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had throughout the several colonies of New York, New England, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, and the two Carolinas, except a small parcel, which the governor of New York, terrified by the threats of the enraged populace, had surrendered into the hands of the corporation of that place, on condition of their not being destroyed like the rest; so that all business, which could not be legally carried on without stamps, was at once suspended, except that of publishing newspapers, which the printers still continued; pleading, in excuse, that if they did not, the populace would serve them as they had done the stamp-masters themselves.

But the consequence of this stagnation was soon felt so severely, that the inhabitants began to think how they could effectually elude it. To this end some wag, fruitful in expedients, sent to the printers at Boston a thin piece of bark, on which he had written, that it being neither paper, parchment, nor vellum, he would be glad to know if instruments, written on such stuff, might not be valid, though not stamped; in which case, he was ready to supply with good writing-bark all those whose consciences were bound by the late act. At last, the governors of some of the provinces, though bound by the laws to swear to see it observed, under the severest penalties, finding the total stoppage of all public business so injurious to the community, thought proper to dispense with the the use of stamps, grounding their justification on the absolute impossibility of procuring any; and accordingly granted certificates of that impossibility to all outward bound vessels to protect them from the penalties of the act in other parts of his Majesty's dominions.

To testify their indignation still further, combinations against the trade of England became every where general. The merchants entered into the most solemn engagements with each other, not only not to import any goods from Great Britain, let the consequences be what they would, and to recall the orders they had already given, if not obeyed by the 1st January, 1766, but even not to dispose of any British goods sent them on commission, that were shipped before that day or if they consented to any relaxation from these engagements, it was not to take place till the Stamp Act, and even the Sugar and Paper-money Acts, were repealed. The people of Philadelphia likewise resolved, though not unanimously, that till such repeal, no lawyer should put in

suit a demand for money owing to a resident in America from one in England; nor any person in America, however indebted in England, to make any remittances there.

These resolutions were adopted by the retailers, who unanimously agreed not to buy or sell any British goods shipped to them. At the same time, lest their own new woolen manufactories should fall short for want of materials, most of the inhabitants came to the resolution not to eat any mutton; and to extend the influence of their resolution to those who did not join them in it, nor to deal with any butcher that should kill or expose any sheep for sale. The most substantial, and even fashionable people, were foremost in setting the example to their countrymen, by contenting themselves with home-spun or old clothes, rather than make use of any thing British, of which they were formerly so conspicuously fond. Such were the efforts of all ranks, and so prudent their measures, that many now began to be convinced of what they had till then thought impossible, that the colonies would soon be able to supply themselves with every necessary of life. When the value of imposts from Great Britain, nearly three millions annually is taken into consideration, it must be admitted that the mode of retaliation was one likely to be severely felt, and deeply lamented by a trading people, like the English.

In the midst of this general excitement, at the day appointed by Massachusetts, committees from nine colonies met at New York, and the Congress was organized by the appointment of a President. One of the first rules adopted was, to give each colony represented one vote. In the course of a three weeks' session, a "Declaration of the Rights and Grievances of the Colonies" was agreed to. All the privileges of Englishmen were claimed by it as the birth-right of the colonists; among the rest, the right of being taxed only by their own consent. Since distance and local circumstances made a representation in the British Parliament impossible, their delegates, it was maintained, could be no other than the several colonial legislatures. A petition to the king, and memorials to each House of Parliament, were also prepared, in which the cause of the Provincials was eloquently pleaded. To these proceedings, the several colonial assemblies, at their earliest session, gave their cordial approval.

A change in the English Ministry, which took place in July, and the news of which reached America in September, encour

aged the colonists in the stand they had taken. This change originated in domestic reasons, wholly unconnected with the American polity; it was regarded, however, as favorable to the general cause of freedom. The old Whig aristocracy which had governed the kingdom since the accession of the House of Hanover, had split up of late into several bitter and hostile factions, chiefly founded on mere personal considerations. Pitt's repeated attacks on former ministries, and at last, his forcing himself into power, had contributed not a little to this result. The accession of George III. had given rise to a new party, by which Pitt himself had been superseded. In the address from the throne, at the opening of the session, the new Ministers brought the state of colonial affairs before Parliament. They produced the correspondence of the provincial governors, and other papers relating to the late disturbances. Numerous petitions from British merchants for the repeal of the Stamp Act were also presented to the two Houses.

Pitt now appeared in his place in the House of Commons, and delivered his opinion, "that the kingdom had no right to lay a tax on the colonies. The commons in America, represented in their several Assemblies, have invariably exercised the constitutional right of giving and granting their own money; they would have been enslaved if they had not; at the same time this kingdom has ever possessed the power of legislative and commercial control. The colonies acknowledge your authority in all things, with the sole exception that you shall not take their money out of their pockets without their consent." "We are told America is obstinate," he said, "and is almost in open rebellion. Sir, I rejoice that America has resisted. Three millions of people so dead to all the feelings of liberty, as voluntarily to submit to be slaves would have been fit instruments to make slaves of all the rest." The Americans have been wronged! They have been driven to madness by injustice! Will you punish them for the madness you have occasioned? No! Let this country be the first to resume its prudence and temper; I will pledge myself for the colonies, that on their part animosity and resentment will cease."

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The new Ministry were under no obligation to support the policy of their predecessors. Anxious to escape the difficulty by the readiest means, they brought in a bill for repealing the Stamp

Act, which in spite of a very strenuous opposition, on the part of the supporters of the late Ministry, was carried in the Commons by a vote of two hundred and seventy-five, to one hundred and sixty-seven. A resolution of the House of Commons had demanded indemnity from the colonies for such Crown officers as had suffered losses in the late Stamp Act riots: New York promptly complied. After much urging by the governor, Massachusetts passed a similar act; but a free pardon to the rioters, inserted in it, betrayed the state of public feeling and gave great offense in England.

The preamble to this bill contains the following extraordinary recital" As the King's Most Excellent Majesty, from a desire that the sufferers in the late riots should be compensated, and a vail be drawn over the late unhappy excesses, has been pleased to signify his intention to forgive and forget them, at the same time in his abundant clemency recommending compensation to the sufferers; from a grateful sense of his Majesty's grace and clemency, in order to promote peace and safety, to make compensation to said sufferers, and thus to demonstrate to the world the happiness we enjoy in being a part of the British Empire, and being entitled to the rights, liberties, and privileges of British subjects, we, His Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the representatives of the Commons of this province, in General Court assembled, have resolved to give and grant, &c." They resolved that their reasons for making the compensation were 'from a loyal and grateful regard to the king's mild and gracious recommendation, from deference to the opinions of the illustrious friends of the colonies in England, and for the sake of internal peace and order, without regard to any interpretation of His Majesty's recommendation, into a requisition precluding all debate and controversy; under a full persuasion that the sufferers had no just claim on the province; and that this compliance ought not, hereafter, to be drawn into a precedent."

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CHAPTER V.

FROM THE REPEAL OF THE STAMP ACT TO THE BATTLE OF BUNKER'S HILL, AND THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

Joy at Repeal of Stamp Act-Fresh Discontent as to Continuance of the Sugar Act-Townshend's Scheme for raising a Revenue, maintaing a Standing Army, and giving permanent Salaries to Governors and Judges-Tax on Paper, Glass, Lead, and Tea-New York refuses to provide for quartering the Troops-Its Assembly restrained from Legislative Functions-Board of Revenue established in America--Pensylvania instructs her Agents to oppose the Tea Act--Massachusetts addresses a Circular Letter to the other Colonies on the Subject--Office of Secretary of State for the Colonies created-Lord Hillsborough calls upon the General Court to rescind the Proceedings relative to its Circular Letter, but it refuses-Most of the Colonies approve of the Conduct of Massachusetts-Seizure of the Sloop "Liberty"---The Mob assaults the Commissioners, and attacks their House-They take refuge on board of a Man-of-war, and afterward retire to Castle William-Town Meeting called to consider the Subject of Troops being allowed in Boston-People advised to arm themselves-A Convention meets, but the Governor will not acknowledge it-Arrival of two Regiments from Halifax-Proceedings as to quartering them--One Regiment encamped on the Common, the other lodged in the Town Hall--Proceedings in Parliament relative to the State of the Colonies-General Court adjourned to Cambridge--Refuses to provide for the Troops--Conduct of the other Colonies-Lord Hillsborough informs the Colonial Assemblies that he will repeal all the Duties except that on Tea-Mob at Boston attacks a Picket Guard of Soldiers, who fire and kill three Persons-Trial and Acquittal-The Governor surrenders Castle Island to the Commander of the Forces-People refuse to observe a Day of Thanksgiving -Association not to use Tea-Proceedings as to the Governor and Judges receiving their Salaries from England-Destruction of the armed Schooner Gaspé" People refuse to allow Tea to be landed-A Cargo thrown into the Harbor-Proceedings in the other Colonies relative to the Tea ShipsAct of Parliament for closing the Port of Boston-Another for amending the Charter-Legislature of Massachusetts-Advise a Congress, and name the 1st of December and Philadelphia as the Time and Place of Meeting--The last General Court-Meeting of Congress-Declaration of Rights and other Proceedings-Non-intercourse agreed upon-The General Court resolve themselves into a Provincial Congress, and vote to raise twelve thousand Men, &c.-King's Stores seized at Rhode Island and New Hampshire-Proceedings in Parliament-Skirmish at Lexington-Commencement of the Revolutionary War.

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THE repeal of the Stamp Act called forth the most lively demonstrations of joy throughout the colonies; but this exultation arose as much from triumph as from relief from an impost. The

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