named, than for a man to be torn from his country, to be tried by a jury of strangers.

§ The house of burgesses of Virginia met soon after the official accounts of this address were received, and, in a few days, passed several spirited resolutions, expressing their exclusive right to tax their constituents, and denying the right of his majesty to remove an offender out of the country for trial." The next day, the royal governour of that colony sent for the house of burgesses and addressed them laconically as follows "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 accordingly dissolved !" The assembly of North Carolina passed similar resolutions and were dissolved by their governour, in a similar manner.

Sec. 8. While affairs were thus situated, an event occurred which produced great excitement in America, particularly in Massachusetts. This was an affray, on the evening of the 5th of March 1770, between some of the citizens of Boston, and a number of his majesty's soldiers, who had been sent from Halifax, and were now stationed at the custom house. Several of the inhabitants were killed, and others severely wounded.

§ The quarrel commenced on the 2d of March, at Gray's rope walk, between a soldier, and a man employed at the rope walk. The provocation was given by the citizen, and a scuffle ensued in which the soldier was beaten. On the 5th of the month, the soldiers while under arms were pressed upon and insulted, and dared to fire. One of them, who had received a blow, fired at the aggressor, and a single discharge from six others succeeded. Three of the citizens were killed, and five dangerously wounded. The town was instantly thrown into the greatest commotion, the bells were rung, and the general cry was to arms." In a short time several thousands of the citizens had assembled, and a dreadful scene of blood must have ensued, but for the promises of Governour Hutchinson, that the affair should be settled to their satisfaction in the morning. Captain Preston, who commanded the soldiers, was committed with them to prison. Upon their trial the captain and six soldiers were acquitted; two were convicted of man slaughter. For several subsequent years the evening of the

day on which this outrage was committed was commemorated by the citizens of Boston, and the event gave occasion to addresses the most warm and patriotick, which served to waken up, and increase the spirit of the revolution.

Sec. 9. 1773. The recommendations of meetings and associations to suspend the importation of tea, had been so strictly complied with, that but little had been brought into the country. The consequence was, that vast quantities, seventeen millions of pounds, had accumulated upon the hands of the East India Company.For their relief, the parliament now authorized them to export this tea into any part of the world, free of duty. By this regulation, tea would come cheaper to the colonies than before it had been made a source of revenueparliament having, in 1767, reduced the duty on it to three pence a pound.

Confident of now finding a market for their tea in America, the East India Company freighted several ships with that article for the different colonies, and appointed agents to dispose of it. On the arrival of this tea, however, the determination of the colonists was formed-they would not pay even three pence by way of duty. The consequence was, that cargoes of tea, sent to New-York and Philadelphia, were returned, without being entered at the custom house; and those sent o Charleston, S. C. were stored, but not offered for sale.

In Massachusetts, a different fate awaited it. Upon its arrival, the inhabitants endeavoured to procure its return, but this being impracticable, the tea having been consigned to the relations and friends of the royal governour, Hutchinson, they resolved to destroy it. Accordingly, a number of persons, dressed like Indians, repaired to the ships and discharged three hundred and forty two chests of tea into the water, without, however, doing any other damage.

Sec. 10. Intelligence of these proceedings was, on the 7th of March, 1774, communicated in a message from the throne to both houses of Parliament. The excitement was peculiarly strong. In the spirit of revenge against Massachusetts, and particularly against Boston, which was considered as the chief seat of rebellion, a

bill was brought forward, called the "Boston port bill," by which the port of Boston was precluded from the privilege of landing and discharging, or of loading and shipping goods, wares, and merchandise.

A second bill, which passed at this time, essentially altered the charter of the province, making the appointment of the council, justices, judges, &c. dependent upon the crown, or its agent. A third soon followed, authorizing and directing the governour to send any person indicted for murder, or any other capital offence, to another colony, or to Great Britain for trial.

Sec. 11. On the arrival of these acts, the town of Boston passed the following vote: "That it is the opinion of this town, that, if the other colonies come into a joint resolution to stop all importation from Great Britain and the West Indies, till the act for blocking up this harbour be repealed, the same will prove the salvation of N. America and her liberties." Copies of this vote were transmitted to each of the colonies.

As an expression of their sympathy with the people of Boston in their distress, the house of burgesses in Virginia ordered that the day, on which the Boston port bill was to take effect, should be observed as a day of fasting and prayer.

Obs. The words Whigs and Tories were, about this time, introduced as the distinguishing names of parties. By the former, was meant those who favoured the cause of Boston, and were zealous in supporting the colonies against the parliament by the latter, was meant the favourers of Great Britain.

Sec. 12. During these transactions in Massachusetts, measures had been taken to convene a Continental Congress. On the 4th of Sept. 1774, deputies from eleven colonies met at Philadelphia, and elected Peyton Randolph, the then late speaker of the Virginia Assembly, president, and Charles Thompson, secretary. After considerable debate, it was agreed that each colony should have one equal vote.

Having settled the manner of voting, the congress proceeded to the discharge of the high trust committed to them. They agreed upon a declaration of their rights,

recommended the non-importation of British goods into the country, and the non-exportation of American produce to Great Britain, so long as their grievances were unredressed-voted an address to his Majesty-and likewise one to the people of Great Britain, and another to the French inhabitants of Canada.

This congress, having finished their business in less than eight weeks, dissolved themselves, after recommending another congress to be convened on the 10th of May ensuing, unless the redress of their grievances should be previously obtained.

Although the power of this congress was only advisory, their resolutions were approved, not only by the people, but also by the authorities, whether established, or provincial, and exerted a commanding influence in consummating that union among the colonies, which had been increasing with their grievances.

§ The name by which the above congress is generally known is " the Continental Congress." It consisted of fiftyfive members, one half of whom were lawyers. After the arrival of the delegates from North Carolina, twelve colonies were represented.

Sec. 13. An assembly was ordered by Gov. Gage, of Massachusetts, to convene Oct. 5th; but before that period arrived, judging their meeting inexpedient, he counteracted the writs of convocation, by a proclamation. The assembly, however, to the number of ninety, met at Salem, where the governour not attending, they adjourned to Concord. Here they chose John Hancock president, and, after adjourning to Cambridge, drew up a plan for the immediate defence of the province, by enlisting men, appointing general officers, &c.

§ In November, this provincial congress met again, and resolved to get in readiness twelve thousand men to act in any emergency; and that one fourth part of the militia should be enlisted as minute-men. At the same time, a request was forwarded to Connecticut, New-Hampshire, and Rhode-Island, jointly to increase this army to twenty-thousand men.

Sec. 14. Early the next year, Jan. 7th, 1775, Lord Chatham, Mr. Pitt, after a long retirement, resumed his

seat in the house of Lords, and introduced a concilatory bill, the object of which was, to settle the troubles in America. But the efforts of this venerable and peacemaking man wholly failed, the bill being rejected by a majority of sixty-four to thirty-two, without even the compliment of lying on the table.

§ The rejection of this bill was followed the next day by the introduction of a bill, which finally passed, to restrain the trade of the New England provinces, and to forbid their fishing on the banks of Newfoundland. Soon after, restrictions were imposed upon the middle and southern colonies, with the exception of New-York, Delaware, and North Carolina This bill, designed to promote disunion among the colonies, happily failed of its object.

Thus we have given a succinct account of the system of measures adopted by the ministry of England toward the American colonies after the peace of '63-measures most unfeeling and unjust; but which no petitions, however respectful, and no remonstrances, however loud, could change. Satisfied of this, justice permitted the people, and self-respect and self-preservation loudly summoned them to resist by force.

Sec. 15. The crisis, therefore, had now arrived, the signal of war was given, and the blood shed at Lexington opened the secne.

Gen. Gage, the king's governour of Massachusetts, learning that a large quantity of military stores had been deposited by the provincials, at Concord, detached Lieut. Col. Smith, and Major Pitcairn, with eight hundred grenadiers, to destroy them. On their arrival at

Lexington, on the morning of the 19th of April, 1775, seventy of the militia, who had hastily assembled upon an alarm, were under arms, on the parade. Eight of these were without provocation killed, and several wounded.

§ The greatest precaution was taken by Governour Gage, to prevent the intelligence of this expedition from reaching the country. Officers were dispersed along the road to intercept expresses, who might be sent from Boston. But the precaution proved ineffectual. l'he alarm was given, and was rapidly spread by means of church bells, guns, and volleys.