CHAPTER XI.

Events of 1775 continued-Proceedings of Congress-declaration showing the causes of taking up arms-petition to the King the answer of Lord Dartmouth-Proceedings of the Congress Dr. Franklin made Post Master General-Colonial convention-Lord Dunmore's conduct-Design of Connolly frustrated-Lord Dunmore on board the Foway requires the attendance of the Virginia Burgesses-they refuse to attend They appoint Patrick Henry Commander in Chief of the Colonial force-Dunmore declares freedom to the Slaves-Battle of the Great Bridge-Rivington's Press destroyed in New YorkDestruction of several towns in New England-Expedition to Canada-Siege of Quebec-Colonel Allen made prisoner-Death of Montgomery-parallel drawn between Montgomery and Wolfe-Arnold wounded-his gallant conduct and laborious march-Licentious conduct of the British in Boston.`

THE Colony of Georgia, notwithstanding their having been excepted from the operations of the restraining acts of Parliament, agreed to the Confederation of the Colonies and appointed Deputies to the Congress, early in July. On the 6th, The United Colonies" agreed to the following Declaration setting forth the causes and necessity of their taking up arms; by which it will be seen that they were still anxious to restore the original compact between the Colonies and Great Britain.

"If it were possible for men, who exercise their reason, to believe that the Divine author of our existence intended a part of the human race to hold an absolute property in, and an unbounded power over others, marked out by his infinite goodness and wisdom, as the objects of a legal domination, never right

ly resistable, however severe and oppressive; the inhabitants of these Colonies might at least require from the Parliament of Great Britain some evidence, that this dreadful authority over them has been granted to that body. But a reverence for our great Creator, principles of humanity, and the dictates of common sense, must convince all those who reflect upon the subject, that government was instituted to promote the welfare of mankind, and ought to be administered for the attainment of that end. The Legislature of Great Britain, however, stimulated by an inordinate passion for a power not only unjustifiable, but which they know to be peculiarly reprobated by the very constitution of that Kingdom, and desperate of success in any mode of contest where regard should be had to truth, law, or right, have at length, deserting those, attempted to effect their cruel and impolitick purpose of enslaving these Colonies by violence, and have thereby rendered it necessary for us to close with their last appeal from reason to arms. Yet, however blinded that assembly may be, by their intemperate rage for unlimited domination, so as to slight justice and the opinion of mankind, we esteem ourselves bound, by obligations of respect to the rest of the world, to make known the justice of our cause.

"Our forefathers, inhabitants of the island of Great Britain, left their native land to seek on these shores a residence for civil and religious freedom. At the expense of their blood, at the hazard of their fortunes, without the least to the country from which they removed, by unceasing labour, and an unconquerable spirit, they effected settlements in the distant and in hospitable wilds of America, then filled with numerous and warlike nations of Barbarians. Societies or

Governments, vested with perfect Legislatures, were formed under charters from the Crown, and a harmonious intercourse was established between the Colonies and the Kingdom from which they derived their origin. The mutual benefits of this union became in a short time so extraordinary as to excite astonishment. It is universally confesssed that the amazing increase of the wealth, strength, and navigation of the realm, arose from this source; and the Minister who so wisely and successfully directed the measures of Great Britain in the late war, publickly declared that these Colonies enabled her to triumph over her enemies. Towards the conclusion of that war, it pleased our Sovereign to make a change in his counsels. From that fatal moment the affairs of the British empire began to fall into confusion, and, gradually sliding from the summit of glorious prosperity, to which they had been advanced by the virtues and abilities of one man, are at length distracted by the convulsions that now shake it to its deepest foundations. The new Ministry, findding the brave foes of Britain, though frequently defeated, yet still contending, took up the unfortunate idea of granting them a hasty peace, and then of subduing her faithful friends.

"These devoted Colonies were judged to be in such a state, as to present victories without bloodshed, and all the easy emoluments of statutable plunder. The uninterrupted tenour of their peaceable and respectful behaviour from the beginning of Colonization; their dutiful, zealous, and useful services during the war, though so recently and amply acknowledged in the most honourable manner by his Majesty, by the late King, and by Parliament, could not save them from the meditated innovations. Parliament was influencesl

to adopt the pernicious project, and, assuming a new power over them, have in the course of eleven years, given such decisive specimens of the spirit aud consequences attending this power, as to leave no doubts concerning the effects of acquiescence under it. They have undertaken to give and grant our money without our consent, though we have ever exercised an exclusive right to dispose of our own property. Statutes have been passed for extending the jurisdiction of Courts of Admiralty and Vice-Admiralty beyond their ancient limits, for depriving us of the accustomed and inestimable privilege of trial by jury, in cases affecting both life and property;, for suspending the Legislature of one of the Colonies; for interdicting all commerce of another; and for altering fundamentally the form of government established by charter, and secured by acts of its own Legislature, solemnly confirmed by the Crown; for exempting the murderers' of Colonists from legal trial, and, in effect, from punishment; for erecting in a neighbouring Province, acquired by the joint arms of Great Britain and America, a despotism dangerous to our very existence; and for quartering soldiers upon the Colonists in times of profound peace.-It has also been resolved in Parliament, that Colonists, charged with committing certain offences, shall be transported to England to be tried.

"But should we enumerate our injuries in detail ?— By one statute it is declared that Parliament can 'of right make laws to bind us in all cases whatever.'-What is to defend us against so enormous so unlimited a power? Not a single man of those who assume it is chosen by us, or is subject to our control or influence; but, on the contrary, they are all of them exempt from the operation of such laws; and an Ame

rican revenue, if not diverted from the ostensible purposes for which it is raised, would actually lighten their own burdens, in proportion as they increased ours. We saw the misery to which such despotism would reduce us. We for ten years incessantly and ineffectually besieged the Throne as supplicants; we reasoned, we remonstrated with Parliament in the most mild and decent language. But Administration, sensible that we should regard these oppressive measures as freemen ought to do, sent over fleets and armies to enforce them. The indignation of the Americans was roused it is true; but it was the indignation of a virtuous, loyal, and affectionate people. A Congress of delegates from the united Colonies was assembled at Philadelphia on the 5th day of last September. We resolved again to offer our humble and dutiful petition to the King, and also addressed our fellow subjects of Great Britain. We have pursued every temperate, every respectful measure; we have even proceeded to break off our commercial intercourse with our fellow subjects, as the last peaceable admonition, that our attachment to no nation upon earth would supplant our attachment to liberty.This we flattered ourselves, was the ultimate step of the controversy; but subsequent events have shown how vain was this hope of finding moderation in our enemies.

"Several threatening expressions against the Colonies were inserted in his Majesty's speech. Our petition, though we are told it was a decent one, that his Majesty had been pleased to receive it graciously, and to promise laying it before his Parliament, was huddled into both Houses amongst a bundle of American papers, and there neglected. The Lords and Commons, in their address, in the month of February,