, so that the governor the next day adjourned the +court to Cambridge.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[July 6.] His excellency sent a message to them, with the +accounts of the expenditures already incurred by quartering his +majesty’s troops, desiring funds to be provided for discharging +the same, and required a provision for the further quartering +the forces in Boston and Castle-Island, according to act of parliament.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[7.] The house of assembly, as though they meant by it to +despise the parliamentary resolves, no less than maintain their +own privileges, passed a number of resolves, and among them +the following:</p> + +<p class='c007'>“That a general discontent on account of the revenue acts, an +expectation of a sudden arrival of a military power to enfore +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLXXII'>CLXXII</span>said acts, an apprehension of the troops being quartered upon +the inhabitants, the general court dissolved, the governor refusing +to call a new one, and the people almost reduced to a +state of despair, rendered it highly expedient and necessary for +the people to convene by their committees; to associate, consult, +and advise the best means to promote peace and good order; +to present their united complaints to the throne, and jointly +to pray for the royal interposition in favor of their violated +rights. Nor can this procedure possibly be illegal, as they expressly +disclaim all governmental acts:</p> + +<p class='c007'>“That the establishment of a standing army in this colony, +in time of peace, is an invasion of natural rights:</p> + +<p class='c007'>“That a standing army is not known as a part of the British +constitution:</p> + +<p class='c007'>“That sending an armed force into the colony, under pretence +of assisting the civil authority, is highly dangerous to the +people, unprecedented and unconstitutional.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>The last is the same with that of Virginia.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[12.] The governor called upon them to answer, whether +they would or would not make provision for the troops.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[15.] The house, by message, after remarking upon the mutiny +or billeting act, answered, “As we cannot consistently with +our own honor or interest, much less with the duty we owe to +our constituents, so we never shall make any provision of funds +for the purposes in your several messages.” Upon that the governor +prorogued them to the tenth of January, to meet at Boston.</p> + +<p class='c007'><em>South-Carolina</em> assembly, no less than the <em>Massachusetts</em>, ventured +to disobey the mutiny act, and adopted similar resolutions +to those of <em>Virginia</em>. The <em>Maryland</em> lower house entered partly +into similar ones, but the last was omitted, and the first more +strongly expressed. The <em>Delaware</em> counties early followed the +lead of <em>Virginia</em>, and adopted their last resolve <em>verbatim</em>; and +toward the close of the year, the <em>New-York</em> assembly concurred +in their resolves with Virginia.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The proposal of parliament for transporting persons from America +in order to trial in <em>Great-Britain</em>, pursuant to the statute +of <em>Henry</em> VIII. excited a general alarm through the continent. +The procedure they recommended was not wholly without precedent. +The case of Culpeper has been already related. Under +queen Anne, in 1710, the ringleaders of an unnatural contention +in <em>Antigua</em>, wherein the governor was murdered, were +brought to Great-Britain, tried, and many of them convicted and +executed upon this statute. Precedents, however, will never reconcile +sensible men to practices which, though legal, are fraught +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLXXIII'>CLXXIII</span>with cruelty, and liable to the most horrid abuses. Beside, the +statute was become obsolete.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The <em>Virginia</em> house of burgesses, in their address to his majesty, +expressed themselves with propriety upon this subject—“When +we consider, that by the established laws and constitution +of this colony the most ample provision is made for apprehending +and punishing all those who shall dare to engage in any +treasonable practices against your majesty, or disturb the tranquility +of government; we cannot, without horror, think of the +unusual, and permit us, with all humility, to add unconstitutional +and illegal mode recommended to your majesty, of seizing +and carrying beyond the sea, the inhabitants of America suspected +of any crime, and of trying such persons in any other +manner than by the ancient and long established course of proceedings; +for how truly deplorable must be the case of a wretched +American, who having incurred the displeasure of any one in +power, is dragged from his native home and his dearest domestic +connections, thrown into a prison, not to wait his trial before +a court, jury or judges, from a knowledge of whom he is encouraged +to hope for a speedy justice, but to exchange his imprisonment +in his own country for fetters among strangers. +Conveyed to a distant land, where no friend, no relation will +alleviate his distresses, or minister to his necessities, and where +no witness can be found to testify his innocence; shunned by +the reputable and honest, and consigned to the society and converse +of the wretched and abandoned, he can only pray, that +he may soon end his misery with his life.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>We have been reviewing the noble and animated proceedings +of the <em>Virgians</em> and others in behalf of liberty; and cannot +but regret that the existence of slavery and its effects among +them, should administer the least occasion for any one’s writing +concerning them. “The last resolves of the Virginia burgesses +deserve a very hard name. It is indeed laughable, to see a few +dissipated bashaws, tyrants over a parcel of wretched negro +slaves, meet together and give themselves airs against Great-Britain +upon the subject of liberty—this applies to all the southern +colonies. The spirit of independence in <em>New-England</em>, is +more consistent and characteristic of the people; but <em>Virginia</em>, +and the <em>Carolinas</em> are but <em>petit maitres</em> in the business.”<a id='r100'></a><a href='#f100' class='c013'><sup>[100]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>It is time to cross the Atlantic, and advert to what was doing in +<em>Britain</em>. An attempt in the house of commons, to bring on a +repeal of the obnoxious act before the session closed, proved ineffectual. +It was objected from every quarter, that it was not +a proper time. Lord <em>North</em>’s language upon the occasion was, +“However prudence or policy may hereafter induce us to repeal +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLXXIV'>CLXXIV</span>the late paper and glass act, I hope we shall never think of +it <em>till we see</em> <span class='sc'>America</span> <em>prostrate at our feet</em>.” When the session +was over, the ministry, with a view, it might be, of soothing the +Americans into a better temper, managing their respective assemblies, +and bringing them to retract their resolutions, and open +the trade as before, gave out, that at the next session the American +grievances should be redressed; and lord <em>Hillsborough</em> +wrote a circular letter to every colony [May 13.] mentioning +“their intention to propose, in the next session of parliament, +taking off the duties upon glass, paper and colours, upon consideration +of such duties having been laid contrary to the true principles +of commerce; and assuring each, that his majesty’s ministers, +“at no time entertained a design to propose to parliament +to lay any further taxes on America, for the purpose of raising +a revenue.” Lord <em>Botetourt</em> following the directions he had received, +so to explain measures as might re-establish mutual confidence +and affection between Great-Britain and her colonies, +made the matter known to the <em>Virginia</em> house of burgesses in a +speech, and then declared, “It is my firm opinion that the plan +which I have stated to you will certainly take place, and that it +will never be departed from. I shall exert every power with +which I am or ever may be legally invested, in order to obtain +and maintain, for the continent of America, that satisfaction +which I have been authorised to promise this day, by the confidential +servants of our gracious sovereign, who, to my certain, +knowledge, rates his honor so high, that he would rather part +with his crown, than preserve it by deceit.” The house, in +their address to him, expressed their hope and confidence in a +manner that implied fear and distrust; but willing to make the +best improvement of what his lordship said, closed with—“We +esteem your lordship’s information, not only as warranted, but +even sanctified by the royal word.” The conduct of ministry +contained the idea of a public renunciation of all further future +taxation of America for a revenue; and the house appeared to +view it in that light.</p> + +<p class='c007'>But the circular letter was far from satisfying the American +sons of liberty in general. The evident exception of the duty +on tea, and the professed design of repealing upon commercial +principles, excited their apprehensions, and confirmed them in +the opinion, that the ground of present grievances was not to +be abandoned, but to be reserved for a future opportunity of +making fresh essays for the imposition of internal taxes. The +merchants and traders, therefore, of <em>Boston</em>, soon after the knowledge +of it, called a meeting, and unanimously voted, that the +taking off the duties on the articles of glass, paper, and colours, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLXXV'>CLXXV</span>would by no means relieve the trade from the difficulties it was +under. They then confirmed their former agreement, to send +for no goods contrary thereto, unless the revenue acts were repealed.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Though the testimony of the Pennsylvania assembly against +the resolves of parliament, and in favor of the Virginia resolves, +the repeal of all the revenue acts, and a redress of all grievances, +was wanting; yet the Philadelphia committee of merchants, +whose character and influence in the present business weighed +more than that of the assembly, failed not to express their minds +fully to the committee in London, long after the circulatory letter +was a matter of notoriety. They thus wrote [November 25.] +“Though we are not favored with an answer to our letter of the +eighth of April last, yet as the liberty of America is at stake, +and the minds of the people here are much agitated, and as the +continuation of the unhappy dispute between the parliament and +the colonies must not only affect your and our interest, but the +general interest and happiness of both countries, we think it our +duty to apply to you again, and earnestly request you would use +your best endeavors with those in the administration, to restore +tranquility, and re-establish the colonies in the enjoyment of +their ancient rights and privileges. We are very sensible that +the prosperity of the colonies depends upon their union and +connection with Great-Britain. In this sentiment all the Amecans +concur, yet they cannot bring themselves to think, that +for this reason they ought to be divested of liberty and property. +Yet this must be the case, if the parliament can make laws to +bind the colonies in all cases whatever—can levy taxes upon +them without their consent, dispose of the revenues thus raised +without their controul, multiply officers at pleasure, and assign +them fees to be paid without, nay, contrary to and in direct violation +of acts of assembly regularly passed by the colonies and +approved by the crown—can enlarge the power of admiralty +courts, divert the usual channels of justice, deprive the colonists +of trials by a jury of their countrymen, in short, break +down the barriers which their forefathers have erected against +arbitrary power, and enforce their edicts by fleets and armies. +To such a system of government the Americans cannot tamely +submit; not from an impatience of subordination, a spirit of independence, +or want of loyalty to their king; for in a quiet submission +to just government, in zeal, affection, and attachment to +their king, the people of the colonies dare to vie with any of +the best of their fellows-subjects; but from an innate love of +liberty and the British constitution.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CLXXVI'>CLXXVI</span>“In our last we intimated our fears that the ministry were +greatly abused, and the people of America grossly misrepresented, +by some who did not wish well either to Great-Britain +or the colonies. The letters of one of our American governors +(Bernard) and the memorials of a board lately erected among +us, not to mention other documents laid before the public, evince +that our fears were but too well grounded. From these it is apparent, +that every sly art has been used to incense the ministry +against the colonies; every argument that malice could invent +has been urged to induce them to overturn the ancient foundations +of liberty. Nay, to compass their base ends, they have +declared in express terms, and taken uncommon pains to make +the ministry believe, that “there has been a long concerted +and extensive plan of resistance to the authority of Great-Britain +in all the provinces, and that a seizure made at Boston had hastened +the people there to the commission of actual violence +sooner than was intended.</p> + +<p class='c007'>“In justice to the province where we reside, and indeed to all +America, we beg leave to assure you, that such representations +are without any just foundation, and that nothing can be a greater +deviation from truth. Though at the same time we confess, +that the ends accomplished by these and such like infamous slanders +and vile arts, have given a general alarm, and caused a universal +uneasiness in the minds of the Americans. They now +see a rod of power held over their heads; they begin to feel the +severities of a court, that by its late enlarged jurisdiction is empowered +to break in upon the proceedings of the common law +courts; and they have anxious fears for the existence of their +assemblies, which they consider as their last and only bulwark +against arbitrary power. For if, say they, laws can be made, +money levied, government supported, and justice administered, +without the intervention of assemblies, of what use can they be? +They are no essential member of the constitution. And being +useless and unessential, is there not reason to fear they will +quickly become disagreeable and then be wholly laid aside? +And when that happens, what security have we for freedom, +or what remains for the colonists, but the most abject slavery?</p> + +<p class='c007'>“These are not the reasonings of politicians, but the sentiments +and language of the people in general. For with great truth we +may say, in no country is the love of liberty more deeply rooted, +or the knowledge of the rights inherent to freemen more generally +diffused, and the principles of freedom and government +better understood than among the British American colonies.</p> + +<p class='c007'>“For this reason we think ourselves obliged to inform you, +that though the merchants have confined their agreements to the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLXXVII'>CLXXVII</span>repeal of the act laying a duty on tea, paper, glass, &c. yet nothing +less than a repeal of all the revenue acts, and putting +things on the same footing they were before the late innovations, +can or will satisfy the minds of the people. The fleets and +armies may overawe our towns; admiralty courts and boards of +commissioners, with their swarms of underlings, may by a rigorous +execution of severe unconstitutional acts, ruin our commerce, +and render America of little use to the people of Britain; +but while every farmer is a freeholder, the spirit of liberty will +prevail, and every attempt to divest them of the privileges of +freemen, must be attended with consequences injurious to the +colonies and the mother country.</p> + +<p class='c007'>“In a matter of so great importance you will excuse this freedom. +We consider the merchants here and in England, as the +links of the chain that binds both countries together. They are +deeply concerned in preserving the union and connection.—Whatever +tends to alienate the affections of the colonists, or to +make them averse to the customs, fashions, and manufactures +of Britain, hurts their interest. While some, therefore, from +ambitious views and sinister motives, are laboring to widen the +breach, we whose private interest is happily connected with the +union, or which is the same, with the peace and prosperity of +both countries, may be allowed to plead for an end to these +unhappy disputes; and that by a repeal of the offensive acts, +the cause of jealousy and uneasiness may be removed, tranquility +restored, harmony and mutual affection re-established, and +trade return to its usual channel.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>The names of the committee on the back of the draft from +which the above has been copied, were, <em>Alexander Huston</em>, +<em>John Rhea</em>, <em>John Cox</em>, <em>John Gibson</em>, <em>Joseph Swift</em>, <em>James +Mease</em>, <em>J. M. Nesbit</em>, <em>William West</em>, <em>Robert Morris</em>, <em>Charles +Thomson</em>, <em>Daniel Benezet</em>, <em>William Fisher</em>, <em>George Roberts</em>, +<em>Samuel Howell</em>, and <em>Thomas Mifflin</em>.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The stationing of troops in <em>Boston</em> might afford greater personal +security to the commissioners than what they could otherwise +have enjoyed, and might induce them or their underlings to exceed +the bounds of their commission, or of prudence, but could +not prevent smuggling, or protect informers from insult and +abuse. Even skippers, bound to different parts of the colony, +had their vessels stopt and libelled, for having uncleared articles +of trifling consequence on board. Persons who ventured to lodge +informations, when discovered, were often subject to a treatment +which gave them a ridiculous appearance, and laid them +under a difficulty to clear themselves of the dress imposed upon +them. They were stripped, well tarred, and then covered with +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLXXVIII'>CLXXVIII</span>feathers. The punishment took so with the lower class of people, +that afterward it was not confined to informers, but was also +applied by them to others who offended their dread majesty. +There was a degree of intemperance and indiscreetness on the +part of the commissioners and custom-house officers, which tended +to irritate; whereas the utmost lenity and forbearance were +requisite in order to general tranquility. Mr. <em>Eliot</em>, at <em>New-York</em>, +where smuggling was as prevalent as at Boston, found it +necessary to wink at many irregularities, that he might prevent +disturbances and ill humor among the body of merchants. The +commissioners expressed their dissatisfaction, and wanted him to +alter his line of conduct: he stated the case to a friend at home, +and by his influence was secured from such like directions in future. +They transmitted to Britain such representations of Mr. +<em>Otis</em>, jun. as provoked him to insert a publication in the Boston +gazette, which brought on an affray at the coffee-house between +him and Mr. <em>Robinson</em>, one of the commissioners, from the latter’s +attempting to pull the other by the nose, because of some +expressions in the said publication. Mr. Robinson being in danger +of coming off with the worst, several of the company fell +upon Mr. Otis; some of whom held him, while others struck +him with canes or different weapons. A friend passing along, +observed what was doing, pressed in and rescued Mr. Otis, +though he himself suffered considerably from the assailants. The +noise soon drew multitudes about the house, when Mr. Robinson +and his associates prudently retreated by means of a backdoor.<a id='r101'></a><a href='#f101' class='c013'><sup>[101]</sup></a> +This procedure of the revenue officers (for no military +one was present) opened a large field of altercation and multiplied +quarrels, which were before too frequent between the +king’s officers and the leaders of opposition.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Governor <em>Bernard</em> could carry nothing in the govermental +way through the presence of the troops, but was continually losing +ground, and growing more and more obnoxious to the inhabitants; +so that he was abused in scurrilous publications, for +which the Boston gazette was notorious. They were craftily +calculated for the meridian where they first appeared, and suited +the too levelling disposition of the <em>Bay-men</em>; after the politicians +had encouraged a spirit of licentiousness, in order to weaken +the force of government, and counteract the designs carrying on +against their liberties: but their want of decency offended many +of the sons of liberty in the other colonies. Heavy threats were +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLXXIX'>CLXXIX</span>also thrown out against the governors personal safety. Of these +however he was regardless; and being asked by a friend, how +he could venture to walk about alone at his country seat, only five +miles from the center of Boston, and whether he was not afraid, +he answered, “No, they are not a blood-thirsty people.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>At length it was thought proper to recal him, as said, to lay +before his majesty the true state of the province: this he signified +to the assembly in the month of June. Before they were +prorogued they embraced the occasion for drawing up a petition +to his majesty in which, after complaints of him, they entreated +that he might be for ever removed from the goverment of +the province. When his letters, written home in confidence, +came to be exposed to public view, it would have argued great +weakness to have continued him, unless it was designed to adopt +his plans, and support him by force at all adventures. Governor +Bernard was too open, and had too little command of his +temper; and suffered his resentment to get the better of what +ought to have been his political judgment. Every governor +should divest himself of resentment, especially in his public capacity, +as his own happiness, and that of the governed require it.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Men of spirit may be drawn, when they will not be forced—Sir +Francis, instead of aiming his censures at individuals, directed +them against whole bodies. Thus he charged the council with +servility to the populace, the pleasing of whom, he said, was the +rule of their conduct, and also both houses of the general assembly +expressly, in his speeches, with oppugnation against the +royal authority, declaring that they had left gentlemen out of +the council, only for their fidelity to the crown. Such charges +strengthened the hands of those whom he most opposed, by touching +the honor of the whole. Had they been true, they should +have been suppressed or mentioned only in private; but though +the substance of them even was true, when applied to individuals, +it might be otherwise when applied to the body, the majority +of whom might act upon different principles. Political leaders +frequently throw out motives, by which to catch and conduct the +well-intentioned, differing from those by which they themselves +are actuated. Sir Francis did not possess those mollifying arts +which the ferment of the times required; and was more ready +to aggravate disorders than to apologize for them. It was common +for him in his official letters, to stile the opposition the +faction, even while he owned that it comprehended the majority +of the assembly. A parental governor would have thrown in +many hints to have lessened the displeasure of persons in power, +on account of offences committed at three thousand miles distance, +under an enthusiastic attachment to the cause of liberty, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLXXX'>CLXXX</span>at a period when divers outrages were perpetrated at home, by +mobs in various parts of the kingdom. He evinced too great an +inclination to make the worst of every thing; and at times hearkened +to and transmitted the strangest rumours. He was a principal +instrument in bringing the troops to Boston. It was a favorite +measure with him and the lieutenant governor long before +it was executed. While he professed himself a friend to the +province, he was endeavoring to undermine its constitution, and +to obtain an essential alteration in the charter, through an appointment +of the council by the king, instead of its continuing +in the election of the general court, where the representatives +of the people necessarily carried it, whenever they united.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Toward the end of June he had the fairest opportunity of getting +the troops removed from the Massachusetts, but opposed the +measure. General Gage desired general Mackay to consult +with him concerning the necessity of continuing the troops at +Boston, and to procure his opinion in writing, whether his majesty’s +service required that troops should remain there any +longer, and what number, whether one or two regiments. It +is impossible to express his surprise at the proposition. The +knowledge of it, so far as it reached, occasioned a consternation +among the civil officers of government, its friends, and the +importers of goods from Great-Britain. Gage, in a letter, requested +his opinion, and assured him he should not publish it, or +make it known on this side the Atlantic. He immediately answered, +that he had no hesitation to declare his opinion that it +would be detrimental to his majesty’s service to remove any of +the two regiments remaining; and that it would be quite ruinous +to the cause of the crown to draw all the troops out of Boston; +but that he was inclined to think, that a regiment in town, and +another at the castle, might be sufficient. He had time enough +in which to have ripened a plan with the court for the removal +of the troops, to the joy of the country, and with safety to the +civil officers and supporters of government. But he too early +for his own peace and the happiness of his government, deviates +from the line of conduct marked out for him by lord Halifax +immediately after his appointment, when it was recommended +to him to see and converse with governor Pownal, of whom +his lordship wrote in the same letter, “It is impossible to pursue +a better plan of government than what he directed himself by.” +However, his conduct was so agreeable to the ministry, that a +title was secured him. He was created a baronet, March the +twentieth, 1769; and his majesty took upon himself the whole +expence of passing the patent, which added greatly to the honor +done him, as it was a favor seldom or ever before granted. Sir +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLXXXI'>CLXXXI</span>Francis, during his eleven years residence in America, made very +little advance in his estate. The Boston sons of liberty had +great advantages against him, from the early intelligence procured +by the supposed author of Junius Americanus, and forwarded +for safety under an unsuspected coarse paper cover, to Mr. Thomas +Bromfield, glover, at Boston. Sir Francis was astonished +to find that the contents of his letters from ministry were known +by them as soon as by himself. When he embarked from the +castle on board the Rippon man of war, for Great-Britain, August +the first, few lamented his departure. Even his friend, the +lieutenant governor, Mr. Hutchinson, regretted not his recal; +by it he gained an opening for succeeding to the chair, to which +he had been long looking, and was in hopes of being advanced.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Boston and New-York entered into the non-importation agreement +so early as August the preceding year; before the +present was out they began to be embarrassed, and numbers +grew weary of their engagement. Advantage was taken of +these circumstances. The British officers, either of their own +thought, or through hints from home, offered merchants the +liberty of having their goods directed to them, as though intended +for the army; and many were got in under that cover, especially +at New-York. Several persons imported into Boston +and sold freely, without its being particularly noticed, while a +few only were called to an account and exposed in the newspapers. +This occasioned an alarm; and the people assembled +at Faneuil-hall [Jan. 23, 1770.] in consequence of a notification, +upon the business of preventing the non-importation agreement’s +being rendered abortive.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Mr. <em>Theophilus Lillie</em>, observing the gross partiality which prevailed +in suffering some to sell, while a few others were proscribed; +determined upon selling his goods also. To point him out +as inimical to the agreement, and a person whose shop was to be +shunned, a piece of pageantry was placed before the door. Mr. +<em>Richardson</em>, attempting to remove it, was driven into his house by +a number of boys, and there attacked by stones through the windows. +Provoked, rather than endangered by the assault, he fired +and killed <em>Christopher Snider</em> [Feb. 22.] a lad of eleven years old, +who was recorded in the public prints as the first martyr to the +noble cause of liberty. The boy was buried with the greatest respect +imaginable, according to the custom of the country; and +such was the number of people following the corpse, that the foot +procession extended a full quarter of a mile. The event tended +rather to promote than injure the non-importation agreement. +Boys, small and great, and undoubtedly men, had been and were +encouraged, and well paid by certain leaders, to insult and intimidate +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLXXXII'>CLXXXII</span>those who had avowedly counteracted the combination, +and still persevered. The lieutenant governor in April, attempted +prevailing upon a merchant of the first estate and character, +to promote an association in opposition to the non-importation +agreement, but to no purpose; and received for answer, “Until +parliament makes provision for the punishment of the confederacies, +all will be ineffectual, and the associates will be exposed to +popular rage.” Another meeting was called to determine whether +the goods already arrived and those expected, should be sent +back to Britain. A gentleman having received a letter from a +member of parliament, in which it was said, that shipping back +£.10,000 of goods will do more than storing £.100,000 and the +same being communicated, the scale, when upon a balance, was +turned, and all the importers belonging to the town submitted +to send their goods back; and in May many were re-shipped on +board captain Scott. The leaders gave out that it was done voluntarily; +and yet the major part of the merchants wished to see +the trade free from restraint; but having in the height of their +zeal, called in the populace as their servants, to intimidate those +who refused to join in the combination, they were now forced to +submit to them as their masters, under the influence of a few of +the merchants, who still adhered to their first plan. Several of +the last importers begged with tears, that they might be allowed +to house their goods, but it was not granted. One who had been +pretty sturdy, had a committee of tradesmen sent him, with an +axe-man, a carpenter, at their head, who told him that there +were a 1000 men waiting for his answer, and if he did not comply, +there was no saying what would be the consequences. The +strength of the argument prevailed; and a day or two after the +paper published that he complied voluntarily. The Bostonians +moreover resolved to break off all trade with the Newport people, +because of their duplicity, and breaking through the non-importation +agreement. The next month Hartford followed the example +of Boston. But about the same time the New-Yorkers, +by dexterous management, were brought to agree to import—“every +thing except such articles as are, or may hereafter be, +subject to duty for the purpose of raising a revenue in America.” +Government gained a party in the committee of merchants, who +took advantage of the charges brought against Boston of importing +large quantities of goods; and Mr. Hancock was complained +of for suffering them to be brought in his vessels. By these +means they prepared the minds of the people for the execution +of the plan they had concerted. They did not call a meeting of +the citizens, in which the vote of the populace, procured by the +arts of individuals, might prevail; but went through the several +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLXXXIII'>CLXXXIII</span>wards, and took the sense of the principal inhabitants separately, +when it appeared that the majority were for importing. Upon +the receipt of letters from Philadelphia and Boston, the sense of +the inhabitants was again taken, and turned out as before. They +were severely censured by the Philadelphians for their defection, +and by others also. The letter of the committee to the merchants +at Boston, informing them what agreement they had adopted, +was contemptuously torn to pieces. When those Yorkers who +were in the interest of government, began to concert their plan, +they rested on assurances of what would be done in parliament, +and knew not, for certain, that the duties on glass, paper and +colours had been taken off; but the news of the obnoxious act +being so far repealed, reached the continent before they had +fully perfected the business, on the 10th of July.<a id='r102'></a><a href='#f102' class='c013'><sup>[102]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>The New-Yorkers were in general faithful, while their non-importation +agreement lasted; more so, it was thought, than the +Bostonians. These suffered much in their reputation among the +sons of liberty at New-York and Philadelphia, for the large +quantities of goods found by some of the newspaper publications, +to have been imported into Boston. Some of the inhabitants +were desirous of rolling away much of the reproach, by +pointing out that, a considerable part of the goods charged to +the score of Boston, belonged to Salem, Marblehead, and other +ports; but when the non-importation agreements were ended, +it was omitted, and thus they continued to lie under greater disgrace +than really belonged to them. While the New-York plan +was carrying on, a trial was made by about a dozen persons, to +frighten the gentlemen who were inclined to import, from so +doing, but it failed, the populace had been secured.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[April 12.] The king gave his assent to the act for repealing +the duties on glass, paper, and colours. The tea duty was professedly +continued as a pepper corn rent, for the point of honor, +and as a badge of sovereignty over the colonies. The ministry +might also mean to use it in some future period, for deeper purposes +than could be then fathomed. They intended in the beginning +of the session to bring in a bill against American associations; +but the violence of party was such, that it was thought +the times would not admit of it. The strong opposition made +to ministerial measures at home, was certainly helpful to the cause +of the colonies, and encouraged them to go those lengths which +they would otherwise have scarce ventured upon. This, however, +was not to be charged to the anti-ministerialists, as an evil +for which they were answerable. Let ministers attempt at any +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLXXXIV'>CLXXXIV</span>time to make unjustifiable inroads upon the liberties of British +subjects, their opponents are bound in duty, as the guardians of +the public, to use all warrantable efforts to disconcert them +and the mischief which follows is to be placed to the account of +those who render the opposition a necessary measure.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The news of a partial repeal did not satisfy the colonists. But +they attempted in vain to keep up the non-importation agreement +after the defection of New-York. The Boston merchants +at length, in a meeting held at the coffee-house in October, unanimously +voted to alter it, and adopt the same plan of importing +with that of the New-Yorkers. It appeared to be the sense +of the one and the other, and also of the Philadelphians, that +no tea should be imported; and that if any was brought into the +several ports, it should be smuggled to avoid paying the duty. +The Virginia house of burgesses, in a petition to his majesty, +expressed their exceeding great concern and deep affliction upon +finding, that the several acts imposing duties for the purpose +of raising a revenue in America, were continued; and said, “A +partial suspension of duties, and these such only as were imposed +upon British manufactures, cannot remove the too well +grounded fears and apprehensions of your majesty’s subjects, +whilst impositions are continued on the same articles of foreign +fabric, and entirely retained upon tea, for the avowed purpose +of establishing a precedent against us.” The present year was +marked by a different scene of blood than what offered in February, +which could not be introduced in the order of time, +without breaking the thread of the preceding narration.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Outrages had been committed by the soldiers; and frequent +quarrels had happened between them and the inhabitants of Boston, +who viewed the military as come to dragoon them into +obedience to statutes, instructions, and mandates that were thoroughly +detested. Each day gave rise to new occurrences which +augmented the animosity. Reciprocal insults soured the tempers, +and mutual injuries embittered the passions of the opposite +parties. Beside, some fiery spirits who resented the indignity of +having soldiers quartered among them, were continually exciting +the town’s people to quarrel with the troops. Not only so, +but a pompous news-paper account of a victory obtained by the +inhabitants of New-York over the soldiers there in an affray, undoubtedly +excited the resentment of the military at Boston, and +exultations among their opponents, and thus increased the ferment. +Every thing tended to a crisis; and it is rather wonderful +that it did not exist sooner, when so many circumstances +united to hasten its approach. The lieutenant governor did not +attend to those things properly, and was not sufficiently careful +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLXXXV'>CLXXXV</span>to prevent consequences, by strongly urging the officers to keep +their men in the barracks as much as possible, and to maintain +the strictest discipline. He was desirous of recommending himself +both to them and the commissioners, and therefore was +very cautious lest he should offend either.</p> + +<p class='c007'>At length a private of the twenty-ninth regiment, passing +along in the morning [March 2.] near Mr. John Gray’s ropewalk, +being provoked by insulting words, resented it, and being +overpowered, went off; but soon returned with a dozen soldiers, +between whom and the ropemakers an affray ensued, which terminated +in the defeat of the former; who in the afternoon armed +themselves with clubs, and were on their way to renew the +action, but were stopped. On this many of the town’s people +were so enraged, that they determined on fighting it out with +the soldiers on the Monday. The Rev. Dr. <em>Eliot</em> was told of +the determination on the Saturday; and was also informed that +the bells were to be rung to assemble the inhabitants together; so +that when on the Monday evening he heard them ring, he was +not alarmed with an apprehension of its being on account of a +fire’s breaking out in the town, which is generally the case.<a id='r103'></a><a href='#f103' class='c013'><sup>[103]</sup></a> +It does not appear that any militia were called in before the firing +upon the people, or that any regular plan was formed for +compelling the troops to move from the town; it is absurd to +think, on the other hand, that there was a settled plot for employing +the soldiers to massacre the inhabitants. But from the +characters, principles, and politics of certain persons among the +leaders of the opposition, it may be feared, that they had no objection +to a rencounter, that by occasioning the death of a few, +might eventually clear the place of the two regiments. That +some design was on foot, which might be attended with danger +in the execution, may be gathered from lieutenant-colonel Marshall’s +saying, when giving evidence for the crown—“The bells +were ringing, and the people began to collect as they do at the +cry of fire, and I began to think it was fire. I had a mind to +go out, but I had a reluctance, because <em>I had been warned not +to go out that night</em>;” meaning in which the men were shot.<a id='r104'></a><a href='#f104' class='c013'><sup>[104]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>[Mar. 5.] Between seven and eight o’clock at night, unusual +numbers are met coming from the south end of the town, with +sticks in their hands, and serious consequences are apprehended +from it. About the same time parties, amounting in the whole +to near two hundred, several with great sticks or clubs, proceed +from the north end, some of whom say, “let us go to the south +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLXXXVI'>CLXXXVI</span>end and join our friends there, and attack the damned scoundrels +and drive them out of the town; they have no business here.”—More +people than common, with large sticks, are observed running +from all quarters toward King-street. The north end parties +collect in and about Dock-square, and attack several soldiers +belonging to Murray’s barracks about nine o’clock: upon an officer’s +coming up, these are ordered to their barracks, and when +got in, with much difficulty, are immediately confined. The +mob follow the officer to the gate, and provoke the soldiers by +the most abusive language, and dare them to come out. They +are hardly rastrained by their officers from doing it. While these +things are transacting, some are calling <em>town born turn out</em>, +twenty or thirty times over; others cry <em>fire, fire</em>, in different +places, the more effectually to draw people out of their houses, +and to increase their numbers; and soon after the nine o’clock +bell has ceased, the bells are set a ringing, which those who are +not better informed, imagine to be the alarm of fire.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Upon the soldiers being restrained to the barracks, the mob +are desired by one or more considerate persons to return home. +A few comply, but the generality have something further to engage +their attention. Numbers employ themselves in tearing up +the stalls of the market-place in Dock-square, for the purpose +they express while calling out, “Damn the dogs, where are they +now? Let us go and kill that damned scoundrel of a sentry, and +then attack the main-guard.” The body of the mob when they +have finished their repeated attacks upon the barracks, are addressed +in the street by a tall large man in a red cloak and white wig. +After listening to what he has to offer, in the space of three or +four minutes they huzza for the main-guard, and say, “We will +do for the soldiers.” They separate into three divisions, and take +different routs for King-street, one through the main-street. +A party, who have collected at Oliver’s-dock, bend their course +toward the same point. In the mean time, the sentry before the +custom-house is assaulted while upon duty. A boy comes up, +and pointing to him, says, “There is the son of a bitch that +knocked me down.” About twenty young fellows, eighteen +years old, call out, “kill him, kill him, knock him down.” +Their behavior obliges him to load his gun. They pelt him with +snow-balls, pieces of ice, and any thing that offers, and halloo, +“fire and be damned.” They advanced upon him; oblige him to +retreat; he mounts the steps, and knocks at the door for admission. +Meeting with no relief in this way, more persons collecting +in the street, and his danger increasing, he calls out to the +main-guard, within hearing, for protection. Captain Preston, +the officer of the day, being told that the ringing of the bells is +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLXXXVII'>CLXXXVII</span>the signal for the inhabitants assembling to attack the troops, repairs +to the main-guard; and learning the situation of the sentry, +sends off a corporal and six men to protect both him and the +king’s chest in the custom-house. The soldiers march off with +their pieces unloaded, and the captain follows to prevent disorder. +Ere they have formed, that part of the mob which comes +through the main-street, and appears to be headed by the mulatto +Attucks, and to contain a number of sailers, upon coming to the +town-house, exclaim—“Damn the rascals, this will never do; the +readiest way to get rid of those people, is to attack the main-guard; +strike at the root, this is the nest.” The soldiers are pelted while +going to defend their comrade; and, when upon their station, +are served as was the single sentry, have snow-balls, large pieces +of ice, sticks and other things thrown at them, and are obliged +to load for their own safety. The reproachful language with which +they are abused exclusive of a plenty of oaths and execrations, +is, “Come on you rascals, you lobster scoundrels, you bloody-backs, +you cowards, you dastards for bringing arms against naked +men; fire if you dare; fire and be damned, we know you dare +not.” and much more to the same purpose. The reason for saying +“you dare not fire,” is probably to be found in the doctrine +latey advanced, “that soldiers, while on duty, may upon no +occasion whatever fire upon their fellow-subjects, without the order +of a civil magistrate.” The mob press in upon the soldiers, +advance to the points of the bayonets, are desired to keep off, +and are treated with cautious attention. This may be owing to +apprehensions of danger to themselves in case of contrary conduct. +The shouts, huzzas, threats, screams, and almost yells of +the mob, with the ringing of the bells to increase the general confusion, +may justly alarm them; but their precaution soon avails +nothing. While they are pushing off the people, without once +leaving their station or attempting to follow them, the mulatto, +and about a dozen persons, several in sailors habits, come down +to the spot, give three cheers, surround the soldiers, and strike +their guns with clubs, crying out to the others, “Do not be afraid +of them, they dare not fire; kill them, kill them; knock them +over.” The mulatto aims a blow at captain Preston, strikes down +one of the guns, seizes the bayonet with his left hand, and shows +a hardy disposition answering to the threats which have been uttered. +At this instant, there is a confused cry of “damn your +bloods why don’t you fire,” and partly from persons behind the +captain. Firing succeeds. Montgomery, whom the mulatto has +assaulted, after recovering his legs, and relieving his gun by a +sudden twitch, is the first that fires, and his assailant falls. After +six or eight seconds, another fires, the other five follows in quick +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLXXXVIII'>CLXXXVIII</span>succession. It is agreed, that only seven out of the eight soldiers +discharge their pieces, and that no one fires twice. Three +persons are killed; five are very dangerously wounded, and a +few slightly. Most are either passengers going through the +street, or unassisting spectators. It is well that no more are +killed, considering that there were from fifty to a hundred about +the soldiers. They ran off at the firing, but soon assemble +again to take away the dead and wounded.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The whole town is immediately in the greatest commotion. +Their drums beat to arms, and there is a constant calling out, +“to arms, to arms, turn out with your guns.” The townsmen +assemble in the next street, to the amount of some thousands. The +lieutenant-governor repairs to captain <em>Preston</em>, and upon coming +up, asks him, “how came you to fire upon the people without the +orders of a civil magistrate?” The captain begins to apologize +for what had happened, by saying, “<em>we were insulted</em>;” and is +about adding more, but recollecting the impropriety of the place, +stops short, and asks Mr. <em>Hutchinson</em> to walk up into the guard +room, where he means to finish what he has begun; but the lieutenant-governor +goes to the council chamber. The captain’s words +are observed by some gentlemen, who attend Mr. Hutchinson, +and are considered as conceding to the implied charge of having +given direction to fire, and are remembered to his disadvantage. +Mr. Hutchinson cannot avoid exposing himself in the midst of +the enraged inhabitants, upon whom he prevails to disperse till +morning. It having been a clear moon-light night, persons have +been enabled to distinguish what passed.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[March 6.] The next morning the people collected in vast bodies. +The lieutenant-governor summons a council. Before any +debate commences, lieutenant-colonel <em>Dalrymple</em>, and lieutenant-colonel +<em>Carr</em> attend, being informed that they may if they will. +The town meets in full assembly, and choose a committee, who, +while the business is largely discussing in council, wait upon the +lieutenant-governor and deliver him a message, declaring, “It +is the unanimous opinion of the meeting, that nothing can rationally +be expected to restore the peace of the town, and prevent +blood and carnage, but the immediate removal of the troops.” +Colonel Dalrymple signifies to Mr. Hutchinson, his readiness to +place the 29th regiment, which has rendered itself in a special +manner obnoxious, in the barracks at the castle.</p> + +<p class='c007'>In the afternoon the lieutenant-governor receives another message, +acquainting him, that it is the opinion of the meeting, consisting +of near three thousand people, that nothing but a total and +immediate removal of the troops will satisfy. Mr. <em>Samuel Adams</em>, +one of the committee, in his venerable grey locks, and with hands +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CLXXXIX'>CLXXXIX</span>trembling under a nervous complaint, tells colonel <em>Dalrymple</em>, +“If you can remove the 29th regiment, you can also remove the +14th; and it is at your peril if you do not;” and continues talking +to him in such a resolute tone, and with such strong implications, +as nearly to communicate the trembling to the colonel. +Mr. <em>Hutchinson</em> wishes to get clear of the council, but +finds it impossible; and therefore lays the matter before them. +Several declare their apprehensions of more bloodshed, unless +the troops are removed. Mr. <em>Royal Tyler</em> in his zeal for effecting +it, say to him, “It is not such people as formerly pulled +down your house who conduct the present measures. No; they +are people of the best characters among us, men of estates, men +of religion. They have formed their plan for removing the troops +out of town, and it is impossible they should remain in it. The +people will come in from the neighboring towns; there will be +ten thousand men to effect the removal of the troops, who will probably +be destroyed by the people, be it called a rebellion, or occasion +the loss of our charter, or be the consequence what it may.” When +Mr. <em>Tyler</em> said, <em>they have formed their plan</em>, it was not to be +understood that the plan was formed prior, but subsequent to the +bloodshed of the preceding evening. His representations might +be aggravated: even when there is not a natural cast for the hyperbole, +persons inflamed by passion, will imperceptibly have a recourse +to the figure. Mr. Hutchinson tells the council, “Nothing +shall ever induce me to order the troops out of town.” +They, upon that, unanimously advise him to request colonel Dalrymple +to order them to the castle. To the colonel he says, “I +have nothing to do with it, it lies wholly with you.” While they +are pressing him, the people are informed, that the colonel is ready +to remove the rigiments, if the lieutenant governor will only +join in desiring it. He inclines to stand out, and to leave it with +the colonel and council to settle as they can agree about the business. +He deliberates till near night, dreading lest any one measure +he may adopt, shall lessen him in the opinion of the ministry +and endanger his advancement. At length the secretary, Mr. +<em>Oliver</em>, perceiving how artfully matters are managed, whispers +him in the ear, “you must either comply or determine to leave +the province.” This prevails; he complies with the advice of +the council, and the general ferment begins to subside. The +troops, however, are not removed so early as is expected by the +town; they continue till the next Monday; and upon the colonel’s +being asked the reason, he mentions that it lies at the +door of the lieutenant governor, who shuffles with the colonel, +in hope that some occurrence will exist, which may exempt him +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXC'>CXC</span>from being charged with occasioning the removal of the troops +by the interposition of his advice.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Meanwhile captain Preston and his party are committed to +jail. One of the wounded men dies. It is determined to bury +the four persons<a id='r105'></a><a href='#f105' class='c013'><sup>[105]</sup></a> in one vault, and in a peculiarly respectful +manner. [March 8.] The generality of the shops in town are +shut. All the bells of Boston, Charlestown, and Roxbury, are +ordered to toll in the most doleful tone. The corpses form a +junction in King-street, where they fell when the soldiers fired. +Hence they proceed in orderly succession through the main +street, followed by an immense concourse of people, so numerous +as to be obliged to go in ranks of six a-breast, and the whole +closed by a long train of carriages belonging to the principal +gentry of the town. Thus are they distinguished and honorably +attended to the place of interment, with unparalleled pomp, not +on account of personal merit, but to express the vehement indignation +of the inhabitants against the slaughter of their brethren, +by the British soldiery quartered among them, in violation, as +they imagine, of their civil liberties.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[October 24.] Captain Preston’s trial begins. Messrs. John +Adams and Josiah Quincy are his council. They are warm in +the cause of liberty, and offend several of their own party by undertaking +the defence of the prisoner; but faithfully employ +their distinguished abilities in his behalf. The trial does not finish +till the thirtieth. While carrying on, Mr. Quincy pushes +the examination and cross-examination of the witnesses to such +an extent, that Mr. Adams, in order to check it, is obliged to +tell him, that if he will not desist, he shall decline having any +thing further to do in the cause. The captain and his friends +are alarmed, and consult about engaging another counsellor; +but Mr. Adams has no intention of abandoning his client. He +is sensible that there is sufficient evidence to obtain a favorable +verdict from an impartial jury; and only feels for the honor of +the town, which he apprehends will suffer yet more, if the witnesses +are examined too closely and particularly, and by that +mean more truth be drawn from them than what has an immediate +connection with the soldiers firing, by or without the orders +of the captain. When the trial is ending, judge Lynde, +toward the close of his speech, says, “Happy am I to find, after +such strict examination, the conduct of the prisoner appears +in so fair a light; yet I feel myself deeply affected, that this affair +turns out so much to the disgrace of every person concerned +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXCI'>CXCI</span>against him, and so much to the shame of the town in general.” +The jury returned their verdict—Not guilty.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Nov. 27.] On Tuesday commences the trial of William +Wemms, James Hartegan, William M‘Cauley, Hugh White, +Matthew Killroy, William Warren, John Carrol, and Hugh +Montgomery, soldiers in the 29th regiment, for the murder of +Crispus Attucks, Samuel Gray, Samuel Maverick, James Caldwell, +and Patrick Carr, the last of whom did not die till ten days +after he was wounded. The soldiers have the same counsel that +was engaged for their captain. The trial is continued from day +to day, Sunday excepted, till Wednesday, December the fifth. +Attempts were made to prejudice the people against the prisoners, +one especially in a certain weekly paper the day before +the trial began. The publication included an insult on the supreme +court, and expressed the greatest malignity of heart.—To +counteract the baneful effects of all such proceedings, Mr. +Quincy, in his address to the justices and jury, observes—“We +must steel ourselves against passions, which contaminate the fountain +of justice. Let it be borne deep upon our minds, that the +prisoners are to be condemned by the evidence <em>here in court</em> +produced against them, and by nothing else. Matters heard or +seen abroad, are to have no weight; in general they undermine +the pillars of justice and truth. As though a series of <em>ex parte</em> +evidence was not enough, all the colours of the canvas have +been touched in order to freshen the wounds, and by a transport +of imagination we are made present at the scene of action. The +prints exhibited in our houses have added wings to fancy, and +in the fervor of our zeal, reason is in hazard of being lost. The +pomp of funeral, the horrors of death, have been so delineated, +as to give a spring to our ideas, and inspire a glow incompatible +with sound, deliberate judgment. In this situation, every passion +has alternately been predominant. They have each in turn +subsided in degree, and they have sometimes given place to despondence, +grief, and sorrow. How careful should we be, that +we do not mistake the impressions of gloom and melancholy, +for the dictates of reason and truth! How careful, lest borne +away by a torrent of passion, we make shipwreck of conscience!</p> + +<p class='c007'>“Many things yet exist sufficient to keep alive the glow of +indignation. I have aimed at securing you against the catching +flame. I have endeavored to discharge my duty in this respect. +What success will follow those endeavors, depends on you, +gentlemen. If being told of your danger will not produce caution, +nothing will. If you are determined in opinion, it is in +vain to say more; but if you are zealous enquirers after the +truth; if you are willing to hear with impartiality, to examine +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXCII'>CXCII</span>and judge for yourselves, enough has been said to apprize you +of those avenues at which the enemies of truth and justice are +most likely to enter, and most easily to beset you.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>When the evidence in favor of the prisoners is finished, Mr. +Quincy resumes his address—“I stated to you, gentlemen, your +duty in opening this cause. I pointed out the dangers to which +you were exposed. How much need was there that you should +suspend your judgment till the witnesses were all examined!—How +different is the complexion of the case? Will not all this +serve to show every honest man the little truth to be attained in +partial hearings? This trial ought to have another effect; it +should serve to convince us all of the impropriety, nay, injustice, +of giving a latitude in conversation upon topics likely to come +under a judicial decision; the criminality of this comduct is certainly +inhanced, when such loose sallies and discourses are so +prevalent as to be likely to touch the life of a citizen. In the +present case, how great was the prepossession against us! and I +appeal to you, gentlemen, as to what cause there now is to alter +our sentiments.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>In the course of pleading, he is under a necessity of saying,—“And +here, gentlemen, I must first tell you by what law the +prisoners are <em>not</em> to be tried or condemned. And they most +certainly are <em>not</em> to be tried by the <em>Mosaic</em> law: a law we take it, +especially designed for the government of a peculiar nation, who +being in a great measure under a theocratical from of government, +its institutions cannot, with any propriety, be adduced +for our regulation in these days. It is with pain, therefore, I +have observed any eadeavor to mislead our judgment on this +occasion, by drawing our attention to the precepts delivered in +the days of Moses: and by disconnected passages of scripture, +applied in a manner foreign to their original design or import, +there seems to have been an attempt to touch some peculiar sentiments +which we know are thought to be prevalent; and in +this way we take it, an injury is like to be done, by giving the +mind a bias it ought never to have received, because it is not +warranted by our laws.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>“We have heard it publicly said of late, oftener than formerly, +<em>Whosoever sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed</em>. +This is plainly, gentlemen, a general rule, which like all others +of the kind must have its exceptions—a rule, which if taken in +its strict literal latitude, would imply, that a man killing another +in self-defence, would incur the pains of death—a doctrine that +certainly never prevailed under the <em>Mosaical</em> institution; for we +find the <em>Jews</em> had their six cities of refuge, to which the man-slayer +might flee from the avenger of blood.” Let it be observed +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXCIII'>CXCIII</span><em>en passant</em>, that it was ordained that the man-slayer should abide +in the city of refuge till the death of the high-priests, so every +person to escape such confinement and restraint, would be extremely +careful lest he should prove the casual occasion of another’s +death; and would not venture upon gratifying a settled +or sudden evil disposition, by needlessly slaying a fellow-creature, +because it would pass for chance-medly. But to go on in company +with Mr. Quincy. “And so, that <em>the</em> <span class='fss'>MURDERER</span> <em>shall +flee to the pit</em>, comes under the same consideration. And when +we hear it asked, as it very lately has been,” Who DARE stay +him? “I answer, if the laws of our country stay him, you ought +to do likewise; and every good subject <em>dares</em> to do what the +law allows. But the very position is <em>begging the question</em>; for +the question now in issue is, whether either of the prisoners is +<em>a murderer</em> in the sense of our laws, what is murder and what +not, is a <em>question of law</em> arising upon facts stated and allowed.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>“Again, you shall take no satisfaction for the life of a <em>murderer</em>, +who is <em>guilty of death</em>.” Here again is a begging the question; +and moreover the words <em>guilty of death</em>, if rightly considered, +must be one of those general rules which always have +their exceptions. But in the margin of our great bible, we find +them rendered <em>faulty to die</em>. Against a position of this kind we +have no objection. If we have committed <em>a fault</em>, on which +our laws inflict the punishment of <em>death</em>, we must suffer. But +what fault we have committed, you are to inquire; or rather +you, gentlemen, are to find the <em>facts proved in court against us</em>, +and the judges are to see and consider what the law pronounces +touching our offence, and what punishment is thereby inflicted +as a penalty.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>Mr. John Adams, in his pleadings, produces from the best authorities, +those rules of law which must govern all cases of homicide, +and particularly that which is before the court; and then +considers the evidence, to see whether any thing has occurred that +may be compared to the rules of law. He enters into a minute +consideration of every witness produced on the crown side; and +endeavours to show from the evidence on that side, that the assault +upon the party was sufficiently dangerous to justify the +prisoners; at least that it was sufficiently provoking to reduce +to manslaughter the crime even of the two, who are supposed +to be proved guilty of having killed. He then proceeds to consider +the testimonies of the witnesses for the prisoners; and concludes +with—“I will enlarge no more on the evidence, but submit +to you, gentlemen.—Facts are stubborn things; and whatever +may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our +passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence: nor +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXCIV'>CXCIV</span>is the law less stable than the fact. If an assault was made to +endanger their lives the law is clear, they had a right to kill in +their own defence. If it was not so severe as to endanger their +lives, yet if they were assaulted at all, struck and abused by blows +of any sort, by snow-balls, oyster-shells, cinders, clubs, or sticks +of any kind, this was a provocation for which the law reduces +the offence of killing down to manslaughter, in consideration +to those passions in our nature which cannot be eradicated.—To +your candor and justice I submit the prisoners and their +cause.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>“The law, in all vicissitudes of government, fluctuations of +the passions, or flights of enthusiasm, will preserve a steady undeviating +course; it will not bend to the uncertain wishes, imaginations, +and wanton tempers of men. To use the words of a +great and worthy man, a patriot, and an hero, an enlightened +friend of mankind, and martyr to liberty, I mean <span class='sc'>Algernon +Sidney</span>, who from his earliest infancy sought a tranquil retirement +under the shadow of the tree of liberty, with his tongue, +his pen, and his sword. “The law (says he) no passion can disturb. +’Tis void of desire and fear, lust and anger. ’Tis mens +<em>sine affectu</em>; written reason; retaining some measure of the divine +perfection. It does not enjoin that which pleases a weak, +frail man, but without any regard to persons, commands that +which is good, and punishes evil in all, whether rich or poor, +high or low. ’Tis deaf, inexorable, inflexible.” On the one +hand it is inexorable to the cries and lamentations of the prisoners; +on the other it is deaf, deaf as an adder to the clamors of +the populace.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>The judges when summing up the evidence to the jury, and +giving their opinions of the constructions of law upon the evidence +apply themselves to the removing of those bad impressions, +which may possibly have been made upon the jury by the +misconstruction of scripture passages. Says one of them—“In +the course of this year you doubtless have heard much of the law +given to the <em>Jews</em> respecting homicide, as well as of the precept +given to Noah, that <em>whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall +his blood be shed</em>. Whence it has been inferred, that whosoever +<em>voluntarily</em> kills another, whatever the inducement or provocation +may be, is a <em>murderer</em>, and as such ought to be put to death.—But +surely not only the avenger of blood, and he who killed a +thief breaking up a house in the night, were exceptions to that +general precept, but also he who killed another in his own defence. +Even the Jewish doctors allowed this, and that justly; +because the right of self defence is founded in the law of nature.” +It appears upon the trial, that the facts related above, under the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXCV'>CXCV</span>fifth of March are well attested. There are no less than <em>thirty-eight</em> +witnesses to prove a design to attack the soldiers. Six of +whom the council for the king have produced. Nigh <em>thirty</em> witnesses +have sworn to words of provocation uttered against the +prisoners, as daring them to fire, and threatening to kill them; +and <em>twenty-five</em> have witnessed to <em>ice</em>, <em>snow-balls</em>, <em>sticks</em>, &c. being +thrown at them, ten, of whom are witnesses for the crown.—There +is evidence that Patrick Carr, one of the deceased, repeatedly +declared and confirmed the same but a few hours before +he died—that he went with a design against the soldiers; that +he thought they were abused and would have fired before; that +he forgave and did not blame the man, whoever he was that shot +him; that he blamed himself for going to the riot, and might +have known better, for he had seen soldiers called to quell riots, +but never saw any bear half so much before. The jury withdrew +for about two hours and a half. Upon comparing the evidence, +they cannot be convinced that the soldiers were not too +hasty in firing. Was there evidence of all having fired, they +would convict all of manslaughter; but it is agreed on all hands, +that no more than seven guns were fired, consequently one is +innocent, and they choose that the guilty shall escape rather +than one innocent person be convicted.<a id='r106'></a><a href='#f106' class='c013'><sup>[106]</sup></a> They return into +court and agree, that as to Wemms, Hartegan, M‘Cauley, +White, Warren, and Carrol, they are not guilty, on which they +are immediately discharged. As to Killroy and Montgomery, +they agree that they are not guilty of murder, but of manslaughter. +Both pray the benefit of clergy, which is allowed; each +is burnt in the hand in open court, and discharged. [Dec. 5.] +The trial has been long, but the issue of it, as well as of that of +the captain’s, may be brought in proof of the integrity of Boston +juries, venturing to give upright verdicts in defiance of popular +opinions.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Dec. 12.] Edward Manwaring, esq. John Munroe, gentleman, +Hammond Green, boat-builder, and Thomas Greenwood, +labourer, were tried for being present, aiding, assisting, &c. +William Warran in the murder of Crispus Attucks. The +whole evidence consisted in one witness’s declaring that he saw +two flashes from the custom-house, one from the balcony, the +other from a chamber window, and a person in the balcony with +a gun or pistol in his hand; and in the testimony of a French +boy, servant to Mr. Manwaring, who swore to his being at the +custom-house when the soldiers fired, and to a story of persons +firing out of the chamber window. The falsehood of the whole +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXCVI'>CXCVI</span>evidence was immediately detected by a number of the most creditable +witnesses, so that the jury acquitted the prisoners without +going from their seats.</p> + +<p class='c007'>In the pleadings upon the trials, (of the soldiers especially) +Mr. John Adams discussed the subject of homicide so largely, +and showed so fully by what a variety of circumstances it was +reduced to manslaughter, that the popular leaders perceived the +necessity of altering their plan of opposition to the military, and +from thence forward promoted a particular attention to the militia +and the manual exercise, that the country might be qualified +for repelling arms by arms, whenever the same should be requisite +for the preservation of their liberties.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The ferment occasioned by the minesterial measures did not +subside in the New-York colony any more than in the Massachusetts.</p> + +<p class='c007'>About the middle of January, and at night, the <em>liberty-pole</em> +was cut down by the soldiery, which enraged the inhabitants, and +produced much disturbance and riot afterward between them and +the troops. The soldiers posted up papers about the city against +the sons of liberty which occasioned a considerable affray.—The +opposition soon expressed their determination to preserve, +by erecting a new <em>liberty-pole</em>, strongly secured with iron, to prevent +its being demolished. The <em>May-poles</em> in different parts of +the continent had changed their names, or given place to <em>liberty-pole</em>, +after the exhibition upon the liberty tree at Boston during +the stamp act. The conduct of the soldiers was probably owing +to the measures which had been taken the preceding month, in +order to prevent the assembly’s granting money for the support +of the troops. The assembly had in their former session, voted +to supply his majesty’s troops quartered in the colony, which +gave great umbrage. To quiet the people they made a unanimous +declaration, that it should be the last supply they would +ever grant, until their grievances were redressed, and it gave +satisfaction. But the house in the present session, passed a vote +for a further supply of £.2000 which greatly inflamed the minds +of the inhabitants. Two papers were published upon the occasion: +the one addressed <em>to the betrayed inhabitants of the city and +colony of</em> <span class='sc'>New-York</span>, and signed <span class='sc'>A Son of Liberty</span>: the +other signed <span class='sc'>Legion</span>, desiring the inhabitants to meet in the +fields. The papers were voted <em>false</em>, <em>seditious</em>, and <em>infamous</em> libels +by the assembly, who desired the lieutenant governor to issue out +proclamations, offering a reward for the discovery of the authors, +£.100 for the first, and £.50 for the last A stripling who had +been journeyman to the printer of the first, but discharged for +bad behavior, allured by the proffered reward, lodged a complaint +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXCVII'>CXCVII</span>against his late master, who was terrified into a discovery +of Mr. <em>M‘Dougall</em> as the publisher. Mr. <em>M‘Dougall</em> was by +the chief justice’s warrant brought before him, and upon refusing +to give bail was committed to jail. [Feb. 8.] In consequence of +the second paper, about 1400 inhabitants met, and appointed +Mr. <em>John Lamb</em> to propound questions relative to the vote of +the assembly. After explaining it, the question was put, “Do +you approve of the vote?” <em>No</em> was the answer. He proceeded, +“Are you for giving money to the troops, on any consideration +whatsoever?” It was again <em>No</em>. There were but about half a +dozen for the affirmative upon either of the questions. He then +asked, “Will you appoint a committee to communicate the +whole of this transaction to your members?” <em>Yes</em> was the word. +They then appointed for the committee, Messrs. <em>Isaac Sears</em>, +<em>Casper Wister</em>, <em>Alexander M‘Dougall</em>, <em>Jacobus Van Zandt</em>, <em>Samuel +Broome</em>, jun. <em>Erasmus Williams</em>, and <em>James Van Vaurk</em>.—The +meeting in the fields, and the transactions at it, were several +weeks before the discovery and commitment of Mr. <em>M‘Dougall</em>. +Mr. <em>Lamb</em> was called before the house to answer for his conduct; +but in the mean time the committee wrote to the speaker, acknowledging +themselves, in every respect parties with him, and +answerable for each step that had been taken, and ready to defend +their conduct in a constitutional manner. When Mr. <em>Lamb</em> +appeared before the assembly, he told them that he had assembled +with the rest of his fellow-citizens, and had proposed <em>questions</em>, +which as a citizen, a freeman, and an <em>Englishman</em>, he had a right +to do, and was surprised to hear it controverted. The house +finding that they had to do with the men of sens and resolution, +who were determined upon supporting the rights of their countrymen +and fellow citizens, gave up the point and dismissed them. +Their vote of £.2000 for the troops soon passed into a law: but +the deficiency demanded by the lieutenant governor as arrears +amounted to upward of £.1000 was left unpaid. Had there +been a provision for the arrears; the compliance of the mutiny +act would have been formal and complete. The matters were +carried so far must be attributed to an extraordinary and sudden +coalition in the assembly between politicians, who had long been +at mortal variance.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[April.] The grand jury found a bill against captain <em>M‘Dougall</em>, +but the trial was put off; and he was bailed out of jail.—When +he house met again toward the close of the year, he was +ordered to attend at their bar. The speaker asked him whether +he was the author or publisher of the address, &c. He declined +answering, and assigned his reasons. It was resolved, that in +his reply he denied the authority of the house, and was therefore +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXCVIII'>CXCVIII</span>guilty of a high contempt. On his refusing to ask pardon of +the house, he was ordered into custody, and the speaker issued +his warrant to the jail-keeper of the city to receive and keep him +prisoner until he should be discharged by due course of law. He +remained in jail till the assembly was prorogued on the 25th of +the following February 1771, when he was enlarged after a +confinment of near three months. It was not till March the +27th that he was discharged from his recognizance, by the supreme +court then sitting at <em>New-York</em>, (without having been +brought to a trial) after having been under bonds for near twelve +months, and suffered twenty and three weeks actual imprisonment. +He was the first sufferer for liberty after the commencement +of the united efforts of the American sons to frustrate the +ministerial plans for encroaching upon, and eventually subverting +their long claimed and enjoyed rights and privileges. This +honor belongs to a gentleman born in Scotland, and who is indeed, +what he signed himself, <em>A son of Liberty</em>. He bore his +imprisonment with fortitude; but the disagreeableness of it was +much lessened, and the disgrace of it wholly removed, as the citizens +of the highest and best characters ladies and gentlemen +resorted to the place of his confinement. His character as well +as his case was good; so that the most virtuous espousers of +the latter were neither afraid nor ashamed, by their repeated +visits, to afford him their public countenance.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The <em>Massachusetts</em> again demands your attention.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[May 31.] The new general court met at <em>Cambridge</em>; the +house remonstrated against being held there, or at any other place +than <em>Boston</em>; and by a majority of 69 out of 102, voted it to be +a very great grievance, and resolved not to do business out of +<em>Boston</em>; on which the lieutenant governor prorogued them.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[July 25.] They met again, but the assembly refused to do +business; and in their message to Mr. <em>Hutchinson</em>, insited upon +the right of people to appeal to heaven in disputes between them +and persons in power, when there is an abuse of power; but they +softened what they advanced, by saying “We would, however, +by no means be understood to suggest, that this people have occasion +at present to proceed to such extremity”; and yet they afterward +added, “these and other grievances and cruelties, too +many to be here enumerated, and too melancholy to be much +longer borne by this people, we have seen brought upon us by +the devices of the ministers of state.” They were prorogued +afresh.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Sept. 26.] They met a third time. The lieutenant governor +told them that the garrison at the castle in the pay of the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CXCIX'>CXCIX</span>province was to be withdrawn by order of his majesty, and the +fortress to be garrisoned by regular forces. His orders were +to deliver the possession of the fort to such officer as general <em>Gage</em> +should direct to take the command of it. The information excited +a suspicion in the assembly, who despaired of obtaing a +removal to Boston by persisting in a refusal to do business; the +leaders therefore procured this vote: [Sept. 29.] “Rosolved, +that the next Wednesday [Oct. 3.] be observed by the two houses +as a day of prayer, to seek the Lord for his direction and blessing,” +which went up to the council, and was unanimously concurred. +Men of profane cast are too prone to ridicule religion, +because of its being made a stalking-horse to serve the purposes +of politicians. Would they confine their wit and satire to the +parties offending, the correction would be proper. But let not +the well-intentioned and undesigning children of devotion, be +charged with hypocritical canting, because they are imposed upon +and duped by the subtelty of guides, who, like most thorough-paced +politicians, can change themselves into angels of light, +that they may perfect their devices.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Oct 9.] The house resolved to proceed to business from absolute +necessity, protesting against the restraint the general court +was held under to do it out of <em>Boston</em>. A few days after, they +sent to the lieutenant governor to know whether he held the command +at the <em>Castle</em>. “If the custody and government of that +fortress,” said they, “is now lodged with the military power, independent +of the supreme civil magistrate within this jurisdiction, +it is so essential an alteration of the constitution as must justly +alarm a free people.” His answer was so worded, as to leave +the assembly, in general, ground for concluding that the military +in the castle were dependent upon himself the same as were +the provincials. When he delivered it up, he repaired thither, +sent for the keys, and upon colonel <em>Dalrymple’s</em> coming into the +state room with his officers, gave them to him, and lodged with +him the custody and government of the fort; but retained some +trifling appearances of superior command. He soon learnt, however, +that he could not come at a flag when in want of it, or +even oars for a boat, without applying to general <em>Gage</em>.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Nov. 6.] The representatives resolved, that the merchants +having receded from their non-importation agreement, &c. they +would discourage prodigality, extravagance, and the use of foreign +superfluities; and promote industry, frugality, and their +own manufactures in the several towns they represented.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[7.] They appointed a committee of correspondence to communicate +intelligence to the agents and others in Great-Britain, +and to the speakers of their several assemblies through the continent, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CC'>CC</span>or such committees as they have appointed or may appoint.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Before the lieutenant governor prorogued them, he observed +to them, that since they had discovered a resolution to remove +unnecessary obstacles, they had done more business, notwithstanding +all the inconveniencies from the place of holding the +court, which they had insisted upon, than he remembered to +have been done in the like space of time since he had shared in +public affairs.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[April 3, 1771.] The following spring-session produced nothing +very material, but afforded him the pleasing opportunity of +acquainting the general court, in form, of his being appointed +captain-general and commander in chief over the province. The +council presented a congratulatory address, and expressed their +satisfaction at his appointment. Upon the question in the house +of assembly, whether to appoint a committee to prepare an address, +their was a negative. The house, however, afterward +requested the removal of the general court to <em>Boston</em> which was +not granted.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[May 29.] They met, as the year before, at <em>Cambridge</em>. In +three weeks the assembly protested against his excellency’s convening +them there, and afterward appointed a committee of correspondence.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[July 4.] The governor informed the house, that by his majesty’s +instruction, he was forbidden giving his consent to such +an act as subjects the officers of the crown to be taxed, by the +assessors in the towns where they reside, for the profits which +they receive from their commissions, although their offices have +no relation to the province, so that the tax-bill must be qualified.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[5.] The house, by message, expressed their surprise and alarm +at the reason assigned for his not assenting to the tax-bill, and +said, “We know of no commissioners of his majesty’s customs, +nor of any revenue his majesty has a right to establish in <em>North-America</em>. +We know and feel a tribute levied and extorted from +those, who, if they have property, have a right to the absolute +disposal of it.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>Had it been known, how insignificant the taxes were which +the officers of the crown were required to pay, it is hard to conceive +how wisdom could have dictated such instruction, and have +ventured to give a fresh disgust to those, who were already too +much irritated. However, the governor’s instructions did not +oblige him to confine the general court to <em>Cambridge</em>, and he +might have removed them to <em>Boston</em>; but by showing a firmness +in opposing their desires, while they protested against the restrant +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCI'>CCI</span>they were under, he meant to recommend himself to the ministry. +By the same intention he was induced, in a great measure, +to refuse his consent to the grants made to Mr. <em>Bollan</em> and Mr. +<em>De Berdt’s</em> executors by this assembly, as he had done in respect +to those made by the preceding. These refusals served to keep +up the animosity.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The disposition to import goods into the Massachusetts, in defiance +of the laws of revenue and trade, and to support such +practices by open violences upon the officers, whose duty it was +to carry the laws into execution, broke out upon many occasions; +and, as usual, the magistrates declined giving their assistance and +support, being in principle opposed to such laws, as fundamentally +defective in point of rectitude. The like disposition to import +goods prevailed in the other colonies; but there was no call +to go into the like open violences.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Dec. 3.] Mr. Otis, jun. was carried off in a post-chaise, bound +hand and foot, his reasoning powers being wholly deranged. This +calamity, which somewhat lessens the weight of opposition to +ministerial measures, is to be imputed, not to any effects of the +affray with Mr. <em>Robinson</em>, but rather to the high tone given to +his animal frame by the strength of his passions, and a failure in +the point of temperance. The sons of liberty would have sustained +an excessive loss, had this event taken place in the early +stage of the opposition; but the times had brought so many able +persons of similar sentiments into the general court, who had +been training for four years, and were conversant with the political +management of public business, that the plans of the Massachusetts +anti-governmental party suffered no derangement.</p> + +<p class='c007'>An opportunity now offers of mentioning, that Sir Alexander +Gilmour, baronet, and George Dempster, esq. were the gentlemen +who so nobly distinguished themselves by voting for the +repeal of the stamp act, while all the other Scotch members present +voted against it.</p> + +<p class='c007'>After what has been written and transmitted, you will judge +yourself under an obligation to return me speedy information of +all that is doing in Great-Britain relative to the American colonies.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_CCII'>CCII</span> + <h2 class='c005'>LETTER V.</h2> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-r c002'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><em>Roxbury, June 25, 1773.</em></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c007'>[1772.] <span class='c015'>T</span>he annual elections of the <em>Massachusetts</em> were in +favor of the friends to colonial liberty; but the +state of Mr. <em>Otis</em>’s mind necessarily occasioned his being left +out of the list of the <em>Boston</em> representatives.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[May 28.] The general court still met at <em>Cambridge</em>, but the +governor adopted a conciliating measure, in declining to negative +Mr. <em>Hancock</em>, who was again chosen one of the council.—He +had been repeatedly chosen, and till now as repeatedly negatived; +he declined, however, taking his seat at the board, +choosing to remain in the assembly as one of the Boston members.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[June 13.] Mr. <em>Hutchinson</em> acquainted the house, in answer +to a message, that his majesty had made provision for his support; +and then, after requiring the opinion and advice of the council, +upon their oaths, whether he might now remove the general +court to Boston, consistent with the signification of his majesty’s +pleasure to him, and receiving their unanimous opinion and advice +in the affirmative, adjourned them to meet at Boston. He +might have asked and received that very advice long before.</p> + +<p class='c007'>A committee having been appointed to consider the matter of +the governor’s support being provided for by the king, reported +and observed [July 10.] “That the king’s providing for the +support of the governor is a most dangerous innovation. It is a +measure, whereby not only the right of the general assembly of +this province is rescinded, but the highest indignity is thrown +upon it. It is an infraction of the charter in a material point, +whereby a most important trust is wrested out of the hands of +the general assembly.” And the house, the same day, declared +by a message to the governor, “That the making provision for +his excellency’s support, independent of the grants and acts of +the general assembly, and his excellency’s receiving the same, +is an infraction upon the rights of the inhabitants granted by +the royal charter.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>The payment of the governors by the crown, is not relished +by the colonies, as it makes them entirely dependent upon that, +and wholly independent of the people and provincial assemblies; +and as it destroys the mutual check which each branch of +the legislature ought to have upon the others, and that balance +of power which is essential to all free governments. It will be a +new source of complaint. On the other hand, the affair which +has happened in <em>Rhode-Island</em> government will prove a fresh provocation +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCIII'>CCIII</span>to ministry, and tend to fix them in their plans respecting +the colonies.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Lieutenant <em>Duddington</em>, the commander of the late armed schooner +the <em>Gaspee</em>, had been remarkably assiduous in supporting the +laws against smuggling, and in searching after contraband goods, +by which he had given great offence. He had also brought upon +himself the resentment of many, by firing at the <em>Providence</em> packets +(employed in transporting goods and passengers from thence +to <em>Newport</em>, and <em>vice versa</em>) in order to oblige the masters to take +down their colours, and by chacing them even into the docks when +it had been refused. The <em>Providence</em> packet coming up as usual +with colours flying and company on board, probably a party of +pleasure, as is frequent in the summer season, and refusing to take +them down, the lieutenant fired a shot, which being disregarded, +he chaced. [June 9.] It was near upon, or quite high water. +The packet stood in with the land as close as consisted with safety, +designing that the <em>Gaspee</em> should be run a-ground in the chace. +The design succeeded. The Gaspee was soon fast, and could not +stir, the tide having done flowing. The packet proceeded to +town. The situation of the Gaspee, and resentment against the +commander, excited the thought of attacking and destroying her. +Mr. <em>John Brown</em>, a considerable merchant of <em>Providence</em>, was +the principal in the business. Captain <em>Whipple</em> was immediately +employed to beat up for volunteers, and a number offered and +engaged to go upon any service for which they were wanted. +Several whale boats were procured and filled with armed men. +Mr. Brown accompanied them in the expedition. Captain Whipple, +as they proceeded, observed to Mr. Brown, that he might +lose his life, and that he had a family, and therefore he required +that care should be taken of them in case of his death. Mr. Brown +engaged to do it should that happen. [June 10.] About two +o’clock in the morning, they boarded and carried the schooner, +as she lay a-ground about seven miles below Providence. Mr. +Brown himself was the first on board. The lieutenant was +wounded. He and the crew were put on shore, and every thing +valuable belonging to him was taken out and saved for him; after +which the Gaspee, with all her stores, was burned.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Though a reward of five hundred pounds, together with a +pardon, if claimed by an accomplice, has been offered by proclamation +for discovering and apprehending any of the persons +concerned: yet the commissioners appointed to try the matter, +have transmitted accounts to ministry, that <em>they can obtain no evidence</em>. +If any one had wished to give evidence, that he might +get the reward, yet the thought that he should risk his life, or be +obliged to fly the country and become a perpetual exile, would +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCIV'>CCIV</span>naturally have overcome such propensity. It was too hazardous +to turn informer. Some who were secured, in expectation that +they would give intelligence, were assisted by the populace in +making their escape, before any thing material could be learnt +from them by the commissioners.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Governor <em>Hutchinson</em> and his adherents having been used to +represent the party in opposition, as only an uneasy factious few +in Boston, while the body of the people were quite contented; +Mr. <em>Samuel Adams</em> was thereby induced to visit Mr. <em>James Warren</em> +of <em>Plymouth</em>. After conversing upon the subject, the latter +proposed to originate and establish committees of correspondence +in the several towns of the colony, in order to learn the strength +of the friends to the rights of the continent, and to unite and +increase their force. Mr. Samuel Adams returned to Boston, +pleased with the proposal, and communicated the same to his confidents. +Some doubted whether the measure would prosper, and +dreaded a disappointment, which might injure the cause of liberty. +But it was concluded to proceed. The prime managers +were about six in number; each of whom when separate, headed +a division; the several individuals of which, collected and led +distinct subdivisions. In this manner the political engine has +been constructed. The different parts are not equally good and +operative. Like other bodies, its composition includes numbers +who act mechanically, as they are pressed this or that way by +those who judge for them; and divers of the wicked, fitted for +evil practices when the adoption of them is thought necessary to +particular purposes, and a part of whose creed it is, that in political +matters the public good is above every other consideration, +and that all rules of morality when in competition with it, +may be safely dispensed with. When any important transaction +is to be brought forward, it is thoroughly considered by the prime +managers. If they approve, each communicates it to his own +division; from thence, if adopted, it passes to the several subdivisions, +which form a general meeting in order to canvass the +business. The prime managers being known only by a few to +be the promoters of it, are desired to be present at the debate, +that they may give their opinion when it closes. If they observe +that the collected body is in general strongly agains the measure +they wish to have carried, they declare it to be improper; is it +opposed by great numbers, but not warmly, they advise to a re-consideration +at another meeting, and prepare for its being then +adopted; if the opposition is not considerable, either in number +or weight of persons, they give their reasons, and then recommend +the adoption of the measure. The principal actors are determined +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCV'>CCV</span>upon securing the liberties of their country, or perishing +in the attempt.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The news of his majesty’s granting salaries to the justices of +the superior court, afforded them a fair opportunity for executing +the plan of establishing committees of correspondence +through the colony. The most spirited pieces were published, +and an alarm spread, that the granting such salaries tended rapidly +to complete the system of their slavery.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Nov. 2.] A town meeting was called, and a committee of +correspondence appointed, to write circular letters to all the towns +in the province, and to induce them to unite in measures. [Nov. +19.] The committee made a report, containing several resolutions +contradictory to the supremacy of the British legislature. +After setting forth, that all men have a right to remain in a state +of nature as long as they please, they proceed to a report upon +the natural rights of the colonists as men, christians and subjects; +and then form a list of infringements and violations of their rights. +They enumerate and dwell upon the British parliament’s having +assumed the power of legislation for the colonies in all +cases whatever—the appointment of a number of new officers +to superintend the revenues—the granting of salaries out of the +American revenue, to the governor, the judges of the superior +court, the king’s attorney and solicitor general. The report +was accepted; copies printed, and six hundred circulated through +the towns and districts of the province, with a pathetic letter +addressed to the inhabitants, who were called upon not to +doze any longer, or sit supinely in indifference, while the iron +hand of oppression was daily tearing the choicest fruits from the +fair tree of liberty. The circular letter requested of each town +a free communication of sentiments on the subjects of the report, +and was directed to the select men, who were desired to +lay the same before a town meeting, which has been generally +practised, and the proceedings of the town upon the business +have been transmitted to the committee at Boston. This committee +have their particular correspondents in the several towns, +who upon receiving any special information, are ready to spread +it with dispatch among the inhabitants. It consists of twenty-one +persons, of heterogeneous qualities and professions. The governor, +in expectation of exciting prejudice, and fixing a stigma +upon them, their connections and proceedings, has written to a +gentleman in power, “Strange that a government, which within +a century would suffer no person to be free of the commonwealth +who was not one of their church members, should now +take for their leaders, men who openly contemn all religion, and +should join deacons and atheists in one trust; and that they +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCVI'>CCVI</span>should be instigated to this by some of the clergy, who make the +highest pretences to devotion; and yet the spirit of political party +produces all this.” He would gladly receive them all into his own +arms, and be devoutly thankful for them, were they to change sides +and join in supporting his administration. But he has unwarily acknowledged, +that the government, or the great body of the people +in their legislative and ruling capacity are in the opposition, which +therefore cannot consist merely of a few factious leaders; +and he appears not to have recollected, that men of opposite +principles and characters will unite heart and hand, in keeping +off a general calamity, which will involve them all in one and +the same ruin. The towns in general have chosen committees +of correspondence, and resolved in a stile agreeable to the +wishes of the Bostonians. But the resolutions have not been +alway drawn up by the townsmen. An inhabitant of <em>Petersham</em> +applied to that worthy and disinterested son of liberty, Mr. +<em>Quincy</em>, whom you will recollect to have been of the counsel for +captain Preston and the soldiers, for his assistance, and was +furnished with the following draft, intended for Boston, excepting +the introduction and the paragraphs marked with a star, +which were added by some other person.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Jan. 4, 1773.] At a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants +of the town of <em>Petersham</em> in the county of <em>Worcester</em>, +duly assembled according to law, held by adjournment on the +4th of January, 1773, the committee chosen on the 30th ult. made +the following report, viz. “The town having received a circular +letter from the town of <em>Boston</em>, respecting the present grievances +and abominable oppressions under which this country +groans, have thereupon taken into their most serious consideration +the present policy of the British government and administration, +with regard to Great-Britain and these colonies; have +carefully reviewed the mode of election, and the quality of the +electors of the commons of that island; and have also attentively +reflected upon the enormous and growing influence of the crown, +and that bane of all free states, a standing army in the time of +peace; and in consequence thereof are fully confirmed in opinion, +that the ancient rights of the nation are capitally invaded, +and the greatest part of the most precious and established liberties +of <em>Englishmen</em> utterly destroyed: And whereas the parliament +of Great-Britain, by various statutes and acts, have unrighteously +distressed our trade, denied and precluded us from setting up +and carrying on manufactures highly beneficial to the inhabitants +of these territories; restricted and prevented our lawful intercourse +and commerce with other states and kingdoms; have also +made laws and institutions touching life and limb, in disherison of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCVII'>CCVII</span>the ancient common law of the land; and moreover have in +these latter times, robbed and plundered the honest and laborious +inhabitants of this extensive continent of their property, by mere +force and power; and are now draining this people of the fruits +of their toil, by thus raising a revenue from them, against the +natural rights of man, and in open violation of the laws of God.</p> + +<p class='c007'>This town, in union with the worthy inhabitants of Boston, +now think it their indispensable duty to consider of the premises +and the present aspect of the times, and to take such steps as +upon mature deliberation are judged right and expedient; and +hereupon this town</p> + +<p class='c007'>Resolved, That with a governor appointed from Great-Britain +(especially at this day) during pleasure, with a large stipend, +dependant upon the will of the crown, and controuled by +instructions from a British minister of state, with a council subject +to the negative of such a governor, and with all officers, +civil and military, subject to his appointment or consent, with a +castle in the hands of a standing army, stationed in the very bowels +of the land; and that amazing number of placemen and +dependants with which every maritime town already swarms, +no people can ever be truly virtuous, free, or brave:</p> + +<p class='c007'>Resolved, That the parliament of Great-Britain, usurping and +exercising a legislative authority over, and extorting an unrighteous +revenue from these colonies, is against all divine and human +laws. The late appointment of salaries to be paid to our +superior court judges, whose creation, pay, and commission depend +on mere will and pleasure, completes a system of bondage +equal to any ever fabricated by the combined efforts of the ingenuity, +malice, fraud, and wickedness of man:</p> + +<p class='c007'>* Resolved, That it is the opinion of this town, that a despotic, +arbitrary government, is the kingdom of this world, as set +forth in the New-Testament, and is diametrically opposite to +the establishment of christianity in a society, and has a direct +tendency to sink a people into a profound state of ignorance +and irreligion; and that, if we have an eye to our own and posterity’s +happiness (not only in this world, but the world to come) +it is our duty to oppose such a government:</p> + +<p class='c007'>* And further resolved, That the depriving the colonies of +their constitutional rights, may be fitly compared to the dismembering +the natural body, which will soon affect the heart; and +it would be nothing unexpected for us to hear, that those very +persons who have been so active in robbing the colonies of +their constitutional rights, have also delivered up the constitution +of our mother country into the hands of our king:</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CCVIII'>CCVIII</span>Therefore resolved, That it is the first and highest social duty +of this people, to consider of, and seek ways and means, for a +speedy redress of these mighty grievances and intolerable wrongs; +and that for the obtaining of this end, this people are warranted, +by the laws of God and nature, in the use of every rightful art +and energy of policy, stratagem and force.</p> + +<p class='c007'>* And while we are thus under these awful frowns of divine +Providence and involved as this people are in heavy calamities, +which daily increase in number and severity, it is highly becoming +towns and individuals to humble themselves before Almighty +God, seriously to commune with their own hearts, and seek +carefully with tears, for the causes of the prevailing distresses of +the land; and while it is apparent, that pristine piety and purity +of morals, have given place to infidelity, dissipation, luxury, and +gross corruption of mind and morals, there is a loud call for +humility, lamentings and reformation; and it is at this time +eminently incumbent on one and all, to seek at the throne of +the great God for those special and remarkable interpositions of +divine Providence, grace and mercy, which have so ofter saved +New-England from both public and private distress and misery: +and as there is great reason to believe, that in past times we have +too much depended upon the exertions of worldly wisdom and +political devices, it becomes us in our present melancholy situation +to rely no longer on an arm of flesh, but on the arms of +that all-powerful God, who is able to unite the numerous inhabitants +of this extensive territory, as a band of brothers in one +common cause—who can easily give that true religion, which +shall make us his people indeed; that spirit, which shall fit us to +endure temporal hardships for the procurement of future happiness; +that spirit of valor and irresistable courage, which shall occasion +our aged and our youth to jeopard their lives with joy, in +the high places of the field, for his name and service sake, for +the preservation also of this goodly heritage of our fathers, for +the sake of the living children of our loins, and the unborn millions +of posterity.</p> + +<p class='c007'>* We believe that there are very many, who in these days +have kept their integrity and garments unspotted, and hope that +God will deliver them and our nation for their sake. God will +not suffer this land where the gospel hath flourished, to become +a slave of the world; he will stir up witnesses of the truth; and +in his own time, spirit his people to stand up for his cause, and +deliver them. In a similar belief, that patriot of patriots, the +great <em>Algernon Sidney</em>, lived and died, and dying breathed a like +sentiment and prophecy, touching his own and the then approaching +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCIX'>CCIX</span>times, a prophecy, however, not accomplished until a +glorious revolution.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Approved of by vote of the town, without contradiction.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Sylvanus How</span>, per order.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c014'>The govornor, instead of overlooking in his speech, the proceedings +of the towns, has been induced by them to broach the +dispute about the supremacy of the parliament; and has fallen +into the snare which probably some of the politicians had laid +for him, expecting to get the majority of the general court to +declare against it. He designed to recommend himself to the +ministry by obtaining a victory: but they will not thank him +for increasing their embarrassments.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Jan. 25.] The council in their answer, said “The stamp +act, with some preceding and succeeding acts of parliament, subjecting +the colonies to taxes without their consent, was the original +cause of all the uneasiness that has happened since, and has +occasioned also an inquiry into the nature and extent of the authority +by which they were made.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>This was the truth. When the stamp act took place, “some +people, under the notion of zeal for liberty, ran into the most +excessive licentiousness, and were guilty in one place and another +of the most lawless, unjust, and tyrannical proceedings; such as +pulling down and destroying houses, abusing persons, endangering +men’s lives, destroying their property, breaking windows, +delivering prisoners out of the hands of justice, putting many +into great fear, all contrary to the laws of the province: but +there was nothing of this kind before.”<a id='r107'></a><a href='#f107' class='c013'><sup>[107]</sup></a> Let me add, that +in all my researches not an instance has occurred to me of the +mob’s having been the death of a single individual, though they +might have proceeded to the most criminal lengths also, had they +not been gratified or diverted from their pursuits. But before +that fatal act, there was not a more loyal, orderly, and peaceable +people than the Americans in general through the whole British +empire. All ranks and conditions gloried in their connection +with Great-Britain; rejoiced in her friendship and protection; +and triumphed in her prosperity.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Toward the close of their answer, the house of assembly expressed +a concern at their having been reduced by the speech to +the unhappy alternative, either of appearing by their silence to +acquiesce in the governor’s sentiments as to the supremacy of +parliament, or of freely discussing the point. The house might be +concerned, but the leaders were pleased with the opportunity. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCX'>CCX</span>The governor replied; and the house in their rejoinder told him +“Although the colony may have submitted <em>sub silentio</em> to some +acts of parliament, that they conceived might operate for their +benefit, they did not conceive themselves bound by any of its acts +which they judged would operate to the injury of individuals.” +The people at large believe, that the house has the best of the +argument, and are confirmed in their opposition to the claims +of parliament.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The house voted the usual salaries to the judges of the superior +court early in the session. The governor delayed giving his assent +to the grants; which produced a message to him, requesting +his making known the difficulty that prevented his assenting; to +this it was answered, that he had received information, that his +majesty had been pleased to order salaries to be allowed to the +justices of the superior courts, &c. By this answer the house +gained the opportunity of sending a second message, [Feb.] in +which they expressed their resentment at the many attempts +made, effectually to render null and void those clauses in their +charter upon which the freedom of their constitution depends; +and said that they were more and more convinced, that it had +been the design of administration to introduce an arbitrary government +into the province. They declared at the close, their +impatience to know, “that the justices will utterly refuse ever +to accept of support in a manner so justly obnoxious to the people +of the province, it being repugnant to the charter, and utterly +inconsistent with the safety of the rights, liberties, and properties +of the people.” To add the greater weight to their +sentiments, and make them the more regarded by all persons, +they come to several resolves [March 3.] respecting the salaries +and the judges; among the rest, “that their dependence on +the crown, especially while they held their commissions during +pleasure, tends to the subversion of justice and equity, and to introduce +oppression and despotic power; and that while they hold +during pleasure, any who shall accept of and depend upon the +pleasure of the crown for his support, independent of the grants +of the general court, will discover that he is an enemy to the +constitution, and has it in his heart to promote the establishment +of an arbitrary government in the province.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>The measures pursued on each side the Atlantic are not calculated +to promote harmony.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXI'>CCXI</span> + <h2 class='c005'>LETTER VI.</h2> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-r c002'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><em>London, August 7, 1773.</em></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-l'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Friend G.</span></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c012'>You will receive from me without further application, regular +accounts of what is doing on this side the Atlantic, in +relation to the colonies.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The burning of the <em>Gaspee</em> schooner near Providence, has given +the chief rise to “an act for the better securing his majesty’s +dock yards, magazines, ships, ammunition and stores.” If the +button of a marine’s coat, the oar of a cutter’s boat, or the head +of a cask belonging to the fleet, are included under the comprehensive +term <em>stores</em>, then according to the act, a person wilfully +and maliciously destroying, or aiding and assisting in destroying +the same, is to suffer death on being convicted. But what will +affect you more than all the rest is that the act is extended to the +colonies, and subjects a person to a trial at the pleasure of his +majesty, his heirs or successors, in any shire or county in Great-Britain. +Your own feelings will furnish you with the best +comment on this new extension of parliamentary power.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The supporting of the authority of parliament was the only +cause assigned by the minister himself, for retaining the tea-duty, +at the very time when he acknowledged it to be as anti-commercial +a tax, as any of those which he had repealed upon that principle. +It now appears that government had something more in +contemplation.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The East-India Company, feeling the bad effects of the colonial +smuggling trade, (occasioned by the retention of the duty) +in the large quantities of tea which remained in their warehouses +unsold, requested the repeal of the three-pence per pound in +America, and offered that, upon its being complied with, government +should retain six-pence in the pound on the exportation. +Thus the company presented the happiest opportunity +which could have offered, for honorably removing the cause of +difference with America. Here was an opening for doing right, +without infringing the claims on either side. The company asked, +and their situation required relief. It could not be alledged, that +it was done at the instance of American discontent. The minister +was requested and intreated, by a gentleman of great +weight in the company, and a member of parliament, to embrace +the opportunity; but it has been rejected. New contrivances +have been set on foot to introduce the tea, attended with +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXII'>CCXII</span>the three-penny duty into all the colonies. Various intrigues +and solicitations have been used to induce the chairman and +deputy chairman, to undertake this rash and foolish business. +It has been protested against as contrary to the principles of the +company’s monopoly; but the power of ministry has prevailed; +and the insignificant three-penny duty on tea, is doomed to be +the fatal bone of contention between Great-Britain and America. +A bill has been passed into an act, [May 10.] for enabling +the company to export their own teas. In consequence +of it they have adopted the system, and are become their own +factors. They have come to a resolution of sending 600 chests +of tea to <em>Philadelphia</em>, the like quantity to <em>New-York</em> and <em>Boston</em>, +beside what is designed for other places; several ships are +accordingly freighted for different colonies, and agents appointed +for the disposal of the commodity.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The several colonies will undoubtedly consider the scheme as +calculated merely to circumvent them into a compliance with +the revenue law, and thereby to open the door for an unlimited +taxation; for if taxation can be established in this instance, it +will be extended to others. Consequences will not fail to convince +the minister, that it would have been far more eligible to +have repealed the duty, than in this way to attempt its establishment. +It will be needless for me to assure you, that you may +upon all occasions command the assistance of</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Your, &c.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c007'>N. B. Some of the captains have refused to take the tea on +board.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 class='c005'>LETTER VII.</h2> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-r c002'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><em>Roxbury, March 28, 1774.</em></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c012'>Before you have an account of the American proceedings +in respect to the teas of the East-India Company, you must +be presented with some matters of an earlier date.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[May 14, 1773.] The Bostonians persisted in discovering on +every occasion, a determined opposition to ministerial measures. +Twelve days before the election day, the town resolved, “That +if the council apply for Faneuil-hall for to dine in on the anniversary +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXIII'>CCXIII</span>election day, the select men should not grant it but upon +the express conditions that neither the commissioners of the +customs, nor their attendants, nor the officers of the army and +navy, stationed here for the purpose of enforcing unconstitutional +acts of parliament by military execution, be invited.” It +has been an established custom for the governor, council, and +many other gentlemen, to dine there on that day; but the resolve +prevented an application, and occasioned their dining elsewhere, +with the commissioners and officers.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Whether the votes of <em>Boston</em>, sent to <em>Virginia</em>, as the patriots +say, or their own private letters might or might not lead to it, +the house of burgesses resolved, in the beginning of March, to +maintain an intercourse with the sister colonies. They therefore +appointed a committee of eleven persons, “whose business it +should be to obtain the most early and authentic intelligence of +all such acts and resolutions of the British parliament, or proceedings +of administration, as may relate to or affect the British +colonies, and to keep up and maintain a correspondence and +communication with their sister colonies.” They then resolved, +“That their speaker transmit to the speakers of the different assemblies +their resolutions, to be laid before their assemblies, and +requesting their appointing committees.” Nothing could be +more acceptable to the <em>Massachusetts</em> assembly. It was the first +particular business they entered upon when they met. [May 28.] +They came to several resolves, and were careful in the first to +speak highly in praise of <em>Virginia</em>. They appointed a committee +of fifteen members, and directed them “to prepare a circular +letter to the speakers, requesting them to lay the same before +their respective assemblies, in confidence that they will comply +with the wise and salutary resolves of the house of burgesses of +<em>Virginia</em>.” <em>Connecticut</em>, <em>Rhode-Island</em>, <em>Maryland</em>, and <em>New-Hampshire</em>, +entered into similar measures; but the answer ordered +by the <em>New-Hampshire</em> assembly, to be given to the speakers +of <em>Virginia</em> and <em>Rhode-Island</em>, was guardedly expressed; they +gave assurance that their sister colonies might rely upon their sincerely +joining them in every constitutional plan for securing the +rights of America. The institution of these committees tends +greatly to unite the colonies, and to render them more alert and +formidable in resisting the encroachments of ministry. They by +this mean become early prepared to meet new and unexpected +occurrences; and are drawn in to look upon themselves as jointly +interested in each others safety and public concerns.</p> + +<p class='c007'>An event has happened in the <em>Massachusetts</em>, which has excited +on the part of the people, the utmost indignation and animosity; +on the side of the governor and other, the greatest confusion.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXIV'>CCXIV</span>The agent, Dr. <em>Franklin</em>, has by some means yet unknown, +obtained and sent over to Mr. Bowdoin, a number of letters, to +be communicated by him, after perusal, to a few trusty gentlemen, +viz. the honorable James Pitts, Mr. Thomas Cushing, Mr. +Samuel Adams, Dr. Winthrop, Dr. Chauncey, and Dr. Cooper: +it is added, they are to be returned and put into the place whence +they were taken. The letters are signed <em>Tho. Hutchinson</em>, <em>And. +Oliver</em>, <em>Ch. Paxton</em>, <em>Thomas Moffat</em>, <em>Robert Achmuty</em>, <em>Nath. +Rogers</em>, <em>George Rome</em>. Though they were partly private and +confidential, they were designed to procure public coercive measures; +and tended to incense the mother country against her +colonies, and by the steps recommended, to widen the breach, +which they have undoubtedly effected. Their contents were the +subject of conversation and solicitous enquiry; till at length Mr. +<em>Sam. Adams</em> acquainted the assembly [June 2.] that he had +perceived the minds of the people to be greatly agitated with a +prevailing report, that letters of an extraordinary nature had been +written and sent to England, greatly to the prejudice of this +province—that he had obtained certain letters, which with the +consent of the gentleman from whom he had received them, +might be read in the house under certain restrictions, namely, +that the said letters be neither printed nor copied in whole or in +part; the proposal was considered, and they were read under +the said restrictions. A committee of the whole house afterward +reported, “that the tendency and design of said letters was to +overthrow the constitution of this government, and to introduce +arbitrary power into the province.”—Yeas 101—Nays 5.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The restrictions under which the letters were communicated, +were invalidated by contrivance; and in a week’s time [June 9.] +Mr. <em>Hancock</em> acquainted the house that he had received copies +of certain letters, which he supposed were copies of the letters +before the house, and moved that they might be compared. The +next day [June 10.] one of a committee appointed to consider +some means whereby the house might be honorably and fully +possessed of the letters, reported, “That Mr. S. Adams had +acquainted him, that having conversed with the gentleman from +whom he received the letters, he was authorised to inform the +house, that the said gentleman consented (as he found that copies +of said letters were already abroad, and had been publicly +read) that the house should be fully possessed of them, to print, +copy, or make what use of them they pleased, relying on the +goodness of the house, that the original letters be returned, they +retaining attested copies for their use.” Mr. S. Adams being +called upon, declared the same. [June 16.] At length the assembly +resolved to petition the king to remove governor <em>Hutchinson</em> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXV'>CCXV</span>and lieutenant governor <em>Oliver</em> for ever from the government +of the province. [June 22.] They agreed also to furnish the +council with the original letters upon the express condition, that +the board would by no means suffer them to go out of their hands. +The council complied with the insulting stipulation aimed at the +governor; and upon his requiring the letters for examination, +refused to deliver them into his hands, but sent a committee to +open them before him, that he might examine the hand writing. +[June 24.] To this indignity he was obliged to submit, as well +as to the mortification of acknowledging the signature. After +which they resolved, “that the removal of the governor and +lieutenant governor will be promotive of his majesty’s service.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>The <em>Boston</em> committee of correspondence, that they might add +weight to the doings of the general court, enclosed the governor’s +letters and also the resolves of the house, in a spirited circular +letter, and sent them to the several town clerks through +the province, to be communicated to their respective towns.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The house of assembly in their petition and remonstrance to +his majesty, charged the governor and lieutenant governor with +being betrayers of their trusts and of the people they governed, +and with giving private, partial, and false information; declared +them enemies to the colony; and prayed for justice against +them, and for their speedy removal. So prevalent was the resentment, +that these charges, with many others, were carried +through by a majority of 82 to 12.</p> + +<p class='c007'>To enter now upon the subject of the TEA. While the bill for +allowing the East-India Company to export it, was in parliament, +letters from Britain insinuated into the minds of the colonists, that +a plan was laid to bring them into a snare; that a noble resistance on +this occasion, would free them from the slavery intended for them; +that if this opportunity was lost they never would have another; +and that if they suffered the ships to land the tea, and the duty +to be paid, they would rivet their own chains. The British merchants +have been alarmed with the thought of the losses which +must necessarily accrue to themselves from the exportations of +the company, and from the sales going through the hands of consignees; +and have contributed to the strengthening of that resistance +to which the people were already inclined; through their +prevailing jealousy at the reservation of the tea duty when the +other duties were repealed. The united opposition of the colonies +was to be secured; but the event was precarious. The <em>Bostonians</em> +were much suspected by the sons of liberty in the other +provinces, on account of the many goods which were imported +into the town during the general non-importation agreement, and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXVI'>CCXVI</span>agreement of the teas contrary to the agreement respecting that +article. <em>New-York</em> and <em>Philadelphia</em> had kept to the agreement, +and had run all the teas that the market demanded; but there +had been imported into <em>Boston</em>, from the beginning of 1768 to +the end of last year, not less than 2714 chests, by more than a +hundred different persons. Mr. Hutchinson and his sons were +considerable importers. It was evident that the body of merchants +could not be depended upon. Mr. <em>Thomas Mifflin</em>, of +Philadelphia, being at Boston, put it therefore to the sons of liberty, +when the teas were expected, “Will you engage that they +shall not be landed? If so, I will answer for Philadelphia.”—They +pledged their honor.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Oct. 2.] The inhabitants of <em>Philadelphia</em> assembled, and unanimously +entered into various resolves, in which they censured +the resolution of the East-India Company to send out their tea +to America, subject to the payment of duties on its being landed, +as an open attempt to enforce the ministerial plan, and a violent +attack upon the liberties of America; and declared it to be +the duty of every American to oppose this attempt, and that +whoever should directly or indirectly countenance it, was an +enemy to his country. They then fixed upon a committee to +wait on the gentlemen, reported to be appointed to receive and +sell the tea, and to request their resigning. Within three days +the whole number resigned; Messrs. <em>Whartons</em> and <em>Brown</em>, +without making the least difficulty; the other two, not till the +treatment they met with (on appearing at the coffee-house) for +the shuffling answer they had given, convinced them that it was +not safe trifling with the public opinion. Since this meeting, +the Boston sons of liberty have assured by letter the sons of liberty +at Philadelphia, that no tea shall be landed.</p> + +<p class='c007'>At <em>New-York</em>, when captain <em>Sears</em> and captain <em>M‘Dougall</em> +heard that the tea was to be sent, they concluded that an opposition +to it was necessary, and agreed upon contriving to unite the +tea-smugglers, the merchants, and the sons of liberty in that +service; and that captain <em>M‘Dougall</em> should write against the design +of introducing and vending the tea agreeable to the ministerial +plan, but should remain concealed as the author. A few of each +class were called together, and the mode of opposition settled. +Publications, tending to spread and increase the alarm of imminent +danger to the liberties of the country, appeared periodically. +As the time approached for the arrival of the tea ships, the +publications became more spirited and threatening. [Nov. 5.] +An hand-bill addressed to the friends of liberty and commerce +was circulated through the city, calculated to provoke resentment +against all the encouragers of the tea plan. Afterward +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXVII'>CCXVII</span>written papers were stuck up at the coffee-house and other places +[Nov. 8.] menacing destruction to any person who should +accept a commission for the sale of the <em>East-India</em> Company’s +teas, or be an accessory. In rather more than a week, there +was published [Nov. 18.] a paper signed <em>Legion</em>, addressed to +the stated pilots of the port, and all others whom it might concern, +directing them how to proceed in reference to any tea-ship, +and requiring them, at their peril, to bring her no farther +than the Hook. In another paper, signed the <em>Mohawks</em>, the +tea-ship is said to be laden with fetters, forged for them in Great-Britain, +and every vengeance is denounced against all persons, +who dare in any manner to contribute to the introduction of these +chains. In December, the <em>London</em>, captain <em>Chambers</em>, and the +tea ship arrived on the same day; the former came up directly +to the wharf, the other remained at the <em>Hook</em>, and was watched +till she returned, by a vessel stationed there for the purpose. +On her arrival a committee waited on the consignees, who, +agreeable to a former promise, assured them that they would +neither receive nor sell the tea, as it came liable to an <em>American +duty</em>. Captain Chambers ventured to bring seventeen chests on +a private account, which were taken and thrown overboard into +the harbor. Had the company’s ship come to the wharf, she +would probably have been burnt, for captain <em>Sears</em> and five others +had determined upon it, and provided themselves with combustibles +for that purpose.</p> + +<p class='c007'>At <em>Philadelphia</em>, printed papers were dispersed, warning the +<em>Delaware</em> pilots not to conduct any of the tea ships into harbor, +as they were only sent for the purpose of enslaving and +poisoning all the Americans; and at the same time plainly intimating, +that it was expected they would apply their knowledge +of the river, under the colour of their profession, so as effectually +to secure their country from such an imminent danger.</p> + +<p class='c007'>In most places the consignees were obliged to relinquish their +appointments, and to enter into engagements not to act in that +capacity, and no other persons daring to receive the cargoes +consigned to them, the captains of the New-York and Philadelphia +ships, from these circumstances, and the knowledge of the +risk they ran from the determined resolution of the people, concluded +upon returning directly to Great-Britain, without entangling +themselves by any entry at the custom-houses. But it +was otherwise in the <em>Massachusetts</em>.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Methods were taken to spirit up the people at large by fugitive +pieces, hand-bills, resolves of town-meetings, the mutual intercourse +of committees, and the like. [Nov. 3.] At length some +hundreds of the inhabitants of <em>Boston</em> and the neighboring towns, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXVIII'>CCXVIII</span>meet at <em>Liberty-tree</em>, agreeable to a notification issued the day before, +“for to hear the consignees resign and swear, that they will +re-ship any teas, that may by the <em>East-India</em> Company be assigned +to them.” The consignees are in general obnoxious to the public +by reason of their near and intimate connections with the governor, +on whose support they depend. They are not terrified +into an appearance at the place proposed; but meet together by +agreement at the store of Mr. <em>Clark</em>, who is one of them, in +King-street. A committee is appointed by the assembly to wait +upon them with a message, to which they pay no regard. The +people, who attend the committee as spectators, upon this force +open the doors of the ware-house, and enter with great violence; +and then attempt getting up stairs into the compting-house but +are driven back. [Nov. 5.] The sons of liberty not having succeeded +in this procedure, a town-meeting of the freeholders and +other inhabitants is called. A large number is collected; and it +is agreed to adopt the resolves of the citizens of Philadelphia. A +committee is chosen to wait upon the consignees, who decline +complying with the request of the town by letters, which tho’ +decent, are the next day voted daringly affronting, when the +meeting is immediately dissolved. Some of the sons of liberty +are fearful of pushing the matter too far, lest the town, and then +the colony, should be drawn into a quarrel with Great-Britain. +To such it is said, “It must come to a quarrel with Great-Britain +and the colony, sooner or later; and if so, what can be a better +time than the present? Hundreds of years may pass away before +the parliament will make such a number of acts in violation +of the British constitution as it has done of late years, and by +which is has excited so formidable an opposition to the measures +of ministry. Beside, the longer the contest is delayed, the more +administration will be strengthened. Do not you observe, how +the government at home are increasing their party here, by sending +over young fellows to enjoy appointments, who marry into +our first families, and so weaken the opposition? By such like +means, and by multiplying posts and places, and giving them to +their own friends, or applying them to the corruption of their +antagonists, they will increase their own force faster in proportion, +than the force of the country party will increase by population. +If then we must quarrel before we can have our rights +secured, now is the most eligible period. Our credit also is at +stake; we must venture; and unless we do, we shall be discarded +by the sons of liberty in the other colonies, whose assistance we +may expect upon emergencies, in case they find us steady, resolute +and faithful.” They conclude to venture onward.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXIX'>CCXIX</span>[Nov. 18.] A new town-meeting is called, and a new committee +appointed to wait upon the consignees, to know whether they +will resign their appointment; to which they answer, “It is out +of our power to comply with the request of the town.” This +answer may be built upon solemn engagements not to resign; +otherwise it is hard to conceive how it should be more out of +their power, than the power of the Philadelphia consignees, who +have resigned six weeks ago. It is a managed affair between them +and the governor, who calls a council for advice [Nov. 19.] upon +measures proper for preserving the peace, and for supporting +the authority of government. While the council are debating +a petition of the consignees is presented, praying leave to resign +themselves and the property committed to them, to his excellency +and their honors as the guardians of the people. After debate, +the further consideration is postponed to the 23d, then to the +27th, then to the 29th, when the council make a few observations, +decline complying with the petition, and advise his excellency +to renew his orders to the justices and others, to exert +themselves for the security of his majesty’s subjects, the preservation +of peace and good order, and for preventing all offences +against the law. About this time the consignees, consisting of the +governor’s sons, cousins, and particular friends, remove to the +castle for personal safety. The day before the last meeting of +the council, captain <em>Hall</em> in the <em>Dartmouth</em>, came to an anchor +near the castle, having on board one hundred and fourteen chests +of tea; and on the day of their meeting comes into the harbour. +On the same day a notification is posted up in all parts of the +town, inviting every friend to his country to meet at nine o’clock +to make united resistance to the most destructive measures of administration. +The Meeting of the people at Boston and the +neighbouring towns, is continued by adjournment to the next day, +[Nov. 30.] when it is determined that the tea shall be returned. +Faneuil-hall being too small for the assembly, they adjourn to +the Old South Meeting-house, and confirm the former determination +by voting, “that the tea shall not be landed, that no duty +shall be paid, and that it shall be sent back in the same bottom.” +They further vote, “that Mr. <em>Rotch</em>, the owner of the vessel, +be directed not to enter the tea at his peril, and that captain <em>Hall</em> +be informed, and at his peril not to suffer any of the tea to be landed.” +They also appoint a watch of twenty-five men to be a guard +upon the Dartmouth, lying at <em>Griffin’s</em> wharf. A letter is received +from the consignees, offering to store the teas till they +can write and receive further orders; but the proposal is rejected. +Mr. <em>Greenleaf</em>, the sheriff, appears and begs leave to read a proclamation +from the governor, which requires the people forthwith +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXX'>CCXX</span>to disperse and to surcease all further proceedings. He is +allowed to do it; and, upon finishing, there is a loud and general +hiss. The people afterward vote, “that captain <em>Bruce</em>, on +his arrival do conform to the votes respecting Hall’s vessel; +that no tea from Great-Britain be landed or sold till the act imposing +the duty is repealed; that the captain of the present watch +be desired to make out a list for the next night, and so on, until +the vessels leave the harbor; that should the watch be molested, +that the inhabitants be alarmed by the tolling of the bells at +night, and the righing of them in the day; that six persons be appointed +to give notice to the country towns, upon any important +occasion; that every vessel arriving with tea have a proper watch, +and that their brethen in the country be desired to afford their +assistance on the first notice.” They determine to carry their +votes and resolves into execution at the risk of life and property; +thank their brethren in the neighbouring towns, and then dissolve +the meeting.</p> + +<p class='c007'>After the dissolution, the committee of correspondence for the +town of Boston held their meetings, and invite the like committees +of the adjacent towns to join them; several do it; the +whole jointly assume the direction of all that relates to the teas +of the East-India Company. They keep a constant military watch +of twenty-five men every night, generally with fire arms, to +prevent the tea being privately landed. The vessels belonging +to captains <em>Bruce</em> and <em>Coffin</em>, are upon their arrival ordered to +Griffin’s wharf.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Dec. 14.] The people of Boston and the neighboring +towns, that have agreed to act in concert with Boston, meet at +the Old South Meeting-house, and conclude upon ordering Mr. +<em>Rotch</em> to apply immediately for a clearance for his ship. Meanwhile +the governor receiving intimation that she would be sent +to sea, and that it might not be through the ordinary channel by +the castle, acquaints admiral <em>Montague</em>, and desires him to take +the proper precautions, on which the admiral orders the Active +and King Fisher to be fitted for sea, and to fall down and guard +the passages out of the harbour. The governor likewise renews +in writing his orders to colonel <em>Leslie</em>, to suffer no vessel, coasters +excepted, to pass the fortress from the town without a permit +signed by himself. A sufficient number of guns are loaded +on this special occasion.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The assembly are acquainted, that the collector cannot give +Mr. <em>Rotch</em> a clearance, until the vessel is discharged of dutiable +articles. [Nov. 16.] Mr. <em>Samuel Philips Savage</em>, of <em>Weston</em>, is +chosen moderator. The number assembled from town and country +is thought to be some thousands. Upon the present crisis +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXXI'>CCXXI</span>several gentlemen deliver their sentiments; and Mr. <em>Josiah Quincy</em>, +jun. his to the following purpose;—“It is not, Mr. Moderator, +the spirit that vapors within these walls that must stand us +in stead. The exertions of this day will call forth events, which +will make a very different spirit necessary for our salvation.—Whoever +supposes, that shouts and hosannas will terminate the +trials of the day, entertains a childish fancy. We must be grossly +ignorant of the importance and value of the prize for which +we contend; we must be equally ignorant of the power of those +who have combined against us; we must be blind to that malice, +inveteracy, and insatiable revenge, which actuate our enemies +public and private, abroad and in our bosom, to hope that we +shall end this controversy without the sharpest, the sharpest conflicts——to +flatter ourselves that popular resolves, popular harangues, +popular acclamations, and popular vapor, will vanquish +our foes. Let us consider the issue. Let us look to the end.—Let +us weigh and consider, before we advance to those measures +which must bring on the most trying and terrible struggle this +country ever saw.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>About three o’clock in the afternoon the question is put, +“Will you abide by your former resolution with respect to not +suffering the tea to be landed?” It passes in the affirmative, +<em>nem. con.</em></p> + +<p class='c007'>Mr. <em>Rotch</em> is ordered to make a protest, and procure a pass +for his vessel. He waits upon the governor at Milton, who offers +to give him a letter to the admiral for protection, which he +declines, fearing in that case the rage of the people, and being +in no concern about his ship, as that is not the object of resentment, +but the tea. He intimates to the governor, that some of +the leaders of the people wish the ship to go down and be stopped +at the castle, “for then they will be rid of the affair, and +may say they have done all in their power.” While Mr. Rotch +is absent, the speakers in the meeting keep the people together +by engaging their attention till he returns, which is before six +o’clock, when he informs the body, that upon applying to the +governor for a pass, he received for answer, “I cannot give +you a pass consistent with the laws and my duty to my king, unless +the vessel is properly qualified from the custom-house.”—Upon +this there is a great deal of disputing, when a person disguised +like an Indian, gives the war-whoop in the front gallery, +where there are few if any besides himself. Upon this signal it +is moved and voted that the meeting be immediately dissolved.—The +people crowd out and run in numbers to Griffin’s wharf. +At the same instant a number of persons, chiefly masters of vessels +and ship-builders from the north end of the town, about seventeen, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXXII'>CCXXII</span>though judged to be many more as they run along, +cross Fort Hill, dressed as Indians, and repair to the tea ships; +and in about two hours hoist out of them and break open 342 +chests of tea, and discharge their contents into the salt water. +They are not in the least molested. The multitude of spectators +upon and about the wharf, serve as a covering party. The +whole business is conducted with very little tumult, and no damage +done to the vessels or any other property; when finished, +the people return quietly to their own towns and habitations.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Prior to the destruction of the tea, captain <em>Loring</em> in a brig, +being the fourth and last vessel on the East-India Company’s account, +was cast ashore at Cape-Cod; and what tea was saved +has been conveyed to the castle.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The arrival of the tea ships first at Boston, the consignees refusing +to resign, though they had the example of others to induce +them, and the governor’s resolution to pay no regard to +the voice of the public, brought on the destruction of the tea. +The sons of liberty were sensible, that if it was landed and stored, +it would some how or other obtain a sale; and that the virtue +of the people, to decline buying and using a commodity to +which they were so attached from love and habit, was too precarious +a ground on which to risk the salvation of their country. +They have been obliged, but with the utmost reluctance, to venture +upon a desperate remedy. Many of their friends, who are not +acquainted with circumstances, or do not attend to them, may +be ready to censure them severely. But had the tea been landed, +the union of the colonies in opposing the ministerial schemes +would have been dissolved; and it would have been extremely +difficult ever after to have restored it. The fulfilment of their +solemn declaration, that the tea should not be landed, though +in a way which would not have been chosen had any other effectual +one offered, has secured them the good opinion and confidence +of their co-patriots in other parts. The governor has +that influence with the consignees, that he could undoubtedly +have prevailed on them to resign; but he has encouraged them +to the contrary; and therefore what he has written, “It has +been absolutely out of my power to prevent the destruction of +the tea, without conceding to the unreasonable demands of a +lawless set of men, and thereby giving government up and rendering +myself obnoxious to my sovereign,” will scarce be admitted +as a sufficient justification. Sovereigns themselves, upon +special emergencies, wisely give place to the opinions and wishes +of their subjects; but are often disgraced and forced into difficulties, +through the want of like wisdom in their representatives. +Had the governor given a pass for the ship in the present instance, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXXIII'>CCXXIII</span>he would not have been viewed by considerate persons +as breaking either the laws or his oath. Cases offer, when statute +laws and oaths of office are required to give place to the +supreme law of society, the safety of the community. Had he +looked back to the time of the stamp act, he would probably have +found many precedents of ships having permits from his predecessor +in office, Sir Francis Bernard, to pass the castle without +being duly qualified for want of stamps; and yet the granting +them did not render Sir Francis obnoxious to his sovereign.—But +the truth was, Mr. <em>Hutchinson</em> had repeatedly urged government +at home to be firm and persevering; this was a favorite +topic on which he was often insisting; he himself therefore +could not think of yielding; and then he would not believe that +the people were determined at all adventures to perfect their +engagements; but expected that when the critical moment came, +they would desist. Whereas when that moment came, and the +tea on board the Dartmouth, captain Hall was in danger of being +seized and secured by the custom-house officers, who might +have been supported by admiral Montague, the sons of liberty +projected the destruction of it in the manner above related: and +in order to make short work of the whole business, and prevent +their repeating the preceding formalities, they did not confine +their operations to the tea on board the Dartmouth, but extended +them to the teas brought in afterward by captains Bruce and +Coffin.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Some expected that the destruction of the tea will issue in the +destruction of the charter, which will make the inhabitants of +the colony furious beyond expression. One gentleman, apprehensive +of the fatal consequences that will follow upon the parliament’s +meddling with the charter, the great darling of the +people, has written freely and fully upon the subject to his correspondent, +an influential member in the house. Another, being +desirous of learning the real sentiments of the more moderate +party, and of such as have not plunged themselves into the +politics of the day, has conversed with several of them; but has +discovered in them the warmest indignation and the highest resentment +at the thought of being deprived of their charter. A +major in the militia (whom Mr. Hutchinson honored with the +commission, for his good conduct as foreman of the jury on the +trial of the soldiers for killing the persons on the 5th of March, +1770) told him, “Sir, you know that I am a friend to government, +and wish to support it; but if there is an attempt to take +away our charter, I will fight up to my knees in blood in defence +of it.” The gentleman has perceived such a spirit to predominate +among all the people, that he has judged it right to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXXIV'>CCXXIV</span>communicate his knowledge to Sir Francis Bernard, and to acquaint +with his apprehensions as to the fatal consequences which +will follow upon the adoption of violent measures. He has +written also to another friend upon the subject, in hope that the +intelligence will get to the ministry, and prove beneficial to the +public by preventing harsh proceedings. At Charleston the +Carolinians have unloaded the tea, and stored it in cellars, where +it cannot be used, and where it will finally perish.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Let me pass from hence to relate the doings of the Massachusetts +assembly respecting the judges, which you will probably +pronounce intemperate.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The house being informed, that each of the judges refused to +take more than one half of the sum granted them the last year, +which they considered as implying on the part of the judges, a +determination to accept of their support from the crown, resolved, +“That it is the incumbent duty of the judges explicitly to +declare, whether they are determined to receive the grants of +the general assemble, or to accept of their support from the crown; +and their delaying any longer to let the public know their determination, +will discover that they have little or no regard for +the peace and welfare of the province; and in such case it will +be the indispensable duty of the commons of this province, to +impeach them before the governor and council. Four of the +judges, in the beginning of February, 1774, acquainted the +house they had received their whole salary granted them by the +general court, and not any part of the grant made by the crown, +and that they were determined still to receive the grants of the +general assembly, which was pronounced satisfactory. But the +chief justice, Peter Oliver, esq. sent them a letter [Feb. 3.] informing +them, That since being upon the bench seventeen years, +he had suffered above three thousand pounds sterling; that he +had been encouraged not to resign with the hope of a support, +but never had been relieved; that he had taken his majesty’s +grant from the 5th of July, 1772, to the 5th of January, 1774, +and that without his majesty’s leave he dare not refuse it.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Feb. 11.] The house resolved, “That Peter Oliver hath, +by his conduct proved himself an enemy to the constitution of +this province, and is become justly obnoxious to the good people +of it; that he ought to be removed from the office of chief justice; +and that a remonstrance and petition to the governor and +council for his immediate removal be prepared”—yeas 96—nays +9.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Feb. 24.] The house prepared to exhibit articles of impeachment, +in their own name, and the name of all the inhabitants of +the province, against the chief justice. His excellency excepted +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXXV'>CCXXV</span>to the proceedings of the house as unconstitutional; for +which reason he could not give them any countenance.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[March 1.] They prepared articles of high crimes and misdemeanors +against the chief justice, to present to his excellency +and the council, in which they said, “The salary, and hopes of +augmentation must have the effect of a continual bribe, and expose +him to a violation of his oath. His accepting hath betrayed +the baseness of his heart and the lust covetousness, in breach +of his engagements to rely solely on the grants of the assembly, +necessarily implied and involved in his accepting said office. By +receiving a grant out of the revenue unjustly extorted from the +American colonies, he hath as far as lay in his power, put a +sanction on, and established the said revenue, counteracted the +reasonable petitions of the people to his majesty, and in defiance +of the known sense of the body of this people, hath wickedly endeavoured +to increase the discontent and jealousies of this people +and the grievance aforementioned.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>[March 9.] It was resolved, “That the house have done +all that in the capacity of representatives can be done for the removal +of Peter Oliver; and it must be presumed, that the governor’s +refusing to take any measure therein, is because he also +receives his support from the crown.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>It is not to be thought, that the leading gentlemen in these +proceedings expected to obtain the removal of the chief justice; +but by the help of them, they rendered him and the governor +more and more obnoxious to the body of the people; added to +the dignity and importance of the house in the eyes of the representatives, +by placing them upon an apparent level with the +house of commons in Britain; and preservd the general animosity +against ministerial measures from falling into a decline.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The real, genuine sentiments of the professed patriots may be +desired; let me therefore mention, that these are divided in wish +and opinion. The great body of them through the several colonies, +and even in this, aim at no more than the removal of all +the innovations since the expiration of the war. They want to +have matters revert back to the state in which they were when the +peace commenced, and to be fixed in that state. They wish most +ardently to continue in union with Great-Britain; and abhor +the thought of a separation. They judge that it would be neither +safe not beneficial; that it is infinitely more eligible to have +the protection of the mother country, and to remain under her +shadow; and that no greater happiness can be enjoyed by them, +than a thorough restoration of harmony and affection between +them and the parent state, so as to obliterate the remembrance of +all past animosity. But there are a few in this colony who hanker +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXXVI'>CCXXVI</span>after independency, and will be likely to bend their whole influence +for the obtaining of it, whenever there is the least opening +to encourage their efforts. At the head of these we must place +Mr. <em>Samuel Adams</em> who has long since said in small confidential +companies—“The country shall be independent, and we will be +satisfied with nothing short of it.” At one time his influence was +small, owing to defects in pecuniary matters, especially as collector +of the taxes for Boston, in which office he served for years. +He was accountable to the town for between one and two thousand +pounds; but a great part of it had never been gathered. +What with not pressing the payment of the taxes in time, as is +too generally the case; not calling when the money happened +to be ready and other casualties, no inconsiderable sum was lost. +His necessities probably (for he appears to be addicted to no extravagances) +urged him to supply himself, time after time, from +the cash in hand, without attending to the accumulation of the +balance against him till called upon to settle. The town had +several meetings upon the business; at length, by the exertion +of his friends, a majority was obtained for the relinquishment +of the demand upon him. Since his first election into the house +in 1765, his influence had been gradually increasing, until he has +obtained a great ascendency in directing the town of Boston, and +the house of representatives, and conseqently the council. His +abilities and policy will foster the idea of independency, by the +aids of those very severities the ministry may adopt, in order to +compel the colonies into a submission to parliamentary authority +in all cases whatever.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 class='c005'>LETTER VIII.</h2> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-r c002'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><em>London, July 2, 1774.</em></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c012'>The letters sent over to the Massachusetts by Dr. Franklin, +have produced a duel between Mr. <em>Whateley</em>, the banker, +brother to the late secretary to the treasury, and <em>John Temple</em>, +esq. in which the former was dangerously wounded. This has led +the doctor to inform the public, that both the gentlemen are totally +ignorant and innocent as to the transaction and its circumstances +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXXVII'>CCXXVII</span>about which they fought. He declares that he alone was +the person who obtained and transmitted to Boston the letters in +question and says—“Mr. W. could not communicate them, because +they were never in his possession; and for the same reason +they could not be taken from him by Mr. T.” The doctor +justifies his own conduct, and concludes with telling the world, +he “thought it his duty to transmit them to his constituents.” +But if they were sent over to be communicated to a few confidential +gentlemen only, instead of being addressed to the speaker +of the assembly, or one of the committee appointed to correspond +with him, with orders to lay them before the house, +how were they <em>transmitted to his constituents</em>? There is something +mysterious in this business, which it is apprehended will +not bear a discovery at present. It is suspected that the letters +were procured out of some public office; and that Mr. Temple +is not so perfectly ignorant of all circumstances as the doctor’s +language seems to express.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Jan. 29, 1774.] The merits of the petition, presented some +time ago by the doctor as agent for the Massachusetts, praying +for the removal of the governor, came on to be heard before the +privy council. It is reported, that Mr. <em>W——</em>, wandering +from the question before their lordships, poured forth such a torrent +of virulent abuse on Dr. <em>Franklin</em> as scarce ever before took +place in judicial proceedings. His reproaches appeared to some +present to be incompatible with the principles of law, truth, justice, +propriety and humanity. And it was thought it would have +redounded more to the honor of their lordships, had they seemed +to enjoy less the lashes which the doctor underwent; and had +they expressed their dissatisfaction by reducing the orator to the +remembrance of the exalted characters before whom he uttered +such language. The petition was dismissed, and the doctor is +displaced from the office of deputy post-master general for the +colonies. The philosopher may recollect in some future day the +liberties taken with him before the privy-council on the twenty-ninth +of January, and take ample revenge on British ministers +and courtiers.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[March 7.] A message from his majesty, on account of the +late disturbances in America, was presented to both houses. Particular +mention was made of the outrage committed by the people +at Boston. Matters are now brought to a crisis, and ministry +are bent upon vigorous, sperited measures. To prevent opposition +from the merchants, the public papers were filled with +writings on the subject, which painted the misconduct of the colonies +in the strongest colours, and urged in particular the impossibility +of the future existence of any trade to America, if this +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXXVIII'>CCXXVIII</span>flagrant outrage on commerce, as it is pronounced, went unpunished. +These, with other endeavors, had the proposed effect. +The resentment against the Americans became as high and as +strong as could be desired, within the house; but the storm was +to be directed against the <em>Massachusetts</em>. The minister, in debate, +stated that the opposition to the authority of parliament +had always originated in that colony; and that that colony had +always been instigated to such conduct, by the irregular and seditious +proceedings of Boston. It was become necessary therefore +to begin with that town. He had forgot, or would not +mention, that the violent opposition to the stamp act originated +in Virginia.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Mar. 14.] Leave was given to bring in a bill “for the immediate +removal of the officers concerned in the collection of +the customs from Boston, and to discontinue the landing and discharging, +lading and shipping of goods, wares and merchandises +at Boston, or within the harbor thereof.” At the first introduction +of the bill it was received with general applause. Mr. <em>Bollan</em>, +however petitioned to be heard for the Massachusetts council, +and in behalf of himself and other inhabitants of Boston. The +commons refused to admit his petition, though a few days back +they had received one from him as agent for the council. The +lords were actually hearing him on a petition, as a person duly +qualified. On the third reading of the bill another petition was +presented in the name of several natives and inhabitants of North +America; which insisted strongly on the injustice of the act, and +its tendency to alienate the affections of America; and expressly +declared, that the attachment of America could not long survive +the justice of Great-Britain. The minority members maintained +that the bill stood simply as a proscription of one of the greatest +trading towns in the British dominions from the use of their port, +and from all the commerce by which thousands obtained their +bread. “Have we not (say they) given an extent of power to +his majesty to prevent the port of Boston from ever being reinstated, +if the king should think proper? A fine is laid; the trade +is prohibited until it is paid; and when the fine is paid, the town +may be as far from recovering her trade as ever. The act provides, +that the crown must have satisfaction, and that the laws of +trade and revenue should be obeyed. There is a sting in this. The +act, under pretence of an indemnity to the East-India Company, +is meant to enforce the submission to taxes. America will see +this; and the cause of Boston will be made the cause of all the +colonies. They are all as guilty as Boston. Not one has received +the tea; some have destroyed it, others sent it back.” But +all opposition was ineffectual; for the projected measures of government +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXXIX'>CCXXIX</span>were immutable. The bill passed; and was carried +up to the house of lords, where it was warmly debated, but, as +in the house of commons, passed without a division.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[March 31.] It received the royal assent.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The Boston port bill formed only one part of the coercive +plan proposed by ministry. A bill was soon brought in for “the +better regulating the government of the Massachusetts Bay.” +The purport of it was, to alter the constitution of the province, +to take the whole executing power out of the hands of the democratic +part, and to vest the nomination of counsellors, judges, +and magistrates of all kinds, including sheriffs, in the crown, and +in some cases in the king’s governor, and all to be removeable +at the pleasure of the crown.</p> + +<p class='c007'>In the debates it was asked of ministry, whether the colonies +already regulated nearly in the manner proposed by the bill, were +more submissive to the right of taxation than the Massachusetts. +It was justly argued, the disorder lay much deeper than the forms +of government; that the people throughout the continent were +universally dissatisfied; and that the uneasiness and resistance +was no less in the royal governments than in any other. Mr. +<em>Bollan</em> again made an effort in favor of his province; but the +commons refused to receive his petition. The ministry having +carried the preceding bill, prepared another, without which, it +was said, the scheme would be entirely defective.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[April 21.] Lord <em>North</em> presented the third bill “for the impartial +administration of justice in the cases of persons questioned +for any acts done by them in the execution of the law, or for +the suppression of riots and tumults in the <em>Massachusetts Bay</em>.” +This bill provided, that in case any person was indicted in that +province for murder, or any other capital offence, and it should +appear to the governor that the fact was committed in the exercise +or aid of magistracy, in suppressing tumults and riots, and that +a fair trial could not be had in the province, he should send the +person so indicted, &c. to any other colony, or to Great-Britain +to be tried. The charge on both sides was to be paid out of the +customs. The minority opposed this bill with great vehemence. +They insisted that having no sort of reason for impeaching the tribunals +of America, the real intention was to set up a military government, +and provide a virtual indemnity for all the murders +and capital outrages which might be committed by the barbarous +hands of authority. From the impossibility of prosecuting in Great-Britain, +they strenuously maintained that this was holding out +encouragement for all kinds of lawless violence. Colonel <em>Barre</em>’s +speech upon the occasion, commanded the attention of the +whole house, and closed admirably, with “You have changed +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXXX'>CCXXX</span>your ground. You are becoming the aggressors, and offering +the last of human outrages to the people of America, by subjecting +them in effect to military execution. Instead of sending +them the olive branch, you have sent the naked sword. By the +olive branch, I mean a repeal of all the late laws, fruitless to you +and oppressive to them. Ask their aid in a constitutional manner, +and they will give it to the utmost of their ability. They +never yet refused it when properly required. Your journals +bear the recorded acknowledgments of zeal with which they have +crontributed to the general necessities of the state. What madness +is it that prompts you to attempt obtaining that by force, +which you may more certainly procure by requisition. They may +be flattered into any thing, but they are too much like yourselves +to be driven. Have some indulgence for your own likeness; respect +their sturdy English virtue; retract your odious exertions of +authority; and remember that the first step toward making them +contribute to your wants, is to reconcile them to your government.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>The publications of the day quote an old member rarely in +opposition, as having closed his speech with these remarkable +words—“I will now take my leave of the whole plan. You +will commence your ruin from this day. I am sorry to say, +that not only the house has fallen into this error, but the people +approve of the measure. The people, I am sorry to say it, are +misled. But a short time will prove the evil tendency of this +bill. If ever there was a nation running headlong into ruin it +is this.” It is much questioned by many, whether the member +did not mistrake in saying—The people. The same natives of +America who petitioned against the Boston port-bill [May 2.] +renewed their endeavours by a petition against these two bills.—It +was pointed with an uncommon energy and spirit; and strongly +indicated the effects that these bills would produce in the +place where they were intended to operate. It was admitted to +lie on the table, and had no other notice taken of it.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Both bills were opposed in the house of lords, and the minority +entered on each a very strong protest. On both however +in each house, the number of the minority continued all along +very low and inadequate. Mr. <em>Bollan</em> applyed for a hearing in +the house of lords upon the last bill, but was refused. He has +stood up in defence of the rights and liberties of the Massachusetts, +when no other of the numerous advocates of the colonies, +out of parliament, have appeared to check the torrent of the +most grievous proceedings against them, in like manner, by +their learning and fortitude.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXXXI'>CCXXXI</span>Upon the first of the two bills, the protesting lords <em>Richmond</em>, +<em>Portland</em>, <em>Abingdon</em>, <em>King</em>, <em>Effingham</em>, <em>Ponsonby</em>, <em>Rockingham</em>, +<em>Abergavenny</em>, <em>Leister</em>, <em>Craven</em> and <em>Fitzwilliam</em>, dissented among +other reasons, “because definitive legal offence, by which a +forfeiture of the charter is incurred, has not been clearly stated +and fully proved, neither has notice of this advers proceeding +been given to the parties effected; neither have they been heard +in their own defence—because all the judges are to be nominated, +not by the crown, but by the governor; and all except the +judges of the superior court, are to be removable at his pleasure, +and expressly without the consent of that very council, which is +to be nominated by the king; the sheriff is made changeable by +the governor and council, as often and for such purpose as they shall +think expedient, whereby the governor and council are intrusted +with powers, with which the British constitution has not trusted +his majesty and privy council, and have the means of returning +such a jury in each particular case, as may best suit with the +gratification of their passions and interests, so that the lives and +properties of the subject are put into their hands without control.” +The protesting lords took occasion to mention concerning +the Boston port-act, “that, unexampled on the records of +parliament, it had been entered on the journals of the house as +voted <em>nemine dissentiente</em>, and had been stated in the debate of +the day, to have been sent to the colonies as passed without a +division in either house, and therefore as conveying the uncontroverted +universal sense of the nation; and that an unfair advantage +had been taken, on the final question for passing the penal +bill, of the absence of those lords who had debated it for +several hours, and strongly dissented from it on the second reading, +the period on which it is most usual to debate the principle +of a bill.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>On the second bill, the protesting lords <em>Richmond</em>, +<em>Fitzwilliam</em>, <em>Ponsonby</em>, <em>Rockingham</em>, <em>Portland</em>, <em>Craven</em>, <em>Leister</em>, +and <em>Manchester</em>, dissented among other reasons “because the bill +amounts to a declaration, that the house knows no means of retaining +the colonies in due obedience, but by an army rendered +independent of the ordinary course of law in the place where +they are employed; because the bill seems to be one of the many +experiments toward an introduction of essential innovations +into the government of the empire.” They said, “The authority +given by this bill to compel the transportation from America +to Great-Britain, if any number of witnesses at the pleasure of +the parties prosecuting and prosecuted, without any regard to +their age, sex, health, circumstances, business or duties, seems +to us so extravagant in its principle, and so impracticable in its +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXXXII'>CCXXXII</span>execution, as to confirm us further in our opinion of the spirit +which animates the whole system of the present American regulations.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>[May 20.] His majesty gave his assent to both bills.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The session was drawing near to the usual time of recess, and +the greater number of the members were retired into the country. +In this situation a bill was brought into the house of lords, +“For making more effectual provision for the government of +the province of <em>Quebec</em>, in North-America.” It passed through +that house with little if any observation. When it came down +to the house of commons, it met with a very different reception. +The principal objects of the bill were, to ascertain the limits of +the province, which were extended far beyond what were settled +as such by the king’s proclamation of 1763—to form a legislative +council for all the affairs of the province, except taxation, +which council was to be appointed by the crown, and the office +to be held during pleasure, and his majesty’s Canadian Roman +Catholic subjects were to be entitled to a place in it—to establish +the French laws and a trial without jury in civil cases, and +the English laws, with trial by jury in criminal—and to secure to +the Roman Catholic clergy, except the regulars, the legal enjoyment +of their estates, and of their tythes from all who were +of their own religion. The minority insisted, that the Protestant +religion, by this establishment, enjoyed at best no more +than a toleration. “The popish clergy,” they said, “have a +legal parliamentary right to maintenance, the protestant clergy +are left to the king’s discretion. Why are not both put at least +on an equal footing, and a legal support provided for both?” +The minority was uncommonly small; nevertheless the bill produced +much greater uneasiness and discontent out of doors, +than any of those for punishing the old colonies. The present +policy of it is, among other things, to gain, through the influence +of the priests, the assistance of the laity in subjugating the +other provinces.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[June 22.] It received the royal assent, when his majesty +went to the house, at the close of the session; the business of +which being ended, the ministry entertained the most sanguine +expectations that the submission throughout America would be +immediate, and that complete obedience and tranquility would +be secured. The speech from the throne expressed similar sentiments. +The triumphs and mutual congratulations of all who +have supported the ministerial plan, within doors and without, +are unusually great. These may be owing, not a little, to the assurances +that governor Hutchinson has repeatedly given to many, +that if the parliament would but act with resolution, and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXXXIII'>CCXXXIII</span>adopt spirited measures, a speedy submission would take place +without any call for fighting.</p> + +<p class='c007'>By the Quebec act, the total revenue of the province is consigned, +in the first instance, to a warrant from the lord of the +treasury, for the purpose of pensioning judges during pleasure, +and the support of a civil list totally unlimited. The first lord +of the treasury, without controul of parliament, is therefore in +actual possession of the revenues of one American province, +under the authority of an act of parliament, with no other obligation +expressed, than in general to defray the expences of +the administration of justice, and to support civil government. +The residue, as in the tea act, is to be reserved for the disposal +of parliamentary despotism committed into the hands of the +crown and its minister; for the crown of Great-Britain is constituted +as absolute in the province, under an act of parliament, +as any despot that ever existed in the world. Hence is inferred +what ministers would do through all America, did they possess +the power.<a id='r108'></a><a href='#f108' class='c013'><sup>[108]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>Your present governor, general Gage, has been appointed +as the most proper person to see to the execution of the laws +which have been passed respecting both the colony and its capital; +when he has settled matters, and established order and +due submission to the power of parliament, Mr. Hutchinson is +to return and resume the chair. The last, since his arrival, has +been graciously received; his influence with ministry will continue, +till events convince them that they have been greatly +mistaken in relying upon his judgment on American subjects. +A commission during pleasure has passed the great seal, granting +to general Gage full power and authority, where he shall +see cause, to pardon and remit all treasons, murders, felonies, +crimes, and misdemeanors whatsoever, and all fines or penalties +whatsoever incurred in the Massachusetts.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXXXIV'>CCXXXIV</span> + <h2 class='c005'>LETTER IX.</h2> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-r c002'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><em>Roxbury, Sept. 28, 1774.</em></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c012'>The appointment of general Gage to the government was +not thought of by Mr. Hutchinson. He expected to have +been entrusted with the execution of the ministerial plan; and +was rather disconcerted when he found it to be otherwise. Before +he left the colony, he was presented with a few addresses; +one by a number of gentlemen, conceived in very respectful +terms, but against which many others entered a protest. Had +he applied himself vigorously and steadily to the healing of the +breach between the colonies and the parent state, instead of +calling upon ministry to force submission, he would have been +a blessing, and had the love of all; but now it will be well if +he does not prove a curse to both countries, and make himself +odious to the latest posterity.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[May 13.] When general Gage landed on the long wharf, it +was thought from appearances, that he had apprehensions of +being ill treated by the inhabitants; but though they were highly +incensed at the port-bill, which they had just received, they +behaved toward him with the greatest decency. He was complimented +by the council, the gentlemen in the commission of +the peace, and others, and afterward sumptuously entertained.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The next day there was a numerous town-meeting to consider +the port-bill; when they resolved, “That it is the opinion +of this town, that if the other colonies come into a joint resolution +to stop all importation from and exportation to Great-Britain, +and every part of the West-Indies, till the act be repealed, +the same will prove the salvation of North-America and +her liberties; and that the impolicy, injustice, inhumanity, and +cruelty of the act, exceed all our powers of expression: We +therefore leave it to the just censure of others, and appeal to +God and the world.” Copies of the act arrived in different +parts; were multiplied with incredible expedition; and circulated +through the colonies, by which the whole country was inflamed. +In some places they were printed upon mourning paper, +with a black border, and cried about the streets under the +title of <em>a barbarous, cruel, bloody and inhuman murder</em>; in +others, great bodies of the people were called together by advertisement, +and the obnoxious law burned with great solemnity, +similar to what was done in the time of the stamp act.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXXXV'>CCXXXV</span>When the Boston port-bill arrived at New-York, captain +Sears and M‘Dougall wrote to the committee at Boston, assuring +them of the support of the New-Yorkers. The letter was +published without their names. The Yorkers would have fixed +a censure upon them, but could get no proof of their being the +writers. Captain Sears and M‘Dougall called the people together +by a publication. They collected, and after a violent opposition +from the tories, who had brought their whole strength +upon the occasion, a vote was obtained for appointing a committee +on account of the port-bill, which was to consist of fifty-one. +The tories fearing the worst, had provided a list; but all lists +were taken off the table at Mr. Sears’s motion, when nominations +took place, and the number of whigs and tories was nearly +equal. Mr. Sears got another added, which made the committee +fifty-two. The whigs in it insisted that there must be a congress. +The violence of captain Sears’s temper, and his influence +over the populace, induced the tories to fall in with the +proposal of one, rather than be exposed to the dangers of a mob; +but they expected that they should prevent it. A letter was sent +to the Boston committee, with a recommendation to them to +appoint time and place. They approved of a congress, but declined +making the appointments. The York committee considered +the answer; and it was carried to write to them afresh +upon the subject. The tories were caught; for having agreed +to the motion for a congress, they could not hinder it by all +their contrivances. You must admit of my using, for brevity +sake, the term <em>whig</em> and <em>tory</em> for the <em>pro’s</em> and <em>con’s</em> on the subject +of full redress to American grievances. When better can +be met with, they shall be adopted; but they are universally +applied in this manner by the liberty party.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The Boston committee of correspondence were sensible that +the utmost delicacy and precaution in the use of words and expressions, +were requisite in the present state of affairs; that so +their enemies might not disappoint them of that support for +which they were to make a general application to all the colonists, +and whom they addressed on the head of the port-bill, and +the distresses coming upon the inhabitants, with the utmost respect; +they were careful to insert in all their letters, “It is +hoped that Boston will be considered <em>as suffering in the common +cause</em>.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>While these letters were circulating, the period arrived for +the meeting of a new general court, which assembled at Boston, +[May 25.] when the services of the election day were carried +on as usual; but the hearts of many felt sad with the apprehension +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXXXVI'>CCXXXVI</span>that it would be the last of the kind. Their forebodings +were increased, by the number and characters of the elected +counsellors whom governor Gage negatived, not less than thirteen. +He laid nothing before the court more than the ordinary +besiness of the province; but gave them notice of their removal +to Salem on the first of June in pursuance of the act. Learning +that the house of assembly, to avoid removing were hastening +through the necessary business, with the greatest expedition, he +adjourned the general court to the seventh of June, then to +meet at Salem. Before that day the inhabitants of several towns +and cities, in different parts of the continent, concurred in expressing +the greatest disapprobation of the measures pursued against +Boston, an abhorrence of the new act, and a condemnation +of the principles on which it was founded, with a resolution +to oppose its effects in every manner, and to support their +distressed brethren, who were to be the immediate victims. At +Philadelphia a subscription was set on foot for the support of +such poor inhabitants of Boston, as should be deprived of the +means of subsistence by the operation of the act. The Virginia +house of burgesses appointed the first of June to be set apart as a +day of fasting and humiliation, devoutly to implore the divine +interposition, for averting the heavy calamity which threatened +destruction to their civil rights, and the evils of a civil war; and +for giving one heart and one mind to the people, firmly to oppose +every injury to the American rights. This occasioned their +dissolution; but before they separated, eighty nine of the members +entered into an association, in which they declared, “That an +attack made on one of our sister colonies, to compel submission +to arbritrary taxes, is an attack made on all British America, and +threatens ruin to the rights of all, unless the united wisdom of +the whole be applied.” They recommended to the committee +of correspondence, to communicate with the several committees +of the other provinces, on the expediency of appointing deputies +from the different colonies, to meet annually in general congress, +to deliberate on those measures, which the united interests +of America might from time to time require.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[June 1.] Business was finished at the custom-house in Boston +at twelve o’clock at noon, and the harbour shut up against +all vessels bound thither; and after the fourteenth none were +to be allowed to depart. The day was devoutly kept at Williamsburgh +in Virginia, as a day of fasting and humiliation. There +was a solemn pause in the business of Philadelphia. If we except +the Quakers, near nine-tenths of the citizens shut up their +houses; and the bells were rung, muffled, all the day. It was +observed in other places as a day of mourning.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[June 7.] The Massachusetts general court met at Salem according +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXXXVII'>CCXXXVII</span>to adjournment, and a committee was appointed to consider +and report the state of the province. Mr. <em>Samuel Adams</em> +observed, that some of the committee were for mild measures, +which he judged no way suited to the present emergency. He +conferred with Mr. <em>Warren</em> of Plymouth upon the necessity of +giving into spirited measures, and then said, “Do you keep the +committee in play, and I will go and make a <em>caucus</em><a id='r109'></a><a href='#f109' class='c013'><sup>[109]</sup></a> against the +evening; and do you meet me.” Mr. Samuel Adams secured a +meeting of about five principal members of the house, at the +time specified; and repeated his endeavours against the next +night; and so as to the third, when they were more than thirty: +the friends of administration knew nothing of the matter. The +popular leaders took the sense of the members in a private way, +and found that they should be able to carry their scheme by a +sufficient majority. They had their whole plan compleated, +prepared their resolves, and then determined upon bringing the +business forward. But before they went upon it, the door-keeper +was ordered to let no one whatsoever in, and no one was to +go out: however, when the business opened, a ministerial member +pleaded a call of nature, which is always regarded, and was +allowed to go out. He then ran to give information of what +was doing, and a messenger was dispatched to general Gage, +who lived at some distance. The secretary was sent off to dissolve +the general court; found the door fastened; knocked for +entrance, but was answered, that the house was upon very important +business, which when they had finished they would let +him in. As he could obtain no entrance, he read the proclamation +upon the steps leading to the representatives’ chamber, in +the hearing of several members and others on the out-side with +him, and immediately after in the council, thus dissolving the general +court. The house, while sitting with their doors shut, appointed +<em>Thomas Cushing</em>, <em>Samuel Adams</em>, <em>Robert Treat Pain</em>, +<em>James Bowdoin</em> and <em>John Adams</em>, esqrs. as their committee to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXXXVIII'>CCXXXVIII</span>meet other committees, that might be convened the first of September +at Philadelphia, voted them five hundred pounds lawful +(seventy-five pounds sterling) each, and chose a treasurer. They +recommended also to the several towns and districts, the raising +the said sum, by equitable proportions, according to the last provincial +tax—a recommendation which had all the force of a law. +It was a triumph to many of the sons of liberty to think that the +house had out-generalled the governor.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Sometime before the dissolution of the general court, near upon +three hundred citizens of <em>Philadelphia</em> met and appointed a +committee to write to Boston. Their letter was temperate and +firm. They acknowledged the difficulty of offering the inhabitants +advice upon the sad occasion that existed; wished first to +have the sense of the province in general; and observed that +all lenient applications for obtaining redress should be tried, before +recourse was had to extremities. They remarked that it +might perhaps be right to take the sense of a general congress, +before the desperate measure of putting an entire stop to commerce +was adopted; and that it might be right at any rate, to reserve +that measure as the last resource when all other means had +failed. They mentioned, that if the making of restitution to +the East-India Company for their teas would put an end to the +unhappy controversy, and leave the people of Boston upon their +ancient footing of constitutional liberty, it could not admit of a +moment’s doubt what part they should take; but they added, it +was not the value of the tea, it was the indefeasible right of giving +and granting their own money, a right from which they +could never recede, that was now the matter of consideration.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The importance and necessity of a general congress was soon +felt by every colony, so that the measure taken by the Massachusetts +was gradually adopted by the others.</p> + +<p class='c007'><em>Maryland</em>, whose zeal in the cause of liberty was ardent, had +a meeting of the committees appointed by the several counties, +at the city of Annopolis, who elected five deputies for that province +[June 25.] “to attend a general congress, at such time +and place as may be agreed on, to effect one general plan of +conduct, operating on the commercial connection of the colonies +with the mother country, for the relief of Boston and preservation +of American liberty.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>This meeting commenced three days before the election of deputies; +and considering the distance of Salem from Annopolis, +cannot be ascribed to the transaction of the Massachusetts assembly +on the seventeenth; beside it appears from the words <em>at such +time and place as may be agreed on</em>, that the committees did not +know that the Massachusetts assembly had mentioned the convening +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXXXIX'>CCXXXIX</span>of a general congress on the first of September at Philadelphia.</p> + +<p class='c007'>When the opinion of the Boston town-meeting respecting a +joint resolution of the colonies to stop all importation and exportation +till the port-bill was repealed, arrived in South-Carolina, +it was represented to a number of the principal gentlemen +in Charlestown. The mode proposed was thought to be of too +much consequence to be adopted without the universal consent +of the people. It was therefore determined to request a meeting +of the inhabitants. That this might be as general as possible, +circular letters were sent by express to every parish and district +within the colony.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[July 6.] A great number from almost every part of South-Carolina +met at Charlestown. The proceedings of parliament +against Boston and the Massachusetts Bay were distinctly related +to this convention of the people; on which, without one dissenting +voice, they came into various resolutions. Among others +they resolved, “That five gentlemen be appointed deputies on +the behalf of this colony, to meet the deputies of the several colonies +in North-America in general congress, to consider the act +lately passed, and bills depending in parliament, with regard to +the port of Boston and province of Massachusetts, also the grievances +under which America labors, with full power and authority, +in behalf of us and our constituents, to concert, and effectually +to prosecute, such legal measures (by which we for ourselves +and them most solemnly engage to abide) as in the opinion +of the said deputies, and of the deputies so to be assembled, +shall be most likely to obtain a repeal of the said acts, and a redress +of these grievances.”—That, while the oppressive acts relative +to Boston are enforced, we will cheerfully, from time to time, +contribute toward the relief of such persons there, whose unfortunate +circumstances may be thought to stand in need of most +assistance:”—“That a committee of ninety-nine persons be now +appointed, to act as a general committee, to correspond with the +committees of the other colonies, and to do all matters and things +necessary to carry the resolutions into execution; and that any +twenty-one of them met together, may proceed on business—their +power to continue till the next general meeting.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>The appointment of the above-mentioned deputies was recognized, +ratified and confirmed by the house of assembly, at +their next session, on the second of August.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The Connecticut house of representatives, in expectation of +the event during their recess, empowered a committee of nine, in +case a congress of commissioners from the several colonies should +be convened, to meet and choose delegates to serve for that colony, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXL'>CCXL</span>and to correspond with other committees. Mr. <em>Silas +Deane</em> was of the committee, and being ambitious of going to +congress, schemed their meeting at New-London, (instead of +Hartford) where through the influence of a most worthy father-in-law, +his own policy, and his <em>own</em> vote, he obtained a majority +of <em>one</em>, and became one of the four Connecticut delegates, +though not viewed by those who know him most, as a person of +the greatest integrity, or the truest patriotism.</p> + +<p class='c007'>At <em>Philadelphia</em>, a petition signed by near nine hundred freeholders +was presented to Mr. Penn, the governor, entreating him +to call a general assembly as soon as possible. This request being +refused, the province proceeded to the election of deputies, +who soon after met at <em>Philadelphia</em>. The resolutions passed at +this meeting, carry the marks of cool and temperate deliberation, +as well as affection to the mother country, more than those of +any others; and are at the same time equally firm in the determination +of supporting the colonial rights.</p> + +<p class='c007'>In them the deputies set out with the strongest professions of +duty and allegiance, and express their abhorence of every idea +of an unconstitutial dependence on the parent state, and the +most ardent wishes for a restoration of the former harmony. They +reprobate in the strongest terms the act and bills relative to the +<em>Massachusetts-Bay</em>, and declare that they consider their brethren +at Boston, as suffering in the common cause. They insist upon +the absolute necessity of a congress to consult together and form +a general plan of conduct for all the colonies. They acknowledge, +that a suspension of the commerce of that large trading +province with Great-Britain, will greatly distress multitudes of +their industrious inhabitants, but pronounce themselves ready to +offer that sacrifice, and much greater, for the preservation of their +liberties; however, they express their desire, that congress will +first try the gentle mode of stating their grievances, and making +a firm and decent claim of redress. They conclude with declaring, +that that province will break off all commercial intercourse +whatever, with any town, city or colony, and individuals in them +who shall refuse, or neglect to adopt and carry into execution, +such general plan as shall be agreed upon in the congress.</p> + +<p class='c007'>They did not undertake to appoint the delegates, but left it to +the Pennsylvania assembly, [July 22.] who soon after fixed upon +seven gentlemen.</p> + +<p class='c007'>At a meeting of delegates, from the different counties in <em>Virginia</em> +at <em>Williamsburgh</em>, beside the warmest professions of allegiance +and loyalty, and several resolutions in common with the +other colonies, they passed others, which considering the circumstances +of the colony, with its immediate dependence on the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXLI'>CCXLI</span>mother country for the disposal of its only staple commodity, must +be considered as very deserving of attention, because strongly +indicating the true spirit of that people. They resolved not to +purchase any more slaves from Africa, the West-Indies, or any +other place; that their non-importation agreement should take +place on the first of the following November, and that if the +American grievances were not redressed by the tenth of August +1775, they would export after that time, no tobacco, nor any +other goods whatever to Great-Britain. They recommended the +cultivation of such articles of husbandry, instead of tobacco, as +might form a proper basis for manufactures of all sorts; and +particularly, the improvement of the breed of sheep, the multiplying +of them, and the killing as few as possible. [Aug. 5.] +They chose as delegates to a general congress, <em>Peyton Randolph</em>, +<em>Richard Henry Lee</em>, <em>George Washington</em>, <em>Patrick Henry</em>, +<em>Richard Bland</em>, <em>Benj. Harrison</em> and <em>Edmund Pendleton</em>, esqrs.</p> + +<p class='c007'>At Newport, in Rhode-Island, an animated paper was circulated, +with the motto JOIN or DIE. The state of Boston was +represented as a siege, and as a direct hostile invasion of all the +colonies. “The generals of despotism (it says) are now drawing +the lines of circumvallation around our bulwarks of liberty, +and nothing but unity, resolution and perseverance, can save ourselves +and posterity from what is worse than death—Slavery.” +The general assembly of the colony chose two deputies to represent +the colony in a general congress; who were legally authorised +for that service, [Aug. 10.] under the hand and seal of the +governor.</p> + +<p class='c007'>All the other colonies, from New-Hampshire to South-Carolina +inclusively, adopted the measure of electing representatives +to meet in general congress.</p> + +<p class='c007'>To judge aright of the present alarming state of affairs, you +must observe, that it does not arise from the discontent of a turbulent +or oppressed nobility or gentry, so that by bringing over +a few of the leaders, the rest will follow of course, or persist only +to their own ruin; nor does it depend upon the resolution or +perseverance of a body of merchants and dealers, so that every +man, habitually studious of his immediate interest, will tremble +at the thought of those consequences which may essentially affect +it: nor will a few lucrative jobs or contracts split the colonists +into numberless factions. On the contrary, the great force of +the opposition consists in the landholders throughout America. +The British lands in this continent, are, in general, and more +especially in the New-England colonies, the Jerseys, and in part +of New-York and Pennsylvania, portioned out in such freeholds +as afford that mediocrity of condition to the possessors, which is +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXLII'>CCXLII</span>sufficient to raise strong bodies and vigorous minds; but seldom +that superabundance which proves so fatal to both, in old and +refined countries. The American freeholders, from many circumstances, +are more enthusiastic lovers of liberty, than ever +were the English yeomanry. The body of them are too bold to +be despised without danger, and now that they are united, too +numerous to be bribed. Human nature being the same in every +quarter of the globe, had moderation instead of compulsion been +employed, several who are at present zealous leaders, might +have been secured, and ministry (in colonies of such different +manners, interests, and principles, and on these accounts strongly +inclined to variance with each other) might have carried many +points which they will now find it difficult or impossible to +do, since they have united them, by evidencing a design of +subjugating each to a mode of government to which all, without +exception, are averse in the highest degree.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The Boston committee of correspondence received the most +encouraging answers to their letters; and were assured that the +town of Boston was considered <em>as suffering in the common cause</em>. +They had more than the strongest expressions to console them, +they had the substantial evidence of facts. Ministry promised +themselves mighty advantages from making <em>Salem</em> the seat of +government, with the privilege of an open port, while the neighboring +one, in itself of much greater consequence, was shut. +But the merchants and freeholders of the town discovered a most +noble spirit, which will prove a sore disappointment to them. +If it was expected that incurable envy, jealousy, or animosity, +would be excited between the two towns, and that the refractory +capital being abandoned and left alone to ruminate upon her +forlorn situation, would soon be reclaimed and brought to a full +sense of her duty; the very reverse will mortify.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[June 18.] The day after the dissolution of the general court, +the merchants and freeholders of <em>Salem</em> presented an address to +the governor, and in it expressed the most generous sentiments. +They said, “We are most deeply afflicted with a sense of our +public calamities; but the miseries that are now rapidly hastening +on our brethren in the capital of this province, greatly excite +our commiseration, and we hope your excellency will use your +endeavors to prevent a further accumulation of evils on that +already sorely distressed people.”—“By shutting up the port of +Boston, some imagine that the course of trade might be turned +hither and to our benefit; but nature, in the formation of our +harbor, forbids our becoming rivals in commerce with that convenient +mart. And were it otherwise, we must be dead to every +idea of justice, and lost to all feelings of humanity, could we indulge +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXLIII'>CCXLIII</span>one thought to seize on wealth, and raise our fortunes on +the ruin of our suffering neighbors.” The governor was treated +with the highest respect, and mention was made of their +hoping much from his general character, as well as from his +wisdom and mildness in another command. They expressed +the stronges attachment to the mother country, the deepest +concern for the present unhappy troubles, and the most fervent +wishes for a speedy and happy reconciliation, to obtain which +they were willing to sacrifice every thing compatible with the +safety and dignity of British subjects.</p> + +<p class='c007'><em>Marblehead</em>, a sea-port, about three miles from Salem, and +equally far with the last from Boston, but a town of no great +trade, being engaged chiefly in the cod fishery, testified its regard +and compassion for the capital, by letting the suffering +merchants have the free use of its wharfs and stores. Its inhabitants +offered also to attend the lading and unlading of their +goods, and transact for them all the business to be done at their +port, without putting them to the smallest expence.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The pity and resentment of the country at large, were excited +by observations published on the Boston port-bill. Those of Mr. +<em>Josiah Quincy</em>, jun. were most generally read and admired. He +observed—“The Boston port-bill condemns a whole town unheard, +nay, uncited to answer; involves thousands in ruin and +misery, without suggestion of any crime by them committed; and +is so constituted that enormous pains and penalties must ensue, +notwithstanding the most perfect obedience to its injunctions. +The destruction of the tea, which took place without any illegal +procedure of the town, is the only alledged ground of consigning +thousands of its inhabitants to ruin, misery and despair. Those +charged with the most aggravated crimes, are not punishable till +arraigned before disinterested judges, heard in their own defence, +and found guilty of the charge. But here a whole people are +accused, prosecuted by they know not whom, tried they know +not when, proved guilty they know not how, and sentenced to +suffer inevitable ruin. Their hard fate cannot be averted by the +most servile submission, the most implicit obedience to this statute. +Their first intimation of it was on the tenth of May, and it took +place the first of June, thence to continue in full force, till it +shall sufficiently appear to his majesty, that full satisfaction hath +been made by, or in behalf of the inhabitants of Boston, to the +East-India Company, for the damage sustained by the destruction +of their tea; and until it shall be certified to his majesty, by the +governor or lieutenant governor of the province, that reasonable +satisfaction has been made to the officers of the revenue and others, +for the riots and insurrection mentioned in it. So short a space +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXLIV'>CCXLIV</span>is given for staying the torrent of threatened evils, that the subject, +though exerting his utmost energy, must be overwhelmed +and driven to madness by terms of deliverance which deny relief +till his ruin is inevitable.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>Others said, “Had punishment been only threatened, had it +been in our option whether we would submit or suffer, the +reason for complaint would have been less. But without previous +warning in the proposal of any terms that might have prevented +the coming of evil upon us, it is inflicted with ineffable +vengeance; so that should we servilely submit to all required, +we must notwithstanding suffer almost total ruin. The conditions +upon which alone our sufferings are to be removed, far from +being fixed with precision, are so loose and indeterminate, that +a governor may perpetuate them during his political existence, +the king in council not being enabled to open the port without +his certificate. The wharfs and landing places at Boston, which +are the property of numerous individuals, are, as to the use of +them, wherein only their value consists, wrested out of their +hands and put into the king’s, to be disposed of at his pleasure. +Two wharfs indeed are to be opened again, when his majesty +shall think proper; but the residue are for ever interdicted the +exercise of commerce.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>The rough drafts of the bills, “for the better regulating of +the government of the Massachusetts-Bay;” and “for the impartial +administration of justice in it,” as well as of that “for +quartering the troops in America,” upon their arrival at Boston, +were instantly circulated through the continent, and filled up +whatever was before wanting, of violence and indignation in +most of the colonies. Even those who were moderate, or seemed +wavering, now became resolute and resentful. Nothing was to +be heard of but meetings and resolutions. Liberal contributions +for the relief of the distressed Bostonions were every where +recommended, and soon practised. Numberless letters were written +from districts, towns, and provinces, to the people of Boston, +in which, besides every expression of sympathy and tenderness, +they were commended for their past conduct, and strongly exhorted +to a perseverance in that virtue which had brought on their sufferings. +It was in vain that the friends of government attended a +town-meeting, and attempted to pass resolutions for the payment +of the tea, and for dissolving the committee of correspondence; +they found themselves lost in a prodigious majority, and +had no other resource than drawing up a protest against the proceedings +of that body. The Boston committee of correspondence apprehended +themselves so fixed in the good opinion of the public, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXLV'>CCXLV</span>that they ventured to frame and publish an agreement, entitled, +<em>A solemn league and covenant</em>.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[June 29.] General Gage was so alarmed at the idea of <em>a solemn +league and covenant</em>, that he issued a strong proclamation +against it, stiling it an unlawful, hostile, and traiterous combination. +He charged all magistrates to apprehend and secure for +trial, such as should have any share in aiding or abetting the foregoing +or any similar covenant. The charge was needless; for +the engagement was so unguardedly expressed, and so extremely +ensnaring, that it was severely censured by many of the best and +warmest sons of liberty in and about Boston, who refused to +give it support; so that however it might be venerated out of the +colony, it sunk into obscurity at home; and changed its form into +one that was less exceptionable, and yet equally well calculated +to stop the trade with Great-Britain, and that accorded with +those entered into about the same time, in various parts of the +continent, without any previous concert with each other, any +more than with Boston. The coincidence of sentiments and +measures given into by individuals and assemblies, larger and +smaller, in the several and more distant colonies, without any previous +contrivance, has been so remarkable, that persons the furthest +removed from superstition, have inclined to ascribe it to a +special providence of God. They have been seemingly actuated +by one and the same spirit, nearly at the same instant. When +letters have been dispatched from Boston to fellow-patriots afar, +asking or giving advice; letters from these have been upon the +road, giving or asking the very advice which was wanted—the +like in other matters. Not that there is a uniformity in all points +through the continent. The people may be divided into two +great classes. One is for rushing headlong into the greatest extremities, +without waiting till other measures are tried, or receiving +the general sense of the colonies; and though eager for holding +a congress, would leave it nothing to do but to prosecute +the violence which they have began. The other is averse to violent +measures, till all other means are ineffectually tried. They +wish further applications to be made to Britain, and the grievances +they complain of, with the rights which they claim, to be clearly +stated and properly presented. This, they say, can be effectually +done only by a general congress. There is a third party, who +are friends to the British administration, or rather who do not +totally disapprove of its measures; but their voice is so low, that +except in a few particular places, it can scarcely be distinguished. +The friends to colonial rights have a great advantage over +them, not only from the goodness of their cause, but their possessing +most of the presses on the continent. These are chiefly +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXLVI'>CCXLVI</span>in the hands of the whigs, and news-papers publishing essays +and other compositions against the prevailing opinions of the +people, have not a universal spread, and cannot prove so profitable +to the proprietors, as those on the other side of the question. +The command which the sons of liberty have of the +press, gives them the superiority in point of influence, over +their antagonists in the periodical publications of the day.</p> + +<p class='c007'>As the Boston port bill prohibits all water carriage, beside +shutting up the port, the merchants are under the necessity of +adopting the expensive mode of bringing their goods from Salem +or Marblehead, all the way round, through Cambridge and +Roxbury, to Boston. Had they been allowed to bring them to +Charlestown by land, and thence to cross them over by water, +they would have saved a fourth of the way. But it is pleasing +to observe what trade is going forward, notwithstanding the embarrassments +with which it is clogged. Boston is exhibiting a +scene of patience, fortitude, and perseverance, which will make +them renowned in history. Though liberal contributions have +been made, are raising, and will be raised, for the succour of +sufferers; yet it may be easily conceived, that in a town containing +several thousand inhabitants, who have subsisted chiefly +by commerce and the various kinds of business subservient to +it, and where the maintenance of many families depends merely +upon the locality, the cutting off of that grand source of their +employment and subsistence, must occasion great distresses +notwithstanding every relief. Even the rich are not exempt +from the general calamity, as a very considerable part of their +property consists in wharfs, warehouses, stores, and those numerous +erections which are destined to the purposes of commerce, +but are now no longer profitable.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The people at large have been for some time preparing to defend +their rights with the point of the sword. They see that +they are either to be terrified or driven into submission, by an +armed force; and are for providing against both. The countrymen, +in returning from Boston, are daily bringing out guns, +knapsacks, &c. Every one appears desirous of being well accoutred. +They have arms in general, the militia law requiring it +of all within a certain age. Note—They are fond of shooting, +are accustomed to it from early life, and are special marksmen. +They are perfecting themselves in their exercise. Handling the +musket and training, are the fashionable amusements of the male +inhabitants, while the females encourage them to proceed. The +sound of drums and fifes is constantly saluting your ears. Husbands +and wives, parents and children, brothers and sisters, lovers, +the young and the old, seem possessed of, or rather to be possessed +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXLVII'>CCXLVII</span>by a martial spirit, and are fired with an enthusiastic zeal for liberty. +In most places, but particularly in <em>Berkshire</em> and <em>Worcester</em> +counties, where the influence of government was supposed +to prevail most, nothing is to be seen or heard of, except +the purchasing of arms and ammunition, the casting of +balls, and the making of all those preparations which testify +the most immediate danger, and determined resistance.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The high military tone of the country people, is to be placed +chiefly to the account of the two bills “for regulating the government +of the Massachusetts,” and “the impartial administration +of justice in it.” These bills have proposed so thorough a +change in the civil and religious liberties of towns and individuals, +that they view themselves as intentionally deprived of every +privilege, and reduced to the necessity of fighting for all they +hold dear to them. It is of the utmost consequence that juries +should not be packed. The accustomed mode of electing them +is excellent, but liable to abuse, and there “may have been instances +wherein persons who have no regard to religion and to +divine revelation, have been really picked up to serve a turn.”<a id='r110'></a><a href='#f110' class='c013'><sup>[110]</sup></a> +But this will not justify that most execrable alteration of leaving +it in the power of the governor and council, through the aid of +the sheriff, to obtain such a jury in each cause, as may best suit +their passions and interests, whereby the lives and properties +of the subjects are put into their hands without controul.<a id='r111'></a><a href='#f111' class='c013'><sup>[111]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>It is also to be enacted, by the regulating bill, that after the +first of August, 1774, there shall be no town-meetings, without +the leave of the governor or lieutenant governor, in writing, expressing +the special business of such meetings, first obtained, except +the annual meetings in March, for the choice of select men, +constables, and other officers; and in May, for the election of representatives, +and meetings to fill up the offices aforesaid, on +death or removal; and that no other matter shall be treated of +at such meetings except the election of aforesaid officers or representatives, +nor at any other meeting, except the business expressed +in the leave given. A more obnoxious alteration could +scarce have been invented.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Every town is an incorporated republic. The select men, by +their own authority, or upon the application of a certain number +of townsmen, issue a warrant for the calling of a town-meeting. +The warrant mentions the business to be engaged in, and +no other can be legally executed. The inhabitants are warned +to attend; and they that are present, though not a quarter, or +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXLVIII'>CCXLVIII</span>tenth of the whole, have a right to proceed. They choose a +president by the name of moderator, who regulates the proceedings +of the meeting. Each individual has an equal liberty of delivering +his opinion, and is not liable to be silenced or browbeaten +by a greater or richer townsman than himself. Every +freeman or freeholder, as the business regards either the freeholders +in particular or the freemen at large, gives his vote or not, +and for or against, as he pleases; and each vote weighs equally, +whether that of the highest or lowest inhabitant. At these town-meetings +the people are used to debate and conclude upon instructions +to their representatives respecting matters before, or +likely to come before the general court—freely to express their +sentiments regarding public transactions—to agree upon the +choice of a minister, and the salary they shall give him—upon +building or repairing the meeting-house, and upon a variety of +other interesting matters, which concern the exercise of their +civil or sacred privileges. All the New-England towns are upon +the same plan in general, though different in certain particulars. +In the colony of Rhode-Island they have no minister paid +by the town, as a town, nor is it allowed by the government; +the salary is not a town charge, but is made up out of the voluntary +contributions of the denomination to which he is joined.</p> + +<p class='c007'>From the free exercise of all the above cited rights, the Massachusetts +inhabitants are to be suspended by the aforesaid enacting +clause. When they wish, or have occasion to hold meetings +for any of the above purposes, they will be obliged to apply +to the governor, who may put a negative upon every application, +and who will have it in his power to prevent their settling +a minister when the pulpit is become vacant, till he can be +well assured that the person on whom the choice will fall, either +does or will incline to support governmental measures.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The bill for the impartial administration of justice, the people +consider as threatening them with military execution, if they +comply not with that for the better regulating of the government. +The English blood which they have derived from their forefathers, +without corrupting it by foreign mixtures, for they have +been too national to encourage, like some colonies, the settlement +of foreigners among them—that blood boils in their veins +at those two bills, and fires them to a military opposition. The +inhabitants of Connecticut mean not to be idle spectators of the +fate of their sister colony, which can only be a prelude to their +own, and are therefore giving in to equal exertions for stemming +the approaching torrent.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Soon after general Gage’s arrival, two regiments of foot, with +a small detachment of the artillery, and some cannon, were landed +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXLIX'>CCXLIX</span>at Boston, and encamped on the common. These troops +were by degrees reinforced by the arrival of several regiments +from Ireland, New-York, Halifax, and at length from Quebec. +The arrival and station of these troops, was far from being agreeable +to the inhabitants; nor was the jealousy in any degree less +in the minds of their neighbors of the surrounding counties. +The dissatisfaction was increased by placing a guard upon Boston +Neck, the narrow isthmus which joins the peninsula to the +continent; for which measure the frequent desertion of the soldiers +was the assigned reason. Individuals have encouraged +such desertion; and the Boston committee have not failed to +contribute to the temptation, by making the situation of the soldiery +as disagreeable as they could, and by counteracting all +endeavors to render it comfortable. They act systematically for +the prevention of all supplies for the British troops. Through +their connection with the neighboring committees, the farmers +and others are prevented from selling them straw, timber, slitwork, +boards, in short every article excepting provisions necessary +for their subsistence. The straw which is purchased for their +service is daily burnt. Vessels with brick intended for the army +are sunk, and carts with wood are overturned. Thus, by +some contrivance or other, purchases are either prevented, or +when made, the king’s property is destroyed in every manner in +which it can be effected. While these things are doing, a trifling +circumstance gives the inhabitants of Boston a full earnest of the +support they may expect from the country in case of extremity, +and an opportunity of knowing the general temper of the people. +A report spreads, that a regiment posted on the Neck, has +cut off all communication with the country, in oder to starve +the town into a compliance with any measures which may be +proposed to it. Upon this vague report, a large body of the inhabitants +of Worcester county assemble, and dispatch two messengers +express to Boston, to discover the truth of the information. +These envoys acquaint the townsmen, that if the report +had been true, there were several thousand armed men ready to +have marched to their assistance. They tell them further, that +they are commissioned to acquaint them, that even though they +should be disposed to a surrender of their liberties, the people +of the country will not think themselves at all included in their +act; that by the late act and the bills pending in the British +parliament when the last intelligence was received, their charter +was utterly vacated; and that the compact between Britain +and the colonies being thus dissolved, they are at full liberty to +combine together, in what manner and form they think best, +for mutual security.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CCL'>CCL</span>[August 4.] The governor, by a proclamation for the encouragement +of piety and virtue, the prevention and punishment +of vice, profaneness and immorility, has exasperated the minds +of the people, owing to the insertion of <em>hypocrisy</em> among the +immoralities. They have been scoffed at and reproached by enemies, +and those of looser manners, for a pharisaical attention +to outward forms and the appearances of religion; and therefore +view this insertion as an intended insult. With the new +acts, the governor received a list of thirty-six new counsellors, +who agreeable to the new regulations, have been appointed by +the crown, contrary to the method prescribed by the charter.—About +twenty-four of the gentlemen have accepted, so that there +is a sufficient number to attempt carrying on the business of government. +But the courts of judicature at Boston are suspended, +for the grand jurors refuse to take the oaths, and to act under +new judges and laws. The petit jurors decline serving, on +account of <em>Peter Oliver</em>, esq. standing impeached by a late honorable +house of commons of the province, and of the judges of +the superior court being made to depend upon the crown. Not +only so, but the great and petty juries through the colony, unanimously +refure to act in any manner under the new regulations; +and the clerks of the court have found it necessary to acknowledge +their contrition in the public papers, for issuing the warrants +by which the juries were summoned, and not only to declare +that they will not act so again, but to apologize for what +they have done. At Great Barrington and some other places, +the people assembled in large bodies, and filled the court-house +and avenues in such a manner, that neither judge nor officer +could obtain entrance; and upon the sheriff’s commanding them +to make way for the court, they answered, “We know no +court, nor any other establishment, independent of the ancient +laws and usages of our country, and to none other will we submit, +or give way upon any account.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>At Salem the merchants, freeholders and other inhabitants, +were by hand-bills summoned to meet on Wednesday the twenty-fourth, +to consider on measures for opposing the execution of +divers late acts of parliament. The day preceding the intended +meeting, [August 23.] the governor, who resides within a few +miles of the place, published a proclamation prohibiting all persons +from attending. The proclamation being disregarded, a +company of soldiers were ordered into town to disperse the +meeting; but before they got to it, the business was finished, +and the inhabitants withdrawn. Three of the gentlemen were +apprehended, but gave bonds to appear in court, and so were +discharged.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLI'>CCLI</span>The proceedings of the people, and their manifest dispositions, +have alarmed the general, who has thought it necessary for +the safety of the troops, as well as to secure the important post +of Boston, to fortify the entrance at the Neck, which affords the +only communication, except by water, between the town and +the continent. His own personal safety, while at his country +residence in Danvers, would have been endangered, had not +the prudence of Samuel Holten, esq. M. D. a genuine, determined, +but considerate son of liberty, cooled and moderated the +temper of his neighbors.</p> + +<p class='c007'><em>William Brattle</em>, esq. frequently an elected counsellor under +the charter, having given a hint to the governor to secure the +provincial ammunition, he sent two companies of soldiers across +the river long before day-break, [Sept. 1.] who possessed themselves +of the powder in the arsenal at Charlestown. The news +circulated apace, and in the morning the inhabitants of the neighboring +towns, to the amount of several thousands, assembled at +Cambridge, mostly in arms. They proceeded to the lieutenant +governor Oliver’s house, and to the house of several of the new +counsellors, and of others who they thought had shewn themselves +unfriendly to the province. Some of the consellors were +obliged to resign, and to declare they would no more act under +what are pronounced the arbitrary laws lately enacted—It was +with difficulty that the multitude was restrained from marching +to Boston, there to demand a delivery of the powder, and, in +case of refusal, to attack the troops. This collection of people, +and the confusion necessarily attending their transactions, gave +rise to a rumor, that the fleet and troops were firing upon the +town of Boston, which flew with amazing rapidity through +New-England; and in less than 24 hours after, there were between +30 and 40,000 men in arms, some of whom marched +from 20 to 30 miles toward Boston before they were undeceived. +This report, and the seizure of the powder, roused the inhabitants +in the other colonies beyond New-England, so that they +immediately began learning the military exercise. The transaction +at Cambridge produced such other risings in the colony, +as obliged more of the new council to resign or to flee to Boston; +whither, by the close of the month, the commissioners, the +custom-house officers, and all who have made themselves particularly +obnoxious, by taking an active and decided part against +the country, repaired for protection. Thus is the seat of government +at Salem abandoned, and the apparatus of a custom-house +removed to a place, which an act of parliament has proscribed +from all trade.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLII'>CCLII</span>About this time the governor’s company of cadets, consisting +of Boston gentlemen, disbanded themselves, and returned him +the standard he presented them upon his arrival. This slight +was owing to his taking away the commission from Mr. Hancock, +who was colonel of the corps. But Mr. John Murray, a +colonel of the militia, having accepted a seat in the new council, +twenty-four officers of his regiment resigned their commissions +in one day. Such is the prevailing spirit, that all persons +accepting offices under the new laws, or preparing to act in conformity +to them, are declared enemies to their country, and +threatened accordingly.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The seizing of the powder, and the withholding from the legal +proprietors what is lodged in the magazine of Boston, and +the design carrying into execution of repairing and manning the +fortifications at the entrance of the town, have occasioned the +holding an assembly of delegates from the several towns and +districts in the county of Suffolk, of which Boston is the county +town. After a most spirited preamble, they resolved, among +other things [Sept. 9.] “That no obedience is due from this +province to either or any part of the late acts, but that they be +rejected as the attempts of a wicked administration to enslave +America—that so long as the justices are appointed or hold their +places by any other tenure than that which the charter and the +laws of the province direct, they must be considered as unconstitutional +officers, and as such no regard ought to be paid to +them by the people of this country—that if the justices shall sit +and act during their present disqualified state, this county will +bear harmless all sheriffs, jurors, and other officers, who shall refuse +to carry into execution the orders of said courts—that it be +recommended to the collectors of taxes and all other officers who +have public monies in their hands, to retain the same, and not +to make any payment thereof to the provincial county treasurer, +until the civil government of the province is placed upon a constitutional +foundation, or it shall be otherwise ordered, by the +proposed provincial congress—that the persons who have accepted +seats at the council board, by virtue of a mandamus from +the king, have acted in a direct violation of the duty they owe +to their country; this county do recommend it to all who have +so highly offended, and have not already resigned, to make +public resignation on or before the 20th of this instant, September; +all refusing so to do, shall, after said day, be considered by +this county, as obstinate and incorrigible enemies to this country—that +the fortifications begun and now carrying on upon Boston +Neck, gives us reason to apprehend some hostile intention +against that town—that the late act establishing the Roman Catholic +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLIII'>CCLIII</span>religion in Quebec, is dangerous in an extreme degree to +the Protestant religion, and to the civil rights and liberties of all +America—that whereas our enemies have flattered themselves +that they shall make an easy prey of this numerous brave people, +from an apprehension that they are unacquainted with military +discipline; we therefore, for the honor and security of this +county and province, advise, that such persons be elected in each +town as officers in the militia, as shall be judged of sufficient capacity, +and who have evidenced themselves the invincible friends +to the rights of the people, and that the inhabitants do use their +utmost diligence to acquaint themselves with the art of war, and +do for that purpose appear under arms at least once every week—that +during the present hostile appearances on the part of +Britain, we are determined to act merely upon the defensive so +long as such conduct may be vindicated by reason and the principles +of self-preservation, but no longer—that as we understand +it has been in contemplation to apprehend sundry persons of this +county, we do recommend, should such measure be put in practice, +to seize and keep every servant of the present government +throughout the province, until the persons so apprehended be +restored uninjured—that we recommend to all persons, not to +engage in any routs, riots, or licentious attacks upon the properties +of any person whatsoever, as being subversive of all order +and government; but by a steady, manly, uniform, and persevering +opposition, to convince our enemies, that in a contest +so important, in a cause so solemn, our conduct shall be such +as to merit the approbation of the wise, and the admiration of +the brave and free of every age and of every country.” They +then drew up an address to the governor, and voted that doctor +<em>Joseph Warren</em> (a physician, an amiable gentleman, who wishes +for a reconciliation between the colonies and the parent state, +upon a redress of grievances, and aims not at independency) +with others, be a committee to wait on his excellency, to inform +him how the country is alarmed, and to remonstrate against the +fortifications making on the Neck, and the repeated insults offered +by the soldiery to persons passing and re-passing into Boston, +and to confer with him on those subjects. The governor +was waited upon to know if he would receive the committee with +the address; but desiring a private copy of it, that when he received +them he might be ready with a prepared answer, he was +furnished with it, and afterwards fixed on Monday the 12th for +receiving the committee. The doings of the county delegates, +and a copy of the address to the governor have been sent off by +express to the general congress, now met at Philadelphia. On +the Monday, when the committee had delivered the address of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLIV'>CCLIV</span>the county, he answered to it, “I have no intention to prevent +the free egress and regress of any person to and from the town +of Boston. I shall suffer none under my command to injure the +person or property of any of his majesty’s subjects; but it is my +duty to preserve the peace, and to prevent surprise; and no use +will be made of the cannon, unless the hostile proceedings of the +people shall render it necessary.” The patriots are waiting earnestly +for the opinion of congress on the Suffolk resolves, in +hopes that they will be approved of; and if so, they will go on +with greater resolution and courage; for they will consider such +approbation as a declaration that the colony will be supported +by congress, in case hostilities are necessary for the preservation +of its liberties, and is also justifiable in arming and training the +militia.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Mr. <em>Quincy</em> is upon the point of sailing for Britain, at the request +of several co-patriots. Be so obliging as to pay a proper +attention to him; you will be pleased at finding him so intelligent +a gentleman, and may rely upon his information. Shall +keep the letter open, that if the sense of congress is received +time enough, it may be forwarded.</p> + +<p class='c007'>P. S. The sons of liberty are in high spirits. The Suffolk +resolves were before congress on Saturday morning, the 17th, +and were considered; after which it was <em>resolved unanimously</em>, +“That this assembly deeply feels the suffering of their countrymen +in the <em>Massachusetts Bay</em>, under the operation of the late +unjust, cruel, and oppressive acts of the <em>British</em> parliament—that +they most thoroughly approve the wisdom and fortitude +with which opposition to these wicked ministerial measures has +hitherto been conducted, and they earnestly recommend to their +brethren, a perseverance in the same firm and temperate conduct, +as expressed in the resolutions determined upon at a meeting +of the delegates for the county of <em>Suffolk</em>, on Tuesday the +6th instant (that was the day of their first meeting, but they did +not finish till the 9th) trusting that the effect of the united efforts +of <em>North-America</em> in their behalf, will carry such conviction +to the <em>British</em> nation, of the unwise, unjust, and ruinous +policy of the present administration, as quickly to introduce better +men and wiser measures.—“<em>Resolved unanimously</em>, That +contributions from all the colonies, for supplying the necessities +and alleviating the distresses of our brethren at Boston, ought +to be continued, in such manner, and so long as their occasions +may require.” Mr. Quincy sails to-day.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLV'>CCLV</span> + <h2 class='c005'>LETTER X.</h2> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-r c002'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><em>Roxbury, February 3, 1775.</em></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c012'>The measures pursued by the British ministry, for subjecting +America to parliamentary authority in all cases whatever, +have united the twelve colonies, from New-Hampshire to +South-Carolina, inclusively, into a compact body. Many on the +side of government flattered themselves that the event would never +exist. They had no small ground for it, considering that several +of the colonies clash in their particular interests; have been +frequently quarreling about boundaries and other matters; differ +greatly in manners, customs, religion and constitutions; and +have local prejudices, jealousies, and aversions. But they have +been pressed by a common danger, threatening the most valuable +rights of each individual province, so that they have all +elected delegates to meet in a general congress, to consult in +what way to obtain a redress of grievances and ward off the +impending ruin. The ministerial influence in New-York has +not prevailed, as was expected, to keep that colony from joining +the others. Great dependance was had upon their monied +men; but the cause of liberty was too popular, and the numbers +that espoused it too many and too independent, either to +be bribed or overawed.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Sept. 5.] The delegates being arrived at Philadelphia, from +all the colonies except North-Carolina, they met in general congress, +and proceeded to the choice of a president, when <em>Peyton +Randolph</em>, esq. was unanimously elected, and Mr. <em>Charles Thomson</em> +was unanimously chosen secretary. They resolved, that “in +determining questions, each colony shall have one vote.” Before +they engaged in any special business, the North-Carolina delegates +joined them. The number of the whole, when together, is fifty-two +beside the president. The first important service wherein +they engaged, you have had an account of in the preceding +postscript. In their subsequent resolutions [Oct. 8.] they declared, +“That if the late acts of parliament shall be attempted to be +carried into execution by force, in such case all <em>America</em> ought +to support the inhabitants of the <em>Massachusetts Bay</em> in their opposition—that +if it be found absolutely necessary to remove the +people of Boston into the country, all America ought to contribute +toward recompensing them for the injury they may thereby +sustain—and that every person who shall accept, or act under +any commission or authority derived from the act of parliament +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLVI'>CCLVI</span>changing the form of government and violating the charter, +ought to be held in detestation. They have written a letter to +general <em>Gage</em> [Oct. 10.] in which they express the deepest concern +at his proceeding in a manner that bore so hostile an appearance, +and which even the oppressive acts of parliament did +not warrant. They represent the tendency this conduct must +have to irritate and force the people, hitherto well disposed to +peaceable measures, into hostilities, which may prevent the endeavors +of congress to restore a good understanding with the +parent state, and may involve us in the horrors of a civil war. +They express their hope, that the general, to quiet the minds +of the people, will discontinue the fortifications in and about +Boston, prevent any further invasions of private property, restrain +the irregularities of the soldiers, and give orders that the +communication between the town and country may be open, +unmolested, and free.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The general in his answer, said “No troops have given less +cause for complaint, and greater care was never taken to prevent +it; and such care and attention was never more necessary +from the insults and provocations daily given to both officers and +soldiers. The communication between the town and country +has been always free and unmolested, and is so still.” This +assertion may appear perfectly just to a military gentleman; but +may be otherwise thought of by one in a civil department, who +means that the entrance into a town should have neither guards +nor sentinels, either to stop or challenge passengers, whether +by night or by day. The general intimated, that the hostile +preparations throughout the country, and the menaces of blood +and slaughter, made it his duty to fortify the Neck. He concluded +with—“I ardently wish, that the common enemies to +both countries may see, to their disappointment, that these disputes +betwen the mother country and the colonies, have terminated +like the quarrels of lovers, and increased the affection +which they ought to bear to each other.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>The congress have also made a declaration of rights (contained +within a number of resolves) to which they say the <em>English</em> colonies +of North-America are entitled by the immutable laws of +nature, the principles of the English constitution, and their several +charters or compacts. In the first of these are life, liberty, and +property, a right to the disposal of any of which, without their +consent, they have never ceded to any sovereign power whatever. +They mention, that their ancestors, at the time of their emigration, +were entitled to all the rights, liberties, and immunities of +free and natural born subjects within the realm of England; +and that by such emigration they by no means forfeited, surrendered +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLVII'>CCLVII</span>or lost any of those rights; but that they were, and their +descendants now are, entitled to the enjoyment of all such of them +as their local and other circumstances enabled them to exercise. +They then state, that the foundation of English liberty, and of +all free government, is a right in the people to participate in +their legislative council; and proceed to show, that as the colonists +are not, and from various causes, cannot be represented in +the British parliament, they are entitled to a free and exclusive +power of legislation in their several provincial legislatures, where +their right of representation can alone be preserved, in all cases +of taxation and internal policy, subject only to the negative of +their sovereign, in such manner as had heretofore been used.</p> + +<p class='c007'>To qualify the extent of this paragraph, which may seem to +leave no means of parliamentary interference, for holding the +colonies to the mother country, they declare, that from the necessity +of the case, and a regard to the mutual interests of both +countries, they cheerfully consent to the operation of such acts +of the British parliament as are, <em>bona fide</em>, restrained to the regulation +of their external commerce, for the purpose of securing +the commercial advantages of the whole empire to the mother +country, excluding every idea of taxation, either internal or external, +for raising a revenue on the subjects in America, without +their consent.</p> + +<p class='c007'>They resolved, “That the respective colonies are entitled to +the common law of England, and more especially to the great +and estimable privilege of being tried by their peers of the vicinage; +to the benefit of such of the English statutes as existed +in the time of their colonization, and which they have found to +be applicable to their several and other local circumstances; +and to all the immunities and privileges granted and confirmed +to them by royal charters, or secured by their several codes of +provincial laws—that they have a right to assemble peaceably, +consider of their grievances, and petition the king; and that all +prosecutions, prohibitory proclamations, and commitments for +the same, are illegal—that the keeping a standing army in these +colonies, in times of peace, without the consent of the legislature +of that colony in which such army is kept, is against +law—that it is rendered essential to good government, by the +English constitution, that the constituent branches of the legislature +be independent of each other; that therefore the exercise +of legislative power, by a council appointed, during pleasure, +by the crown, is unconstitutional, and destructive to the +freedom of American legislation.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>They proceeded to claim, in behalf of themselves and constituents; +and to insist on the foregoing articles, as their indisputable +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLVIII'>CCLVIII</span>rights and liberties, which cannot be legally taken from +them, altered, or abridged, by any power whatever, without their +own consent, by their representatives in their several provincial +legislatures. They then resolved concerning eleven acts of parliament, +or parts of acts, passed in the present reign, that +“they are infringements and violations of the foregoing rights, +and that the repeal of them is essentially necessary, in order to +restore harmony between Great-Britain and the American colonies.” +Among these is the Quebec bill, which is termed “an +act for establishing the Roman Catholic religion in the province +of Quebec, abolishing the equitable system of English laws, and +erecting a tyranny there, to the great danger (from so total a +dissimilarity of religion, law and government) of the neighboring +British colonies, by the assistance of whose blood and treasure, +the said country was conquered from France.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>After specifying their rights, and enumerating their grievances, +they mention, that in hopes of being restored to that +state in which both countries formerly found happiness and +prosperity, they have for the present only resolved to pursue +the following peaceable measures, viz. to enter into a non-importation, +non-consumption, and non-exportation agreement; +and to prepare an address to the people of Great-Britain, a memorial +to the inhabitants of British America, and a loyal address +to his majesty.</p> + +<p class='c007'>By the association they have bound themselves, and intentionally +their constituents to a strict observance of fourteen articles. They +have agreed by the second, that after the first day of December +next, they will wholly discontinue the slave trade, and will neither +hire their vessels nor sell their commodities to those who +are concerned in it—by the third, that from that day, they will +not purchase or use any tea imported on account of the East-India +Company, or any on which a duty hath been or shall be +paid; and from and after the first of March next, they will not purchase +or use any East-India tea whatever, nor any of those goods +they have agreed not to import, which they shall have cause to +suspect were imported after the first of December, except such as +come under the directions afterward mentioned—by the fourth, +that the non-exportation agreement shall be suspended to the +tenth of September, 1775, after which, if the acts objected to, +are not repealed, they will not, directly nor indirectly, export any +commodity whatsoever, to Great-Britain, Ireland, or the West-Indies, +except rice to Europe—by the fifth, that they will never +more have any commercial intercourse with any British merchants, +who may ship goods in violation of, and with a view of +breaking the association—by the eighth, that they will encourage +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLIX'>CCLIX</span>frugality, œconomy, and industry, promote agriculture, +arts, and manufactures, discourage every species of extravagance +and dissipation, and will wear no other mourning than a piece +of crape or ribbon—by the fourteenth and last, that they will +have no trade, dealings, or intercourse whatsover, with any +North-American colony or province, that shall not accede to, or +that shall hereafter violate the association; but will hold them +as inimical to their country. This association, which is to continue +in force till the above acts, or parts of acts, wherein they +relate to the colonies, are repealed, has been signed [Oct. 24.] +by all the members of congress.</p> + +<p class='c007'>In their address to the people of Great-Britain, the congress +pay the highest praise to the noble and generous virtues of their +and our common ancestors, but in a way which rather reproaches +you with a shameful degeneracy. They tell you not to be surprised +that they, who are descended from the same common ancestors, +should refuse to surrender their liberties and the constitution +you so justly boast of, to men who found their claims on +no principles of reason, and who prosecute them with a design, +that by having <em>our</em> lives and property in their power, they may +with the greater facility enslave <em>you</em>. They complain of being +oppressed, abused, and misrepresented, so that it is become a duty +to themselves and their posterity, and to the general welfare of +the British empire, to address you on this very important subject. +They call upon you yourselves, to witness to their loyalty and +attachments to the common interest of the whole empire; to +their efforts in the last war; and to your own acknowledgment +of their zeal, and your even reimbursing them large sums of money, +which you confessed they had advanced beyond their proportion, +and far beyond their abilities. They proceed to state +and examine the measures and the several acts of parliament, which +they consider as hostile to America, and represent the probable +consequences to your country should ministry be able to carry the +point of taxation, and reduce the colonies to a state of perfect +slavery. They ingeniously endeavor to render theirs a cause +common to both countries, by showing that such success might, +in the end, be as fatal to the liberties of Britain as to those of +America. “Take care (say they) that you do not fall into the +pit preparing for us.” After denying the several charges of being +seditious, impatient of government, and desirous of independency, +which they assert to be calumnies, they declare, that if +neither the voice of justice, the dictates of the law, the principles +of the constitution, nor the suggestions of humanity, can restrain +your hands from shedding of human blood in such an impious +cause, they must tell you, “That they never will submit +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLX'>CCLX</span>to be hewers of wood, or drawers of water for any ministry or +nation in the world.” They afterward make a proposal, which +if duly attended to, may afford a favorable basis for negociation—“Place +us in the same situation that we were in at the close +of the last war, and our former harmony will be restored.” +The same truth was transmitted to some of the ministry, by the +late reverend Mr. <em>Whitefield</em>, before his death, in 1770, at Newburyport, +in nearly the following words, “Would you have +peace and harmony restored through the colonies, you must attend +to the military phrase, <em>right about, as you were</em>.” The +like sentiment was confirmed by a subsequent letter from another +quarter, after a designed conference upon the subject with +<em>Thomas Cushing</em> and <em>Samuel Adams</em>, esqrs. of Boston, and +<em>Thomas Lynch</em>, esq. of South-Carolina. The congress conclude +their address by expressing the utmost regret at their being compelled +by the over-ruling principles of self-preservation, to adopt +measures detrimental to numbers of their fellow-subjects +in Great-Britain and Ireland, in the suspension of their importations +from both these kingdoms. They finally rest their hope +of a restoration of that harmony, friendship, and fraternal affection +between all the inhabitants of his majesty’s kingdoms and +territories, so ardently wished for by every true and honest +American, upon the magnanimity and justice of the British nation, +in furnishing a parliament of such wisdom, independence, +and public spirit as may save the violated rights of the whole +empire, from the devices of wicked ministers and evil counsellors, +whether in or out of office.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Congress, in their memorial to the inhabitants of British America, +inform the colonies, that they have diligently, deliberately, +and calmly, enquired into all the measures which have excited the +present disturbances; and that upon the whole they find themselves +reduced to the disagreeable alternative of being silent, or +betraying the innocent, or of speaking out, and censuring those +they wish to revere. They prefer the course dictated by honesty, +and a regard for the welfare of their country. After stating +and examining the several laws which have been passed, and the +measures which have been pursued with respect to America, since +the conclusion of the late war to the present period, they enquire +into the motives for the particular hostility against the town of +Boston and province of Massachusetts Bay; though the behavior +of the people in other colonies, has been in equal opposition +to the power assumed by parliament; notwithstanding which no +step had been taken against any of them by government. This +they represent as an artful systematic line of conduct, concealing +several designs, adding, “It is expected that the province of the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLXI'>CCLXI</span>Massachusetts Bay will be irritated into some violent action that +may displease the rest of the continent, or that may induce the +people of Great-Britain to approve the meditated vengeance of +an imprudent and exasperated ministry. If the unexampled pacific +temper of that province shall disappoint this part of the +plan, it is hoped the other colonies will be so far intimidated as +to desert their brethren suffering in a common cause, and that +thus disunited, all may be subdued.” They proceed to state +the importance of the trust which has been reposed in them, and +the manner in which they have discharged it; and deeply deplore +the necessity which pressed them to an immediate interruption +of commerce, and apologize with saying, “We are driven +by the hands of violence into unexperienced and unexpected +public convulsions, and are contending for freedom so often +contended for by our ancestors.” “The people of England,” +say they, “will soon have an opportunity of declaring their sentiments +concerning our cause. In their piety, generosity, and +good sense, we repose high confidence, and cannot upon a review +of past events, be persuaded that <em>they</em>, the defenders of +true religion, and the assertors of the rights of mankind, will take +part against their affectionate protestant brethren in the colonies, +in favor of our open and their own secret enemies, whose intrigues +for several years past have been wholly exercised in sapping +the foundations of civil and religious liberty.” Toward the +close, they have these words, “We think ourselves bound in +duty to observe to you, that the schemes agitated against these +colonies have been so conducted, as to render it prudent that +you should extend your views to the most unhappy events, and +be in all respects prepared for every contingency.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>The address of congress to his majesty, is clothed in the habit +of an humble petition, wherein they beg leave to lay their grievances +before the throne. After an enumeration of them, they +implore his clemency for protection against them; and impute +all their distresses, dangers, and fears, to the destructive system +of colony administration adopted since the conclusion of the last +war. They express their apprehension, that as his majesty enjoys +the signal distinction of reigning over freemen, the language of +freemen cannot be displeasing; adding, “Your royal indignation, +we hope, will rather fall on those designing and dangerous +men, who, daringly interposing themselves between your royal +person and your faithful subjects, and for several years past incessantly +employed to dissolve the bonds of society, by abusing +your majesty’s authority, misrepresenting your American subjects +and prosecuting the most desperate and irritating projects of oppression, +have at length compelled us, by the force of accumulated +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLXII'>CCLXII</span>injuries, too severe to be any longer tolerable, to disturb +your majesty’s repose by our complaints.” They beg leave to +assure his majesty, that in regard to defraying the charge of the +administration of justice and the support of civil government, +such provision has been and will be made, as has been and shall +be judged, by the legislature of the several colonies, just and +suitable to their respective circumstances; and that for the defence, +protection and security of the colonies, their militias, if +properly regulated as they earnestly desire may be immediately +done, would be sufficient, at least in times of peace; and in case +of war his faithful colonists will be ready and willing, as they +ever have been when constitutionally required, to demonstrate +their loyalty, by exerting their most strenuous efforts in granting +supplies and raising forces. They say, “We ask but for peace, +liberty and safety. We wish not a diminution of the prerogative, +nor do we solicit the grant of any new right in our favor. Your +royal authority over us, and our connection with Great-Britain, +we shall always carefully and zealously endeavor to support and +maintain.”—“We present this petition only to obtain redress +of grievances and relief from fears and jealousies, occasioned by +the system of statutes and regulations adopted since the close of +the late war, by the abolition of which system, the harmony between +Great-Britain and these colonies, will be immediately restored. +In the magnanimity and justice of your majesty and +parliament we confide for a redress of our other grievances, trusting, +that when the causes of our apprehensions are removed, our +future conduct will prove us not unworthy of the regard, we +have been accustomed in our happier days to enjoy. For, appealing +to that Being who searches thoroughly the hearts of his +creatures, we solemnly profess, that our councils have been influenced +by no other motive, than a dread of impending destruction.” +They implore his majesty in the most solemn manner, +as the loving father of his people, connected by the same bands +of law, loyalty, faith and blood, not to suffer the transcendant +relation, formed by these ties to be further violated, in uncertain +expectation of effects, that if attained, can never compensate +for the calamities through which they must be gained. They +most earnestly beseech him, that his royal authority and interposition +may be used for their relief; and that a gracious answer +may be given to their petition. The close is a prayer, that +his majesty may enjoy every felicity through a long and glorious +reign, and that his descendants may inherit his prosperity and +dominions till time shall be no more.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The congress, a week after resolving upon the association, an +address to the people of Great-Britain, a memorial to the inhabitants +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLXIII'>CCLXIII</span>of the colonies, and an address to his majesty, further resolved, +“That an address be prepared to the people of Quebec, +and letters to the colonies of St. John’s, Nova-Scotia, Georgia, +East and West Florida, who have not deputies to represent them +in this congress.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>Their address to the French inhabitants in Canada, discovers +the most dexterous management, and the most able method of +application to the temper and passions of the parties, whom they +endeavor to gain. They state the right they had, upon becoming +English subjects, to the inestimable benefits of the English +constitution; and that this right was further confirmed by the +royal proclamation in 1763, plighting the public faith for their +full enjoyment of those advantages. They impute to succeeding +ministers an audacious and cruel abuse of the royal authority, in +withholding from them the fruition of the irrevocable rights, to +which they were thus justly entitled. They undertake to explain +to them, some of the most important branches of that form of +government from which they are debarred; and in so doing, +quote passages from their countryman Montesquieu, whom they +artfully adopt as a judge and an irrefragable authority upon this +occasion. They then proceed to specify and explain, under several +distinct heads, the principal rights to which the people are +entitled by the English constitution; and these rights they truly +say, defend the poor from the rich, the weak from the powerful, +the industrious from the rapacious, the peaceable from the +violent, the tenants from the lords, and all from their superiors.</p> + +<p class='c007'>They attempt pointing out numberless deformities in the Quebec +bill, and placing them in those points of view which should +render it odious to mankind. They renew their applications to +the passions and partiality of the Canadians; and at length introduce +Montesquieu as addressing them thus: “Seize the opportunity +presented to you by Providence itself. You are a small +people compared with those who with open arms invite you into +a fellowship. A moment’s reflection should convince you, +which will be most for your interest and happiness, to have all +the rest of North-America your unalterable friends, or your inveterate +enemies. Your province is the only link wanting to +complete the bright and strong chain of union. Nature has +joined your country to theirs. Do you join your political interests. +The value and extent of the advantages tendered to you +are immense. Heaven grant that you may discover them to be +blessings after they have bid you an eternal adieu.” They endeavor +to obviate the jealousies and prejudices which might arise +from the difference of their religious principles, by instancing +the case of the Swiss Cantons, whose union is composed of Roman +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLXIV'>CCLXIV</span>Catholic and Protestant states, living in the utmost concord +and peace with one another, and thereby enabled to defy and +defeat every tyrant that had invaded them. The congress, upon +this article, appear to have winked out of sight their complaint +about eatablishing the Roman Catholic religion in Quebec, and +to expect that it would be unknown to the Canadians, or give +them no umbrage. They declare, that they do not ask them to +commence hostilities against the government of their common +sovereign, but only invite them to consult their own glory and +welfare, and to unite with them in no social compact. They +conclude by informing them, that the congress had, with universal +pleasure, and an unanimous vote, resolved, That they +should consider the violation of their rights, by the act for altering +the government of their province, as a violation of their +own; and that they, should be invited to accede to their confederation.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Before this address was perfected and signed, congress resolved, +[Oct. 21.] “That the seizing, or attempting to seize any +person in America, in order to transport such person beyond the +sea, for trial of offences committed in America, being against +law, will justify and ought to meet with resistance and reprisal.” +They have also agreed, that another congress shall be held on +the tenth day of May next, unless the redress of grievances be +obtained before that time.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The general congress having finished their deliberations, dissolved +themselves [Oct. 26.] The impartial world will go near +to acknowledge, that the petitions and addresses from the congress +have been executed with uncommon energy, skill, and ability; +and that abstractedly considered, in respect to vigor of +mind, strength of sentiment, and patriotic language, they would +not disgrace any assembly whatsoever. The studied attention +that congress have paid to the Massachusetts Bay and its distressed +capital, will both console and invigorate the inhabitants. Many, +however, of the congressional acts were neither carried unanimously, +nor without much debate. Mr. Galloway, of Pennsylvania, +and Mr. Duane, of New-York, inclined to the side of +ministry. The former became a member at the earnest solicitation +of the assembly, and refused compliance till they had given +him instructions agreeable to his own mind, as the rule of his +conduct. These instructions they suffered him to draw up: they +were briefly to state the rights and the grievances of America, +and to propose a plan of amicable accommodation of the differences +between Great-Britain and the colonies, and of a perpetual +union. September the twenty-eighth a plan was proposed +by him, which was debated a whole day, when the question was +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLXV'>CCLXV</span>carried, six colonies to five, that it should be resumed and further +considered; but it at length fell through. The ten resolutions +which the congress came to in their declaration, expressing their +indubitable rights and liberties, met with very considerable opposition. +Mr. Duane, and others who drew with him, perplexed +the proposals made by the high sons of liberty, so that the +congress did not come to a single resolution for more than a +fortnight, neither in stating their rights nor their grievances.—When +six days before that declaration, on October the eighth, +the resolution was passed, “That the congress approve the opposition +of the inhabitants of the Massachusetts Bay to the execution +of the late acts; and if the same shall be attempted, &c.” +Galloway and Duane not only opposed, but wanted to have +their protests entered; which being refused, on their return +from congress they gave each other a certificate, declaring their +opposition to that question, as they thought it a treasonable +one.<a id='r112'></a><a href='#f112' class='c013'><sup>[112]</sup></a> In some stages of their proceedings, the danger of a +rupture with Britain was urged as a plea for certain concessions. +Upon this Mr. S. Adams rose up, and among other things said, +in substance, “I should advise persisting in our struggle for liberty, +though it was revealed from Heaven that 999 were to +perish, and only one of a thousand to survive and retain his liberty. +One such freeman must possess more virtue, and enjoy +more happiness than a thousand slaves; and let him propagate +his like, and transmit to them what he hath so nobly preserved.” +It was a flight of patriotism, serving to show the temper of the +speaker; but the sentiment is so hyperbolical, as to throw it +far beyond the reach of practice. Mr. S. Adams having seen +an happy issue to the important deliberations of the general congress, +after his return repaired to the Massachusetts provincial +congress, to aid in their deliberations.</p> + +<p class='c007'>General Gage, by the advice of his new council, issued writs +for the holding of a general assembly at Salem, on the 5th of October. +The events which afterward took place made him think +it expedient to counteract the writs, by a proclamation for suspending +the meeting of the members returned. But the legality +of the proclamation was called into question; and the new members, +to the number of 90, met according to the precepts, on +the day and at the place appointed. Having waited that day, +[Oct. 5.] without the presence of the governor, or any substitute +for him, to administer the oaths and open the session, on +the next day they appointed a committee to consider the proclamation; +and on the third, resolved themselves into a provincial +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLXVI'>CCLXVI</span>congress, to be joined by such others as have been or shall be +chosen, to take into consideration the dangerous and alarming +situation of public affairs. The following day they met in provincial +congress, and adjourned to Concord, about 20 miles from +Charlestown, and when there, chose Mr. Hancock president. +They proceeded to appoint a committee to wait upon the governor +with a remonstrance, in which they apologize for their +meeting, from the distressed state of the colony; express the +grievous apprehensions of the people; assert that the rigor of the +Boston port-bill is exceeded by the manner in which it is carried +into execution; and complain of the late laws, and the hostile +preparations on Boston Neck. They conclude with adjuring him +to desist immediately from the construction of the fortress at the +entrance into Boston, and to restore that pass to its natural state. +The governor was involved in some difficulty as to giving them +an answer, for he could not acknowledge the legality of their +assembly. Necessity however prevailed. He expressed great +indignation at the idea’s being formed, that the lives, liberties, +or property of any people, except avowed enemies, could be in +danger from English troops; and observed, that notwithstanding +the enmity shown to the troops, by withholding from them +almost every thing necessary for their preservation, they had +not yet discovered the resentment which might justly have been +expected to arise from such hostile treatment. He reminded +them, that while they complained of alterations made in their +charter by acts of parliament, they were themselves, by their +present assembling, subverting that charter, and now acting in +direct violation of their own constitution; he therefore warned +them of the rocks they were upon, and to desist from such illegal +and unconstitutional proceedings. But they were not in +the least diverted from prosecuting their measures. They adjourned +to and met at Cambridge [Oct. 17.]</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Oct. 21.] A committee was appointed to draw up a plan for +the immediate defence of the province. It was concluded to +raise and enlist a number of minute-men, now for the first time +so called, from their being to turn out with their arms, at a minute’s +warning. Upon the debate for raising money to purchace +military articles, a thousand pounds lawful (a fourth less +than sterling) was moved for and seconded; then two thousand. +The country members, in common, had no conception of the expences +attending warlike operations; and were dreadfully afraid +of voting away their own and their constituents money, however +necessary the expenditure of it. They are generally persons of +good understanding in matters within their own sphere, but are +not competent judges of those that lie without it; and being accustomed +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLXVII'>CCLXVII</span>only to small sums, startle at the mention of those +which to them have the comparative appearance of enormously +large; and yet it is needful to humor their want of scientific +knowledge, to prevent disgust and obtain their support. Of this +the more intelligent members of the assembly were sensible—Therefore +the debate was closed by appointing a committee to +give in an estimate of the articles wanted, together with their +cost; this being done, the committee of safety were empowered +to assemble the militia, when they shall judge the same necessary +for the defence of the inhabitants of the province; and +the committee of supplies to purchase ammunition, ordnance, +stores, &c. not exceeding the value of £.20,837 lawful, or +£.15,627, 15s. sterling—a glorious sum with which to oppose the +power and riches of Great-Britain! The committee of safety +and the committee of supplies, consist of different persons, and +are intended for different purposes. The first, beside being empowered +to assemble the militia, are invested with other authority +for the safety of the province, and are to recommend to the +committee of supplies the purchasing of such articles as may be +deemed necessary. The last are to assist the committee of safety +not only by purchasing supplies, but by affording them help for +executing the measures which may be thought by them requisite +for the public benefit. Both are to sit and to continue to do +business when there is a recess of the provincial congress, as also +when none existeth. It is resolved [Oct. 25.] That all matters +shall be kept private; but in such a numerous assembly it is next +to impossible to effect it. Were all equally true to the same +cause, each will not have the like power of retaining a secret.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[October 27.] The honorable Jedediah Pribble, the honorable +Artemas Ward, and colonel Pomeroy, all of whom have +seen some service in the last war, were elected general officers, +to have the command of the minute-men and militia, in case +they should be called out to action.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[October 29.] The provincial congress adjourned to November +23.</p> + +<p class='c007'>As winter approached, the governor ordered temporary barracks +to be erected for the troops. But such was the dislike to +their being provided for in any manner, that the select men and +committees obliged the workmen of the town to quit their employment, +for fear of subjecting themselves to the resentment of +their countrymen. The governor had as little success in endeavoring +to procure carpenters from New-York; so that it has +been with the greatest difficulty that he has gotten those temporary +lodgments erected. He has endeavored also to procure +some winter covering from that city; but the merchants have +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLXVIII'>CCLXVIII</span>refused complying with any part of the order, and returned for +answer, “They never will supply any article for the benefit of +men who are sent as enemies to their country.” The general +had thoughts at one time, of erecting a fort upon Beacon-hill. +The Boston committee obtained the plan of it, waited upon him, +and informed him that they heard he had such a design, and +that if he proceeded to execute it, he would get himself into +difficulties. He would not own that he had any such intention, +but attempted rather to make them believe the contrary; on +which they produced the plan, and told him it was the same +that was presented to him the night before.</p> + +<p class='c007'>On the other hand, the Massachusetts committee of safety; +were not inattentive to their duty. They recommended to the +committee of supplies [Nov. 2, 8, 14, 20.] the procuring of +pork, flour, rice, and peas, and the depositing of the same partly +at Worcester and partly at Concord. They further advised +the procuring of all arms and ammunition that could be got from +the neighboring provinces; and of spades, pick-axes, bill-hooks, +iron shovels and pots, mess-bowls, cannon, ball, &c. &c.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Every thing now served to increase the mutual apprehension +and animosity between the government and the people. Those +of Boston professed to be under no small terror, from an apprehension +of danger to their property, liberties, and lives. The +soldiers, on the other hand, considered themselves in the midst +of enemies. Each side made profession of the best intentions +in the world for its own part, and showed the greatest suspicion +of the other. In this state of doubt and profession, matters +were made still worse by a measure which seems not of sufficient +importance in its consequences, to justify its having been +hazarded at so critical a season. This was the landing of a detachment +of sailors by night, from the ships of war in the harbour, +who spiked up all the cannon upon one of the batteries +belonging to the town.</p> + +<p class='c007'>In the mean time, through the disposition and promptitude +of the people, the resolutions and recommendations of the provincial +congress, had all the weight and efficacy of laws. At +length the governor was induced to issue a proclamation [Nov. +10.] in which they were charged with proceedings generally +understood as nearly tantamount to treason and rebellion. The +inhabitants were accordingly prohibited in the king’s name, from +complying in any degree with the requisitions, recommendations, +directions, or resolves of that unlawful assembly.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Nov. 23.] When the provincial congress met again, having +Mr. Samuel Adams present with them, they pushed their +preparations for hostile opposition. These exertions suited not +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLXIX'>CCLXIX</span>the feelings of many in congress. Through timidity they began +to sicken at heart, and upon the plea of sickness begged +leave to return home, and were indulged. Mr. S. Adams penetrated +the cause of their complaint; and in order to stop the +epidemical distemper, expressed his great willingness, that +when members were not well, they should be allowed to return, +but proposed that they should be enjoined, upon getting back, +to inform the towns that they were no longer represented, that +so others might be sent to supply their absence. The proposal +soon cured the malady; for the disordered chose to remain in +congress rather than incur the displeasure of their constituents, +and be supplanted by new successors.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The provincial congress resolved upon getting in readiness +12,000 men, to act upon any emergency; and directed that a +quarter of the militia should be enlisted as minute-men, who +were allowed the liberty of choosing their own officers, and were +to receive pay. They sent persons to New-Hampshire, Rhode-Island, +and Connecticut, to acquaint them with what was doing, +and to request that they would prepare their respective quotas +to make up an army of 20,000 men when wanted. Upon this a +number of gentlemen were sent from these colonies, to consult +and settle with a committee of about twenty, chosen by the +congress for the purpose. There was a difficulty about fixing +what should be the precise period for opposing general Gage’s +troops; at length it was determined, that they should be opposed +whenever they marched out with their baggage, ammunition, +and artillery; for this would carry in it an apparent intention +of acting hostilely in support of British measures.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Dec. 6.] A committee was appointed to correspond with +the inhabitants of Canada; and it was resolved, that the following +letter be addressed to the several ministers of the gospel, +within this province:</p> + +<p class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>Rev. Sir</span>,</p> + +<p class='c007'>We cannot but acknowledge the goodness of Heaven, in +constantly supplying us with preachers of the gospel, whose concern +has been the temporal and spiritual happiness of this people. +In a day like this, when all the friends of civil and religious +liberty are exerting themselves to deliver this country from +its present calamities, we cannot but place great hopes in an order +of men who have ever distinguished themselves in their +country’s cause; and do therefore recommend to the ministers +of the gospel, in the several towns and other places in this colony, +that they assist us in avoiding that dreadful slavery with +which we are now threatened.”</p> + +<p class='c014'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLXX'>CCLXX</span>The ministers of New-England being mostly congregationalists, +are from that circumstance, in a professional way, more attached +and habituated to the principles of liberty than if they had spiritual +superiors to lord it over them, and were in hopes of possessing +in their turn, through the gift of government, the seat of power. +They oppose arbitrary rule in civil concerns, from the love of +freedom, as well as from a desire of guarding against its introduction +into religious matters. The patriots, for years back have +availed themselves greatly of their assistance. Two sermons have +been preached annually for a length of time, the one on general +election day, the last Wednesday in May, when the new general +court have been used to meet, according to charter, and +elect the counsellors for the ensuing year; the other some little +while after, on the artillery election day, when the officers are reelected, +or new officers are chosen. On these occasions political +subjects are deemed very proper; but it is expected that they +be treated in a decent, serious, and instructive manner. The +general election preacher has been elected alternately by the +council and house of assembly. The sermon is stiled <em>the Election +Sermon</em>, and is printed. Every representative has a copy +for himself, and generally one or more for the minister or ministers +of his town. As the patriots have prevailed, the preachers +of each sermon have been the zealous friends of liberty; +and the passages most adapted to promote and spread the love +of it, have been selected, and circulated far and wide by means +of news-papers, and read with avidity and degree of veneration, +on account of the preacher and his election to the service of +the day. Commendations, both public and private, have not +been wanting to help on the design. Thus by their labors in +the pulpit, and by furnishing the prints with occasional essays, +the ministers have forwarded and strengthened, and that not a +little, the opposition to the exercise of that parliamentary claim +of right to bind the colonies in all cases whatever.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The clergy of this colony are as virtuous, sensible, and learned +a set of men, as will probably be found in any part of the globe +of equal size and equally populous. The first settlers were early +attentive to the providing of suitable persons to fill their pulpits +with dignity. They saw the importance of it, and in 1636 the +general court gave some hundred pounds toward a public school +at Newton; but Mr. John Harvard, a worthy minister of +Charlestown, dying in 1638, and bequeathing between seven +and eight hundred pounds to the same use, the school took the +name of Harvard College by an order of court, and the town +upon the occasion changed its name for that of Cambridge.—This +college has been encouraged ever since, and is the first upon +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLXXI'>CCLXXI</span>the continent. It is the <em>alma mater</em> to whom the youth of +this colony in particular, are sent, whether designed for the pulpit, +the bar, or other callings. Here they receive the rudiments +of those qualifications by which they are enabled to serve their +country in a civil or sacred department. The salaries of the +ministers are moderate, but in general sufficient for their support, +by the aid of good œconomy. They cannot approve of +often bringing politics into the pulpit, yet they apprehend it to be +right upon special occasions. Who but must admit, that “it is +certainly the duty of the clergy to accommodate their discourses +to the times; to preach against such sins as are most prevalent, +and to recommend such virtues as are most wanted. For example, +if exorbitant ambition and venality are predominant, +ought they not to warn their hearers against the vices? If public +spirit is much wanted, should they not inculcate this great virtue? +If the rights and duties of magistrates and subjects are disputed, +should they not explain them, show their nature, ends, +limitations, and restrictions?” You have frequently remarked, +that though the partizans of arbitrary power will freely censure +that preacher who speaks boldly for the liberties of the people, +they will admire as an excellent divine, the parson whose discourse +is wholly in the opposite strain, and teaches that magistrates +have a divine right for doing wrong, and are to be implicitly +obeyed; men professing christianity, as if the religion of +the blessed Jesus bound them tamely to part with their natural +and social rights, and slavishly to bow their neck to any tyrant; +as if Paul was faulty in standing up for his Roman privileges, +that he might escape a scourging, or falling a sacrifice to the +malice of his countrymen, when he appealed unto Cæsar.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Dec. 8.] The provincial congress choose colonel Thomas +and colonel Heath, additional generals, and soon after dissolved +themselves, that they might be at home in time to keep thanksgiving +with their families. It has been long a custom in the colony +to have a fast day in the spring, and a thanksgiving late in +the fall of the year, or in the beginning of winter, when the +heads of families collect their children around them; and beside +attending the religious exercises of the day, feast upon a +plentiful though not a splendid table, and are innocently merry. +The observation of this day they call “<em>a keeping thanksgiving</em>.” +The appointment of both days, belongs in an orderly way, to +the governor; but in these extraordinary times the provincial +congress appointed the public thansgiving, on which among +other enumerated blessings, a particular acknowledgment was +to be made to the Almighty, for the union which so remarkably +prevails in all the colonies.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLXXII'>CCLXXII</span>The assembly of Pennsylvania met toward the close of the year, +and were the first legal body of representatives that ritified unanimously +all the acts of the general congress, and appointed delegates +to represent them in the new congress, to be held the ensuing +May. It is thought that they were in a great measure +dragged into it, from the fear of a provincial convention.</p> + +<p class='c007'>No sooner did they receive at Rhode-Island the account of +the royal proclamation, prohibiting the exportation of military +stores from Britain, but the people seized upon and removed +from the batteries about the harbour, above forty cannon, of +different sizes. The assembly also passed resolutions for procuring +arms and military stores by every mean, and from every +quarter in which they could be obtained, as well as for training +and arming the inhabitants.</p> + +<p class='c007'>When copies of these resolutions and of the proclamation, arrived +at Portsmouth, in New-Hampshire, the people of the province +were spirited up to make their first hostile movement. +Though governor Wentworth’s influence could not prevent their +appointing deputies, holding a convention at Exeter, and choosing +delegates for the continental congress, yet he had the address +to moderate their tempers, and to keep them from acts of +violence. But the example of their neighbors, and the alarming +situation of affairs, at length roused them to uncommon exertions. +[Dec. 14.] More than four hundred men collected, +and beset his majesty’s castle at Portsmouth. Captain Cochran, +who commanded, ordered three four pounders to be fired on +them, and then the small arms; before he could be ready to +fire again, the fort was stormed on all quarters, and the assailants +immediately secured both him and his men, and kept +them prisoners about an hour and a half, during which they +broke open the powder-house, took all the powder away, except +one barrel, and having put it in boats and sent it off, released +him from his confinement.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The hardy inhabitants of Marblehead, used to all the toils +and dangers of a sea-faring life, being out of employ, have attended +to military exercise for hours, three days in a week, and +will soon constitute a fine regiment of soldiers. The gentlemen +of the place have encouraged them by their own example, +and made it profitable to them. Something similar has been +practised at Salem and other towns. The militia of the colony +will, therefore, acquire some knowledge of arms before they +are called to engage in actual service, should that unhappily be +the issue of present measures.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The Virginia militia officers, under the command of lord Dunmore, +convened at Fort Gower, on November the fifth, have +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLXXIII'>CCLXXIII</span>shown what may be expected from them; for though they resolved +to bear the most faithful allegiance to his majesty, they +declared that the love of liberty and attachment to the real interests +and just rights of America, outweighed every other consideration, +and that they would exert every power within them +for the defence of American liberty, when regularly called +forth by the unanimous voice of their countrymen.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Barnstable, in New-England, and Ridgefield, in Connecticut, +have distinguished themselves in adopting measures different +from the other towns in their respective colonies. But the New-York +representatives have given the greatest disgust. After the +assembly’s taking into consideration the regulations agreed upon +at the grand congress, respecting commerce, they rejected +the same. This however was thought to be compensated for, +by the late resolution of the Pennsylvania convention [Jan. 23, +1775.] wherein they have declared, “That if the petition of +the continental congress should be disregarded, and the British +administration should determine by force to effect a submission +to the late arbitrary acts of the British parliament; in such a +situation, we hold it our indispensable duty to resist such force, +and at every hazard to defend the rights and liberties of America.” +The convention likewise recommended in particular the +making of salt, gun-powder, salt-petre, and steel. Among the +many sons of liberty of which they were composed, Mr. Charles +Thomson was eminent for inflexible spirit; but Mr. Thomas +Mifflin was as the very soul of the capital and province. Such +are his natural and acquired accomplishments, his unwearied +exertions, his zeal, his address, his sprightliness, that he enlightens +and invigorates every thing around him.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The inhabitants of Maryland were no less zealous on the present +critical occasion, than those of the most active provinces. +They were all in motion, forming county meetings, entering into +associations, choosing committees, and recommending measures +for carrying the resolutions of the continental congress into +effectual execution. The convention has appointed a sum of money +for the purchase of arms and ammunition. Every person +who refuses to contribute to the purchase, is deemed an enemy +to his country. Many of the principal gentlemen are ambitious +of appearing in arms to defend its liberties. They have taken +the power of the militia out of the hands of the governor, and +established it by their own authority, for the defence of the +Massachusetts as well as of themselves; and thus have shown +to all the world, their approbation of New-England measures. +The lower counties of the Delaware have acted in like manner.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLXXIV'>CCLXXIV</span>[Jan. 27.] The New-Hampshire assembly, in answer to a +letter from Maryland, has gone further than ever before, in +saying, “You may depend upon the ready concurrence of this +house, with the measures thought necessary to be pursued by +the other colonies in the great cause of liberty.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>But the province did not trust to the complection of the assembly. +A convention of deputies was appointed by the several +towns, and held at Exeter, when the proceedings of the +continental congress were unanimously approved; and members +chosen to represent them at the ensuing one, two days before +the assembly gave their answer.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Most of the New-Yorkers accommodate themselves to the +measures appointed by the general congress.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The general committee in Charleston, South-Carolina, upon +receiving an account of these measures, immediately convened +a provincial congress, and procured a return of representatives +from every parish and district in the colony, by which mean +the body consisted of more than two hundred, while the constitutional +assembly amounts to no more than forty-nine. The +increase of the representatives naturally served the cause of +the country, by engaging a greater number of leaders in support +of it. This first provincial congress met on the eleventh +of January; they have unanimously approved the proceedings +of the general congress, and resolved to carry them into execution. +Committees of inspection and observation have also been +appointed, whose business it is to see that the public resolutions +are universally obeyed, that so they may not be broken through +the selfishness of individuals. This is the prevailing mode of +guarding against such selfishness in every colony.</p> + +<p class='c007'>From the former success of non-importation agreements, and +a belief that the trade of America is indispensably necessary to +Britain, it is generally hoped and expected in the southern states, +that the obnoxious acts will be repealed. They have no idea of +an appeal to the sword, notwithstanding all the military parade +that exists. A bloodless self-denying opposition is the whole of +their real intention, and all the sacrifice that they imagine will +be required. Similar sentiments prevail among great numbers +in the Massachusetts; who, while they are preparing for war, +expect that present appearances will never terminate in it; for +that Great-Britain will not fight with her best customers, but +will relax and accommodate when they find the Americans absolutely +determined to use their arms rather than submit.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Persons who discover great anxiety about the continuance of +trade, are considered as selfish, preferring private interest to the +good of the country; and under this thought, the intemperate +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLXXV'>CCLXXV</span>zeal of the populace in some places, transports them beyond +the limits of moderation, to apply singular punishments to individuals +who counteract the general sense of the community.</p> + +<p class='c007'>There is however to appearance an amazing agreement through +the continent; and it may be imagined, that the inhabitants of +the twelve colonies have but one heart, and but one understanding. +Assemblies, conventions, congresses, towns, cities, private +clubs and circles, are seemingly animated by one great, +wise, active, and noble spirit—one masterly soul, enlivening +one vigorous body. All their acts tend to the same point, the +supporting of the measures of the continental congress. But be +assured there are great numbers in every colony, who disapprove +of these measures—a few comparatively, from principle +and a persuasion that the same are wrong, and that they ought +to submit to the mother country—some through attachment to +the late governmental authority exercised among them—many +from self-interest—but the bulk for fear of the mischievous consequences +likely to follow. The professing friends of liberty +have acted in a spirited manner, while the others have lain still. +Such as have discovered a disposition to oppose popular measures, +have not been supported, and therefore have declined +making further efforts, and absented themselves from town and +other meetings. The popular cry being against them, they have +sought personal peace and safety in remaining quiet. But could +the truth be ascertained, it would probably be discovered, that +in most of the town and other meetings, even in New-England, +far more than half the parties having a right to attend, from various +causes were absent; and that there were a great many +among the absentees, who were such, because they knew that +matters would be carried at such meetings contrary to their own +sentiments. Not only so, but it may be reasonably supposed, +and time may prove, that several in assemblies, conventions, and +congresses, voted against their own opinion, to secure themselves +from resentment, and to promote their present interest.</p> + +<p class='c007'>An inclination has appeared in several of the governmental +gentlemen now in Boston, to attempt opening the court at Worcester, +and to support it by the aid of two regiments. It has +been the subject of conversation. When the proposal of marching +them came to be considered in council, it was laid aside. +The governor was well pleased with the determination. He +certainly does not wish to bring on a rupture.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Now let me conclude with giving you a picture of the Massachusetts +colony, which you will be inclined to pronounce an uncommon +and astonishing curiosity. Some hundred thousand +people are in a state of nature, and yet as still and peaceable at +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLXXVI'>CCLXXVI</span>present, as ever they were when government was in full vigor. +We have neither legislators, nor magistrates, nor executive officers. +We have no officers but military ones; of these we have +a multitude, chosen by the people, and exercising them with +more authority and spirit than ever any did who had commissions +from a governor. The inhabitants are determined never to submit +to the act destroying their charter, and are every where devoting +themselves to arms. To force upon them a form of government +to which they are absolutely averse, may not be within +the omnipotence of a British parliament. The attempt has produced +a suspension of all legal authority, and yet individuals enjoy +the same security as before, even when they differ from the +public sentiment, have they the prudence to moderate their +tempers and observe a neutrality. By accommodating themselves +so far to the times, they are safe at home and abroad.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The fortitude with which the town of Boston supports its +present distresses, and the determination it discovers to endure as +much as human nature can, rather than betray the American +cause, and endanger the liberties of posterity, will secure it the +encomiums of future generations. Not a town or city in all the +colonies, would have been likely to have exhibited so glorious a +spectacle, had it been called out to a similar trial; and all the +friends of American liberty through the continent, may congratulate +themselves that the storm of ministerial vengeance has +fallen first upon the capital of the Massachusetts, as in consequence +of it they have enjoyed the opportunity of providing +against the worst that may be attempted, in order to reduce +them to subjection.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 class='c005'>LETTER XI.</h2> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-r c002'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><em>London, March 3, 1775.</em></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c012'>A strange supineness prevailed for some time after my last +was closed, among the great body of the English nation; +and the colony contests were little regarded. Numbers flattered +themselves, that as things had formerly so often appeared at the +verge of a rupture, without actually arriving at it, some means +would be found for accommodating the present dispute. The +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLXXVII'>CCLXXVII</span>opinion also was circulated, that a continuance of resolution persisted +in, would certainly put an end to the contest, which (it +was said) had been nourished wholly by former concessions; +people in general were therefore inclined to trust the trial of perseverance +and resolution to a ministry who valued themselves upon +these qualities. The times have been highly favorable to any +purpose which only required the concurrence of the parliament +and the acquiescence of the public. Administration has taken +advantage of these circumstances [Sept. 30, 1774.] and the late +parliament has been dissolved a twelvemonth before the expected +time. This may be meant as a preparatory step to the most +coercive measures with America; but in a new house of commons, +ministry will be left at large, to choose or alter their line +of conduct as incidents may vary, and if necessary can throw +all the odium of the late laws upon the former parliament.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Nov. 30.] His majesty in his speech informed the new one, +that a most daring spirit of disobedience to the law, still unhappily +prevailed in the Massachusetts, and had broken forth in +fresh violences of a criminal nature; that these proceedings had +been encouraged in other colonies, and unwarrantable attempts +been made to obstruct the commerce of the kingdom, by unlawful +combinations; that such measures had been taken, and +such orders given, as were judged most proper for carrying the +laws into execution; and that they might depend upon a firm +resolution to withstand every attempt to weaken the supreme +authority of the legislature over all the dominions of the crown, +his majesty being assured of receiving their support while acting +upon these principles.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The proposed address in the house of commons, produced a +considerable debate; and the minister was reminded of the +mighty effects he had predicted from the late acts against America—They +were to humble that whole continent in the dust, +without further trouble, and the punishment of Boston was to +strike an universal panic on all the colonies; that refractory town +would be totally abandoned, and instead of obtaining relief, a +dread of the same fate would even prevent the appearances of +pity. But the address was carried, without any amendment, by +a majority of more than three to one.</p> + +<p class='c007'>That from the house of lords was couched in strong terms, +and was warmly debated. It was rendered memorable by a protest, +thought to be the first upon an address, and which was very +pointed; it concluded with the following remarkable declaration: +“But whatever may be the mischievous designs, or the inconsiderate +temerity which leads others to this desperate course, +we wish to be known as persons who have disapproved of measures +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLXXVIII'>CCLXXVIII</span>so injurious in their past effects and their future tendency, +and who are not in haste, without enquiry or information, to +commit ourselves in declarations which may precipitate our +country into all the calamities of a civil war.”<a id='r113'></a><a href='#f113' class='c013'><sup>[113]</sup></a> The address +was carried by a majority of 63 to 13.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Notwithstanding the hostile tone of the speech, and the great +majority that supported the addresses, there appeared an irresolution +on the side of ministry; and previous to the Christmas recess +they seemed evidently to shrink from all contest upon American +subjects. The national estimates were entirely formed upon +a peace establishment; and the minister of the naval department +publicly asserted in the house of lords, that he knew it would +be fully sufficient for reducing the colonies to obedience. He +spoke with the greatest contempt both of the power and courage +of the Americans; and held that they were not disciplined, nor +capable of discipline, and that formed of such materials, and +so indisposed to action, the numbers, of which such boasts had +been made, would only add to the facility of their defeat.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The establishment will indeed be fully sufficient, if the ministry +mean to employ the navy only, and to recal the military. +Ships may effect that with little hazard and expence, which if +once attempted by soldiers, may plunge the nation into enormous +disbursements, and yet not be accomplished. A few ships +of the line stationed singly near the capital ports of the colonies, +and a number of frigates employed as cruisers to stop the Americans +from sending any vessels to sea; and this measure continued, +would at length weary out the inhabitants of the towns +and cities upon the sea-coast of the continent, and induce one +or other of them to submit; and if but one link of the chain +give way, the whole would soon come to the ground; and were +the sea-ports once brought to adjust the present dispute with +administration, the towns in the back country might be gradually +inclined to the same, whatever may be their present apprehensions. +The proper application of the navy to the American +contest, would also exclude all foreign interference.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The congressional proceedings were received before the Christmas +recess, and ministry were disposed to retract their violent +measures and to redress American grievances. To this end, application +was made, under the auspices of the minister, to the body +of the American merchants, desiring them to frame petitions for +the redress of American grievances and the restoration of American +rights, and promising compliance with them, as it was +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLXXIX'>CCLXXIX</span>most agreeable to the ministry to repeal the obnoxious acts, +seemingly in consequence of petitions at home. While this +was in agitation, letters were received from New-York, assuring +that the assembly would reject the proceedings of the +general congress, and that there would be a separation of that +colony from the rest. Fresh hopes were conceived from the +prospect of a division, upon which ministry reverted to measures +more adapted to their own inclination.<a id='r114'></a><a href='#f114' class='c013'><sup>[114]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>But during the recess, persons began to consider the consequences +which might follow the congressional proceedings, and +a general alarm was spread. This produced several meetings +of the North-American merchants in London and Bristol; and +petitions to parliament were prepared and agreed upon in both +places. But the times were so altered from what they were formerly, +that no mercantile opposition could prove efficacious by +endangering the continuance of the ministry.</p> + +<p class='c007'>On the first day of the meeting after the recess, the nobleman +at the head of the American affairs, laid the papers belonging +to his department before the lords, on which lord Chatham +rose, and expressed his utmost dissent and disapprobation of +the whole system of American measures.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Being in possession at present of your friend Mr. Quincy’s +journal, wherein he gives a particular account of his lordship’s +speech, of the copies of several letters sent by himself to America, +and of other matters, permit me to transcribe from the +same, and give you the thoughts and expressions of Mr. Quincy, +with the dates.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Nov. 11, 1774.] Viewed Plymouth docks. My ideas of the +riches and powers of this great nation are increased to a degree +I should not have believed if it had been predicted to me. I +am not in any measure reconciled to the British plan of taxing +America, but I should with cheerfulness accede to a contribution +from the colonies (they being the sole judges of the time +and quantity of their grants) toward the charges of the British +government.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Nov. 18.] This morning J. Williams, esq. informed me, +that governor Hutchinson had repeatedly assured the ministry, +that a union of the colonies was utterly impracticable; that the +people were greatly divided among themselves in every colony; +and that there could be no doubt but that all America would +submit; that they must, and would soon. Several of the nobility +and ministry assured Dr. Franklin of the same facts.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLXXX'>CCLXXX</span>[Nov. 19.] Lord N—— repeatedly said to me, “We must +try what we can do to support the authority we have claimed +over America; if we are defective in power, we must sit down +contented, and make the best terms we can; and nobody then can +blame us after we have done our utmost; but till we have tried +what we can do, we can never be justified in receding; and we +ought to, and shall be very careful not to judge a thing impossible +because it may be difficult; nay, we ought to try what we +can effect, before we can determine upon its impracticability.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Nov. 24.] To ——. “The following language hath been +reiterated to me in various companies,”—“We are afraid of nothing +but your division and your want of perseverance. Unite +and persevere—you must prevail—you must triumph.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>“From parliament expect no favor but what proceeds from +fear. Depend not upon commercial plans for your safety.—Dr. +Franklin is an American in heart and soul. His ideas are +not contracted within the narrow limits of exemption from taxes, +but are extended upon the broad scale of total emancipation.—He +is explicit and bold upon the subject.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Nov. 26.] Governor P—— assured me, that all the measures +agains America were planned and pushed on by Bernard +and Hutchinson. They were incessant in their applications to +administration, and gave the most positive assurances of success.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Dec. 6.] Mr. commissioner M—— waited on me. In +the course of conversation he said, “You can have no idea of +the taxes of this kingdom, and the distress of our poor. They +are extreme poor and wretched indeed—every thing here is +taxed to the utmost. The colonies must relieve us; they must +ease us of our taxes, &c.” He also affirmed to me, that governors +Bernard and Hutchinson were principally attended to in +the late measures against the colonies. But he added, that government +had found many things had turned out different from +Hutchinson’s representation, and had not been at all conformable +to what he foretold.</p> + +<p class='c007'>To ——. “My whole time is employed in endeavoring +to serve my country. I find every body eager to hear, most +people willing to be set right, and almost all grossly ignorant of +the American world. It is agreed on all hands, that your courage—your +courage, I repeat it—will be brought to the test.—Should +it prove answerable to your ostentations, and worthy of +your ancestors, your friends will amazingly increase—your +hearty friends will be in raptures. Prepare—prepare I say, for +the worst.</p> + +<p class='c007'>“Many of your friends here, in both houses, will not take a +decisive part till they see how you act in America. For should +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLXXXI'>CCLXXXI</span>they take a determined part now in favor of that country, and +in a short time America give back, their hopes of rise into power +and office (which are the hopes of all British statesmen) +would be for ever at an end. Therefore, till the colonists discover +that union and spirit, which all parties here agree must +force success, you are not to expect any great exertions in your +favor. But when once there is a conviction that the Americans +are in earnest, that they are resolved to endure all hazards with +a spirit worthy the prize (and not till then) will you have many +firm, active, persevering, and powerful friends. For, strange +as it may seem, there is a great doubt here, among many, whether +you are really in earnest, in the full force and extent of +those words.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Dec 12.] Lord —— appeared a very warm friend to the +Americans; and said, “If they continue united, they must have +all they ask.” He particularly mentioned, that lord M—— +last sessions, assured the house of lords, that the plan they had +laid would go down in America, <em>sine clade</em>; and also that he +had the best intelligence what might be carried through there. +His lordship had no doubt that such assurances was grounded +on Hutchinson’s information.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Dec. 14.] To E——. “Your countrymen must seal their +cause with their blood. They must preserve a consistency of +character. <span class='sc'>They must not delay.</span> They must——or be +trodden down into the vilest vassalage—the scorn—the spurn of +their enemies—a by-word of infamy among all men.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Dec. 16.] To E——. “Permit me to congratulate my +countrymen on the integrity and wisdom with which the congress +have conducted. Their policy, spirit, and union, have +confounded their foes and inspired their friends. All parties agree +in giving them a tribute of honor and applause. My lord +N—— endeavored to explain away his expression—“I will +have America at my feet.” Beware of the arts of negociation.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>“By the way, there is no doubt but the ministry sent large +sums to New-York, in order to bribe your continental delegates. +It was openly avowed and vindicated; and great boast was made +of ministerial success in this way, with the delegates from New-York. +It was said, that they had effected a dis-union which +would be fatal to the cause of America. You can’t well imagine +the chagrin with which the ministry received the result +of that glorious body. They are viewed as the <em>northern constellation</em> +of glorious worthies, illuminating and warming the +new world.”</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLXXXII'>CCLXXXII</span>To Joseph Reed, esq. (of Philadelphia.)</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Dec. 17.] “Sure I am that the ministry have no where such +sanguine hopes of a defection as from that quarter (New-York.) +Their influence is no where so forcibly extended; it is certain +they will be astonishingly disappointed if they do not find a sensibility +to their touch. Lord C—— said in the house of lords, +the other day, “Were I an American, I would resist to the last +drop of my blood.” Your parliamentary friends say, snatch the +opportunity for peace and reconciliation. Your sanguine and +warm partizans say, “You are united and inspired now, circumstances +that may never happen again. Seize the happy and +glorious opportunity for establishing the freedom and social felicity +of all America. There is a tide in the affairs of men.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Jan. 2, 1775.] While (at Bath) viewing the most magnificently +elegant new rooms, in company with colonel Barre, he +said, pointing to the pictures taken from the ruins found at Herculaneum, +“I hope you have not the books containing the +draughts of those ruins with you.” I replied, “There was one +set I believed in the public library at our college.” “Keep them +there (said he) and they may be of some service as a matter of +curiosity for the speculative, but let them get abroad and you +are ruined. They will infuse a taste for buildings and sculpture; +and when a people get a taste for the fine arts, they are ruined. +’Tis taste that ruins whole kingdoms. ’Tis tase that depopulates +whole nations. I could not help weeping when I surveyed the +ruins at Rome. All the remains of the Roman grandeur are of +works which were finished, when Rome and the spirit of Romans +were no more, unless I except the ruins of the Emilian +baths. Mr. Quincy, let your countrymen beware of taste in +their buildings, equipage and dress, as a deadly poison.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>Colonel Barre also added, in the course of conversation—“About +fourteen or fifteen years ago, I was through a considerable +part of your country; for, in the expedition against Canada, +my business called me to pass by land through Pennsylvania, +New-Jersey, York and Albany; and when I returned again to +this country, I was often speaking of America, and could not +help speaking well of its climate, soil and inhabitants; for you +must know, sir, America was always a favorite with me. But +will you believe it, sir, yet I assure you it is true, more than +two-thirds of this island at that time, thought the Americans +were all negroes.” I replied, “I did not in the least doubt it; +for if I was to judge by the late acts of parliament, I should suppose +that a majority of the people of Great-Britain still thought +so, for I found that their representatives still treated them as +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLXXXIII'>CCLXXXIII</span>such.” He smiled, and the discourse dropped. The colonel +was among those who voted for the Boston port-bill.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Dec. 20.] Attended the debates of the house of lords.—Good +fortune gave me one of the best places for taking a few +minutes.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Lord Chatham rose like Marcellus. “Viros superiment omnes.” +He seemed to feel himself superior to those around him. +His language, voice and gesture, were more pathetic than I ever +saw or heard before at the bar or senate. He seemed like +an old Roman senator, rising with the dignity of age, yet speaking +with the fire of youth.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The illustrious sage stretched fourth his hand with the decent +solemnity of a Paul, and rising with his subject, he smote his +breast with the energy and grace of a Demosthenes. He opened +with some general observations on the importance and magnitude +of the American quarrel (as he called it.) He enlarged +upon the dangerous and ruinous events that were coming upon +the nation in consequence of the present dispute, and the measures +already begun and now carrying on by his majesty’s ministers. +He arraigned their conduct with great severity and +freedom. He then proceeded:</p> + +<p class='c007'>“My lords, these papers from America, now laid for the first +time before your lordships, have been, to my knowledge, five +or six weeks in the pocket of the minister. And notwithstanding +the fate of this kingdom hangs upon the event of this great controversy, +we are but this moment called to a consideration of this +important subject. My lords, I do not want to look into one of +those papers; I know their contents well enough already. I +know that there is not a member in this house but is acquainted +with their purport also. There ought therefore to be no delay +in entering upon this matter; we ought to proceed to it immediately. +We ought to seize the first moment to open the door +of reconciliation. The Americans will never be in a temper or +state to be reconciled (they ought not to be) till the troops are +withdrawn. The troops are a perpetual irritation to these people: +they are a bar to all confidence, and all cordial reconcilement. +I therefore, my lords, move—That an humble address +be presented to his majesty, most humbly to advise and beseech +his majesty, that, in order to open the way towards an happy +settlement of the dangerous troubles in America, by beginning +to allay ferments, and soften animosities there; and above all, +for preventing, in the mean time, any sudden and fatal catastrophe +at Boston, now suffering under the daily irritation of an +army, before their eyes, posted in their town, it may graciously +please his majesty, that immediate orders may be dispatched to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLXXXIV'>CCLXXXIV</span>general Gage, for removing his majesty’s forces from the town +of Boston, as soon as the rigor of the season, and other circumstances +indispensible to the safety and accommodation of the +said troops, may render the same practicable.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>“The way, my lords, must be immediately opened for reconciliation. +It will soon be too late. I know not who advised +the present measures. I know not who advises to a perseverance +and enforcement of them; but this I will say, that whoever +advises them ought to answer for it, at his utmost peril.—I +know that no one will avow, that he advised, or that he was +the author of these measures: every one shrinks from the +charge. But somebody has advised his majesty to these measures, +and if his majesty continues to hear such evil counsellors, +his majesty will be undone. His majesty indeed my wear his +crown; but the American jewel out of it, it will not be worth +the wearing.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>“What more shall I say? I must not say, that the king is betrayed; +but this I will say, the NATION is ruined. What +foundation have we for our claims over America? What is our +right to persist in such cruel and vindictive measures against +that loyal and respectable people? They say you have no right +so tax them without their consent. They say truly. Representation +and taxation must go together: they are inseparable. Yet +there is hardly a man in our streets, though so poor as scarce to +be able to get his daily bread, but thinks he is the legislator of +America. <em>Our</em> American subjects is a common phrase in the +mouth of the lowest orders of our citizens; but property, my +lords, is the sole and entire dominion of the owner: it excludes +all the world besides the owner. None can intermeddle with it. +It is a unity; a mathematical point. It it at atom; untangible +by any but the proprietor. Touch it—and the owner loses his +whole property. The touch contaminates the whole mass; the +whole property vanishes. The touch of another annihilates it; +for whatever is a man’s own, is absolutely and exclusively his +own.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>“In the last parliament all was anger—all was rage. Administration +did not consider what was practicable, but what was +revenge. <em>Sine clade victoria</em> was the language of the ministry +last sessions, but every body knew, an idiot might know, that +such would not be the issue. But the ruin of the nation was a +matter of no concern, if administration might be revenged. Americans +were abused, misrepresented, and traduced in the most +atrocious manner, in order to give a colour, and urge on the most +precipitate, unjust, cruel, and vindictive measures that ever disgraced +a nation.”</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c003'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLXXXV'>CCLXXXV</span><span lang="la">Gnossius hæc Rhadamanthus habet <em>durissima</em> regna,</span></div> + <div class='line in4'><span lang="la"><em>Custig at</em> que, AUDIT que dolos.</span></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c007'>“My lords, the very infernal spirits, they <em>chastise</em>, <em>castigatque</em>: +sed <em>auditque</em>, my lords. The very spirits of the infernal regions +HEAR <em>before</em> they <em>punish</em>. But how have these respectable people +behaved under all their grievances? With unexampled patience, +with unparalleled wisdom. They chose delegates by +their free suffrages: no <em>bribery</em>, no <em>corruption</em>, no <span class='fss'>INFLUENCE</span> +here, my lords. Their representatives meet with the sentiments +and temper, and speak the sense of the continent. For genuine +sagacity, for singular moderation, for solid wisdom, manly spirit, +sublime sentiments and simplicity of language, for every +thing respectable and honorable, the congress of Philadelphia +shine unrivalled. This wise people speak out. They do not +hold the language of slaves; they tell you what they mean.—They +do not ask you to repeal your laws as a favor; they claim +it as a right; they demand it. They tell you, they will not submit +to them; and I tell you the acts must be repealed; they +will be repealed; you cannot enforce them. The ministry are +checker-mated. They have a move to make on the board; and +yet not a move but they are ruined.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Repeal, therefore, my lords, I say. But bare repeal will not +satisfy this enlightened and spirited people. What! repeal a +bit of paper: repeal a piece of parchment! That alone won’t +do, my lords. You must go through. You must declare you +have no right to tax; then they may trust you; then they will +have confidence in you. I have heard a noble lord speak, who +seemed to lay some blame upon general Gage. I think that honorable +gentleman has behaved with great prudence and becoming +caution. He has entrenched himself and strengthened his +fortifications. I don’t know what he could do more. His situation +puts me in mind of a similar transaction in the civil wars of +France, when the great Condee on one side, and Marshall Turenne +on the other, with large armies lay many weeks very near +each other. Turenne, conscious of the terrible consequences +of a victory to himself and country, though the armies were several +days in sight of each other, never came to a battle. On +his return to the court of France, the queen asked him, “Why, +Marshall, I think you lay several days in sight of your enemy, +and you might have been up with him at any time; pray why +did you not take him?” The general very shrewdly replied, +“Should I have taken him, please your majesty, I was afraid +all Paris would have taken me.”——My lords, there are three +millions of whigs. Three millions of whigs, my lords, with +arms in their hands, are a very formidable body. ’Twas the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLXXXVI'>CCLXXXVI</span>whigs, my lords, that set his majesty’s royal ancestors upon the +throne of England. I hope, my lords, there are yet double the +number of whigs in England that there are in America. I hope +the whigs of both countries will join and make a common cause. +Ireland is with the Americans to a man. The whigs of that +country will, and those of this country ought, to think the +American cause their own. They are allied to each other in +sentiment and interest, united in one great principle of defence +and resistance; they ought therefore, and will run to embrace +and support their brethren. The cause of ship-money was the +cause of all the whigs of England. <em>You shall not take my money +without my consent</em>, is the doctrine and language of whigs. +It is the doctrine and voice of whigs in America, and whigs +here. It is the doctrine in support of which I do not know how +many names I could—I may call in this house; among the living +I cannot say how many I could, to join with me and maintain +these doctrines with their blood; but among the dead I +could raise an host innumerable. And, my lords, at this day, +there are very many sound, substantial, honest whigs, who +ought, and who will consider the American controversy as a +great common cause.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>“My lords, consistent with the preceding doctrines, and +with what I have ever and shall continue to maintain, I say, I +shall oppose America whenever I see her aiming at throwing off +the navigation act, and other regulatory acts of trade, made +<em>bona fide</em> for that purpose, and wisely framed and calculated for +reciprocation of interest, and the general extended welfare and +security of the whole empire. It is suggested such is their design. +I see no evidence of it. But to come at a certain knowledge +of their sentiments and designs on this head, it would be +proper first to do them justice. Treat them as subjects before +you treat them as aliens, rebels, and traitors.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>“My lords, deeply impressed with the importance of taking +some healing measurs at this most alarming distracted state of +our affairs, though bowed down with a cruel disease, I have +crawled to this house, to give you my best experience and counsel; +and my advice is to beseech his majesty, &c. &c. This is +the best I can think of. It will convince America that you mean +to try her cause in the spirit and by the laws of freedom and +fair enquiry, and not by codes of blood. How can she now trust +you, with the bayonet at her breast? She has all the reason in +the world now to believe you mean her death or bondage.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>“Thus entered on the threshhold of this business, I will knock +at your gates for justice without ceasing, unless inveterate infirmities +stay my hand. My lords, I pledge myself never to leave +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLXXXVII'>CCLXXXVII</span>this business: I will pursue it to the end in every shape. I will +never fail of my attendance on it, at every step and period of +this great matter, unless nailed down to my bed by the severity +of disease. My lords, there is no time to be lost; every moment +is big with dangers. Nay, while I am now speaking, the +decisive blow may be struck, and millions involved in the consequence. +The very first drop of blood will make a wound +that will not easily be skinned over. Years, perhaps ages may +not heal it. It will be <em>irritabile vulnus</em>, a wound of that rancorous, +malignant, corroding, festering nature, that in all probability +it will mortify the whole body. Let us then, my lords, set +to this business in earnest, not take it up by bits and scraps as +formerly, just as exigencies pressed, without any regard to the +general relations, connections and dependencies. I would not +by any thing I have said, my lords, be thought to encourage +America to proceed beyond the right line. I reprobate all acts +of violence by her mobility, but when her inherent constitutional +rights are invaded, those rights that she has an equitable +claim to the full enjoyment of by the fundamental laws of the +English constitution, and ingrafted thereon by the fundamental +laws of nature, then I own myself an <em>American</em>, and feeling +myself such, shall to the verge of my life, vindicate those rights +against all men who strive to trample upon or oppose them.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>From the effects of this speech on the great audience without +the bar, and from my own emotions and feelings, the miracles +of ancient eloquence—<em>the blaze of genius and the burst of +thought</em>—with which Grecian and Roman orators have been +said to work wonders in the senate and the field, no longer appeared +fabulous.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Lord Camden spoke next on the side of America, and in support +of the motion. He equalled lord Chatham in every thing +but that fire and pathos which are the <em>forte</em> of his lordship. In +learning, perspicuity, and pure eloquence, probably no one ever +surpassed lord Camden.</p> + +<p class='c007'>His lordship opened briefly upon the nature of property, the +right of taxation, and its inseparability from representation. “My +lords (he said) I will not enter into the large field of collateral +reasoning applicable to the abstruse distinctions touching the omnipotence +of parliament. The declaratory law sealed my mouth. +But this I will say, not only as a statesman, politician and philosopher, +but as a <span class='fss'>COMMON LAWYER</span>, my lords, you have no +right to tax America. I have searched the matter. I repeat it, +my lords, you have no right to tax America. The natural rights +of man, and the immutable laws of nature, are all with that people. +Much stress is laid on the supreme legislative authority of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLXXXVIII'>CCLXXXVIII</span>Great-Britain, and so far as the doctrine is directed to its proper +object, I accede to it. But it is equally true, according to +all approved writers on government, that no man, agreeable to +the principles of natural or civil liberty, can be divested of any +part of his property without his consent. Every thing has been +staked on this single position, that acts of parliament must be +obeyed; but this general, unconditional, unlimited assertion, I +am far from thinking applicable to every possible case that may +arise in the turn of times. For my part, I imagine that a power +resulting from a trust arbitrarily exercised, may be lawfully +resisted; whether the power is lodged in a collective body, or +single person, in the few or the many. However modified +makes no difference. Whenever the trust is wrested to the injury +of the people, whenever oppression begins, all is unlawful +and unjust; and resistance of course becomes lawful and +right. But some lords tell us seriously, that administration must +reduce the Americans to obedience and submission; that is, you +must make them absolute and infamous slaves, and <em>then</em>——what? +We will, say they, give them full liberty. Ah! is this +the nature of man? No my lords, I would not trust myself, +<em>American</em> as I am, in this situation. I do not think I should, +in that case, be myself for giving of them liberty. No, if they +submitted to such unjust, such cruel, such degrading slavery, I +should think they were made for slaves; that servility was suited +to their nature and genius. I should think they would best +serve this country as their slaves; that their servility would be +for the benefit of Great-Britain; and I should be for keeping +such <em>Cappadocians</em> in a state of servitude, such as was suited to +their constitution, and might redound much to our advantage.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>“My lords, some noble lords talk very much of resistance to +acts of parliament. King, lords, and commons, are fine sounding +names. But, my lords, acts of parliament have been resisted +in all ages. King, lords, and commons, may become tyrants +as well as others. Tyranny in one or more is the same. +It is as lawful to resist the tyranny of many as of one. Somebody +once asked the great Mr. <em>Seldon</em> in what law-book, in +what records or archives of the state, you might find the law for +resisting tyranny. “I don’t know (said Mr. Seldon) whether it +is worth your while to look deeply into the books upon this +matter; but I’ll tell you what is most certain, that it has always +been the custom of England—and the custom of England is +the law of the land.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>“There is a gentleman, whom I need not name, his works are +well received and well known, who avoids stating any rule when +resistance is lawful; and he lays down the revolution as the only +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCLXXXIX'>CCLXXXIX</span>precedent. He says, that the various circumstances, events, and +incident that may justify, cannot be defined; but the people at +large will judge of their welfare and happiness, and act accordingly. +The same writer says, that whenever a case exactly similar in +all its parts and circumstances to the revolution, when a case shall +run upon <em>all fours</em> with that, then the law seems to be settled +that resistance is lawful. I do not pretend to quote his words. I +think his meaning is very much as I have stated it. But undoubtedly +in cases in many respects dissimilar, but in equal degree +tyrannical and oppressive, resistance may be lawful, and +the people in all ages, countries, and climes, have at times known +these things, and they have, and will for ever act accordingly.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>Lord Shelburne, in the course of his argument, said, “My +lords, we know, we all know, that justice and injustice, right +and wrong, are not at all considered in the course of our parliamentary +proceedings. We all know that nothing is debated +in parliament for information or conviction, but for mere form. +Every thing is considered in the cabinet, and brought into +parliament, not for consideration, but for the sanction of the +legislature, and the screening the counsellors of the king. The +measures of parliament are the measures of the minister; and +the measures of this minister are very often those of his commissioner.” +The marquis of Rockingham also supported the +motion.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Lords Littleton, Suffolk, Gower, Townsend, Rochford, and +Weymouth, spoke in opposition. I omit relating what their +lordships said, lest I should be suspected by any who may see +this journal, of an unfair report of their speeches. But a very +remarkable saying of lord G—— I cannot omit. His lordship +said, “I am for enforcing these measures (and with great +sneer and contempt) let the Americans sit talking about their +natural and divine rights, their rights as men and citizens, +their rights from God and nature.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>The house, at about ten, divided after the preceding debates +on the question.—Contents 18—Non-contents 77, including +proxies.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Thus far from Mr. Quincy’s papers.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The language of the lords in administration, was high and decisive. +And it was declared, that the mother country should +never relax till America confessed her supremacy; and it was +acknowledged to be the ministerial resolution, to enforce obedience +by arms.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The principal trading and manufacturing towns in the kingdom, +having waited to regulate their conduct as to American +affairs, by that of the merchants of London and Bristol, followed +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXC'>CCXC</span>the example of these two great commercial bodies, and +prepared petitions upon that subject to be presented to parliament.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Jan. 23.] The petition from the merchants of London was +of course the first delivered, and it was moved to be referred to +the committee appointed to take into consideration the American +papers; but it was moved by way of amendment on the +ministerial side, that it should be referred to a separate committee +to meet on the 27th, the day succeeding that appointed for +the consideration of American papers. This was objected to as a +shameful pitiful evasion; but upon the question’s being put, the +amendment was carried, 197 against 81, who supported the original +motion.</p> + +<p class='c007'>A similar fate attended the petitions from Bristol, Glasgow, +Norwich, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, +Dudley, and some other places; all of which, in turn, were +consigned to what the opposition termed the committee of oblivion.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Jan. 26.] On the day appointed for the consideration of +American affair a second and very strong petition was presented +from the merchants of London. On which it was moved, +that the order for referring the merchants petition to a separate +committee should be discharged, and that it should be referred +to a committee of the whole house, appointed to consider the +American affairs. The indignity and mockery offered to so +great a body as the merchants of London by the late resolution, +which with an insidious affectation of civility, received the petition +with one hand, and threw it out of the window with the other, +was painted in strong colours. All the debates, on the subject +of the petitions, were attended with an unusual degree of +asperity, and even acrimony on the side of opposition. The +conduct also of the late parliament was scrutinized without mercy, +and its memory treated with more than want of respect. A +gentleman, remarkable for a sarcastic poignancy in his observations, +in sketching a short history of that parliament, said, that +they began their political life with a violation of the sacred right +of election in the case of Middlesex; that they had died in the +act of popery, when they established the Roman Cotholic religion +in Canada; and that they had left a rebellion in America as +a legacy. The question was rejected upon a division by a very +great majority.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Though it was then late, a petition was offered from Mr. Bollan, +Dr. Franklin, and Mr. Lee, stating that they were authorised +by the American continental congress, to present a petition +from the congress to the king, which petition his majesty had referred +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXCI'>CCXCI</span>to that house, and that they were enabled to throw great +light upon the subject: they prayed to be heard at the bar in support +of the said petition. A violent debate ensued. The ministry +alledged, that the congress was no legal body, and none could +be heard in reference to its proceedings, without giving that illegal +body some degree of countenance. It was answered, that +the congress, however illegal as to other purposes, was sufficiently +legal for presenting a petition. It was signed by the names of +all the persons who composed it, and might be received as from +individuals. It was said, That it was their business rather to +find every plausible reason for receiving petitions, than to invent +pretences for rejecting them; that the rejection of petitions was +one principal, if not the most powerful cause of the present +troubles: and that this mode of constantly rejecting their petitions, +and refusing to hear their agents, would infallibly end in +universal rebellion, and not unnaturally, as those seem to give +up the rights of government, who refuse to hear the complaints +of the subject. The ministry insulted the petition as containing +nothing but pretended grievances, while they refused to hear +and discuss it. It was rejected by 218 to 68. This rejection +must have been foreseen by all who knew, that on the fourth of +the month, Lord Dartmouth, by the king’s orders, had written +a circular letter to the governors of his majesty’s colonies, requiring +them to use their utmost endeavors to prevent the holding +of any more congresses; and that the American grievances were +in the letter termed <em>pretended</em>. This letter was written a few +days after the petition had met with an apparent gracious reception, +and had been promised a due consideration; but probably +not before favorable advices had been received respecting +the New-York assembly.</p> + +<p class='c007'>It was evident, that both houses of parliament were ready to +adopt any measures which administration should propose; and +it was confidently believed and asserted, that when the merchants +and manufacturers were deprived of all hopes of preventing +the operation of force, it would then become their interest +to give all possible effect to it. They would thus become by +degrees, a principal support of that cause which they now so eagerly +opposed.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The opinion of the efficacy of a forcible mode of proceeding +in America, and the hopes of compelling a great body at home +to concurrence, have made the ministers more and more resolved +to go through, and complete the plan with which they have begun. +It may however be much doubted, whether they suspect +that the American contest will end in blood. Some of them in +all probability have such a firm reliance upon Mr. Hutchinson’s +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXCII'>CCXCII</span>judgment, as to flatter themselves that the colonists will give +way to those appearances of coercion, which they have adopted, +and mean further to adopt; and so have engaged in the present +hazardous politics, in hopes of enjoying a bloodless conquest, +and therein a complete triumph over all opposition.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Feb. 8.] Lord Chatham persevered in the prosecution of his +conciliatory scheme with America, and accordingly brought into +the house of lords the outlines of a bill, which he hoped would +answer that salutary purpose, under the title of “A provincial +act for settling the troubles in America, and for asserting the supreme +legislative authority, and superintending power of Great-Britain +over the colonies.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>This bill caused a variety of discussion within and without +doors. The ministry observed, that it was a proposition of reconciliation +by concession, which was cause sufficient to induce +them to reject it; their plan being, at present, to show a firm +resolution not to give way in any instance, while the opposition +in America continued. It was usual in parliament to reject, on +the first proposition, any bill for any object allowed to be necessary; +and promising, however faintly or rudely, any plan for +obtaining the end proposed. But the proceeding on this occasion +was different. They condemned without reserve the bill +in the whole, and in all its parts; and it was moved, and strongly +supported by all the lords on the side of administration, that the +bill be rejected in the first instance. The noble framer defended +himself and his bill from the numerous attacks which were made +on both, with great spirit and vigor. The indignity offered him, +seemed to renew all the fire of youth; and he retorted the sarchasms, +which were levelled at him from different quarters, with +a most pointed severity. The nature of the subjects debated, and +the state of temper on both sides, produced much warmth, severe +altercation, and even personal animadversion. The bill was rejected +by a majority of 61 to 32, not being allowed to lie upon +the table. The rejection of it may be of no disservice to the colonists. +It contained in it, a proposal to require of congress the +making of a free grant to the king, of a certain perpetual revenue, +subject to the disposition of the British parliament; and congress +was to adjust the proportions of the several charges to be +borne by each province toward the general contributory supply. +Had it passed into an act, the colonists might not have united in +the proposal, but dangerous divisions have followed, so that you +may have no occasion to regret its fate, especially as that will +strengthen your union, and increase your friends.</p> + +<p class='c007'>A petition was presented to the commons, from the planters of +the sugar colonies residing in Great-Britain, and the merchants +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXCIII'>CCXCIII</span>of London trading to those colonies, setting forth the distress to +which the West-India islands will be reduced, unless the former +harmony between this kingdom and the American colonies is restored. +Like all the former upon the subject, it was referred to +the established petition committee. The day it was presented, +the minister opened his designs in respect to America. Having +prepared the way by a speech, he moved for an address to the +king, and for a conference with the lords, that it might be the +joint address of both houses. The address returns thanks for the +communication of the American papers; and declares, that they +find from them, that a <em>rebellion</em> actually exists within the province +of the Massachusetts Bay; that the parties concerned in it +have been countenanced and encouraged by unlawful combinations +and engagements entered into, in several of the other colonies; +that they never can relinquish any part of the sovereign authority +over all the dominions, which by law is vested in his majesty +and the two houses of parliament; but they ever have been, +and always shall be ready to pay attention and regard to any real +grievances of any of his majesty’s subjects, which shall in a dutiful +and constitutional manner be laid before them; but at the +same time they beseech his majesty to take the most effectual +measures to enforce due obedience to the authority of the supreme +legislature; and in the most solemn manner assure him, +that at the hazard of their lives and properties, they will stand by +him against all rebellious attempts, in the maintenance of the just +rights of his majesty and the two houses of parliament.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Lord North then gave a sketch of the measures he intended +to pursue, which were to send a greater force to America, and +to bring in a temporary act to put a stop to all the foreign trade +of the different colonies of New-England, particularly their fishery +on the banks of Newfoundland, till they returned to their +duty.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The address was so loaded with consequences, the extent of +which could not be defined, that it called up all the powers of +opposition; and even some few of the most moderate in the +house seemed to feel a kind of horror, at entering upon a measure +so dangerous in the tendency, and inexplicable in the +event.</p> + +<p class='c007'>A gentleman, of the first eminence in the law, followed the +minister through the whole detail of his speech, and answered the +different positions. He insisted, that having examined with legal +precision the definitions of treason, the Americans were not in +rebellion, and said, “Whatever the disorders may be, they are +created by the conduct of those, whose views are to establish despotism, +and which are manifestly directed to reduce America to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXCIV'>CCXCIV</span>the most abject state of servility, as a prelude to the realizing +the same wicked system in the mother country.” He concluded +by maintaining, that an opposition to arbitrary measures is warranted +by the constitution, and established by precedent.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The other gentlemen of the minority entered but little into +the juridical part of the debate; but maintained, that it would be +imprudent for the parliament at this time to <em>declare</em> the disturbances +rebellious. They said, “It is well known no act of violence +has been committed in the Massachusetts Bay, which has +not been equalled by something similar in every other province, +and sometimes even exceeded by acts of a more heinous nature; +that therefore the only effect of this violent, but partial declaration +of rebellion, will be to delude ourselves into preparations of +hostility, as if against one province only, when in truth we have +to contend with twelve.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>On the other side, the crown lawyers and ministerial debaters +maintained, that such Americans as come within certain descriptions, +and have been guilty of certain acts, and still persevere in +the support and commission of such acts, are in a state of actual +rebellion; that the punishment of a few of the worst sort of traitors, +such as Hancock and his crew, may be sufficient to teach +the rest their duty in future; and that the boasted union of the +colonies will dissolve the moment parliament shows itself resolved +on vigorous and severe measures. Some gentlemen of rank +in the army, treated all idea of resistance by the Americans with +the utmost contempt. They said, “They are neither soldiers, +nor ever can be made so, being naturally of a pusillanimous disposition, +and utterly incapable of any sort of order or discipline; +and by their laziness, uncleanliness, and radical defect of constitution, +they are disabled from going through the service of a +campaign, but will melt away with sickness before they can face +an enemy; so that a slight force will be more than sufficient for +their complete reduction.” Many ludicrous stories to that purport +were told, greatly to the entertainment of the house. A +motion however was made for an amendment, which, upon a +division, was rejected by a large majority, 304 against 105. The +question being then put for the address, was carried by nearly +The same majority.</p> + +<p class='c007'>But the minority had not done with the business. [Feb. 5.] +Upon receiving the report from the committee a few days after, +a noble lord made a motion to re-commit the address, and supported +it with many arguments. He stated our domestic situation, +and inferred the impropriety and danger of a declaration from +that house, of the existence of a rebellion in any part of our dominions; +and showed the desperate measures into which it might +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXCV'>CCXCV</span>precipitate the Americans, and the advantage that might be taken +of such an occasion by our powerful and watchful neighbors, +whose ancient enmity and jealousy were much increased by the +glory we had acquired, and the disgrace and loss they had suffered +in the last war. He said, “My head and my heart join in deprecating +the horrors of a civil war, which will be rendered still more +dreadful, by its involving in it certain consequences, a foreign +one with the combined forces of great and powerful nations.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>This motion introduced the longest and most interesting debate +that had taken place in the new parliament. It was acknowledged +on all hands, that the present crisis was the most perilous +and intricate in which the nation had been involved since the +revolution. It was contended by those who opposed the motion, +that the Americans were not to be won by kindness, or retained +by benefits; and that the tenderness, which had been +constantly practised by government, had produced the present +fatal consequences. The danger from foreign powers supporting +the Americans, was said to be imaginary: and it was still +contended by several that an appearance of vigorous measures, +with some reinforcement of the troops at Boston, would prove +sufficient to quell the disturbances in America, without the drawing +of blood.</p> + +<p class='c007'>On the other side, the address was stigmatized as cruel, sanguinary, +and unjust. It was urged, “The Americans have +given the strongest and most unequivocal demonstrations of their +filial piety toward the mother country. They have fought and +bled by our side. In the present state of distraction, they require +no more for the restoration of harmony, than to be placed in the +same situation they were in at the close of the last war. They +have been nursed up, for a long series of years, in ideas of certain +rights, of which, the electing of their own representatives, +and the disposal of their own money for the public service only +through them, are among the principal. If this is an error, the +crown and parliament are equally faulty with the Americans, having +in their whole conduct constantly nourished the delusion. +At the time of the repeal of the stamp-act, two of the first names +of this kingdom, for ability as well as legal knowledge, beside +many others, utterly denied the right of taxation. Is it then +to be wondered at, that the Americans, with such authorities +on their side, are tenacious of a right so invaluable in its nature, +which has at all times been considered as the distinction between +freemen and slaves, which has been confirmed by so long a prescription, +and upon which, to this instant, the wisest and honestest +men, even in the mother country, are divided in opinion?—Philip +the second, and his seventeen provinces, are the counterpart +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXCVI'>CCXCVI</span>of what we are acting. In comparing the probability of events, +can any man say, Great-Britain has such a prospect of +victory in the event as Spain might then have expected? If we +imagine that the powers of Europe will sit still during this contest, +we must suppose a system of policy now to prevail, or rather +an extension of folly, all over Europe, which never before +was known in any period of its existence.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Much ill temper appeared in every part of the house in the +course of these debates. The ministry were charged with acting +uniformly and systematically upon tory and arbitrary principles, +which had thrown the whole empire into a state of confusion +and distraction. “In a word,” it was said, “the short and +simple question before the house is, whether we shall lose the +colonies, or give up our ministry.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>The ministry, on the other hand, talked much about faction +at home, and republican principles; and the Americans being +spirited up to their rebellion by incendiary writers and speakers +in England. After a debate, which continued till half an hour +after two in the morning, the motion for the re-commitment of +the address was rejected by nearly the former majority.</p> + +<p class='c007'>When it was moved in the house of lords, to fill up the blank, +left open in the address, by the insertion of the words, “The +lords spiritual and temporal, &c.” to render the instrument the +joint act of both houses, a debate ensued. The questions of treason, +rebellion and constructive treasons, were deeply entered into +by two great law lords, who differed totally in their legal and +political sentiments, and carried on a long argument between +them, with great warmth and ability; in which a large stock of +professional and general learning was displayed on each side. It +is to be lamented, that with all the boasted excellency of our constitution, +a question of so vast magnitude as to include in its consequences, +the lives, fortunes, and honors of all the subjects of +this empire, still remains involved in such obscurity, as not only +to admit of a difference of opinion, but that even the great oracles +of the law are bewildered in its darkness. This extraordinary +debate was attended with some singular circumstances. Lord +Mansfield, to the great surprize of most of his auditors, condemned, +in very explicit and unreserved terms, the measure of +laying on the duties in 1767, which he declared to be the most +absurd and pernicious that could be advised, and the cause of all +the present impending evils. The duke of Grafton, Lord Shelburne, +and Lord Camden, who were at that time cabinet counsellors +and held the first offices in the state, declared separately in +their places, that they had no share in that measure, nor had ever +given any approbation. The manner in which a measure of ministry +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXCVII'>CCXCVII</span>was carried against the opinion of ministers was not explained. +A disclosure relative to a matter, which had already convulsed +the whole empire, and was still more to be dreaded in its +future consequences, excited general amazement, mixt with indignation +and regret in individuals. The fatal and over-ruling +secret influence, which had so long guided and marred all public +affairs, was deplored and animadverted upon in different parts +of the house.</p> + +<p class='c007'>When the question came to be put, whether to agree with +the commons in the address, by inserting the words necessary to +fill up the blank, it was carried by a prodigious majority. But +the lords Richmond, Craven, Archer, Abergavenny, Rockingham, +Wycombe, Courtenay, Torrington, Ponsonby, Cholmondeley, +Abington, Portland, Camden, Effingham, Stanhope, +Scarborough, Fitzwilliam and Tankerville, protested against “an +address amounting to <em>a declaration of war</em>, which is founded on +no proper parliamentary information, which follows the rejection +of every mode of conciliation, which hold out no substantial +offer of redress of grievances, and which promises support to +those ministers, who have inflamed America, and grossly misconducted +the affairs of Great-Britain.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Feb. 9.] The address was delivered, and an answer given, +wherein his majesty assured both houses, that they might depend +upon his taking the most speedy and effectual measures +for enforcing due obedience to the laws, and the authority of +The supreme legislature.</p> + +<p class='c007'>On that or the preceding day, the petition and memorial from +the assembly of <em>Jamaica</em> to his majesty, was laid before the commons. +It was drawn up in very strong terms. The petitioners +entered into a full, free, and argumentative discussion of the late +claims of the mother country, and of the rights of the colonies: +the former of which they combated, and the latter defended +with great force. They equally deplored and beheld with amazement, +a plan almost carried into execution for reducing the +colonies into the most abject state of slavery; and they supplicated +the throne, and demanded and claimed from the sovereign, +as the guarantee of their just rights, that no laws should be forced +upon them, injurious to their rights as colonists or Englishmen; +and that, as the common parent of his people, his majesty +would become a mediator between his European and American subjects.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Feb. 10.] The next day the minister moved for leave to +bring in a bill to restrain the trade and commerce of the New-England +provinces, to Great-Britain, Ireland, and the British +West-India islands, and to prohibit them from carrying on any +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXCVIII'>CCXCVIII</span>fishery on the Banks of Newfoundland, and other places therein +to be mentioned, under certain conditions, and for a limited +time. In answer to the objections made to it while the subject +of debate, the charges of injustice and cruelty were denied; +and the contrary maintained; it was declared to be necessary; +and it was observed, that though the innocent were involved +with the guilty, and friends with foes, the necessity might be +lamented, but could not be helped. The motion for a bill was +carried by a majority of three to one.</p> + +<p class='c007'>In the progress of the bill, the London merchants and traders +interested in the American commerce, petitioned against it, and +were allowed to be heard. In consequence of this a long train +of witnesses were examined, and it appeared, That in 1764, the +four New-England colonies employed in their several fisheries, +no less than 45,880 ton of shipping, and 6002 men, and that the +produce of their fisheries in the foreign markets for that year, +amounted to £.322,220 16s. sterling—that the fisheries were +greatly increased—that all the materials used in them, except +salt, and the timber of which their vessels were built, were taken +from this country, and that the nett proceeds of the fish were remitted +here—and that there was near a million of money owing +from New-England to the city of London only. They stated to +the house, that the calamities consequent upon the bill must fall +in a particular degree, upon the innocent. The case of the inhabitants +of Nantucket, would be particularly hard. They amounted +to some thousands; nine-tenths of them quakers, inhabiting +a barren land; but by an astonishing industry they kept +140 vessels in constant employ, eight in the importation of provisions +for the island, and the rest in the whale fishery.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Feb. 20.] While the bill was pending, lord North amazed +all parties, and seemed for a time nearly to dissolve his own, by +a <em>conciliatory motion</em> in regard to America. It proposed, “That +when the governor, council, and assembly, or general court, of +his majesty’s provinces or colonies, shall propose to make provision, +according to their respective conditions, circumstances, and +situations, for contributing their proportion to the common defence +(such proportion to be raised under the authorities of the +general court or general assembly of such province or colony, +and disposable by parliament) and shall engage to make provision +also for the support of the civil government, and the administration +of justice in such province or colony, it will be proper, +if such proposal should be approved by his majesty in parliament, +and for so long as such provision shall be made accordingly, to +forbear, in respect of such province or colony, to levy any duties, +tax, or assessment: or to impose any further duty, tax, or +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCXCIX'>CCXCIX</span>assessment, except only such duties as it may be expedient to +impose for the regulation of the commerce, the nett produce of +the duties last mentioned to be carried to the account of such +province, colony or plantation, respectively.” The numerous +high prerogative party, who had ever opposed any relaxation in +favor of the colonies, heard the proposition with horror, and +considered themselves as abandoned or betrayed. They pronounced +it a shameful prevarication, and a mean departure from +principle; and finally concluded with declaring, that they would +make no concessions to rebels with arms in their hands; and that +they would enter into no measure for a settlement with the Americans, +in which an express and definitive acknowledgment from +them of the supremacy of parliament was not a preliminary article. +A gentleman of the long robe, and who has lately distinguished +himself for his zeal in promoting all the measures for reducing +the colonies (Mr. W——) had the address in a few minutes +to hush the commotion, by convincing the mal-contents, +that the <em>appearance</em> of concession, lenity, and tenderness, which +had so much alarmed them, were of such a nature, that they +could not interfere with the most rigid measures which they +wished to enforce. The gentlemen in opposition said, “The +motion is insidious, base and treacherous in the highest degree.”—The +minister acknowledged it to be a cheat, and designed for +the purpose of dis-uniting the Americans; but it will tend only +to consolidate that common mass of union into which they have +been thrown by the Boston port act. The question was carried +by a majority of three to one.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Feb. 27.] A petition from the merchants, traders, and principal +inhabitants of Poole in Dorsetshire, was presented, in +avowed opposition to that from London, and in support of the +principle of the fishery-bill. This petition set fourth, that the +restraints upon the colonies would not by any means be injurious +to commerce; and that the foreign markets might be amply supplied, +by extending the Newfondland fishery from England.—They +concluded by soliciting, no less for their own immediate +advantage, than for the universal benefit of their country, such +encouragement as parliament should think proper.</p> + +<p class='c007'>A petition was also delivered from the Quakers in behalf of +their brethren and others, the inhabitants of Nantucket, in +which they stated their innocence and industry, the utility of +their labours to themselves and the community, the hazards attending +their occupation, and the uncertainty of their gains; and +showed, that if the bill passed into a law, they must shortly be +exposed to all the miseries of a famine.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CCC'>CCC</span>In every stage of the bill, the debate re-kindled; and in the +course of it, the minority observed, “When it was thought +wisdom to overthrow established privileges, and to combat national +prejudices, by starting the new claim of taxation, the Americans +went no further than to deny our right of internal +taxation. Having gained the point of urging them to question +one right, we soon convinced them, both by argument and practice, +that an external tax might be made to answer all the purposes, +and to produce all the mischiefs of internal taxation. +They then denied our right of taxing for supply. Parliament +then proceeded to deprive them of their charter, and to change +the course of justice and trials. Then they were pushed to deny +the power of internal legislation. But still they had hitherto +never formally rejected the power of parliament to bind their +trade. We are now to convince them, however, that if but a +single branch of legislative power is left to this country, we can +distort that branch in such a manner, that it shall include all the +purposes of unlimited tyranny.” It appeared upon evidence, +at the bar of the house, that by the operation of the bill, many +thousands of innocent inhabitants would be reduced to the +sad alternative, either of perishing through want at home, or of +removing to some other less rigorous government for protection +and support; so that a famine among the New-Englanders was +predicted, as the consequence of the bill.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Some gentlemen on the other side of the question, acknowledged +the harshness of the measure; but lamented its being indispensably +necessary. A much greater number contended, +that the bill was in an high degree merciful, and that the New-England +colonies did not want resources to prevent a famine. +A few went so far as to regret that the bill did not convey punishments +adequate to the crimes of the Americans, and to dread +that the famine which had been strongly prognosticated, and +pathetically lamented, would not take place.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Mr. Quincy sails to-morrow for the <em>Massachusetts</em>. He is +very far from being well; and has been attended upon repeatedly +by Dr. Fothergill. The doctor thinks the Bristol air and +water would give him perfect health; and it is greatly against +his own opinion and inclination that he takes the voyage. But +he risks his life for the good of his own colony in particular, and +of America in general. His most intimate friends insist upon +his going directly to Boston. They say no letter can go with +safety; and that he can deliver more information and advice, +<em>viva voce</em>, than can or ought to be written. They urge that by +going now, if he arrives safe, he must be of great advantage to +the American cause.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCI'>CCCI</span>He is to tell the people of your colony, by no means to take +any step of great consequence (unless on a sudden emergency) +without the advice of the continental congress; and is to repair +to that honorable body, when met at Philadelphia.</p> + +<p class='c007'>You will hear from him, how egregiously the Americans have +been insulted by several in both houses of parliament, in being +pronounced dastardly cowards and paltroons, <em>to be looked into +submission</em> at the approach of a regiment; and that if this is +your true character, there will be no great exploit in the brave +general <em>Grant</em>’s marching successfully, with only five regiments, +from one end of the continent to the other, of which he has declared +himself capable. It is said that an American durst not +look at a red coat. The senator holds this language in the senate; +and the general at the head of an army. It passes for a +maxim, and it is thought scepticism to doubt it. Every subaltern, +upon half-pay, looks upon himself as qualified for subduing +America. If a man says otherwise, the finger is pointed +at him as to an enemy of his country. Mr. Quincy will be likely +also to give you the name of the member, who in a late speech +adulterated the English tongue, that he might gratify his inveteracy +by punishing you with <em>starvation</em>.</p> + +<p class='c007'>By a future opportunity you will receive an account of the +progress of the restraining and fishery bill, through the house of +lords; of the further proceedings of parliament and ministry; +and of the national complection.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 class='c005'>LETTER XII.</h2> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-r c002'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><em>Roxbury, April 26, 1775.</em></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c012'>While the Massachusetts had no provincial congress, the +active friends of government had an opportunity to try +their strength in a few places, and to attempt resisting the general +current, by refusing a compliance with the resolutions of the +colony congress; but the dissentients were overwhelmed by +numbers, and their attempts proved abortive.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The royal proclamation prohibiting the exportation of military +stores from Britain, his majesty’s speech, and the addresses of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCII'>CCCII</span>the new parliament, in the opinion of many, cut off all hopes of +reconciliation, more especially in New-England.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Feb. 1.] The new Massachusetts congress met at Cambridge, +and Mr. Hancock was unanimously chosen president. They adjourned +to Concord in about a fortnight, that the distance might +afford them greater personal security, and render them less liable +to interruption by any measures of the governor, That the +colony might be somewhat prepared for the sorest trial, they urged +in the strongest terms, the militia in general, and the minute-men +in particular, to spare neither time, pains, nor expence, +at so critical a juncture, for perfecting themselves forthwith in +the military discipline. They passed resolutions for the providing +and making of fire-arms and bayonets, and renewed the prohibition +of their predecessors, against supplying the troops at +Boston, with any of those necessaries peculiarly requisite for the +military service. The committee of safety had directed in the +beginning of January, that all the cannon, mortars, cannon-balls +and shells, should be deposited at Worcester and Concord, in +the same proportion as was done by the provision; and while +the congress was sitting, [Feb. 13, 21.] voted, “that the committee +of supplies do purchase all the powder they can, and also +all kinds of warlike stores, sufficient for an army of fifteen +thousand men to take the field.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>The propriety of the precautions taken to guard against a surprise, +was manifest from the following event.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Feb. 26.] General Gage receiving intelligence that cannon +and carriages were deposited in the neighborhood of Salem, sent +a corps of troops from the castle, under lieutenant colonel Leslie, +on board a transport, to seize and bring them away. They landed +at Marblehead, proceeded to Salem, found nothing there, and +passed on to the draw-bridge leading to Danvers, where a number +of people assembled, and those of the opposite side took up +the bridge to prevent their crossing. The officer ordered it to be +let down; the people peremptorily refused, saying, “It is a private +road, and you have no authority to demand a passage this +way.” On this refulal he determined to make use of the boats +which were at hand; his intention was perceived, and the owners +jumped into their own boats, and with their axes scuttled +them, to make them useless for the present; during the transaction +there was some scuffle between them and the soldiers. Things +were apparently tending to an extremity. The reverend Mr. +Bernard, a congregational clergymen of Salem, and other gentlemen, +urged the letting down of the draw-bridge; but it was +not done, till much time had been spent in altercation, during +which period the articles that colonel Leslie was after, were conveyed +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCIII'>CCCIII</span>away. When the opportunity of crossing offered, he +marched about thirty rods, to the spot where the artificers had +been employed in making carriages, &c. but finding nothing, +and it being now late in the evening, returned and went on +board the transport without meeting with any molestation. This +expedition took place on the Lord’s day, which might contribute +to its ending happily without mischief. On any other day +when the people were not attending public worship, but dispersed +about and following their secular business, the landing of the +troops would have been discovered, and some quarrel might +have ensued while they were making it good, or afterward upon +their march. The governor probably pitched upon the Lord’s +day, in hopes that it would prevent every painful catastrophe; +but the expedition spread an alarm.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The Massachusetts congress were displeased with the proceedings +of the New-York general assembly; who renounced all concern +with the late continental congress, declined choosing delegates +for the proposed new one, and in their own single capacity +sent a petition to the king, a memorial to the lords and a remonstrance +to the house of commons. In the remonstrance +they represented the grievances under which they labored, by +the innovations that had been made in the constitutional mode +of government since the close of the last war. They renounced +the most distant desire of independence, acknowledged the supreme +government of the British parliament over the whole empire, +and their authority to regulate the trade of the colonies: +remonstrated in the behalf of their brethren in the Massachusetts, +for whose distresses they could not help feeling; but at the same +time expressed their disapprobation of the violent measures pursued +in some of the colonies. They claimed a restoration of +those rights which they enjoyed before the close of the war; but +without entertaining an idea of diminishing the power of the mother +country, or lessening the dignity of parliament. Should +the ministry embrace the offering thus given by the general assembly +of New-York, they may possibly separate this central province +from the others, and break the communication between +the northern and the southern. But the apprehension of such +an event is abated by the intelligence which the Massachusetts +congress have received from the city of New-York. The whig +citizens, whose hearts were set upon having delegates for the +new continental congress, upon the assembly’s declining to appoint +them, contrived to collect their fellow-citizens [Mar. 5.] +together in order to obtain their opinion. When assembled in +a body, there was a confused cry of “Congress, or no Congress?” +After much altercation the tories had a recourse to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCIV'>CCCIV</span>compulsive reasoning and began dealing about their blows.—The +whigs were in the worst situation, not being provided with +similar arguments, till two of their party repaired to an adjoining +cooper’s yard, from whence they drew forth to the assistance +of their friends a number of hoop-sticks, which they reduced to +a proper length, and forwarded to the combatants. The whigs, +being thus supplied, soon carried the day by club-law, and beat +their opponents off the ground. The tories, being worsted, and +not a little terrified lest the fury of captain (whom they term in +a way of reproach king) Sears, should lead him to head a mob, +and do them some capital injury, promoted a provincial convention, +which otherwise would not have existed. The battle royal +at New-York, will prove the turning point as to that colony.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The Massachusetts congress continued their session, and recommended +the sixteenth of March to be observed as the annual +day for fasting and prayer, which was kept accordingly by +the inhabitants of Boston, no less than of the country. But +they did not presume to rely upon religious exercises in the neglect +of those civil means which prudence prescribed. The +people, both within and without, used every device for conveying +safely from Boston into the country, all kinds of military +articles, which might be wanted in case of a rupture. Cannon +balls, and such like heavy stores, were put into carts, and carried +out over the Neck, under the appearance of loads of dung. +Half barrels of gun-powder were put into butchers peds, or the +hampers of the market people, and brought out under some +slight, negligent, and unsuspected cover, as they returned home +in the evening. Cartridges were packed up in candle boxes, +and sent off under that deception; but some were at length discovered. +The soldiers on the Neck did not make many prizes; +however, one day [Mar. 18.] they seized 13,425 musket cartridges, +with 3000lb. weight of ball, which, though private property, +the general was warranted in refusing to restore, on the +application of the owner.</p> + +<p class='c007'>That general Gage might not succeed in seizing any military +stores in the country, should he send out troops upon that errand, +the committee of safety had voted four days before, +“that members from this committee belonging to Charlestown, +Cambridge, and Roxbury, be desired to procure at least two +men, for a watch every night, to be placed in each of these +towns, and that said members be in readiness to send couriers +forward to the towns where the magazines are placed, when +sallies are made from the army at night.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>[April 23.] The select men of the town of Billerica presented +a most spirited remonstrance to general Gage, on account of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCV'>CCCV</span>an inhabitant of that town’s being tarred and feathered, and +much abused on the 8th of the month, by a party of his majesty’s +47th regiment, under the command of lieutenant-colonel +Nesbit. The firmness, resolution, and freedom, with which +the people both of town and country have conducted, when +their business called them to an intercourse with the governor, +have often embarrassed and convinced him, that they were not +wholly destitute of sterling courage. There might be some +ground for punishing the person whose case produced the remonstrance; +but the punishment should have been under the +direction of a civil, and not a military officer, and of another +kind; for, though it may be deemed a retaliation, upon the country, +it has tended greatly to irritate.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The Massachusetts congress were solicitous to keep their proceedings +from coming to the knowledge of general Gage; but +from several circumstances which occurred, they entertained a +strong suspicion that they had some one among them, who betrayed +their counsels. A gentleman, who is not a stranger to +many considerable defects in the moral and political character of +Dr. Church, is apprehensive that he is the person; but is exceedingly +cautious of mentioning his suspicion, considering the +high reputation in which the doctor is among the sons of liberty.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Mar. 30.] General Gage marched out about eleven hundred +men into the country; who doing much damage by throwing +down the stone fences, occasioned a committee’s waiting upon +the Massachusetts congress on the Saturday, when upon the point +of adjourning, which kept them sitting till they received, on the +Monday following, accounts by a vessel from Falmouth, of what +parliament had done and was doing in relation to their colony.</p> + +<p class='c007'>It was a providential circumstance that they had so early intelligence, +and obtained it before general Gage had received his +dispatches: they were careful to improve it. The intelligence +spread fast, and induced more of the inhabitants of Boston to remove +out of the town. A number had been for some time withdrawing +themselves. The town was liable to be converted instantly, +at the discretion of the governor, into a secure prison; +and the people of it might be held as hostages for the conduct of +the province at large, or be kidnapped and sent to England, to +stand trial for supposed offences. Continuance in it was hazardous +to many, who had distinguished themselves by taking an active +part against the measures of government. But the dauntless +courage of some such inclined them to remain, though there was +no knowing what private orders might be sent to general Gage, +who was not inattentive to the service in which he was employed, +while he evidenced a prevailing desire after a peaceable accommodation. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCVI'>CCCVI</span>He sent private orders to the commanding officer +at New-York, to purchase up all the duck, blankets, pick-axes, +pots, and other articles proper for camp service. Application +was made by the officer to the Philadelphia merchants, +who penetrated the design, and no less nobly than unanimously +refused a compliance. Three of the New-York merchants had +for some time been buying up, selling, and sending the several +articles to Boston; but at length a stop was put to their proceedings +by the influence of captain Sears, who, upon his return +to Philadelphia, urged that they might want those things +themselves, and made a considerable stir upon the occasion. +But a great number were purchased at Portsmouth, before the +discovery of the general’s intention.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The news of the parliamentary proceedings encouraged the +soldiery to insult the people more than ever; their conduct seemingly +intimated, that they meant to provoke the other to begin a +quarrel; while these bore all with patience, as they were determined +not to be the aggressors. Nothing was wanting but a +spark to set the whole continent in a flame. The important moment, +big with inconceivable consequences, was evidently approaching, +when, through accident or design, it would be applied +to those combustibles which had been long collecting.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The grenadier and light infantry companies were taken off +duty, upon the plea of learning a new exercise, which made the +Bostonians jealous that there was some scheme on foot. A +daughter of liberty, unequally yoked in point of politics, sent +word, by a trusty hand, to Mr. Samuel Adams, residing, in +company with Mr. Hancock, at Lexington, about thirteen miles +from Charlestown, that the troops were coming out in a few +days. Upon this their friends at Boston were advised to move +out their plate, &c. and the committee of fafety voted, “that +all the ammunition be deposited in nine different towns; and +that other articles be lodged, some in one place, some in another, +so as to the 15 medicinal chests, 2000 iron pots, 2000 +bowls, 15,000 canteens, and 1100 tents; and that the six companies +of matrosses be stationed in different towns.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>Mr. Adams inferred from the number to be employed, that +these were the objects, and not himself and Mr. Hancock, who +might be more easily seized in a private way, by a few armed +individuals, than by a large body of troops, that must march for +miles together under the eye of the public.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The provincial stores had been hitherto deposited at Worcester +and Concord. To the last of these places, but half the distance +of the other from Boston, the general turned his attention; and, +being continually pestered by the repeated solicitations of the American +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCVII'>CCCVII</span>tories, with whom he was surrounded, and who persuaded +him there was no danger of resistance, their whig countrymen +being too cowardly, he determined, without the advice of the +council, when and in what way to attempt the seizure of the +many stores supposed to be in that place.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[April 18.] A number of officers dined together at Cambridge, +and toward night scattered themselves upon the road +leading to Concord; and took their station so as to be ready to +intercept any expresses going from Boston to alarm and raise +the country with intelligence of the troops being upon their +march. When the corps was nearly ready to proceed upon the +expedition, Dr. Warren, by a mere accident, had notice of it +just in time to send messengers over the Neck and across the +ferry, on to Lexington, before the orders for preventing every +person’s quitting the town were executed. The officers intercepted +several; but some, being well mounted, escaped their +vigilance; and the alarm being once given, spread apace, by +the ringing of bells and the firing of signal guns and vollies. +By eleven at night, eight hundred grenadiers and light infantry, +the flower of the army, embarked at the common, proceeded +and landed at Phipps’s farm, from whence they marched for +Concord, under the command of lieutenant-colonel Smith, aided +by major Pitcairn, who led the advanced corps.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[April 19.] About two in the morning, the Lexington company +of militia, to the amount of one hundred and thirty, repaired +to the green, close in with the meeting-house. The air +being chilly, and the intelligence respecting the regulars somewhat +uncertain, the men, after the roll-call, were dismissed, with +orders to appear again at beat of drum. Some went home, others +to the adjoining public house. Word being brought between +four and five, that the troops were not far off, they that were +at hand collected, to the number of about seventy, by the time +the regulars made their appearance. They were mostly in a confused +state, and a few only were drawn up. There were present +at the time about forty spectators without arms. The militia were +too few to think of beginning an attack. But major Pitcairn +rode round the meeting (as the meeting-house is generally called) +and approaching them called out, “<em>Disperse you rebels, throw +down your arms and disperse</em>.” An instant compliance not taking +place, which he might construe into contempt, he rode a little +further, fired his pistol, flourished his sword, and ordered the +soldiers to fire, with which they complied, huzzaing upon the +occasion. This produced an immediate dispersion; but the firing +was continued. Individuals finding they were fired upon, +though dispersing, had spirit enough to stop and return the fire. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCVIII'>CCCVIII</span>Three or four were killed upon the green; the rest, making the +whole number of the slain eight, were shot on the other side of +the walls and fences, over which they had fled in order to escape. +During this interesting period, Messrs. S. Adams and Hancock, +whose residence was near at hand, quitted and removed to a further +distance. While walking alone, Mr. Adams exclaimed, +“<em>Oh! what a glorious morning is this!</em>” in the belief that it would +eventually liberate the colony from all subjection to Great-Britain. +His companion did not penetrate his meaning, and thought the +allusion was only to the aspect of the sky. Lest it should be said +and believed, that the meeting was crowded with militia, before +and during the fire, let me mention that there were only a man +and a boy in it. The detachment marched on to Concord. The +people of the town, having received the alarm, drew up in order +for defence; but observing that the regulars were too numerous, +retired over the north bridge and waited for reinforcements from +the neighboring towns. A party of light infantry followed, and +possessed themselves of the bridge, while the main body entered +the town, and proceeded to execute their commission. They +disabled two twenty-four pounders, and destroyed their carriages +and seven wheels for the same, with their limbers beside sixteen +wheels for brass three pounders, and two carriages with limber +and wheels for two four pounders. They threw 500lb. of ball +into the river, wells, and other places; and broke in pieces about +sixty barrels of flour, half of which was saved. These were all +the stores that they could discover and destroy, on the account +of which a civil war has commenced between the colonies and +the parent state. The inhabitants of Britain may see reason, for +many ages, to curse the memory of the man or men, who has or +have been at the foundation of this fatal catastrophe, should they +ever be known. The militia being reinforced, Mr. John Butterick, +of Concord, major of a minute regiment, and who commanded, +ordered the men not to give the first fire, that so the +provincials might not be the aggressors, for he was ignorant of +what had passed at Lexington. Upon his advancing with them, +the light infantry retired to the Concord side of the river, and began +pulling up the bridge; and on his approaching nearer, immediately +fired, and killed captain Isaac Davis of Acton (who +with his company of minute-men made the front) and one of the +privates. The fire was returned, a skirmish ensued, and the +troops were forced to retreat, having several men killed and +wounded, and lieutenant Gould (who would have been killed had +not a minister present prevented) with some others taken. One of +their wounded, who was left behind, attempting to get up, was +assaulted by a young fellow going after the pursuers to join them, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCIX'>CCCIX</span>who, not being under the feelings of humanity, barbarously +broke his skull with a small hatchet, and let out his brains, but +neither scalped him nor cut off his ears. This event may give +rise to some malevolent pen to write, that many of the killed +and wounded at Lexington, were not only scalped, but had +their eyes forced out of the sockets by the fanatics of New-England; +not one was so treated either there or at Concord. +You have the real fact. The poor object languished for an +hour or two before he expired.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The party was joined by the main body; and the whole detachment +retreated with the utmost expedition; for all the country +was now up in arms, and attacked the troops on every quarter. +In their march of six miles back to Lexington, they were +exceedingly annoyed, not only by those who pressed upon their +rear; but by others, who fired upon them from behind the stone +walls and other coverts, which supplied the place of lines and +redoubts to the provincials. At Lexington they were joined by +a detachment under lord Percy.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The news of what had happened at Lexington, in their way +to Concord, flew to Boston and the neighborhood. But the +slaughter of the militia men was carefully concealed from general +Gage, who was not made acquainted with it till late in the afternoon. +He had however, early intelligence of the rising of +the country, and therefore detached, about eight in the morning, +lord Percy, with 16 companies of foot, and a number of +marines, 900 men in the whole, and two pieces of cannon, to +support colonel Smith. The brigade marched out, playing, by +way of contempt, <em>Yankee Doodle</em>, a song composed in derision +of the New-Englanders, scornfully called <em>Yankees</em>. A smart boy +observing it as the troops passed through Roxbury, made himself +extremely merry with the circumstance, jumping and laughing, +so as to attract the notice of his lordship, who, it is said, asked +him at what he was laughing so heartily; and was answered, +“To think how you will dance by and by to <em>Chevy Chace</em>.” It +is added, that the repartee stuck by his lordship the whole day.</p> + +<p class='c007'>You may wish to know the origin of the term <em>Yankee</em>. Take +the best account of it which your friend can procure. It was a +cant, favorite word with farmer Jonathan Hastings, of Cambridge, +about 1713. Two aged ministers, who were at the college +in that town, have told me, they remembered it to have +been then in use among the students, but had no recollection of +it before that period. The inventor used it to express excellency. +A Yankee good horse, or Yankee cider, and the like, were +an excellent good horse, and excellent cider. The students used +to hire horses of him; their intercourse with him, and his use of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCX'>CCCX</span>the term upon all occasions, led them to adopt it, and they gave +him the name of Yankee Jon. He was a worthy honest man, +but no conjurer. This could not escape the notice of the collegiates. +Yankee probably became a by-word among them, to +express a weak, simple, aukward person; was carried from the +college with them when they left it, and was in that way circulated +and established through the country (as was the case in +respect to <em>Hobson’s choice</em>,<a id='r115'></a><a href='#f115' class='c013'><sup>[115]</sup></a> by the students at Cambridge, in +Old England) till, from its currency in New-England, it was at +length taken up and unjustly applied to the New-Englanders +in common, as a term of reproach.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The junction of the brigade under lord Percy, with the detachment +under colonel Smith, gave the last a breathing time, especially +as they now had cannon, which awed the provincials from pressing +upon the rear in a direct line. But the whole force ventured +not to halt long; for far and wide the minute-men and militia +were collecting, in order to cut off their retreat to Boston. +They soon renewed their march; constant skirmishing succeeded, +and a continued fire, though often irregular and scattering +on their side, as well as on the part of the provincials. The close +firing from behind the walls, by good marksmen, for such were +almost all the provincials, put the troops into no small confusion, +and made it so dangerous for the officers, that they were more +attentive to their safety than in common. Major Pitcairn quitted +his horse, which was taken with the pistols in the holsters. +The soldiers loaded and fired over the stone walls, when there +was not a single man behind them. They were incommoded by +the wind’s blowing the smoke directly back upon them all the +time they were retreating; during which they burnt some houses, +attempted others, and plundered many of every thing valuable, +destroying what they could not carry off. They killed several +innocent unarmed persons; and murdered two old men at Menotomy. +Before they reached this place, a few Americans, +headed by the Rev. Mr. Payson, of Chelsea, who till now had +been extremely moderate, attacked a party of twelve soldiers, +carrying stores to the retreating troops, killed one, wounded several, +made the whole prisoners, and gained possession of their +arms and stores, without any loss whatever to themselves. The +regulars, when near Cambridge, were upon the point of taking +a wrong road, which would have led them into the most imminent +danger, but were prevented by the direction of a young +gentleman residing at the college; by which mean they made +good their retreat a little after sun-set over Charlestown Neck, to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXI'>CCCXI</span>Bunker’s Hill, but spent and wore down by the excessive fatigues +they had undergone, having marched that day between +thirty and forty miles, here they remained secure till the next +day, when they crossed at Charlestown ferry, and returned to +Boston.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Lieutenant-colonel Smith was much displeased with the soldiers +firing at Lexington; probably general Gage had given orders +that they should not fire unless they were first fired upon. Major +Pitcairn undoubtedly directed them to fire, from the mistaken +apprehension he had entertained of American resolution, for he +has the character of a good tempered officer. There were never +more than about four hundred provincials together, attacking at +one and the same time; and often scarce that number. But as +some tired and gave out, others came up. They had very little +appearance of discipline. Privates and officers fired away as +they had opportunity of doing execution, without waiting for the +word of command; and used their knowledge of the country to +gain the opportunity, by crossing fields and fences, of acting as +flanking parties against the regulars, while these proceeded along +the road. Colonel Pickering, of Salem, had the command of a +fine well exercised provincial regiment; had he pushed on with +his men, so as to have headed the British before they had gained +Charlestown Neck (and he was near enough) they must have +clubbed their firelocks, for they were quite wearied out with the +services of the day, and had but a round or two of ammunition +remaining. No satisfactory reason has been assigned for the +want of greater alertness in colonel Pickering’s regiment. The +British officers are astonished, chagrined, and mortified beyond +measure at what has happened. It’s death to all their glorying; +their best troops have been obliged in this manner to flee before +a number of <em>Yankees</em>, “when all the officers in general did every +thing that men could do, and when the soldiers behaved with +their usual intrepidity.”<a id='r116'></a><a href='#f116' class='c013'><sup>[116]</sup></a> They are sore at heart upon the occasion. +They have had 1 lieutenant killed, 2 lieutenant-colonels +wounded, Smith is one, 2 captains and 9 lieutenants wounded, +1 lieutenant missing, 2 ensigns wounded, 1 sergeant killed, 7 +wounded, 2 missing, 1 drummer killed, 1 wounded, 62 rank +and file killed, and 157 wounded; in all, 65 killed, 180 wounded, +and 28 made prisoners; total, 273.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Of the provincials, 50 have been killed, 34 wounded, and 4 +are missing; in all, 88. The following officers and gentlemen +are of the number, viz. justice Isaac Gardner, of Brookline, +capt. Isaac Davis, of Acton, capt. Jonathan Wilson, of Bedford, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXII'>CCCXII</span>lieut. John Bacon, and sergeant Elisha Mills, of Needham, and +deacon Josiah Haines, of Sudbury, killed; capt. Eleazer Kingsbury, +of Needham, capt. Samuel Williams, of Cambridge, captains +Charles Miles, Nathaniel Barret, and George Minot, of +Concord, capt. Oliver Barnes, and deacon Aaron Chamberlain, +of Chelmsford, wounded. The persons who have fallen, are +regretted with the deepest concern, and are honored not only +as patriots, but as martyrs, who have died bravely in the cause +of their country.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Captains John Ford and Oliver Barron, and deacon Davis, +all of Chelmsford, distinguished themselves in the course of the +day. It can be fully proved that captain Ford killed five regulars. +James Howard, a private in the Acton company, and a +regular coming out of a house, caught sight of each other, and +discharged their pieces at the same instant; both shots taking +effect, the last dropt down dead, and the first expired a few +hours after. A big boy joined in the chace of the retreating +troops, and was very expert in firing at them; at length a ball +from the enemy grazed his head, and produced a flesh wound; +he soon recovered the shock, bound up his head with a handkerchief, +and renewed his pursuit.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Two British officers who have been taken, and the privates +who are wounded and prisoners, are treated with humanity by +the provincials; and general Gage may, if he pleases, safely +send his surgeons to dress and attend them.</p> + +<p class='c007'>If the contest is to become general between the colonies and +the mother country, it may be deemed a happiness for them +that it has commenced in the Massachusetts, where all the inhabitants +are so connected with each other by descent, blood, +uniformity of manners, similarity of civil and religious sentiments, +mediocrity of circumstances, and a general equality, that +the killing of a single individual interesteth the whole province +in the event, and makes them consider it a common cause.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The inhabitants are now everywhere in arms; and collecting +in such numbers about Boston, that they will not only invest the +town effectually, but excite disagreeable apprehensions in general +Gage. No one is suffered to go in or out at present. The +provincials have for their commander in chief, a native of the +Massachusetts, general Ward; the honorable Jedediah Pribble +having, more than a month ago, declined, on account of his +bad health. General Ward might have pleaded the like excuse; +but he wishes to serve his country to the utmost of his abilities, +and is ready to risk his life in the cause of American liberty. He +is to be trusted, being a gentleman of great integrity. His commission +as commander in chief of the Bay troops, was delivered to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXIII'>CCCXIII</span>him on the 20th of April, by the provincial congress. Three +days after, they chose general John Thomas, lieutenant-general.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The day general Ward received his commission, the committee +of safety sent letters to New-Hampshire and Connecticut, +with an account of the enemy’s proceedings the day before, and +praying all the assistance in their power. The next day they agreed +upon enlisting 8000 men out of the Massachusetts forces; +but the provincial congress being adjourned from Concord to +Watertown, resolved the succeeding day, “that an army of +30,000 men be immediately raised and established; that 13,600 +be by this province; and that a letter and delegate be sent to the +several colonies of Hampshire, Connecticut, and Rhode-Island.” +Head-quarters are at Cambridge; and the students quit the college +that the provincials may be accommodated. General Thomas +commands at Roxbury. He is a cool, courageous, discerning +and active officer, well qualified for guarding the important +post he occupies, and preventing the enemy’s making a sally over +the Neck into the country should they be inclined to attempt +it; but for the present they are more afraid of being attacked.</p> + +<p class='c007'>General Gage, to secure the people within from taking up +arms against the king’s troops, in case of an assault, has agreed +with the committee of the town [April 22.] after a long conference, +that upon the inhabitants in general lodging their arms +in Faneuil-Hall, or any other convenient place, under the care +of the select men, all such inhabitants as are inclined, may depart +from the town with their families and effects; that those who remain +may depend upon his protection; and that the arms aforesaid, +at a suitable time, shall be returned to the owners. The +town agreed to this proposal, and their vote upon it was read +by the committee, upon their return to his excellency, who accepted +it; and further agreed, that the inhabitants may remove +from town by land and water with their effects, within the limits +specified by the port act. He also informed the committee, that +he would desire the admiral to lend his boats to facilitate the removal +of the effects of the inhabitants; and that he would allow +carriages to pass and repass for that purpose. He said likewise, +that he would take care that the poor, who may remain in town, +shall not suffer for want of provisions after their own stock is expended; +and desired that a letter might be written to Dr. Warren, +chairman of the committee of congress, that those persons +in the country, who may incline to remove into Boston with, +their effects may have liberty so to do without molestation.—An +account of these proceedings was sent to Dr. Warren; who +was further informed by the town committee [April 25.] “Permission +will be given for 30 waggons to enter the town at once, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXIV'>CCCXIV</span>to carry away the effects of the inhabitants; so soon as those +have returned to the end of the causeway leading to Roxbury, +then others will be permitted to come in. None will be permitted +to enter till after sun-rise, nor remain after sun-set. If any +vessel or boat now in the harbour, be employed to remove the +inhabitants effects, security must be given that it be returned. +It is expected that leave be obtained for some persons to go to +the different parishes, to give notice to such persons who incline +to come, with their effects, into Boston, that they may +come without molestation; and it is desired, that the waggons +and vessels employed to come to carry away the goods of the +inhabitants of Boston, may bring the effects of those who are +desirous to leave the country, they paying half the charge.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[April 26.] Doctor Warren has this day written to general +Gage:</p> + +<div class='lg-container-l c002'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“SIR,</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c007'>The unhappy situation into which this colony is thrown, +gives the greatest uneasiness to every man who regards the welfare +of the empire, or feels for the distresses of his fellow men; +but even now much may be done to alleviate those misfortunes +which cannot be entirely remedied; and I think it of the utmost +importance to us, that our conduct be such, as that the contending +parties may entirely rely upon the honor and integrity of +each other, for the punctual performance of any agreement +that shall be made between them. Your excellency, I believe, +knows very well the part I have taken in public affairs. I ever +scorned disguise. I think I have done my duty; some may think +otherwise; but be assured, Sir, as far as my influence goes, every +thing which reasonably can be required of us to do, shall be +done; and every thing promised shall be religiously performed. +I should now be very glad to know from you, Sir, how many +days you desire may be allowed for such as desire to remove to +Boston with their effects, and what time you will allow the people +in Boston for their removal. When I have received the +information, I will repair to congress, and hasten, as far as I am +able, the issuing a proclamation. I beg leave to suggest, that the +condition of admitting only thirty waggons at a time into the +town, appears to me very inconvenient, and will prevent the +good effects of a proclamation intended to be issued for encouraging +all waggoners to assist in removing the effects from Boston +with all possible speed. If your excellency will be pleased to +take the matter into consideration, and favor me as soon as may +be with an answer, it will lay me under a great obligation, as it +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXV'>CCCXV</span>so nearly concerns the welfare of my friends in Boston. I have +many things which I wish to say to your excellency, and most +sincerely wish I had broken through the formalities which I +thought due to your rank, and freely told you all I knew or +thought of public affairs; and I must ever confess, whatever +may be the event, that you generously gave me such an opening +as I now think I ought to have embraced; but the true cause +of my not doing it, was the knowledge I had of the vileness and +treachery of many persons around you, who I suppose had +gained your entire confidence.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-r'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>I am, &c. &c.”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c014'>The committee of safety have sent letters to Rhode-Island +and Connecticut, importuning immediate assistance; and that +as large a number of troops as can be spared, may be immediately +marched forward, well stocked with provisions and ammunition, +and accompanied with as large a train of artillery as can +be granted. They express their determination, at all events, +to act their parts with firmness and intrepidity, knowing that +slavery is far worse than death.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The committee appointed to examine into the damages done +on the 19th, at Cambridge, Lexington, and Concord, have reported, +that by fire, robbery, and destruction, the same are as +follows: at Cambridge, £.901 16s. 5d. 1–4; at Lexington, +£.1320 16s. 0d. 3–4; and at Concord, £.206 2s. 5d. 1–4; in +all £.2428 14s. 11d. 1–4. sterling. The parties exhibited their +accounts on oath, and the greatest care was taken that the state +of the damages might be just.</p> + +<p class='c007'>My friend Quincy has sacrificed his life for the sake of his +country. The ship in which he sailed, arrived at Cape Ann +within these two days; but he lived not to get on shore, or to +hear and triumph at the account of the success of the Lexington +engagement. His remains will be honorably interred by his relations. +Let him be numbered with the patriotic heroes who +fall in the cause of liberty; and his memory be dear to posterity. +Let his only surviving child, a son of about three years, live to +possess his noble virtues, and to transmit his name down to future +generations. You have my warmest acknowledgments for +your last manuscript. See that you embrace every safe opportunity +of continuing your correspondence; you will find me in +that line of conduct.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The supreme power now extant in the Massachusetts, has given +their first naval commission to captain <em>John Derby</em>, of Salem, +who is entrusted by the provincial congress with dispatches for +Dr. Franklin, containing an account of the Lexington fight, and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXVI'>CCCXVI</span>an address to the inhabitants of Great-Britain. He sails without +delay. In the address the congress profess to place much dependence +on the honor, wisdom, and valor of Britons; from +which they hope for their interference in preventing the prosecution +of present measures. They make great professions of +loyalty; but declare, that they will not tamely submit to the persecution +and tyranny of a cruel ministry; and that they are determined +to die or be free. They appeal to Heaven for the +justice of their cause. Should not an accommodation take place, +Heaven must grant them its special protection, or they will be +crushed before the power of Britain, notwithstanding all that +the other colonies can do for them; unless the officers who are +employed against them, are not supplied with an adequate force, +or are wretchedly defective in courage, inclination, activity, prudence, +or other military abilities; or unless some foreign power +for its own interest, and to injure the parent state, takes +them by the hand. Their military stores are scarce worth mentioning. +They reckon upon sixteen field pieces. It is well if +six of them are calculated for much actual service. There are +four brass ones, of a small size, that may answer a good purpose. +They have a few large iron cannon, two or three mortars +and howitzers, cannon ball, and shells; but they have only +eighty-two half barrels of powder belonging to the public store; +most towns have a small quantity, that however will be soon +exhausted. Considering what ought to be the case to warrant +a reasonable expectation of success in a military contest with a +nation that abounds in all the apparatus of war, they may be +pronounced destitute of every article but men; and, though +these are not wanting in natural courage, it will take a considerable +time to make them thorough good soldiers. They have +neither money nor magazines.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 class='c005'>LETTER XIII.</h2> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-r c002'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><em>London, June 12, 1775.</em></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c012'>The restraining and fishery bill did not pass through the +house of lords with less opposition than what it had met +with in the house of commons. Upon the motion for committing +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXVII'>CCCXVII</span>it after the second reading, the marquis of <em>Rockingham</em> opposed +it with great ability, and in the course of his speech showed, +that in 1704, the whole amount of the exports to the New-England +colonies was only about £.70,000 annually; that in +1754, it had arisen to £.180,000, in the succeeding ten years to +£.400,000, and in the last ten years, had nearly doubled that sum.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The bill was carried by a majority of more than three to one; +but was productive of a protest, signed by sixteen lords. It is +particularly distinguished, by the severe censure passed upon a +lord high in office, who in the late debates, most unadvisedly +threw out a charge of general cowardice against the Americans.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The fishery bill had scarce cleared the house of commons, +when lord North brought in another, [March 9.] “To restrain +the trade and commerce of the colonies of New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, +Maryland, Virginia, and South-Carolina, to Great-Britain, +Ireland, and the British islands in the West-Indies, under +certain conditions and limitation.” While this bill was in +agitation, a long series of evidence, in behalf of the West-India +merchants and planters, was laid before the house. It appeared, +that upon a very moderate computation, the capital in the West-India +islands, consisting of lands, buildings, negroes and stock +of all kinds, did not amount to less than £.60,000,000. sterling; +that their exports of late years to Britain, ran to about 190,000 +hogheads and puncheons of sugar and rum annually; amounting +in weight to 95,000 tons, and in value about £.4,000,000 +exclusive of a great number of smaller articles, and of their very +great export to North-America; that their growth was so rapid +and improvement so great, that within a few years, their export +of sugar to this kingdom was increased 40,000 hogsheads annually, +amounting to about £.800,000 in value. The probability, +was apparent, that more than half of the capital of £.60,000,000 +was either the immediate property of persons resident in this +country, or owing to them; and also that the revenue gained +above £.700,000 a year upon the direct West-India trade, exclusive +of its eventual and circuitous products, and of the African +trade.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[March 20.] Mr. Burke made a number of conciliatory propositions +with respect to the colonies, contained in a set of resolutions, +which he accompanied and elucidated by a celebrated +speech. He traced that unconquerable spirit of freedom, that +violent passion for liberty, by which the colonists are distinguished +from all other people of the world, from the sources of their +descent, education, manners, religious principles, forms of government, +and distance from the head of the empire. He +made it appear, that the whole exports to North-America, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXVIII'>CCCXVIII</span>the West-Indies, and Africa, in 1704 (from England it must +be, for the union of the two kingdoms had not then taken place) +amounted only in value to £.569,930 but the comparative value +of money at that period, was much greater than at present. In +1772, the exports from Great-Britain to the same places, amounted +at a medium, to no less than £.6,024,171. He also shewed +that the <em>whole export</em> trade of England, including that to the +colonies, amounted in 1704, only to £.6,509,000. Thus the +trade to the colonies alone was in 1772, within less than half a +million of being equal to what was carried on by England with +the whole world, at the beginning of the present century. However +astonishing this general increase of the whole colonies may +appear, the growth of the province of Pennsylvania is still more +extraordinary. In 1704, the whole exports to that colony, amounted +to no more than £.11,459 and in 1772, they were risen +to £.507,909 being nearly fifty times the original demand, and +almost equal to the whole colony export at the first period.—This +astonishing growth of the colonies, within little more than +half a century, and the prodigious share they contribute to our +greatness, makes them a matter of the first importance to ourselves, +and must excite the admiration of future ages.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The previous question was moved on the first proposition, +and carried by 270 to 78; and thus ended the business.</p> + +<p class='c007'>But the ill success which has attended all conciliatory propositions +hitherto, excepting those which have originated from +government, did not deter Mr. Hartley from making a similar +attempt. [April 27.] The motion, however, was rejected without +a division.</p> + +<p class='c007'>During the progress of the second restraining bill, an additional +clause was moved for by the minister; whereby the counties +of Newcastle, Kent and Sussex, on the Delaware, were included +in the prohibitions of that bill, and carried without a division.</p> + +<p class='c007'>While these matters were transacting, several petitions were +received from manufacturing towns in Britain and Ireland, against +the coercive acts. Some counter petitions were also received, +calling for an enforcement of the laws of Britain, as the only +means of preserving a trade with the colonies. Much altercation +arose on the truth of the facts alledged on both sides, as well +as on the manner of obtaining the signatures, and the quality o£ +those who signed. The minority insisted, that the most who signed +the war petitions, as they called them, were persons who had +little or no interest in the American trade, but of that description +of warm and active party men, commonly called tories. And +they entered into several examinations to prove the truth of the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXIX'>CCCXIX</span>former part of their assertion. This produced many long and +hot debates. Other petitions were presented to the crown, and +equally disregarded; one from the British settlers in Canada, against +the Quebec bill; one from the quakers, in which besides +endeavoring to diffuse the influence of that spirit of peace which +is the predominant principle in their religious system, they declared +themselves persuaded, that there are not in his majesty’s +extensive dominions, subjects more loyal, and more zealously +attached to his royal person, his family and government, than +in the provinces of America, among all religious denominations. +His majesty, however, went in person to the house, and gave +the royal assent to the restraining and fishery bill, in the usual +form. In this season of public discontent, when the minds of +all were agitated on one side or other, the city of London, not +discouraged by the fate of all its applications for a number of +years past, once more approached the throne with an address, +remonstrance, and petition [April 10.] upon a subject, and in a +manner as little calculated to obtain a favorable reception, as +any of the preceding. In this remonstrance they recapitluated +the whole catalogue of American grievances; declared their abhorrence +of the measures which had been pursued, and were +then pursuing; and justified the resistance to which the Americans +had been driven, upon the great principles of the constitution; +“actuated by which,” they said, “at the glorious period +of the revolution, our ancestors transferred the imperial +crown of these realms to the illustrious house of Brunswick.” +They beseeched his majesty immediately and for ever to dismiss +from his councils, those ministers and advisers who had been at +the bottom of the preceding measures. His majesty delivered +the following answer: “It is with the utmost astonishment, that I +find any of my subjects capable of encouraging the rebellious +disposition which unhappily exists in my colonies in North-America. +Having entire confidence in the wisdom of my parliament, +the great council of the nation, I will steadily pursue +those measures which they have recommended for the support +of the constitutional rights of Great-Britain, and the protection +of the commercial rights of my kingdom.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>The earl of Effingham has uniformly opposed the whole system +of measures pursued against the Americans, and finding that the +regiment in which he served was at length destined for America, +and thinking it inconsistent with his character, and beneath his +dignity to enforce measures with his sword, which he had so utterly +condemned in his legislative capacity [Mar. 12.] he wrote +a letter of resignation to the secretary of war. In it he deeply +regretted his being necessitated to quit the military profession; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXX'>CCCXX</span>but said, “I cannot, without reproach from my own conscience, +consent to bear arms against my fellow-subjects in America, +in what, to my discernment, is not a clear cause.” Pity +that it is not a point of honor with all military officers, to consider +the merits of the cause wherein their swords are to be employed, +and when they are not satisfied in their own judgments, +to practise as the noble earl has done. Such a point of honor +might hinder many a war.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The British ambassador at the Hague, applied to the States +to forbid their subjects supplying the Americans with arms, ammunition, +gun-powder &c. and they by proclamation prohibited +the exportation of all such articles, in Dutch or foreign ships, +from any of their dominions, without licence, on penalty of +forfeiting about £.90 sterling. Judge whether the profits of the +voyage will not be so great as to make it worth the merchants +while to run the risk of that sum. Let the American vessels repair +to Holland, and the Dutch will furnish them with gun-powder +in large glass bottles of several gallons dimensions, under +the notion of spirits, or liquor of one kind or other.<a id='r117'></a><a href='#f117' class='c013'><sup>[117]</sup></a> +France was also applied to, and could have crushed all assistance, +by express prohibition; but only told her subjects, that +if they afforded any, it was at their own risk; tantamount to—if +you will venture, you may. Spain roundly refused giving the +least hindrance to her subjects.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[March 13.] His majesty went to the house of peers, and +gave the royal assent to the bill for restraining the trade of New-Jersey, +Pennsylvania, &c. Thus the probability of the colonies +dividing from each other is lessened, and their union becomes +more established. Some future proceedings in the provinces of +New-York and North-Carolina will be likely to consolidate the +whole continent.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The American fisheries being now abolished, measures were +necessary to supply their place, and to guard against the consequences +of the foreign markets either changing the course of +consumption, or falling into the hands of strangers. It was also +expedient to pay a greater attention to the interests of Ireland, +than what had been practised for many years. The minister +therefore moved for a committee of the whole house [Mar. 27.] +to consider of the encouragement proper to be given to the fisheries +of Britain and Ireland. The committee, in its progress, granted +several bounties to the ships of Britain and Ireland, for their +encouragement in prosecuting the Newfoundland fishery; and +two resolutions were introduced and passed, in favor of the latter +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXXI'>CCCXXI</span>kingdom. Complaints, however, were made, that clauses were +insidiously stolen into the act, to prevent its operating in any considerable +extent. The committee agreed also to the granting of +bounties for encouraging the whale fishery, and to take off the +duties payable upon the importation of oil, blubber, and bone, +from Newfoundland, &c. and on the importation of seal skins.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Ministry have not confined themselves to the making of laws; +they have also sent out against the Americans, generals Howe, +Clinton, and Burgoyne, in the Cerberus [Mar. 28.] The transports +with troops to reinforce governor Gage, sailed a week +after from Cork.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[May 15.] Toward the close of the session, Mr. Burke acquainted +the house with his having received a paper of great +importance from the general assembly at New-York. He observed +that it was a complaint, in the form of a remonstrance, of several +acts of parliament, some of which they affirmed had established +principles, and others had made regulations subversive of +the rights of English subjects. He afterward moved that it +might be brought up. The minister immediately moved an amendment, +which proved an indirect but effectual negative upon +Mr. Burke’s motion. The amendment was carried by a majority +of 186 to 67; the question being then put on the amended motion, +it was rejected without a division. The New-York memorial +to the lords was brought in by the duke of Manchester, who +moved for its being read. After some altercation the question +was called for, and upon a division, the motion was rejected by +a majority of 45 against 25. The petition to the king was received, +but the prayer of the petition was not granted. Such is +the fate of the applications made by the general assembly of +New-York, for a redress of their supposed grievances. It must +tend to widen the breach between Britain and the colonies.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[May 17.] Lord Camden presented a petition to the house of +lords, from the British inhabitants of the province of Quebec, +in which they stated their grievances, and implored their lordships +favorable interposition that the Quebec act might be repealed +or amended, and that they might enjoy their constitutional +rights, privileges, and franchises. His lordship, after expatiating +on the evils of the act, proposed a bill, which was read, for +the repeal of the late act. This measure was strongly opposed +by administration, and a motion was made by lord Dartmouth, +that the bill be rejected, which was carried by a majority of 60 +out of 88, there being only twenty-eight lords who supported +the bill. Much censure having been expressed or implied, both +within doors and without, relative to the whole conduct of the +bishops in the Canada transactions, the reverend father of that +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXXII'>CCCXXII</span>bench, stood up during the debate to justify the Quebec act, so +far as it related to religious matters, which he did upon the principles +of toleration, the faith of the capitulation, and the terms +of the definitive treaty of peace, but many were far from being +convinced, that these principles required such a full and perfect +establishment of the popish religion, as is granted by the act itself.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[May 18.] Sir George Saville presented to the house of commons, +another petition from the same inhabitants of Quebec, in +which, among other things, they represented with too much truth, +that the petition to his majesty, in the name of all the French inhabitatnts +of that province, and upon which the late law had been +avowedly founded, was not fairly obtained, and had neither received +the concurrence of the people in general, nor even been +communicated to them, but had been carried about in a secret +manner, and signed by a few of the noblesse, advocates, and +others, who were in their confidence. They affirmed that the +inhabitants in general were as much alarmed as themselves, at the +introduction of the Canadian laws. They concluded by praying, +that the said act might be repealed or amended. Sir George examined +and laid open the week or obnoxious parts of the act, and +threw new light even upon those which had already undergone +the highest degree of colouring, and then concluded his speech +with moving for a repeal of the late act for the better government +of the province of Quebec. Considerable debates ensued, in the +course of which the minister avowed his intention, if it should +become necessary, of arming the Canadians against the other +colonies. But he declared his firm persuasion, that the troubles +in America, would be speedily and happily settled without +blood-shed. Notwithstanding this declaration it was whispered, +that he was uneasy and from what general Gage wrote +last, dreaded the news by the April packet. For some, who +professed to have the best information, asserted that orders were +sent to apprehend Messrs. Cushing, Samuel Adams, Hancock +and others, and to transport them to Great-Britain; and that +the receipt of these orders had been acknowledged; but that +second orders had been dispatched to hang them at Boston. Sir +George Saville’s motion was rejected by a majority of more than +two to one, the numbers being 174 to 86.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[May 26.] The speaker, when he presented the money bills +for the royal assent, gave an assurance in his speech to his majesty, +that if the Americans persisted in their resolutions, and the +sword must be drawn, the commons would do every thing in +their power to maintain and support the supremacy of this legislature.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXXIII'>CCCXXIII</span>The king gave his royal assent to the several bills, both public +and private, which remained to be passed into acts; and closed +the session by a speech from the throne, in which he expressed +the most perfect satisfaction in the conduct of the parliament, +during the course of their session; and his persuasion, that the +most salutry effects must, in the end, result from measures formed +and conducted on such principles, as those on which they had +acted. A favorable representation was made of the pacific disposition +of other powers, and the usual assurence given of endeavoring +to secure the public tranquility.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[May 28.] Captain Derby arrived with his dispatches for Dr. +Franklin got to London in the evening, and delivered them to +Dr. Lee, as the other agent had left the country. The circulated +accounts of the action were vague; is was plain however, +that the troops had been worsted; and that government feared +it, though they disclaimed all knowledge of what had happened.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The Sukey, captain Brown, though she sailed four days before +captain Derby’s vessel, did not arrive till the ninth of June +with general Gage’s dispatches. The Gazette has given us the +govermental account of the Lexington engagement. From the +praises bestowed upon officers and men for their activity and bravery, +it is evident, that the Americans made the business of the +day a hard, difficult and dangerous service to them. The nation +in general is not so shocked with this transaction as the importance +of it requires. It was a fatal mistake to send soldiers instead +of shipping; and no less so to order them to Boston, instead of +planting them in New-York (where government has a strong +interest) and securing a fortified line of communication from +thence to Canada, with which to divide he southern from the +New-England colonies.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Six more regiments of foot have received orders to hold themselves +in readiness to embark for America. They are encouraged +by an expectation, into which they are drawn by the informations +given them, of possessing farms and other confiscated property.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXXIV'>CCCXXIV</span> + <h2 class='c005'>LETTER XIV.</h2> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-r c002'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><em>Roxbury, August 15, 1775.</em></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-l'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='sc'>My dear sir</span>,</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c012'>To prevent an omission, let me begin with mentioning, that +when governor Martin met the general assembly of North-Carolina, +at Newbern [April 4, 1775.] he made a speech to +them in a high governmental strain; and expressed his expectation +that they would oppose so dangerous a step as the unwarrantable +measure of appointing delegates to attend a congrees in +Philadelphia. He also told them that they were most peculiarly +called upon to oppose a meeting of delegates which the +people had been invited to choose, and who were appointed to +assemble at that very time and place, in the face of the legislature. +The assembly, in their answer, justified the meeting of +the people, and said, “Be it far from us even to wish to prevent +the operations of the convention now held at Newbern.” +They also took the opportunity, the first that had been given +them, to express their warm attachment to their sister colonies +in general, and their heart-felt compassion for the deplorable +state of the town of Boston, and to declare the fixed resolution +of the colony to unite with the other colonies in every effort to +retain their just rights and liberties.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Let me now enter upon the narration of the effects of the +Lexington engagement, out of the Massachusetts colony. The +news of it flew with the utmost rapidity; and influenced the +minds of all people, answerable to their various apprehensions +and attachments.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Col. <em>Putnam</em> served with the Connecticut troops under Gen. +Amherst the last war. By his courage and conduct he secured to +himself a good share of reputation. When peace commenced, +he returned to the civil line of life. Of late he has occupied a +tavern, with a farm annexed to it. Such a junction is frequent in +New-England, and the occupation not at all inconsistent with a +Roman character. The Lexington news was brought him while +working in a leathern frock and apron, at a stone wall, with +which to fence in his land. This was about eleven o’clock in the +morning. After giving his men some direction how to proceed +he went home, got his horse, and rode to the neighboring towns, +to acquaint the militia officers and others with what had taken +place. As he was returning, he found some hundreds mustered, +who informed him that they had appointed him their general, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXXV'>CCCXXV</span>and were determined to march off immediately. He said that he +was not ready, had no money about him, and must go and get +some. They supplied him from among themselves; on which he +gave proper orders for their marching after him, and went forward +in his check shirt, upon the same beast, and got to Concord +the next morning by sun-rise, having rode, as he supposed, +from eleven o’clock of the preceding morning, not less than +a hundred miles within the eighteen hours. The militia that +followed him, marched with a quick step till they reached the +place of destination.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Mr. <em>Benedict Arnold</em> of New-Haven, had been chosen captain +of a volunteer company by the inhabitants, when they began to +prepare for whatever might happen. No sooner did the Lexington +news reach him, than he called his company together, +and asked them whether they would march off with him the next +morning for the neighbourhood of Boston, distant 150 miles.—They +agreed; and at the proper time paraded before the tavern +where a committee was sitting. He applied to the gentlemen +for powder and ball; they demurred supplying him, as he was +not duly authorized. The captain, in haste to fly to the help of +his suffering brethren, proposed procuring the supply by force if +needful, to which the volunteers consented. He then sent for +the committee, and informed them what he was determined upon. +Colonel Wooster came out, and would have persuaded him +to wait till he had received proper orders; to which capt. Arnold +answered, “<em>None but God Almighty shall prevent my marching</em>.” +The committee perceiving his fixed resolution, supplied +him; and he marched off instantly, and with his company reached +the American head-quarters by the 29th of April.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[April 23.] The news reached New-York on the Lord’s +day. On hearing it, capt. Sears conceived the design of stopping +all vessels going to Quebec, Newfoundland, Georgia, and +Boston; several were about to sail. He consulted Mr. Lamb, +who joined in the measure. They then wrote a letter to the +committee of Philadelphia, assuring them that all vessels would be +sopt at New-York, and signed it with their names, that so the +assurance might be relied upon. The express being sent off, they +contrived to assemble the people, without its being known upon +what business; and when they were met, it was concluded upon +to shut up the custom-house. The officer was waited on, who +considering the expediency of a compliance, ordered the keys to +be delivered up to capt. Sears. The merchants whose vessels +were cleared out, dared not to admit of their sailing. The +Philadelphia committee, relying upon the assurance that had +been given them, so managed as that it was agreed, to shut +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXXVI'>CCCXXVI</span>up their port also against all vessels going to the before mentioned +places.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The hostilities in the Massachusetts threw the city of New-York +into such a state of tumult, that it was judged expedient, +with a view of restoring tranquility and good order, to appoint +a general committee of a hundred, for the city and county of +New-York, which answered. [May 5.] This committee addressed +a letter to the lord mayor, aldermen, and common council +of the city of London, which was signed by seventy-seven of +them. In it they declared, that “The disposal of their own +property, with perfect spontaniety, and in a manner wholly divested +of every appearance of constraint, is their indefeasible +birth-right. This exalted blessing they are absolutely determined +to defend with their blood, and to transfer uncontaminated +to their posterity.” They professed their readiness to submit +cheerfully to a regulation of commerce by the legislature of the +parent state, excluding in its nature, every idea of taxation; +but reprobated the minister’s conciliatory plan. They gave assurance, +“That America is grown so irritable by oppression, +that the least shock in any part is, by the most powerful and +sympathetic affection, instantaneously felt through the whole +continent—that while the whole continent are ardently wishing +for peace upon such terms as can be acceded to by Englishmen, +they are indefatigable in preparing for the last appeal.” “Near +the close they said, “We speak the real sentiments of the confederated +colonies on the continent, from Nova-Scotia to Georgia, +when we declare, that all the horrors of a civil war will +never compel America to submit to taxation by authority of +parliament.” They concluded with expressing their confidence +of the most vigorous exertions of the city of London to restore +union and mutual peace to the whole empire.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[May 6.] The next day an association was signed by upward +of a thousand of the principal inhabitants of the city and county. +They in the most solemn manner declared, that they associated +to endeavor carrying into execution whatever measure might +be recommended by the continental congress, or be resolved upon +by their own provincial convention, for the purpose of preserving +their constitution, and opposing the execution of the oppressive +acts of the British parliament, until a reconciliation between +Great-Britain and America, on constitutional principles, +can be obtained; and that they would in all things follow the +advice of their general committee, respecting the purposes aforesaid, +the preservation of peace and good order, and the safety +of individual and private property.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXXVII'>CCCXXVII</span>The inhabitants armed themselves also with great diligence and +industry. But it is not to be inferred from these strong appearances, +that there is a real and general union in sentiment among +the New-Yorkers. They are much divided; though each party +has thus coaleasced with a view of serving its own particular interest. +The tories have joined, to prevent the violence which +might otherwise exist, and to check the progress of the sons of +liberty. The whigs have joined, in hope of drawing the others +into such lengths in opposing ministerial measures as are reprobated +by them at present.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The New-Jersey people, on receiving the Lexington news, +took possesion of the province treasury, in which there was +about £.20,000 part of it is appropriated to the payment of the +troops they are now raising for the defence of the liberties of +America.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The citizens of <em>Philadelphia</em>, beside stopping the vessels as +before related, were spirited up to attempt perfecting their preparations +for the most serious and painful contest.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The governor of the province laid before the assembly the minister’s +conciliatory plan; and observed to them that they were +the <em>first</em> assembly on the continent to whom it had been communicated. +After considering it, they said, “If no <em>other</em> objection +to the plan proposed, occurred to us, we should esteem it a desertion +of sister colonies, connected by an union founded on +just motives and mutual faith, and conducted by general councils, +for a single colony to adopt a measure so extensive in consequence, +without the advice and consent of those colonies engaged +with us by solemn ties in the same common cause.” The +complection of the assembly has been changed. In the choice of +deputies for the approaching congress, made last December, Mr. +Galloway was left out; and on the sixth of May, the house added +three more to the number of their deputies, and the first on +the list was Dr. Franklin. Thus have they, since his arrival, +expressed their approbation of his conduct, and their confidence +in his abilities. The plan has been since proposed to other colony +assemblies, but with no better success than in Pennsylvania.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The account of the action arrived at Baltimore, in Maryland, +in six days; The inhabitants immediately seized upon the provincial +magazine, containing 1500 stand of arms, &c. They +also stopped all exports to the fishing islands, and those colonies +which have refused to unite with their brethren in the common +cause; and all supplies to the navy and army at Boston.</p> + +<p class='c007'>In Virginia a provincial congress met in March, for want of +a legal assembly, and took measures for arraying the militia, the +militia laws being expired; and recommended to each county +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXXVIII'>CCCXXVIII</span>the raising of a volunteer company for the better defence of the +country. On the 20th of April the governor employed the captain +of an armed vessel to convey, by night, on board his ship, +from the public magazine, out of about one and twenty, fifteen +half barrels of powder, containing 50lb. each. The citizens of +Williamsburg were greatly alarmed, so that the mayor and +corporation addressed his lordship upon the occasion, who, in +his answer, informed them, that hearing of an insurrection in a +neighboring county, he had removed the powder from the magazine +to a place of perfect security; and that whenever it was +wanted on any insurrection, it should be delivered in half an +hour. The news of the seizure soon reached Hanover county, +upon which captain Patrick Henry, and the other volunteers of +the county, marched for Williamsburg, with a view of securing +the public treasury from the like catastrophe, and of obtaining a +return of the powder, or a compensation for it. More than a +hundred and fifty, all well accoutred, and making a martial appearance, +advanced within 15 miles of the capital; but a sufficient +sum of money being paid by the receiver-general to compensate +for the powder, and the citizens engaging to guard the +public treasury and magazine, they dispersed, and returned to +their respective homes.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The value of the whole magazine was very inadequate to the +alarm and disturbance which the governor’s measure excited.—Neither +powder nor muskets were sufficient to answer any essential +purpose, or even to justify apprehension.</p> + +<p class='c007'>His lordship was exceedingly irritated at the behavior of the +people, and threw out threats. Those of setting up the royal +standard, of enfranchising the Negroes, and arming them against +their masters, and of destroying the city; with other expressions +of a similar tendency, not only spread a general alarm thro’ +the colony, but excited a kind of abhorrence of government, +and an incurable suspicion of its designs. Meanwhile, several +public meetings were held in different counties, in all of which +the seizing of the powder, and the governor’s threats were reprobated +in the strongest terms. The news of Lexington engagement +arriving when the minds of the Virginians were in +such a ferment, tended to increase their apprehensions, and of +course attention to the militia and volunteer companies.</p> + +<p class='c007'>It was not long ere the same news reached Charleston, in +South-Carolina. The hopes of the inhabitants, that the non-importation +and non-exportation agreements would induce the +parent state to recede from her demands, were blasted on the arrival +of a packet from London, the 19th of April; but when +the Lexington news was received, they concluded that the colonies +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXXIX'>CCCXXIX</span>were to be dragooned into slavery. The thought excited +the greatest indignation; but they paused upon considering +their situation. The province, for near two hundred miles coastways, +was accessible to the British fleets and armies. It had but +a few trifling fortifications, and these held by British officers. +The western frontiers were exposed to the savages; and the +Negroes might be prevailed upon, by insinuations, to slay their +masters. The governor had the command of the militia; and +all the officers had their commissions from him. The inhabitants +were quite defenceless, without arms, ammunition, cloathing, +ships, money, or men skilled in the arts of war. The stores +of the merchants afforded no supplies of a warlike nature; no +exception having been made in the general scheme of non-importation. +They could not, however, brook a mean submission +to the dictates of Britain; and therefore determined upon a +manly and virtuous resistance. Accordingly, on the night after +intelligence of actual hostilities were received, a number of the +principal gentleman of the town, possessed themselves of twelve +hundred stand of arms, with the accoutrements; removed them +directly from the royal arsenal, and afterward distributed them +among the men enlisted in the public service.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Let us return to notice an expedition planned in Connecticut.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The necessity of securing Tyconderoga, was early attended to +by many in New-England; but some Connecticut gentlemen +were first in attempting the measure. Secrecy was essential to +success; and delay might be dangerous. There was no waiting +to consult the continental congress; beside, it would not have +been safe to have communicated the scheme to that body, as it +was known there would be individuals in it, on whose fidelity +the Americans could not rely. Messrs. Deane, Wooster, Parsons, +and others, undertook the affair. They applied to the assembly +for a loan, which was furnished, to the amount of about +eighteen hundred dollars, on which they gave bonds to be accountable. +General Gage had set the example of attempting to +seize upon military stores, and by so doing had commenced hostilities; +so that retaliation appeared more than warrantable, even +an act of self-defence. The expedition went on with rapidity. +Several militia captains pushed forward to Salisbury, to acquaint +Messrs. Blagdens (nephews to your former acquaintance, the +carpenter, of the same name) with the design, and to procure +their assistance. One was ill, the other<a id='r118'></a><a href='#f118' class='c013'><sup>[118]</sup></a> joined in the proposed +manœuvre. After a little deliberation, they concluded upon +spending no time in obtaining men; but having provided a sufficient +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXXX'>CCCXXX</span>quantity of powder and ball, set off on horseback for +Bennington to engage colonel Allen. They conferred with him +opon their arrival; and then tarried with others to bake bread, +and prepare other necessaries, while the colonel went on to raise +the men who were wanting, and who were to meet the managers +at Castelton. While these were on their way to the place of +rendezvous, they were met by a countryman, apparently an +undesigning honest traveller, but who was either himself well-skilled +and a principal, or had been well-tutored by some one or +other, that had either suspected or gained knowledge of the expedition, +and meant to render it abortive. They addressed him, +“From whence came you?—From Ty<a id='r119'></a><a href='#f119' class='c013'><sup>[119]</sup></a>, left it yesterday, at +such an hour. Has the garrison received any reinforcement? +Yes; I saw them; there were a number of artillery men and +other soldiers. What are they doing? Are they making fascines? +Don’t know what fascines are. They are tying up sticks +and brush in bundles, and putting them where the walls are +down.” Mr. Samuel Blagden put many insnaring questions +about the dress and trimmings of the men, &c. The answers +tended to confirm the man’s story. The company was staggered; +and it being debated in council, whether they should not return +as they had no cannon, it was determined by a majority of one +only, to proceed. At Castleton they met colonel Allen with his +men, and altogether made two hundred and seventy persons; +two hundred and thirty of them were <em>green mountain boys</em>, so +called from their residing within the limits of the Green Mountains; +as the Hampshire grants are denominated, from the range +of green mountains that runs through them. They are a brave +hardy generation, chiefly settlers from New-Hampshire, Massachusetts, +and Connecticut<a id='r120'></a><a href='#f120' class='c013'><sup>[120]</sup></a>. Sentries were placed immediately +on all the roads, to prevent any intelligence being carried to Tyconderoga. +After the junction at Castleton, colonel Arnold arrived, +with only a single servant. The day after his getting to +Cambridge with his volunteer company, he attended on the Massachusetts +committee of safety, and reported that there were at +Tyconderoga, 80 pieces of heavy cannon, 20 of brass from 4 +to 18 pounders, 10 or a dozen mortars, a number of small arms, +and considerable stores; and that the fort was in a ruinous condition, +and as he supposed garrisoned by about forty men. Upon +this the committee, on the third of May, appointed him a colonel +of four hundred men, whom he was to inlist and march for the +reduction of Tyconderoga. The colonel was known only to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXXXI'>CCCXXXI</span>Mr. Blagden. A council was called; his powers were examined; +and at length it was agreed, that he should be admitted to +join and act with them, that so the public might be benefitted. +It was settled, however, that colonel Allen should have the supreme +command, and colonel Arnold was to be his assistant; with +which the latter appeared satisfied, as he had no right by his +commission, either to command or interfere with the others, who +were not only out of the Massachusetts line, but the subjects of +another colony. The names of the leaders, besides what have +been mentioned, were Messrs. Motte, Phelps’s (two brothers) +Biggelow, Bull, and Nichols, beside colonels Easton, Brown, +and Warner, and captain Dickinson.</p> + +<p class='c007'>After it had been determined in a council to set off the next +morning early for Ty, and some of the managers had retired, a +second council was held, and it was concluded to proceed that +very night, leaving Messrs. Blagden, Biggelow, and Nichols, +with a party of men, thirty in all, officers included, to march +early in the morning for Skeensborough, and secure major Skeen, +his negroes and tenants. This council might have been occasioned +by the return of captain Noah Phelps, who the day before, +having disguised himself, entered the fort in the character of a +countryman wanting to be shaved. In hunting for a barber, he +observed every thing cirtically, asked a number of rustic questions, +affected great ignorance, and passed unsuspected. Before +night he withdrew, came and joined in his party, and the morning +guided them to the place of destination.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Colonel Allen, with his 230 <em>green mountain boys</em>, arrived, at +Lake Champlain, and opposite to Tyconderoga, on the ninth at +night. Boats were procured with difficulty; when he and colonel +Arnold crossed over with 83 men, and landed near the +garrison. Here a dispute took place between the colonels, the +latter became assuming and swore he would go in first, the other +swore he should not. The gentlemen present interposed and +the matter was accommodated upon the footing that both should +go in together. They advanced along side of each other, colonel +Allen on the right hand of colonel Arnold, and entered the +port leading to the fort, in the gray of the morning, [May 10.] +A sentry snapped his fusee at colonel Allen, and then retreated +through the covered way to the parade; the main body of the +Americans followed, and immediately drew up. Captain De la +Place, the commander, was surprised a bed in his room. He +was ordered to give up the fort; upon his asking by what authority, +colonel Allen replied, “I demand it in the name of the +great Jehovah and the continental congress.” The congress +knew nothing of the matter, and did not commence their existence +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXXXII'>CCCXXXII</span>till some hours after: when they began their session, they +chose the honorable <em>Peyton Randolph</em> president, and Mr. <em>Charles +Thomson</em> secretary, each with a unanimous voice; and having +agreed “That the reverend Mr. Duchee be requested to open +the congress with prayers to-morrow morning,” and appointed +a committee to acquaint him with their request, adjourned till +the next day. Had captain De la Place been upon the parade +with his men, he could have made no effectual resistance. The +fort was out of repair, and he had but about thirty effectives. +Could he have gained timely intelligence, he might have procured +a reinforcement from St. John’s. You have the particulars +of the military stores taken at Tyconderoga below<a id='r121'></a><a href='#f121' class='c013'><sup>[121]</sup></a>. After colonel +Allen had landed, the boats were sent back for the remainder +of the men under colonel Seth Warren, but the place was +surprised before he could get over. Immediately upon his joining +the successful party, he was sent off to take possession of +Crown Point, where a sergeant and twelve men performed garrison +duty; but the greatest acquisition was that of more than 100 +pieces of cannon. The complete command of Lake Champlain +was of high importance to the Americans, and could not be effected +without their getting possesion of a sloop of war lying at +St. John’s at the bottom of the lake. It was determined to man +and arm a schooner lying at South Bay, and that colonel Arnold +should cammand her, and that colonel Allen should command +the batteaus, a name generally affixed to boats of a particular +construction, calculated for navigating the lakes and rivers, and +drawing but little water, though heavily laden. The wind being +fresh in the south, the schooner out sailed the batteaus, and +colonel Arnold surprised the sloop. The wind shifting suddenly +to the north, and blowing fresh, in about an hour’s time colonel +Arnold sailed with the prize and schooner for Tyconderoga, +and met colonel Allen with his party.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The surprise of Skeensborough was so conducted, that the +negroes were all secured, and major Skeen, the son, taken while +out a shooting, and his strong stone house possessed, and the pass +compleatly gained without any bloodshed, the same as at Tyconderoga. +Had the major received the least intimation, the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXXXIII'>CCCXXXIII</span>attempt must have miscarried; for he had about fifty tenants +nigh at hand, besides eight negroes and twelve workmen.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Colonel Allen soon left Tyconderoga, under the command of +colonel Arnold, with a number of men, who agreed to remain +in garrison.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[May 18.] When the news of Tyconderoga’s being taken +reached the continental congress, they earnestly recommended +it to the committees of the cities and counties of New-York and +Albany, immediately to cause the cannon and stores to be removed +from thence to the south end of Lake George; but that +an exact inventory should be taken of them, “in order that they +may be safely returned, when the restoration of the former harmoney +between Great-Britain and these colonies, so ardently +wished for by the latter, shall render it prudent and consistent +with the over-ruling law of self-preservation.” Whatever may +be the drift of a few in congress, the body wish to keep the door +upen for an accommodation. This was apparent in the advice +they gave the New-Yorkers, three days before the preceding recommendation. +The city and county of New-York applied to +them for information how to conduct towards the troops expected +there. The congress resolved, “that it be recommended, for +the present, to the inhabitants of New-York, that if the troops +which are expected, should arrive, the said colony act on the defensive, +so long as may be consistent with their safety and security; +that the troops be permitted to remain in the barracks, so +long as they behave peaceably and quietly, but that they be not +suffered to erect fortifications, or take any steps for cutting off +the communication between the town and country, and that if +they commit hostilities or invade private property, the inhabitants +should defend themselves and their property, and repel +force by force; that the warlike stores be removed from the +town; that places of retreat, in case of necessity, be provided +for the women and children of New-York; and that a sufficient +number of men be imbodied, and kept in constant readiness +for protecting the inhabitants from insult and injury.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>Let us come to the Massachusetts.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Mr. Hancock having been chosen at the last election, on December +5, 1774, one of the delegates to the general congress; +and the time approaching when it became necessary for him to +prepare for his journey, Dr. Joseph Warren was chosen president +of the provincial congress pro tempore.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[April 27.] The inhabitants of Boston lodged with the select +men, according to agreement with general Gage, 1778 fire arms, +634 pistols, 273 bayonets, and 38 blunderbusses. The same day +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXXXIV'>CCCXXXIV</span>the provincial congress recommended to the inhabitants of the +sea-ports, the removal of their effects, &c.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[April 28.] A circular letter was written to the several towns +of the colony, wherein after noting the affair of the nineteenth, +it was said, “we conjure you, by all that is dear, by all that is +sacred, that you give all assistance possible in forming the army. +Our all is at stake. Death and devastation are the certain consequences +of delay. Every moment is infinitely precious. An +hour lost may deluge your country in blood, and entail perpetual +slavery upon the few of your posterity, who may survive the +carnage. We beg and intreat, as you will answer it to your +country, to your consciences, and above all as you will answer +it to God himself, that you will hasten and encourage, by all +possible means, the inlistment of men to form the army; and +send them forward to head-quarters at Cambridge, with that +expedition which the vast importance and instant urgency of the +affair demand.” This address was attended to; the men discovered +a readiness to turn out for the salvation of their country, +and the women applied themselves with cheerfulness to the fitting +out of their husbands, fathers and brothers, for the important +expedition, while the dangers of it were overlooked or disregarded. +After a few days continuance before Boston, great +numbers returned home, some to follow their business, and others +to procure necessaries for the time they had enlisted or meant to +enlist for. During the interval between this return, and the provincials +resorting afresh to the place of rendezvous, the land entrance +into and out of the town by the Neck, was next to unguarded. +Not more than betwixt six and seven hundred men, +under colonel Lemuel Robinson of Dorchester, were engaged +in defending so important a pass, for several days together.—For +nine days and nights the colonel never shifted his clothes, +nor lay down to sleep, as he had the whole duty upon him even +down to the adjutant, and as their was no officer of the day to +assist. The officers, in genearl, had left the camp, in order to +raise the wanted number of men. The colonel was obliged +therefore, for the time mentioned, to patrole the guards every +night, which gave him a round of nine miles to traverse.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[May 1.] The Massachusetts congress alloted to the different towns, +the five thousand poor expected out of Boston.—Rhode-Island +and Connecticut had made paper-money, with +which to furnish a plentiful substitute for cash, and to answer +present exigencies. The men repairing from these colonies, +for the defence of the Massachusetts, were supplied with this +money; the Massachusetts therefore resolved, that it should pass +in all payments.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The general assembly of Connecticut appointed Dr. Johnson, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXXXV'>CCCXXXV</span>and Oliver Wolcot, esq. a committee from their body, to wait +upon general Gage, and desired the governor to write in their +name to the general, relative to the situation of public affairs, +and the late unfortunate transactions in the Massachusetts. He +wrote on the twenty-eighth of April: and the committee repaired +to Boston with the letter. Both the provincial congress and +the committee of safety were greatly alarmed at the transaction. +The first wrote [May 2.] to the delegates, whom they had sent +to the colony, representing to them the fatal consequences that +might follow, upon any one colony’s undertaking to negociate +separately, either with parliament, ministry or their agent here. +The last wrote to the colony itself, intreating it to afford immediately +all possible aid. Governor Trumbull acquainted them, +in his answer of May the 4th, that they need not fear their firmness, +deliberation and unanimity, to pursue measures which may +appear best for common defence and safety; and that Connecticut +will be cautions of trusting promises, which it may be in the +power of any to avade.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[May 3.] On the same day, on which general Gage sent a +sensible and respectful answer to governor Trumbull, the Massachusetts +congress empowered the receiver general to borrow +£.75,000 sterling upon notes, bearing an interest of six <em>per cent.</em> +that so they might support their forces; they also forwarded dispatches +to the general congress, containing accounts of their +proceedings. In their letter they mentioned, “The sudden exigency +of our public affairs, precluded the possibility of waiting +for your direction in these important measures, more especially +as a considerable reinforcement from Great-Britain is daily expected +in this colony, and we are now reduced to the sad alternative +of defending ourselves by arms or submitting to be slaughtered.” +They modestly suggested the necessity of a powerful army +on the side of America. They took notice, that the inhabitants +of many of their sea-ports had removed, and were removing +their families and effects, to avoid destruction from the ships +of war; and expressed their confidence in the wisdom and ability +of the continent to support them, so far as it should appear +necessary for the common cause of the American colonies.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[May 4.] The committee of safety wrote to the governor +and company of Connecticut, most earnestly pressing them to +send immediately three or four thousand men, that so an important +post might be secured, which otherwise the enemy would +be likely to possess themselves of, as soon as their reinforcement +arrived. The troops were desired to be forwarded in companies +as fast as they could be got ready. They sent also to +Rhode-Island, and urged their marching a body of troops to assist +on the like occasion. They proceeded to resolve, “That +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXXXVI'>CCCXXXVI</span>the public good requires that government in full form ought to +be taken up immediately.” Advice was received, that a number +of transports with troops were just arrived at Boston from +England.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[May 5.] That provincial congress resolved, “The general +Gage has, by the late transactions, and many other means, +utterly disqualified himself from serving this colony as a governor, +or in any other capacity; and that therefore no obedience +is in future due to him; but that on the contrary, he ought to +be considered and guarded against, as an unnatural and inveterate +enemy to the country.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>[May 9.] The committtee of safety ordered the commanding +officers of ten neighbouring towns, to march one half of the militia, +and all the minute-men under their command, forthward to +Roxbury that so the British troops might not come and possess +themselves of that post. Before it was properly strengthened general +Gage entertained such design. General Thomas, who commands +there, gained information of what was intended, on the +day it was to be executed. His whole force consisted only of +seven hundred men. The post comprehended a large broad high +hill. A road leads to the top of it, visible in some parts to persons +at the entrance into Boston; it passes over the hill and descends +into a hollow, from whence you can turn off, and passing +circuitously enter again upon the said road. The general took +advantage of this circumstance, and continued marching his seven +hundred men round and round the hill, by which he multiplied +their appearance to any who was reconnoitering them at +Boston. The dress of the militia was extremely various, and +consisted of their common clothing, which prevented the discovery +of a deception, that might otherwise have been soon detected, +had they worn a uniform and possessed regimental ensigns. +This warlike imposition most probably prevented general Gage’s +attacking and carrying the post, by the possession of which he +would have had it in his power to direct his march to any part of +the country he pleased. The colonels of the several regiments +were ordered to repair immediately to Cambridge, with the men +they had inlisted; and part of the cannon and stores to be removed +to some distance of security; and breast works to be erected +at different places to prevent the enemy’s passing into the country +from Boston Neck, and to annoy them if they crossed the river +and advanced through Charlestown, or if they attempted going +by water to Medford. The Massachusetts congress concluded +on disarming the disaffected inhabitants; and that no person +should move with his effects out of the colony, unless leave was +granted.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXXXVII'>CCCXXXVII</span>[May 15.] They resolved upon a letter to the eastern tribe +of Indians, to secure their friendship, and engage them on the +side of the colonies, and proposed to raise a company of them to +serve in the war. Four days after the committee of safety voted, +that captain John Lane have enlisting papers for raising such +company. The provincials reprobate in the bitterest terms, the +idea of the Indians being imployed by the ministry against themselves; +so that there is a seeming inconsistency in their attempting +to engage them against the British troops. But let it be +remembered, that the Indians will probably take part with the +one side or the other; for through a restless warlike temper, +they are not in common disposed to observe a neutrality; and +that there is a wide difference between employing them against +armed soldiers and letting them loose upon defenceless settlers, +men, women and children.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Skirmishes were occasioned at different times and places, by the +attempts of each party to carry off stock from the small islands, +with which the bay of Boston is agreeably interspersed, and afforded +the mixt spectacle of ships, boats and men engaged by land +and water. These small engagements were not trifling in their +consequences. The advantage was generally on the side of the +Americans, which elated their spirits. They also learnt from +them to face danger, and to run hazards; and it is by being habituated +to these, that probably the greatest quantum of courage +is acquired. Frequent skirmishes are good preparatives, by which +to qualify raw soldiers to fight as veterans in set battles.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[May 21.] Two sloops and an armed schooner with soldiers, +sailed to Grape-Island to get hay. The provincials followed +them as soon as the tide admitted, drove them off by their +approach, burnt all the hay, about eighty ton, and brought off +the cattle from the island.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[May 24.] A committee having been appointed to inquire +what was the stock of powder in certain towns, reported, that +in thirty-nine towns in Suffolk, Essex, Middlesex, Plymouth +and Worcester, there were 67 3–4 barrels. The rest of the towns +in the colony had none worth mentioning. How painful a circumstance, +the small quantity of powder, to those Americans, +who have any idea of the great consumption which war occasions! +The want of it had been sensibly felt for some time; and +therefore, beside the adoption of other measures, orders were +given for the importation of that, and other military stores, but +it must be long before they can be procured in this way, should +they come safe.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[May 25.] The Cerberus arrived at Boston with the three +generals, Howe, Clinton, and Burgoyne. They were so assured +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXXXVIII'>CCCXXXVIII</span>in their own mistaken apprehensions that there would be no occasion +to draw the sword in support of ministerial measures, +that they had prepared to amuse themselves with fishing and +other diversions, instead of expecting to be engaged in military +service. They were astonished at the situation of affairs, and +when in company with generals Gage and Haldiman, asked +how the sortie happened. General Haldiman answered, “I +knew nothing about it, till the barber came in to shave me, +and said that the troops were gone out, and that they had been +fighting. I did not choose that he should know I got my information +from him. I therefore called my footman, and sent +him out upon a frivolous errand, well knowing, that if there +was any truth in what the barber reported, he would bring me +word of it, which he did. In this way I became acquainted +with what had happened.” The newly arrived generals declared +their surprise in the significant looks which followed this +relation from the second in command.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[May 27.] About six hundred of the Massachusetts and New-Hampshire +forces were employed to bring off the stock from +Hog-Island and Noddles-Island, which lie contiguous; the intervening +passage is fordable at certain times of the tide. A party +went on and fired the hay and barn on Noddles-Island, on which +a number of marines crossed from Boston; and, upon the provincials +retreating to Hog-Island, were decoyed down to the water +side, when a hot action commenced, which did not close with +the day. The king’s troops amounted to some hundreds, and +were supported by an armed schooner of four six pounders and +twelve swivels, an armed sloop, and the barges all fixed with +swivels. The provincials were commanded by general Putnam. +Dr. Warren’s zeal and courage would not admit of his remaining +at a distance; upon hearing what was going forward, he repaired +to the spot to encourage the men. They had two pieces +of artillery, which were well served, and did considerable execution. +The night was very dark, but the action continued all +through it. Toward morning the schooner got aground upon +Winnisimmet ferry ways; the British were obliged to abandon +her, and the provincials boarded, and after stripping her of every +thing valuable, set her on fire. They lost not a man, and had +only three wounded, not one mortally. The regulars were +said to have suffered very much, not to have had less than two +hundred killed and wounded. The loss was probably greatly +exaggerated; that, however, had a good effect on the provincials. +The affair was matter of no small triumph to them, and +they felt upon the occasion, more courageous than ever.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXXXIX'>CCCXXXIX</span>[May 30.] The provincials went afresh on Noddles-Island, +and burnt the mansion house, which answered no good purpose +whatever. But there are too many who destroy property merely +because of its having belonged, or being supposed to belong to +those Americans who have taken the opposite side of the question +in the present controversy. The stock, consisting of between +five and six hundred sheep and lambs, twenty head of cattle, +besides horses, was taken off by them in the course of the day. +The next day five hundred sheep and thirty head of cattle were +removed off Pettick’s-Island by a party under colonel Robinson. +On the night of June the second, eight hundred sheep and +lambs, together with a number of cattle, were carried off Deer-Island, +by a corps of provincials under major Greaton.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The agreement with general Gage, relative to the inhabitants +leaving the town of Boston, was well observed in the beginning; +and their request was granted, with the approbation of all. But +after a short time, they were detained upon the plea that persons +going from thence for the goods of those who chose to abide +there, were not properly treated. The embarrassments and +delays which the inhabitants had to contend with, induced the +provincial congress to order the sending of a letter to general +Gage, to remonstrate with him upon the subject. The letter however, +did not answer. The truth is, after a number were allowed +to depart, great clamors were raised. Such persons as were, or +pretended to be well affected to the British government, alledged +that none but the ill-inclined were for removing, and that when +they were safe with their effects, the town would be set on fire. +A demur soon afterward arose about the meaning of the word +<em>effects</em>, whether merchandise was included; and the general being +sensible, that the permitting articles of that kind to be carried +out, might strengthen the Americans in their resistance, would +not admit of their removal. This proved a hardship to many +who quitted the town, as it deprived them of the resource for living +in their accustomed affluence. In a variety of instances, the +passports were so conducted, that families were cruelly divided; +wives were separated from their husbands; children from their +parents; the aged and the sick from their relations and friends, +who wished to attend and comfort them. The general was very +averse to the allowing of women and children to leave Boston, +thinking they contributed to the safety of the place, and prevented +his being attacked; but of that no real danger existed, notwithstanding +the high tone of the people without, and the intimations +of some within the town. Numbers of the poor and hapless +were however sent out, and several of them infected with, or +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXL'>CCCXL</span>not fully recovered from the small-pox, by which mean the +provincials were greatly endangered.</p> + +<p class='c007'>These were employed in collecting their force, from every +quarter with all possible dispatch, which could not be dispensed +with, considering the reinforcements which had arrived, and +were arriving at Boston. [June 3.] But they were distressed for +want of money; and a letter was dispatched by the Massachusetts +congress, to their receiver-general, upon the absolute necessity +of paying the colony forces immediately, and directing his +attendance forthwith; and also acquainting him, that a gentleman +at Salem had £.375 sterling, which he was willing to lend the +province, and which would be of the utmost importance to pay +directly to the soldiers, and might prevent the greatest mischiefs. +The want of cash obliged them to have a recourse to province +notes, which they struck off night and day, for the advance pay +of the men who had inlisted.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[June 10.] They were better off as to provision, and established +a too plentiful allowance, beyond what the troops could expend. +By the general return of the army at Cambridge, it amounted on +the ninth to 1581 officers, commissioned, sergents, &c. and +6063 privates, in all 7644. But such was the want of regularity, +that no dependence could be had upon its exactness. The +number of privates was probably much aggravated. Too many +of the officers did not scruple to make false returns for their own +emolument. The large proportion of them shows that the regiments +were far from being full, or were much over-officered. +Several of the Massachusetts officers are miserable tools, and must +be discarded sooner or later. It is owing to their having been +elected by the very privates they command; and to the resignations +of a number who had governmental commissions, but have +thrown them up from an apprehension that the Americans will +not succeed; this gave an opening to a set of fellows totally destitute +of both courage and honor, to push themselves forward +and get chosen.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[June 12.] General Gage issued a proclamation offering a +pardon in the king’s name, to all who should forthwith lay down +their arms, and return to their peaceable occupations, except Samuel +Adams and John Hancock. All who did not accept of +the proffered mercy, who should protect, assist, conceal or correspond +with such, were to be treated as rebels and traitors. It +also declared, that as a stop was put to the due course of justice, +martial law should take place till the laws were restored to their +due efficacy. The proclamation had no other effect than to put +the provincials upon looking out for the operations which were +to succeed [June 14.] The Massachusetts congress chose their +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXLI'>CCCXLI</span>president, Dr. Warren, second major-general in their own forces; +the first having been chosen the day before.</p> + +<p class='c007'>A discovery has been made which will deliver down to posterity +the name of governor Hutchinson, loaded with infamy. An +accident has thrown into the hands of the Americans, the books +of his copied letters to the ministry and others, in his own hand +writing. By means of them, the several charges brought against +him, of his enmity to his own colony, of his consummate duplicity +of his advising ministry to alter the charter, and to use force +for the establishment of their plans, and of his assuring them that +they would meet with no effectual resistance from the boasting +sons of liberty, whose courage would certainly fail them when +put to the trial, have been authenticated beyond the possibility +of a denial.</p> + +<p class='c007'>When he quitted the province all his furniture was left behind +in his seat at Milton. After the Lexington engagement, the +committee of the town removed it in order to save it from being +totally ruined. Mr. Samuel Hanshaw,<a id='r122'></a><a href='#f122' class='c013'><sup>[122]</sup></a> desirous of seeing how +the house looked, when striped of all the furniture, repaired thither +with the gentleman who had the key. He went at length +up into a dark garret, where he discovered an old trunk, which +he was told was left behind, as it contained nothing but a parcel +of useless papers. Curiosity led him to examine them, when he +soon discovered at letter book of Mr. Hutchinson’s, which he secured, +and then posted away to Dr. Warren, to whom he related +what had happened; on which an order was soon sent to general +Thomas, at Roxbury, to possess himself of the trunk. It +was brought to his quarters; and there through the imprudent +exultations of some about the general, the contents were too often +exposed to person resorting thither, and some single letters conveyed +away; one for the public good, it being thought that if the +same was generally known, it might be of disservice in the present +moment as it had not a favorable aspect upon the staunch patriotism +of Mr. Hancock. The letter books and other papers were +afterward taken proper care of; and have been submitted to my +inspection. Many of his letters beside what have already appeared, +will be printed; those you meet with as his, in the Boston +Gazette, or actually taken from it, you may depend upon as genuine +and faithfully copied.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Mr. Hutchinson behaved much to the satisfaction of the public +as judge of probates. He was ready to assist, in a most +obliging manner, the widow and the orphan with his advice, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXLII'>CCCXLII</span>whenever their business called them before them. As chief justice +he was not exceptionable, only when he supported the cause of +government against the claims of the people. When in the chair +of the first magistrate, his appointments to different offices were +generally of men will qualified for discharging the duties of the +same, though mostly supporters of government; he was advised +by a British naval officer to secure Mess. Hancock and S. Adams +by promoting them; but replied that though such a scheme +might answer in regard to Mr. H. it would not as to Mr. A. for +it would be only giving him more power to aid him in his opposition +and that he should not be able afterward to remove him. +Under the charter the governor cannot remove from offices without +the consent of the council; and Mr. Hutchinson knew that +Mr. S. Adams’s interest in the council would be greater than his +own. He was used to profess the warmest attachments to the +good of his native colony, and that he was ever aiming to promote +its happiness; and would frequently show the letters he +had written about the time of the stamp act, in opposition to that +measure. He ingratiated himself by his free, familiar and condescending +intercourse with the common people, whom he +would join, walk, and converse with in his way, from the +meeting to his seat. On these accounts he had a number of +friends and advocates, who thought highly of him; but since +the discovery of his letters, they begin to own that they were deceived +in the man, and wofully mistaken in the good opinion +they entertained of him. He will be execrated in America, if +not in Great-Britain.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The dispatches forwarded to the general congress from the +Massachusetts the beginning of May, led on to their resolving +themselves into a committee of the whole to take into consideration +the state of America. Before they finished this great business, +they resolved, unanimously, “That all exportations to +Quebec, Nova-Scotia, the island of St. John’s, Newfoundland, +Georgia, except the parish of St. John’s, and to East and West +Florida, immediately cease, and that no provision of any kind, +or other necessaries, be furnished to the British fisheries, on the +American coasts, until it be otherwise determined by the congress.” +The parish of St. John’s was excepted, as it had sent a +delegate to congress. They continued to sit in a committee from +day to day till the 24th, when the honorable Peyton Randolph +being under a necessity of returning home, and the chair being +thereby vacated, they unanimously chose the honorable John +Hancock, esq. president.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[May 26.] A report from the committee being read, the +congress came unanimously into certain resolutions; and among +other matters they resolved, “That the colonies be immediately +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXLIII'>CCCXLIII</span>put into a state of defence: but that, as they most ardently wish +for a restoration of the harmony formerly subsisting between the +mother country and these colonies, for the promotion of this most +desirable reconciliation, an humble and dutiful petition be presented +to his majesty.” It was then resolved, but not unanimously, +“That measures be entered into for opening a negociation, +in order to accommodate the unhappy disputes subsisting +between Great-Britain and these colonies, and that this be made +a part of the petition to the king.”—Afterward, “That the militia +of New-York be armed and trained, and in constant readiness +to act at a moment’s warning.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>Mr. Dickinson, the author of the farmer’s letter, is now a +member of congress for Pennsylvania. His heart was much engaged +in bringing about a reconciliation, and he labored hard in +procuring a second petition to the king; but it was opposed by +several, and occasioned strong debates for several days. However +for the sake of congressional harmony, it was at length unanimously +agreed to; as they that opposed it had not the least idea +of its proving effectual, from a full persuasion that the British +ministry would be so irritated, by what had happened on April +the nineteenth, as to reject all tenders short of full submission.—These +nevertheless declined voting, that measures for a negociation +should make a part of the petition. Since the Lexington +engagement, many of the New-Englanders believe that the contest +must end in absolute slavery or real independence.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[May 29.] Congress wrote a letter to the Canadians, stiling +them <em>the oppressed inhabitants of Canada</em>, and themselves <em>friends +and countrymen</em>. It was designed to persuade them, that their +present form of government is a form of tyranny, and that they, +their wives and children, are made slaves, to prevent their taking +a part against the colonies in the present contest, and to procure +a union of all in defence of common liberty.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[June 2.] It was resolved, “That no provisions of any kind +be furnished or supplied to, or for the use of the British army or +navy, in the Massachusutts Bay, or of any transport.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>[June 7.] Congress, for the first time, stiled the colonies +<em class='gesperrt'>THE TWELVE UNITED COLONIES</em>, in a resolve, +“That Thursday, the 20th of July, be observed throughout +the twelve united colonies, as a day of humiliation, fasting and +prayer.” From henceforward the <em>united colonies</em> will come into +use.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[June 8.] Major Skeen (the father) of Skeensborough, with +other officers, upon their arriving the evening before at Philadelphia, +in a vessel from London, were taken into custody.—Congress +being informed of it, and the said Skeen had been lately +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXLIV'>CCCXLIV</span>appointed governor of the forts of Tyconderoga and Crown-Point, +and had declared that he was authorized to raise a regiment +in America; they appointed a committee to examine his +papers, as also those of a lieutenant in the regulars.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[June 9.] They having been applied to by a letter of May +16th from the Massachusetts convention, for their explicit advice, +resolved, “That no obedience being due to the act of parliament +for altering the charter of the colony of Massachusetts +Bay, nor to a governor or lieutenant-governor who will not observe +the directions of, but endeavor to subvert that charter, the +governor and lieutenant-governor of that colony are to be considered +as absent, and their offices vacant; and as there is no +council there, and the inconveniences arising from the suspension +of the power of governments are intolerable; that, in order +to conform as near as may be to the spirit and substance of the +charter, it be recommended to the provincial convention to write +letters to the inhabitants of the several places entitled to representation +in assembly, requesting them to choose such representatives; +and that the assembly, when chosen, do elect counsellors; +and that such assembly or council exercise the powers of +government, until a governor of his majesty’s appointment will +consent to govern the colony according to its charter.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[June 10.] It was recommended to the united colonies to collect +salt-petre and sulphur, and to manufacture the same into gun-powder, +for the use of the continent.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[June 14.] Congress agreed to the resolutions of the committee +of the whole house, “That six companies of expert riflemen +be immediately raised in Pennsylvania, two in Maryland, and +two in Virginia; and that each company, consisting of sixty-eight +privates, beside officers, march as soon as completed, and +join the army near Boston, to be there employed as light infantry.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>[June 15.] They proceeded to choose by ballot a general to +command all the continental forces, and <em>George Washington</em>, +esq. was unanimously elected.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[June 16.] The president informed him of the choice which +the congress had made, and of their requesting his acceptance +of that employment. Colonel Washington, standing in his +place, answered,</p> + +<p class='c017'>“Mr. <em>President</em>,</p> + +<p class='c007'>“Though I am truly sensible of the high honor done me in +this appointment, yet I feel great distress from a consciousness, +that my abilities and military experience may not be equal to the +extensive and important trust. However, as the congress desire +it, I will enter upon the momentuous duty, and exert every power +I possess in their service, and for the support of the glorious cause. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXLV'>CCCXLV</span>I beg they will accept my most cordial thanks for this distinguished +testimony of their approbation.</p> + +<p class='c007'>“But, lest some unlucky event should happen unfavorable to +my reputation, I beg it may be remembered by every gentleman +in the room, that I this day declare, with the utmost sincerity, I +do not think myself equal to the command I am honored with.</p> + +<p class='c007'>“As to day, Sir, I beg leave to assure the congress, that as no +pecuniary consideration could have tempted me to accept this +arduous employment, at the expense of my domestic ease and +happiness, I do not wish to make any profit from it. I will keep +an exact account of my expences. Those, I doubt not they will +discharge, and that is all I desire.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>The colonel did not aspire to the honor of commanding the +army; he was rather solicitous to avoid it, upon an apprehension +of his inadequacy to the importance of the service. The partiality +of congress, however assisted by a <em>political motive</em>, rendering +his reasons unavailing; and led him to “<em>launch into a wide +and extensive field, too boundless for his abilities, and far, very +far beyond his experience</em>,” as his prevailing modesty induced +him to express himself. He is doubtless active, attentive to business, +temperate, humane, formed for gaining and securing the +affections of officers and soldiers, far from haughty and supercilious, +though naturally reserved, which is a quality that may +secure him from answering, without offending many improper +questions, that the New-Englanders will be likely to ask, for +they are amazingly addicted to inquisitiveness; this is greatly +owing to the equality that prevails among them, and leads them +into those mutual freedoms, which are censured in places where +distinction in fortune and rank are far more prevalent and disproportioned. +The personal appearance of the colonel is noble +and engaging. He certainly possesses strong powers of mind, +which will tend much to supply in a short season, any present +deficiencies, that the want of more extensive reading, and of +more practical knowledge in military matters, may inevitably occasion. +His days have been spent in America, and he has had +little opportunity of seeing service. As you have already been +informed, in 1755, he prevented the total ruin of the British +troops after general Braddock’s defeat, by covering their retreat +with his rangers; but he has never been accustomed to the command +of a regular regiment, to which is to be imputed his saying +to the volunteers he lately commanded in Virginia, that a gun +and a good sword or hanger was all the soldier wanted, without +mentioning a word of the bayonet—it was all that the ranger +wanted. When the last French war was closed, the cessions made +to Britain in these American regions, cut off all expectation of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXLVI'>CCCXLVI</span>future hostile armies in the country; and made the professed +study of the arts of war superfluous to a person inclined to the +pleasure of a plantation.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Though the late Rev. Mr. Davis, whom you well remember +when at London, inserted the following note in a sermon of his +on some special occasion, “I may point out to the public that +heroic youth colonel Washington, whom I cannot but hope Providence +has hitherto preserved in so signal a manner for some +important service to his country;” yet as no human knowledge +could, at that period, fathom the events of the present day, and +as there was no evidence of its being in a degree prophetic, it can +be ascribed only to the admiration the author felt while contemplating +the character of the colonel. But his being a person of +strict honor and probity, was undoubtedly a main reason with +congress for electing him to the chief command of the American +army. They are fully persuaded of his patriotism, that it is not +pretended; that he will not betray the cause of the united colonies; +that he will not lavish away those scanty supplies, which +call for the greatest œconomy; that he will never prey upon the +vitals of his country to enrich himself, nor countenance others +in doing it; that while he is entrusted with the power of the sword +he will pay a sacred regard to the civil rights of his fellow-subjects; +and that he will not add needless barbarity to the unavoidable +horrors and calamities of war. He does not understand +French; the knowledge of which many will view as an important +accomplishment, especially should the continuance of the present +rupture make the aid of France hereafter a desirable acquisition. +But should the times ever induce French adventurers to +repair in shoals to head-quarters, he may bless his ignorance for +securing him from many impertinent, long, and tiresome applications +of military men, of no eminence and little worth, mere +soldiers of fortune, who are after rank and riches, both which +the united colonies should deal out with a parsimonious hand, in +accommodation to their own circumstances. He entered on the +forty-fourth year of his age the 11th of last February. You will +wish to know the <em>political motive</em> which may have swayed colonel +Washington. You must not look for it in any supposed neglect +on the part of the British government, after he had done +them such eminent service in covering the retreat of the troops +in 1755. This may be insinuated to lessen his character. But +did he even think himself slighted at the time, he would scarce +have remembered it, much less have harbored any resentment +upon the occasion, for twenty years together. The <em>political motive</em> +must certainly have been of another nature. It was probably +complex. A common danger has united the colonies; but +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXLVII'>CCCXLVII</span>has not eradicated all the jealousies that before existed among +them. New-York, Pennsylvania, and the colonies to the southward, +have not such confidence in the Massachusetts Bay, as to +admit that one of their own natives should be the commander in +chief. There is too great a nationality among the Bay-men; +such a one might be unduly prejudiced in favor of his own colony. +Beside, colonel Washington and the other colonists were +in pursuit of an honorable accommodation, and had not the most +distant thought of separating from Great-Britain. They could +not be certain, whatever was the case at present, that the Massachusetts +would not shortly aim at a separation; it was then a +matter of consequence who headed the army. Whatever some +of the Massachusetts delegates might wish in their hearts, they +perceived the necessity of accommodating themselves to the inclinations +of others at such a crisis; and hence the unanimity +with which colonel Washington has been elected; for though +it was by ballot, it was not without pre-concerted counsel.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[June 17.] A draught of general Washington’s commission +was agreed to, and ordered to be fairly transcribed, signed, and +delivered to him; after which the congress declared, that they +would maintain and assist, and adhere to him, with their lives +and fortunes, in the maintenance and preservation of American +liberty. They then proceeded to choose by ballot, Artemas +Ward, esq. first major-general, Horatio Gates adjutant-general, +and Charles Lee, esq. second major-general. Two days after, +they choose Philip Schuyler, esq. third major-general, and Israel +Putnam, esq. unanimously, fourth major-general.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Having attended to the proceedings of the general congress +down to the choice of their first officers to command the continental +army, let us return to the Massachusetts.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[June 15.] The committee of safety, having received various +accounts of the movements of general Gage’s army, and of his +intention soon to make an attempt to penetrate into the country, +recommended to the congress the ordering of all the militia to +hold themselves in readiness to march on the shortest notice; +and to the council of war, the maintaining of Bunker’s Hill by a +sufficient force posted thereon, and the taking of such steps respecting +Dorchester Neck, as to them should appear to be for the +security of the colony. Bunker’s Hill is just at the entrance of +the peninsula of Charlestown, and is considerably high and large.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[June 16.] Orders were issued, that a detachment of a thousand +men, under colonel Prescott, do march at evening, and entrench +upon the hill. By some mistake Breed’s Hill, high and +large like the other, but situated on the furthest part of the peninsula +next to Boston, was marked out for the entrenchment +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXLVIII'>CCCXLVIII</span>instead of Bunker’s. The provincials proceeded therefore to +Breed’s Hill; but were prevented going to work till near twelve +o’clock at night, when they pursued their business with the utmost +diligence and alacrity, so that by the dawn of day they had +thrown up a small redoubt, about eight rods square. Such was +the extraordinary silence which reigned among them, that they +were not heard by the British on board their vessels in the neighboring +waters. The sight of the works was the first notice that +the Lively man of war had of them, when the captain began +firing upon them, about four in the morning. The guns called +the town of Boston, the camp, and the fleet, to behold a novelty +which was little expected. The prospect obliged the British +generals to alter the plan which they meant to execute the next +day. They grew weary of being cooped up in Boston; and +had resolved upon making themselves masters of Dorchester +Heights, and securing the <em>elbow room</em> which general Burgoyne +proposed enjoying. But the present provincial movement prevented +the expedition. They were now called to attempt possessing +themselves of <em>Breed</em>’s Hill; on which the provincials +continued working, notwithstanding a heavy fire from the enemy’s +ships, a number of floating batteries, and a fortification +upon <em>Copp</em>’s Hill in Boston, directly opposite to the little American +redoubt. It is called Copp’s Hill, though the original +name was Cope’s Hill, from the name of the first owner. An incessant +shower of shot and bombs was rained by the batteries +upon the American works, and yet but one man was killed. +The Americans continued laboring indefatigably till they had +thrown up a small breast-work, extended from the east side of +the redoubt to the bottom of the hill, but were prevented completing +it by the intolerable fire of the enemy. By some unaccountable +error, the detachment which had been working for +hours, was neither relieved nor supplied with refreshment, but +was left to engage under these disadvantages.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Between twelve and one o’clock, and the day exceeding hot, +a number of boats and barges, filled with regular troops from +Boston, approach Charlestown. The men are landed at Moreton’s +Point. They consist of four battalions, ten companies of +the grenadiers, and ten of light infantry, with a proportion of +field artillery, but by some oversight their spare cartridges are +much too big for them, so that when the Americans are at length +forced from their lines, there is not a round of artillery cartridges +remaining. Major-general Howe and brigadier-general Pigot, +have the command. The troops form, and remain in that position +till joined by a second detachment of light infantry and grenadier +companies, a battalion of the land forces, and a battalion +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXLIX'>CCCXLIX</span>of marines, making in the whole near upon 3000 men. Generals +Clinton and Burgoyne take their stand upon Copp’s Hill, to +observe and contemplate the bloody and destructive operations +that are now commencing. The regulars form in two lines, and +advance deliberately, frequently halting, to give time for the artillery +to fire, but it is not well served. The light infantry are +directed to force the left point of the breast-work, and to take +the American line in flank. The grenadiers advance to attack +in front, supported by two battalions, while the left, under general +Pigot, inclines to the right of the American line. One or +two of the continental regiments had been posted in Charlestown; +but afterward removed to prevent their being cut off by +a sudden attack; so that the British are not hurt in the least +by any musketry from thence, whatever may hereafter be pretended; +neither do generals Clinton and Burgoyne perceive any<a id='r123'></a><a href='#f123' class='c013'><sup>[123]</sup></a> +though properly stationed for observing all that passes. General +Gage had for some sime resolved upon burning the town, +when once any works were raised by the Americans upon the +hills belonging to it;<a id='r124'></a><a href='#f124' class='c013'><sup>[124]</sup></a> and while the British are advancing nearer +and nearer to the attack, orders come to Copp’s Hill for executing +the resolution; soon after a carcass is discharged, which +sets fire to an old house near the ferry way; the fire spreads, +and most of the place is instantly in flames. The houses at the +eastern end of Charlestown are fired by men landed from the +boats. The regulars derive no advantage from the smoke of the +conflagration, for the wind suddenly shifting, carries it another +way, so that they have not the cover of it in their approach. +The provincials have not a rifleman among them, not one being +yet arrived from the southward; nor have they any rifle +guns; they have only common muskets, nor are these in general +furnished with bayonets; but then they are almost all marksmen, +being accustomed to sporting of one kind or other from +their youth. A number of the Massachusetts troops are in the +redoubt and the part of the breast-work nearest it. The left +of the breast-work, and the open ground stretching beyond its +point to the water side, through which there has not been the +opportunity of carrying the work, is occupied partly by the Massachusetts +forces, and partly by the Connecticut, under capt. +Nolton of Ashford, and the New-Hampshire, under colonel +Stark.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCL'>CCCL</span>By the direction of the officers, the troops upon the open +ground pull up the post and rail fence, and carrying it forward +to another of the same kind, and putting some newly mowed +grass between them, form a slight defence in some parts. General +Warren joins the Massachusetts forces in one place, and +general Pomeroy in another. General Putnam is busily engaged +in aiding and encouraging, here and there as the case requires. +The provincials are impatiently waiting the attack of the enemy. +What scenes now offer to our view! Here, a large and noble +town, consisting of about 300 dwelling houses, and near upon +200 other buildings, in one great blaze, burning with amazing +fury, being chiefly timber, with but little exception. The only +place of worship, a large commodious meeting house, by its aspiring +steeple, forms a pyramid of fire above the rest. There, +in Boston, the steeples, houses, and heights, are covered with +the inhabitants, and those of the military, whose duty does not +call them elsewhere. Yonder, the hills around the country, and +the fields, that afford a safe and distinct view of the momentous +contest, are occupied by Americans of all ages and orders. The +British move on steadily, but slowly, instead of using a quick step; +which gives the provincials the advantage of taking surer and +cooler aim. These reserve their fire till the regulars come within +ten or twelve rods, when they began a furious discharge of +small arms, by which the enemy is arrested, and which they +return for some time without advancing a step. The stream of +American fire is so incessant, and does such execution, that the +regulars retreat in disorder, and with great precipitation toward +the place of landing, and some seek refuge even in their +boats. The officers are seen by the spectators on the opposite +shore running down to them, using the most passionate gestures, +and pushing them forward with their swords. At length they are +rallied; but march with apparent reluctance up to the entrenchment. +The Americans again reserve their fire, till the enemy +come within five or six rods; then discharge their well directed +pieces, and put them a second time to flight. Such is the loss +already sustained, that several of the officers say, “It is downright +butchery to lead the men on afresh against the lines.” But +British honor is at stake; these must therefore be carried. General +Howe and the officers double their exertions. General +Clinton perceiving how the army is staggered, passes over, without +waiting for orders, and joins them in time to be of service. +The united and strenuous efforts of the different officers are again +successful, notwithstanding the men discover an almost insuperable +aversion to renewing the attack. The Americans are +in want of powder, send for a supply, but can procure none; for +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLI'>CCCLI</span>there is but a barrel and a half in the magazine. This deficiency +disables them from making the same defence as before; while +the British reap a farther advantage by bringing some cannon to +bear so as to rake the inside of the breast-work from end to end; +upon which the provincials retreat within their fort. The regular +army now makes a decisive push. The fire from the ships and +batteries and field artillery is redoubled. The officers in the rear +goad on the soldiers, and the redoubt is attacked on three sides at +once. The provincials are of necessity ordered to retreat; but +they delay, and keep the enemy at bay for some time with the +butt end of their muskets, till the redoubt is half filled with regulars; +the works of which are easily mounted, a few hours only +having been employed in throwing them up.</p> + +<p class='c007'>While these operations are going forward, at the breast-work +and redoubt, the light infantry are engaged in attempting to force +the left point of the former, through the space between that and +the water, that they may take the American line in flank. They +exhibit repeated proofs of undaunted courage; but the resistance +they met with is as formidable and fatal as what their fellow +soldiers experienced in the other quarter. Here the provincials +also, by command, reserve their fire till the enemy is near, and +then pour in their shot upon the infantry with such a true direction, +and amazing success, as to mow them down in ranks. Some +of them are slightly guarded by the rail fences above mentioned: +but others are quite exposed, and more than is needful; and the +regulars will have no reason in future to charge them with fighting +unfairly, because of their using defences not formed by military +rules and workmen. The engagement between the two +parties is kept up with great resolution, but the well-aimed fire +of the Americans does astonishing execution; and the strenuous +exertions of the regulars cannot compel them to retreat, till they +observe that their main body has left the hill: when they give +way but with more regularity than could be expected from troops +who had been no longer under discipline, and in general never +before saw an engagement.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The courage and conduct of the provincials that opposed the +light infantry, saved their co-patriots, who were overpowered +and obliged to retreat from the fort; and who must otherwise +have been cut off, as the enemy, but for such opposition, would +have been instantly upon the back of the redoubt. While these +brave men were retreating, general Warren was shot in the back +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLII'>CCCLII</span>part of his head, on the right side:<a id='r125'></a><a href='#f125' class='c013'><sup>[125]</sup></a> having mechanically clapt +his hand to the wound, he dropt down dead.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The retreat of the Americans lay over the Neck, which joined +the peninsula of Charlestown to the main land; and the Glasgow +man of war and two floating batteries were so stationed as +to rake every part of it with her shot, it was feared that they +would be cut off after all, but they retired with very little loss. +The incessant fire kept up by the ship and batteries across the +Neck from the beginning of the engagement, prevented any +considerable reinforcements getting to the hill; but this was owing +more to the cowardice of some provincial officers than to the +execution of the shot.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The number of Americans engaged, including those who dared +to cross the Neck and join them, amounted only to fifteen +hundred; but the unengaged, who appeared in various parts, +did, by their different movements, lead many of the Boston spectators +to apprehend, at that distance, that they consisted of some +thousands.</p> + +<p class='c007'>It was feared by the Americans, that the British troops would +push the advantage they had gained, and march immediately to +head-quarters at Cambridge, about two miles distant, and in no +state of defence. But they advanced no further than to Bunker’s +Hill, of which they possessed themselves the night of their +retreat from Lexington; and here they threw up works for their +own security. The provincials did the same upon Prospect Hill +in front of them, about half way to Cambridge. The apprehensions +of each side in regard to the other appeared to be similar. +Both were guarding against an attack, in hopes of preventing +it. Had the resolution of either led on immediately to a +fresh engagement, the day would probably have been far more +decisive. But the loss of the peninsula damped the courage of +the Americans, and the loss of men depressed the spirits of the +British. A veteran officer, who was at the battles of Dittengen +and Minden, and at several others in Germany, has said, that +for the time the engagement lasted, and the number of men in it, +he never knew any thing equal it. There was a continued sheet +of fire from the provincials for near half an hour, and the action +was hot for about double that period. In this short space, the +loss of the British, according to general Gage, amounted to +1054, of whom 226 were killed, of these 19 were commissioned +officers, including a lieutenant-colonel, 2 majors, and 7 captains; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLIII'>CCCLIII</span>70 other officers were wounded. Among those more +generally regretted, were lieutenant-colonel Abercrombie and +major Pitcairn, who occasioned the first shedding of blood at +Lexington. The battle of Quebec, in the late war, with all its +glory, and the vastness of the consequences it produced, was not +so destructive to the British officers as this affair of an American +entrenchment, the work of only a few hours. Even at the battle +of Minden, where the British regiments sustained the force +of the whole French army for a considerable time, the number +of officers killed, including two who soon died of their wounds, +was only 13, and the wounded remaining 66; their whole loss +in killed, was 291, in wounded 1037, together 1328.<a id='r126'></a><a href='#f126' class='c013'><sup>[126]</sup></a> That +the officers suffered so, must be imputed partly to their being +aimed at by the Americans; and this may account for most of +those who were near the person of general Howe being slain or +disabled. It was a wonder that the general himself escaped. +The men, habituated to take sight, would naturally aim at the +officers, without expecting or waiting for orders, from an apprehension +that much confusion would follow upon their dropping. +Gage’s account of the killed and wounded is large, but does not +equal by much, what has been given to one of the select men of +Boston, remaining in the town, by a sergeant who declared he +had seen the returns from the proper persons, the total of which +was 1325. The light infantry and grenadiers, the moment they +presented themselves, lost three-fourths of their men, and in a +few instances more. Of one company only three or five, and +of another only fourteen escaped. A number of tories served +as volunteers, several of whom were killed. The unexpected +resistance of the Americans called forth all the courage and exertions +of the British officers, which did not fail upon the occasion; +but whatever commendations they are entitled to upon +that account, the Americans are certainly entitled to a proper +portion of the like, for having made the same necessary. These +have now wiped away the reproaches unjustly cast upon them +by their enemies in Britain. Let such praise the spirited conduct +of general Howe and of general Clinton, and attribute in a great +measure the success of the day to the firmness and gallantry of +general Pigot; but let them no more pronounce the colonists +cowards, who will fly at the very sight of a grenadier’s cap. +The British, beside gaining the peninsula, took thirty wounded +prisoners, and five pieces of cannon out of six.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The loss of the provincials has been trifling. The killed and +dead of their wounds, are 139; the wounded living, 278; and the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLIV'>CCCLIV</span>missing 36, in all 453. They deeply regret the deaths of major +general Warren, of colonel Gardner of Cambridge, of lieutenent-colonel +Parker, of Clemsford, who was wounded taken +prisoner, and perished in Boston jail; of major Moore and major +M‘Clany, who were the only officers of distinction that they +lost. But the death of general Warren will be most severely +felt and occasions the greatest sorrow. His enemies bear testimony +to his importance, by triumphing at his fall, and rating it +as better to them than 500 men. Neither resentment nor interested +views, but a regard to the liberties of his country induced +him to oppose the measure of government. He stepped forward +into public view, not that he might be noted and admired +for a patriotic spirit, but because he <em>was</em> a patriot. He was a +gentleman of integrity, in whom the friends of liberty could confide. +The soundness of his judgment enabled him to give good +advice in private consultations. His powers of speech and reasoning +commanded respect and gained him influence in the provincial +congress. He aimed not at a separation from, but a coalition +with Britain, upon a full redress of grievances, and a reciprocal +intercourse of interests and affection. He was valued in +private life for his engaging manners, and as a physician for his +professional abilities. The death of an amiable consort had made +his life of the greatest importance to his children; he was willing +however to risk it in the service of the public. His intrepidity +and zeal for the cause he had espoused, together with the electing +voice of the provincial congress, induced him to enter upon +the military line. Within four days after his appointment to a +a major-generalship, he fell a noble sacrifice to the natural rights +of mankind. He was of a middling size, and, of a lowish stature. +The ladies pronouced him handsome.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The tories exulted upon the acquisition of the peninsula of +Charlestown; but the experienced officers in the British service +thought the advantage too dearly purchased, and their countenances +became gloomy upon the occasion. The reason for it has +been increasing from the frequent and multiplied deaths of the +wounded. These have suffered greatly for want of fresh provisions +and other supplies, which the country alone could furnish: +many would have survived, had they been as well nursed as the +wounded Americans out of Boston, of whom but few have died; +with regard to the wounded prisoners in town, there are complaints +of their having been ill-treated.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The burning of Charlestown, now a heap of ruins, though before +the present troubles, a place of great trade, has not had the +least tendency toward discouraging the provincials from prosecuting +their opposition to ministerial measures, whatever might have +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLV'>CCCLV</span>been the intention of general Gage. It has not excited fear, +but resentment, wrath and execration. Such military executions +may distress and impoverish, but will not subdue the colonists. +They might answer for the old world, but are not calculated +for the new.</p> + +<p class='c007'>In the opinion of many, general Howe was chargeable with a +capital error for landing and attacking as he did. It might originate +from too great a confidence in the forces he commanded, +and in too contemptuous an opinion of the enemy he had to encounter. +He certainly might have entrapped the provincials by +landing on the narrrowest part of Charlestown Neck, under the +fire of the floating batteries and ships of war. Here he might +have stationed and fortified his army, and kept up an open communication +with Boston by a water carriage, which he would +have commanded through the aid of the navy, on each side of +the peninsula. Had he attempted this manœuvre, the provincials +on observing it must have made a rapid retreat from Breed’s +Hill, to have escaped having his troops in their rear, and being +inclosed. It is said that general Clinton proposed it. The rejection +of the proposal, if really made, has greatly weakened the +British army, and probably prevented the ruin of the American.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The colonists may regret, that general Howe conquered at +Breed’s Hill; but had the provincials driven him back into Boston +it might have been of far greater detriment to the common cause, +than the present situation of affairs. The Massachusetts colony +would scarce have been easy under the appointment of general +Washington to the chief command, had general Ward been +crowned with the laurels of victory. The victory, as it stands, +will make the appointment go down easily, and prevent objections. +Not only so, but it has occasioned Gage’s dividing his army +to secure the conquest he has made. He has another post to +maintain which will employ so great a force, as to cramp his +future operations. Besides, had the British been driven back +into Boston, they might have removed to New-York, which +would have answered their general design better than remaining +cooped up in their present position. In that city and colony they +would have had many more friends. There it is that the ministry +have their greatest influence. That would have been the securest +place for the troops, and where they might have procured +those supplies from the country which they are now deprived of. +By early reinforcements from Great-Britain, it might have been +made so strong a post, as to have commanded the North-river, +and cut of the communication between the colonies which that +separates.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLVI'>CCCLVI</span>The provincials have been indefatigable in throwing up works +and securing the most exposed parts of their lines, with strong redoubts, +covered with artillery. They had strangely neglected +fortifying the passage from the Neck to the post of Roxbury, and +even the post itself: but since the Breed’s Hill battle they have +compensated for the defect; and to make their defence the more +perfect have pulled down a very good house (on a point where +the road coming from Boston divides) which was built by governor +Dudley, and to whose false politics many are ready to ascribe +the early origin of those designs which the ministry are now endeavoring +to accomplish. The ministerial army abound in military +stores and artillery, and are not sparing in throwing shells +and supporting a great cannonade upon the provincial works, +especially at Roxbury. It was terrifying at first to raw troops, +who, not being accustomed to, expected to suffer greatly by it. +Some damage has been done among the houses in the street, one +or two have been burnt, and a man or two killed. But the +provincials stationed there have found by experience, that tho’ +the noise is great, the damage is trifling, and therefore despise +it. They are so hardened by repeated firing, that a cannonading +is no more minded than a common thunder shower.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Breed’s Hill engagement excited fresh desires in the inhabitants +of Boston to leave the town. The select men had given repeated +assurances to general Gage, that they had delivered up +their arms according to agreement. In order to justify his detaining +them [June 19.] he issued a proclamation, in which he +declared, that he had full proof of the contrary, and that many +had been perfidious in that respect, and had secreted great numbers. +Some few might secrete their sporting guns, or curious +arms. No doubt however is to be made, but that the greatest +part, or nearly all the training arms were delivered up. The impartial +world will scarcely acquit him of having been guilty of a +notorious breach of faith, even admitting his own plea. If individuals +had not complied with the proposal of delivering up their +arms, yet as the community had done it, the innocent were entitled +to all the benefits of the agreement. Numbers were afterward +allowed to quit the town, but not to take their effects, tho’ +that was stipulated in the beginning; the allowance, however, +was thought to be owing to a desire of reducing the consumption +of provisions, when a scarcity was approaching.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The day the proclamation appeared, the chiefs and warriors +of the <em>Oneida</em> tribe of Indians, directed the following speech +to governor Trumbull, to be communicated by him to the four +New-England provinces:</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLVII'>CCCLVII</span>“As my younger brothers of the New-England Indians, who +have settled in the vicinity, are now going down to visit their +friends, and to move up parts of their families that were left +behind—with this belt, by them, I open the road wide, clearing +it of all obstacles, that they may visit their friends and return +to their settlements here in peace.</p> + +<p class='c007'>“We Oneidas are induced to this measure on account of the +disagreeable situation of affairs that way; and we hope by the +help of God, they may return in peace. We earnestly recommend +them to your charity through their long journey.</p> + +<p class='c007'>“Now we more immediately address you our brother, the +governor, and the chiefs of New-England.</p> + +<p class='c007'>“Brothers!—We have heard of the unhappy differences +and great contention between you and Old England. We wonder +greatly, and are troubled in our minds.</p> + +<p class='c007'>“Brothers! Possess your minds in peace respecting us Indians.—We +cannot intermeddle in this dispute between two brothers.—The +quarrel seems to be unnatural.—You are <em>two brothers +of one blood</em>.—We are unwilling to join on either side in +such a contest, for we bear an equal affection to both you Old +and New-England.—Should the great king of England apply to +us for aid—we shall deny him.—If the colonies apply—we will +refuse.—The present situation of you two brothers, is new and +strange to us.—We Indians cannot find, nor recollect in the +traditions of our ancestors, the like case, or a similar instance.</p> + +<p class='c007'>“Brothers!—For these reasons possess your minds in peace, +and take no umbrage that we Indians refuse joining in the contest.—We +are for peace.</p> + +<p class='c007'>“Brothers!—Was it an alien, a foreign nation, who had +struck you, we should look into the matter.—We hope through +the wise government and good pleasure of God, your distresses +may be soon removed, and the dark clouds be dispersed.</p> + +<p class='c007'>“Brothers!—As we have declared for peace, we desire you +will not apply to our Indian brethren in New-England for assistance.—Let +us Indians be all of one mind, and live with one +another; and you white people settle your own disputes betwixt +yourselves.</p> + +<p class='c007'>“Brothers!—We have now declared our minds—please to +write to us, that we may know yours. We the sachems and +warriors, and female governesses of <em>Oneida</em>, send our love to +you, brother governor, and all the other chiefs in New-England.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>Signed by <em>William Sunoghsis</em>, <em>Nicklasha Watshaleagh</em>, <em>William +Kanaghquaesea</em>, <em>Peter Thayeheare</em>, <em>Jimmy Tekayaheare Nickhis +Aghsenhare</em>, i. e. garter; <em>Thomas Yoghtanowea</em>, i.e. spreading +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLVIII'>CCCLVIII</span>the dew; <em>Adam Ohonwano</em>, <em>Quedellis Agwerondongwas</em>, i. e. +breaking of the twigs; <em>Handereheks Tegahsweahdyen</em>, i. e. a belt +(of wampum) extended; <em>Johnko Skeanendo</em>, <em>Thomas Teondeatha</em>, +i. e. a fallen tree. Above a hundred years back, a sachem +of a family which was becoming extinct, adopted a numerous +family, and to commemorate their own decay and extinction, +called the adopted <em>Teondeatha</em>, which name is perpetuated, +as are several of their family names.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The speech was dated from <em>Kononwarohare</em>, i. e. a head +erected on a pole.</p> + +<p class='c007'>My friend the Rev. Mr. Samuel Kirkland, a missionary +among the Oneidas, and who understands the language, interpreted +and wrote the above. He tells me, that the Indian +names of men, rivers and places, have often special meanings, +alluding to events or qualities, as is much the case in the Hebrew +language. The Indians are very deliberate in their +speeches, often pausing, to engage a closer attention to what +they deliver. They have a prevailing species of politeness, +frequently wanting in the conversation of civilized Europeans, +too apt to pronounce them savages and barbarians. They give +close attention to the person addressing them. They do not interrupt +him while speaking, but wait till he has finished; and +consider it as great rudeness to be interrupted. In their councils +every one is heard with patience in all that he has to say; +profound silence reigns among the audience, to the exclusion o£ +all disturbance, and there are no private confabulations</p> + +<p class='c007'>The above Indian speech seems to refer to one which had +been delivered to the provincial congress eleven days before, by +the Stockbridge delegate, being the answer of the Indians dwelling +there, to a message of the former congress. This answer +was—“Brothers! we have heard you speak by your letter—we +thank you for it—we now make answer. Brothers! you remember +when you first came over the great waters I was great +and you was little, very small. I then took you in for a friend, +and kept you under my arms, so that no one might injure you; +since that time we have ever been true friends; there has never +been any quarrel between us. But now our conditions are changed. +You are become great and tall. You reach to the clouds. You +are seen all round the world. I am become small, very little. +I am not so high as your heel. Now you take care of me, and +I look to you for protection. Brothers! I am sorry to hear +of this great quarrel between you and Old England. It appears +that blood soon must be shed to end this quarrel. We never +till this day understood the foundation of this quarrel between +you and the country you came from. Brothers! Whenever I +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLIX'>CCCLIX</span>see your blood running, you will soon find me about you to revenge +my brother’s blood. Although I am low and very small, +I will gripe hold of your enemy’s heel, that he cannot run so fast +and so light as if he had nothing at his heels.</p> + +<p class='c007'>“Brothers! You know I am not so wise as you are, therefore +I ask your advice in what I am now going to say—I have been +thinking before you come to action, to take a run to the westward, +and feel the mind of my Indian brethren the six nations, +and know how they stand, whether they are on your side or for +your enemies. If I find they are against you, I will try to turn +their minds. I think they will listen to me, for they have always +looked this way for advice concerning all important news +that comes from the rising of the sun. If they hearken to me, +you will not be afraid of any danger from behind you. However +their minds are affected, you shall soon know by me.—Now +I think I can do you more service in this way, than by +marching off immediately to Boston, and staying there; it may +be a great while before blood runs. Now as I said, you are wiser +than I, I leave this for your consideration, whether I come +down immediately or wait till I hear some blood is spilled.</p> + +<p class='c007'>“Brothers! I would not have you think by this that we are +falling back from our engagements. We are ready to do any +thing for your relief, and shall be guided by your counsel.</p> + +<p class='c007'>“Brothers! One thing I ask of you, if you send for me to +fight, that you will let me fight in my own Indian way. I am +not used to fight English fashion, therefore you must not expect +I can train like your men. Only point out to me where +your enemies keep, and that is all I shall want to know.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>This speech was delivered the eleventh of April, 1775, by +the chief sachem of the <em>Moheakounuck</em> tribe of Indians, residing +at Stockbridge, after sitting near two days in council. +The provincial congress ordered the following reply on the +eighth of June, viz.</p> + +<p class='c007'>“Brothers! We this day, by the delegate from Stockbridge, +first heard of your friendly answer to our speech to you by captain +William Goodrich, which answer we are told you made +to us immediately by a letter, which we have not yet received. +We now reply.</p> + +<p class='c007'>“Brothers! You say that you was once great, but that you +are now little; and that we were once little, but are now great. +The supreme spirit orders these things. Whether we are little +or great, let us keep the path of friendship clear which our fathers +made, and in which we have both travelled to this time. +The friends of the wicked counsellors of our king, fell upon us, +and shed some blood soon after we spake to you last by our letter. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLX'>CCCLX</span>But we, with a small twig, killed so many, and frightened them +so much, that they have shut themselves up in our great town +called Boston, which they have made strong. We have now +made our hatchets, and all our instruments of war sharp and +bright. All the chief counsellors who live on this side the great +water, are sitting in the grand council-house in Philadelphia; +when they give the word, we shall all as one man fall on, and +drive our enemies out of their strong fort, and follow them till +they shall take their hand out of our pouches, and let us sit in +our council-house, as we used to do, and as our father’s did in +old times.</p> + +<p class='c007'>“Brothers! Though you are small, yet you are wise. Use +your wisdom to help us. If you think it best, go and smoke +your pipe with your Indian brothers toward the setting of the +sun, and tell them of all you hear and all you see; and let us +know what their wise men say. If some of your young men +should have a mind to see what we are doing here, let them +come down and tarry among our warriors. We will provide +for them while they are here.</p> + +<p class='c007'>“Brothers! When you have any trouble, come and tell it to +us, and we will help you.”</p> + +<p class='c018'>To captain Solomon <em>Ahhaunnauwaumut</em>, chief sachem of the +<em>Moheakounuck</em> Indians.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[June 20.] the Massachusetts congress wrote to the several +towns, that the continental congress resolved on the 9th instant, +“that no obedience being due to the act of parliament for altering +the charter of the colony, &c.” and directed them to +elect one or more freeholders to represent them in a great and +general court, to be held upon the 19th of July, at Watertown. +They also chose colonel Heath major-general, in the place of +the late general Warren.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[June 22.] Before general Washington left Philadelphia, +the continental congress chose by ballot, eight brigadier-generals—Seth +Pomeroy, esq. of the Massachusetts colony, the first; +Richard Montgomery, esq. of New-York, the second; David +Wooster, esq. of Connecticut, the third; William Heath, esq. +of the Massachusetts, the fourth; Joseph Spencer, esq. of Connecticut, +the fifth; John Thomas, esq. of the Massachusetts, +the sixth; John Sullivan, esq. of Hampshire, the seventh; and +Nathaniel Greene, esq. of Rhode-Island, the eighth; and resolved, +that the officers in the army should receive their new +commissions through the hands of the general.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The same day they resolved, “That a sum not exceeding +2,000,000 of Spanish milled dollars, be emitted by the congress, +in bills of credit, for the defence of America; and that THE +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLXI'>CCCLXI</span>TWELVE CONFEDERATED COLONIES (thus they are +termed) be pledged for the redemption of the bills.” This is +an expedient, without which they are not able to prosecute the +defence of America, as they have neither money nor revenues +to recur to. Some few of the delegates know, from what has +happened in the northern colonies, that the effects of a paper +emission will be bad when it becomes plentiful; has no stable +fund for the speedy redemption of it; and cannot be exchanged +in the common intercourse of business for specie or specie value. +But the risk of smaller and personal evils must take place +rather than the total subversion of the rights of the united colonies +be endangered. No one delegate therefore opposed the +present expedient. As the news of Breed’s Hill battle had +reached them by means of a quick conveyance, they resolved, +“That Pennsylvania raise two more companies of riflemen, and +that the whole eight be formed into a battalion, to be commanded +by such officers as shall be recommended by the assembly +or convention of said colony.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>Measures being pursued in North-Carolina to defeat the American +association, they resolved [June 26.] “That it be recommended +to all in that colony, who wish well to the liberties +of America, to associate for the defence of American liberty, +and to embody themselves as militia, under proper officers; and +that in case the assembly or convention of that colony shall +think it absolutely necessary for the support of the American association +and safety of that colony to raise a thousand men, this +congress will consider them as an American army, and provide +for their pay.” They have gone too far to recede from the use +of force, and so must employ it wherever wanted to secure their +friends, till the point in dispute with Great-Britain is settled. +The zeal, activity, and unanimity of those Pennsylvanians in +general, whose principles admit of hostile resistance, have superceded +the necessity of such like resolutions in respect to them. +The Philadelphia militia have been formed into three battalions +for some time; and in the beginning of the month these, consisting +of 1500 men, an artillery company of 150, with two +twelve and four six pound brass field pieces; a troop of light +horse, several companies of light infantry, rangers, and riflemen, +in the whole about two thousand, marched to the common, +and having joined in brigade went through the manual exercise, +firing and manœuvres (with a dexterity scarcely to be expected +from so short a practice) in the presence of the members of the +continental congress, and several thousand spectators. A considerable +number even of the quakers, have joined in the military +association of the city. There is one company composed entirely +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLXII'>CCCLXII</span>of gentlemen belonging to the religious denomination of people +they are convinced that weapons of war may be lawfully +employed in defending their national rights and liberties, though +they are averse to all offensive operations to gratify ambition covetousness +or revenge. The Pennsylvanians are careful to order +the militia of the counties to be frequently exercised. The colony +has put on the most martial appearance.</p> + +<p class='c007'>About the begining of June a committee of congress drew +up a declaration containing an offer to Great-Britain, “That +the colonies would not only continue to grant extraordinary aids +in time of war, but also, if allowed a free commerce, pay into +the sinking fund such a sum annually for one hundred years, as +should be more than sufficient in that time, if faithfully applied, +to extinguish all the present debts of Britain. Or, provided this +was not accepted, that to remove the groundless jealousy of Britain, +that the colonies aimed at independence, and an abolition +of the navigation act which in truth they have never intended: +and also, to avoid all future disputes about the right of making +that and other acts for regulating their commerce for the general +benefit they would enter in a covenent with Britain, that she +should fully possess and exercise that right for one hundred years +to come.” This declaration was never entered upon the minutes +of congress, for before that could be done, they received +the accout of the two restraining acts, which proved its ruin.<a id='r127'></a><a href='#f127' class='c013'><sup>[127]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>They resolved, “That in case any agent of the ministry shall +induce the Indian tribes, or any of them, to commit actual hostilities +against these colonies, or enter into an offensive alliance +with the British troops, thereupon the colonies ought to +avail themselves of an allience with such Indian nations as will +enter into the same, to oppose such British troops and their Indian +allies.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>[July 2.] General Washington, accompanied by general +Lee and other gentlemen, arrived at Cambridge. A committee +from the Massachusetts congress repaired to Springfield, about a +hundred miles from Boston, on the way to Connecticut, there +to receive them, and provide proper escorts for them from thence +to the army. They had been treated with the highest honors in +every place through which they passed; and been escorted by +large detachments of volunteers composed of gentlemen. The +general was addressed by the provincial congress of New-York +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLXIII'>CCCLXIII</span>as he came along. They expressed their joy in his appointment; +and toward the close said, “We have the fullest assurances, that +whenever this important contest shall be decided by that fondest +wish of each American soul, an accomodation with our mother +country, you will cheerfully rasign the important deposit +committed into your hands, and re-assume the character of our +worthiest citizen.” The general, after declaring his gratitude +for the regard shown him, added, “Be assured, that every exertion +of my worthy colleagues and myself, will be extended to +the re-establishment of peace and harmony, between the mother +country and these colonies; as to the fatal but necessary operations +of war, when we assumed the soldier, we did not lay aside +the citizen and we shall most sincerely rejoice with you, in that +happy hour, when the establishment of American liberty, on the +most firm and solid foundations, shall enable us to return to our +private stations, in the bosom of a free, peaceful and happy +country.” Since his arrival he has been addressed in the most +affectionate and respectful manner by the Massachusetts congress. +You must have a recourse to the public prints for his whole answer, +but take the beginning for a specimen, “Gentlemen, your +kind congratulations on my appointment and arrival, demand +my warmest acknowledgments and will be ever retained in grateful +remembrance. In exchanging the enjoyments of domestic +life for the duties of my present honorable but arduous station, +I only emulate the virtue and public spirit of the whole province +of Massachusetts Bay, which, with a firmness, and patriotism +without example in modern history, has sacrificed all the comforts +of social and political life, in support of the rights of mankind, +and the welfare of our common country. My highest +ambition is, to be the happy instrument of vindicating those +rights, and to see this devoted province again restored to peace, +liberty, and safety.” This paragraph was extremely gratifying +to the persons to whom it was directed.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The general began to give out the congressional commissions, +but suspended all further delivery when general Putnam had received +his, upon learning that the appointments so degraded general +Thomas by ranking him far below is juniors in office, +that he could not with any propriety continue in the army on +that footing, but must decline serving the country in a military +capacity. The several generals regretted the mistake, and wished +to have the difficulty removed. Washington acquainted the +congress with it, upon which they appointed him first brigadier-general, +in the room of Seth Pomeroy, who had never acted +under his commission, and was too far advanced in life.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLXIV'>CCCLXIV</span>General Green testified his regard for the commander in +chief, by addressing him on his appointment and arrival, and by +declaring the satisfaction he should feel in serving under his +command. He was joined in the address by the officers of his +brigade. If other generals and officers have done the like, it +has not come to my knowledge. This singular instance of respect +must make a favorable and lasting impression on the mind +of general Washington. The general, after a careful inspection, +could not estimate the continental army at more than 14,500 +men capable of duly, who had to defend an extent of at least +twelve miles. But such has been the precaution and guard exercised +on every side of Boston, that the regiment of light cavalry +arrived there, has not set foot beyond the garrison, and +serves only to create new wants, and to increase the inconveniencies +of the people as well as of the British army. The hay +growing upon the islands, together with the sheep and cattle remaining +upon them, proved an object of necessary attention:—but +the continentals possessing a number of whale boats, and being +masters of the shores and inlets, were successful in burning, +destroying, or carrying off those essential articles of supply, notwithstanding +the number of British ships of war and armed vessels.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[July 11.] A party of 500 continentals went at night from the +Roxbury camp, and getting into 65 whale boats, proceeded to +Long-Island, and brought off 15 of the enemy, about 20 head of +cattle, and 100 sheep. The next day [July 12.] they went again +and burnt the hay, &c., when there was considerable fighting +between them and the British boats and schooners. About +six days after, a number burnt the light-house on an island, +nine miles below Boston, at the entrance of the harbour, though +a man of war lay within a mile of the place.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Since the arrival of the continental generals, the regulations +of the camp have been greatly for the better. Before, there +was little emulation among the officers: and the soldiers were +lazy, disorderly and dirty. The freedom of which the New-Englanders +have alway been accustomed, makes them impatient +of controul, and renders it extremely difficult to establish that +discipline so essential to troops, in order to success. Discipline +will not inspire cowards with courage, but it will make them +fight. The army has been thrown into three grand divisions: +general Ward commands the right wing at Roxbury; general +Lee the left at Prospect Hill; and the centre, in which is included +a corps de reserve, is commanded by general Washington. +Adjutant-general Gates has been of special service in arranging +the army. His military skill in those matters has supplied +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLXV'>CCCLXV</span>the want of it in others. The public cannot be too thankful +for this benefit. Every officer and private begins to know +his place and duty. Method and punctuality are growing into +use, and becoming habitual. The troops will shortly have the +mechanism and movements, as well as the name of an army.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The continental lines are so strengthened, the number of redoubts +and mounted cannon so many, as to make an attack upon +Cambridge, or a penetration into the country that way impracticable. +The British according to the intelligence obtained +from Boston, have lost by death, including the slain, and those +who died of their wounds near upon 2500, since the nineteenth +of April.</p> + +<p class='c007'>General Washington acquainted congress, that the allowance +of provisions to the troops and the mode of delivering out, are +different from what has fallen within his experience, and must +prove very wasteful and expensive. The high pay of the +soldiers,<a id='r128'></a><a href='#f128' class='c013'><sup>[128]</sup></a> which greatly exceeds that of the British will make +a more œconomical plan necessary. But the most painful information +he had to communicate, was that of the want of powder. +[August 13.] He discovered, that the whole stock of the army +at Roxbury, Cambridge, and the adjacent places, consisted but +of ninety barrels or thereabouts: that there were no more than +36 in the Massachusetts magazine, which with the stock of New-Hampshire, +Rhode-Island and Connecticut, made but 9937lb. +not more than nine rounds a man. The continentals remained +in this destitute condition for about a fortnight or more, till the +Jersey committee of Elizabeth-Town, upon receiving the alarming +news, sent on a few tons, which they were obliged to do +with the greatest privacy, lest the fears of their own people, had +it been known, should have stopt it for their own use, in case of +an emergency. During this interval, the scarcity of powder became +a camp talk; and a deserter carried the account of it to +Boston. The British dared not to rely upon the intelligence, +having been so often deceived. Beside, though they had met +with unexpected proofs of American courage, yet they could +not believe the colonists possessed of such consummate assurance, +as to continue investing them, while so destitute of ammunition. +They rather suspected a deep laid plot to ensnare them.</p> + +<p class='c007'>All the riflemen are arrived in camp. The congressional resolve, +for raising eight hundred, passed on the fourteenth of +June, and on the twenty second they agreed upon two additional +companies of Pennsylvanians. No orders were dispatched before +the fourteenth, and the expresses had to ride three or four +hundred miles to the persons directed to raise them. The men +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLXVI'>CCCLXVI</span>to the amount of 1430, were raised, completely armed, most +with their own rifles, and accoutred for the field with such expedition +as to join the army at Cambridge, one company on the +25th of July, the rest on the 5th and 7th of August; all had +marched from four to seven hundred miles. The whole business +was performed in less than two months, without a farthing +advanced from the continental treasury.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The present is a good time for relating what the congress +have been doing.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[July 6.] They agreed to a <em>Declaration</em> in behalf of the colonies, +<em>setting forth the causes and necessity of their taking up arms</em>. +After enumerating the injuries they had suffered, they reprobated +the principles of lord North’s conciliatory plan, without +naming it, and said, “Parliament adopted an insidious manœuver, +calculated to divide us, to establish a perpetual auction of +taxations, where colony should bid against colony, all of them uninformed +what ransom would redeem their lives.” They went +on to mention the perfidy of general Gage in breaking his agreement +with the inhabitants of Boston—the wanton burning of +Charlestown, and a considerable number of houses in other +places—the seizure of their ships and vessels—the instigation of +the Canadians and Indians to fall upon them. They then said, +“We are reduced to the alternative of choosing an unconditional +submission to the tyranny of irritated ministers, or resistance by +force. The latter is our choice. We have counted the cost of +this contest, and find nothing so dreadful as voluntary slavery. +Honor, justice, and humanity, forbid us tamely to surrender +that freedom which we received from our gallant ancestors, and +which our innocent posterity have a right to receive from us. +We cannot endure the infamy and guilt of resigning succeeding +generations to that wretchedness which inevitably awaits +them, if we basely entail hereditary bondage upon them.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>“Our cause is just. Our union is perfect. Our internal resources +are great; and if necessary <em>foreign assistance</em> is undoubtedly +attainable.” This intimation of <em>foreign assistance</em>, was not +founded upon any private information, but flowed solely from +the persuasion that one or more foreign powers will readily +embrace the opportunity of a fixed breach between Great-Britain +and the colonies, to weaken the power of the first by assisting +the last. But that they might not by their declaration, disquiet +the minds of their friends and fellow-subjects, congress assured +them, that they meant not to dissolve that union which had so +long and so happily subsisted between them and Britain. They +concluded thus, “With an humble confidence in the mercies of +the supreme and impartial Judge and Ruler of the universe, we +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLXVII'>CCCLXVII</span>most devoutly implore his divine goodness to protect us happily +through this great conflict, to dispose our adversaries to reconciliation +on reasonable terms, and thereby to relieve the empire +from the calamities of civil war.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>The declaration of congress has been read with religious solemnity +by the chaplains, to the different bodies of the American +army about Boston, and received with loud acclamations by +the troops, and the numerous spectators who were present upon +the occasion. The same day that congress agreed upon the +declaration, they resolved upon a letter of thanks to the lord +mayor, aldermen, and livery of the city of London, for their +virtuous and spirited opposition to the oppressive and ruinous +system of colony administration adopted by the British ministry.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[July 8.] The petition to the king being ready, it was signed +by the members present. It is a decent, dutiful, and truly filial +petition, and deserves to be written in letters of gold, for the +sentiments it breathes toward the parent state. Had money +been wanting to have purchased it, it would have been wisdom +to have bought it at any price. If properly received, it may +be made the basis of an internal compact between Great-Britain +and her American colonies, which may to all ages bid defiance +to the intrigues of France, and the murmurs of rotten +hearted men, either in Britain or America. The sincerity of it +may be called into question by the ministry. Let them put the +sincerity of it to the test, by promoting a compliance with the +contents, and so over-reach those individual delegates who may +wish a continuance of the present quarrel. The colonies, as +yet, desire no more than a redress of grievances, and security +against a repetition of them. They most ardently long for a +firm and indissoluble union with the parent state, upon these +grounds. Thus it is with the army. It is the wish of general +Washington particularly, and such is its reasonableness, that he +hopes and expects that the contest will be shortly terminated, +so as to admit of his eating his next Christmas dinner at his +own delightful residence on <em>Mount Vernon</em>.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The same day the congress agreed to an <em>Address to the inhabitants +of</em> Great-Britain—In it they said, “We have again presented +an humble and dutiful petition to our sovereign; and to +remove every imputation of obstinacy, have requested his majesty +to direct some mode by which the united applications of his +faithful colonists may be improved into a happy and permanent +reconciliation. We are willing to treat on such terms as can +alone render an accommodation lasting; and we flatter ourselves +that our pacific endeavors will be attended with a removal of +ministerial troops, and a repeal of those laws, of the operation +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLXVIII'>CCCLXVIII</span>of which we complain, on the one part, and a disbanding of our +army, and a dissolution of our commercial associations, on the +other.” They, after that, insinuated the danger the inhabitants +of Britain would be in of losing their freedom, in case their American +brethren were subdued. The address is intended to +conciliate the minds of the inhabitants of Britain to the measures +that the colonists have already taken, or may be obliged +further to take, and to obtain the countenance of the former.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The petition to the king, the address to the inhabitants of +Great-Britain, and the letter to the lord mayor, &c. were ordered +to be sent under cover to Richard Penn, esq. whom the president +was to request, in behalf of the congress, to join with the +colony agents in presenting the petition to the king. Mr. Penn +sailed four days after this order, for England.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[July 12.] The congress agreed upon appointing commissioners +to superintend Indian affairs in behalf of the colonies.—Proper +talks to the Indians were ordered to be prepared, which +were reported the next day [July 13.] and accepted.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[July 18.] The congress resolved to recommend to all able-bodied +effective men in each colony, between sixteen and fifty, +immediately to form themselves into regular companies of militia; +to acquire military skill, and to be well prepared for defence; +and that a fourth part of the militia in every colony be +selected for minute-men, and be ready to march wherever their +assistance may be required. It was earnestly recommended to +those who could not conscientiously bear arms in any case to +contribute liberally to the relief of their distressed brethren, +and to do all other services to their oppressed country, which +they could consistently with their religious principles. They +also proposed that each colony should appoint a committee of +safety, to direct all matters necessary for the security of their +respective colonies, in the recess of their assemblies and conventions; +and should make such provision, by armed vessels or +otherwise, as might be judged expedient for the protection of +their harbours and navigation on their sea-coasts, against all +hostile cutters and ships of war.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[July 20.] This being the day appointed for the continental +fast, congress agreed to meet, and go in a body to divine service +both parts of the day. They requested Mr. <em>Duche</em> to +preach before them in the morning, and Dr. <em>Allison</em> in the afternoon. +But before the service, they met time enough to read +some dispatches brought by express from general Schuyler, and +a letter from the convention of Georgia, setting forth that the +colony had acceded to the general association, and appointed +delegates to attend the congress.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLXIX'>CCCLXIX</span>The day was kept at Philadelphia as the most solemn fast ever +held in that city. It was religiously observed throughout the united +colonies. The united synod of New-York and Philadelphia had +published a pastoral letter some time before; it was read on that +day in the churches under their care, which are very numerous. +They said in it, “As the whole continent, with hardly any exception, +seem determined to defend their rights by force of arms, +it becomes the peculiar duty of those who profess a willingness +to hazard their lives in the cause of liberty, to be prepared for +death, which to many must be a certain, and to every one is a +possible or probable event. It is well known to you (otherwise +it would be impudent thus publicly to profess) that we have not +been instrumental in inflaming the minds of the people, or urging +them to acts of violence and disorder. Perhaps no instance can +be given, on so interesting a subject, in which political sentiments +have been so long and so fully kept from the pulpit, and +even malice itself has not charged us with laboring from the +press; but things are now come to such a height, that we do not +wish to conceal our opinions as men. Suffer us therefore to exhort +you, by assuring you, that there is no army so formidable +as those who are superior to the fear of death. Let, therefore, +every one who, from generosity of spirit, or benevolence of +heart, offers himself as a champion in his country’s cause, be persuaded +to reverence the <em>Lord of Hosts</em>, and walk in the fear of the +<em>Prince of the kings of the earth</em>, and then he may, with the most +unshaken firmness, expect the issue either in death or victory.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>After several other exhortations, they offered six advices, in +substance as follows: 1st, Let every opportunity be taken to +express your attachment to king George and the revolution principles. +We recommend esteem and reverence for the person of +the prince, who has probably been misled into the late and present +measures by those about him; neither have we any doubt, +that they themselves have been in a great degree deceived by false +information from interested persons residing in America.—2dly, +Be careful to maintain the union which at present subsists in all +the colonies, on which the success of every measure depends.—3dly, +We earnestly beseech all societies to watch over their +members, and discourage luxury of living, public diversions, and +gaming of all kinds.—4thly, We recommend a regard to public +order and peace; that all persons conscientiously pay their debts, +and to the utmost of their power serve one another, so that the +evils inseparable from a civil war may not be augmented by wantonness +and irregularity.—5thly, We recommend to all ranks, +but particularly to those who may be called to action, a spirit of +humanity and mercy. We recommend that meekness and gentleness +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLXX'>CCCLXX</span>of spirit which is the noblest attendant on true valor. +That man will fight most bravely, who never fights but when it +is necessary, and who ceases to fight as soon as the necessity is +over.—Lastly, We would recommend to all societies, not to +content themselves with attending devoutly on fasts, but to continue +habitually in prayer, and to have frequent voluntary meetings +for solemn intercession with God on the important trial.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>The accession of Georgia, was owing much to the exertions of +the reverend Dr. Zubly; who roused the attention of many in +the province to the alarming situation of American affairs; so +that at length a general election was held for delegates to set in +provincial congress. They met on the fourth of July in Savannah: +and requested the governor to appoint a day of fasting and +prayer throughout the province, that a happy reconciliation might +soon take place between America and the parent state, and that, +under the auspicious reign of his majesty and his descendants, +both countries might remain united, virtuous, free and happy, till +time should be no more. His excellency James Wright consented, +as the request was expressed in such loyal and dutiful terms, +and the ends proposed such as every good man most ardently +wished. They chose the reverend Dr. Zubly, and four others, +delegates to represent the province in the continental congress; +and at once entered into all the spirit of the resolutions formed +by the other colonies, and adopted similar. They declared, +that, though their province was not included in the late restraining +bill, they considered that circumstance rather as an insult +than a favor, as being meant to break the union of the provinces, +as being grounded on the supposition, that the inhabitants +of the excepted province could be base enough to turn the oppression +of America into a mean advantage. They also agreed +upon an humble address and representation to his majesty, which +as it was not deficient in a certain freshness of colouring, had +the appearance of novelty.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[July 25.] The congress agreed in an address to the assembly +of Jamaica: and in it said, “We receive uncommon pleasure +from observing the principles of our righteous opposition distinguished +by your approbation. We feel the warmest gratitude +for your pathetic mediation in our behalf with the crown. The +peculiar situation of your island forbids your assistance. But we +having your good wishes to the friends of liberty and mankind, +shall always derive consolation.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>They also resolved, That a body of forces, not exceeding five +thousand, be kept up in the New-York department:—and that a +further sum of one million Spanish milled dollars, be struck in +bills of thirty dollars each.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLXXI'>CCCLXXI</span>[July 26.] They established a post-office, to reach from +Falmouth, in New-England, to Savannah, in Georgia; and then +unanimously elected Benjamin Franklin, esq. post-master general.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[July 27.] They proceeded to the establishment of an hospital +for an army of 20,000 men; and elected Benjamin Church, +to be director of and physician in it.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[July 28.] They agreed to an address to the people of Ireland, +and in it furnished them with a true state of the colonial +motives and objects, the better to enable them to judge of the +conduct of the colonists with accuracy, and to determine the +merits of the controversy with impartiality and precision. They +then anticipated the golden period, when liberty, with all the +gentle arts of peace and humanity, should establish her mild dominion +in the western world, and erect eternal monuments to the +memory of those virtuous patriots and martyrs, who shall have +fought and bled, and suffered in her cause. Toward the close +the language is, “Accept our most greatful acknowledgments for +the friendly disposition you have always shown toward us.—We +know that you are not without your grievances—We sympathize +with you in your distress, and are pleased to find that the +design of subjugating us, has persuaded administration to dispense +to <em>Ireland</em> some vagrant rays of ministerial sunshine.—Even the +tender mercies of government have long been cruel toward you.—In +the rich pastures of Ireland, many hungry parricides have +fed, and grown strong to labour in its destruction.” In the body +of it, a shaft is elegantly pointed at one of the British generals.—“<em>America</em> +is amazed to find the name of <em>Howe</em> in the catalogue +of her enemies:—she loved his brother.” The former lord <em>Howe</em> +fell by the shot of a French Indian, after landing on the left toward +the bottom of Lake George, and while heading his corps +and marching under the command of general Abercrombie, to +attack Tyconderoga. The Massachusetts assembly, to express +their affection and strong sense of his worthy character, had a monument +erected to his memory in Westminster-abby.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[July 29.] The quotas of the several colonies toward the common +expence was settled, for the present, subject to a future revision +and correction.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[July 31.] The assemblies of New-Jersey, Pennsylvania and +Virginia, having referred to the congress the resolution of the +house of commons, comprehending lord North’s conciliatory plan, +they expressed their opinion upon it, to the following purpose, +viz. “The colonies are entitled to the sole and exclusive privilege +of giving and granting their own money. As they possess +a right of appropriating their gifts, so are they entitled at all times +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLXXII'>CCCLXXII</span>to inquire into their application. This privilege of giving or +withholding their monies, is an important barrier against the undue +exertion of prerogative.</p> + +<p class='c007'>“The proposition contained in the resolution is unreasonable +and insidious: <em>unreasonable</em>, because, if we declare we accede +to it, we declare without reservation, we will purchase the favor +of parliament, not knowing at the same time at what price they +will please to estimate their favor; it is <em>insidious</em>, because individual +colonies, having bid and bidden again, till they find the +avidity of the seller too great for all their powers to satisfy, are +then to return into opposition, divided from their sister colonies, +whom the minister will have previously detached by a grant of +easier terms, or by an artful procrastination of a definitive answer. +The suspension of the exercise of their pretended power +of taxation being expressly made commensurate with the continuance +of our gifts, these must be perpetual to make that so. +The proposition is altogether unsatisfactory, because it imports +only a suspension of the mode, not a renunciation of the pretended +right to tax us; because too, it does not propose to repeal +the several acts of parliament complained of as grievances.</p> + +<p class='c007'>“Upon the whole, this proposition seems to have been held +up to the world, to deceive it into a belief that there was nothing +in dispute between us, but the mode of levying taxes; and that +the parliament having now been so good as to give up this, the +colonies are unreasonable if not perfectly satisfied: whereas, in +truth, our adversaries still claim a right of demanding <em>ad libitum</em>, +and of taxing us themselves to the full amount of their demand, +if we do not comply with it. This leaves us without any thing +we can call property.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>Congress had reprobated the conciliatory plan in their address +to the British inhabitants; but now they discussed it fully, and +exposed its futility. The next day, August the first, they adjourned +to Tuesday the fifth of September.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The declaration of congress, their petition to the king, their +address to the inhabitants of Great-Britain, the other to the people +of Ireland, and their opinion upon the resolution of the house +of commons, must evidence to the world, that they have men +of the first abilities among them, whose writings will vie with +the public declarations and acts of any powers, on the greatest +occasions, in respect to art, address and execution.</p> + +<p class='c007'>When you consider the variety of climates, soils, religions, +civil governments, commercial interests, &c. which were represented +in the former congress, and the late session of the present; +and the various occupations, educations and characters of the +gentleman who composed them; you will judge, that the general +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLXXIII'>CCCLXXIII</span>harmony and unanimity which prevailed in them, is scarcely to +be paralleled. At the revolution, such mighty questions as, “Whether +is the throne vacant or not? Whether shall the prince of +Orange be king or not?” were determined in the convention +parliament, by small majorities—the last question by two only. +The great majorities, the almost unanimity, with which most +capital questions have been decided in the continental congress, +will be considered by numbers in no other light than as the happiest +omens; or rather as providential dispensations in favor of +the colonies; as well as the clearest demonstrations of their cordial, +firm, radical, and indissoluble union.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The adjournment of congress affords the delegates the best +means of consulting with their constituents, as to what further +measures it may be necessary to adopt: as also certain individuals +who may look forward to independency, a much more +favorable opportunity of ripening their designs by private, personal +intercourse with special confidents, than can be enjoyed +by an epistolary correspondence. By well-timed hints, they may +scatter those sentimental seeds, which shall at length produce +events not at present suspected even by the persons attending to +such hints.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The Georgia delegates did not come on, and join the congress +before the session was closed.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The inhabitants of South-Carolina were so zealous, and the +alarm spread by the Lexington engagement so extensive through +the colony, that 172 members met in provincial congress, [June +1.] agreeable to the summons issued three and twenty days before +by the general committee.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[June 2.] They unanimously resolved, that an association was +necessary, which was drawn up and signed by their president +Henry Laurens, esq. and all the members present. In it they declared—“Thoroughly +convinced that, under our present distressed +circumstances, we shall be justified before God and man, +in resisting force by force, we do unite ourselves under every tie +of religion and honor, and associate as a band in the defence of +an injured country against every foe—hereby solemnly engaging, +that, whenever our continental or provincial councils shall +decree it necessary, we will go fourth, and be ready to sacrifice +our lives and fortunes to secure her freedom and safety. This +obligation to continue in full force until a reconciliation shall take +place between Great-Britain and America, upon constitutional +principles—an event which we most heartily desire. And we +will hold all those persons inimical to the liberty of the colonies +who shall refuse to subscribe this association.” This was afterward +prettly generally subscribed by the inhabitants.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLXXIV'>CCCLXXIV</span>[June 5.] It was resolved to raise two regiments of foot, and +a regiment of rangers; and to put the town and province in a +respectable posture of defence. The provincial congress were +sensible that the expences would be great. But it was the language +there, as well as in the other colonies, among the friends +to freedom, “<em>We will freely give up half, or even the whole of +our fortunes to secure our liberties</em>.” Bills of credit were struck, +which, through the consent and enthusiasm of the people, supplied +the present emergency.</p> + +<p class='c007'>So great was the military order among the gentlemen, that +candidates for commissions were four times more than could be +employed; and in the number were many of the first families +and fortunes. The militia officers resigned their commissions +under the governor, and by their own consent were subjected to +the orders of the provincial congress.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Thus the popular leaders, in a few weeks, had an army and +treasury at their command. Thirteen gentlemen were chosen a +council of safety.</p> + +<p class='c007'>While this congress was setting, lord William Campbell, governor +of the province, arrived, and was received with all the +demonstrations of joy usual on similar occasions.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[June 12.] The congress waited on him with an address, in +which they disclosed to him the true causes of their present proceedings; +and declared, that no love of innovation, no desire of +altering the constitution of government, no lust of independence, +had the least influence upon their councils; but that they had +been impelled to associate and take up arms, solely for the preservation, +and in defence of their lives, liberties and properties. +They entreated his excellency to make such a representation of +the state of the colony, and of their true motives, as to assure +his majesty, that he had no subjects who more sincerely desired +to testify their loyalty and affection, or would be more willing to +devote their lives and fortunes in his real service. His lordship +returned a very mild and prudent answer.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[June 22.] They adjourned, having first delegated a great +part of their authority to the council of safety and the general +committee; the former of which is in the nature of an executive, +and the latter of a legislative authority. It was particularly +recommended to the general committee, to take effectual methods +to have the association signed through the province, and +to demand from the non-subscribers the reasons of their refusal.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The non-subscribers have been advertised as inimical to the liberties +of America, and all intercourse between them and the +associators interdicted. An oath of neutrality has been required +of all, to which some have agreed; others refusing have been +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLXXV'>CCCLXXV</span>disarmed; and a few, who would not enter into any engagements +for the public security, have been confined to their houses +and plantations.</p> + +<p class='c007'>In these kinds of interesting civil broils, matters are generally +carried to an excess, and policy often tramples upon truth and +justice. Among the non-subsribers, there may have been several +real friends to the liberties of America, who could not in +conscience subscribe the association.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The South-Carolinians, having agreed upon a military opposition, +were resolved to defend Charlestown to the last extremity; +and yet the whole quantity of powder in the colony did not exceed +three thousand pounds. A military opposition, not being +originally designed or expected by them any more than by the +people of the other colonies, there was the like inattention as +elsewhere, in regard to the providing of stores. Reduced now +to the alternative of fighting or submitting, they took extraordinary +methods to obtain a supply. The inhabitants of East-Florida, +having never joined in measures of opposition to Britain, +the ports of that province were open for the purposes of trade.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Twelve persons, therefore, authorised by the council of safety, +sailed from Charlestown for that coast; and by surprise, +boarded a vessel near the bar of St. Augustine, though twelve +British grenadiers, of the 14th regiment, were on board. They +took out fifteen thousand pounds of powder, for which they gave +a bill of exchange to the captain; and having secured a safe retreat +to themselves, steered for Beaufort, and from thence by an +inland navigation escaped their pursuers, and got safe to Charlestown.</p> + +<p class='c007'>North-Carolina was no less spirited than South. The militia +were arrayed and exercised, and other measures taken to support +whatever opposition they might be called to make against the +British adherents. Governor Martin was equally vigorous, +though not equally successful. He expected, by means of the +back settlers, Scotch inhabitants, and Highland emigrants, to +have made a stand against the patriotic party, and therefore took +pains to fortify his palace at Newbern; but before it could be effected, +his attempting to move the palace guns, alarmed the committee +of the place; who, at the head of a body of armed men, +interposed, seized and carried off six pieces of artillery, which +lay behind the palace. This occasioned the governor’s making +a precipitate flight to Fort Johnson on Cape-Fear river. The +people, apprehensive that he would strengthen, and prepare it +for the reception of a force to be employed in reducing the colony, +and concluding, that he would encourage the slaves to revolt, +in case of the failure of all other means to maintain the king’s +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLXXVI'>CCCLXXVI</span>government; collected at Wilmington under colonel Ashe, who +had resigned his governmental commission, [July 17.] and accepted +one from popular authority. The colonel designed removing +the king’s artillery from the fort; but the cannon and +stores were secured in time, by order of the governor, who retired +on board the king’s sloop the Cruiser.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[July 18.] Colonel Ashe, in the dead of the night, entered +the fort, fired it, and reduced the houses and buildings to ashes. +The next day he compleated the destruction of its wooden defences, +to which the fire had not extended; and burnt the houses, +and desolated every thing in the neighborhood of the place, that +so they might prove of no benefit to the governor.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The Newbern committee apprehending he means to erect the +king’s standard, and to commence hostilities, have resolved +“That no person or persons whatsoever have any correspondence +with him, on pain of peing deemed enemies to the liberties +of America, and dealt with accordingly.” Persons, throughout +the united colonies, dread being advertised for <em>enemies to the +liberties of America</em>.</p> + +<p class='c007'>In treating of Virginia, we must go back to captain Henry’s +advancing with his volunteers toward Williamsburgh. The +alarm it occasioned, put lord Dunmore upon converting his palace +into a garrison, fortifying it in the best manner he could, +and surrounding it with artillery. From thence he issued a proclamation, +charging Mr. Henry and his followers with rebellious +practices, and attributing the present commotions to disaffection +in the people, and a desire of changing the established +form of government; which served only to increase the discontent. +On the other hand, the Virginians, in their county meetings, +applauded Mr. Henry’s conduct; and insisted, that they +wanted nothing but to preserve their ancient constitution, and +only opposed innovations. The disturbances they charged to +the governor’s late conduct. The discontents of the people were +increased by some procured copies of letters from his lordship to +the minister of the American department, and which were severely +censured as containing not only unfavorable, but unfair +and unjust representations, as well of facts, as of the temper and +disposition of the colony.</p> + +<p class='c007'>In this state of disorder, on the arrival of dispatches from +Great-Britain, the house of burgesses was suddenly and unexpectedly +convened by the governor, [June 1.] The grand motive +for it was to procure their approbation of lord North’s concilitary +plan; accordingly in his speech he used the utmost address +to carry this point.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLXXVII'>CCCLXXVII</span>The first act however of the house, was the appointment of a +committee to inquire into the causes of the late disturbances, and +particularly to examine the state of the magazine, that measures +might be taken for its replenishment. Means having been contrived +by his lordship’s order for securing the magazine, and notice +having been given of spring guns being prepared, some inconsiderate +young men attempted to furnish themselves with +arms out of it, and one of them was wounded. The mode of +defending the magazine by spring guns, and the unfortunate accident, +irritated the minds of many, who were joined by others. +A great concourse of people, from different parts, assembled, and +though the house was sitting, broke open the magazine, and +took away many of the arms. Some of the members, hearing +what was going forward, repaired to the magazine, and though +not in time to prevent its being forced open, by remonstrating +with all the people they met against such proceedings, prevailed +with them to return the arms. The keys of the magazine were +afterwards delivered to the committee of the house, by his lordship’s +order; who, upon examination, found most of the remaining +powder buried in the magazine yard, where it suffered +considerable damage by the rain; the muskets were deprived of +their locks; and the magazine was naked and insufficient in all +respects.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[June 7.] An account was brought into Williamsburgh, that +captain Collins of the Magdalen, had slipped his cables, and was +come up the river with a number of boats, containing a hundred +men at least, intended to be marched into the city. Upon this +report a number of people assembled under arms, that they +might defend the city and its inhabitants, in case any thing hostile +should be attempted. Upon hearing what his lordship had said +to the council, they retired peaceably and quietly, without any +disturbance. However, their readiness to assemble under arms +upon reports, without waiting to know whether they were true +or false, made such an impression upon the governor’s mind that +he with his lady and family quitted the place, early in the morning +of July 8, proceeded to York-town, and went on board the +Fowey man of war. He had the honor of being the first governor,<a id='r129'></a><a href='#f129' class='c013'><sup>[129]</sup></a> +who thinks it necessary to quit his government, and take +refuge on board his majesty’s fleet: though in his letter of May +the first, he held out to ministry his hope, that with a supply of +arms and ammunition, he should be able to collect from among +Indians, negroes, and other persons, a sufficient force to defend +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLXXVIII'>CCCLXXVIII</span>government. He left a message for the house of burgesses, acquainting +them, that both himself and family were in constant +danger through the fury of the people; that he hoped they +would proceed in the business before them; and that he should +attend as usual to the duties of his office, and was disposed to +restore the harmony, which had been so unhappily interrupted.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[June 9.] The message produced a joint address from the +council and house, declaring that they would cheerfully concur +in any measure he should propose for the security of himself and +family; observing how impracticable it would be to carry on +business at such a distance, and intreating his return with his +lady and family to the palace, as what would also afford great +public satisfaction, and be the likeliest means of quieting the +minds of the people.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[June 10.] His lordship returned a written answer, in which +he justified his apprehensions of danger, and specified several +charges against the house of burgesses. It contained many other +matters tending to irritate; but concluded with mollifying terms, +by no means equal, however, to the removal of the acrimony excited +by the preceding severe charges and implications. It soon +produced a reply, of an uncommon length, under the form of +an address. The address comprehended the substance of the report +of the committee, appointed by the house of burgesses when +they first met; and was fraught with all the bitterness of recrimination, +as well as with defensive arguments, and an examination +of facts. And yet the terms in which it was expressed, were +as respectful as possible, and of a nature suited to the representative +of their sovereign, and to their own dignity. When upon +his lordship’s letter to the earl of Dartmouth, they replied to his +assertion, “<em>not a few did join</em> (in what he was pleased to call an +<em>opprobrious measure</em>) <em>to avoid paying their debts, in which many +of the principal people here are much involved</em>.” “We can only +answer for ourselves in the negative; and must consider so indiscriminate +a charge as extremely injurious.” It is well known, +that many not only in Virginia, but in every other colony, were +deeply indebted to British creditors; and it many be admitted, +that several of the number became professedly zealous patriots +for American liberty, with a view either of escaping or of delaying +the payment of their just debts. However to infer from +thence that the great body of popular leaders in the present +dispute, were or are actuated by such a motive, would be highly +culpable. All the supporters of a good cause should be influenced +by principles that are unexceptionable; but the state of mankind +forbids the expectation of so desirable an event.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLXXIX'>CCCLXXIX</span>The report of the committee asserted, that a general tranquility +prevailed previous to the affair of the powder, and the +governor’s declaration about freeing the slaves; that the people +had no design or wish after an independency of Great-Britain; +that they had a most eager desire for such a connection as existed +before the late acts of parliament; and that a redress of grievances +would immediately establish tranquility, and be productive +of a reconciliation with the parent state.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[July 14.] The house of burgesses presented their address in +answer to the governor’s speech; in which they said of lord +North’s conciliatory motion, “We examined it minutely; we +viewed it in every point of light in which we were able to place +it, and, with pain and disappointment, we must ultimately declare, +it only changes the form of oppression, without lightening +its burden.” They close with these expressive words—“We +have decently remonstrated with parliament; they have added +new injuries to the old. We have wearied our king with supplications; +he has not deigned to answer us. We have appealed +to the native honor and justice of the British nation: their +efforts in our favor have beer hitherto ineffectual. What then +remains to be done? That we commit our injuries to the even-handed +justice of that Being who doth no wrong; earnestly beseeching +him to illuminate the councils, and prosper the endeavors +of those to whom America hath confided her hopes, that, +through their wise direction, we may again see re-united, the +blessings of liberty and property, and the most permanent harmony +with Great-Britain.” The body of the address contains +this remark, “Lord Chatham’s bill on the one hand, and the +terms of the congress on the other, would have formed a basis +for negociation, which a spirit of accommodation, on both sides, +might herhaps have reconciled.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>Every day afforded new ground for bickering, and every incident +fresh room for altercation between the governor and the +house of burgesses. At length the necessary bills having passed +the house, and the advanced season requiring the attendance of +the members in their several counties, the council and burgesses +jointly intreated the governor’s presence to give his assent to +them and finish the session. After messages to and fro, his lordship +declined meeting them at the capital, though they pledged +their honor and every thing sacred for his security; but he informed +them, that he would be ready to receive them at his present +residence. This answer put an end to all public correspondence +between the governor and the colony. The burgesses +passed resolutions, declaring, that the message requiring them to +attend him on board a ship of war, was a high breach of their +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLXXX'>CCCLXXX</span>rights and privileges; that they had reason to fear a dangerous +attack might be meditated against the unhappy people of the +colony; and that it was therefore their opinion, that they should +prepare for the preservation of their property, and their inestimable +rights and privileges. They then made strong professions +of loyalty to the king, and amity to the mother country, +and adjourned themselves to October.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[July 18.] A convention of delegates was appointed to supply +the place of the house of burgesses, who, having an unlimited +confidence reposed in them by the people, became accordingly +possessed of an unlimited power in all public affairs. +They also formed themselves into a committee to take into consideration +the state of the colony; and the next day resolved +[July 19.] that a sufficient armed force be immediately raised +and embodied for its defence and protection.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Nothing more need be said of the Delaware counties, than +that they remain firm to the cause they have espoused.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[July 26.] The Maryland convention met at Annapolis, and +unanimously resolved upon an association, to be signed by the +members, and by all other the freemen of the province. They +said, “We do unite as one band, and solemnly pledge ourselves +to each other, and to America, that we will, to the utmost +of our power, support the present opposition carrying on, +as well by arms as by the continental association, restraining +our commerce.” They also resolved, “That there be forty +companies of minute-men enrolled as soon as may be; and that +every able bodied effective freeman within the province, between +sixteen and fifty (clergymen of all denominations, practising +physicians, the household of the governor, minute and +artillery men, and persons who from their religious principles +cannot bear arms in any case, excepted) as soon as may be, and +at furthest before the fifteenth of September, shall enroll himself +in some company of militia.” They established a council +of safety, consisting of sixteen persons, who are to regulate +the operations of the minute-men and militia, and are also, during +the recess, to do all other matters for securing the province, +and for providing for its defence.</p> + +<p class='c007'>They ordered committees of observation and of correspondence +to be chosen; and bills of credit, to the amount of 266,666 +dollars, to be struck with all convenient speed, for the service +of the province.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The Pennsylvania assembly have established a military association +through the colony, and ordered several battalions to be +raised, clothed and armed. The whole colony is preparing +for a vigorous defence. The change in the assembly from a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLXXXI'>CCCLXXXI</span>most pacific to a martial complexion, is owing to the times. +The number of Quakers returned to serve in it, was not so +large as formerly; and some of them, being upon principle opposed +to present measures, have resigned their seats, (which +they have the privilege of doing) and left them to be filled by +persons of a different judgment.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The Philadelphians, with a view to the safety of the city, are +also engaged in making huge machines to sink in the narrow +part of the Delaware, and in completing a number of large galliots, +carrying at their bows guns from 32 to 48 pounders, swivels, +&c. The machines are formed of large heavy square +pieces of timber. Two long ones, at a proper parallel distance +from each other, form the horizontal base, that is to rest on the +bed of the river. Right over these are placed two others of similar +size, rising from toward the ends of the horizontal base, in +such an angular direction, as with their elevated ends, fortified +with strong iron points, to pierce any vessel which may sail +against them. The degree of elevation is such as to give the +greatest resistance with the least danger to the timbers. The +four main pieces are joined to each other by many shorter ones. +The whole machine is so contrived, that, with its own weight, +and what may be added to it when sunk, it can neither be broken, +nor forced backward, nor turned over. They have given +the name of chevaux-de-frise to these machines.</p> + +<p class='c007'>There is nothing in New-Jersey which requires particular +notice.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The New-Yorkers were freed from the apprehensions they +were under, through the expectation of troops from Europe, +soon after their arrival. The second embarkation from Cork, +consisting of four regiments, got safe to Sandy-Hook, where +they received orders from general Gage to sail for Boston. They +were wanted to strengthen the army, after the loss it had sustained +by Breed’s Hill battle. The few troops that were stationed +at the barracks, about fifty, went on board the Asia man of +war some time before, on the sixth of June, so that the city of +New-York was wholly without regulars.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[June 24.] Governor Tryon arrived at New-York from London. +He is in much esteem with a large number of the citizens +and others; and if any one can succeed in drawing off that colony +from the union, he will probably be the person. It is not +to be thought that he is limited by ministry either as to expences +or promises; but may suit himself to persons and emergencies. +There is apparently good policy in employing him to effect the +recovery of New-York, on the side of administration. He +was in hope of finding the province disunited from the others.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLXXXII'>CCCLXXXII</span>[July 3.] The mayor, aldermen, and commonalty of the +city, presented him with a congratulatory address; complimented +him upon the rectitude of his former administration, and +expressed their trust in the aid of his intercession with his majesty, +for a speedy termination of the hostile animosities of his +contending subjects.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The governor in his answer confessed his disappointment at +the change of circumstances in the province. To palliate the +treatment which the memorial and representation of the New-York +general assembly met with, and to conciliate the minds +of as many as could confide in his expressions, he closed with +saying, “I am acquainted with a dispatch from the earl of +Dartmouth, that the memorial and representation of the general +assembly of this province, were unfortunately blended with +expressions containing claims which made it impossible for parliament, +consistent with its justice and dignity to receive them; +yet the petition to the king has been presented to his majesty, +who was pleased to receive it with the most gracious expressions +of regard and attention to the humble requests of his faithful +subjects in New-York; and I am authorized to say, that nothing +can give greater satisfaction to the royal breast, than to +see us again a happy and united people.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>The same day the address was presented, all the king’s stores +of various kinds, were taken from Turtle Bay, and carried clear +off by the friends of congress.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Connecticut and Rhode-Island, having had no occasion to +change their forms of government, proceed in their usual +modes of business, to fulfil the engagements that they are under +to the united colonies in general, and the Massachusetts in +particular, and flag not in their ardor to support the cause of +America.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[June 28.] Let us return to the Massachusetts. Political necessity +obliged the provincial congress to resolve, “That the +notes and bills of the colony of Rhode-Island, of this and all +the other colonies (except Nova-Scotia and Canada) shall be +taken and received, and accounted a good and sufficient tender +for the payment of all debts and damages arising upon the +non-performance of any promises; and the committees of correspondence, +inspection, and safety, in the respective towns, +are to return the names of all persons who shall contravene +this resolve.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>[July 9.] To procure a supply of articles for the troops of +the colony, a resolve passed for the inhabitants of the several +towns to furnish shirts, breeches, stockings and shoes, for the +soldiers.——In a few days after a recommendation passed, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLXXXIII'>CCCLXXXIII</span>not to kill any sheep or lambs, excepting in cases of absolute +necesssity.</p> + +<p class='c007'>In consequence of the letters sent to the several towns and +districts within the colony, for the choice of representatives, in +order to take up a form of government, more than two hundred +members met at Watertown [July 19.] and constituted +the house of assembly. The general fast interposing, the counsellors +were not chosen till Friday morning the twenty-first.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Aug. 8.] The house agreed to raise £.30,000 sterling. The +raising of money will probably produce much dissatisfaction. +Great numbers, who are warm for the liberties of America, and +violently opposed to being taxed by Great-Britain, are so inconsiderate +as to imagine, they are to be exempted from almost +every tax upon their succeeding in the present contest. They +are for enjoying all the advantage of civilized society, without +paying their proportion toward the expence of supporting it.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Aug. 9.] Captain Linzee, of the Falcon sloop of war chaced +two schooners from the West-Indies, one of which he soon +brought to; the other, having the advantage of a fair wind, +put into Gloucester harbour, at Cape-Ann, and the captain +pursued into the harbour, bringing the one with him. He anchored, +and sent two barges with fifteen men each, armed with +swivels and muskets, attended with a whale boat, in which was +the lieutenant and six privates, meaning to seize the loaded +schooner. The militia and inhabitants took the alarm, collected, +fired from the shore, and killed three men, beside wounding +the lieutenant. On this the captain sent the other schooner +and a small cutter well armed, with orders to fire on the damn’d +rebels wherever they could see them, while he engaged in cannonading +the town. Not a ball struck or wounded a single person, +though they passed through the houses filled with women +and children, in almost every direction. The party at the water +side soon made themselves masters of both the schooners, +the cutter, the two barges, the boat, and every man in them. +The action lasted several hours. The provincials lost but one +man, and had two others wounded; one of whom is since dead. +They captured thirty-five men belonging to the Falcon, several +of whom are wounded, and one of them since dead. Captain +Linzee after this warped off, having lost half his men.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Aug. 12.] The scarcity of ammunition is so alarming, that +the house agreed upon recommending it to the inhabitants, not +to fire a gun at beast, bird, or mark, without real necessity, to +prevent a waste of powder.</p> + +<p class='c007'>About five weeks since general Gage sent two officers to New-York, +to procure all the men they could, out of ships expected +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLXXXIV'>CCCLXXXIV</span>from Scotland or elsewhere, to join him as volunteers; and +with orders to return to Boston with all expedition. This bespeaks +a want of men. The want of fresh provision will be +supplied for a short space, by the return of a fleet of transports +this day [Aug. 15.] from the Sound, bringing with them about +2000 sheep and 110 oxen, beside eggs, butter, &c. which they +have taken off from Gardner’s and other islands.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Governor Wentworth still continues in New-Hampshire; but +the influence of the popular leaders is increasing, while his diminishes +daily. He can no longer confide, as formerly, in the +attachment of the people for safety; and has for these two +months taken up his residence at Fort William and Mary.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The bulk of the colonists have certainly been much encouraged +in their struggles against the claims of parliament and administration, +from the multiplied assurances they have received +that the body of the people in England wish them success; and +from their knowing that many of the most virtuous and independent +of the nobility and gentry are for them; and among +this order, in their estimation, the best bishop that adorns the +bench,<a id='r130'></a><a href='#f130' class='c013'><sup>[130]</sup></a> as great a judge as the nation can boast,<a id='r131'></a><a href='#f131' class='c013'><sup>[131]</sup></a> and the +greatest statesman it ever saw.<a id='r132'></a><a href='#f132' class='c013'><sup>[132]</sup></a></p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 class='c005'>LETTER XV.</h2> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-r c002'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><em>Roxbury, December 30, 1775.</em></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c012'>The accession of <em>Georgia</em> to the colonies, will occasion their +being called henceforward THE THIRTEEN UNITED +COLONIES. To aid in the defence of that colony, congress +resolved early in November, to keep up a battalion there at the +continental expence. Toward the close of the year, Dr. Zubly, +perceiving that there was an apparent propensity to independency +in several of the delegates, withdrew and returned to +Georgia. His opposition to it being well known, and his influence +upon the Georgia inhabitants being feared, it was contrived +that one of his brother delegates, Mr. John Houston, should +likewise return, with a design of counteracting him, in case he +soould set himself to oppose independency.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLXXXV'>CCCLXXXV</span>The first hostilities which happened in this colony between +the opposite parties, commenced about the middle of November, +when a number of royalists attacked the American whigs, and +by their superiority obliged the latter, after three days, to surrender +the fort, in which they expected to make an effectual +resistance.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The governor of South-Carolina, lord William Campbell, after +the provincial congress had raised troops, gave commissions +to the officers of the volunteer companies of militia, that were +formed and trained on the recommendation of the popular leaders. +His lordship also convened an assembly, of which several +officers in the provincial regiments were members; but finding +them and their colleagues inflexibly set against his schemes, he +dissolved them [Sept. 15.] and never afterward issued writs for +a new election. He was indefatigable in secretly promoting +opposition to the popular measures, and kept up a constant correspondence +with the back country royalists. These people +were told, that it would be impossible to resist the power of +Britain; that the whole dispute was about a trifling tax on tea; +and that the expences of the new raised provincial regiments +would be infinitely more than the insignificant taxes imposed by +the British parliament. They were therefore much disaffected +with the proceedings of the provincial congress. It being suspected +in Charleston that their disaffection was greatly owing to +the governor, in order to ascertain, if possible, the connection +between them, captain Adam M‘Donald, of a new raised provincial +regiment, introduced himself to his lordship about the +middle of September, under the feigned name of Dick Williams, +a supposed confidential messenger from these royalists. In this +assumed character he had a long conversation with his lordship, +and was informed, that a letter received the day before, set +forth, “That his majesty was determined speedily to send out +troops to execute his schemes from one end of the continent to +the other.” The conversation being reported to the general +committee, they sent a deputation, of which captain M‘Donald +was one, to demand a communication of his lordship’s late dispatches +from England, and a perusal of his correspondence with +the back country. These requisitions being refused, it was +moved to take the governor into custody, but the motion was rejected +by a great majority. His lordship, mortified at the deception +which had been passed upon him, and distrustful of his +personal safety in Charleston, took the provincial seal with him, +and retired on board the Tamar sloop of war.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLXXXVI'>CCCLXXXVI</span>[Nov. 1.] When the new provincial congress met, it was +thought by the royalists, that the determinations of the former +would have been reversed; but they were disappointed.</p> + +<p class='c007'>In order to obstruct the passage of the king’s ships to Charleston +through Hog-Island channel, a number of hulks were ordered +to be sunk, and captain Tufts had the charge of covering +the workmen, on board a schooner, armed for the security of +the town, and called the Defence. [Nov. 12.] The Tamar and +Cherokee warped in the night, within gun-shot of him, and began +a heavy cannonade; but at sun-rise dropped down to their +moorings, without having done any material injury. This was +the commencement of open hostilities in South-Carolina.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Nov. 13.] The provincial congress impressed the ship Prosper, +and ordered her to be fitted as a frigate of war. They voted +to raise a regiment of artillery, [Nov. 14.] to consist of three +companies of a hundred men each; and that bills of credit, amounting +to £.17,000 sterling should be struck for their support. +About the same time a new council of safety was appointed, and +authorised “to do all such matters and things relative to the +strengthening and defending the colony, as should by them be +judged expedient and necessary.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>That you may comprehend the nature of the opposition to popular +measures in this colony, you must be informed of various +events relative to the back country. About 1770, the extreme +difficulty of bringing criminals from remote settlements to a legal +condemnation, induced numbers, stiled regulators, to take the +law into their own hands. They inflicted corporal punishment +on persons without a regular condemnation. Lord Charles Greville +Montague, the governor, to correct these abuses, advanced +one Scovil, a man of low character, to the rank of colonel, and +employed him to enforce settled law among these regulators. +He adopted severe measures, which involved multitudes in great +distress, who having suffered so for opposing regular government, +could not be persuaded to co-operate with their countrymen +in the support of congresses and committees, whom they conceived +to be similar to their own regulating assemblies.</p> + +<p class='c007'>A number of Dutch inhabitants had settled in the same part +of the country, on lands granted by the government. They +brought from Europe the monarchical ideas of the holding their +possessions at the king’s pleasure. They were therefore easily +made to believe, that the loss of their freeholds would be the +consequence of their acceding to American measures. After the +peace of Paris, lands were offered upon easy terms, to induce +foreign Protestants to exchange their native country for a settlement +in South-Carolina. The Irish, who accepted these offers, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLXXXVII'>CCCLXXXVII</span>owed all their indulgences to the bounty of the king, and +so took part with his friends. Their countrymen, who had emigrated +from the northern provinces, commonly entered with +zeal into the new measures.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The violence of some over-zealous friends, who insisted upon +their neighbors signing the association, produced in several a +determined spirit of opposition.</p> + +<p class='c007'>At an election for representatives in the first popular assemblies, +Moses Kirkland was an unsuccessful candidate. In wrath he +exclaimed, “If this dispute becomes serious, the people of +South-Carolina shall feel the weight of my influence.” The +provincial congress, to gain him, gave him the rank of captain +in one of the provincial regiments; but he was disgusted that his +rival was promoted to the higher rank of major. He accepted +his commission, and inlisted men; but soon resigned, and to the +utmost encouraged opposition to the measures of congress.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The people in general felt themselves secure in their persons +and property. It was therefore easy to offer arguments against +renouncing present comforts, to ward off future evils. It was +insinuated to them, that the gentlemen on the sea-cost, in order +to obtain their tea free from tax, were adopting measures which +would involve the back country in the want of salt, osnaburgs, +and imported necessaries. The popular leaders could not urge +the inhabitants to the dangers and expences of war, otherwise +than on speculation, to prevent the more alarming consequences +which would probably take place in future, if the proceedings +of the British parliament, against Boston and the Massachusetts, +were suffered to pass into precedent.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Though there were many royalists in most parts of the colony, +the principal settlement, in which they out-numbered the friends +of congress, was in the country between the Broad and Saluda +rivers. When it was determined to raise troops, the inhabitants +of that part could not be persuaded that the measure was necessary. +They were happy, and free from present oppression, and +averse to believing that any designs, inimical to American liberty, +had been adopted by the British government. The council of +safety sent the honorable William Henry Drayton, and the reverend +William Tennent, to explain to them the nature of the dispute. +They had several meetings, and much eloquence was exerted +to induce them to sign the association. Some subscribed; +but the greater part could not be persuaded that there was any +necessity for congresses, committees, or military establishments. +Suspicions prevailed. The friends of the royal government doubted +the authenticity of all pamphlets and news-papers, which ascribed +to the British troops in Boston, or to the British government, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLXXXVIII'>CCCLXXXVIII</span>any designs injurious to the rights of the colonists. They +viewed the whole as an imposition by artful men. The friends +of congress suspected the leading men of the loyalists to be in the +pay of lord William Campbell. Reports were circulated by one +party, that a plan was laid to seize the commissioners sent by the +council of safety: by the other, that the third provincial regiment +was brought up to compel the inhabitants to sign the association. +Motives and designs were reciprocally attributed to each +other of the most mischievous tendency. The royalists imbodied +for reasons similar to those which had induced the other inhabitants +to arm themselves against Britain. They suspected their +adversaries of an intention to dragoon them into a compliance +with the measures of congress; and they in their turn, were +suspected of a design to commence hostilities against the associators, +for disturbing the established royal government. Camps +were formed in opposition to each other, and great pains taken +to increase their respective numbers. Moderate men employed +their good offices; and after some days, the leaders on both sides +met in conference. Several explications having taken place, a +treaty was reciprocally agreed to, [Sept. 16.] by which it was +stipulated, that the royalists should remain in a state of neutrality. +Both parties retired to their homes, and a temporary calm succeeded.</p> + +<p class='c007'>But Mr. Robert Cunningham, a principal leader among the +royalists, continued to encourage opposition to popular measures, +and declared that he did not consider himself as bound by the +treaty. This declaration was construed as an evidence of a fixed +intention again to disturb the peace. To prevent his attempting +it, he was apprehended, brought to Charleston, and committed +to jail. His brother Mr. Patrick Cunningham, instantly +armed a party of friends and pursued, in expectation of rescuing +him. The party collected on this occasion seized a thousand +pounds of power, and a quantity of lead, which was passing +through their settlement, as a present to the Cherokee Indians; +and was intended to confirm them in their pacific disposition. +Some persons among the royalists propagated a report, that it +was accompanied with instructions to them, to kill every man +who should refuse to sign the association. This answered the purpose +of inflaming the minds of several. It was also confidently +asserted that private marks had been agreed on by the popular +leaders and Indian chiefs, to distinguish the associators from the +non-associators; the former of whom were to be spared, and the +latter sacrificed. Great pains were moreover taken, to exasperate +the inhabitants against the council of safety, for furnishing +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCLXXXIX'>CCCLXXXIX</span>the Indians with powder, at a time when the white people could +not be supplied with that article.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Lord William Campbell had uniformly recommended to the +royalists to remain quiet till the arrival of a British force. This +advice had been providentially frustrated. Similar reasons of +policy to those which induced the royal governor to recommend +inaction to the royalists, operated with the council of safety to +crush their intestine foes before that force should arrive. The +rising occasioned by the seizing of Mr. Cunningham, was construed +into a violation of the treaty, and gave ground to doubt +the sincerity of their engagements to continue in a state of neutrality. +It was feared, that as soon as a proper opportunity offered, +they would throw their weight into the royal scale. It +was therefore judged necessary, to march an army into their settlements +before that event should exist. But to remove prejudices, +the provincial congress, first of all circulated through +their settlements, [Nov. 19.] a declaration assigning the reasons +for the present to the Cherokees, and detesting the invidious +misrepresentations that had been put upon the measure. They +solemnly declared before Almighty God, that they did not believe +any order was ever issued, or any idea ever entertained by +the late council of safety, or any member of it, or by any person +under authority of congress, to cause the Indians to commence +hostilities upon the frontiers or any part thereof. They +then sent forward a large body of militia and new raised regulars +who were joined by seven hundred militia from North-Carolina, +and two hundred and twenty regulars. They soon had an army +of seven thousand men under their direction, with instructions +“to apprehend the leaders of the party which had seized the powder, +and to do all other things necessary to suppress the present +and prevent future insurrections.” Assurances were publicly +given, that no injury should be done to inoffensive persons, remaining +quietly on their plantations. The leaders of the royalists +found great difficulty in persuading their followers to imbody; +and they themselves were destitute of political knowledge +and military experience. The unanimity of the whigs and the +numbers, which from all sides invaded the settlements of the royalists, +disheartened them from facing their adversaries in the field. +The whigs acted by system, and in concert with their brethren +of neighbouring colonies, and were directed by a council of safety, +composed of the greatest and wisest men in the province. +They easily carried every point, seized the leaders of the royalists, +and dispersed their followers, without the loss of a single +man; most of the royalists returned to their plantations, while +several retired over the mountains.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXC'>CCCXC</span>In <em>North-Carolina</em>, the committees of the district of Wilmington +alledged a number of charges against governor Martin, +particularly those of fomenting a civil war, and of exciting an +insurrection among the negroes; upon which they declared +him an enemy to America in general, and to that province in +particular, and forbad all persons holding any communication +with him.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Aug. 8.] When their proceedings appeared in print, the +governor published his remarks upon them, in a proclamation +of uncommon length; which the provincial congress, in their +subsequent meeting at Hillsborough, [Aug. 25.] resolved unanimously, +to be a false, scandalous, scurrilous, malicious and seditious +libel, and ordered it to be burnt by the hands of the common +hangman. Four days before, a plan of confederation was +laid before them. Upon mature deliberation they resolved, that +“They are of opinion, that the plan of general confederation +between the united colonies is not at present eligible; and that +the present association ought to be further relied on for bringing +about a reconciliation with the parent state, and a further confederacy +ought only to be adopted in case of the last extremity.” +Afterward [Sept. 8.] Mr. Hooper submitted to them an address +to the inhabitants of the British empire, which was unanimously +received. In answer to the suggestion, that independence was +their object, they say, “We again declare, that we invoke that +Almighty Being who searches the recesses of the human heart, +and knows our most secret intentions, that it is our most earnest +wish and prayer to be restored, with the other united colonies, +to the state in which we and they were placed before the year +1763, disposed to glance over any regulations which Britain had +made previous to this, and which seems to be injurious and oppressive +to these colonies, hoping that, at some future day, she +will benignly interpose, and remove from us every cause of +complaint.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>They broke up two days after, having sat three weeks. During +the session, they agreed upon raising a 1000 men; upon +striking a quantity of paper money, for the subsistence of the +troops; upon inlisting a considerable body of minute-men; in +a word, upon putting the colony immediately into a state of defence.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Within a fortnight after the session closed, the grand repository +of the governor’s magazine was discovered. In the palace +garden, under a bed of cabbages, was found a barrel, containing +about three bushels of gun-powder. In the palace cellar were +dug up two quarter casks of the same commodity; and in the +garden about 1000lb. of musket-balls, about 500 weight of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXCI'>CCCXCI</span>iron, swivel balls, a large quantity of small shot, lead, iron, +worms for the cannon, and the whole apparatus for his park of +artillery.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The Virginia convention continued to establish rules for the +defence and regulation of the colony; and passed an ordinance +for imbodying a sufficient force for its protection. It appearing +to them, that only 15 half barrels of powder had been taken out +of the magazine by lord Dunmore’s order, they valued it fairly, +and then directed the surplus money received by Patrick Henry, +esq. to be returned to the receiver general. [August 22.]</p> + +<p class='c007'>Upon a petition of sundry merchants and others, natives of +Great-Britain, mostly from Scotland, praying to be exempted +from bearing arms against the people among whom they were +born, and promising to observe a strict neutrality in case the colony +was attacked by the British troops, the convention unanimously +recommended to the committees, [Aug. 25.] and others +the good people of the colony, to treat all such resident natives +as did not show themselves enemies to the common cause of America, +with lenity and friendship; to protect all persons whatsoever +in the just enjoyment of their civil rights and liberty; to +discountenance all national reflections; and to promote union, +harmony, and mutual good will, among all ranks of people.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Before the session ended, the delegates in a declaration set +forth the cause of their meeting, and the necessity of immediately +putting the country into a posture of defence, for the better protection +of their lives, liberties and properties. In it they solemnly +declare, “before God and the world, we do bear faith and +true allegiance to his majesty; and will, so long as it may be in +our power, defend him and his government, as founded on the +laws and well-known principles of the constitution: we will, to +the utmost of our power, endeavor by every honorable mean, +to promote a restoration of that friendship and amity, which so +long and happily subsisted between our fellow subjects in Great-Britain, +and the inhabitants of America: and as, on the one +hand, we are determined to defend our lives and properties, and +maintain our just rights and privileges, at even the extremest +hazard, so, on the other hand, it is our fixed and unalterable +resolution to disband such forces as may be raised in this colony, +whenever our dangers are removed, and America is restored to +its former state of tranquility and happiness.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>Lord Dunmore, however, being joined by a number who had +rendered themselves obnoxious to the country, as well as by a +parcel of run-away negroes, and supported by the naval force +upon the station, endeavored to establish such a marine, as +might enable him, by means of the noble rivers with which the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXCII'>CCCXCII</span>colony abounds, to be always at hand, and ready to profit by +every favorable occasion which should offer. He by degrees +fitted and armed several vessels, in one of which he constantly +resided, never setting his foot on shore, but in an hostile manner. +The force was calculated only for depredations; and while these +were confined to the procuring of provisions or other necessaries, +respect was shown to the rank and office of the governor: +but being at length changed into open and avowed hostility, his +lordship met with resistance. The Virginians could not brook +his seizing persons, and conveying them on board the ships; destroying +plantations, and carrying off the negroes, and burning +houses. They therefore sent detachments of the new-raised +forces to protect the coasts; and from thence ensued a small +mischievous war, incapable of affording honor or benefit.</p> + +<p class='c007'>During this state of hostility, his lordship procured a few soldiers, +with whose assistance an attempt was made to burn the +port-town of Hampton. The inhabitants having a previous suspicion +of the design, sunk a number of boats across the channel +to prevent a landing. The ships, having surmounted all obstacles +in the night, drew up close to the town, [October 27.] and +began a furious cannonade in the morning. At this critical period, +a detachment of riflemen from Williamsburgh, that had +marched all night, arrived, and being joined by the minute-men +and others, who had assembled the day before, took such a position +as enabled them, with their small arms, to compel the enemy +precipitately to quit their station, with the loss of some men +and of a tender.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Nov. 7.] In consequence of this repulse, the governor issued +a proclamation, declaring that martial law should take place, +and be executed through the colony; requiring all persons capable +of bearing arms, to resort to his majesty’s standard, or to +be looked upon as traitors; and further declaring all indented +servants, negroes or others (appertaining to rebels) free, who +were able and willing to bear arms, upon joining his majesty’s +troops. The Virginians highly resented his lordship’s declaring +martial law; and by his single fiat attempting to strip them of +their property, and to arm their negroes and servants against +them to effect their destruction. This measure occasioned to +government the loss of many friends.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The proclamation, with his lordship’s presence and his marine, +produced some effect in the town of Norfolk and the adjoining +country, where many were well effected to the old government. +He was accordingly joined by some hundreds of blacks and +whites; but the pleasure it afforded, was soon interrupted by intelligence +that a party of Virginians were marching toward them +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXCIII'>CCCXCIII</span>with great expedition. To obstruct their designs, and protect +the well effected, he took possesion of the Great Bridge, near +Norfolk, a pass of much consequence, being the only way by +which the town could be approached He constructed a fort +on the Norfolk side, and rendered it as defencible as time would +admit. His force consisted of about 200 regulars, including the +grenadiers of the 14th regiment, and a body of Norfolk volunteers; +the rest was a motley mixture of blacks and whites. +The Virginians, under colonel Woodford, fortified themselves +within less than cannon shot of the royalists, having a narrow +causeway in front, which was to be passed to come at their +works.</p> + +<p class='c007'>In this state they continued quiet on both sides for some days. +At length a servant belonging to major Marshall, being properly +tutored, deserted to the royalists, and told them that colonel +Woodford had not more than 300 shirtmen (as they called the +riflemen, on account of their being dressed in their hunting shirts) +badly provided with ammunition. The bait took, and a design +was formed for surprising the Virginians in their entrenchments. +Captain Leslie, with the regulars, arrived at the bridge about three +in the morning; and being joined by about 300 white and black +slaves, laid planks upon the bridge, and crossed just after the +Virginians had beaten the reveille, a lucky time for the last, as +their men were of course all under arms. Captain Fordyce, at +the head of his grenadiers, amounting to about sixty, led the +van, while lientenant Batut commanded the advanced party. +They passed the causeway, which admitted only of a few men’s +marching abreast, and approached the intrenchments with fixed +bayonets, and a coolness and intrepidity which excited astonishment. +They were not only exposed naked to the fire in front, +but infiladed by another part of the provincial lines. The captain +fell with several of his men, within a few yards of the breast +work. The lieutenant with others were taken, and all the survivors +of the grenadier company, whether prisoners or not, were +wounded. The royalists were soon obliged to sound a retreat, +having sixty-two men killed and wounded. The provincials, +during the whole action, did not lose a single man, and had only +one slightly wounded. The fire of the artillery from the fort +covered the retreat of the royalists. None of the blacks, &c. in +the rear, with captain Leslie, advanced further than the bridge. +Captain Fordyce was buried with every military honor by the +victors, who showed a due respect to his former merit, as well +as to the gallantry which signalized his last moments. The British +prisoners were treated with great kindness: the American +royalists, who joined the king’s standard, with rigor. The king’s +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXCIV'>CCCXCIV</span>forces retired the ensuing night, without other loss than a few +pieces of cannon. Captain Leslie, it is said, has absolutely refused +to act any more on shore, till he can be better supported; +on the other hand, the Norfolk volunteers, and the black battalions, +have declined acting without the regulars; this has induced +his lordship to abandon the entrenchments at Norfolk, +and to go on board the ships. Most of the wretched negroes +who had joined him, were now left to shift for themselves.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Dec. 14.] Colonel Woodford, with the provincials, entered +Norfolk; but almost all the inhabitants had fled on board the +ships. At night he resigned the command to colonel Howe, +designing to return to his family, and attend on his private affairs.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Many of the Scotch petitioners having, contrary to their +faith, solemnly plighted, become strict adherents to lord Dunmore, +and active promoters of his measures; and having excited +their slaves to act against the colony, the convention has +totally rescinded the former recommendation in their favor. +But persons of ability, declining to act with the Virginians, and +who have not taken up arms nor showed themselves against +them, may be permitted to leave the country.</p> + +<p class='c007'>A scheme for raising a considerable force for the service of +lord Dunmore, has been lately discovered in Maryland.</p> + +<p class='c007'>One John Connelly, a native of Pennsylvania, waited on his +lordship with certain proposals, toward the latter end of July, +which being approved of, he dispatched intelligence to the officers +of the militia on the frontiers of Augusta county, with assurances +from his lordship, that such of them as would hereafter +evince their loyalty to his majesty, by putting themselves under +his command, should be amply rewarded. He had before, by +direction, prepared the Indians on the Ohio, to act in concert +with him against his majesty’s enemies in that quarter. His +lordship sent him to general Gage, at Boston, about the 15th of +September; and about the middle of October he returned with +instructions from the general to his lordship. A commission of +lieutenant-colonel commandant of a regiment, to be raised in the +back parts and in Canada, was to be granted to this adventurer; +who was to be assisted by the garrisons at Detroit and Fort Gage, +at the Illinois, with artillery and ammunition. He was to use +means to urge the Indian chiefs to act with vigor in the execution +of his orders; and to have the supreme direction of the +new forces. When they were in sufficient condition, he was to +penetrate through Virginia, so as to meet lord Dunmore at a +set time in next April, at Alexandria, on the Potomak; his lordship +was to bring such a naval strength and other assistance, as +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXCV'>CCCXCV</span>might be deemed necessary for the purpose. He had so far succeeded, +that he was on his way, with two associates, to Detroit; +where he was to meet his commission and instructions; but when +they had reached about five miles beyond Hager’s-town, they +were taken into custody and brought before the county committee, +at Frederick-town, in Maryland [Nov. 23.] for examination, +about ten days after parting with lord Dunmore. Their +papers have betrayed every thing. Among them were the geneneral +plan of the whole business, and a letter from lord Dunmore +to one of the Indian chiefs, and other authentic vouchers, +which leave nothing to be doubted. His lordship’s letter was +accommodated, as is usual in all such cases, to the Indian taste, +and addressed to <em>Brother Captain White Eyes</em>, who was to acquaint +the <em>Corn-Stalk</em>, as well as the chiefs of the Mingoes, and +the other six nations, with the sentiments contained in it.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The capture of Connelly and his associates, is ascribed to the +seizure of an express passing between an Indian commissary +and the governor; from whose papers such intelligence was +gained as to put the provincial committee upon keeping a good +look-out for the parties. The Indian commissary was known to +be disaffected to the American cause, by a gentleman whose suspicions +made him a principal in effecting the discovery.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The Pennsylvania general assembly, in their November session, +instructed their delegates to exert their endeavors at the +continental congress, for the adoption of such measures as +might afford the best prospect of obtaining a redress of American +grievances, and of restoring the union and harmony between +Great-Britain and the colonies. They said, “Though the oppressive +measures of the British parliament and administration +have compelled us to resist their violence by force of arms, yet +we strictly enjoin you, that you, in behalf of this colony, dissent +from, and utterly reject any propositions, should such be +made, that may cause or lead to a separation from the mother +country, or a change in the form of this government.” The +reason for mentioning <em>a change in the form of this government</em>, +was, congress’s recommendation of a measure of that kind to +the provincial convention of New-Hampshire, which will be +properly noticed in its place.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Nov. 16.] Governor Franklin met the general assembly of +New-Jersey. In his speech he acquainted them, “That the +commanders of his majesty’s squadrons in America, have orders +to proceed as in the case of a town in actual rebellion, against +such of the sea-port towns and places, being accessible to the +king’s ships, as shall offer any violence to the king’s officers, or +in which any troops shall be raised, or military works erected, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXCVI'>CCCXCVI</span>or other than by his majesty’s authority, or any attempts made +to seize or plunder any public magazine of arms or ammunition.” +He said “Sentiments of independency, are by some +men of present consequence, openly avowed, and essays are already +appearing in the public papers, to redicule the people’s +fears of that horrid measure.” The house of assembly in their +answer declared, [Nov. 29.] “There is nothing we desire with +greater anxiety, than a reconciliation with our parent state, on +constitutional principles. We know of no sentiments of independency +that are by men of any consequence openly avowed; +nor do we approve of any essays tending to encourage such a +measure. We have already expressed our detestation of such +opinions; and we have so frequently and fully declared our sentiments +on this subject, that we should have thought ourselves, +as at present we really deserve to be, exempt from all suspicion +of this nature.” The governor in his reply mentioned, that he +had not the most distant thought while speaking of the sentiments +of independency openly avowed by some that they would +consider the remark as at all meant for, or applicable to their +house. He concluded with pointedly saying, “I sincerely wish +that both you and I may ere long have the happiness to see those +who either openly or privately avow sentiments of independency, +<em>men of no consequence</em>.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>The New-York convention having resolved upon the removal +of the cannon from the battery in the city, captain Sears was +appointed to the business. Captain Vandeput, of the Asia man +of war, was privately informed of the design, and prepared to +oppose its execution. Learning when it was to be attempted, +he appointed a boat to watch the motion of the people assembled +for that purpose about the dead of night. The sailors in +the boat giving the signal, with a flach of powder, of what was +going forward, the persons on shore mistook it for an attempt +to fire a musket at them, and immediately aimed a volley of shot +at the boat, by which a man was killed. Captain Vandeput +soon after commenced a firing from the Asia with grape shot, +swivel shot, 18 and 24 pounders, without killing a single person, +and wounded only three, two slightly, the other lost the +calf of his leg. He then ceased for a considerable time, supposing +that the people had desisted from their purpose, while they +were only changing their mode of operation. Captain Sears +provided a deceiving party, intended to draw the Asia’s fire from +the line of the working party. He sent the former behind a +breast-work, by which they were secured on dodging down upon +observing the flash of the Asia’s guns. When all was in readiness, +they huzzaed, and sung out their notes, as though tugging +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXCVII'>CCCXCVII</span>in unison, and fired from the walls: while the working party +silently got off twenty-one eighteen pounders, with carriages, +empty cartridges, rammers, &c. Upon hearing the noise, and +seeing the fire of the musketry, the captain ordered the Asia to +fire a whole broad-side toward that part of the fort, where the +deceiving party had secured themselves, without intending a particular +injury to the city; however, some of the shot could not +but fly into it and do damage. This affair happened at a very +late hour, between twelve and two, [August 22.] and threw the +citizens into the utmost consternation. Such was the stillness of +the night, that the report of the cannon was heard at Philadelphia, +ninety miles off. The distress of the Yorkers was much +increased, by a painful apprehension, that captain Vandeput +would renew the firing upon the city. A removal of men women, +children and goods commenced and continued till Saturday. +Matters were afterward so adjusted, as to quiet the apprehensions +of the people, in reference to their suffering further +from the Asia. To prevent it, the convention permitted Abraham +Lott, esq. to supply all his majesty’s ships stationed at New-York, +with all necessaries, as well fresh as salted, for the sole +use of said ships.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The art and influence of governor Tryon alarmed the continental +congress, some of the members especially, so that it was +moved, that he should be seized. But Mr. Duane, one of the +New-York delegates, speaking in behalf of, and answering for +him, no resolution to that purpose was taken. Mr. Duane saying, +in his eagerness to defend the governor, that he was as good +a friend to the American cause as any one present, called up +captain John Langdon from New-Hampshire, who resenting +the assertion as an aspersion on the several members, answered +with much acrimony, and was permitted to go on as long as he +pleased, Mr. Duane’s conduct not having answered, in several +instances, the warm wishes of the zealous delegates. Though +nothing was resolved upon against governor Tryon, the matter +only subsided for the present, under an apprehension that if the +motion was made, it would not be carried, or when carried, +would be conveyed to the governor time enough for him to secure +himself. The affair was brought on again after a while +in another form; and congress resolved, [October 6.] “That +it be recommended to the several provincial assemblies or conventions, +and councils or committees of safety, to arrest and secure +every person in their respective colonies, whose going at +large may in their opinion endanger the safety of the colony, or +the liberties of America.”</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXCVIII'>CCCXCVIII</span>An authentic copy of the resolve was to be transmitted by +the delegates, to proper persons in the different colonies. The +fathers of it aimed at governor Tryon; they had little or no expectation +that the New-York convention would secure him; +but they hoped that the sons liberty at large would effect the +business. It has been asserted, that Mr. Duane was uneasy at +the resolution, and withdrew from congress for near an hour before +he returned to his seat. Be that as it may, it is certain that +Mr. Duane’s footman went off to governor Tryon in season to +give him information of what was resolved; which occasioned +his writing to the mayor of New-York [Oct. 13.] acquainting +him that he knew from <em>undoubted authority</em>, what was recommended +to the provincial congress, and desiring to be informed +whether he should be secure in the protection of the corporation +and citizens. The provincial congress had not then received +the recommendation. Several letters passed upon the +occasion, but the governor not obtaining satisfaction as to his +being secure, went on board the Halifax packet [Oct. 19.] of +which he informed the mayor by letter; and in that expressed +his readiness to do such business of the country, as the situation +of the times would permit.</p> + +<p class='c007'>A correspondent residing at New-York complains, that the +leaders of the people in that colony, are inconsistent and perfidious, +and that their councils are stampt with folly, timidity, +and treachery. Some days before the governor went on board, +members of the provincial convention declared, even in the +convention, that they would not receive the bills of credit to be +emitted by themselves; that they would join the king’s standard +if troops came, in order to save their estates, &c. These +speeches were uttered without meeting with any censure.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The day the governor sent his letter from on board, Messrs. +Low, De Lancey, Walton, Kissam, Verplank, &c. &c. labored +hard in the provincial congress, to preclude the freemen of the +city from voting for new members, and the mode of voting by +ballot. They were for polling, as formerly, and expected, that +if the freemen were excluded, the freeholders would return +none but such as would be for preserving the city, though at +the expence of the liberties of America.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The New-York troops are not to be depended upon in general. +Persons who have been pretty hearty, are now afraid of +falling a sacrifice. The defection becomes greater every day +in both city and country. This may be owing to the arts of governor +Tryon, whose exertions may be as strenuous and successful +in the ship as in the city. He is not at a loss how to intrigue +with the people of his government.</p> + +<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_CCCXCIX'>CCCXCIX</span>Such is the importance of securing the North River, that the +continental congress have given direction for rendering it defensible, +by erecting a fortification in the High-lands, and garrisoning +the same. They have also directed Mr. Alexander, +titular lord Sterling, to collect the troops in and for the defence +of New-Jersey [Nov. 27.] (except six companies ordered to +the forts on the North River) and to place them in barracks in +the eastern division of the colony, as contiguous to New-York +as can be, there to remain till further orders. The city abounds +with persons opposed to congressional measures. This opposition +was much strengthened by Mr. Rivington’s press, which +was carried off four days before the above order. Captain Sears +observing the mischievous effects of this press, determined upon +a violent and effectual mode of silencing it. He procured +seventy-five Connecticut horsemen, well armed, with muskets, +&c. unexpectedly entered the city at the head of them; repaired +immediately to Mr. Rivington’s, and seized all his types and +printing materials, many of which were destroyed. While he +was thus employed, people collected, and the street was thronged. +To prevent interruption, he called out and told them, that +if they attempted to oppose him, he would order his men to +fire upon them; and preparation was made for doing it, in case +it should be needful. This appearance instantly cleared the +street, when captain Sears and his party rode off in triumph, +with the booty they were pleased to take away.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Sept. 30.] Captain Wallace, in the Rose man of war, and +two tenders, began in the morning to fire upon Stonington, in +Connecticut, close in with the Sound; and continued it the +whole day, with very little intermission. They killed two men, +much shattered the houses, stores, &c. and carried off a schooner +loaded with molasses, and two small sloops. The firing was +brought on by a vessel (which he was in chace of) escaping and +securing itself in the harbour of the town. The men of war +and transports at Newport, exciting a suspicion by their movements, +that there was an intention of taking off live stock from +the farms in the south part of Rhode-Island, a number of persons +went down in the evening [Oct. 2.] and brought off about +1000 sheep and 50 head of cattle. The next day and the following +one, the ships took off a quantity from the two farms, where +it was thought they were collected for the purpose of supplying +the British troops at Boston. Soon after 300 minute-men arrived, +who marched to the spot [Oct 5.] and brought off the +remaining cattle, sheep, hogs and poultry, though fired upon +by the ships which lay within gun shot. The interposition of the +minute-men subjected the town to threats of being cannonaded +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CD'>CD</span>by the men of war; so that many of the inhabitants moved their +effects, while others left the place. On Saturday afternoon +[October 7.] the ships weighed anchor, went up the river to +Bristol, and demanded 300 sheep, which not being complied +with, between eight and nine o’clock, they began a heavy fire +on the town, and continued it upward of an hour. The women +and children, in great anxiety (dark and rainy as it was) were +obliged to leave their habitations, and seek shelter in the adjacent +country. Between nine and ten a committee went on +board, and purchased peace and the safety of the town at the +expence of forty sheep. The firing thus upon a defenceless +town, greatly irritated the minds of the Americans in distant colonies, +and they have censured it in their public transactions.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Nov. 11.] The general assembly of <em>Rhode-Island</em> passed an +act for the capital punishment of persons who should be found +guilty of holding a traitorous correspondence with the ministry +of Great-Britain, or any of their officers or agents, or of supplying +the ministerial army or navy employed against the united +colonies, with provisions, arms, &c. or of acting as pilots on +board any vessels. They however excepted the negociation and +treaty of the town council with captain Wallace, respecting the +supplying the ships of war stationed in the harbour of Newport, +and regulation thereof by the commanding officer, which they +had before permitted. They also passed an act for sequestring +the estates of several persons, whom they considered as avowed +enemies to the liberties of America.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Nov. 30.] Captain Wallace, about one in the morning, left +the harbour of Newport, went to Conanicut with several vessels, +and landed about 200 marines, sailors, and negroes, who +were employed in burning the houses and barns upon the island. +The men, while upon the service, were ordered to fire on one +Mr. Martin, who gave no provocation, and was standing unarmed +at his own door. He was shot in the belly, and died. +He was an inoffensive person, and had treated captain Wallace +with great civility and friendship.</p> + +<p class='c007'>General Lee was at length detached with a small corps, from +the army in the Massachusetts, to the assistance of the Rhode-Islanders; +on whom, upon his arrival, he imposed a most tremendous +oath. This act of the general’s does not meet with +the approbation of the congress.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The <em>Massachusetts</em> military and naval transactions will be related +separate from the civil, as far as convenient.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The American prisoners taken on the 17th of June, were +thrown indiscriminately into the jail at Boston, without any consideration +being paid to those of rank, though languishing with +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CDI'>CDI</span>wounds and sickness. The sick and wounded were put under +the hands of a man who had never before been employed but in +the diseases of horses.<a id='r133'></a><a href='#f133' class='c013'><sup>[133]</sup></a> The inhabitants of the town who befriended +the American cause, were not allowed to afford the +prisoners all that relief they were entitled to upon the principles +of humanity. The sufferers had even some of their books +of devotion taken from them, and were reproached for their +much reading, as leading them into rebellion. Being accounted +rebels, no cruelty was thought more than they deserved, +while their existence was not terminated by a halter.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The education and reading of the colonists have undoubtedly +contributed to encourage and support their opposition to measures +deemed destructive to the liberties of their country. Every town +in the Massachusetts and Connecticut, has a public English school +for the education of youth, supported by an annual tax upon the +inhabitants; to which any one may send his children, while the +expence of their education is nothing more than his proportion +of the tax. The masters are often young men who have finished +their college education; and who spend a year or more in +this employ, till they take to a different one, which often leads +to their becoming some of the first persons in the colony. The +universal education promoted by these schools, spreads a general +knowledge among the lowest orders of people; and gives +them a taste for reading the interresting publications of the day; +while able writers have been and are employing their pens in +nourishing the spirit of resistance, by arguments, historical narrations, +and all the various arts of animated persuasion.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Aug, 11.] General Washington wrote to general Gage upon +the subject of the ill treatment of the prisoners, and apprized +him, that he should regulate his conduct toward those gentlemen +who are or may be in his possession, exactly by the rule that the +other should observe toward the Americans who may be in his +custody. [Aug. 13.] General Gage in his answer asserted, that +the prisoners had hitherto been treated with care and kindness, +though indiscriminately, as he acknowledged no rank that was +not derived from the king. He mentioned, “I understand there +are of the king’s faithful subjects, taken by the rebels, laboring +like negro slaves to gain their daily subsistence, or reduced to +the wretched alternative to perish by famine, or take arms against +their king and country.” He remarked upon the passage relating +to retaliation, with an appeal to God; and closed with this +charge, “unfortunately for both countries, those who long since +projected the present crisis, and influence the councils of America, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CDII'>CDII</span>have views very distant from accommodation.” General +Gage was mistaken, in charging the party alluded to, with <em>projecting</em> +the present crisis, which is the casual and unexpected +consequence of pernicious ministerial councils. He was no less +far from the truth, while he intimated that the American leaders +“have views very distant from accommodation.” Some +few have such views, but the great body of them at present long +for an accommodation.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Aug. 19.] General Washington replied to general Gage, in +a pointed manner, and told him, “I have taken time, Sir, to +make a strict enquiry, and find the intelligence you have received, +has not the least foundation in truth. Not only your officers +and soldiers have been treated with a tenderness due to fellow +citizens and brethren, but even those execrable parricides, whose +councils and aid have deluged the country with blood, have +been protected from the fury of a justly enraged people. You +affect, Sir, to despise all rank, not derived from the same source +with your own. I cannot conceive one more honorable than that +which flows from the uncorrupted choice of a brave and free +people, the purest source and original fountain of all power. +May that God to whom you appeal, judge between America +and you! Under his providence, those who influence the councils +of America, and all the other inhabitants of the united colonies, +at the hazard of their lives, are determined to hand down +to posterity those just and invaluable privileges which they received +from their ancestors.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Aug. 26.] At night about two thousand of the American +troops intrenched on Plow’d Hill, within point blank shot of the +British on Bunker’s Hill: notwithstanding a continual fire almost +all the day following, they had only two killed and two wounded. +While the intrenchments were carrying on, parties of riflemen +were employed in firing upon the advanced guards on Charlestown +Neck. One of the British officers and several men were +seen to fall. Two of the British floating batteries attempting to +annoy the Americans at work upon the hill, were silenced in +Mystick river, and one partly sunk. More than 300 shells were +thrown at the fortress on Plow’d Hill, without a single person’s +being thereby hurt; and the consequent contempt they entertained +of shells, induced them to omit providing a bomb-proof cover +for the garrison. Bunker’s Hill, Plow’d Hill and Winter Hill, +which last the Americans have possessed and fortified for some +time, are situated in a range from east to west, each of them on +or near Mystick river. Plow’d Hill is in the middle, and the +lowest of the three, the summit is about half a mile from the +works on Bunker’s Hill. The British finding that their firing did +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CDIII'>CDIII</span>not answer, relaxed, and after a while desisted entirely, and the +Americans remained quiet in their new post. General Washington +received, in the beginning of September, a very acceptable +remittance of ammunition from Rhode-Island, even 7000lb. +of powder—a great quantity, compared with the late amazing +scarcity. It is probably a part of what has been brought from +Africa. The Americans practised a manœuvre, which credits +their understanding. They sent out a quantity of New-England +rum, which was exchanged for a fiery commodity of a different +quality, so successfully as not to leave an ounce for sale in any of +the British forts on the African coast.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The general having obtained pleasing accounts from Canada, +being assured that neither Indians nor Canadians could be prevailed +upon to act against the Americans, and knowing there +was a design of penetrating into that province by Lake Champlain, +concerted the plan of detaching a body of troops from head-quarters, +through the province of Mein, across the country to +Quebec. He communicated the same to general Schuyler, who +approving it, all things were got in readiness. The corps was to +be commanded by colonel Arnold, aided by colonels Christopher +Green and Roger Enos, and majors Meigs and Bigelow; +and was to consist of ten companies of musket men, and three +companies of riflemen, amounting to eleven hundred.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Sept. 13.] In the evening the detachment marched from +Cambridge for Newbury-port, where, six days after, they embarked +on board ten transports bound to Kennebec, fifty leagues +distant. [Sept. 20.] They entered the mouth of the Kennebec +in the morning, and favored with the wind and tide proceeded +up to Gardner’s town. It was only fourteen days from first giving +orders for building 200 batteaux, for collecting provisions, +and for draughting the 1100 men, to their reaching this place. +Such was the dispatch!</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Sept. 22.] The troops embarked on board the batteaux, and +proceeded to Fort Western on the east side of the river. From +thence, captain Morgan, with three companies of riflemen, was +sent forward by water, [Sept. 25.] with orders to get on to the +great carrying place in the most expeditious manner, and to +clear the road, while the other divisions came up. The second +division embarked the next day, and the third the day after. As +they advanced up the river, the stream grew very rapid, and the +bottom and shores were rocky. [Sept. 29.] By eleven in the +morning, major Meigs with the third division, arrived at Fort +Halifax, standing on a point of land between the rivers Kennebec +and Sebasticook. In their progress up the river, they met +with two carrying-places, over which they were obliged to carry +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CDIV'>CDIV</span>their batteaux, baggage, and every other article, till they came +again a part of the river which was navigable, and no longer +obstructed by water-falls, rapids, rocks or other encumbrances, +as was that which they avoided. [October 3.] They got to Norridgewalk, +where the major’s curiosity was entertained by the +sight of a child 14 months old, the first white one born in the +place. After crossing over more carrying places, he and his men +encamped at the great carrying place, [Oct. 10.] which was +twelve miles and a half across, including three ponds that they +were obliged to pass. These ponds had plenty of trout. Two days +after colonel Enos arrived at the same place with the 4th division +of the army consisting of three companies of musket men. [Oct. +13.] Colonel Arnold meeting with an Indian, wrote to general +Schuyler, and inclosed his letter to a friend in Quebec. Though +he had no knowledge of the Indian, he venturously intrusted the +packet with him, to be carried and delivered according to order. +This strange confidence may ruin his expedition, beside involving +his friend in great trouble. [Oct. 15.] The provision was so +reduced, that the men were put to allowance, 3–4lb. of pork and +3–4lb. of flour a day for each. The next day they reached Dead +river. Colonel Enos having got up with his division in about +three days, was ordered to send back the sick, and those that +could not be furnished with provision; but, contrary to colonel +Arnold’s expectation, returned to Cambridge with his whole division +a few days after. Major Meigs received orders to push +on with his division, [Oct. 19.] for Chaudiere head, with the +greatest expedition. But they proceeded very slowly by reason +of falls, carrying places and bad weather. Their course was only +three miles. [Oct. 22.] The rains made the river raise the preceding +night in some parts eight feet perpendicular: and in many +places it overflowed its banks, and rendered it very difficult +for the men on shore to march. The next day the stream was +so rapid, that, in passing it, five or six batteaux filled and overset, +by which they lost several barrels of provision, a number of guns, +clothes, and other articles. Such was the rapidity of the stream, +and interruptions by carrying places, that it was with much fatigue +they got on one-and-twenty miles within the three following +days. To their great satisfaction they reached the carrying +place, [Oct. 27.] which lies across the height of land that runs +through the colonies to Georgia, and on the further side of which +the stream run the reverse of the river they had ascended. They +crossed the heights to Chaudiere river, and continued their march +by land to Quebec. [Nov. 1.] The marching through the woods +was extremely bad. Major Meigs passed a number of soldiers +who had no provisions, and some of whom were sick. It was +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CDV'>CDV</span>not in his power to help or relieve them. But one or two dogs +were killed, which the distressed soldiers eat with a relishing appetite, +without sparing either feet or skin. A few eat their cartouch-boxes, +breeches and shoes, being several days without provision. +The major and his men marched on upon the banks of +the Chaudiere, [Nov. 3.] and at twelve o’clock met with supplies, +to the inexpressible joy of the soldiers, who were near +starving. Colonel Arnold, with a small party, made a forced +march, and returned with provisions purchased of the inhabitants; +on which the hunger-bitten adventurers made a voracious meal. +[Nov. 4.] The next day at eleven, major Meigs and his men arrived +at a French house, and were hospitably treated. It was +the first house he had seen for 31 days, having been all that time +in a rough, barren, and uninhabited wilderness, where he never +saw a human being except those belonging to the detachment. He +and his party were immediately supplied with fresh beef, fowls, +butter, pheasants and vegetables, at this settlement called Sertigan +25 leagues from Quebec. They were kindly entertained +while marching down the country. When colonel Arnold got +within two leagues and a half of Point Levi, [Nov. 8.] he wrote +to general Montgomery, that as he had received no answer either +from general Schuyler or his friend, he made no doubt but that +the Indian had betrayed his trust: and that he was confirmed in +it, upon finding that the inhabitants of Quebec had been some +time apprised of his coming, and had destroyed all the canoes at +Point Levi to prevent the detachments from passing over. The +fact was, the Indian, instead of delivering the packet as directed, +carried it to the lieutenant-governor, who on reading the letters, +secured Mr. Mercier the merchant, and began immediately +to put the city in the best state of defence he could; whereas before +it was wholly defenceless, and might easily have been carried +by surprise. [Nov. 9.] Colonel Arnold arrived at Point Levi, +where we leave him to remove, if possble the embarrasments +into which his own imprudence has brought him, by needlessly +trusting an unknown Indian with dispatches of the utmost consequence. +The detachment suffered hardships, beyond what can +well be conceived of, in the course of the expedition. The men +had to haul their batteaux up over falls, up rapid streams, over +carrying places; and to march through morasses, thick woods +and over mountains, for about 320 miles. In many places they +had to pass over the ground and the mountains several times, as +without it they must have left much of their baggage behind, and +have failed in the enterprise. They lost all their powder, except +what was in cartridges and horns, while penetrating through the +woods. But what proved the greatest trial to them, was the starving +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CDVI'>CDVI</span>condition to which they were reduced, when approaching the +end of their tedious and distressing march. The pork being gone, +they had for four days only half a pound of flour a day for each +man. Their whole store was then divided, which yielded about +four pints of flour per man—a small allowance for men near a +hundred miles from any habitation or prospect of supply. It was +used sparingly; but several when they had baked and eaten their +last morsel, discovered, to their great confusion, that they had +thirty miles to travel before they could expect the least mouthful +more. But their dread of consequences was soon removed, by +the unexpected return of colonel Arnold with cattle. The soldiers +exercised the greatest fortitude and patience under the difficulties +and sufferings that occurred; and when again in the midst +of plenty and an easy situation, soon lost all painful remembrance +of what had happened, and gloried in having accomplished, by +their indefatigable zeal and industry, an undertaking above the +common race of men in this debauched age. Let us attend to +colonel Enos. His return to camp excited both astonishment and +indignation. [Dec. 1.] A court martial was ordered to sit upon +him; when it appeared, that he had but three days provisions, and +was about one hundred miles from the English settlements; that +a council of war was called, which agreed upon the return of +the colonel’s whole division, and that he was for going on without, +but that it was opposed. It was the unanimous opinion of the +court, that colonel Enos was under a necessity of returning, and +he has been acquitted with honor. A number of officers of the +best character are fully satisfied, and persuaded that his conduct +deserves applause rather than sensure. Had he not returned, +his whole division must have been starved.</p> + +<p class='c007'>We must now resume the account of the military transactions +in the Massachusetts, from the period of colonel Arnold’s leaving +the camp.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The Americans, that they might equal in some measure the +British, have built some floating batteries with a deck, to secure +the people on board from suffering by musketry. General +Washington perceiving that the expence of supporting the army +will by far exceed any idea formed of it in congress, is +alarmed at the apprehension of consequences, and most earnestly +wishes for such a termination of the campaign, as may make the +army no longer necessary. The want of powder has subsided in +part. Salt-peter is made in every colony. Powder-mills have +been erected at Philadelphia and New-York. Non only so, but +upward of a hundred barrels of powder have been taken out of +the magazine at Bermuda, as supposed by a sloop from Philadelphia, +and a schooner from Carolina. It was easily accomplished +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CDVII'>CDVII</span>from the magazine’s being situated far distant from the town, +without any dwelling-house in the vicinity. Some of the inhabitants +were probably concerned in the transaction. It might +be connected with the address to the deputies from the different +parishes of Bermuda presented to congress in July, and might +influence the subsequent resolve of congress in November, +“That the inhabitants of Bermuda appear friendly to the cause +of America, and ought to be supplied with such a quantity of +the produce of these colonies, as may be necessary for their subsistence +and home consumption.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Oct.] The perfidy of Dr. Church has been at length detected, +by the discovery of a traiterous correspondence with a British +officer in Boston. He had intrusted a letter in cypher with +his kept mistress to be forwarded, which being found upon her, +she was taking and carried to head quarters. The Doctor not being +suspected, had an opportunity of speaking to her, so that she +would not discover the writer, till terrified into it by the severest +threats. The general was shocked at the discovery, and +talked with the doctor upon the baseness of his conduct. The +marks of guilt were apparent. The doctor was confounded, and +never attempted to vindicate himself. He was immediately secured. +Since the letter has been decyphered, and the doctor +has had opportunity of recollecting himself, he has pleaded that +his intentions were not criminal; admitting his plea, so gross a +piece of stupidity in so sensible a man is quite a prodigy. But +this plea was invalidated, though not by the contents of the letter, +which served mainly to point out the necessity of a speedy +accommodation; yet by the marks of guilt he discovered in the +presence of the general, and in his attempt to conceal the writer, +instead of declaring at once who he was, what was his design, +and what he had written. The doctor being a representative, +was, on the 27th of October, examined at the bar of the house. +He endeavored to evade the censure of the house, by insisting, +that as the affair would be before another court where the matter +must have a final issue, should the house proceed to expel him +it would have a fatal effect whenever a final judgment was to be +given on his conduct. He made the most solemn appeal to heaven, +that the letter was written with the design of procuring +some important intelligence. He observed, that there was not a +single paragraph in it which contained information that could hurt +the Americans; and that the exaggerated accounts of their force, +strength and unanimity, tended to dishearten the enemy, and +keep them quiet, at a time when the Americans were poorly able +to have withstood a vigorous attack. It is impossible to write all +he said; but if the force of rhetoric and the powers of language, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CDVIII'>CDVIII</span>if the most pathetic arts of persuasion, enforced by all the ingenuity, +sense, and spirit of the doctor, could have made him innocent, +he would have appeared spotless as an angel of light.—The +house however expelled him as guilty; and congress afterward +resolved, “That he be close confined in some secure jail +in Connecticut, without the use of pen, ink and paper, and +that no person be allowed to converse with him, except in the +presence and hearing of a magistrate or the sheriff of the +county.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>The time for which the continental soldiers were engaged to +serve, was hastening to a close; the evil of a very short inlistment +was felt; it was therefore unanimously agreed at a council +of war, [Oct. 8.] that the men to be raised for the future army, +should be engaged to the first of December 1776, but be discharged +sooner if necessary. Hopes still remain, that an accommodation +may possibly take place.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[October 10.] General Gage sailed for Great-Britain, leaving +several thousand of the inhabitants of the town in want of +bread and every necessary of life. Before his departure, he was +addressed by his majesty’s mandamus council; by a number of +gentlemen and principal inhabitants of the town; and by such +as were driven from their habitations in the country to Boston, +amounting to no more than seventy-six, a small number considering +the extent and populousness of the colony, and that many +of them would not pass for gentlemen in Great-Britain. The +command of the army devolved of course upon general Howe, +who issued one proclamation, condemning to military execution, +such inhabitants as attempt to quit the town without a written +licence, if detected and taken; if they escape, they are to be +proceeded against as traitors, and their effects are to be forfeited: +and another, declaring that if such as are permitted to depart, +attempt carrying away more than five pounds in specie, to +which sum they have been restrained for some time past, they +shall forfeit the whole sum discovered, beside suffering fine and +imprisonment.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Congress having intimated to general Washington, that an attack +upon Boston was much desired, a council of war was called, +[October 18.] but unanimously agreed that it was not expedient, +at least, for the present. On the same day captain Mowat +destroyed 139 houses, and 278 stores and other buildings, the +far greatest and best part of the town of Falmouth in the northern +part of the Massachusetts. The inhabitants, in compliance +with a resolve of the provincial congress to prevent tories +carrying out their effects, gave some violent obstruction to the +loading of a mast ship, which drew upon them the indignation +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CDIX'>CDIX</span>of the admiral. Captain Mowat was dispatched in the Canceaux, +of sixteen guns, with an armed large ship, schooner and +sloop. After anchoring toward the evening of the seventeenth, +within gun-shot, he sent a letter on shore giving them two hours +for the removal of their families, as he had orders to fire the +town, they having been guilty of the most unpardonable rebellion. +A committee of three gentlemen went on board, to learn +the particular reasons for such orders. He answered, that his +orders were to set on fire all the sea-ports between Boston and +Halifax; but agreed to spare the town till nine o’clock the next +morning, would they consent to send him off eight small arms, +which was immediately done. The next morning the committee +applied afresh; he concluded to spare the town till he could +hear from the admiral, in case they would send him off four carriage +guns, deliver up all their arms, ammunition, &c. and four +gentlemen of the town as hostages. That not being complied +with, about half past nine he began to fire from the four armed +vessels, and continued it till after dark. With shells and carcases, +and about thirty marines whom he landed, he set the +town on fire in several places. About a hundred of the worst +houses escaped destruction, but suffered damage. The inhabitants +got out a very considerable part of their furniture, and +had not a person killed or wounded, though the vessels fired +into the town about three thousand shot, beside bombs and +carcases. General Lee reprobates their cowardice, in admitting +such a paltry party to land with impunity, an set their town in +flames, when they had at least two hundred fighting men, and +powder enough for a battle. In the private letter wherein he expressed +these sentiments, he made no mention of the sailors +being repulsed, with the loss of a few men; though this might +happen in the close of the day, and give occasion for its being +related by others. The burning of Falmouth spread an alarm +upon the sea-coast, but produced no disposition to submit to the +power and mercy of the armed British agents. The people in +common, chose rather to abandon the sea-ports that could not +be defended, than quit their country’s cause; and therefore removed +back with their effects to a safe distance.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The congress, the latter end of September, concluded upon +sending a committee of three members, to confer with general +Washington and the governor of Connecticut, the lieutenant-governor +of Rhode-Island, the council of Massachusetts, and +the president of the convention of New-Hampshire, and others, +touching the most effectual method of continuing, supporting, +and regulating a continental army. They met and agreed on the +measures to be pursued. Dr. Franklin being one of the committed, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CDX'>CDX</span>the Massachusetts general court embraced that opportunity +[Oct. 23.] of ordering the treasurer to pay him £.1854 +sterling, in full for his late services as agent, from October 31, +1770, to March 1, 1775. You may recollect that governor +Hutchinson always refused signing the grants made him by the +house of assembly. The doctor might lave liked specie at the +time such grants were made, better than the present paper money; +but his foresight will undoubtedly transform the latter into +some solid substance. He had to pay £.100 of it back into +the hands of a committee, appointed to wait upon him within a +day or two, being the amount of a sum sent by several persons +from England, for the relief of those Americans who were +wounded in the battle of Lexington, and of the widows and +children of those who were then slain.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[October 27.] The old south meeting-house, a large, handsome +brick building, well fitted up without and within, was taken +possession of, and destined for a horse riding-school and the +service of the light dragoons. It is said and believed, that an +offer was made of building a complete riding-school for less money +than it would cost to remove the pews and the side galleries +(the front remains for the accommodation of tea-company and +others) and to make a proper flooring for the horse. In clearing +every thing away, a beautiful carved pew, with silk furniture, +formerly belonging to a deceased gentleman in high estimation, +was taken down and carried to Mr. John Amory’s house, +by the order of an officer, who applied the carved work to the +erecting of a hogsty. Had the meeting-house and its contents +been honored with episcopal consecration, these proceedings +would be deemed by multitudes, profane and sacriligious. But +they, who in the present day hold not with the holiness of any +buildings, will censure the insults offered professors of whatever +denomination, by needlessly demolishing their places of worship, +or consigning them to despicable and filthy uses. When +Roman virtue and patriotism were at their height, the Roman +officers would not allow the religion or temples of the persons +with whom they fought, to be insulted and profaned. They were +more politic than to exasperate men into a ferocious courage for +the defence of their altars. But too many of the present British +officers act as though they owed a spite to all the meeting-houses +of the presbyterians, by which common name they stigmatize +those who dissent from the church of England, without reflecting +that it is no stigma in Scotland, but the reverse.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The southern colonies, in consequence of accounts transmitted +to them from the camp, begin to entertain prejudices with respect +to the troops raised in the Massachusetts. They ought to allow +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CDXI'>CDXI</span>for the precipitation with which the army was necessarily collected. +General Thomas declared [Oct. 24.] that the regiments +at Roxbury were equal, as to the privates, to any with +whom he served the last war, and many of them have proved +themselves brave. The greatest part of the officers are unexperienced, +and in general unqualified, being strangers to subordination, +which was not unexpected to the general, as they were +chosen by their privates. He complained of many of the southern +riflemen, that they often deserted to the enemy, were mutinous, +repugnant to all kind of duty, and so exceedingly vicious +that the army would be as well without them; but spake with +satisfaction of their officers. It is a mortifying truth, that some +of the Massachusetts officers disgrace the colony, by practising +the meanest arts of peculation. Every subtilty that avarice can +invent, or rascality carry on, are used to cheat the public, by +men who procured commissions, not to fight for the liberty of +their country, but to prey upon its distresses. The army about +to be enlisted, will undoubtedly be better officered.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Gentlemen, ladies, and others, from neighboring and distant +colonies, attracted by curiosity, have visited the American troops, +and animated them by their presence. A number of Indian +chiefs have also been down, that they might see and judge for +themselves, how far the reports propagated among them, were +true or false. They were treated at head-quarters, and by different +officers, with much respect. One evening they entertained +the general and others with a war dance, if that may be +called an entertainment, wherein the motions and actions of the +dancers were calculated to alarm and terrify those who were not +acquainted with such sights. They were pleasant and agreeable +company. Two of them had their squaws or wives with them; +who were well looking women, allowing for their dark complexion; +one of them was much dejected, having lately lost her papoos +or child. When the Indians danced in company with the +American gentlemen and ladies, both men and women kept +time with far greater exactness than the others. They went off +upon their return, fully satisfied with the treatment they had received; +and it is hoped will carry back those accounts which +will keep their tribes peaceable.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Many of the Americans have sickened and died of the dysentery, +brought upon them, in a great measure, through an inattention +to cleanliness. When at home, their female relations +put them upon washing their hands and faces, and keeping themselves +neat and clean; but being absent from such monitors, +through an indolent heedless turn of mind, they have neglected +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CDXII'>CDXII</span>the means of health, have grown filthy, and poisoned their constitutions +by nastiness.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Nov. 2.] The weather set in very cold, and the soldiers +were distressed for want of wood. The building of barracks had +been delayed too long: and they were not in sufficient forwardness +to admit and accommodate all the troops. Several regiments +were obliged to keep the field; and some in a bleak position on +the brow of hills, where it was difficult to drag up the wood +with which they could be supplied. It is mortifying to reflect +how these supplies have been reduced by short measure. But +many persons think it no harm in this way to cheat the united +colonies, and to deliver a less quantity than they are paid for.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Nov. 9.] Several companies of the British regulars passed over +from Charlestown to Phipp’s farm, and kept possession of +the ground for near an hour before they could be obstructed, +owing to a high tide that prevented the Americans crossing the +causeway, which was overflowed. During this period they were +employed in shooting cattle with a design of carrying them off. +At length a battalion of riflemen, under colonel Thomson, took +to the water, when up to their middles, and a quarter of a mile +across; at their approach the British hastened to their boats.—The +Charlestown forts, one in Boston and a frigate, kept up a warm +fire upon the Americans the whole time, killed them one man +and wounded three. The British have provided for the security +of Charlestown, by the erection of a strong citadel on Bunker’s +Hill, with convenient barracks for the garrison. [Nov. 16.] +Such was the distress of the inhabitants in Boston, that fences, +trees, houses, &c. were taken down and carried off for fuel: +beef, mutton and pork, were 1s. 1½d. sterling per lb. geese, +half a guinea a piece, and fowls five shillings. At the scarcest +season half a guinea was given for a dozen of common eggs.</p> + +<p class='c007'>General Washington, desirous of improving the troops to the +utmost ere the army was weakened by the return of the Connecticut +ones to their own colony, resolved upon securing Cobble, +or Miller’s Hill, about half a mile in a direct line from the +enemy’s works on Bunker’s Hill, and at a like distance from the +shipping at West Boston. About 1000 men broke ground on the +hill, [Nov. 22.] without having a single cannon fired at them. They +went on intrenching and planting several 9, 18, and 24 pounders, +till they made themselves secure. General Howe does not +seem so fond of cannonading as was general Gage. [Oct. 24.] +To lessen the demand for provision, he ordered a transport ship +to carry about 400 of the inhabitants out of the town to Point +Shirley, to be taken care of by the country. Ten days after he sent +out 300 more. The persons thus sent out were not thought to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CDXIII'>CDXIII</span>be wholly free from the small-pox; and it was suspected that +there might be a design of spreading that disorder among the American +troops, which induced the Massachusetts assembly to +resolve upon measures for preventing such an event.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The Massachusetts assembly resolved, October the ninth, to +fit out armed vessels; which proving a sufficient encouragement +for individuals to apply themselves to that business, and some +being in proper forwardness, an act was passed in November for +granting letters of marque and reprisal, and the establishment of +courts of admiralty. The declared intention of the act was for +the defence of the American coast, and the condemnation of +those vessels only which should be proved to be the property of, +or in any wise employed by the enemies of the united colonies, +or for supplying said enemies. The Lee privateer, captain Manly, +belonging to Marblehead, was soon at sea, and took the brig +Nancy, [Nov. 29.] an ordinance ship from Woolwich, containing, +beside a large brass morter upon a new construction, several +pieces of fine brass cannon, a large quantity of small arms and +ammunition, with all manner of tools, utensils and machines, necessary +for camps and artillery, in the greatest abundance. General +Washington, but thirteen days before wrote, “I am in +very great want of powder, lead, morters, indeed of most sorts +of military stores.” Had congress sent an order for articles +most wanted, they could not have made a more satisfactory invoice. +The morter is now at Cambridge, in the park of artillery, +is named <em>the Congress</em>, and is much admired for its size by +every spectator, whether acquainted or nor with the uses for +which it is designed. About two months before this capture, a +ship from Bristol with flour for Boston, having parted with her +convoy, was decoyed into Portsmouth in New-Hampshire, and +secured for the benefit of the Americans.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Dec. 8.] Three ships from London, Glasgow, and Liverpool, +with various stores for the army, and a brig from Antigua +with rum, were taken in the bay by captain Manly, by whale-boats, +&c. A number of men in whale-boats can overpower +unarmed vessels, and carry them off into secure harbours. These +and the privateers captured several more store-ships before five +days were ended. Among the privateers were some continental +ones, for general Washington fitted out a few armed vessels, +which has met with the approbation of congress. These repeated +and considerable captures have increased the distress of the +troops and people in Boston, and furnished the continental army +with many, valuable articles. But though the success of the Americans +upon the watery element has been matter of joy and +triumph, their affairs upon land do not answer the wishes of the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CDXIV'>CDXIV</span>genuine patriots. On the first of the month the enlistment of +the Connecticut troops expired. They were urged to tarry longer +by different persons, who harrangued them upon the occasion. +A few hundreds were prevailed upon to continue; but the main +body marched off, leaving the army in too week a condition. +It is true they had suffered greatly through the intenseness of +the cold, and the want of fuel, with which they ought to have +been more faithfully and punctually supplied. The Massachusetts +and New-Hampshire men complete their term the first of January; +and the enlistment of the new army goes on very heavily. +There is a general reluctance among the soldiers to inlisting +afresh. The Massachusetts people show as much backwardness +as the others. In short, they expect to be hired, and that at a +very high price, to defend their own liberties; and choose to be +slaves unless they can be bribed to be freemen. <em>Quid facit libertas, +cum sola pecunia regnat?</em> How must it afflict general Washington +to observe in the present crisis, so little of that patriotic +spirit, which he was taught to believe was the characteristic of +the Massachusetts people; and on which he relied greatly for +support. While burdened with an apprehension that he might +possibly be deserted, he could recollect the severity of the season, +and the distresses of his fellow-creatures at a distance, and wrote +to the gentleman with whom he had intrusted the management +of his concerns at Mount-Vernon, “Let the hospitality of the +house be kept up with respect to the poor. Let no one go hungry +away. If any of this kind of people should be in want of +corn, supply their necessities, provided it does not encourage +them in idleness. I have no objection to your giving my money +in charity, when you think it will be well bestowed. I mean, +it is my desire that it should be done. You are to consider, that +neither myself or wife are now in the way to do these good +offices.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Dec. 11.] About 2000 militia arrived in camp, and 3000 +more were expected every hour, making in the whole the number +required by the general to supply the deficiency of the continental +regiments. The American army being by this mean sufficiently +strengthened, carried their approaches to within half a +mile of Boston, and broke ground at Lechmere’s Point which +brought on a cannonade from the batteries of Charlestown and +Barton’s Point, that continued for four days, without obliging +them to desist. Their labor was hard, owing to the ground’s +being so frozen; but they persevered till they had perfected +their design.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Dec. 25.] Some persons have been so curious as to note +the number of men killed by the firing of the enemy on Cambridge +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CDXV'>CDXV</span>side of the American lines, and on the Roxbury, as also, +the number and nature of their firings. The accounts stands thus +“From the burning of Charlestown down to this day, the enemy +have fired upward of 2000 shot and shells, an equal number of +24 pounders with any other sort. They threw more than 300 +bumbs at Plowed Hill, and 100 at Lechmere’s Point. By the +whole firing on Cambridge side, they killed only seven, and on +Roxbury side five, just a dozen.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>Let me now give you the following anecdote. Deacon Whitcomb +of Lancaster, (who was a member of the Massachusetts +assembly till the present contest, had served in former wars, and +been in different engagements) has served as a colonel in the +American army; but on account of his age was left out upon the +late new regulation. His men highly resented it, and declared +they would not inlist again, after their time was out. The colonel +told them, he did not doubt there were sufficient reasons for +the regulation, and he was satisfied with it; he then blamed them +for their conduct, and said he would inlist as a private. A colonel +Brewer heard of it, and offered to resign in favor of colonel +Whitcomb. The whole coming to general Washington’s ears, +he has allowed of colonel Brewer’s resignation in colonel Whitcomb’s +favor, appointed the former barrack-master, till he can +further promote him, and acquainted the army with the whole +affars in general orders. This terminates the narrative of the +military and naval transactions within the Massachusetts; little +remain to be mentioned of the civil. The great call there was +for salt-petre, put the house of assembly upon resolving [Oct. 30.] +to pay a bounty of three shillings sterling in paper currency per +lb. for all that shall be manufactured before the first of next +June, beside two shillings and three-pence per lb. purchase money. +The assembly was far from giving satisfaction to general +Lee, who about the middle of November, pronounced them benumbed +in a fixed state of torpitude, without the symptoms of +animation, unless an apprehension of rendering themselves unpopular +among their particular constituents, by any act of vigor +for the public service, deserved the name of animation. He +charged them with inconsistent and timid conduct; and ascribed +it to their torpor, narrow politics, or call it what you will, that +the army had been reduced to very great distress. There was +however, about the beginning of December, an act passed for +emitting bills of credit to the amount of more than £.50,000 sterling, +with a pretty device on the back, viz. an American with a +sword in his right hand, with the following inscription suspended +therefrom, “<em>Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem</em>;” and +from his left hand “<em>Magna Charta</em>;” and round the figure these +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CDXVI'>CDXVI</span>words, “<em>Issued in defence of American liberty</em>.” The assembly +also gave orders relating to wood [Dec. 26.] that so the great +distresses of the army on that head might be removed.</p> + +<p class='c007'><em>New-Hampshire</em> colony has presented us with a novelty, which +the polititians will apply to the purpose of promoting independency. +By some dextrous, or rather sinister management, instructions +were delivered to the New-Hampshire delegates at the +continental congress containing these expressions, “we would +have you immediately use your utmost endeavours to obtain the +advice and direction of the congress, with respect to a method +for our administering justice and regulating our civil police. We +press you not to delay this matter, as its being done speedily will +probably prevent the greatest confusion among us.” They were +laid before congress Oct. the eighteenth, and proved a fine +opening for those individual delegates, who were looking forward +to a separation from Great-Britain, to introduce an entering +wedge wherewith to divide the empire. Even these very +instructions might be designedly obtained by confidential letters +written to trusty deputies in the New-Hampshire convention, by +certain delegates in the general congress. The first step to be +taken by such was, to procure, in some one colony, the establishment +of a new form of government, in which the people at +large should have a leading influence, that so their attachments +and efforts might be secured in support of the same. The inhabitants +of adjoining colonies would soon be eager to enjoy +the like power and importance, which would pave the way for +their insisting also upon a change. These changes being once +effected, the parties will then have gone too far to retreat, and +must seek their security in independence. The scheme met with +opposition, and the New-Hampshire delegates used unwearied +importunity, both within doors and without, before they obtained +the recommendation they were after. At length the report of +the committee was taken into consideration, and it was resolved +by congress, [Nov. 3.] “That it be recommended to the provincial +convention of New-Hampshire, to call a full and free representation +of the people, and that the said representatives, if +they think it necessary, establish such a form of government, as +in their judgment will best produce the happiness of the people, +and most effectually secure the peace and good order in the province, +during the continuance of the present dispute between +Great-Britain and the colonies. The vote was far from being +unanimous; and, in order to make it pass, was qualified with a +seeming desire of an accommodation with Britain, and of restoration +by that mean to the old form of government. The provincial +convention, without waiting for the arrival of the recommendation, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CDXVII'>CDXVII</span>appointed a committee to report a mode of representation, +which being laid before them, [Nov. 14.] they agreed, +that precepts be sent to elect persons to represent the towns, &c. +in congress, to meet at Exeter on the twenty-first of December, +and to be empowered to prosecute such measures as they may +deem necessary for the public good, during the term of one year, +unless they see fit to disolve themselves sooner. And in case there +should be a recommendation from the continental congress for +this colony to assume a government, in a way that will require +a house of representatives, that the said congress of this colony +be empowered to resolve themselves into such a house as may be +recommended, and remain such for the aforesaid term of one +year.” The provincial congress met agreeable to the receipts, +and after a while voted, “That congress will at any time take +up civil government, to continue during the present contest with +Great-Britain; and resolve themselves into a house of representatives, +and then choose a council to continue one year from the +twenty-first of December.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>The continental congress having dispatched the New-Hampshire +case, immediately took into consideration the state of <em>South-Carolina</em> +and appointed a committee to consider a number of +papers relative thereto, and to report what in their opinion was +necessary to be done. What this opinion would be was easily +foreseen, from Messrs. Chase and Samuel Adams being of the +committee. The report was brought in the next day, [Nov. 4.] +and it was resolved, “That for the defence of South-Carolina, +there be kept up in that colony, at the continental expences, +three battalions of foot: That if the convention, or council of +safety shall think it expedient, for the security of the colony, to +seize or destroy any ship or vessel of war, this congress will approve +of such proceeding:—That Charleston ought to be defended +against any attempts to take possession thereof by the enemies +of America; and that the convention or council of safety +ought to proceed immediately to erect such fortifications and batteries +as will best conduce to its security;—That if the convention +of South-Carolina shall find it necessary to establish a form +of government in that colony, it be recommended to that convention +to call a full and free representation of the people, &c. +&c.” as to the convention of New-Hampshire.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The measures pursued by lord Dunmore naturally led congress +to resolve, [Nov. 10.] “That a committee be appointed to inquire +into the state of the colony of <em>Virginia</em>, to consider what +provisions may be necessary for its defence, and to report the +same.” Mr. Samuel Adams was of the number. New information +being received before they reported, when they did it, it +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CDXVIII'>CDXVIII</span>was in such a way that congress resolved [Dec. 4.] “That three +companies of the Pennsylvania battalion immediately march into +Northampton county, in Virginia, for the protection of the +association—That it be recommended to the inhabitants to resist +to the utmost, the arbitrary government intended to be established +therein.” They then said, “Whereas lord Dunmore +by his proclamation, has declared his intention to execute martial +law, thereby tearing up the foundations of civil authority +and government within the colony; resolved, therefore, that if +the convention of Virginia, &c. &c.” as to the conventions of +New-Hampshire and South-Carolina.</p> + +<p class='c007'>A growing change in the sentiments of congress, would of +course follow upon the dispatches received the day before the +committee on the state of Virginia was appointed. Their agents +informed them, that the American minister told them, some +days after the delivery of the petition by the late governor Penn, +<em>No answer will be given to it</em>; and that no one person in authority +had, since the arrival of that gentleman, deigned to propose +a single question to him, or to desire the smallest information +from him. This cavalier treatment of a petition containing +professions of the greatest loyalty to the king, and attachment +to the mother country, and couched in terms the most +moderate and humble; and of the person who was intrusted +with it; left no reasonable ground for hoping that the present +dispute could be amicably adjusted.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Having been led by the New-Hampshire instructions, to mention +some of the doings of congress, let me proceed to relate +some others which have been unnoticed.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Congress resolved, that the new army intended to lie before +Boston [Nov. 4.] consist of 20,372 men, officers included. Beside, +it has been recommended to particular colonies to raise battalions +at the expence of the continent. Orders have also been +given for fitting out four armed vessels, for the intercepting of +such transports as may be laden with warlike stores and other supplies +for the enemy; and for the protection and defence of the +united colonies. [Nov. 9.] It was agreed, “That every member +consider himself under the ties of virtue, honor, and love of his +country, not to divulge, directly or indirectly, any matter or thing +agitated or debated in congress, before the same shall have been +determined, without the leave of congress; or any other matter +or thing determined in congress, which the majority of congress +shall order to be kept secret; and that if any member shall violate +this agreement, he shall be expelled this congress, and be +deemed an enemy to the liberties of America, and liable to be +treated as such; and that every member signify his consent to this +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CDXIX'>CDXIX</span>agreement by signing the same.” [Nov. 10.] They resolved +upon raising two battalions of marines, to be considered as part +of the number of which the continental army before Boston is +to consist.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Nov. 28.] A committee appointed to take into consideration +the state of <em>North-Carolina</em>, made their report, whereupon it +was resolved, among other matters, that two ministers of the +gospel be applied to, to go immediately among the regulators +and highlanders of that colony, for the purpose of informing +them of the nature of the present dispute between Great-Britain +and the colonies. Instead of a similar recommendation to what +was given to South-Carolina about establishing a form of government, +it was only recommended to the convention or committee +of safety, in case the method of defending the colony +by minute-men, be inadequate to the purpose, to substitute +such other mode as to them should appear most likely to effect +the security of the colony.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Nov. 29.] Congress resolved, that a committee of five be +appointed for the sole purpose of corresponding with their friends +in Great-Britain, Ireland, and other parts of the world. Information +being given, that there is a large quantity of powder in the +island of Providence, the secret committee were ordered to take +measures for securing and bringing away the said powder. To +prevent any petition to the king from a particular colony, they +declared [Dec. 4.] that in the present situation of affairs, it would +be very dangerous to the liberties and welfare of America, if any +colony should separately petition the king, or either house of parliament. +This declaration is thought to be owing to an apprehension +that the New-Jersey assembly would be drawn in, by the +art and persuasion of governor Franklin and his adherents, to +adopt such a measure. Congress were certainly alarmed at some +disagreeable appearances, for they appointed a committee to confer +with that assembly immediately after the declaration. [Dec. 6.] +They agreed to the report of the committee on proclamations. +It contained many severe remarks upon the royal proclamation +of August, for suppressing rebellion and sedition; together with +many pointed questions, designed to sink it into equal contempt +with what it experienced at the Royal Exchange, where we have +heard it was read by one of the lord mayor’s officers, accompanied +only by the common crier, without horse or mace to grace +the ceremony, and when finished, saluted with a general hiss. Toward +the close, the report holds forth the following threat; “we, +in the name of the people of these united colonies, and by authority, +according to the purest maxims of representation, derived +from them, declare, that whatever punishment shall be inflicted +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CDXX'>CDXX</span>upon any persons in the power of our enemies, for favoring, +aiding, or abetting the cause of American liberty, shall be +retaliated in the same kind and the same degree, upon those in +our power, who have favored, aided, or abetted, or shall favor, +aid, or abet the system of ministerial oppression.”</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Dec. 13.] Congress determined upon building five ships of +32 guns, five of 28, and three of 24, in all 13; one in New-Hampshire, +two in Massachusetts, one in Connecticut, two in +Rhode-Island, two in New-York, four in Pennsylvania, and one +in Maryland. [Dec. 20.] They, having taken into consideration +the dispute between the people of Pennsylvania and Connecticut, +on the lands near Wyoming, on the Susquehannah river, recommended, +that “the contending parties immediately cease all +hostilities; that all persons seized and detained on account of +said dispute, on either side, be dismissed and permitted to go to +their respective homes; and that, things being put in the same +situation they were before the late unhappy contest, they continue +to behave themselves peaceably, until a legal decision can be +had on said dispute, or congress shall take further order thereon.” +The committee appointed to fit out armed vessels, having procured +a few, laid before congress [Dec. 22.] a list of the officers +by them appointed; and were directed to give such instructions +to the commander of the fleet, Ezekiel Hopkins, esq. touching +the operations of the ships under his command, as should appear +to them most conducive to the defence of the united colonies, +and to the distress of the enemy’s naval forces and vessels.</p> + +<p class='c007'>In Canada, Sir Guy Carleton was no sooner acquainted with +the Americans having surprised Tyconderoga and Crown-Point, +and obtained the command of Lake Champlain, than he planned +a scheme for their recovery. The British troops he had with him +were too few to admit of their being drawn out of garrison. He +expected a supply of Canadians sufficient for his purpose, and to +have the assistance of the Indians in his intended operations; but +both failed him. He established martial law in the province, that +he might be able in that way authoritatively to force the people +to take arms, but they refused. They had tasted the sweets of +the English mode of government since the conquest of the country; +and were disgusted (the noblesse excepted) at the re-establishment +of the French. The Quebec act was of no use in exciting +them against the colonists; on the contrary they talked much of +liberty.<a id='r134'></a><a href='#f134' class='c013'><sup>[134]</sup></a> They declared themselves ready to defend the province, +but absolutely refused to march out of it, and commence hostilities +upon their neighbors. The governor applied to the bishop +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CDXXI'>CDXXI</span>of Quebec to use his spiritual influence, particularly to issue +an episcopal mandate, to be read by the parish priests in +the time of divine service, but the bishop excused himself. +The ecclesiastics, in the place of this, issued their letters, which +were however greatly disregarded. The noblesse alone, who +were chiefly considered in the Quebec act, showed a zeal against +the English colonists.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Colonel Johnson, a son of the late Sir William Johnson, had +repeated conferences with the Indians; at the one in Montreal, +he delivered to each of the Canadian tribes a war-belt and the +hatchet; after which he invited them to feast on a Bostonian, and +to drink his blood, figuratively, an ox being roasted for the purpose, +and a pipe of wine given; but the entertainment could not +prevail with them to take up the hatchet. The congress, being +made acquainted with the disposition of the Canadians, and the +designs of governor Carleton, and expecting a powerful opposition +from that quarter when European troops were arrived, unless +they could prevent it by securing the country, determined +upon penetrating into Canada, in hope of gaining the speedy possession +of it, and of joining it to the union. The more effectually +to support the reasonableness of the measure, and to strengthen +the operation, it was given out, that the powers with which governor +Carleton was entrusted by his commission, were special +and extraordinary, <em>purposely</em> designed to warrant his attempting +by force to suppress the opposition making in the colonies to the +British measures. Several, or even most of the members of congress +could not but know, that the words of the commission for +governing their own colonies, name and place excepted. Sir +Guy’s commission was in the usual mode, and similar to what +was given to Danvers Osborne, esq. governor of New-York.<a id='r135'></a><a href='#f135' class='c013'><sup>[135]</sup></a></p> + +<p class='c007'>General Montgomery was sent forward to Tyconderoga with +a body of troops, New-Yorkers and New-Englanders. When +he took leave of his lady, his parting words were, “You shall +never blush for your Montgomery.” [Aug. 21.] He arrived +with the continental army (if not too diminutive to be so called) +at the place of destination. General Schuyler, who was the chief +commander, remained at Albany, to attend the Indian treaty carrying +on in that city. General Montgomery made a movement +down Lake Champlain, without waiting the arrival of more +troops, that so he might hinder the enemy’s armed vessels getting +into the lake. [Sept. 4. 5.] Schuyler having pushed forward, +notwithstanding great indisposition, and joined Montgomery at +Isle la Motte, they moved on, and arrived at Isle aux Noix. Here +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CDXXII'>CDXXII</span>he drew up a declaration, which he sent among the Canadians +by colonel Allen and major Brown, assuring them, that the army +was designed only against the English garrisons, and not the +country, their liberties or religion. [Sept. 6.] The army, not exceeding +a thousand men, proceeded without any obstruction toward +St. John’s. When in sight of the works, and about two +miles distant, the enemy began to fire, without doing any damage. +After advancing half a mile nearer, the troops landed without +opposition, in a close deep swamp; and being formed, marched +through grounds marshy and covered with woods, in order to reconnoitre +the fortresses. The left was attacked in crossing a creek, +by a party of Indians, who killed a sergeant, corporal, and three +privates, beside wounding eight, three of whom died. Three +officers also were wounded. The Indians were soon compelled +to give way, and had five killed and four badly wounded. Gen. +Schuyler receiving certain intelligence in the evening, that the +enemy’s fortifications were complete, and plentifully furnished +with cannon, it was thought advisable the next morning, to return +to Isle aux Noix, which was accordingly done; and the +troops were employed in erecting proper works to secure the entrance +into the lake; and in getting ready, on the arrival of further +reinforcements, to take advantage of any events that might +happen in Canada. Schuyler returned, leaving the command to +Montgomery; who, being strengthened by an addition of men +and artillery, and receiving orders to undertake the siege of St. +John’s, [Sept. 17.] proceeded to execute the same. The next +day the enemy threw bombs, but did no damage. The Americans +returned the salute. [Sept. 21.] The lines of circumvallation +were finished; but between 20 and 30 waggons with provisions, +rum, brandy, &c. for the garrison, were taken prior to it. +Afterwards there was a continual firing for some days and nights; +and could the general have depended upon the troops, he might +have ventured to promise success, but he could say nothing pleasing +on that head. The men took good care of themselves; and +one night captain Mott, of the 1st regiment of Yorkers, basely +deserted the mortar battery without ever being attacked.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Colonel Allen being upon his return, with a guard of about +eighty men, from a tour upon which he had been sent by the +general, was desired to halt by major Brown, who proposed +that colonel Allen should return to Longuil, procure canoes and +cross the river St. Lawrence a little north of Montreal; while +he crossed a little to the south of the town with near 200 +men, as he had boats sufficient. The plan was approved of, +and colonel Allen crossed in the night. Major Brown by +some means failed on his part; and colonel Allen found himself, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CDXXIII'>CDXXIII</span>the next morning, in a critical situation; but concluded upon +maintaining his grounds. [Sept. 25.] General Carleton learning +how weak colonel Allen was, marched out against him with about +forty regulars, together with Canadians, English and Indians, +amounting to some hundreds. The colonel defended himself +with much bravery; but being deserted by several, chiefly Canadians, +and having had fifteen of his men killed, was under the +necessity of surrendering with thirty-one effectives and seven +wounded. He was directly put into irons. Had the plan been +executed according to major Brown’s proposal, Montreal would +probably have been surprised and taken. Success would have +prevented the censures, which are now passed upon the one for +proposing, and the other for adopting a plan of operation to +which the general was an entire stranger. [Oct. 4.] A party +of Canadians, who had joined and greatly assisted the besiegers, +intrenched themselves on the east side of the lake, on which the +enemy sent an armed sloop with troops to drive them away; but +the Canadians attacked the sloop with vigor, killed a number of +the men, and obliged her to return to St. Johns in a shattered +condition. The main body of the army decamped from the +south, [Oct. 7.] and marched to the north side of the fort: and +in the evening began to throw up a breast work, in order to erect +a battery of cannon and mortars. The continental troops +brought such a spirit of liberty into the field, and thought so freely +for themselves, that they would not bear either subordination +or discipline. The general could not in truth direct their operations, +and would not have stayed an hour at their head, had +he not feared that the example would be too generally followed +and so the public service suffer. There was a great want of powder, +which with the disorderly behavior of the troops was a +damp to the hope of terminating the siege successfully.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Oct. 18.] The prospect was much brightened. The Canadians +planned an attack upon Chamblee, and carried down in +batteaux the artillery, past the fort of St. John’s. After a short +demur it surrendered to major Brown and major Livingston.—The +greatest acquisition was about six tons of powder, which +enabled the general to accomplish his wishes. The other particulars +you have below,<a id='r136'></a><a href='#f136' class='c013'><sup>[136]</sup></a> except the colours of the 7th regiment, +which were immediately transmitted to congress—the first present +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CDXXIV'>CDXXIV</span>of the kind they ever received. The garrison became prisoners +of war, but were allowed all their baggage, the quantity +of which was astonishing. Their women and children, whose +number was equally astonishing, were permitted to go with them +and to take their effects. The besiegers having obtained a full +supply of ammunition, went to work in earnest, compleated a battery +within 250 yards of the fort, and mounted in it [Oct. 30.] +four guns and six mortars, in defiance of the continual fire of +the enemy. While the army was busily engaged in preparing +for a cannonade, and an assault if necessary, they received the +agreeable news of governor Carleton’s being repulsed. [Oct. +31.] The governor, with a view of raising the siege, collected a +body of about 800 forces, consisting of the militia of Montreal, +a number of Canadians, whom he had maintained for some +time, a few troops, not a hundred, and some Indians. They +left Montreal in high spirits, and attempted to cross the river +St. Lawrence and land at Longeuil; but colonel Warner, with +300 Green Mountain boys, and a four pounder which kept +pouring grape-shot into the boats, prevented their making good +a landing. They were suffered to come very near the shore, +and then the fire was so hot and distructive, that they were +thrown into great confusion, and retired with the utmost precipitation. +[Nov. 1.] The batteries kept an incessant fire all +day on the garrison of St. John, which returned a very brisk +one.—In the evening general Montgomery sent a flag, with +a letter to major Preston, the commander, by one of the +prisoners taken by colonel Warner, informing him of governor +Carleton’s defeat, and recommending to him the surrender +of the fort, as he could now have no longer reason to expect +relief from that quarter. Major Preston in return sent an +officer to the camp, proposing to answer the letter fully in the +morning, and that in the mean time hostilities should cease on +both sides. Two officers came into the camp [Nov. 2.] with an +answer from major Preston, who requested the general to wait +four days, to see whether no relief would come in that time, +if not, they would make proposals for a surrender. The advanced +season of the year did not allow of the general’s complying. +He required them immediately to surrender prisoners +of war; but referred them for the truth of the governor’s defeat +to another prisoner. It was at length agreed that the garrison +should march out with the honors of war, as what was due to +their fortitude and perseverance. The non-commissioned officers +and privates were to ground their arms on the plain; the officers +were to keep their side arms, and their fire arms were to be +reserved for them. The effects of the garrison were not to be +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CDXXV'>CDXXV</span>withheld from them. The Canadian gentlemen and others, at +St. John’s, were considered as part of the garrison, which amounted +to about 500 regulars, and better than 100 Canadian +volunteers. The next morning they marched out [Nov. 31.] +and the continental troops took possession of the fort, in which +were 17 brass ordnance, from 2 to 24 pounders, 2 eight inch +howitzers, seven mortars, and 22 iron ordnance, from 3 to 9 +pounders, a considerable quantity of shot and small shells, and +about 800 stand of small arms, beside a small quantity of naval +stores. The ammunition and provision was trifling, these having +been nearly expended.</p> + +<p class='c007'>General Montgomery pressed on to Montreal. It being capable +of making no defence, governor Carleton quitted it in one +day; the general entered it the next [Nov. 12.] He treated +the inhabitants with becoming liberality, engaging upon his honor +to maintain the individuals and religious communities of the +city in the peaceable enjoyment of their property of every kind; +and the inhabitants, whether English, French, or others, in the +free exercise of their religion. The general, in all his transactions, +wrote, spake, and behaved with that attention, regard, +and politeness to both privates and officers, soldiers and citizens, +which might be expected from the gentleman. He was careful +to push forward in time, a number of continental troops under +colonel Easton, to the point of Sorel River, which they +guarded so with cannon, an armed gondola, and their fire arms, +that the fleet which had fallen down below Montreal, would not +venture to attempt passing it. General Prescot, who was on +board, with about 120 privates and several officers, was reduced +to the necessity of surrendering by capitulation. [Nov. 17] 11 +sail of vessels, with all their contents, consisting of, beside sailors +and soldiers, 760 barrels of flour, 675 ditto of beef, 376 firkins +of butter, 3 barrels of powder, 4 nine and six pounders, +cannon cartridges and ball, 2380 musket cartridges, 8 chests of +arms, 200 pair of shoes, and a quantity of entrenching tools; +all of which proved very acceptable to the continental troops, +who had no redundency of any articles whatever. In the preceding +midnight, governor Carleton was conveyed, in a boat, +with muffled paddles, by a secret way, to the Three Rivers, +and arrived safe at Quebec the Sunday following.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Notwithstanding the advanced and severe season, general +Montgomery marched on for the capital, expecting to be joined +by colonel Arnold and his detachment in its neighbourhood, and +designing to complete the reduction of Canada before the arrival +of any British reinforcement. But while he was advancing, +numbers were returning. An unhappy home sickness prevailed, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CDXXVI'>CDXXVI</span>and no specific was so efficacious as a discharge. No sooner +was it administered, but the cure of nine out of ten was perfected; +who, refusing to wait for boats to go by the way of Fort +George, upon their arrival at Tyconderoga, flung their heavy +packs over their shoulders, crossed the lake at that place, and +undertook a march of two hundred miles with the greatest good +will and alacrity. Three hundred of the continentals passed by +Tyconderoga on their way home, by the end of the month. +The ruin of the cause was further hazarded by the turbulent +and mutinous spirit of several officers.</p> + +<p class='c007'>Colonel Arnold’s arrival with his detachment, at Point Levi, +was not known at Quebec for twenty-four hours; and was at +length discovered by his ordering out some men to secure the +midshipman of the Hunter sloop of war, who was just landed on +that side the river; the boat returned, and carried the intelligence +to Quebec; on which two ships of war were stationed, one above +and the other below Wolfe’s Cove, to prevent the Americans +crossing over. A council was called, and by a majority of +one it was agreed <em>not</em> to proceed immediately to attack the town. +The contrary resolution, backed by vigorous exertion, would +probably have put him into the possession of it. On the fifth of +November it was really in a defenceless state, without a single +soldier. Had the detachment crossed, the gates would, it is +thought, have been opened by the disaffected and faint-hearted. +The colonel however declared, that he would certainly make the +attack when he had crossed, in case they were not discovered to +be over. In the mean time the troops were employed in preparing +scaling ladders. Before they were ready with these, colonel +Maclean, the deputy governor, arrived at Quebec from +Sorel [Nov. 12.] with about 170 men of his new raised regiment +of emigrants; of this colonel Arnold had advice the next +day, when, in the evening at nine o’clock, he began to embark +his forces on board thirty-five canoes, leaving the ladders behind, +and by four the next morning, got over and landed 500 +men, wholly undiscovered. They landed in the small cove where +the brave and enterprising general Wolfe did, now called +Wolfe’s Cove. The Lizard’s barge rowing up the river, the colonel +ordered her to be hailed, and fired upon for refusing to come +in shore; on which she pushed off, and carried the account of the +detachment’s having crossed over. But before this discovery, +the men paraded on the Heights of Abraham. From thence they +sent out a reconnoitering party toward the city, marched across +the plain, and took possession of a large house, formerly owned +by general Murray, and other adjacent houses, which afforded +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CDXXVII'>CDXXVII</span>fine accommodations for the troops. Guards were placed on the +different roads, to cut off the communication between the city +and country. The main body, about noon, marched fairly in +view of the enemy, and gave them three huzzas, which were returned +by a few shot from the ramparts. In the evening the colonel +sent a flag of truce with a demand of the garrison, in the +name and on hehalf of the united colonies, which was fired upon +as it approached the walls. The colonel was certainly overseen; +he should have taken the scaling ladders along with him, +have concealed his being over, and attempted a coup-de-main +the next night, which might have been done with a prospect of +success, as his Canadian friends, English and French, were in +the city to second his operations, and as the sailors were then +scattered on board the ships, some about Quebec, and others up +the river. [Nov 16.] A company of men were sent to take possession +of the general hospital. The Canadians were continually +coming in to express their satisfaction at the continental forces +having entered the country. The next day a certain account +was received of the capture of Montreal. Early in the morning +[Nov. 19.] the troops decamped, and marched up to Point-au-Trembles, +about seven leagues from Quebec, through a thick +settled country, where you meet every few miles with a handsome +little chapel. This was the day on which governor Carleton +arrived at Quebec; and the first thing he did was to turn out +the suspected, and all who would not assist in the defence of +the city. [Nov. 23.] By express from Montreal, the forces were +informed that Montgomery was upon his march, and had sent +down clothing for them. The general finding plenty of woollens +at Montreal, at a reasonable price, gave his soldiers new +clothes, after their having suffered much by the severity of the +climate, to which they submitted with patience and resolution, +particularly in marching from St. John’s to Montreal, the road +being half leg deep in mire. He was also mindful of colonel +Arnold’s detachment, which had suffered still greater hardships. +General Montgomery arrived at one o’clock [Dec. 1.] with +three armed schooners, men, ammunition, and provision, to +the great joy of the colonel’s forces, who toward evening turned +out and marched to the general’s quarters, and were there +received and complimented by him upon their appearance. +The next day the batteaux were sent to Point Levi for the scaling +ladders. The general appeared before Quebec [Dec. 5.] +which is the last we have heard of his movements.</p> + +<p class='c007'>[Dec. 14.] General Howe issued orders for taking down the +old north meeting-house, a large wooden building, containing +<span class='pageno' id='Page_CDXXVIII'>CDXXVIII</span>a great deal of timber; and a hundred old wooden dwelling-houses +and other buildings, to be used for fuel. The scarcity +of this article, now that the usual supplies from the country are +cut off, will reduce the inhabitants to an entreme difficutly.</p> + +<p class='c014'>[Dec. 30.] P. S. Admiral Shuldham is just arrived from +Great-Britain in the Chatham man of war of 50 guns, to supersede +admiral Greaves.</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c002'> + <div>END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.</div> + </div> +</div> + +<hr class='c019'> +<div class='footnote' id='f1'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r1'>1</a>. Townshend’s Historical Collections, p. 76.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f2'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r2'>2</a>. Prince’s New-England Chronology, part I.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f3'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r3'>3</a>. Wood’s New-England’s Prospect, ed. 1764, p. 5.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f4'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r4'>4</a>. See the Charter in Hutchinson’s Collection of papers, p 1.–23.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f5'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r5'>5</a>. Neale’s History of the Puritans. 4to. Vol. 1. p. 543.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f6'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r6'>6</a>. Hutchinson’s History of the Massachusetts Bay. Vol. II. p. 3.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f7'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r7'>7</a>. Suffolk Records.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f8'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r8'>8</a>. Suffolk Records.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f9'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r9'>9</a>. Hutchinson’s History, Vol. I p. 487.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f10'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r10'>10</a>. Prince’s Chronology, p. 238.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f11'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r11'>11</a>. Governor Winthrop’s MS. History.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f12'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r12'>12</a>. Hutchinson’s Letter of December 7. 1762.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f13'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r13'>13</a>. Hutchinson’s History, Vol. I p. 251 and 252.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f14'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r14'>14</a>. Extract from Governor Winthrop’s MS. History sent me by Gov. +Trumbull from Connecticut.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f15'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r15'>15</a>. Massachusetts Records, Vol. I.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f16'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r16'>16</a>. Hutchinson’s History. Vol I. p. 424.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f17'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r17'>17</a>. Massachusetts Records, in many places.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f18'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r18'>18</a>. Mr. John Calender’s Century Sermon.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f19'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r19'>19</a>. Massachusetts Records for the 4th of November, 1646, Vol. I.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f20'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r20'>20</a>. Hutchinson’s History, Vol. II. p. 2 and 4.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f21'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r21'>21</a>. ibid. Vol. I. p. 115.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f22'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r22'>22</a>. Hutchinson’s Collection, p. 420.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f23'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r23'>23</a>. Chalmer’s Political Annals, under Connecticut and Rhode-Island.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f24'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r24'>24</a>. Neal’s History of <em>New-England</em>, Vol. I. p. 214–217.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f25'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r25'>25</a>. Hutchinson’s History. Vol. I. p. 268.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f26'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r26'>26</a>. Ibid. p. 328.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f27'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r27'>27</a>. See Hutchinson’s collection of papers, p. 477–506. The Massachusetts +assembly in their answer to Gov. Hutchinson in 1773, quoted the above passages +in such a manner and to such a purpose, as expresses their opinion of the +truth of what Randolph declared.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f28'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r28'>28</a>. Chalmer’s Political Annals, p. 313.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f29'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r29'>29</a>. Smith’s History of New Jersey, p. 513.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f30'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r30'>30</a>. Smith’s History of New-Jersey, p. 517.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f31'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r31'>31</a>. ibid. p. 528–529.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f32'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r32'>32</a>. ibid. 536.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f33'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r33'>33</a>. Corrupted by time into Whore-Kill. The name of many rivers, in +New-York particularly terminate with kill, which means both river and rivulet.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f34'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r34'>34</a>. The manuscript copy contains a number of authorities from Bracton, +Fortesque, the petition of right, &c. See Smith, p. 129, the note.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f35'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r35'>35</a>. Smith, p. 117–123.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f36'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r36'>36</a>. See Chalmer’s Political Annals under the head of Virginia, for many of +the preceding and subsequent articles respecting that colony.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f37'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r37'>37</a>. Bland’s Inquiry into the rights of the British colonies.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f38'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r38'>38</a>. Bland’s Inquiry into the rights of the British colonies.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f39'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r39'>39</a>. Chalmer’s Political Annals, under Virginia.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f40'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r40'>40</a>. Locke’s Works, Vol. IV, p. 519, &<sup>c</sup>. 1779.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f41'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r41'>41</a>. Chalmers’s Political Annals, B. I. p. 537, 538.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f42'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r42'>42</a>. Most of what is said upon Carolina is taken from Chalmers’s Political +Annals, under the head of that province.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f43'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r43'>43</a>. A defence of the American Constitution of Government, by John +Adams, Esq. p. 365.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f44'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r44'>44</a>. The Modern Universal History, Vol. xl., 1763.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f45'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r45'>45</a>. Chalmers’s Political Annals, under the head of Pennsylvania.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f46'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r46'>46</a>. Chalmers’s Annals.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f47'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r47'>47</a>. Chalmers’s Annals, p. 654.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f48'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r48'>48</a>. The Modern Universal History, vol. xli. p. 19. 1764.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f49'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r49'>49</a>. Ibid. p. 20.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f50'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r50'>50</a>. Modern Universal History’ vol. xl. p. 453–463. 1763.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f51'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r51'>51</a>. William Smith’s History of New-York, p. 75.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f52'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r52'>52</a>. Chalmers’s Political Annals.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f53'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r53'>53</a>. Lord Camden’s Speech in April 1766.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f54'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r54'>54</a>. Hutchinson’s History, Vol. II. p. 74.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f55'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r55'>55</a>. Hutchinson’s History, Vol. II. p. 271, 290, 294, 321. and governor +Burnet’s Speech to the Massachusetts general court, in the Massachusetts Records +for 1728.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f56'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r56'>56</a>. Massachusetts Records for 1729 and 1731. Hutchinson’s History, Vol. +II. p. 355, 360, 363.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f57'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r57'>57</a>. The present lieutenant governor. [1772.]</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f58'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r58'>58</a>. The present governor. (1772.)</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f59'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r59'>59</a>. Grand father of the present Sir William Pepperrell. (1787.)</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f60'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r60'>60</a>. Governor Shirley’s letter of February 16, 1744.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f61'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r61'>61</a>. Hutchinson’s History, Vol. II. p. 407–420. The above account varies +from Hutchinson’s, being corrected in some instances, from a manuscript +copy of the History of the Reduction of Louisburg, sent by Mr. Shirley, to +the duke of Newcastle; and improved in others from information given +me,</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f62'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r62'>62</a>. See the postscript of Dean Tucker’s Humble Address.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f63'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r63'>63</a>. The Dean’s Letter to Edmund Burke, esq. p. 27.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f64'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r64'>64</a>. Hutchinson’s History, Vol. II. p. 424.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f65'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r65'>65</a>. See a collection of letters and essays in favour of public liberty, in +three Vols. printed for Wilkie. Vol. III. p. 34. 42.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f66'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r66'>66</a>. See a short account of the proceedings of the deputation. p. 9.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f67'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r67'>67</a>. Dr. Chauncey’s thanksgiving sermon for the repeal of the stamp act in a note.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f68'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r68'>68</a>. Dr. Langdon told it me in conversation: and afterward mentioned it in +his sermon preached before the convention of the ministers.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f69'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r69'>69</a>. Now president of Yale College in Connecticut.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f70'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r70'>70</a>. From Brooke Woodcock, Esq. of Saffron Waldon, who served at the +taking of Bellisle, Martinico, and the Havannah.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f71'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r71'>71</a>. Mr. Burke’s speech on American taxation, April 19, 1774.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f72'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r72'>72</a>. Otis’s Rights of the British Colonies, p. 57.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f73'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r73'>73</a>. Ibid, p. 59.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f74'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r74'>74</a>. Otis’s Vindication of the British Colonies, p. 57.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f75'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r75'>75</a>. Ibid. p. 59.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f76'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r76'>76</a>. His Rights of the British Colonies, p. 63.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f77'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r77'>77</a>. Mr. Hutchinson’s letter of March 8, 1766.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f78'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r78'>78</a>. Mr. Agent Bollan’s letters of that date to the Massachusetts general +court.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f79'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r79'>79</a>. Mr. Sayre’s letter to Captain Sears, of New-York, dated London, +7th of Febuary, 1764.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f80'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r80'>80</a>. Mr. Jackson’s letter to lieutenant-governor Hutchinson, Dec. 26, 1765.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f81'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r81'>81</a>. Mr. Ingersoll’s letter of March 6, 1765.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f82'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r82'>82</a>. The present secretary of congress.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f83'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r83'>83</a>. Late governor Trumbull of Connecticut.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f84'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r84'>84</a>. Mr. Hughes’s letters of October and November, 1765.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f85'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r85'>85</a>. See the Gentleman’s Magazine, Vol. XXXV. p. 538.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f86'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r86'>86</a>. Ibid. Vol. XXXVI. p. 94.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f87'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r87'>87</a>. Ibid. Vol. XXXVI. p. 94 and 95.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f88'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r88'>88</a>. Mr. Edmund Burke’s speech; April 19, 1774.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f89'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r89'>89</a>. Political Memoirs, printed 1783.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f90'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r90'>90</a>. Mr. Burke’s speech.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f91'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r91'>91</a>. The London merchants letter to John Hancock, Esq. and others, dated +February 28.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f92'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r92'>92</a>. The lords protest against the repeal of the stamp act.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f93'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r93'>93</a>. Mr. Hutchinson’s loss was 2396l. 3s. 1d. 1–2. Mr. Oliver’s 129l. 3s. +Mr. Hallowell’s 289l. 0s. 1d. 1–2. Mr. Story’s 50l. 11s. 6d. 3–4, all sterling.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f94'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r94'>94</a>. Mr. Hartley’s letters.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f95'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r95'>95</a>. January 21, 1768.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f96'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r96'>96</a>. January 30.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f97'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r97'>97</a>. February 2.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f98'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r98'>98</a>. Mr. Bollan’s letter to Mr. Hutchinson, August 11, 1767.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f99'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r99'>99</a>. The Lanceston of 40 guns, the Mermaid of 28, Glasgow 20, Beaver +14, Senegal 14, Bonetta 10, and several armed schooners, besides the Romney +of 60 guns, and other ships which had been some time in the harbour.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f100'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r100'>100</a>. Mr. M. H’s letter to Mr. Hutchinson.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f101'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r101'>101</a>. Mr. Otis afterward prosecuted Mr. Robinson for the assault, and the law +gave heavy damages against him; but Mr. Otis generously forgave him upon +an acknowledgment of the offence.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f102'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r102'>102</a>. The date of the committee’s letter to the Philadelphians after taking +the sense of the inhabitants a second time.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f103'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r103'>103</a>. The doctor’s account to me, when discoursing upon what is called the +massacre.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f104'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r104'>104</a>. The trial of the soldiers, p. 52.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f105'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r105'>105</a>. Samuel Gray, Samuel Maverick, James Caldwell, and Crispus Attucks. +Samuel Gray was a journeyman, and wrought in the rope-walks belonging +to Mr. John Gray, the rope-maker.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f106'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r106'>106</a>. Lieutenant-governor Hutchinson’s letter of December 10, 1770.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f107'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r107'>107</a>. The Rev. Mr. Whitney’s discourse on the public fast.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f108'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r108'>108</a>. M. Hartley.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f109'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r109'>109</a>. The word <em>caucus</em>, and its derivative caucusing, are often used in Boston. The +last answers much to what we stile parliamenteering or electioneering. All my +repeated applications to different gentlemen have not furnished me with a satisfactory +account of the origin of <em>caucus</em>. It seems to mean a number of persons, +whether more or less, met together to consult upon adopting and prosecuting +some scheme of policy, for carrying a favorite point. The word is not of novel +invention. More than 50 years ago, Mr. S. Adam’s father, and 20 others, one or +two from the north end of the town, where all the ship business is carried on, +used to meet, make a caucus, and lay their plan for introducing certain persons +into places of trust and power. When they had settled it, they separated, and +used each their particular influence within his own circle. He and his friends +would furnish themselves with ballots, including the names of the parties fixed +upon, which they distributed on the days of election. By acting in concert together, +with a careful and extensive distribution of ballots, they generally carried +the elections to their own mind. In like manner it was, that Mr. Samuel +Adams first became a representative for Boston.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f110'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r110'>110</a>. The Rev. Mr. Whitney’s Discourse.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f111'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r111'>111</a>. The lords protest against the act for the better regulating of the government.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f112'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r112'>112</a>. Parliamentary Debates relative to general Howe. Mr. Galloway’s answers.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f113'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r113'>113</a>. Lords who signed the protest—Richmond, Portland, Rockingham, Stamford, +Stanhope, Torrington, Ponsonby, Wycombe, Camden.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f114'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r114'>114</a>. See the Remembrancer, Part II. p. 227, the note.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f115'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r115'>115</a>. See the Spectator, No. 509.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f116'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r116'>116</a>. See general Gage’s account of the behavior of the troops, in the London +Gazette.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f117'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r117'>117</a>. This was practised.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f118'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r118'>118</a>. Afterward a lieutenant-colonel in Shelden’s light horse.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f119'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r119'>119</a>. So Tyconderoga is frequently called for the sake of brevity, especially +by the people dwelling in its neighborhood.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f120'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r120'>120</a>. The territory has now the name of Vermont.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f121'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r121'>121</a>. Between 112 and 120 iron cannon from 6 to 24 pounders; 50 swivels +of different sizes; 2 ten inch mortars; 1 howitzer; 1 cohorn; 10 tons of musket +balls; 3 cart load of flints 30 new carriages; a considerable quantity of +shells; a warehouse full of meterials to carry on boat building; 100 stand of +small arms; 10 casks of very indifferent powder; a brass cannon; 30 barrels of +flour; 18 barrels of pork, and some beans and pease.</p> + +<p class='c007'>The prisoners were the captain, lieutenant, a gunner, 2 serjeants, and 44 +rank and file, beside women and children.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f122'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r122'>122</a>. Since collector of imposts and excise for the county of Suffolk in Massachusetts.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f123'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r123'>123</a>. General Burgoyne’s Letter.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f124'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r124'>124</a>. This resolution was assigned by a near female relation of the general, +to a gentlewoman with whom she had been acquainted at school, as a reason +why the other, upon obtaining a pass to quit Boston, should not tarry at her +father’s (Mr. Cary’s) house in Charlestown.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f125'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r125'>125</a>. Mr. afterward major Winslow, of the American artillery (who was personally +acquainted with the general, and crossed over from Boston to the place +of action after the battle, and narrowly surveyed the body) related his being +so shot, and the hand’s being bloody as if by the wound.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f126'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r126'>126</a>. Entick’s History of the War, from 1755, Vol. IV. p. 20. printed for +Mr. Dilly.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f127'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r127'>127</a>. Dr. Price’s two tracts on civil liberty, Part II. p. 111 and 112, 1788. +The first restraining act was passed March the 30th, the second April the 13th. +The news of them was undoubtedly carried by the vessels from London, which +arrived at Philadelphia the evening of June the 7th, and had on board major +Skeen.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f128'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r128'>128</a>. A shilling a day.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f129'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r129'>129</a>. Governor Martin went not on board the Cruiser sloop till the middle of July.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f130'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r130'>130</a>. The bishop of St. Asaph.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f131'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r131'>131</a>. Lord Camden.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f132'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r132'>132</a>. Lord Chatham.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f133'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r133'>133</a>. General Washington’s Private Letter.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f134'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r134'>134</a>. Mr. Thomas Gamble’s letter to general Gage.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f135'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r135'>135</a>. See the copy in Mr. Smith’s History of New-York.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f136'> +<p class='c007'><a href='#r136'>136</a>. Eighty barrels of flour, 11 ditto rice, 7 ditto pease, 6 furkins of butter, +134 barrels of pork, 7 ditto damaged, 124 barrels of gun-powder, 300 swivel +shot, 1 box of musket shot, 6564 musket cartridges, 150 stand of French arms, +3 royal mortars, 61 shells, 500 hand-granades, Royal fusileers muskets 83, accoutrements +83, rigging for three vessels at least, 1 major, 2 captains, 3 lieutenants, +the captain of the schooner which is sunk, a commissary and surgeon, +soldiers 83.</p> +</div> + +<div class='pbb'> + <hr class='pb c004'> +</div> +<div class='tnotes x-ebookmaker'> + +<div class='chapter ph2'> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c011'> + <div>TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES</div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + + <ul class='ul_1 c002'> + <li>No typos were fixed. + + </li> + <li>Used numbers for footnotes, placing them all at the end of the last chapter. + </li> + </ul> + +</div> + +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75984 ***</div> + </body> + <!-- created with ppgen.py 3.57e (with regex) on 2025-04-28 23:52:23 GMT --> +</html> + diff --git a/75984-h/images/cover.jpg b/75984-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1afb614 --- /dev/null +++ b/75984-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b5dba15 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This book, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. 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