disperse this mandate was treated with deserved contempt and the sheriff hissed out of the house, mortified and chagrined, and a confussed murmur followed not only in the house but among the vast multitude without; but soon order was restored, and the meeting adjourned, without adopting any vote or resolution. The leaders probably supposed that such a meeting was not the place to discuss and devise measures to meet the crisis.

The bold measure was now conceived, and immediately proposed for execution, which surprised and agitated the two countries, and hurried on that memorable revolution which made them "enemies in war, and in peace friends." The success of it, as well as the danger attending it, required secrecy and dispatch. It has never been known with certainty, either who contrived or executed this bold expedient; but there is no reason to doubt, but that Mr. Samuel Adams and many of the leaders in the political affairs of the day, were its contrivers, and it is known, that the hall of council was in the back room of Edes & Gill'sprinting-office, at the corner of the alley leading from CourtStreet to Brattle-Street Church. It is a singular circumstance, that this daring and desperate measure, for the maintenance of the liberties of the country, should have been counselled and contrived in an editorial closet of a newspaper, which was one of the organs of the public voice, and a vigilant sentinel of the liberties of the people. Since this period many political schemes have originated, in the "back rooins" of printing-offices, but in general of a very different character.

In a few hours after the adjournment of the public meeting, the bold measure, on the success of which the great question of taxation hung suspended, was contrived, matured and ripened for execution; and the public were surprised with the sudden appearance in the streets, of a large number of savages, or persons disguised, clad, and every way counterfeiting the aborigines of the country; armed with a tomahawk in one hand, and a club over the shoulder, who, in a silent and solemn manner, not a voice being heard, marched in Indian file, through the streets amidst a crowd of astonished spectators, who knew not what to think of so unexpected and strange an exhibition; and its novelty and the surprise which it occasioned, may have prevented any steps being taken to oppose their design. The Indians, whilst strongly attached to tobacco, in this instance at least appear to have had a mortal antipathy to tea; and as though at tracted by its noxious qualities, they proceeded directly towards the wharves where the tea ships lay; boarded them, demanded the keys, and without the least hesitation or delay, knocked open the chests, and emptied their contents, duties and all, into the ocean, comprising several thousand weight of the finest teas. The deed was done in the face of the world, and although surrounded by the king's ships, no opposition was made or attempted; all was silence and amazement. Thus the teas which were designed as a means of extorting tribute from the Americans, become an offering to the " spirits of the vasty deep," and a sacrifice to the liberties of the country. The "Indians" having

effected their object, shewed no marks of triumph; no savage warwhoop was heard; nor did they commit any other violence or disorder, but in the same silent, solemn and orderly manner, marched back through the town, followed by a vast crowd. No movements on the part of the government, or disturbance by the people, followed this event; and it was observed at the time, that the stillest night succeeded, which Boston had enjoyed for several months.

No persons assisted the savages, in the destruction of the tea, except some boys or young men, who had assembled on the occasion, and voluntarily took a part in what was going on; one of these youths, collected the tea which fell into his own shoes and those of several of his companions, put it in a phial and sealed it up; which is now in his possession, containing the same obnox jous tea, which in this instance was considered as more dangerous to the political health and constitution of the people, even than strong drink. The number of the savages, manufactured for the occasion, has been variously estimated, from sixty to eighty: although several persons have been mentioned as among the number, none of them have ever been known with certainty; there are many and obvious reasons, why secrecy then, and concealment since were necessary. Not any of those who it has been confidently asserted were of the party, have admitted the fact except some of the boys. Nearly all of the disguised persons have left this scene of strife, and their secret has died with them; and what few remain, if any, will probably be as prudent as those who have gone before them, and like them will suffer their knowledge to be buried with them, so that the great secret will shortly be beyond the reach of human research. The success of this bold and daring measure, astonished Governor Hutchinson and the British party, and seemed to convince him, that the "Sons of Liberty" were not quite so contemptible as he had represented them in his letters to the ministry; and it even astonished the whigs, in the other colonies, and contributed to fan the flames of liberty, and give them a deeper glow, and more intense heat.

When the intelligence of this event reached England, accom panied with all the exaggeration and colouring which Hutchinson could give to it, it produced the utmost excitement, and indignation with the ministerial party, and even the opponents of the American revenue system, could not justify so rash and desperate a measure. Parliament at once determined to crush the devoted town, which was the seat and cause of this high handed resistance to its supremacy. Its omnipotent power, and all the terrors of its wrath, were to be concentrated and directed against this rebellious town. A bill was immediately introduced to discontinue the landing and discharging, landing and shipping of goods, wares and merchandise, at the town of Boston, or within the bar bor." This bill, called the " Boston Port Bill," passed on the 25th of March, 1774, and when it was known, threw the inhabitants into the utmost consternation, A general meeting was called, and spirited resolutions adopted, expressive, in strong terms,

66

66

of their sense of the oppressive measure, and they requested all the colonies to unite in an engagement to discontinue all importations from Great Britain; and most of the colonies resolved to make common cause with Massachusetts, in her opposition to the unconstitutional measures of parliament. The first of June, when the port bill was to go into operation, was appointed to be kept as a day of fasting and prayer. This act was soon followed by another, for the better regulating government in the province of Massachusetts Bay;" the object of which was to alter the charter, so as to make the judges and sheriffs dependant on the king, and removeable at his pleasure. And this act was soon succeeded by another, which provided, that any persons indicted for murder, or other capital offence, committed in aiding the magistrates, in enforcing the laws, might be sent by the governor eiher to any other colony, or to Great Britain for his trial. The Quebec Bill followed in rapid succession, enlarging the bounds of that province, and conferring many privileges on the Roman Catholics; the design of which was to secure the attachment of that province, and prevent its joining with the colonies in their measures of resistance. These measures instead of intimidating the colonies into submission, only confirmed their fears of the settled designs of Great Britain to deprive them of their chartered rights, and reduce the colonies to the lowest state of political degradation and oppression. A sense of common danger led to an extensive correspondence, which resulted in the opinion that it was expedient to convene a general congress, to consist of deputies from all the colonies. This congress met at Philadelphia on the 5th of September, 1774; and comprised among its members, some of the most dstinguished patriots, astatesmen and orators in the country, or perhaps in any other. Notwithstanding the ferment which prevailed in most of the colonies, their proceedings were characterised by coolness, unanmity and firmness.

They published a long and solemn declaration of rights, as British subjects, and maintained in the strongest terms, their exemption from taxation by parliament; besides which, they prepared a petition to the king, which was refused to be answered; an address to the people of Great Britain, and another to the people of America. These documents were drawn up with a masterly hand, and exhibited great dignity and ability, and were in every respect worthy of the men who had confided to them the liberties of their country, and the destinies of three millions of their countrymen, threatened with slavery.

The proceedings of congress did not tend to allay public feeling, and as the royal agents in Massachusetts seemed determined to push matters to extremities, and reduce the people to unconditional submission, by arbitrary and forcible means, every thing now wore the appearance of civil war. A new coun

cil, and new judges were appointed by the crown ; and the latter attempted to enter upon the execution of their offices; but the juries refused to be sworn under them; the people in some Counties assembled to prevent their proceedings, and in Berk