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."

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 TeaMob 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

contest had exhibited the utter inability of English officials to execute enactments opposed to the interests and inclinations of the inhabitants, and satisfied the most timid of the power of the Provincials, if united, to resist either the laws or the arms of the mother country. It invited opposition, and where there is a disposition to quarrel, subjects of dispute are never wanting.

Although the Stamp Act was repealed, the Sugar Act, slightly modified, remained on the statute book, and was rigidly enforced. With a singular misapprehension of the character of the people for whom they were legislating, the Ministry accompanied almost every additional restriction with a corresponding boon. Thus, by an amendment of the latter law, all direct trade with France was prohibited; while, to soften the harshness of the measure, iron and lumber were allowed to be exported to European ports, south of Cape Finisterre. The one was regarded as an invasion, and the other as no more than an admission of right. The former, therefore, was resented as an injury, and the latter received with indifference or silence.

Townshend had now become Chancellor of the Exchquer, who whatever his abilities might have been, could lay no claim to consistency of conduct, one of the first qualifications of a statesman. He had voted for the Stamp Act, and strenuously supported its repeal, an acknowledgment of error that induced the Americans to think his political advancement to the important office he held was a special mark of Divine favor. What, therefore, was their astonishment, when they heard that his first measure was to introduce a bill to raise a transatlantic revenue, for maintaining a standing army in the colonies, and for securing permanent salaries to governors and judges, and thereby rendering them independent of the local Assemblies. While he affected to base this law on the distinction taken between internal and external taxation, he violated the principle by imposing duties on certain British productions, such as paints, paper, glass, and lead, to which was added another article, tea, afterward rendered so notorious. This law was supposed to be of easier execution than the Stamp Act, and it passed with little or no opposition. It received the royal assent on the 29th of June.

The preamble states that the duties were laid "for the better support of government, and the administration of the colonies." One clause enabled the Crown, by sign manual, to establish a

general civil list throughout every province of North America, to an indefinite extent, with salaries, pensions, or appointments. It 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 Parliament. Contemporaneously with the Stamp Act a law had been passed by Parliament, that obliged the several Assemblies to provide quarters for the soldiers, and furnish them with fire, beds, candles, and other articles, at the expense of their respective colonies.

The British government receiving intelligence that New York had refused to provide for quartering the troops, a law was passed "for restraining the Assembly of that province from all legislative functions, until it had complied with the Act of Parliament for the furnishing his Majesty's troops with the requisite necessaries." The suspension of the House of Representatives in one colony justly excited alarm in all the rest; for it was perceived that, by a parity of reason, others might be put on their trial for good behavior, of which the British Ministry would be the sole judges. Georgia displayed some stubbornness on this same point; but the withdrawal of the troops, leaving the colony exposed to Indian invasion from without, and negro insurrection within, soon brought the Assembly to terms.

The Parliament also passed an act for establishing a Custom House and a Board of Commissioners in America. The act was to come into operation after the 20th day of November; and, in the beginning of that month, three commissioners arrived at Boston. The colonists, believing that this board was designed to enforce the new duties, were inflamed against them and their employers to the highest degree, and pronounced the appointment unconstitutional and oppressive. This measure called forth additional essays on colonial rights, and, among others, the celebrated" Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania to the Inhabitants of the British Colonies," which had a rapid and extensive circulation throughout North America. The passage of these acts, and the determination they evinced to raise a transatlantic revenue, brought the Provincials in a body to the ground originally taken by Otis, that imposts on trade, if designed for fixed purposes, were just as much a violation of their rights as any other tax. The acts accordingly met every where with the

utmost opposition, and were denounced in resolves, petitions, addresses, and remonstrances.

Early in February the Pennsylvanian Assembly took into consideration the act imposing duties on paper, glass, paints, and teas, and gave positive instructions to its agents to unite with those of the other plantations, in applying to Parliament for relief. The Assembly of Massachusetts adopted a more grave and extensive measure. They drew up a circular letter to the sister colonies, in which they observed that “ they had 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 on the American provinces," related the steps which they had taken in petitioning the king, and requested their co-operation in suitable measures to obtain redress.

In their instructions to their agent, which is a very ably written paper, they furnished him, at length, with the arguments best suited to serve their cause.

"It is the glory of the British Constitution," they said, "that it has its foundation in the laws of God and Nature. It is a natural and essential right, that a man shall quietly enjoy and have the sole disposal of his own property. This is recognized in the constitution. And this natural and constitutional privilege is so familiar to the people in America, that it would be difficult, if possible, to convince them, that any necessity can render it just and equitable that Parliament should impose duties or taxes on them, internal or external, for the sole purpose of raising a revenue. The reason is obvious, that they are not represented, and their consent can not constitutionally be had in Parliament.' "The security of property and right is the great end of government; and such measures as render right and property precarious, tend to destroy government also. But what property can the colonists be supposed to have, if their money can be granted away by others, and without their own consent? Yet this is the case at present, for they were in no sense represented in Parliament, when the act for raising a revenue in America was passed. The Stamp Act was complained of as a grievance, and is there any difference between the late act and that? They were both designed to raise a revenue."

Amid these distractions, a new establishment was created in

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