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Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. Ihe following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre filmds i des taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour §tre reproduit en un seul clichd, il est film6 d partir de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 Jtif/noUU del* G£ORG£ thelll. uti^iu^tufp. HISTORY _ OF THE I ^1 W 'A WITH MMERICA.FKiNCE, SPAIJ^] AN D HO L L A N D; comnunciffg in iJJ/j and ending in J J (9;}. BjJOHHAHBEEWS LX,]D» In FourVoltanvs with ^Portratty ^Jfa^s and Charts. Vol.1. LOJ^D oJ>r, Kil>liihedliylus^ll;ft|C(it$;^Ilaynl licence stndAirdioritr- ForJOHy£lELI>INGjMerNoflerRow:andJaBKXi«Vlsinlhe Strand. MDCCLXXXV. 272808 i GEORGE R, , J n :i . ir.) C^EORGE the THIRD, by the Grace of COD, King of ^ Great Britain, France, niul Ireland, Deiknder of ihe Faith, &c. To all to whom thcfe Prefeiits fliall come, jrrcetin^» : Whereas John FiEi.niNf;, of Patcrnofter-Kow, in the City of London, Bookfcller, and John Tak.vis, ot the Strand, in the Liberty of Wcftminflcr, Printer, have by their IVtirion humbly reprefentcd unto Us, That the Petitioners have been at great Expence and Labour in preparing for thj Prcfs an Historical Accoun"^ of the War with America, France, Spain, and Holland, commencing in the Year 1775, and ending with the Definitive Treaty in the Year 1783 ; written by John Andrews, Doctor of Laws ; that the Opera- tions of Our Fleets and Armies having been more extended than in any War carried on under the aufpiccs of u BritiHi Monarch, and the Petitioners being unwilling to conceal any Fame juAly acquired by Our Subjects, have fought for and obtained Infor- mation Military, Naval, and Political, from all the four Quarters of the Globe : That the Petioners have alfo employ- ed the firft Artifts of our Kingdom to Engrave the Copper- plates, (a part of the Work) from original Drawings, and from tlie beft Charts ; and the Petitioners are df firous of repeating the Fruits of their Expences and Labour, and of enjoying the full Profit amd Benefit of Printing and Vending this Work, without any Perfon interfering in their juft Property, and which the Petitioners cannot prevent without Our Royal Li- cence and Privilege ; the Petitioners therefore moft humbly pray, We will be pleafed to grant unto them Our Royal Li- cence and Privilege, for the fole Printing, Publifhing, and Vending the faid Work, in as ample manner and form as has been done in cafes of the like . :ture. We being willing to give all due Encouragement to tuis Undertaking, are graciouf.y pleafed to condcfcend to the Petioners Rcqueft ; and We do. therefore, by thife Prefents, as far as may be agreeable to the Statute in that cafe made and provided, grant unto ihera I'ne faid John Fielding and John Jakvis, their Execu- tors, Adminiftrators, and Affigns, Our Royal Licence and Authority, for the fole Printing, Publifliing, and Vending the faid Work for the term of fourteen Years, to be computed from tne Date hereof itrittly forbidding all our Subjefts within our Kingdoms or Dominions, to Reprint or Abufe the fame, either in the like, or in any fize or manner whatever ; or to Import, Buy, Vend, Utter, or Diftribute any Copies there- of, Reprinted beyond the Seas, Juring the faid term of four- - Vot. J[. No. I. A tccn n teen Years, without the conffent or approbation of fhe fafd John Fielding and John Jarvis, their Executors, Admini* ftrators, and Afligns, under their Hands and Seals, firrt had and obtainrd, as they will anfwer tht contrary at their peril. Whereof the Commiflioners and other Ofhcers of our Culloms, the Mafter Wardens and Company t)f Stationers are to take notice, that due obedience be rendered to Our Pleafvire herein declared. Given at our Court at St. Jnmei's, the full Day of Junf, 1785, in the Twenty-fifth Yrar of Our Reign. By His Majcfly's Command, s y P N E Y. ■i INTRO. :!= > J Ti jT nr ~'"~'""~~'~"'""*" INTRODUCTION. N O Nation ever terminated [ventage and gl war more to )ry, tnan that which. Great-Britani carried on againft the united powers of France and Spain, and concluded by the Treaty of Paris, in one thoufand fevea hundred awd fixty-tbree. The ftrength of the Brltidi nation had been conducted by the mofl fpirlted and fortunate Minifler that ever prcfided over its councils, and had been exerted with a vigour and energy unexampled in any preceding icra : an uninter- rupted feries of fuccefles attended it in every quarter of the globe, and victories followed each other by fea and land, that ailonifhed all Europe, and thorojughly fubdued the fpirit and broke the ftrength of the enemy. The terms of the pacification that ended this memorable conteft, though not fo advanta- geous, in the opinion of-fome, as the ftate of this country o*i the one fide feemed to claim, and to exped, and the deprefl: fituatian of its enemies might, on the nther, have fubmitted Hill they were fuch as exalted the Britifh monar- chy to a degree of fplendour and power, that rendered it equally the envy, the admiration, and the terror of Europe. By this treaty Great-Britain ren^ained en^ *. ; A z tire ►l I I! 4 INTRODUCTION. tire miflrefs of the immenfc continent of North America, from the banks of the Miliifippi, to the fhorcs of Greenland. She acquired feve- ral vahiable iflands in the Weft Indies, and eftablilhed her power in the Eaftern p^rts of the world on fuch extenfive foundations, as left her a decided fuperiority over all the European nations that have any trade or fettlements iu thofe diftant countries. But there were no few politicians both at home and abroad, who thought they perceived in this fplendid conclufion of her difpute with France and Spain, infallible, though perhaps latent caufes of much future mif- chief. The entire ceflion of the French pof- feilions in North America, an immenfe tra6!:, opened a wide field of fpeculation to people of a thinking difpofition. While this prodigious extent of land re* mained in the hands of France, though it might feem a heavy curb to the induftry and enterprizing temper of the Britifli nation, it was, in fad, a boundary to the ambitious fpirit of its Colonies. By reftraining them within determinate limits, and keeping them in per- petual alarms, it obliged them to look conti- nually for aid to the parent ftate, and obviated all ideas of difobliging a people, of whoie friend- flilp and protedion they flood in perpetual jieed. It has even been furmifed, that France itfelf fully faw the confequences of h^r ceflion of Canada to England, and that Ibme of the (lirewdeft of the French Miuiftry did not re- frain .1 4 i 4 INTRODUCTION. ^ tMin from dropping fome hints to this pur- port. However that miglit be, it may with great truth he fald, that no proibund penetra- tion wn^ ncceflluy to diicovcr, that the acqui- fition of tlie French North American polief- iions, by delivering the Britlrti Colonies from all apprchenfions on that dangerous quarter, gave them immediately an eufe and fccurity in their domeftic tranfadions, to which tliey muft for ever have been Grangers ; and, of courlc excited a train of ideas, which they would not, and could not otherwife have harboured. While the dread of France was prefent to their minds, ages would probably havcelapfed, before they w^ould have thought of iucing fo great a power lingly, and unlupported. The long habit of depending on the aliiflance of tlie parent flate, would have been retained ; and us protedion and obedience are reciprocal, the con- uedlionthat had fo long fubfifled between Great- Britain and her Colonies, would, in all likeli- hood, have remained the fame as before, un- impaired, and unaltered, in every circumftance attending it. To thele confideratlons, others might be added of equal weight : — The (late of the Bri- ti(h Colonics at the sera of the general pacifica- tion, was luch as attracted the attention of all the politicians in Europe. Their floariihing condition at that period was remarkable and ftriking ; their trade had profpcred in the midft of all the difficulties and diftrefles of a war, ia which they were fo nearly and fo immediately concerned. Their population continaed on the A 'A increafe. '•Ki ■■^m I ' % ^. 4 INTRODUCTION. incrfafc, not\vithil;iiuling the ravages and de- predations that had been lb fiercely carried on by the Trench, and the native Indians in their alliance. All thi^ fliewed the innate ftrength and vigour of the conllitutiun of the Britifh Colonics. The concliij'ion of the quarrel between Great-Britain and France, placed them imme- diately on fucli a footing, as could not fail to double every advantage they already poflcfl:. — They abounded with fpirited and af r R O D U C ^' I O K. 9 tlfter their total emancipation from tliofe dan- gers to which they had I'o long heen Hable, from the proximity of a formidable and enterprizing enemy. ■ i -r,.. i .. .^ * ,- . . - . - ' But independent of thefe divers confidcra- tions, a caufc had long fublifted, of which the t'fFc6ts had been foretold, whenever the ob- llru6lIons that flood in their way Ihould be re- moved. This was the republican fpirit that carried the firft emi orators to the fliores of New England, in the kill centary. Pcrfecu- red at home for opinions in religion, ill agree- in <»• with the eftablilhed tenets in church and fhue, their adherence to their own was fo root- ed and invincible, that fooner than part with them., they ciiofe rather to abandon their na- tive country, and fly to the remotell and moft iiihofpitable regions, in order to enjoy the un- rellrained and public profeflion of their own It-ntimentb. Such a refolution, though produced by en- thufiafm, was neverthelefs great and heroic : it fupported them in difficulties of the moft ierious magnitude ; it carried them through a world of obllacles. To fay that in leaving England, they had deprived themfclves of thofe comforts that arc moft grateful to human na- ture, the pleafures and delights of the home we are born and bred in, is not doing juftice to the courage and magnanimity of the hrft fet- tiers in New England. To fpc^k with truth, we fhould acknowledge they had every hard- Ihip to encounter tliat can allail the heart, and itagger the fortitude of man. . Tiie climate ''■ was .?^' to I N T R O D U C T I O K. ^ was againft them in every (hape ; it was eii'* tirely new to their conftitutions ; the winter cold, and fummer h-^at, equally infupportable ; the produ(flions of the earth milbrable and fcan- ty ; the foil ftubborn, and of little value : Sick- nefs and death were the dcftiny of an alarming proportion of the firfl: adventurers. When through unconquerable perfeverance they had weathered the firfl ftorms that await all great undertakings, they had ftill a mofl arduous talk to undergo in fecuring themfelves from the malevolence and jealouly of the an- cient inhabitants of the land, whofe native fe- rocioufiiefs, inflamed with indignation at fee- ing a foreign people in pofl'elllon of a country of which they were once the fole mafters and occupiers, impelled them to exert their whole rage and fury for the deftrucliion of thefe new- comers. Thus they had every obilacle to furmount that could try their patience, and prove their firmnefs. The victories they obtained over thefe complicated obflrudlions, raifed their character to a level with that of the bravefl people recorded in hiftory, in the eflimation of the few who can conlider facets divefted of that fplendour which time, place, and circumftan- ces, are apt to beftow upon them, and from which they derive their luftre with the gene- rality. The remembrance of the caiifes of the emi- gration of their forefathers is ftrong throughout the provinces of New England, and was always^ a favourite fubje<5t of dilcourfe. The princi- ples *^> if. It INTRODUCTION. pies that animated them, have been carefully tranfinltted from generation to generation, and ,ue taithfully and zealoufly maintained to tliis day. The religious part of their enthufiafm has been dropped, but the political part fub- fiih unimpaired, and in its fuUefl vigour ; and no people are more warmly attached to thcprc- lervation of their rights and liberties. To this it is owing that no branch of know- ledge is cultivated with niore affidjity than that of the law ; the addiclion to this particu-r lar ftudy is general, one may almoil fay univer- fal, every New England-man being more or ]cf> of a lawyer. Hence it is, that perfons of genteel educa-^ tlon among them are remarkably more con- yerfant in the laws and conftitutlon of their country, than their equals in any other parts. This enables them to render their attainments in learning and literature, which are very con^ fiderablc, highly fublervient to the fervice and benefit of the public. The four New England governments being tlius originally founded and peopled by the Puritanic party in England, during the iafl century, we are not to wonder at the venera- tion entertained for their chara6ler by their de- fcendants, nor at the warm adherence profeil: by thefe for their political and religious tenets. The partiality to republican principles, that fo diftinguiihingly charadterizes the people of New England, flows from this fource. It ftrongly marks and Influences all their mea- fares, and is hardly lefs vifible in their private life, C ;! r I Ul f I 12 INTRODUCTION. lite, than in their public tranlaclions. Thi3 might be exemplified by a variety of inftances. 7'hey cherifli the memory of the great cham- pions of the republican caufc, in the days of Charles the Firft, to fuch a degree, that even before the Revolution that has deprived Great- Britain of America, it was common to fee their pidures and prints placed in the fame room, in a line with thofe of the Britilh Monarchs. When all thefe confiderations are duly weigh- ed they form an irrt liftable proof that a defire of independence of any authority inimical to Republican tenets, mufl always have exlftcd in the minds of men, who had been tradition- ally, as it were, undc liieir powerf ullefl influ- ence. Their invariable conduct upon all fuch occa- fions as favoured theic principles, proves how deeply rliey were rooted in their hearts. It is well known with wiiat exultation they partook of the triuni])lis of the Republican party in Eng- land ; and with what unfeigned forrow they received the news of the refloration of mo- narchy, in the pcrfon of Charles the Second. Tliat fo high-fplrlted and rcfolute a people would certainly embrace the tirfl opportunity of allerting a caufe that had been fo dear to theif anceflors, was obvious to all who had ftudied their charaiSler, and were acquainted with theif ftory. From a variety of pallages, it affords the highefi- probability that they would not ii'ive waited for the prefent day, to difmember tliemfelves from the empire of Britain, if cir- tumfhnces had invited them. Notwithfland- ing I N T R O D U C T I O M. Ij inr the impraclicabUlry of bringing about fuch an event, it had its partizans and abc-ttors ahnoll abetto in the infancy of their colonization. Ideas ot this tendency prevailed among them lb long ago as the reign of the aforementioned iMo- 11 arch. If the people of New England are unfriendly to monarchy, tliey ilill bear a greater averiion to the Church of England. I'he leverc treat- ment of their anceftors by Archbifhop Laud, dwells ineffacably in their memory ; and the mildnefs of the preient Ecclefiafi'ical govern- ment in England, has not been able to atone for the errors and tranfgrellions of fome of its former rulers. They feem to look upon the Hierarchy as a body of men calculated for the fupport of arbitrary power; and often cite the fervile attachment of feveral Englifh Prelates to the ablurd maxims of pafUve obedience to the will of the Sovereign. As refinance to a tyrannical government is the foundation-flone of their political fyftein, they view with equal contempt and abhorrence all men who profefs unlimited fubmiliion to their Princes ; and as they infifl upon a perfect equality among all their religious teachers, they no lefs dilclaim all ranks and degrees that confer Spiritual authority among the clergy. , Thus tiieir inclinations and maxims arc equally unfavourable to thofe on which the government of Church and State is founded in England. Notwithftanding the good fenlc and moderation prevailing among them, pre- vewts their breaking out iu harfli language, yet their il INTRODUCTION.* their invcflives, though polite, are not the lefs pointed, and manifefl an irreconcilenble en- mity to the religious and political conftitutioii of the mother-country. This frame of mind i? univerfally diffnfed over the four provinces of Maffachufet, Con- iiedicut. New Hampfl^irc, and Rhode Ifland. The inhabitants, with few exceptions, are of that religious perfuafion known by the denomi- nation of Congregationalifts, or Independents. Tlie leaders and ruling men among them are all rigid dlflenters from the church of England- None hut fuch have any chance of becoming popular. The fmall numbers who profefs the religion of the parent ftatc, are beheld with an invidious eye, and as kcret foes to the country they live in. There was a t^me, indeed, when they were held in fuch detcflation, that they were not even tolerated by the adverfe party. Strange as it may feem, this outrnireous behaviour was predominant at the very a:;ra of their emigra- tion, when their debility was fuch, that a royal mandate from England would have fufficed to erulh them. One knows not on this occafion at which to teftify the moft lurprize, the auda- c-ioufnefs of their conducl, or the pallive for-^ bearance of the Englhli minlftry. The truth was, that religious zeal only pro- moted the colonization of New England. Tlie {\y(\. fcttlers, who lied to a wildernefs for the fake of maintaining their opinions againft all oppolers, were determined to fuffer no contra- didion ; they pcrfccuted therefore ail whodif-- Acred )ro- rhe the all tra- dif- :red I N T R O D U C T I ir. I^ fcrcd from them, and fcemcd refolvcd to re- taliate, as it were, tor the perlecution they had fo longendLired. As policy, and worldly con (i- dcrations, had lirtlc or no lliare in their a(S^ious, they were totally rcp^ardlefs of the danger they incurred by the violence with which their con- du£l was atter.dc d ; and they continued many years to a6l in the fame manner, to the great fcandal of the moderate and judicious part of fociety, and the high difgrace of their own character. Such was the fituation of tlie Britirti Colo- nies in general, throughout North America, and of the New England provinces in particu- lar, when the pacification above-mentioned opened one of the mofl: remarkable fcenes that ever commanded the attention of the world. The French, who have for many ages been the profeft and natural enemies of England, had long viewed, with equal envy and appre- henfion, the flourifliing flate of thofe Colonies ihe had founded in North America. In order not to remain behind-hand with a rival, whofe growing greatnefs they were always ftudious to oppole, they alfo made fettlements in that wide-extended continent, and endeavoured to make up by policy, or by force, the deficiencies of foil and fituation, in the countries that had fallen to their lor. As the nature of their government is more flwourable to military than to commercial ex- ertions, they accordingly formed unnumbered projedls of that kind for the aggrandizement of rheir colonies, They ereded a multitude of ' ^ forts 'r- • 3i t6 INTRODUCTION. forts and fortifications, thrown like a chain over every part of the continent, where they could frame any pretence of fettling, and cal- culated to connect eftablifhments and territo- ries at an immenfe diftance from each other. But as ambition and prudence are often apt to be at variance, they forgot that without wealth and population, no territory can be worth defending. Thus amidft the immenfe tra^fts throughout which their foldiery was Rationed, nothing was fccri but the apparatus of war;- military piles of building, and maga- zines of warlike llores, rifuig in the midft of deiarts. The country round was a folitude, planted with forefts, and only vifited occafion- aljy by favages, in their hunting feafons. Far other was the policy of their Englifh neighbours : — Inftead of confuming themfelves in unprofitable attempts at a needlefs extenfion of territory, they conhned themfelves to a care- ful cultivation of what they poflefled, and never thought of augmenting it, but in proportion to the demands of an increafing population. — Thus their advances were gradual ; they never came forward till the ground they left behind tliem was well tilled and occupied. Such a difference in the fyftem of coloniza- tion, could not fail of producing the moft op- pofite confequences. At the expiration of a century after their refpedtive foundations, the poiTeifu^ns of France were comparatively poor, barren, and thinly inhabited ; while thofe of Eiigland were rich, fertile, and full of an in-»- duftrious and thriving people, . ..; . ,.. . Lo'^S INTRODUCTtONi »? iiza- op- >f a the |oor, of in-- Ions: .a, ■'•fy Long before the breaking out of the war be- tween Great-Britain and France, in one thou- fand feven liundred and fifty-five, the French had at various times entertained ideas ofeffedl- ing a feparation between the EngHfh and their American Colonies. Convinced it was not in their power to fubdue them by force of arms, flill however they perfifled in their defign, in hope of finding fome means ofwrefling them out of the han^s of England* In the mean time, their natural impatience and impetuofity unable to bear with much de-» lay, wr.s continually prompting them to hafleii an event, from which they promifed them-' fclves fo much fatisfadtion. They again betook themfelves to their for-* mer fchemes and contrivances : claiming terri- tories that were in pofleffion of the Englifh, and incroaching upon *thofe fettlements that lay neareft to them, and appeared the moft open and defencelefs. When the fpirit of the Brltifh nation, pro- voked at thofe infults, was fufficiently roufed, they then perceived how feeble and unavailing their plans mull prove, and how little they could depend upon the exertions that France could make in that part of the world* But it was now too late to recede i-^^As they had called forth their enemy to an open con- tefl, they were obliged to fland the chances of war, and to colled their whole flrength and vigour for a trial that threatened evidently to p rove the laft that would ever be made by one VoL.L No.L B of iS INTRODUCTION* n.i of the contending parties in the plains of North ^ America. After the events of war had decided in fa- vour of Great-Britain, it now remained for France to bring about through her policy and intrigues, what fhe had not been able to com- pafs by her valour and military Ikill. The circumftances of the times were highly favourable to her wiflies. The European powers did not fee without fecrct dilTatisfiic- tion, the amazing increafe of the power of Great-Britain, through fo many lands and feas. They began immediately on the con- clufion of hoftilities, to view this ifland in the fame light they did France during the reign of Lewis tlie Fourteenth ; as a ftate whofe power was too difproportionate for the peace and fe- curity of Europe; and upon which therefore it behoved them to keep a watchful eye, that no opportunity miglit be loft of reducing it within narrower bounds. As its ftrcngth arofe in a great meafure from its American dependencies, it was chiefly thefe that European politics immediately had in contemplation to fever from their original founder. By breaking the connexion between them and Great-Britain, amultiplicity of advantages , otfered themfelves to their expectations. The viev/ of profiting by the immenfe trade they promifed themfelves, in a free intercourfe with thofe flourifliing colonies, was alone a fuffi- cient motive to engage them to labour earneft- ly for their emancipation irom the fovereignty of p lafure iefly had inal rnty of of Great-Britain ; but the principal objeft of their attention was to ftop the growth of the ftrength and influence of England, which had been widely felt before and during the late war, and were now become fo formidable, as to oc* cafion univerfal alarm and terror. Through her colonies in the Weftern hemi- fphere on the one hand, and her pofleflions in the Eaft Indies on the other, Ihe feemed to grafp, as it were, both extremities of the globe^ and threaten to monopolize the abfolute domi- nion of the ocean. The maritime powers of Europe, in parti- cular, faw this exaltation of Great-Britain with tlie extremeft jealoufy. Holland had felt its weight during the late war, in the interrup- tion of that trade which the Dutch had exerted themfelves to carry on clandeftinely for the French. The northern kingdoms had alfo ex- perienced its fuperiority in the fame line ; and they all were eagerly waiting for an opportu- nity to fet limits to her power. I3ut it was chiefly from France the principal danger arofe. Her refentment was inceflantly brooding over the mortifications fhe had receiv- ed in lier laft quarrel with England. She faw her ancient rival gloryiilg in her fpoils, and deriving new ftrength and vigour from her lof- fes. She faw her recovering faft from the diftrefles infe arable from war, and in the faireft way of arriving in the courfe of a few years, to a ftate of ftrength and opulence that would ff^t her above the reach of any ho- B z ftile 20 INTRODUCTION, r, 1 1 flile dcllgns from abroad, and fix her in a con- dition tu give laws to all her neighbours. Full of this conviiftion, which was in truth well founded, the French minillry were foon convinced, that the only method left them to deflroy that edifice of Britifh grandeur, which gave them io much umbrage, was to under- mine it. It was a rcfledlon highly offcnfive to the pride of a monarchy, long accuftomed openly to domineer over all her neighbours, that Ihe muft now place her principal dependence on under-hand intrigues, and dark contrivances, and truft to them alone for the accomplifli- inentof her defigns. No doubt at prefent fubfifls, that (lie began immediately after the Peace of Paris, to carry into execution the Tcheme fhe had formed for the feparation of the Britifh Colonies hom the mother-country. Confcious that whilfl a good intelligence laded between them, the fuperiority inufl lienceforth remain for ever on the fide of Bri- tain, it was only by their difunion (he could hope to regain the ftation and confequencc flie had formerly pofl'efl'ed in Europe. The firft fteps fhe took were to employ her fecret emiflaries in fpreading diffatisfadlion among the Britifh Colonifls, Their impor- tance w^as defcribed in the moft flattering co- lours, and their flrength reprefented as an ob- je6l of greater . magnitude than the pofl'eflors leemed aw^are of. The partiality of Great-Bri- tain to her own interefls, in the various regu- lations cori- INTRODUCTION. 21 latio!is oF tliclr comnicrcc abro.ul, and adnii- nilhatloii at liome, was dcpidcd in the ftrong- til 111' lit. No iiifmuations, in fhoit, were wanting, to excite a r{iirltot"dircont<.nt through- out the Colonies, and to intiife a notion, that it would be hlglUy for their intcrull: to catl ofF all dependence, and to (land intlrdy upon their own ground, free from all the (hackles and re- llraints with wlilch they were at prelent loaded. Thefe fentiments were far from unaccept- able to a people already prcpollellcd in favour of that liberty which was lb temptingly held out to their perceptions, and no ids prejudiced again 11 the prerogatives exerclltd over them in fuch a variety of fhapes. They were iii the fituatlon of an individual bordering oii manhood, and who beginning to feel his vi- gour, is no longer willing to fubmlt to much controul. The effefls produced by the machinations of the French, were precilely fuch as they had intended and expeded. The difpofition of the inhabitants of North America began gradually to alter from that warmth of at- tacluTient to the mother-country, w^hich had fo peculiarly charadlerized them. They began to view her rather in the light of a fovereigii, thanof a parent, and to examine, witliafcru- pulous nicety, the nature of tliofe ties that rendered them parts of her empire. ^3 HISTORY *% :"i :iU! i; III tf 1^ , >* m # I* HISTORY O F T H E w A Ri ■ m CHAPTER th FIRST. The Stamp A6i and its Confequences, SUCH vyas the fitiiatlon of the North American Colonies, when thofe meafures took place in England, that were produdive ot the greatell events that have happened within many ages. The long and bloody war that Great Britain had waged againil the united ftrength of the Houfe of Bourbon, though highly fuccefsful, had been equally expenfive. The triumphs of our fleets and armies in fo many parts of the world, had been purchrjcd at an enormous price; and both the blood and treafure of the nation had been profufed to obtain them. The debts contraded by the nation in the fup^ port of the laft and former wars, amounted to the amazing fum of one hundred and forty eight mil- lions ; for which an intereft of near five millions B 4 . was 24 HISTORY OF THE was annually paid. Thefe immenfc charges were born with a patience and equanimity not inferior to the fpiric and rcfolutiou with which they had been incurred ; but they were a load under which the na- tion began to ftagger. Taxes of every denomination were levied upon the public. Every branch of bufinefs was exa- mined ; and every chuimel of trade explored, in order to aiiefs them with their proportion of con- tributions. After (training, apparently to their utmofl bear- ing, che refources left at home, the idea was fug- gefLcd of calling in the affiOance of the Colonics, in a more direft and explicit manner than had hi- therto beeii done. As the late quarrel had been occafioned chiefly on their account ; and as they derived the great and principal benefits of the peace, it was thought equitable they fhould make lome more than com- mon returns for thofe advantages, ^ Their ability to contribute largely to the common exigencies, was deemed indubitable; but their vvil- lingnefs was no lefs called in quelVion ; and it was reprefented as an attempt full of danger, to make ufe of compulfion in cafe they fliould refufe. Whatever might be the neceilities of the mother country, the Colonies were fully perfuaded that the fole and exclufive enjoyment of their whole trade, was a tax in itfelf more than proportionably ade- quate to all thofe that were levied upon the people of Great Britain. This plea had undoubtedly its weight in the ap^ preheniion of all moderate and impartial people; but while they allowed the Coloniils to alledgc it as a realbn for treating them with great lenity in the point of taxation, they did not, at the fame time, imagine that it was a gonclufive argument for their declining ■<:: 1 t "■■■■J ining L A T E W A R. 3^ declining to afford any other kind of relief to the parent ftate. ' ■' England in fecuring to itfelf r'.e exclufive trade of her Colonies, aded upon a principle adopted by all modern nations. She did no more than follow the example let before her by the Spaniards and Portugiiefe ; but llie followed it '. '^h a lenity to which the government in thofe nations is an utter granger. In' planting tbcfe diftant Colonies, flie enilowed thciH with every right and privilege enjoyed by her fubjcds at home : She left them at full liberty to govern themfelvcs, and of framing fuch laws and regulations, as the wifdom of their own legiflatures iliould point out as neci^ifary for the good of the community over which they prefided. In ihort> fhe gave them the am pled powers to provide for, and purfue their refped:ive interefts, in the manner they faw fit ; referving only the benefit of their trade, and of a political connexion under the fame fovereign. The Colonies founded by France and Holland, and before them by Portugal and Spain, did not ex* perience the fame indulgence. The two lattiT not only claimed the monopoly of their commerce, but governed them in many refpedts v/ith a rod of iron : burthening them with an endlefs chain of vexatious regulations ; cramping every exertion that feemed foreign to the views of the rulers at home, giving no encouragement b\5t to what tended diredily and immediately to their own intereft, and punifliing fe- verely whatever had a contrary tendency. Tho'io-h France and Holland did not adopt fuch oppreflive maxims, yet they were, in fadt, not much Icfs flri«ft and coercive. They fold, as it were, the propriety of their Colonies to mercantile affoci- ations. which, in order to make the moft of their bargain, loaded them with every incumbrance that a aiono- 36 HISTORYOF THE ; ' ' I . f' in a monopoUfing fpirit can fugged ; felling to them the commodities of Europe at an enormous ad' Vance ; taking the produce of their lands at the loweft prices they could compel them to re- ceive ; and difcouraging the growth and cultiva- tion of any more than they could difpofe of at an unreafonable profit at home. Such was, for a length of time, the unjufi: policy obfcrved by France, in particular, towards her Co- lonies: the confequences perfe(ftly correfponded with fo abfurd and barbarous a fyftem. Her tranf- marine polTeflions long remained without any fettled form or confiitency ; and never emerged to any profperity ; till taught by dear-bought experience, adminiflration faw the neceflity of taking them out of the hands of their monopolifers, and plac- ing her Colonifls on the footing of other fubjed:s. England never treated its Colonies in this un- gracious, illiberal mai.ner. Content with the ge- neral profits refulting from their trade, Ihe left it ©pen to every individual in her dominions. She did not confine it to particular ports, as in Portugal and Spain ; nor give it up to the extortion of a company of merchants, as in Holland and France. Thus her Colonifls, notwithitanding fome reflric^ tions, pofifefTed an immenfe flock in trade on their own account. Independently of the diredt remit- tance of what grew on their lands, to the fhipping that failed from England to receive it, the> carried oa a large exportation of their domeflic commodities, which, through the indulgence of the metropolis, was not confined to her fole harbours, but extended by judicious and well-timed regulations, to various parts of both hemifpheres. Hence the unreafonable gains fo common in the fale of European merchandize, in the Spanifh and Portuguefe colonies,! were unknown to thofe bc- Jonging to Great Britain ; where many articles were as i t I i L A T E w A n: 2y as cKeap, and fome even cheaper than in Enf^land itfelf, through the expcrtnels of men convcrfant with bufiiiefs, in the advantageous management of their flock. * No fuch thing is fccn in the Spanifh and Portu- guefe fettlements ; and but little of it in the French. Few are the trading veflels belonging to the former, and thofc of an inconfidcrable and di- minutive fize. The capital Ihips that vifit their har- bours, arrive from thofe of Portugal and Spain. Such is the narrow monopolizing difpofition of both thefe countries, that they fail in fleets, under the command of officers commiffioned by govern- ment, as if it dreaded to truft them to any other management. It is but lately the Court of Spain has altered fome of her regulations in this parti- cular. There was a generofity even in the reftriftions of Great Britain, o" the trade of her colonies, that fhewed they were not impofed ijti the wantonnefs of power; but evidently with a defign to repartition, as it were, the exercife and profits of commerce among the various inhabitants of her wide-extended dominions. While her fubjetflsathome were free to trade to all parts of the world, the fame permiffion in a nume- ' rous variety of articles, was granted to her colonifts ; * the northern climes of Europe, and the Eaft Indies ohly, were excepted. In Portugal, Spain, Italy, throughout the Mediterranean Sea, on the coafts of Africa, in all the American hemifphere, the veflels of the North American colonies enjoyed the moft unbounded and lucrative commerce. The encouragement given to this commerce was equally wife and beneficent. It tended in the di- redeft manner to the improvement of their coun- try, by increafing its commodities through an abun- dant exportation, and enabling them to clear and cultivate 1 ■ I it j 1 1 i; '' ml i :il 28 HISTORY OF 'T' H E cultivate the foil, through the fure and conrtant fale or the vail quantity of timber for all kinds of ufes, that accrued from the cutting down of their immcnfe forefts. Belide thefe two advantages, both of a capital and eflential nature, they poffeired others hardly lefs beneficial. They carried rum and fugar, together with the produce of their filheries, to every market within the above fpecified limits. Thefe branches employed fuch a multitude of ihipping, that the ports of thofe countries where they traded were con- tinually vifited, and often crouded with them. True it is, that a number of articles were alfo appropriated to an importation into Great Britain exclulivcly ; but when we duly consider this mat- ter, it will be found that the very nature of the countries poflelfcd by the Colonifts, gave them fuf- ficient occupation at home, without rendering it any ways necelfary for their profperity, that they Ihouid employ thcuifelves lb much abroad, as the inhabitants of a foil occupied by a numerous people, and whofe tillage had lafted for ages. It was rcalonable, therefore, to allot them prin- cipally the tafk of clearing and cultivating the im- menfe tradis they inhabit ; this would always prove a profitable bufinefs, and enable them to procure tbemfclves, on their own bottom, a never-fail- ing fund, from whence to fupply all their wantSjj^ and to furnifli, befides, a plentiful fupply for the purpofes of trade. The proof of this Is, that thofe places which are in the higheft cultivation, abound molt in riches and '{people. The population of Pcnnfyl- vraiia, which was founded fifty years after fome of the other colonies, bids fair, in time, to exceed them all. Jn the mean time, the trade in thofe articles of which Great Britan rc.erved the benefit to her- felf, % ^1 L A T E W A R. 29 I 1* ■1 w felf, d'ul not Interfere with the main pnrfuit of the Colonics. This being chiefly the purchafe of the convcnicncies of life, there was certainly no coun- try where the Colonics conM find them generally in greater, if fo great pcrfcdion ; and, confidering their intrinfic vuluc, where they could find them cheaper. Another confidcration occurs, and that of the inort material nature. The fituation of the Colo- nies isfuch, that it often happens in their dealings abroad, that a long courfe of credit is neceflfary for them. This they can find no where but in England. The opulence of our merchants is fo fuperior to that of thofe in any other country upon earth, that it enables them to wait for the returns of their trade, nmch beyond the time that any others can afford. Neither fliould it be forgotten, that the r.n^plefl: liberty of trading in all their reciprocal commodi- ties, fubfifled between North America and the Englifh Weft Indies. This was a fund from whence they derived immcnfe refources ; as it opened a channel through which they carried out 1 world of articles of their own produce, and received fup- })lies not only for their own confumption, but for the demands of that extenfive commerce which thev carried on in fo many parts of the globe. ^- Thus it appears, that notwithflanding the feve- ral reflraints that took place on the American tradf, enoucrh was left to render them a rich and flourifli- ing people. That they were fuch in reality, is well known to all who have the leaft acquaintance with that country. Its happinefs was vifible to all who vifited it. If ever any country might have been ftiled the feat of human felicity, Britilh North. America moft unqueflionably deferved the appel- lation. To fay that no partialities exifted in favour of Great Britain, would certainly be a violation of tru th 3® HISTORY OF THfi [Ml ■I: I'i' truth ; but let an unprejudiced man weigh In thc fcale of Jufticc, the conduct obferved by Great Britain towards her Colonies, and that which fo- reign ftates have purfued in refpe(5t to theirs, and then let him decide, which is the molt con- fident with humanity, jufticc, and policy* The great complaint of America, was the difcou- ragement of manufadtures, by confining every pro- vince to the ufe of its own, and preventing the re- ciprocal importation of their refpecftive fabrica- tions. This, it cannot be denied, was a fevere re- gulation ; but when we reflect, on the other hand, that moft, if not all of the articles thus prohibited, could be purchafed at a cheaper rate from England, the idea of feverity naturally annexed to fuch a pro- hibition, is much diminilhcd ; and it almoft va- niflies away on the additional confideration, that the hands thus employed would have been much more beneficially taken up, both in a public and in a private light, in the great and important bufinefs of agriculture, or of navigation. It ought, nevcrthelefs, to be allowed, that to curb the dilpofition of a whole people towards any branch of induftry or ingenuity, is a meafure to which it cannot be expedled that human nature will tamely fubmit. It is viewed as a fpecies of affront to the underftanding. The detriment that may pof- fibly arife from the prohibition, is not fo much re- fented as the prohibition itfelf. ' As mankind, therefore, will generally bear op- prelDSoii much more eafily than infult, it is probable that the rigorous injunctions precluding the fale of any mnnufadture of their own make, beyond their provincial boundaries, appeared to the Americans as calculated to crufii their native talents in the very infarcy of their exertion, and to cut off the fe advantages to which they were of right intitied, ^■* Pre- 't m '4 Pre- L A T E W A K. 31 ■ Preventions of this nature arc always the more odi- ous, as they leem levelled at the abilities of a peo- ple, and defigned as it were to keep them in a ftate of natural inferiority. For this reafon, undoubt- ed! v, they were eftccmed a heavy grievance through- out the American colonies ; and every individual confpircd, as it were, as much as in him lay, to elude them. It was probably owing to the difcontcnt arifing from regulations of this fort, that the liberality with which Great Britain aded in other inftanccs, was overlooked. She not only abftained from the laying of duties on her own manufadtures, but took off thofe on foreign articles when exported to America. Herein her conduct was very dif- ferent from that of the other European Hates with regard to their Colonifls, whom they force to receive fuch goods, loaded with all the duties they are charged with in their own ports. While this indulgence lafted, goods of foreign fabrication were often confiderably lower in price, in fome of the colonies, than in fome parts of Europe itfelf. It was not, therefore, without great murmurs and complaints in the Colonies, that a ceiTation of this indulgence took place immediately after the war. They looked upon this meafure as a prelude to others (till more difagreeable ; and began to think that Great Britain meant to try how far fhe might render them fubfervient to her convenience, and to what extent fhe might do it without endangering her own interefts. They were full of thcfe ideas, when the Britifh Miniftry, alarmed at the amazing increafe of fmug- gling, and the prodigious loffcs it occafioned to the revenue, took the relolutution to ufe every pollible effort in order to prevent it. To this intent, which in itfelf was perfedly juft and reafonablc, a fch'ime was :iii ■' 'M- ' ii N 32 TriSTORVOFTHE was propofcd and embraced, which proved hitrhi/ pernicious in its confcqiicnces, and rendered the re- medy much worfc than the dilealc. A number of armed cutters were flationcd around the coalls of Great Britain, to the commanders of which the flri(^lert orders were iilued to a6t in the capacity of revenue officers. They were enjoined to take the ufual Cullom-houlc oaths, and to ob- ferve the regulations prefcribed by thi'm. Never was a more ignominious duty impofcd npon men of gallantry and fpirit. It funk the brave and cntcrprizing feaman into a meer tide-waiter. That eagernefs and zeal which had been employed in the fcarch and attack of an enemy, was now ex- crcifed in the difcovery and feizure of prohibited goods ; and the courage which they had difplaycd in tlie fervice of their country, was now dircfted againil: their fellow fubjedis. H'.idthcfe unwifc meafures, however, been con- fined at home, the evils they produced would have been fo much circumfcribcd, that on due experi- ence of them, they might in time have been obvi- ated ; but as one wrong il:ep is generally productive of others, the fame unfortunate fpirit that planned them for the coaft of Britain, extended them to the fhores of America. The outcry was great againfl them in England ; but in America it was outrageous. As it could not be fuppofcd that genilemen bred in the naval fer- vice were converfant in the laws and nfages of the Cuftom-houfc, they were often guilty of infringing them. Remedies were at hand in England; but in America it was difficult, and in fome cafes almoft impracfticab)'* to obtain redrefs, from the tediouf- nels of forms, and the diitance of places. To this grievance, which weighed heavy through* out a country where much liberty of trade had been fuffered !. ! the rc- Eirounc! icrs of in the ijohicd to ob- npoftd i brave waiter, ployed ow ex- liibitec played ircdted :n con- ,d have ;xpcri- 1 obvi- ludive 4 aimed to the land ; lid not al fer- of the nging but almoft diouf- ough* i been iffered ' I> A T E WAR. " 53 fufferecl and connived at, another quickly fucceed- rd, no Irfs, if not more obnoxious to the trading part of the community. A lucrative branch of commerce had, for rnore than a century, been carried on between the Britilh ifliinds in the Weil Indies, and the Spanilh^ fettle- mcnrs on the vaft continent of South America : it had for many years been largely participated by the North American colonies. It was a commerce of the cleareil >i;ain and benefit to the Britifh trader ; it con- fided in a prodip;ious cxchan[2;e of all kinds of Bri- tilh commodities for the precious metals. Sonfiblo that the advantages lay entirely on the fute of Great Britain, and was ruinous to the in- trrcils of S[)ain, that monarchy had always oppofed this commerce with all its might. Guarda-collaS were commifiioned to fcour the wide-extended .coads of her American dominions, and to feize every vcflel that approached too near them ; a talk •which they executed with fuch indifcriminate li- ccnfe, that it provoked the war which broke out between Great Britain and Spain, in one thoufand feven hundred and thirty-nine But though this commerce was in direft oppofi* fition to the orders of Spain, and could not there- fore beconfidered as ftridtly legal, it certainly waS not the bufinefs of Great-Britain to prevent it. The new f.'dem however adopied by the Britifli mini* flry, was purfued as if a convention had been made with the Spaniih Court for that very purpofe. The Britifh cruizers acfted as if they had received their coramidlons from Spain, and were to be rewarded by her for ded.roying this commerce. They did it tffcftually ; and in a iTiort fpace of time it v;as al- mod: whollv annihilated. «■■ This to the Northern Colonies was a deprivation of the mod; ferious nature. This traffic had long .proved the mine from wl.cncc they drew thofe fup- VoL. I. No. I, C plies !i' M! ^4. HISTORY OK T II n plies of pjoUl aiul filvcr, that cnablcil thcin to niakr copious icmittanccs to I'l-ngland, and to proviilc a fufticiciKV of current fpccic at home. It gave life to liufinel's of every ilenoiuination, by the facility with which payments were made. A proportion- able increafc of trade kept pace with this readinefs •of calh, anil a reciprocal circulation of money and merchandife was tivabliihed, to the benefit of all parries concerned. . A fudden ftop being thus put to this profperous •Career, all America felt it to its vitals, and broke out in the loudell complaints againil the fervllc .complaifancc of Britain to Sj)ain ; and the ill po- licy of iifobliging its own fubjeCts to humour foreigners. • Their complaints were judly founded ; but the .evil ilar of Britain began to predominate : the Mi- niftry continued in the refolutions they had taken ; .and, as if thefe had not done fufficicnt niifchicf, they followed them, v/ith others no lefs offenfivc to the Americans. " ■ In the Scffion of Parliament of March, one thou- fand feven hundred and iixty-four, a Bill was fram- ed, laying heavy duties on the articles imported- into the Colonics from the French and other iflinds in the Weft Indies, and ordering thefe duties to be paid in fpccie into the Exchequer of Great Bri- tain. • The injufticeand abfurdity of this new law, both .0/ which were equ-jJly glaring, excited, afrefh, the murmurs of the Colonifts. They reprefented, in the llrongefl terms, how inconvenient it was, after depriving them of the means of obtaining fpecie, to infift upon their paying thofe duties into the Bri- tilh Treafury in fpecie alone. But that which perplexed and incenfed them more than all the reft, was the Bill paflcd in the fame Seffion, LATE w A k: 35 .0 mnkr oviik' 11 ;avc lik- I'acility ■jortion- L'jdind's iicy and t of all )rpero\is d broke ] krv'ilc : ill po- humour but the the Mi- .1 taken ; icf, they c to the nc thou- as fram- nportcci- T iflands ies to be cat Bri- iw, both rcfh, the nted, in las, after fpecie, the Bri- ^Sclfx)!!, to rcftrain the currency of paper money In the Colonics. All thcfc new regulations treading fo clofc, as it were, upon each orhcr, were objeds of equal fur- prize and difplcafure to the people of North Ame- rica. It was a fchemc to them, in fome refpetft, en- tirely new; as notwithftandinp various laws had, from rime to time, been enaded regarding their commercial intcrcourfe, they had ufually been made at confukrablc intervals, and did not wear that ap- pearance of rellraint and coercion, nor weigh upon them in the manner of the prcfent. Warm and {piritedremontlranccs were fent home from America, pleading their caufe in the language of men who think themfelves ill ufed, and are de- termined to obtain redrefs. They laid every argu- ment before the Miniftry, that ingenuity, prompt- ed by intercH", could furnifh them with : they rea- foned, they expoitulated ; in fhort, they ufed every hicthod that could be employed, to prevail upon the ruling powers to recall what they had done. Among other allegations, they explicitly menti- oned that fuch rcftraints upon their trade were inad- niifllblc in America, as they diredtly tended to put an end to the clearing of their lands, and the pro- fecution of their fiHieries. Unlefs thofe foreign ports where they depofited the furplus of their corn, and of the provifions of all kinds abounding in their country, were freely opened to them, whi- ther muft they carry them ? The Britiih iflands in the Weft Indies could not alone confume them. Britain did not want them. Difpofe of them fome- where they muft; and where could that be, unlefs in places where they would fetch a reafonable price ? It were the height of partiality to deny the vali- dity of thefe reafonings : it was obvious to all dif- earning and judicious people ; their cafe was not> C 2. therefore* T a Y OF T U K i\ 36 K I therefore, lefi to them alone to mahitain; It galrn ed a multitude of partifans in the mother country, and was openly and warmly efpoufed by feme of the mofl refpedable characters in the land. Rut in America they did not Hop at bare com- plaints. When they found that their remonftrances were inefTcdiual, they bethought themfelves of ufmg; fome more elFicacious means to convince the Bri- tifli Miniilry of the error they Ixad committed, in running counter to the opinions and defigns of a nu- merous people, fituated at. fuch a diftance, and able, in a variety of ways, to elude their intentions. ' They now, for the firlt time, united in a gene- ral oppofition to the views of the Britiili Miniitry. Meetings were held, and refolutions were taken to make no further importations from Great Britain of what was not of abfolutc neccffity ; and to encou- rage, to the utmoft of their power, every fpecies of juanufadure tliat was pradicable among them. In this rcfolution multitudes immediately con- curred, to the great detriment of the manufadurers in England, who were not fparing of their difap- probation of the miniilerial meafures, and exprell- cd it in the moil violent and refentful terms. But the Miniilry was proof againft all kind of oppolition. It proce^xled, flep by flep, in the exe- cution of its projecls ; as if nothing was wanting to complete them, but a firm refolution to do it. In order, however, to mix lenity with firmnefs^ they palled feveral Ads favourable to the commerce of the Colonics, hoping thereby to footh them into. fubmifuon to tht51c that had given them fo much. di!H,'Jli. ^ . Init the Colonics were now become fo full of fuf- punon^, and placed lb little reliance on the good will of the Miniilry, that their whole attention was. liken up in deviling m.eans to thwart their meafures* TIk'v paid liLLlc rt'irrii'd lo .ihclc conceffioiis, which • tftey •untry, of the z com- trances •f iifing; \Q Bri- tcc], ill if a mi- ld able, lis. a genc- jniltrv. akon to itain of encou- fpecies them. iy con^ kdiurers [' difap- xprcii- I dnd of he exe- ithig to it. rmnefs,, nmerce ^m into ) muck of fuf- good on was. ^afures. which fhey 37 4 T. A T E WAR. thcynow looked upon as mccr ai-tificc, ufcdonly to tlccov them into ^ecurit^ and inattention to their o.vn intereib. They .were further confirmed in this belief, by the advice they received Ihortly after, that the Mi- nillrv had it in contemplation to cftablilli ilamp du- ties in America fmiilar to thofe already fettled in Great Britain. The pretence upon which the Miniftry founded this.meafure, gave as much offence as the meafurc jtlelf. It was voted by the Houfeof Commons as juiT: and requifitc towards defraying the expcnccs neccf- fary for the protedfion of the Colonies. The receipt of this advice ro.Ued the fury of the Americans to the higheft pitch. The proteiftion that was alledged, they deemed not only unnecef- fary, but an ablblute nufancc. They wanted, they faid, no proteitlors but themfelves ; and were more than adequate to fuch a tafK againil any enemy they had to apprehend. The military forces that were Rationed over fe- veral parts of the Continent, thev reprefented as cipially dangerous and expenfivc. They were, from the nature of their profcilion, a conftant check upon the liberty of the fubjed: ; and were at the fame time a heavy charge on the public. It was in vain pleaded by the mother countrv, that a regular body of well-difciplhicd men was an indiipenfible requifite in all itates. This might be admitted in England, and other countries in Eu- rope; but was evidently otherwife in America, where the Indians alone remained, whom it was no very dillicuk matter to keep in awe. The truth was, that Great Britain, under the pretext of providing for the fafcty and deknce of its colonies, meant only to fccure their obedience, nnd to terrify them into an implicit acciuiefccnce in ali its di^ttutcs. C 3 Such '' i 30 HISTORY OF THE Such were the fentiments that pervaded all Ame- rica, when firic they were apprized that taxes were to be laid upon thenij for the lupport of the troops on that eftablilhment. The previous notice of a Bill of this kind being in agitation, has, by fome politicians, been con dcmned as a flep that betrayed wavering and hefi- tation In the Councils of the mother country, and that betrayed too much of fear and want of refolu- tion, for the Colonills not to perceive it» Had the Miiiiflry proceeded at once to carry its rcfolves into immediate execution, they would have met with much lefs refirtance, than by making them known in this manner, a full twelvemonth before they ven- tured to give them the force of law. Thifi was, in fadt, putting the queftion to the people of Ame- rica, whether they v/ould content to them or not. The interval between this notice and the ap-. proaching fcflion, that was to determine their fate, was marked in America by the moil violent fer- mentation. The minds of the inhabitants fcemed to be undergoing a total transformation trom their preceding Hate. Inftead of their late peaceable and ileady attachment to the Britifh nation, and its in- tcrcils, they were daily lofing their refped:, and falling off from that complying difpofition which had fo long characfterized them. It was not only among detached individuals that fuch a difpofition prevailed ; it was no lefs vifible among their public and corporate bodies ; and af- fcdled even the members of their government and Icgillatures. The General Affemblics of Maffa- chufet and New York, expreffed their diliatisfac- tion and alarm, in terms that fully fhewcd how lire ngly they were determined to rejed: nny mea-- fia'es that might be framed in contormity with the prefent views of the Britilh piniilry. * • They LATE W A R. 39, They did not flop here. — They came to Ibaic relblutions, in conicqucncc of thofc that had been taken in the Britilh Houfe of Commons, v.hieh amply manifefted how inflexibly they were uvcrfc to them. They accompanied their refolurions with iH petitions to X.\\^ Houlc of Comnions, intreating I; them to give no countenance to the propolais ot the miniilrx". lii During the fpring fellion of one thoufand fcvcn hundred and fixty-fivc, adminidration informed the agents of the fcvcral colonies, refident in London, ::% that if their conftituents would pro])ofc any other ■'% mode of raifing the fum intended to be levied by ilamp-duties, their propofal would be accepted, and the flamp-duty laid afidc. The agents replied, that they were not authorifcd to give any anfwcr; hut wer« inftructed to oppofe the bill, when it llioukl brought into the Houfe of Commons, by petitions, qucllioning the right claimed by Parliament of tax- iiiii the Colonies. Full time had been given ihem to canvafs this :: dangerous qucftion In the amplelf manner. They had prepared a diverfity of arguments in oppofition to the Parliamentary pretenhons. They objetfled, that the powers intended to be given to the Vice- admiralty courts in America, by the acl: for lay- M ii^g ibamp-duties, would prove a fourcc of intolc- '^^ rable grievance, by their dilbmce from each other ; ,.j!; and ftill more, by their deciding without the inter- vention of a jury. They alledged, at the fame time, that the pay- ments required by the aCt being in fpccie, would infallibly drain them of the little coin remaining for neceliary circulation, and prove an infurmoun- table impediment in the way of trade. Bu: that which they urged as the moll cogent., and moil forcible of all arguments, was, — that not being reprefented in the Britifh Parliament, it, cguld have no right to tax them. This they affirm- C 4 ed 40- HISTORY OF THE l-i!' I 1 I .1 cd in the moft open and explicit terms; afferting, at the feme time,: that they alone were competent to judge what taxes they were able to bear. They claimed, therefore, the right of exercifing this judgment exclufively, and of impofing taxes upon themfelves, without the interference of any others. This was a language which Great-Britain had never before heard from her Colonies. The ruling powers liftened to it with anger and indignation. — ■ But it was not the Colonies alone that fpoke in this flile : — It was taken up with no lefs warmth and refolution even in the Parliament itfelf, and was now fpread over the nation at large, The principles adopted by the Americans, were main- tained by numbers, with as much vehemence as if the caufe of the Americans was their own. The miniflry were equally chagrined and afto* nifhed at the violence with which lb great a pro- portion of the nation efpoufed the preteniions of the Colonies, As the fyltem of taxing them had been previoufly determined upon, they knew not how to recede from a iiieafure that was to be the firft effay in that important trial. They were loath to aban-. don at once an attempt, from which they had pro- mifed thcmrelves fo much utility, in cafe of fuc- cefs. They were as eager to go forward in the profecution of their fcheme, as their adverfaries were that they lliould defift, notwithflanding they clearly fa w the perils that mu ft- jvt tend it.' "^r" / • • But the time -Was now c'6me, that Brifein was to be involved in tfie moft tremenduous and deftruc- tive quarrel that had befallen her for the courfe of many ages. ' ^^^8"^* *"^"A. ' ^ Impelled by that prepoueffioriin favour of a long ^ cherilbed idea, which th^eft (and wifefl men are io often not able to refift , '•Jdrhurtiitd by that im- petuof.ty which the heat of party naturally infpires, ihe i)i^iniftry bore down :dl oppofuion. The ftamp^ •1 ; • -ikiX LATE rcrting, etent to They ng this .'s upon others, ain had e ruling ition. — ' )oke in warmth ?lf, and , The I main- ice as if id afto' a pro- s of the ad been how to ft effay aban-. ad pro- of fuc- in the erfaries g they was to eftruc- urfe of a long ^ Hen are at im- fpires, amp^ w A r; ' • p- S.0: was pafTed by a Parliamentary majority, in fpite of the arguments within doors, the clamours without, and the fpiriced and repeated remonitran- ces of the Colonies. This famous ad: ha-^. juftly been confidered as the prelude and occaiion of all the fubiequcnt llorms, that raged not only in North America, but extended their horrors ro almoti: every other quarter of both hcmifphercs. It5 arrival in America threw immediately the whole continent into flames. Bollon, the capital of New England, where the news firft arrived, cx- prclled its refentment in a manner pcrfcdtly fuit- able to the violent fpirit with which its inhabitants have always oppofed whatever they have deemed injuftice and oppreffion. The colours of the flip- ping, of the harbour were hoiftcd half-mail, the beils of the churches were muffled, and tolled a funeral peal ; the atl was printed with a death's- head affixed to it, in lieu of the king-arms : — It was crycd about the ftreets, and lliled ** The Folly of England, and the Ruin of America." Thcfefirft effufions of refentment and rage, were followed by numberlcfs attacks from the public papers. They arraigned both the juftice and policy of the tax ; and reprefented it as repugnant to the dignity and wifdom of the Britifli nation, and as pregnant with every evil that could caufe a long and deep repentance. Emblems of the moft hoftile fignification were at the fame time adopted by fundry news-papers :— • One of them, in particular, exhibited the figure of ot a fnake, cut in feveral pieces, each one infcribed with the name of fome Colony : the motto above them was " Join, or Die !" ^ The a(^litfelf whs trea«td with the moft ignomi- rious contempt. It was publicly committed to the fiames in feveral places by the inraged populace, together £'i 'I 4Z. HISTORY OF THE together with the effigies of fuch as were imaglnc'd, to have been its framers and promoters. Ships that arrived with flamped papers on board, were obliged to deliver them up into the cuflody of per- fons appointed to prevent their being iifed ; or to enter into an engagement that they would not land them. The only places where they could be effec- tually protected from the fury and inlblence of the multitude, were men of war, and garrifons. The perfons who were commifTioned to diflri- butc thefe papers, were all, without exception, compelled to refign their office, and foleihnly pro- mife never to refume k. . But their chief refentment was dire(5led agalnft fuch of their own countrymen as fided with Govern- ment, and were ad\ive in afTerting its authority. — They plundered their houfes, dellroyed their pro- perty, and ufed their perfons with the utmofl in- dignity. While thefe outrages were perpetrated by thj: lower clafles, the better fort did not interfere in the ieafl to prevent them. They faw, with fecret pleafure, how well they would be fupported in the determination they had formed to refift the deligns of Great-Britain. Some of them did not fcruplc to fignify in a public manner, that they would pay no taxes, but fuch as were laid upon them by the legillature of their refpe(5tlve province. The AfTemblies themfelves connived, in fadt, at thefe tumultuous proceedings, by declining to siffift their Governors, and other officers inveflcd with lawful authority, cither with their advice or countenance. They left them to act fmgly, as they might think proper, without giving them- felves any concern about the riots, thofe who ex- cited them, or fuch as were the fufferers. They loon proceeded farther ; and from filcnt fpcdators, became the principal actors, in the more intereiling I. A r E W A R. 43 Ships 1, were of per- ; or to lot land le efFcc- e of the X diftrU :eption, ily pro- [ again ft Govern- ority. — eir pro- nofl in- { by the re in the h fecrct d in the defigns fcruple would icm by adt, at Ing to inveflcd vice or igly, as them- ho cx- n filent he more :erc{lin^ intcreflino- and important fccnes that fuccecdcd fa thefc popular commotions. Emboldened by what they faw, and what they daily heard from all parts of the couil- ncnt, they now ftepped forth, and rcfoiuiely avowed their fentlments in the face of the world. They openly declared, that the authority afTumed over North America was illegal ; and that Great- Britain had no right to impofe taxes upon them, without their own free content. In thefe reiblves, the concurrence of the various Colonics was univerial. Never had fuch unanimity appeared among them upon any antecedent occa- fion. Though differing in a number of ellential points, both civil and religious, there was no dif- fcnting voice among them in their oppolition to the dcfign's of the Britifh miniitry. l"he Colony of Virginia was the firft to begin the work of open and formal denial to the requifitions of the mother-country. It declared fully and ex- plicitly, that the General Aflembly of the Pro- vince, together wich the King of Great-Britain, or his lubditute, had, in their reprefentative capa- city, tiic fole and exclufive right and power to lay taxes and impoHtions upon the inhabitants; and that every attempt to veft fuch a power in any other ]icrk)nsbutthofe conftituting the general aflembly, was illegal, unconllitutional, and unjuft ; and had a manifelt tendency to deilroy Britifh, no lefs than American freedom. The reiblves of the other Provinces ran much In the fame ftrain, and bore evident marks of the moit rooted and inflexible determination to abide by them, at all events, and to flop at no meafures that might become ncccflary to fupport and enforce them. In the mean time, to give efficacy to theie refo-e lutlons, and to make the people in England feel fiiorc readily the con{i.^qucnces of their diiratisfac- tion. ^jj? ', V. 44 HISTORY OF THE !'i I .ii I- .:l ,1 ,, > •! I, 11 lip tion, the merchants and traders entered publicly Into reciprocal agreements to order no more goods from Great-Britain, nor even to permit the falc of fuch as might be configncd to them, after the expiration of the prefent year. In order to fupply the deficiency of Britifh goods, they now betook themfelves to a regular encourage- ment of all forts of domeilic manufa(flures. An allbciation was formed for this purpofe at New York, and througli the premiums it offered, quick- ly excited the indudry of the numerous emigrants that had in the courfe of the preceding years refort- ed to America from all parts of Europe. Fabrica- tions were fet on foot of fuch commodities as could not be difpenfed with ; and, in a little time, quantities of the coarfeft and commonefl forts were brought to market, and chearfully preferred to the Englifli, though dearer, and of an inferior quality. Such was, at the fame time, their zeal and care to provide abundantly for the execution of this fchcme, that a refolution was taken to abflain from the eating of lamb, that no wool might be wanting for the ufe of thofc manufa«flurcs of which it was the chief material. Thofe elesjancies which were of Britiili make and importation, were now univerfally laid afide : the women did not yield to the men in thefe inftances of fclf-denial ; and were as exemplary in refufing every article of decoration for their perfons, and of lux- ury for their tables. Such a remarkable revolution In the dirpofulon and behaviour of its colonies, ftruck the Rritiih government with the deepcfl alarm. They beheld multitudes of artificers, of all denominations, on the point of being reduced to the moll deplorable diitrefs. They law the manufactories, fiourlihing in fo many parts of the kingdom, in danger of im- mediate deitructlon. The Colonics were computed to :i!! 1# dlclvlnto ods from of fucli xpiratioii '•> fli goods, \ icourage- rcs. Ap at New d, quick- ■ imigrants irs rcfort- Fabrica- dities as tie time, forts were red to the r quality. I and care of this lain from e wanting ch it was L A T E WAR. 4,5 To rake off annually, full three millions worth of their proi uce. The lofs of To confiderable a branch of trade, was an idea not lobe born with patience ; and yet to perfilt in the fyllem of colony taxation, luuii inevitably occafion it, with, perhaps, more land confequences. It does not, however, appear that thefo confide- rarions made much imprellion upon the Miniftry thai had planned and executed the mcafures which now threatened lb much mlfchief. It is probable thev imagined that after the firft fermentation was over, the minds of people would cool, and return of themfelves to their former Hate of acquicfcence Z\.\\^ conformity to the will and defire of the parent ihite, rather than involve themfelves in an alterca- tion, that would certainly bring with it a variety of dillreHes, and mull necclVarily intangle them in dif- fietdries from which they would not poflibly extri- cate thenifelves according to their expediation';. Thofe, indeed, were not only the fentiments of the minillry ; — they were adopted by numbers at that time ; and continue ilill to be the peifuufioa >i)i many to tliis da\ , Tiakc and de : the ances of ing every . of lux- fpofuion c Britbh y beheld :ions, on :plorable >uriibing r of im- )Utcd to Dm pi CHAP. IfTfl i ■'1'^ 4€ HISTORY OK THE CHAP. 11. Repeal of the Stamp Acl» I'l, I ' / I •■ 'I WHILE Great Britain and America were fiif' pcnded in anxious expectation in what mai;ner thefe differences between both would ter- minate, the miniftry fo obnoxious to the latter was difmillcd, and another fubftituted in its room, whofc inclinations and politics were looked upon as more favourable to their wiflics. In the mean time, difagrceable tidings were daily arriving from tke American continent. After fc- vcrally reprobating, in their provincial affemblies, the regulations contained in the Stamp Acft, thefe bodies, in order to confer more weight on their de- terminations, refolved to hold a general congrefs of all the colonies, wherein they might form fuch an union as might render them more refped:able, and add more ftrcngth and weight to the opinions thc}^ ihould adopt among themfclves, and to the repre- fentations they intended to tranfmit to the Britifh Parliament. This refolution was taken in Aus^ufl, one thou- fand fcven hundred and fixty-fivc, and was carried into execution in the beginning of Odober follow- ing, at New York ; in which city was held the firft Cono;refs of the American continent. The proceedings of this general meeting of the Colonies^ were conformable to thofe of their re- fpcd:ive alfemblies. They agreed exadlly in the fame refolves, and feconded them with petitions to the King and tdboth Houfes of Parliament ; where- in they let forth with great refpedl, but with equal firmnefs, the impropriety of laying taxes upon them without a were fuf- n in what would tcr- latter was )om, whofc on as more I were dally After fc- alTemblies, Adt, thefc n their de- congrefs of •m fiich an lable, and nions they the repre- he Britilh one thou- i-'as carried Dcr follow- ed the firft ing of the • their rc- :ly in the >etitions to t ; where- vith equal ipon them without L A T E W A R. \^ ':.vl(hoin their confcnt, and earncilly fupplicatcd for a rrclrefs of the trrievances that muffc infue fiom ihc c-nminuarion of the Stamp Ad:. Thcfe jietitions, the Americans flattered rhcm- k'lves, would meet with more attention from the prefent, than froiii the late miniftry ; and herein thev were not deceived. When the Parliament met in January, fixty-fix, .the tranfiidtions uj)on the American continent dur- in<^ tlie preceding year, became the fubjccl of the molt ferious eonfideiation, and occalioned s multi- plicity of debates and arguments. Nor were the difcuffions without doors lefs carncft :ind animated. If the Americans had their oppo- fcrs, it is no lefs true that they had their partifans; cind which were the warmeft and moll violent of the two, is hard to decide. The propriety and nccefHty of repealing the Stamp Act, was flrongly infilled upon by one party. Irs inequitablenefs, impracticability, and, above nil, its imj)olicy, were ailerted with an infinite va- riety of rcafonings. The unanimity with which it had been rcfifted •was reprefented in the ftrongell colours. Traders MC the loweil degree, fhopkeepers, and the com- inoneit retailers, had agreed to drop all bufinefs fooner than tranfadt it with the ufc of Itamps. Profeffions, the very exiftence of which depend* ed on the continual ufe of them, had thrown up their means of fubfiftence, fooner than employ them. This was remarkably applicable to the gentlemen of the law, who had, upon this critical occafion, exhibited a rare example of difmtereftednefs. So little was the (tamp adt regarded by the Ame-r ricans, that they had univerfally agreed to carry on their ufual bufinefs without it ; and fo dreaded was their refentment againil all who Ihould give it the ieaft countenance, that on the day appointed for the I .11' 48 niJSTORY OF Titfi the aifl to lake place, not a flicct of (lamped -paper was to be had throughout the colonics. y The governors ot the Colonics thenifclvcs, con* vvinccd ot'thc unfurmountable difliculties in the ex- ecution of it, had wifely given the matter up, and granted certificates to thofc who applied for them, of the impoflibility of procuring ftampcd papers. To thefe arguments others were added of Ilill more cogency, in the opinion of thofe who adduced them. It wi»s urrrcd that in fomc of the mod confiderable places in America, the inhabitants had refolved that no remittances Hiould be made to England, nor any fuit Ibr debt on the part of a refident in England be admitted in any court, until the abrogation of this a&., A refolutlon was aKo threatened of flopping the exportation of tobacco to Great Britain, from Vir- ginia and the contioiious pr' 'nces ; a meafure which, if carried into exccut mull: cut off the immenfe funis accruiiuj; to her revenue from this article, and the vail benefits arlfing from its re-ex- portation to oiher parts of Europe. Befide thcfe, other reafons werealledged for ad:- ing with a gentle hand towards the Americans. Coolnefs and prudence pointed out lenient methods as far more drfcrving of notice than fuch as incul- cated force and compulJion. Taxation and reprefentation, it was afErmcd, went hand in hand in all equitable governments. They were infeparable from the principles of the Britilli government. Thefe principles accompa- nied, in their fulled extent, the fubjcdts of Great Britain, in whatever part of the v/orld they chofe to fettle under the proted:ion of the mother-coun- try ; which, it could not be fuppofcd, would adt with fuch cruelty as to deprive her children of their birthright, lor living in another climate. They were LATE WAR; 4Qi apcf cs, con- 1 the ex- 11 p, and or them, apcrs. [1 of IV.II adduced I "I jfidcrablc (Ivcd that , nor any England 5ation of ■jping the "rom Vir- mcaiure .It off the Tom this its rc-ex- d for ad:- mericans. : methods as incul- afErmed, rnments, es of the accompa- of Great icy chofe icr-caun- vo\i\d a(5t n of their c. They Wire were therefore entitled to the Aime privileges in the land in which they dwelt, as the Englifli themfelvcs in that which they inhabit. The dutiful behaviour of the Cblonifts on many rmcr^cncicsj v/as no lefs carefully fpecificd* The readinef3 they ilicwed in the laft war was mentioned in\hc highcil terms of applaufc. The zeal with which they had at all times cfpoufcd the caufe of Great Britain, was exemplary, as well as the wil- lingncis they had manifcll:cd in the contribution of fupplics, whenever called upon to do it in a fair andi log ' manner. Their commerce alone, in the manner it wa3 re* pjulated by Great Biitiiin, was, agreeably to their own aiTertion, reprcfcntcd as equivalent to tho grcateft and moll produdlive taxes. The incelFant incrcafe of that alone was an inexhaullible treafure^ which would nor fail, in time, to eafe the parent Jlate of many, if not moft of thofe heavy burdens under which it now laboured. Such was the general ftile and nature of th^ arguments with which the friends of the Colonifts ^fended their caufe, both by fpeeches in Parlia* ment, and by publications difperfed and read with avidity throughout the public. The advocates for the ftamp adt were tio left (Irenuous in its fupport, and in their endeavours to refute the arguments and maxims cftablifhed by their antagonifts. Thev . judly reprobated that fpeculative ftrain of reafoning which carries men out of the fafe and clear road of praftice, into the intricacies of meer theory. To thefe they imputed the unhappy al- tercation concerning the right of impofmg taxes upon the Colonies, and the notions daily propo- gated of the injuftice of levying money from the lub- jed: without his diredt and formal confent. The various nations that have planted colonies Vol. L No, L D were- <6 HISTORY a T THE were, faidthey, utterly unacquainted with fuch pre- tenfions in their colonills, as were aflumed by tholV' belonging to Great Britain. They not only expefted them to conform to the ancient laws of the mother country, but even to accept implicitly of thofe which ilie might judge proper to cna(5t for them in particular. But allowing the Britilh colonies to be fully enti- tled to the rights of Britiih fubjedts, it could only be in thofc cafes where individuals are concerned in their private capacity, or the local bufmefs of the province is agitated. Where the intercfts of the whole empire come under difcuflion, the metro- polis, as being the fupreme head, muft be allowed to decide ; oiherwife there is an end of that unity ivhich conllitutcs, and is neceffary for the exiftencc of a ftatc. As the Colonies could not, and did not claim a iliarc in that dccifion, it appertained, of courfe, to Great Britain ; and the only queflion was, whether, in thus deciding on the general concerns of that immcnfe community of which fhe was indif- putably the head, Ihe had adted with wifdom and propriety. In order tolhew that Great Britain had not devl- sted from her ufual juflice and moderation, it was obferved, that the condition of the Colonies was profperous in the higheil degree : eafe and plenty might be accounted the peculiar attributes of the country they inhabited. All hands were con- tinually employed, and were abundantly paid for the work they did : that the public expences they were at for the fuppart of their govern- ment were moderate in a degree hardly conceiv- fible, when their vaft extent is taken into conlide- ration. From the northcrn-moft limits gf New Hampihire, to the fouthcrn confines of Georgia, a fpacc of near fifteen hundred miles, the fum ex- pended for the maintenance of all the different civil efta- fuch pre- d by thole I expefted le mother ■ of thole )r them in fully cntl- ild only be nccrned in iifinefs of cfls of the ;he metro- 36 allowed that unity I exiftencG tid did not tained, of jftion was, 1 concerns was indif- fdom and not devi- ^n, it was onies was md plenty butcs of were con- paid for expences govern- conceiv- conlide- qf New jre^rgia, a 1 fum ex- ;rent civil efta- L A T fi W A R. 5? r^abllihments in that immcnfe trad, did not amount to fojrfcore thoufand pounds a year. Their church government might be deemed no fort of expence, when compared with that of Eng- l:ind. Tithes and finecures were unknown ; and that heavy burden, the poor's rate, never was felt among them. Protet^Vion, the great tie between government and its lubje<5ls, they had always experienced in the moft ample degree. They never had recourfe to Great Britain in the day of need, without ob- taining the readicft and moft effedual afliftance. — Whether it was needed for their defence againft an enemy, or to forward their domeftic improve- ments, it was always granted with a liberal hand. It was noticed at the fame time, that a particular fpecics of protediion was afforded them ; fuch as the colonies of no other nation can be faid to en- joy. This was the conftant courfe of credit given them by Great Britain, without which they never could have rifen to that pitch of internal opulence which fo juftly excited the admiration of all who had fcen it. When this was duly confidered, the taximpofed on the Colonies could hardly be viewed in any other light than of a moderate intereft for the prodigious funis they were indebted to Great Britain, amounting, at the loweft computation, to four millions fterling. As to the plea of their deficiency in gold and filver, it was alledged to be partly, it not altogether voluntary. The precious metals may be confi- dered as an inftrument, or as an objedl of trade : As the firft, wherever they can be difpenfed with, they will certainly not be employed, and will be refervcd for thofe occafions that abfolutely require them. As the fecond, they will always give way to obje(fls of greater neceffity. The Colonifts, who are inceflantly embarking in extenfive fchemes of :. . D 2 trade. 1 51 HIi?TOKYOFTHE f rade, will always part with them whenever the act- vantages they procure arc much greater than thofe arifing from their rctenfion, for the meer purpofes of circulation. As they are only the figns of riches, wherever a fubftitute can be found to anfwer that end, it then becomes prudence to ufc then imme- diately as objc(fts of trade, and to coiwert them into fuch materials as will of themfelves be of actual fervice artd utility ; the precious metals being fel- dom any more than a bare medium to thefe ends. The tonfcquence, therefore, of exafting remit- tances from them in fpecic, would probably be no moro'than inducing them to take fame part of the balance in their favour, originating from their ex- tcnfive trade, in current fpecie, as many nrations arc glad to do. This, when the fmallnefs of the fum to be levied upon them was considered, would prove but a very flight check upon their commercial fchcmes. It was ftrongly affirmed, the hardfhip they fo bit- terly complained ofy that of being taxed without their confcnt, for purpofes about which they were not confultcd, was groundlefs and nugatory.. The money demanded of them, was for their immediate fervice ; no intention ever was furmifed, to appro- priate it to any other purpofe : it was required of them merely as their contingent for the general ex- igencies of the empire ; of which the fureft know- ledge, and confequently the moll ikilful repartition muft always reft with Great Britain, as the fu]>reme feat of political direction, and the main fpring of every motion where the univerfal inteveft of the whole was concerned. The various emigrations from the Br itifh iHands were not, it was fuggeftcd, made with a view in the emigrators, to fever themfelves from the fovc- rcignry of Britain : they went forth merely to bet- liT ihcir circumlbiv:c5 under the guardianlhip, as it :r the act- han thofe purpofes of riches, fwer that en immc- them into of adtual being fel- jfe ends, ig remit- bly be no irt of the their ex- ' nations fs of the d, would mmcrcial ey fo bit- withont hey were y. The imediate a- appro - uired of leral ex- it know- partitioii fu]>reme pring of t of the h iflands view in he fove- r to bet- fhip, as it -••f L A T E W A R. 5j It were, of t' mother-country : they had con- llantly an eye ,.^ her protctflivc care : they relied upon it; and it was under the imperial banner of Great Britain, one may truly fay, that they made thcmfclves refpedted, and became ilrong and ilou- rifliing. Long ufage, it was alledgcd, militated for the prerogative claimed by the BiitiHi government. The Coloniib, ever fmce their firfl: foundation, had peaceably fubmlttcd to the jurifdic^ion of the rul • ing powers at home, throughout all the various changes and revolutions that had fucceffively taken place in Britain, during the lall and prcfent century. In all cafesof intricacy, where they could not obtain a permanent decifion among themfeivcs, and fuch as parties would fufficiently refped: to admit as final, they conftantly had reconrfe to the Privy Coun- cil in England, and abided by its determination without any further difpure; notwithftanding it -ad-cd on thefe occafions entirely according to the fpirit or letter of the EngHfli laws, as appeared moil equitable; and by no means in conformity to thofe that prevailed in the colonies. This right of acting as umpire, was an in- contcrtiblc proof that the Colonies had always confidcrcd this country as intrinfically poflcll- ed of an authority paramount, and fuperior to their own ; which was ftill more ftronglv excm- nlified by their pundually recurring to it in the fre(}iient difputes about their rcfpcdive boundaries, and in the many other diiTerences that had, from time to time, arifen between the provinces from va- rious caufes, all which had been invariable fubmit- ted to the judgment of the parent Itate, It was further argued that this practice of con- ftantly appealing to the powers at home, conili- tutod in itfclf an indifputable evidence both of the jurticc and propriety of acknowledging the fupre. D mac n; m , s 54 HISTORY OF THE macy of Great Britain over the Colonies. It fhewcd that it never had b.^en qucftioned, and what merited no lefs the attention of the Colonies, that it was abfolutely requilite, tor the prelervation of tranqui- lity and good order throughout the American fet- tlcments, where endlefs jars and confulions would neccliarily enfue, without the interpofition of a fo- verign controul or to prevent to pacify them. There was liill another confiderarion, faid they, of which the inhabitants in the colonies did not Icem aware. The government over them was delegated ; and the conduct ot their governors and ruling meu fubjedt to revifal and ccniurc .;t: home. This ren- dered the condition of individuals much more eafy, from the confcioulhefs of obtaining rcdrels in cafe of ill ufage, than if thofe who ruled over them were accountable to no fuperior tribunal. The weight of government was hereby diminilhed, in propor- tion as they who exercifed it, were amenable to n ftlll higher court. Would the Americans, It was afked, relinquifh the foiid advantages they now enjoyed, for a meer appellation ? the price of th,is would be much greater than they apprehended. Were they to dif- claim the authority of the parent-ftate, and take, vipon them the rilk of ilanding on their own ground, at a diflance from the ihelter and affiftance of Great Britain, they would foon experience an oppreflivc alteration at home, and a mortifying difference abroad. Inilead of that quiet and undifturbed enjoyment of the gain? of their induflry, which was now their peculiar lot, they would then be loaded with thofc manifold burthens which all Hates )nuil: fubmit to, that afpire at making a figure of importance and refpectability, Impofitlons of every kind would follow fuch a meafure. In lieu of that moderate income, which now fafiiced for the purpofes of a govern* It fhewcd at merkeci lat it was >t' tranqui- ?rican Tet- Dns would n of a fo- lem, faid they, :i not Icem elegated ; iling mem rins ren- lore caiy, ■i's in cafe hem were e weight [1 propOF' lable to 4 elinqiiilh r a meer oe much cy to dif- md take, I ground, of Great pprefTivc liffercncc ijoyment lovv their ith thofc bmit to, nee and .i would loderate fcs of a govern-. LATE W A R. ^ '^S (rovcrnmcnt of which the demands were but fmall, they would then have a rank and title to fupport, a national dignity to maintain, and a complication of intcrells to vicfend. All this would require large rcM-enues, and would foon teach them the difparity between trade carried on without domeflic incum- brances, and guarded in all parts of the world by a powerful pVotedlor, and a commerce liable to perpetual exadlions on a variety of accounts, and whofe profits mull heceflarily undergo immenfe fubtradions for the current and indifpenfible fer- vice of the ftate. While their internal profperity met with thefe unavoidable obftrudtions, they mull not imagine that their aftairs would flow in the fame eafy channel abroad as heretofore. They well knew that nations are, like individuals, treated with com- plaifance or with roughnefs, according to the means they poffefs of returning benefits, or of refenting injuries. The refped: they now met with through- out the various quarters of the world where they carried on their trade, was in confequence of the re- fpcdt which the power and influence of Great Bri- tain commanded all over the globe. When once the nations are apprized of a feparation between them, and that Great Britain no longer interelts herfelf in their behalf, they will inquire into the nature of their eftablilhment, and fcrupuloufly meafure the extent of their power, before they decide among themfelves upon what footing to confider them. Nor ought the Americans to flatter themfelves, that this examination of their llrength and condition would be flight and fuperflcial : they, to whom fucha talk would be committed, muft be careful for their own fakes to acquit themfelves with diligence and ex- adilnefs ; and they would be furnilhed with fuflicicnt means. The world is no longer in thofe unenlight- ened times, when from the general difculion of ig- porance and barbarity, knowledge was difiicult to D 4 obtain. im !>!ii ,':lti.: 5< HISTORY OF THE obtain. The fpeedy communication fubfifliiig be* tween all cultivated nations, foon renders them tho- roughly known to each other, whenever it becomes rcquifite to make fuch inveftigations. Whatever lifts the Americans may hold out for the infpe(ftion of foreigners, thefe will not be long in difcovering, that with all their exaggerations, and notwithftand- •ing the pains taken to reprelent them as a numerous :people, in the immenfe trails they occupy along a coaft extending fifteen degrees of latitude from the north eaft to the fouth weft, there does not exift above one million feven hundred thoufand white inhabitants, even according to their own account, which is well known to be calculated to imprefs the world with a much greater opinion of their flrength, than is juftly founded. According to the proportions eftabliihed bv po- litical writers, three parts in four of this number •coniift of women and children ; and of the remain- ing fourth, one half may reafonably be reputed, through age, infirmity, and the various accidents •concomitant on nature, incapable of taking an ac-» tive part in the defence of their country. Thus the men able to bear arms will amount to little more ■ than two hundred and fourteen thoufand, To proceed with all imaginable impartiality, were It to be allowed that this number will fufHce to guard their coafts, repel invalions, and fupply the piany other calls of civilised fociety, it is granting as much as can be expeifted ; many will probably think more than ought to be done, confidering the prodigious extent of that coaft, the perpetual inter- Jetlion of mighty rivers running, at Ihort intervals from each other, and dividing the provinces in fucH a manner, as to render it cafy for an enemy to cut off their mutual communication. Add to this the boundlefs regions lying behind them, and inhab.itecl t»y a f ercc and yet unfubdued fqQ ; between whom )rifllng be. them tho- it becomes Whatever infpedion fcovering, withftand- numerous ipy along ude from s not exift ind white account, D imprefs of their -d bv po- s number e remain- reputed, accidents iig an ac^ ■. Thus ttle more ity, were fuffice to pply the granting probably ;ring the lal inter- intervals s ip fuc}^ y to cut this the ihabitecl n whom T. A T E W A H. - 57 find them an cvcrlafting enmity muft Tubfift, whofe inv(."tcracy is animated by every motive that can ac- tuate the heart of man, and fill it with irrcconcil- able, and at the fame time with wcll-groundc4 hatreii. But fuppofing them well provided for home de- fence, in what manner will they, with fo flcnder a popuhuion, be adcc^uatc to any confiderable exer- tions abroad ? Veill'ls may be eafily equipped for the purpofes of trade ; but the manning of a fleet is a talk of ferious mave bene* e too far y regula- with an ?, to reft Dn, with- ich they |.' ics to rc- I, which, md upon dlhip of motives I involve ve them, :lvcs, to lem any folemn- ons will 5 of con - te Great :cn theie med and liibnce, on with a light, le Colo' he dan- a mea- V them lore ini- e them eady to led. iiifclves 1.1 m bent on L A T K W A n. ' 59 on them to ])lacc that confidence in her wlfdoni which men should \v prudence do in thofe they have cholln for their chiefs. Great Britain is, by her pofition, placed, as it were, on an eminence from whence llie furvcys every part of the Britiih cmiMre. She perceives objeds at an immenfe dif- tance, which the inferior I'tation of her dependen- cies cannot dil'cover : they mult neceirarily depend upon her vigilanc* for information; and muft, of ctjurfe, be ^ulvL.l by her direction. The f.icl is, that while the provincial aflembHos acknowledge themfelves fubordinate to the Bririlli governmcnr, they mull:, in reafon, trull to her ma- nagement in all the threat affairs of Itate. Unac- quainted with the intrigues that agitate the Courts of Europe, and ignorant of the fecrct dcfigns that are lurking in the cabinets of minifters, they are not competent to the bufinefs of obviating difficul- ties, and warding off dangers. This is the duty of fovcreigns and their minifters : they alone have the means of penetrating into the recelles of poli- lic, and of unravelling that clue of dark meafurcs wherein the intentions of ftatefmeii are hidden : fa- gacity alone is not fufficient to effed: this ; other methods muft be employed, fuch as apply to the paflions of men, and fuch as princes and their dele- gates are moft expert in ufing. The proportional ftrength of every member of an empire, is only known to its head. Beyond the limits of its ownjurifdiftion, no colony was able to pronounce, with any certainty, on the real fituation of any province in the empire. Every one referved the documents that lead to this knowledglc for the infpedion of the miniftry at home : this alone knew, exclufively, their refpeclive circumftances, and could form a proper idea of the meafures to be adopted for the relative benefit of them all. This d\ity had hitherto been performed by Great Britain. H i 60 HISTORY OF TUB Britain with the univerfal approbation of the Colo- nies, and to the admiration ot" all Europe. Her ju- tliciouihels and forcfight in the treatment of them were unexampled, and had raifed them to a liim- tnit of felicity which no other colonies had ever at- tained. Why, therefore, (hould the ftep fhe had recently taken, be reprobated with fo much violence, be- fore a fair trial had been given it ? The wifdom of it might, upon experience, be found equal to any preceding regulations. Until this unhappy day, the injuncflions of Great Britain, though reaching to a multitude of cafes, and comprehending every branch of commerce and adminillration, had been received with all defer- ence and refpcd: : no cavils nor queftions had arifen concerning her right and authority to frame them. As emanating from the fupreme feat of legillative jiower, they were duly fubmittcd to; and no fuf- picions were harboured of their being fraught with an oppreflive tendency. Reilridtions and confinements in every branch of trade, were necefiary for the benefit of all taiders in general : they were a partial evil, to which they all Submitted for the univerfal good. In England, various limits are afligned to feveral branches : the conviiftion of their utility lilences all complaint ? and they are admitted by all parties, however they may appear repugnant to their immediate intereil. Conformably to this idea, which is founded on the ilricflell equity, the limitations that accom- panied the American trade, by circumfcribing it within certain bounds, gave it a body and ftrength which it would probably lofe, were it fuffered to range at large without any controul : fuch an indif- criminate licenfe, inftead of affixing the progrcfs of trade, might create fuch a competition between the mother-country and its dependencies, as would in ic Colo- Hcr ju- of them I a Til 111 - ever at- T. A T F. W A n. ^r rcccnt!v ice, bc- fdom of I to any )f Great t cafes, ?rcc and 1 defcr- ,d arifcii : tlieiii. 2;illativij no fuf- ht with inch of tenders ch they gland, the ■)lahit ? ."r they crell. ded on licconi- ribinq; rength LTcd to 1 hidif- rouTefs :;t\vt en would JS in time end, if not in the dcftrudion, at Icafl: in the infeel)ling of the trade of both. The proverb which teaches, that by grafting nt too much, a man may lofe what he already pt)f^ foircs was peculiarly applicable to the Ameriean*:. They enjoyed under the prcfcnt lyftcm a multiiuile of advantages, which were daily cncrcafing. They had no realbn to repine at the fupcriority of Great Britain ; they had hitherto received no injury from it; they had^ on the contrary, found it a neceifary friend on very trying occafions. A ftriking proof that it was not a fupcriority of real and internal hap* pincfs, appeared in the comparative condition of the inhabitants of the mother country, and thofe of its colonics. Here no wretchednefs was known ; every man, in the emphatic phrafe of fcripture, lived under his figtree and his vine : hunger and nakedncfs kept at a diftance, and no mendicants were fcen throughout the land. But was ic fo in Britain \ How happy, could the anfwcr be made in the affirmative. The fupcriority, therefore, fo much boaftcd of in the parent ftate, was a fupcriority of ftrcngth and efforts to guard and defend all its depcndencio. Great Britain had fo thoroughly exerted itfelf in the difchargeof this important duty, that fhc had there- by brought hcrfelf almofl to the brink of ruin. True it was, that in the profcciition of it, ihe hqd raifcd hcrfelf to the highefl pitch of glory ; but in that all her colonies had a fhare : the luftre Hic had obtained, was powerfully refledled upon them; and they experienced both the honours and the benefits of being members of the Britiih empire, while Ihc alone paid the immenfe price of all this glory. Such was the general tenor and purport of thcnum- berlefs fpeeches and arguments ufed on this memo- rable occafion. Never was more eloquence difplay- ed than by the fpci-.kers on each fide of this impor- tant 6z IT I S T O R V OF T ir C tant qucdion. It was confulcrcd rcfpcdively as tfrtf caufc of Anicrica on the one hand, and of Great liritain on the other ; and was accordingly pleaded by both parties with a warmth and ability worthy of fo great a lubjcdl. The debates on this a«fl lafled two months, when it was repealed, to the univerfal joy of the people of England. But that party which had framed it in the pre- ceding, and fupported it in the prefent fcflion, con- demned this repeal as an inftnnce of weaknefs in the miniftry, and as a hearrlefs fubmiilion to the plea- fure of the colonies, whofe pretenfions would now incrcafe, when they faw that a dread of their power, and a fear of difobliging them, began to operate in England. The idea of their in'^.bility to pay the tax requir- ed, they reprefcntcd as totally falfe and groundlefs. As a proof of the fiourifhingnefs of their circum- ftances, it was fpccified, that of the debt they had contradlcd during the late war, near eighteen hun- dred thoufand pounds had been difchargcd in the courfe of only three years ; and that they had provided funds for the difcharge of their remain- ing incumbrances of this nature, amounting to between feven and eight hundred thoufand pounds, in thn fpace of two years knore. This plainly ihewcd they were fully able to levy the fum exatfled by the fl-imp aft, which was, in truth, a very moderate impofition, and was not expsdled to exceed the fum of one hundred thou- fand pounds annually. To thefe allegations it was replied, that notwith- ilanding thefe appearances, the Americans were al- ready loaded as much as they could bear ; that the very difcharging of the fums above mentioned, was a very heavy weight upon them, and fhould be confidercd as a juft argument for not exafting more at A T r W A R :ly as thtf of Great pleaded mrthy of lis, when people of the pre* ion, con* efs in the the plea- iiild now ir power, pcrate in X reqiiir- oundlefs. circum- they had ecn hiin- d in the ley had remain- nting to pounds, c to levy ch was, was not ed thou- notwith- were al- that the ned, was lould be ng more at "^) nr the pi'cfcnt : that m the mean time the rcgulatic;** hukIc by the late minillry, were greatly telr, and (»l)erarcd in the nature of a large tax, though not toimally laid upon them as luch. It was further ailertcd, that the rcprefcntations bfoupjit up from all parts of the kingdom, were undeniable proofs of the detriment that had been alread) caufcd, and would continue to its manufac- Ujries, if that ad remained in force. That it was more eonfiftent, therefore, with policy and with hu- uianity to repeal it, than to involve Great Britain in a (|uarrel for lb infignificant a confideration as the eventual produce of a (lamp act, and to fuffer fo many thoufands of induftrious and ingenious indi- viduals to want fubfiftence. In addition to thcfe reafons, it was furmifed that other fubftantial caufes might be afligncd for the readinefs ihewn to comply w'th the requeft of the Colonies. The Houfe of Bourbon, though filent, was not inactive in ftrengthening the bonds of its reciprocal compaft. The difgraces and humilia- tions that had been heaped upon her in the late war, could never be obliterated from her remembrance, 'IMiere was no doubt that llie would feize the firft opportunity that offered, to take the moft fignal vengeance on the Britifli nation ; and who could tell whether ilie was not only watching how Ihe might improve, but whether flie had not fecretly excited the prefent difturbances between Great Bri- tain and her colonies. To confirm thefe infmuations, the fufpicious be- haviour of the French was adduced, in withholding the payment of the Canada bills fo faithfully pro- mifed at the conclufion of the peace, together with the affedted delays of the Spanilh Court in putting off the fettlement of the Manilla ranfom. Both thefe were objedts wherein the national honour was ellentiaily concerned ; the condud of thofc powers was 7 HIStOIiY OF TItfi was inexcufablc ; and It was not probable tlie^ would venture to adl in fa flighting a manner, wertf they not convinced that difficulties would ^lortly arife, to prevent Great Britain from infilling upon their doing her complete juftice* As to the weaknefs and fubmiffion of the mini** dry to the Colonies, it was anfwered that a difco-' very of error Ihould be followed by an immediate receding from it, without confulting the prejudi- ces of falfe honour. Every ftep had been taken in order to arrive at the reality of the fituation of Ame- rica, and every man had been confultcd whofe knowledge and experience of that country inti led him to credit. After examinations and confulta- tlons upon the minutefl circumftances relating tor every Britifli colony in America, the refult had been, that the laying on the ftamp zdi was a ihea- fure equally ill timed and ill advifed. There were not at this prefent day fufficient means for the peo- ple there to comply with the terms fpecified by the adt. Wealth they undoubtedly had ; but it did not conf t A T E W A R. 69 t^, and always fpoke of that body with the pro- founded veneration : they looked upon it as a Ihicld of defence againft the opj^feffion of wicked minif- ters, and confidently relied on its affiftance in the redrefs of any grievance they might complain of. But this confidence and refpc^ was much dimi- nifhed by the different treatment they had lately ex- perienced. Inftead of the mildnefs and complaifancc that affembly was wont to cxprefs towards America, the affairs of that country were now, it feems, no longer a favourable objetft ; and its profperity was vieJived rather with an unfriendly and jealous eye. They once were free to lay their reprelcntations before Parliament, with a full fecurity they would be duly attended to ; but times were now fo unhap- pily changed, that when they applied, with all re- verence and humility for its interpofition in their behalf, Parliament refufed even to receive their pe- titions. In confequence of this fcverity of condudt, the refentment of the Americans was fuch, that it was vain to expert a return of good will, or of commer- cial intercourfe, without a repeal of the aft in quef- tion. This was the purport of the petitions ad- drcffed to Parliament ; and unlefs they met with ac- ceptance and fuccefs, that refentmcnt would never fubfide, and its efferts would continue in fpitc of all endeavours to prevent them. Whatever might be the opinion of the abettors of the late minillerial meatures, America Hood in po abfolute need of Britilh manufartures. Thofe that are the mod ufefid and neccffary, fuch as cloths and woollens, iron and ileel ware, and other articles of equal utility and importance, they had already begun to manufafture with fuccefs, and would, in a llioi t time, arrive at no fmall degree of perfcdion in thofc branches of workmanlhip. Ji 5 In ^? 7^ HISTORY OF THE In thofe arts that contribute to conveniency or elegance, they had not made fo much progrefs; ^ but the people of America were very far from de- ficient either in point of induftry or ingenuity ; and had already produced fuch fpecimens of both, a% rendered it evident, that with encouragement; they would fpeedily attain to a confiderable degree of cxpertnefs. But however inelegant and coarfe the produ(5tions pf the American artifts might be, the people of Eng- land would, as actual experience had already taught them, find that no allurements of fuperior finery, or even of cheapnefs, would carry off their manufac- tures in the American markets, or even fuffer them to be admitted there. The merchants in America, though a numerous body of men, were comparatively a handful to the yaft aggregate of the various other parts of^he com- munity. Thefe were chiefly compofod of farmers and cultivators of land : men wholly taken up in ru- ral occupations ; in clearing the ground, and im- proving the foil, or in rearing flocks and cattle, Thefe were a race of men little acquainted with any wants which they were not able to fupply of them- felvcs. They lived in primitive fimplicity : what they wore was chiefly wrought within their owq doors : they fl:ood in no need of fliops or ware- houfes for the purpofes of luxury. Thefe were not a people vyhom the deprivation of Britifh goods pould affedt. If, through a continuation of the fyfl:cm taken up in England, the Americans Ihould on their fide pcrfift in a refufal of Englilh importations, they were not in the leaft apprchcnfive of diftrefs for their hufbandmen and planters. Jnftead of felling timber and fovving pi grain for exportation, they >vould, on the failing of thefe refources, betako |:hcmlclves to other means of fubfilling ; they would uency or ^Dl progrefs ; from dc- ' IfJ^Ha lity ; anci both, a5 1 S ent; they r ► "'^W' egrec of )dudions 5 of Eng- ly taught 1 finery, or iianufac- . *;. flfer them umerous j1 to the ihe conir '"-'jfHI - farmers lefs ^ct unwiU tion. But ievous an Jrfe of the five thou- own cx<* in did not ir antecC" cpeditions thoufands Ives with French in fuch fadls proceeded ;lilli duly ca with a en purely om truth ^ft about rhis con- s of the ide in the arried on lofe cor-i was un-f erqantile her^ thq tian? de^ m Eng^ te, that i to ef. ary, fhe partner taker of i was no lefs mmmmmmm ■■■■i E. Ml' llil IP T " i 1 j 1 'HI |Hi M ' 1 1 i I K Pf///////,-'/ .^>/l'yi//-,-:i /y .lJ-;,/,/r',itf. P.itfr. \,'/ti-i/1,i,. LATE W A R. 73 Icfs intcrcftoil in all that bcfcl her, than flic could poffibly be herfeif. Were a war to break out in Europe from caufei wherein America had no particular concern, ftill the Colonies would licaloufly take up arms, and furnifh their pecuniary contingent, on a requifition from Grelt-Bi itain. This was no more than they had always done. They were ready to do it again, and to manifeft rh6 fincercft atuchment, by every kind of pooof that lay in their power, while the pa- rent ftate called upon them for that jpurpofe in a conftitutional manner, as had always been ptailifed heretofore. Such was the purport of the fentimepts atid opi- nions of the celeorated Do^or Franklin, upon his examination before the Houfe of Commons.— They contained altogether, a body of information worthy of that aflembly's notice, and were produc- tive of a friendly difpofition towards America, that contributed not a little to the repeal of the aft fo obnoxious to that people. But the two chief Supporters of their caufe were Lord Camden in the Houfe of Peers, and Lord Chatham (then Mr. Pitt) in the Houfe of C*)m- mons. The firft had been lately raifed to the Peer^ age with the univerfal applaufe of the nation, of which he had acquired the higheft efteem and re- fpedt, by his condud: while at the head of one of the moft important departments of the law. His argu* ments were decifively in favour of the Americans, and carried with them a weight and refpeftability that rendered them cffedlually ferviceable in their caufe. The Houfe of Commons had long been witnefs of the talents for oratory pofleired by Mr. Pitt ; but he difplaycd them on this occafion in a manner that will never be forgotten by thofe who were witnefles of his e^ertiong on that memorable day. , He fpoke witk 74 HISTORY F T II E tvith that boldnefs of thought, that originality of cxprcffion, and that imj)ctiiofity of eloquence, which charactcrifed him in fo fingular a manner, and which fo few were able, or dared to encounter. — Such was the impreffion he made upon his auditors, and the public at large, that the repeal of the (tamp- an was determined, and a majority of the nation concurred in approving this determination. This famous bill was ftrongly oppofed, how- ever, in the Upper Houfe ; and on its pafiing, no Icfs than thirty-three Lords entered a protcft againft it, couched in llrong terms, and fupported by for- cible arguments. Here the difputc between Great Britain and its Colonies feemcd to promifc an entire ceflation. Their defircs hatl been complied with in the mol\ ample manner ; and nothing had been omitted to teitify the fincerity with which the parent ftatc wiflied to live on the molt friendly terms with its American dependencies. But the judgment of thofe who had predidlcd that the conceflions of Great Britain to America, inflcad of laying that turbulent fpirit which had lately broke out among them, would, on the con- trary, incr^afe it, began to be verified in many in-, itanccs, Thofe who, during the late troubles, had fhown themfelves friends to the Britilh government, were become objcdls of general dillike. While in Eng-t land the heats occalioncd by the difference of opi- nion concerning the ftamp ad:, wcr^' gradually fub- iiding, in America they fcen)ed to have laid the foundation of an irreconcilable hatred to fuchashacj not fidcd with thp popular party^ A fatlion now evidently appeared to be formed, refolutely bent tQ il'izc every occafion of diminiiliing the power anti iuilucncc of the mother country. It was the more ■ ...... clanger? L A T E W A R: ff *. ^% ^a- ■ <«»»>- ji '/ /A Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 !r.3 c^ 8S HISTORY OF THE compel their obedience to laws to which they were averfe. 3ut they were difappointed in their demands : the Governor gave them to underftand, that it was 110 longer in his power to convene a Provincial Af- fcmbly, until he had received the King's confent ; the purport of hii laft inftru^ions being, that he ih.ould wait for orders from England, where the matter was then under confideration. Upon this refufal of the Governor, they deter- mined to call an Affembly themfelves, under the name of a Convention, Preparatory to this purpofe, a committee was appointed by the town-meeting, to take into fpecial confideration the prefent Hate of the province. This committee began Ijy a long enumeration of their rights, and of their various infractions. They refolved, that the introduction of an armed force among them, in oppolition to their confent, was contrary to law, This refolu- tion, they aflerted, was ftriCtly conformable to the fpirit of the Englifli conftitution, which forbids the keeping up of an army, without the confent of Parliament, They appealed to the fame fpirit for the propriety of holding frequent Parliaments ; and, in confcquence, refolved that a Convention ihould be fummoned, in the fame manner as the GeneraJ Affembly, But the mod remarkable mcafure adopted by this nieeting, was a requifition to the inhabitants to put themfelves in a pofture of defence againft any fudden attack of an enemy. This requifition they fpunded on a late apprehcnfion, as they ftated it, prevailing among many^ of ai^ approaching Rupture with France. This was certainly the holdefl {lep that had ever yet been tal^en in the Colonies. The intention o.f it was obvious to the world, as well as to themfelves : and it was eafy to perceive what were the final aims or ^ •' ' " ^hofc ^ ( ^ '* LATE WAR..- 9^ fliofc who had given birth to, and fomented with fo much pains, the diftraiftions and dillurbanccs jLhroughout the Colonies, The feledt-men of the town of Bofton were dif rc£ted to write circular letters to all the other towns in the Colony, acquainting them with the rclblu-*- tions that had been taken, and exhorting them with the utmoft earneftnefs to concur with firmnci? and fpeed in the decifions made by the meeting. Such was the unanimity of oppofition to Great Britain throughout this populous province, that out of ninety-feven towns, of which it confifted, one only refufed its concurrence. This was the town of Hatfield ; the inhabitants of which had the cour- age to dilTent from the fentiments of their country-r pien, and openly to fignify their difapprpbation of their proceedings. Their anfwer to the circulai letter inviting them to unite with the reft, was conceived in terms, which for the judicioufncfs and fpirit of the arguments they conveyed, were juftly eiteemed at the time, a compoiition highly honourable to thofe who framed it. It fully j unified the moderation it recommcnd- fcd, and rcprefented in their trucft colours, the fe-f ditioufnefs and infatuation of thus bidding open defiance to Great Britain, and of flying to arms without neccffity ; which could only tend to acce- lerate mifchiefs and miferics, which coolncfs and jtemperance of behaviour woujd be moll efficacious to j)revent. The condu»5V of the inhabitants of Hatfield made po other impreffion on their countrymen than rocxr cite their contempt of it, and their fufpicion that it was influenced by motives of pufiUanimlty, or in- tereftednefs ; anaccufation which they were always feady to fix on all who deviated from thofe violent picthods of a^ing which they had lb ioig adoj)tcd, > - and 90 HISTORY OF THE and looked npon as the only means that were pro- per to be employed in the prefent exigencies. As loon as the Convention was met, it fent a deputation to the Grovernor, to alTurc him that their intentions were intirely pacific; that they did not confidcr thcmfelves as any w^ays invefted with powers oi' government ; that their Iblc aim was to deliberate together, in a friendly manner, what meafures would prove mofl conducive to preferve public tranquility, in the prefent critical fituatioii of their affairs. They did not forget, however, to complain of grievances, and of the imputation of dilloyalty un- der which they unjuftly laboured in England ; car- neflly defiring that he would confent to the meet- ing of a General AlTembly, as the fureft and mod cbnflitutional remedy they could have recourfe to, in their prefent diftrefs. But the Governor remained inflexible in his de- nial of their requeft ; advifing them feriouily to re- fledt on the dangers they were expofing themlclvcs to, by continuing afFembled in defiance of law. — He exhorted them to defift from fo unwarrantable a condutl, and quietly to feparate, before he found himfelf obliged, as the Reprefcntative of the Crown, to afliert its prerogatives in a more dccifive man- ner. He told them they might reft aflured, that Great Britain was determined to maintain ' "r fo- vereignty unimpaired, and would find n-c„ws to infure obedience. In anfwer to the Governor's admonitions, they replied, that the Convention could only be viewed as a private afTembly of perlbns, met to con- fer amicably on their concerns. In that light, which was the only one 'they claimed, no crimina- lity or refradtorinefs could be imputed to them. • To this fecond mefTage the Governor would gire r*o audience; alledging, that to grant them any hearing, I; ' '^ 1 LATE WAR. 9^ licarmg, would He admitting them to be legally af- fembled, and might tend to confer a weight and importance on them, which he wholly diluvowcd. The Governor's firmnels difooncerted them : — They contented themfclves with drawing up a re- port of their proceedings ; which, contrary to the flile they had ufcd hitherto, was conceived in terms of remarkable moderation. After mentioning the motives of their meeting, and difclaiming ail public authority, they recommended intire defer- ence and fubmiffion to government, and a rcfpe3 Tlius the altercation continued in Britain, as well as in America, with as little figns of coming fpeedi- ly to any conclufion. It was this circumllance, principally, that kept up the fpirit of diflention in America. Had the Britilh nation been firft and laft of one mind on this matter, Lord Chatham's aflt;r» ticn in the Houfe of Commons would have beeo verified, and the refiftance of America would only have provoked her de{tru(ftion. But the clalhingof private interefts in Britain, gave a ftrength to the pretenfions, and an importance to the tranfadtions in the Colonies, that perplexed the councils of the nation, and rendered them fluctuating and inde- -cifive. As the oppofition in America was attended, on the contrary, with unanimity, and conducted by perfons of great abilities, it was not furprifing that theyfhould make the moft of the divifions prevail- ing among the ruling people in Britain, and take all thofe advantages that neceflarily accrue to an ene- my from the difunion of his antagonills. ' Such has conftantly been the perfuafion of the ju* dlcious and difcerning, ever fince the commencer ment of this conteft. Thus, notwithftandTng the re folutions taken from time to time by the Britilli miniltry, to force the Americans to obedience, as the Colonies were well acquainted with the inltability of people in power^ they chcriihed nogroundlefs hci ., that in the fre- quent changes of the minillry, one might at laft arife favourable to their pretenfions, and inclined, for the fake of tranquility, to make the conceffions they demanded. • In this expedation, it was not furprifing they ihould continue to hatrafs every adminiitration that •proved hoftilc to their demands. They had done it hitherto with fuccefs, and doubted not, throu.gh ;p.erf\iVeranGe, to gain the point they propofed. Such I 94 HISTORY or THE Such was the rcfpccftivc fituation of Grc^t Britain and America, at the opening oi the year one thoufand feven hundred and fixty-.iinc ; when a new fyftem appeared to have been formed in regard to America, and a determination taken to change the lenity and forbearance hitherto excrcifcd, into fever ity and compulfion. In purfuancc of this determination, an addrcfs was prefentcd to the King by both Houfes, wherein th^y pafled the fevered cenfures on the behaviour of the AlTembly of MalTachufet ; the various refolu- tions it had paffed derogatory to the claims of the Britilh legiflature were declared to be null and void. The circular letter it had written to the other Co- lonies, inviting them to join in a common petition againft thofe claims, was condemned as illegal, un- conftitutional, and unwarrantable in a people who acknowledged themfelves fubje*^ to the Crown of Great Britain. It was no lefs reprobated as inju- rious to the Britifti nation, and evidently calculated to fpread difcontent and create favftions inimical to the parent ftate, and diredtly fubverfive of its fove- reignty over the Colonies. The town of Bofton in particular, by this ad- drefs, was reprefented as the feat of inceffant con- fufion. Riots and difturbances daily fucceeded to each other ; and the inhabitants were become fo un- ruly and tumultuous, that no refpedlwaspaid to civil government. The officers appointed by the Crown m the various departments of public fervice, did not any longer dare to attempt the execution of their duty. The magiftrates, inftead of exerting themfelves for the reftoration of good order, re- mained paffive fpedtators of thefe tumultuous pro- ceedings. It was time, therefore, for the execu- tive power to interpofe, in Order to effeft that by force, which could not be compaffed by lenity. It LATE WAR. 95 It was declared in this addrcfs, that the proceed- ings of the people in their town meetings were un- lawful and feditious ; that their appointment of a Provincial Convention, and their letters to the feve- ral towns, requefting them to ele(ft deputies to that intent, were dertrudivc of all government, and tended to eftablifli an authority independent of the Crown. The meeting of the Convention itfelf, was a daring ufurpation of power, and a manifefl defiance of the Britifh IcgiHature. This addrefs cxpreiTcd, at the fame time, a full concurrence in the meafures that had been taken to reduce that town and province to the obedience due to Great Britain. It promiicd a firm fupport of all the meafures neceiTary for that end ; and concluded by advifing that an exemplary punifhment fliould be infli the one fide, and rcmonfl:rances on the other, Thefe inceflant altercations could not fail further to debilitate the powers of government, already weakened through preceding caufes, The rever- ence due to lawful authority feemed in a manner to be obliterated in the minds of the generality, and they feemed to coqfider themfclyes a? at liberty to aa t_4 LATE WAR.: IO3 ad in all matters of trade and bufmcfs without any Cort of reftraint. . -, This imrulinefs was prevalent every where. At Bofton the refiftance to the Cuftoni-houle officers continued to manifeft itfelf upon every occalion ; and was fometimes accompanied with great inftances of inhumanity. Among others, a tidcfman, who had feized a veffel for breach of the adts of trade, was feized by the populace, ftripped, and carted about the town, befmeared with tar, and ftuck with fea- thers. At the town of Providence, in Rhode Illand, a place lonrg notorious for fniuggling, the people boarded a King's veird ftationed there to prevent it; treated the commander with great indignity; flruck and wounded him ; and after forcing him and the Ihip's company to go on Ihore, fet her on fire. ^ Thefe daring infults were fully countenanced by their ruling men. The General Affembly of Mai"-. fachufet did not hefitate openly to notify to the Go- vernor, that they acknowledged no fuch officers in the Colony as the Commiffioners of the King's Cuftoms, nor knew of any revenue that he had any right to eftabliih there. Upon receiving the news that filarles had been fettled upon the juftices of the Superior Court at Bofton, the moft inflammatory language was held throughout the Province. An addrefs was prefent- cd to the Governor, wherein that meafure wascenfur- ed in terms of the greateft afperity ; and a committee was appointed to take it into confuleration, feledied as ufualout of the different dillricts of the colony. This AHembly explicitly difavovved th<; fupre- macy of the Britiih Icgillature over them. I'hcv aUerted thai ?]] men had a clear right to remain in a ftate of nature fo long as they vhought proper ; antt in purfuance of this prmcinU', thoy uccufed tin; G i. Br it ill I 104 HISTORY OF THE Britifli Parliament of having violated their natural rights in a variety of cafes ; but efpecially by aflum- ing the powers of legillation over them, in virtue of its own will, and contrary to their own confent. Copies of the tranfad:ions of this committee were induflrioully circulated in every town of Mafla- chufet. They were accompanied by letters, warmly exhorting the inhabitants to rouze themfelves, and to remain no longer indolent and fupine, while the iron hand of oppreffion was daily tearing the choiceft fruits from the fair tree of liberty. Such were their expreffions. In the midft of thefe difturbances an accident hap- pened, which contributed remarkably to increafe the ill-humour and difcontents of the Province. A number of letters written confidentially to perfons in place and power in England, by the prefent Go- vernor and Deputy Governor, were acciclcntally dif- covered, and communicated to the public. They contained unfavourable reprefentations of the difpo- fitions of the people in general, and of the fecret views of their leaders ; their intent was to Ihow the neceflity of coercive meafnres, and of altering the form of gov/;rnmcnt in order to fecure the people's future obedience. The wrath and indignation excited on this occa- iion produced the moft violent refolutions in the Aflembly. The original letters had fallen into the poflellion of their agent at London, who tranfmit- ted them immediately to his conftituents. They were carried up to the council by deputations, who were llridly enjoined not to truft them an inftanc out of their hands. In this mortifying manner thqy were prcfenrcd for infpedion to the Governor, who could not deny h;s own fignature. In conllniucnce of this difcovery, a petition was fent over to England, earneftly entreating the King t9 rcii)Qve both thefe officers frpm fheir places ; byt contrary i L A T E W A R. 10 contrary to this requell, they npt only were con* tinued, but the petition was declared gvoiindlels and Icandalous. This anlwer added frclh rancour to the animofity and refentment of the peoi»le of Mafl'achufet. But another tranfadtion was now preparing, the conlccjuences of which were far more fatal. Notvvithftanding the refolutioiis adopted in the Colonies againft the importation of tea from Great •Britain, means had been found to import it, though in fmaller quantities than heretofore, owing partly to the lower price of th^t brought from other coun- tries. This diminution was very prejudicial to the Eafl: India Company ; and the more felt at this rime, as they had lately experienced fomc mortifications from government. In order to make them fome com- penfation, the Parliament empowered them to export their tea free of any duty payable by the Com])any -],. In virtue of this permiflion, the Company freight- ed fevcral Ihips with tea for North America, and appointed agents to [difpofe of it in the fevcral co- loi^ics. This open and avowed manner of bringing a commodity among them, in diretlit defiance to their confent and oppofition, was, in their opinion, aa infuk not to be fuftered. Private intereil, as well as public averfion to this meafure, contributed to render 'u odious. The dealers in tea forefaw that the profits of this branch of bufinefs, which were very coniiderable, would henceforward center e^k:- cluiively ainongfl the Company's fadors. Unfortunately for the meafure, thefc factors were the profeiied adherents and fupporters of the Biiirilli adminillration : this, ofcourfe, renderc'l them ex- tremely unpopular ; and was alone a fuiiieient mo- tive to defeat the bufinefs committed lo their ma- nagement. Thofe lo6 HISTORY OF THE Thofe pcrfons to whom the tea cleftincd for Bof- ton was configned, were unhappily ot the family, and neareft connedtions of thofe who had written the letters that had given fuch general oifence. From thefe caufes, together with the long fub- fifting determination to counteract the defigns of the Britilh miniftry, a fettled refolution was taken throughout the Colonies to oppofe the landing of the lea. They communicated their fentiments to each other, and were unanimous in the perfuafion, that if the tea was fuft'ered to be brought alhore, it would become impracticable to prevent the fale of it . — thus the tax would take place, in fpite of all their endeavours to the contrary. In the mean time the people aflembled every where in large bodies ; and to make their refolves the more fpeedily eftettual, they compelled the confignecs to refign the!** appointments, and fo- lemnly engage never tu rel jme them. Committees were chofcn, who took upon them to aCt with great authority. They examined the accounts of mer- chants, framed public tcfts, and declared, fuch as refufed them enemies to their country. They were invelled, in fliort, with all thofe powers which a difcontented people are fo ready to trull their leaders with. Under the guidance and fancftion of thefe rulers, every fort of licentioulhcrs was tolerated. The pub- lic prints, from one end of the continent to the other, were continually filled with inve(!itives againil the councils and policy of Great Britain, They fummoncd the people to rcfillance from all quarters, and reprefented them as devoted to defpotifm, un- lefs they univerfally rofc to face thofe internal, as well as external enemies, who were leagued in a confpiracy to opprefs them. SuQh LATE W A R. 107 ^' ■•% ■ : Such was the purport of the language they ufcd both in their fpeeches and writings. Thcfe fcnti- ments were not only thofe of the cominondty ; they were now adopted by all claflcs indifcriminarc- ly, and were the avowed principles of the com- munity. While America was thus deliberately preparing to encounter the dcfigns of Britain, three Ihips, freighted with tea, entered the harbour of Boflon .{;• The danger, or rather the imprafticability of land- ing it, was fo manifert, that the captains would willingly have carried it back to England, could they have obtained a formal permiffion from thofe who were officially authorifed to grant one. In this ftate of fufpenfe, the inhabitants, who faw that if they were fuffered to remain in the harbour, the tea would infallibly be landed, notwithflanding alj precautions againlt it, refolved to put an end to the difficulty at once, by a blow that ihould ilrjke ra- dically at all attempts of this kind. After giving notice to the conlignees, the owners, and the captains, that they would not permit them to bring their teas alhorc, and infilling on their de- parture from Bofton with their cargoes, upon findr ing that the Governor and Cuftonirhoufe rcfufcd their confent, without which the Ihips could not leave the harbour, a number of men, difguiled like Indians, boarded them, and threw the whole car- goes into the fea. The fame treatment was experienced by the vcf-r fels laden with tea in other parts of America. At Philadelphia, the pilots were forl)iddcn tQ condui^'t them up the river Delaware; and at New York, though fome chefts of tea were landed under the protection of a man of war, the Governor was con- itrained to deliver ihem iaio cuilod} , to preferve file i^ublic peace. t Nov, I But J08 HISTORY OF THE But had the maflers of thofc vcfTels been fiiffc'Ted to bring the tea on fhore, they would probably have found no perfons daring enough to take charge of them ; fo great was the dread of the affociations that had declared againft its importation. M CHAP, LATE WAR. 109 CHAP. IV. Bopn Port Bill. THE news of thcfc proceedings in America || arriving while Parliament was fitting, was im- mediately communicated to both Houfes by a lor- mal meflage from the Throne. This meflage intimated in the ftrongeft terms, the neceflity of taking the mofl fpirited and fpcedy meafures, to put a ftop to them ; and of framing fuch regulations as might efficaciouily prevent their repetition, and fccure an undifputcd dependence of the Colonies on the Crown and Parliament of Great Britain. To prove the propriety of this meflfage, a large number of papers were laid before the Houfes re- lating to the late tranfadtions in Maflachufet, and in other parts of America. Ther contained the votes and refolutions of the Colonies previous to the ar- rival of the Ihips with the tea ; the condudl of the people when they arrived ; the menacing fpeeches in their meetings ; and the daringnefs and licentious language univerfally current in their publications. The behaviour of the inhabitants of Bollon was particularized on this occafion as highly defcrving of reprobation and punifhmcnt. Every endeavour had been ufedto engage their affiftance for the pre- fervation of tranquility ; but they had treated thefe endeavours with fullennefs and contempt : they had even, in their corporate capacity, publicly infulted the ilieriff in one of their town meetings, upon his officially warning them to break up that allcmbly as illegal. Thus they had bidden open defiance to all civil authority, and taken the reins of government out II 1774- of J to iriSTORY OF THE ot the lawful hands ; transferring it to thcmfelvcs, and exercifing adUially all its powers according to their own judgment and determination. The conelufion was, that it being evident from all the documents fubjedted to the infpeftion of go- vernment, that the re-eftabliftiment of peace and order in that Colony could not be effeded without a diredt and vigorous interpofition of Parliament, its powers ought now to be called into a(ftion, and could not be too foon exerted. It was urged that fuch as were intimately conver- fant in the affairs of the Colonies, unanimoufly agreed, that in their prefent circumftances nothing but fuch ameafure would bring them to reafon,and induce them to recognize the lawful fovcreignty of Great Britain without further chicanery and difpute. The indignation without doors was equally rouf- cd againft the Americans, as well as that cxpreflcd by Parliament. As it appeared that they might ea- iily have defeated the tea fchemc without proceed- ing to fuch violent extremities, the warmth with which their caufe had been cfpoufcd was now much abated ; they began to be vijwed in the light of a ralli, unruly people, ready lo plunge into a feri- ous quarrel for flight caufes, and forgett^il of the amicable intercourfe that had fo Ions; fubfifled be- tween them and the parent il:ate, and of the affec- tionate manner with which they had been fupported even in the prefent conteil, by the good wifhes and countenance of a confidcrable part of the Britifh nation. Swayed in no fmall degree by this confideratlon, as well as by the preceding argumenti, the Parlia- ment prefented an addrefs to the Throne, promifing their firmefl concvurence in the meafures it had re- conmicnded for the fubduing of the rcfra^ory dif- poruiou of the Colonics. This L A T K W A R: tit This aadrcfs, however, was not unanimous : tliLTL' were many who thought that previous to the adoption of lb weighty a meafurc, as that of abfo- lutc coercion, the motives on which it was founded ihould be examined and difcuflcd with the utmoll freedom and latitude. That is was a ftep which, when once taken, could not with facility be re- called, and would in the mean time involve Great Britain in fuch difficulties and r^angers as were fitter to be left to the imagination rt thofe to whom they were thus hinted, than to be now made a fubjed: of explicit defcription. America, it was argued, was univerfally ripe for the moft obiUnatc refiftancc, in cafe force Ihould be ulcd in the bufinefs of taxation. Parliament might infill upon the lawfulnels of taxing the Colonies; but the Colonies themfclves would decide whether they would fubmit or rcfule to be taxed. Paft ex- perience had ihown that they were determined to oppole this mcalure : — Why Ihould the miniftry, therefore, prefume to adl upon fo dangerous a ground as that of' coercion, with fo many warnings of its imj)ropriety ? The only profpe(ft of fuccels was founded upon a force fuperior to that of Ame- rica : but were Great Britain to put forth her llrcngth upon this occalion, would not the expen- ccs prove immcnfe ? And were ihe to fuccecd, would not the ill temper and rcfentmcnt of the Ame- ricans remain unconcjuered, and become a fourceof conftant fufpicions on our fide, and of malevolence on theirs, which would break out on the lealt op- portunity of exercifing it to our detriment ? In the prefent difpute, two national bodies differ- ed on a point of fpecuV:tion ; and one of the two was to be materially aftcdted by the ilfue of the dif- jiute. It became them botli, therefore, to proceed with the utmoft caurion, and to afford no caufes of irritatioa on cithei iidc. The point litigated, was or 112 HISTORY or T n K of the mod de'liciitc nature, involved in douhts and perplexities, and would nor, unfortunately, ad- mit ot a dccifion that would latisfy either of the contending parties. Great Britain claimed a right to tax America ; America denied that right. — The former hail cut Ihort the matter, bv tleciding in its own favour ; but the latter rcfufed to acknowledge thejulHce of that decifion ; and pleaded the incqui- tablenefs of condemning one of the parties concern- ed, in fofummary a manner : this was all'umingan au- thority which was founded upon meer prcfumption. America, it was true, derived its political exirt- Cncc from Britain, but was now become a confide- ral>le nation, aiul ought therefore robe treated with refpedl. Due attention fliould be paid to the ideas prevailing in fueh a nation ; and care fliould betaken nottogiveotleneetofo large a body, by infilling upon their relinquifliing perUiafions and principles which thev hold as fundamental in their conrtitution. That m this litigation, the contending parties itood on verv diti'erent ground. Great Britain would lofe nothing by making conceflions, and waving the rights flie had clainied ; but America had much to lofe by yielding to the demands made upon her.— Thev were of a nature that aflevfted her in the ten- dered i)art : they deprived her of the confecjuencc to which Ihe thought herfelf juflly entitled, and degraded her in her own ideas. This was too much for a numerous and ref])edlablc people to bear.— Thev could not comply without rendering them- feh es unhaj'tpy in their own apprehcnfions ; fuch a concellion ought not, therefore, to be required by a nation that called itfelf friendly and generous. On thefe confiderations. Great Britain would acV a part confiilent with its magnanimity, and no •vays repugnant to its intereft, if duly relieving on the equity of rclincjuilhing a (jueilion which flic cuukl not decide in her own favour, without occa.- fioning LATE WAR. 113 fioning much calamity, fhc would nobly and wife- ly abandon all prctcnlions, that were not manitVd- ly her due, and clearly nHcnted to by the other party. A condcrccndencc of this kind would deliver Great Britain at once from all difficulties : it would preclude all occafions of (.Ifpute, by leaving the Colonies in the quiet polVefTionof thofe notions that were fo dear to them, and would fccure their adhe- rence by thedearcilof all ties, that of their inte- rcft, which they were too intelligent not to know conlifted in a clofe attachment to Great Britain. — A dillblution of this connedlion mull: undoubtedly be attended with many inconveniencics to rhcm : but though they were confcious of this, yet they were not the lefs refolved to abide by them all, ra- ther than confent to thofe rcquifitions on the pare of Great Britain which were the fubjedt of the prc- fent altercation. Such had been their refolve from its commencement; and in matters of this kind^ experience daily Ihowcd, that the further men ad- vanced, the lefs they were willing to recede. By thefe, and the like arguments, did the oppo-- fers of the minifterial meafures endeavour to prevent their taking eflfed:. But the prepofleiHon againft America was fo urong, that no reafonings could withlland it. Such as contended for the neccffity of averting the fupremacy of Great Britain, at all events, were fuch a majority, that all hopes were loft of rendering their determinations incffed:ual. It may be added, that fadts were on their fide.— The oppofition of the Americans had broken out into afts of great violence. They had treated indi- viduals outrageoufly, and fome with unwarrantable barbarity. In the refentment which fuch behaviour excited, the provocation to it was forgotten, ancl chaftifemcnt was looked upon as no more than ajuft Vol, I. No* IL H and 114 HISTORY OF THE and ncccflary aflcrtion of the honour and dignity of the nation. When the opponcnti of miniftry warned them to look back before they proceeded further on this principle, and to examine impartially their own conduct in America, thir anfwer was, — that how- ever that might have b.jen difagreeable to the Americans, it was juftifiable on the general ground of fuprcme fovereignty^ fo repeatedly aflerted by the Britifli legiflature. Great Britain was now culled upon to maintain her decifion. The queftion Therefore was not whether ihe fhould rclinquilh her claims, but how to fupport them moll effectually. It was now moved, that a forcible and vigorous plan of acting fliould be adopted, and carried into immediate execution. That in this determination to reftore peace and good order throughout the Co- lonics, that one which had invariably led the way to difobedience and confufion, Ihould be firft ani- madverted to, and finglcd out as an objcdt of Par- iiam.entary refentment. This Colony the Parliament und the whole nation knew to be MaiTachufet. Here it was that refinance had conftantly originated; and here it was incumbent on them, for that reafon, to begin the work of punilliment for paft, and of pre- vention againft future offences. The late outrageous proceedings at Bofton were of fiich a nati c, that were Great Britain to pafs them over without the feverity they deferved, it would degrade her in the opinion of all the powers of Europe, whofe attention was univerfally fixed on her prefent condudt, and would fubjed: her to in- dignities without end from the Colonies. Had the proudell: power in any quarter of the globe infulted her in the manner the town of Bofton had done, ihe muft, and would undoubtedly have infilled on the am]>kit fatisfaction : much more .was ihe entitled to It from LATE WAR. 115 from a place fubjed to her dominion, and which Ihe herfelf had founded* It was therefore propofcd, that the town of Bof- ton fhould pay for the tea that had been deftroyed in its harbour. The difguife aflumed by the de- ftroyers, was no mitigation of the offence imputed to the town in its corporate capacity* The temper of the inhabitants, the refolves of the town-meet- ings, the ncgledt of their maglftrates, in making no inquiry after offenders, the paflivenefs of all perfons poflefled of influence during thcfe proceed- ings, and their evident connivance at all irregulari- ties, — thefe and other inflances, needlefs to alledgc, were convincing proofs that the commiflion of that offence was, though indired:ly, yet indifputably countenanced by the inhabitants of Boflon. They ought therefore to make compcnfation to the fuffer- ers ; to which purpofe it was proper to lay a public fine on the town, adequate to the lofs fuf- tained. But befide this indemnification for the injury done to private individuals, a public reparation was equally due to the honour of the Britifh nation, no lefs hurt by fo daring an infult. To this intent it was moved^ that the port of Boflon fhould be ihut up, and pre- cluded from all commercial bufihefs, until the fine impofed for the payment of the tea vvas difcharged, and folemn afllirances given that in future the inha- bitants would fubmit to the laws of trade and reve-» nue enadted by the Britifh Parliament. After ma-* king fuch atonement, the king might, as foon as he thought proper, revoke the prohibition againfl the ufe of their harbour, and reftore them to all their privileges. This ad, though fevere in appearance, was not fo, it was faid, in reality. The duration of the punifhment inflifted upon the people of Bollon, lay entirely at their own option. An ac(iuicrccnce in H 2 the t6 HISTORY OF THE the requifitions made by Parliament, would remove it inftantly. But if they ihould continue obftinate in their denial of obedience, they alone would be- come anfwerabie for the conr>.^quences ; and it were unworthy of the fpirit and charadier of the Britilh nation, to fufpend the punilhmcnt they had fo juft- ly incurred, till full fatisfadtion had been obtained. The bufmefs propofed might, it was added, be effedied by» a few frigates, without calling in the aid of the military. This would prevent difturb- ances and blcodlhed, and compel them to fubmit <^uietly, when they law their whole trade at a ftand. It vould alio intimidate the refractory in the other Colonies, by Ihowing them with how much facility Great Britain could tuforce obedience whenever Ihe chofe it. This famous bill did not remain long in agita- tion : the temper of both Houfes was fo warm upon this occafion, as well as that of the nation at large, that it pafi'ed with a great majority, and was receiv- ed with general fatisfad:ion. Petitions were however prefented againfl it by the Agent for the Province of Maffachufet, and by fe- veral natives of North America* They reprefented that it was repugnant to Itridl equity, to condemn a whole people unheard, and at fuch a diftance; that on a profecution of the offenders, if they could be difcovered. Parliament might reft aflured, that •d due execution of the law would take place: that in public commotions it was difficult to come at the guilty ; but that to punifh indifcriminately the whole community for the offences of a few, was an unwarrantable and dangerous precedent : that the interpoiition of Parliament in fueh matters, was un- neccirary and illegal, as other tribunals were eredted for thofe purpofes, Thefe alone had a right, to take cognizance of fucb cafes ; as they were amenable LATE WAR. 117 amenable only before the judicial courts. The adt tended therefore to nlienate the Colonies, whofe af- fedtions to^ Great P-ritain were founded on her benevolence and jufiice to them, but vvoiud be ra- dicall '' dellroyed by this arbitrary exertion of au- thorit} . Thefe petitions were zealo\.''y feconded by the oppofition. It coii'.cnded aL,a at thedeli\<.r} of the town of BoHon into the povv^r of the Crown, as a nieafure wholly indefenliblc; uiid v\b.ich might, upon future occafions, become an inrtrument of the mod fatal nature to the liberty of the fubjedt. No trial had preceded this deiivfTy ; it was conclu- ded upon merely in confequencc of an accufation ; which, though poflibly well-founded, had not been proved. This was inverting the due order of pro- ceeding, and opening a door to difcretionarv power. Such a power was incompatible with thf* freedom of the 2ritifh conftitution, which enjoin-?, that no man, much lefs a whole community, fhould be ad- judged guilty, but upon fair and open trial. A fentence of puniflimcnt previous to this eflential for- mality, could not therefore be confidcred in any other light than as an act of tyranny. Allowing the demand of indemnification for the lofs of the tea to be juft, was it equitable to fufpend at the fame time the whole trade and bufinefs of a populous city, which had no other means of fub- iifting ? This was wantonly adding the extremes of \ indiclivenefsto the neceffity of punilhment, on a fuppofition that there had been a juft caufe for in- f i(fting it. Miniftry ought not to imagine that America would think li^x'ton alone was ftruck at by this blow : it was aimed fo vifibly at all the Colonies, that they would relent it as much as if each of them had felt it. The caufe of one was now become the caufe of all. The rejection of the tea was the deed H 3 of ii8 HISTORY OF T HE. of all America ; and if it was a criminal adV, they all partook of the guilt, and miiil be fenfiblc that Britain meant at a convenient fcafon to extend tho puniflimept equally to ^\U C H A P. they that tho CHAP. V. W A R. iiy ASls for nezv-moikUing the Governments of Miija- chujet and ^icbcc, AFTER paffing the adt againft the town and harbour of Boll:on §, it was propofcd, that in order to temper juflice with mercy, and to let the Americans fee that conciliation, and not revenge, was predominant in Britain, the tax upon tea, that had given birth to the late difturb.mces in that place, fhould be entirely repealed. This would evince the fincerity of the mother country, in its endea- vours to brinsc about a reconciliation with the Co- lonies, and prove thr.t pecuniary emoluments were not fo iiiur:h her aim, as the defire of fecuring herfelf from the difgrace of not daring to rcfent af- fronts and ill ufagc. But the minilterial party would nor hearken to fuch a meafure ; which, in their opinion, favoured of weaknefs and imbecility, as if Britain repented of the ftcp fhe had juft taken, and in order to de- precate the forgivenefs of America, was willing to atone for it by an equivalent condefcenfion another way. It would convince them that Britain was confeious of wanting jufticc in her claims, or power to make them good. This perfuafion would induce them to put no flop to their pretenfions ; or, what was worfe, to bid open defiance to thofe of Britain, and throw off all remainder of dependence. It would therefore be ad:ing both a more prudent, as well as manly part, to perfift in the work begun, and to wait with an inflexible firmnefs, the iflue of the meafares which the wifdom of fo large a majority had adopted. § i774« H 4 It 120 HISTORY OF THE U- It was even alledged, that the preceding a- lic fecular clergy, were fecured in their polfeffions, and in the receipt of their ufual tythes from perfons of their own communion. The arguments upon which this aift was grounded, were, that the inhabitants of Canada having been ufed to a French government and laws, di4 hotwifh for an alteration of either ; preferring them, in fadl, * to ii6 HISTORY OF THE to ihofc of Englund, and tircadingihc confcqucnccl ol' tliolc popular iVlUms ot' {ijowuning of which they faw the cliltts in the cominual dilhiilninccs through- out the l',nf';liih Colonies. That as to religion, no- thiiH?; hail been done hut conformably to the pro- miles made at the time of rhc capitulation ; and that as to the cxtenfion of the boundaries, it trtolc in chiefly fuch French pco[)lc as had fettled in places beyond their former limits. lUit thelc arguments were far from fatisfad^ory to the oppolirion. Thev objected that an arbitrary go- vernment could not legally be let up within the Britilh dominions ; and that for l^arliamcnt to be- come inllrumenr.al i "> eilabl idling it, was an objed: of allonilliment. There was no kind of ncccflity for fuch a meafure : an afl'embly migiit have been formed like thofc in the Knglifli Colonics, wherein the Roman Catholics of that Province might have Lcen adniittcd, as they were in fome of the French ceded iflands. As to the attachment of the Cana- dians to abfolute power, it was a bare furmife : no people in their fenfes that had tailed of a free go- vernment, vvould give the other the preference. — '^I'he trial by jury was univerfally allowed to be one of the wifetl inftitutions ever devifcd for the bene- iit of the community : it was not only eligible iix criminal, but eciually in civil cafes : it prevented mod effcdlually the invafion of property, and the violation of perlbnal freedom. The aftair of religion was debated with more warmth than any other. By the capitulation, no more, it was faid, than the free exercife of the Roman Catholic religion was to take place ; but the prcfent adt went to a full and circumftantiabefla- blillimcn.t of it, on a footing fuperior to that of the Proteilant religion, which, by the prcfent meafure, could not be deemed to enjoy any more than a fim- ple toleration. Was this eonfiileut with the cha- LATE W A H. 127 rnt^a' of rivv' Briiifli nation, hitherto crtiTincd tho bulwark, of the Protcllant caufc ? Was it loiiiul j^o- licv to cncournp;o a pcrluarion, from which fo mutli niifchicf was ufcil to he a;ipruhenilcti, aiul of which the maxims iiilVillcd in their carlielt education had taut!;ht them jMMiicipally to beware ? • 'rheexteniion of the boundaries of that Province was reprobated with great afperity : it was jullify- ing, in a manner, thofe claims of France that had occafioncd the lall war : it was appropriating terri- tories to a government that was intended to be the feat of arbitrarv power; and taking them from thofe who had alTilled in the con(|ueIl of them, in the Juft and well-founded hope of annexing them to their own pofiefllons. This was a flagrant att of in- iuflice, and would unqueftionably be confidered as fuch by all the Britifh Colonics. '■ If the oppofition it met with in Parliament was warm and f[)iritcd, the difcontcnt it excited with- out was much greater. As its ajipcarancc was ini- mical to liberty and Protellantilm, the nation at large received it with unufual marks of difappro- batfon. The former a6ts were efteemed proper in the prefent cxig-encies to curb the violence of the •Americans ; but this was looked upon as an attempt to invade the liberty and the religion eftabliflied by theTaws of the land : though an indirect, it fecmed no lefs a real attack upon both, and produced much ill will and fufpicion among the generality of people. It had alfo another effect, of which the minirtry was not perhaps aware, when it firll ventured to bring it forth. It diminiflied the popularity of the meafures that had been formed againil the Ameri- cans : it reflored them a number of thole friends to their caufe, whom their late outragious proceedings had difgufted ; and even cooled the fervour with which many had concurred in the views of the miniftry. But 128 HISTORY OF THE I I' ii But the zeal and numbers with which their con* dud: had Lecn fupported in Parliament, gave thefe a full confidence of fucccfs. As they imagined the Colonies depended chiefly upon the countenance of their well-wifliers at home, they doubted not that upon receiving intelligence, how weak the party was become to which they looked up for affillance, they w^ould lofe courage, and acquiefce in the will of Great Britain; efpecially on beholding fi^U proofs that Ihc was earnell in her determin?.tion to bring them into her own meafures, at pU hazads ; and would certainly exert her whole ftrength, if necef- fary, tocompafs an end, in which her interefl and dignity were equally and eflentially concerned. The truth was, that the fame and grandeur of the Britifh nation were fuch at this period, that it was never imagined the Colonies would ferioufly dare to contend with fo formidable a people. As the late triumphs of Great Britain in fo many par^s of the world, ft ill continued to make an impreflior^ upon the minds of its rulers, they flattered them- felves that they would ftill operate in the iemem- brance of others. In this expectation they judged that when the Americans faw the ancient fpirit of th^ Britifli adminiftration revive, they would not rilk £| trial of prowefs with thofe fleet's and armies, which the combined ftrength of the two gre$Ceft nations in Europe had not been able to refift. CHAP. LATE WAR. t29 CHAP. VI. Confequences of the foregoing ASls. SUCH were the ideas and the hopes of the mt- niftry, and of a great part of the Eritiih na- tion. They were as juflly founded as the general experience of mankind could render them ; but as the profperity and adverfity of ftates, as well as in- dividuals, depend upon events and cafualties which it is not in the power of political wifdom always to forefee, thefe flattering expe(ftations, however they might feem reafonable, only ferved to increafe the numberlefs proofs, hew often the wifdom of the compleateft ftatefmen is deceived in the calculation of thofe contingencies that decide the fate of nations. Various were the expeftations entertained from the meafures now carrying into execution. It was hoped that by depriving Bofton of the ufe of its harbour, the great trade it had hitherto engrofled to itfelf, would be divided among the other fea ports in the Province of Maflachufet : it was imagined that of courfe they would exert their bed endeavours to re- tain it, and would not therefore exprefs or feel much concern for the treatment of that tow n* It was no lefs believed that the feverity exercifcd upon the Colony of Maflachufet, would ftrike terror into the others, and might poffibly, from the commer- cial jealoufies and competitions that had fubiifted between the northern and fouthern Colonies, be viewed with fbme fecret fatisfaftion, and hope of deriving fome advantage from its dcpreflion. Hence it was inferred, that each of them would remain quiet on their own ground ; and that inftead of in- tangling themfelves in any embarraflhiejit on its ac- VoL. L No. 3. I ' count. I JO HISTORY OF THE count, the unanimity which had linked them in fo many cffufions of difcontent, would gradually evaporate, and leave them in a more tradable fituation. But thefe cxpeftations proved groundlefs in every refpcdt. Inftcad of fhowing the Icaft inclination to profit through their misfortune, every proof of at- tachment and friendlhip was given to the people of Bofton ; and they had the fatisfac^ion of feeing themfelves applauded and affifted by the whole Ame- rican continent. The fpirit of oppofition had been gathering more llrength and determination, than was thought of in Britain, an unfortunate ignorance of the native character of the Americans, was the caufe of un- fpeakable detriment throughout the whole of this conteft. The generality of people, many of the firfl rank not excepted, were fully perfuaded that they would never proceed beyond thofe expreflions of difcontent, with which they firft began. When it was feen, by the meafures they adopted upon the rejection of their petitions, that they would not Hop at bare complaints, ftill it was firmly aflferted, and unhappily believed, that riots and diflur- bances would be the utmoft of their refentment and refinance. The idea of a fteady, regular op- pofition of force to force, did not enter into the minds of many. It was fondly hoped, that on the fight of the military ftrength that was now prepar- ing againfl them, they would decline all further conteft, and peaceably fubmit to the injundtions of Great Britain. But far different in reality from thefe notidns, was the difpofition and temper of the Americans : paffivcnefs and humility were no part of their cha- racter : they were bred from their infancy in the higheft fentiments of independency ; and were taught, by continual examples, to repel every en- croachmeiic LATE the WAR. 13! croachment upon t^helr property, or perfonal pri- vileges. They were educated in habits of hardi- nefs and adlivity, that fitted them betimes for thofe labours and exertions thn.t accompany a military life. They were uncommonly expert in the ufe of fire arms; and their na'ive courage and intrepidity had been proved upon a variety of occalions, and were never called in queilion by thofe who knew them. The late war had trained numbers of them to the regular ufe of arms ; and they -.vcrc not deficient in individuals, who had greatly fignalizcd thcmfelves at that time both by fea and land. Such were the people whom prejudice reprc- fcnted as equally unable and unwilling to face the power and valour of Great Britain in the field ; and whom the very terror of her arms would alone be able to conquer. It was not furprizing, therefore, that animated by that fpiritof liberty which, in a nation afpiiing at independence, is ever ilrorgefl:, they fliould unanimoufly confpire to fupport each other in every dificuUy they expected to encounter* This difpofition, though common to them, all was confpicuouily evident in the Provinces of New- England ; the inhabitants of this part of America gloried particularly in their being the genuine de- fcendants of Britifh anceftors, unmixed with fo- reign blood, and inheriting the qualities upon which the natives of Britain value themfelves. When they were duly apprized of the ftorm that was gathering againft them, they coolly and deli- berately prepared to meet it. Every meafure was concerted for that purpofe which their circum- ilances enabled them to employ ; and they feemcd univerfally refjlved to perfill:, at all perils, in the refiftance they had begun. I 2 They 13* rilSTORY OF THE They now were thoroughly convinced that Great Britain was inflexibly bent on reducing them to a flate of unlimited obedience, and intended to go- vern them henceforward entirely upon fuch plans as Ihc might think proper to form without their concurrence : they doubted not that in thofe plans her interefts would be wholly confulted, and little notice taken of thofe of the Colonies : thcfe would unqucftionably be rendered entirely fubfervient to her conveniency ; and every advantage would be taken that force could give, or policy might fug- geft. In the full convidtion that fuch would be their treatment, and that of all America, in cafe Great Britain was fuffered to execute her prefent defigns, it was deemed highly proper to combat them by every means in their power. Should they fail in their endeavours, and be overcome by the fuperior might of their enemy, ftill their condition would not be worfe than if they yielded without refin- ance ; but if, on the contrary, they proved fuc- cefsful, their future profperity would make ample amends for the difficulties and diftrefles they mufl go through to arrive at the fituation they pro- pofed. Such were the general reafonings of the people in America upon the preparations and menaces of Britain to compel them to fubmiffion. Inftead of intimidating or difuniting them, the a(flive mca- fures refolvcd upon by the miniftry, had, on the contrary, bound them more firmly to each other than ever. As they now law they muft Hand or fall together, all diftindlions of intereft or per- uiafion were immediately loft in the great confi- ht be turned hither, and to our benefit ; but JSIature in the formation of our harbour, forbids ** our becoming rivals in commerce with that con- venient mart ; and were it otherwife, we muft be dead to every idea of juftice, loft to all feel- ings of humanity, could we indulge one thought o feize on wealth, and raifeour fortunes on the ruin of our fuftering neighbours." Sentiments of this kind were the more generous and noble, as previous to the altercation between Great Britain and her Colonies, warm com.petitions in trade had been ufual among the towns fituated in the neighbourhood of Bofton, of whofe profperity fome of them were not a little jealous. As Salem w^as now become the capital of the Province, and reaping the fruits of that trade which had been taken from Bofton, it was imagined that intereft would have gained over to the caufe of Bri- tain thofe who w^re benefited by her meafures ; but they who rcafoned upon this principle, forgot that the pafFions of men are always ftronger than their interell ; and that the confideration of this never preponderates but in minds that are cool, and di- vefted of their influence. The Americans, at this crifis, wTrc under the ftrongeft influence of a paf- flQU LATE WAR. 139 (ion for liberty, and were ready to facrifice to it all that was dcarcll: to tlicni. Depending however upon this principle, the friends of the BritiHi ^^ovcrninent hud conceived the inoft ianguinc hop.cs, that renioving the fccne of bufmers to Salem, \vo\ikl have fo much dirtrelfed the mcrcanrile clalks, that they would gladly have come into the meafuies re(|uired of them ; but they remained iiirn in their engagements, and preferred the inconvcniencics antl detriment refulting from their perfeveranee, to the lofs of character they mull: have fufiered, had they toiiaken the caufc of their countrymen. To this it may be added, that from the flu(flua- ting and precarious firuation ot public affairs, they forcfavv that little emolument could, at prefent, be expected from their compliance ; they wifely chofc theiefore to wait for a feafon of more ftability. During thefe agitations, intelligence arrived at Bollon of the two remaining bills that had been framed ; the one for the new-modelling of the go- vernment of Maffachufet, and the annulling of its charter; the other for the adminiilration of juflice, upon a new plan. This inteHio;ence was circulated throuph the Co- lonies with the utmoll diligence, and completed that meafure of refentment which Icemcd neceffary to precipitate them into the moft violent meafures. Such as before appeared to hefitate, became fixed in their determinauons. A cefTation of all com- mercial inierconrfe v^^as again propofed, and a re- newal of all tlioil: agreements that tended to the fole ufe of their own manufa^^liures. Contributions were now raifed in all quarters for the relief of the inhabitants of Boiton. Letters and nddreiles came to them from corporate bodies, and provincial afl'emblies, praifnig them in the higheft terms for the courage with which they fubmiited to t40 niSTORY OF THE to prcfcnt hardlhips for the p;ood and honour of their country, and exhorting them to pcrfeverc in the lledfall adherence to a caiife which could not fail, through fuch fupporters, to become triumphant at lai\. But notvvithftanding the fpirit of violence and hoftility to Great Britain, that feemed now to pre- dominate, there ftill was a large number, who re- flecting on the terrible confetjuences of rufliing im- mediately to arms, laboured carefully to inftill their fentiments into others. To thefe it was owing that the rage and indignation of the majority were kept in any bounds, and that the final decifion of the condudt America ihould purfue, was referred to a general Congrefs. But though they fuccccded fo far as to prevent an immediate commencement of hoftilities, they could not put a flop to thofe proceedings that pre- pared and fitted the minds of men for any that might happen. Of all the committees in America, thai naged the corrcfpondence on public affairs throughout their own Province, and with the other Colonies, that fettled at Bollon was compofed offomeof the mofi: noted perfons in America for their abilities, and their antiprithy to Britain. Through their ef- forts and ad:ivity, the complaints and difcontents at her meafures were kept up and propagated ; and their zeal was indefatigable in the encouragement! of that fpirit of rcfillance, on which they founded the execution of the defigns they were meditating. The arrival of the two lall: ads of the Britifh Parliament, having raifed the fermentation through- out the Province to its highcft pitch, this was the time to begin the unfolding of that plan, for which they faw the difpofitions of men were daily ripening, and the fairell opportunity given. They TATE W A R. 141 They prepared an agrcciDcnt accordingly ;— which, in imitation ot' that which the enemies to monarchy framed during the civil wars in Enghmd, in the lall century, was entitled a folemn League and Covenant. Herein the fubfcribers folemnly bound themrelves, in the moft religious manner, to break off all commercial intercourfe with Great Britain after the expiration of the cnfuing month of Auguft, until the late obnoxious adls were repeal- ed, and the Colony re-poirefl*ed of its charter.— They obliged themfelves neither to purchafe or to ufe any goods imported after that term, and to break off all trade and dealings with any who did, as well as with the importers. They renounced all con- nection with thofe who Ihould refufe to bind them- felves in a iimilar mannc ;, either by this, or a like agreement ; and concluded by threatening to make public the names of all who declined to enter into fuch engagements. The committee exerted itfclf with its ufual dili- gence in the promoting this Covenant, which was attended with a circular letter, exhorting all men to fet their names to it, as a tell of their fide- lity to the caufe of their country. All New Eng- land adopted it with the utmoft zeal. It was not however at Bofton only, and the Pro- vinces of New England, that this fpirit of oppoli- tion prevailed ; the fame agreements were as readi- ly entered into elfewherc, and few parts of the Ame- rican continent were without them. Aftonifhed and incenfed at this extraordinary pro- ceeding, the Governor of Maffachufot iffued a pro- clamation againft it, wherein it was lliled an illegal and traiterous combination, contrary to the alle- giance due to the King, fubvcrfiveof the authority of Parliament, and dcftrudlive to peace and good order. People were forbidden to give it any coun- tenance, under the penalties annexed to fuch offen- ces; 142 HISTORY O K 'I If E CCS ; and the magldratc^' vvcrr admonished to ap« prchcnd all pcrlbns who fliould publiih, fubfcribe, or abet any luch engagement. ^ But this proclamation was difrcgardcd ; 'and only fcrvcd to fhow what Hnle authority remained to Great Britain in this Colony. Inilead of paying it any deference, it was publicly attacked in print, and cenfurcd as illegal : the law, it was aflerted, did not prohibit fubjedls from afTembling to confider of grievances, and form aflbciations for their relief in cafes of oppreflion. In the mean time prep::? rations were making for the holding of the intended Congrefs. Philadel- phia, from it? iituation between the North and South Colonies, was judged the moft convenient place for that purpofe, and the beginning of Sep- tember the proper time for meeting. The Depu- ties who were to compote it were chofen by the Re- prefentatives of each Province, out of their refpec- tive bodies : two were the leaft, and feven the largefl number fent by any Province ; but no Colony had more than a finglc vote. The Provincial Aflcinblics that were Keld pre- vious to the meeting of the Congrefs, foreboded the tranfadf ions of that meeting. They were, as ufual, full of refolutions, cenfuring in the flrongeft terms, the conduifl of the Britifli Icgiflature, and threat- ening to break off all commercial correfpondence with Great Britain, unlets Ihe complied with their rcquefts. The people in Britain had now a full profpeft of what they were to expedt from the meafures in which they had been fo fanguine. They faw an Union €fre(fted between all their Colonies, founded on the broad bottom of what they efteemed their common interelh It was not the intrigues of a party they had to defeat, but the combined power of a numerous people they had to cncouaccr, bound together LATE WAR, 145 together by cammon refcntmcnts. Experience had proved it impradlicablc to fow diflcntions among them: thev were therefore to be combated on their own ground, where unanimity in their caufe would produce univerlal refinance, and whence it were in vain to look for any fupport. A fufficieht earneft was given of the firmnefs and conftancy that would be met with, in the be- haviour of the inhabitants of Bofton. Neither fear nor intereft had worked the Icaft chan2;c in their determination. They continued to bear with a paf- flive, but inflexible fortitude, the ineonveniencies and hardfliips to which they were reduced by the deprivation of their port. Thefe were daily increa- fing, and began to be an objedl of alarm to all claf- fes. Th : affiftancc they had received from a vari- ety of quarters was very conliderable, but was not, however, adequate to the exigencies of a large commercial city, chiefly peopled with individuals employed in the numberlefs occupations created by an extenfive and flourifliing trade. Before the pre- fent calamity had befallen them, it might with great truth be faid, that no place upon earth could exceed, and few rival the happinefs of its inhabi- tants. Boflion was, in fadt, the feat of commerce and plenty. The immenfe bufinefs it carried on, afforded not only a fufficient, but a comfortable fubfiltence to individuals of all branches and deno- minations. Not only the neceflary and ufeful, but the elegant, and even fome of the luxurious arts were cultivated amongft them. They were become a polite, a gay, and, what was more to their ho- nour, a friendly and hofpitable people ; and con- duced their enjoyments in a manner that rendered them worthy of their profperity. In this happy ftate of their circumftances, they were fentenced at once to a total deprivation of all means of fubfilling. The blow was not partial : 144 HISTORY OF THE it reached every pcrfon fettled there. Labourers, artificers, tradefmen, merchants; everyone with- out exception participated in the general calamity* They bore this fudden reverfe with a patience and determination to perfift in the fame line of acting, that had brought it upon them, which afforded no fmall matter of furprize to their enemies, and of exultation to their friends. Among thefe latter none fignalized themfelves with more zeal and alacrity than the people of Mar- ble-head, their near neighbours, and who by this proximity, were the moil likely to reap the greateft profit by their diftrefs ; but inftead of endeavour-- ing to turn it to any account, they generouily of- fered to the merchants of Bofton the ufe of their harbour, v/harfs, and warehoufes, free of all ex- pence. In the mean time troops were arriving at Boflon from all quarters. This increafe of a military force occafioned great jealoufy throughout the Province. It was looked upon as a denunciation of what they were fliortly to expedit, in cafe they continued in their prefcnt difpofition. But inftead of betraying any figns of change, It gathered ftrength daily. Proofs were continually given that the people in the neighbourhood of Bol- ton kept a watchful eye on the proceedings of the Britifh troops there ; and would, on the leart notice of any harfii meafures againll the inhabitants, fly inftanrly to their relief. A report was fpread that a bodv of the military was polled on the iilhmus, that joins the peninfula upon which Bofton Hands, to the main-land, in order to cut off its communication with the country, and compel it by famine to fubmit to any terms that might be impoled. Hereupon the coun- try aUemblcd in large numbers, and difpatched mcflengers to Bollon to inquire into the truth of this L A t E W A ft. HS this report, and to aflir : them they might depend upon the fpecdieft afliiU j e, in cafe of neceffity. f hey brought with th£m, at the fame time, art errand of far greater importance, as it Ihowed in its fulleft light, the reality of their determinations to keep their word with Britain, in refilling her to the laft. This errand was to inform the people of Bofton, that were they to lofe courage fo far as to furrender their liberties, the Province Ihould not look upon itfelf as bound by fuch fubmiffion : Britain, by breaking their charter, had annulled the original contrad: fubfiiVing between them ; and they were now left to themfelves, and at liberty to aities, they were indcfatigably taken up with every preparation for war : arms were provided, and ammunition pro- cured by all individuals who could ufe them, and heavy denunciations of revenge made againft thol'e who Ihould oppofc their intentions. Upon receiving information of thcfe preparations. General Gage thought it neceflary to fortify the neck of land already mentioned, in order to guard the town from any fuddcn furprize. This excited frelh ilifcontents, and afforded ample caufe of complaint : Jr Wus rcprefcntcd as a commencement of hoftilities, and-as an undenlabk evidence of the defign fo long lufped:ed. ^ LATE W A ll» r47 fufpcdcd, to render the military abfolute mailers wherever they fhould be Rationed. Their complaints were fo ioud on this occafion, that fearing they might proceed farther, the Gene- ral, by way of precaution againft all accidents of this kind, took the refolution of feizing the pow- der, and other military ftores, lodged in the Pro- vincial magazines at Cambridge and Charleflown* This ftep appeared the more prudent, as the time was now approaching for the annual mufter of the militia, when it was apprehended, that if any hof* tile dcfigns wer6 in agitation, this would certainly be the feafon for executing them* It is not improbable that fuch was the intention of the people of Maflachufet. The refentmcnt and indignation univerfally exprefled at his condudt, and the violent meafures immediately propofed, feemed to be dictated by difappointment, and ma- ni felled a concerted readinefs to proceed to extre- mities on the firll opportunity. With difficulty were they prevented by fuch as had the qioll influ- ence over them, from marching to Bollon, and threatening to attack the troops, unlefs the llores that had been feized were immediately returned. But though retarded for the prefent, their re- venge was fully determined upon. Not only Maf- fachufet, but all New England, concurred in this determination. To imprefs the military at Bollon with a due perfuafion that no excefles on their part would be attended with impunity, an alarm vvas fprcad that they were engaged in acflual fight wirh the towns-people ; this report brought inllantly thoufands together, who proceeded towards Bollon with the utmoll fpeed, and made no halt till they had full certainty that the report was premature. In Bollon itfelf, whttc the military were abfo- lute, open defiance was bid to the Gov ^rnor him- felf. The company of cadets that ule<.l to attend K 2. th» 14^ HISTORY OF T ir E Provincial Governors on ceremonial occafions, d'lC- banded themfelvcs, and returned him the ftandard he had, as iifual, prefented them with on his ac- ceffion to the government. This flight was the more felt and mortifying, as this body confided wholly of young gentlemen of fortune and falhion, and of families hitherto reputed to be attached to the Britilli intcreft. This public renunciation of all further connec- tion with the Governor, by fo refpe(5table a corps, was by difcerning people confidercd as an evil pre- fagc. It had been chiefly occafioned by his de- priving their Colonel of his commillion. — This vs'as the celebrated Mr. Hancock, a gentleman whole intcrcit and influence were very cxten- iive, and whofe eharad:er was extremely popular. By difobliging him in this manner, he raifed him- ielf an enemy, whofe popularity did not fail to create him a multitude of others. Another inftance of the like nature happened at the fame time. A colonel in the Provincial mili- tia having acccj)i.cd a feat in the new council, rwcn! v-four oflicers of his regiment refigned their commilBons in one day. From ihefe fpecimens of the temper of the Amc- rieans, it was eafy to prognofticate what confe- qucnces would infallibly refult from their invete- racy. During thefc proceedings, the towns in the neighbourhood of Bollon appointed a meeting of iheir principal inhabitants, wherein they agreed to rcfufe all obedience to the late adts of the Britiih l^arliament, and engaged to indemnify all perfons who fliould be profecuted for difobedience tc the courts, and the other powers eftabliflied by them : th^n' declared all members of the new council vio- lators of the duty they owed to their country, and warned T. A T E WAR. 14(7 'R'arncd uhcm to refign their pods, under the pe- nalty of being treated as public enemies. They exhorted the people, at the fame time, to perfedii themlelves in military dllcipline, and to al- iemble once a week tor that purpofc. They ad- viled them to be perpetually on their guard againil the defigns of their enemies ; who, it was faid, had detentiined to feize upon thofe among them who had molt fignalized themfelves by their oppofition to the tyrannical meafures of the Britiih miniltry. Should fuch an attempt be made, they were direct- ed to refift it ; and if it Ihould fucceed, to Icize, in their turn, every officer they could find, and de- tain them till their own friends were reltored to libertv. They recommended to the receivers of the pub- lic revenue, not to deliver it to the treafurer, but to retain it in their own hands, till the conftitution of the Province was reftored, or a Provincial Con- grefs fhould otherwife difpofe of it. After thcfe, and feveral other admonitions, they concluded by entreating the people to continue in fuch a firm, unanimous oppolition to their enemies, as might convince them that all their endeavours to opprefs America would be vain ; and that in lb juft and noble acaufe, ** the conduct of the Ameri- cans would be fuch as to merit the approbation of the wife, and the admiration of the brave and free of every age, and of every country," — Thofc were their words, A rcmonllrance was next prefented to the Gover- nor againft the fortifications carrying on at Bofton. They herein informed him, that they intended by no means to commence holtilities with the Bi itifii troops : but were at the fame time equally relblved, through the Divine affiftance, never to fubmit to the late opprefhve ads. They complained of in- fulting behaviour from the military, and particu-. K 3 hirly t^O HISTORY OF THE larly of the feizure of their military (lores. They imputed to thefc caufes the ferment now raging throughout the Provinces, and which nothing could lay but a total flop to fuch proceedings. In order, if poffible, to reftore things to fomc degree of tranquility, the Council advifed the Go- vernor to call a General Aflembly. The writs were iffued accordingly ; but the heats and animofities lo widely prevailing, and the deficiency of a coun- cil through the refignation of fo many of its mem- bers, induced him to countermand the writs by proclamation. But this latter meafure was held illegal, and the Province ele<^ed its Deputies, who met at Salem; where, after waiting a day for the Governor, on his not a.)pt;anng, they voted them- felves into a Provincial Congrefs, and chofe Mr. Hancock prefident. A committee was immediately appointed to wait upon the Governor, and repreient to him the ne- ceffity of taking the fcnfe of the Colony upon the prefent critical fituation of its affairs. They enu- merated the grievances already fpecified, and re- queued him ia the molt folemn manner, to difcon- tinue the works upon Bofton neck. The Governor's anfwer was, that no inimical in- tentions were mcam by the proceedings of the Bri- tilh troops ; felf-defence only was propofed. He reminded the conimittee how ill it became them to complain of breach of charters, while in defiance of government, they continued to hold Affemblies not warranted by law. But thefe expoflulations and recriminations ferv- ed only to increafe fufpicion and refentment On each fide. As mutual good-will and confidence was entirely loH, whatever was done was confidered ift a finiller view ; and imputations of die blackeft nature were affixed to every meafure reciprocally adopted. So L A T E W A R. I5I So dangerous was the fituation of all adherents to the Britilh canfe become, that they no longer dared to truft themfelves out of Bolton. This was the only place where they could remain in fafcty. The Commiffioners of the Cuftoms, and all their at- tendants, had removed thither from Salem. Thus government, adminillration of juftice, and com- merce were all equally at a (land. Winter was now approaching. In order to pre- vent the altercations that might arife from the troops being quartered upon the inhabitants, the intention or the Governor was to ere(ft barracks for the accommodation of the former. But this inten- tion was fruftrated by the felered in the highcft fentinients of freedom, they ]>i"eferve and propagate thcni wherever they go. i Itnee in the numerous emigrations from England to America, that have taken place in the lad and the prefent century, the fpirit that was prevalent at the time they happened, always accompanied the cmigrators. This ac^^ounts in particular for the paflionate attachment to republican principles, that marks the charadlcr of the people in New England, whofc forefathers were the moil zealous adherents to that party which oppofed monarchy with lb much ouLragioufnefs and violence in the laft cen- tUrv. Fraught with the high fpirited notions that charac- fcrife the Britilh nation, it is not furprizing that the inhabitants of Briiifli America fhould feel the fame repugnance to make any conccflion unfavour- able to liberty, that is profeflcd by the natives of thisifland; in which thcfe glory, and which they conlider not only as the moft fhining part of their charadler, but as the fourceof all thofc advantages they polFefs in a fupcrior degree toother nations. Another material caufe may be affigned for the forwardneis cxprefled by the people ot New-Eng- land, in aflerting every privilege to which they thought thcmfelves entitled. This part of Britilh America is chiefly peopled with white men ; the proportion of blacks being no more than a twen- tieth. The lands are divided into fmall lots, each of them freeholds : this produces a numerous com- monalty, who live in plenty, though not in lux- ury. An equality of circumftances places them on a footing of friendlinefs and mutual intercourfc, that renders it dangerous to aim at innovations, or at too much authority over them. A people t A T F. WAR. '5. A people thus conditutcd, enjoy a weight and confcqiiencc unknown in countries where great quantities of Innd arc in tlie poUeffion of a few. Here the number to be bought or infiuenced being I'mall, that bufincfs is much more cafily acconi- pliflicd, than where multitudes are to be confulted whole circuiv.ftanccs let them above neeefiity, and vvhofe education renders them ol)lHnately attached to the conllitutionof their country. Long ago it was forefcen, that a time would come wlii^n the pcoi>lc of New-Kngland would lay claim not only to freedom in its utmoft extent, buc to political independency. The j^rinciplesthey were brought up in, taught them jultly to confulcr the lirll as their due ; and the jcaloufy of incroach- ments upon it, would lead them to bear impatiently the dependence upon any power diflindt from their own. Experience ihowed, that while unr.ble to caft off fuch a yoke, they bore it even then with re- huf^ance. It was no matter of aflonilhment, that thinking thcmfelves able to refill if, they lliould. refufe to bear it any longer. That fpirit of refiftance of which Great Britain now fo bitterly complained, was therefore the ne- ceflary and native growth of thofe Colonies which fhe had founded, foftered, and reared, with fo much attention and care, to their prefent ftate of maturity. They felt the ftrength and importance to which they had attained, and were dehrous to exercife it according to their own ideas. They were now met altogether for thefirft time, in the perfons of their delegates. After having for many years dwelt, as it were, feparate from each other, and often differed about their various in- terefts, they now laid afide all prepoffefTions and antipathies, and cordially agreed to unite their re- fped:ive abilities of every kind, in oppofition to the power and demands pf Great Britain. This i; 156 it I S T O R Y OF THE This was a fcene that called up the attention of all Europe ; but cipccially of thofe ftatcs that had large poU'effions in America. They law the be- ginning of a contcfl, the final iiTue of which might alfcd: them in the moll ferious manner. Were the Biitifli Colonies to fucceed in their attempt, fo far as to place theiiifelves on a footing of total indepen- dence upon Great Britain, this might prove a pre- cedent of the mofl fatal tendency to their interell:. It might induce their own Colonies to imitate thofe of England, in hopes of meeting with the like fuccefs. Thofe powers, on the other hand, who had no Colonies, viewed with a fecret fatisfadlion the em-' barraflments of a ftate whole might they dreaded and wifhed to fee diminifhed. The delegates were enjoined by the in{lru(flions they had received from their conftituents, fplemnly to acknrwledge the fovereignty of Great Britain over them, and their willingnefs to pay her the fulled obedience, as far as the conftitution autho- rifed her to demand it : they were to difclaim all notions of fepei ating from her ; and to declare it was with the deepefl regret, they beheld a fufpen- fion of that confidence and affection which had fo long, and fo happily for both, fubfifled between Great Britain and her Colonies. •- • • ■ But they were no lefs carefully diredled, at the fame time, to afifert the rights tranfmitted tt> them by their anceftors. Thefe rights they would never furrendcr, and would maintain them at all perils. They were entitled to all the privileges of Britifli fubjefts, and would not yield to the unj^ift preten- fions of Parliament, which, in the prefent treatment of the Colonies, had violated the principles of the conftitution, arid given them juft occafion to be dif- fatisfied, and to rife in oppofition. Parliament might depend this oppofition would never ceafe, until' LATE WAR. t^y until thofe ad:s were wholly repealed that haU been the radical caufe of the prefent dil\iirbances. They were particularly inftru<5ted to prolcrve the iitmoft harmony in all their conliiltations, and to debate nothing with acrimony ; whatever fhould be decided by a majority, the remainder fliould ac- quiefce in chearfuUy. This majoritv was .to be formed, not by numbering the delegates, but by allowing one vote to each Colony. The temper and fecrecy with which they con- diidled their proceedings, was the firft objeit that ftruck difcerning obfervers : it contributed power-. fully to gain them the reverence and favour of the public, and to convince their conftitucnts that they had intruded their aifalr's to able hands. Their firft public a(^ was a declaration approv- ing and applauding the condud: of the people of Malfachufet, and encouraging them to proceed with the fame fpirit they had begun : they lamented the diilrefles of the people at Bofton, and the oppref- iion they fufFered through the illegal and tyrannical ads of the Britiih Parliament : they coincided with all the meafures and relblutions taken and propofed by that Province, and recommended a generous contribution of fupplies from all the Colonies, to enable their countrymen at Bollon nobly to perfe- vere in the ftruggle they were u nv making for the common caufe. They further declared, that If any attempt iliould be made to carry thefe adts into execution by force, all America Ihould join tooppofe it ; and that if, in the courfe of hoftilities, the prefervation of the in- habitants of Bofton made their removal up the coun- try neceliary, all America iliould unite to indem- nify them for the loflcs and detriment they might incur on that account. They next wrote a letter to General Gage, In which, after repeating the grievance'} complained of ^-* »« 158 HISTORY OF THE of by the pcoj)le of Mairachufct, much in their owrt terms, they informed him of the nnanimous rcfo- lutron taken by the Americans to oppofe, with their united endeavours, the atfts lately palfcd by the Bri-^ tifh Parliament ; and that to this intent the Colo- nies had appointed them the guardians of their li- berties. They entreated him, in the fame manner the people of his government had done, to defill from any military operations, as tending to breed ill blood, and occaiion, at la ft, hoftilities, which might fruftrate the pacific difpolition of the Con- grefs, and render a reconciliation with the parent ilatc a work of great difficulty. This letter was followed by a public declaration of the rights belonging to the Britilh Colonies. Herein they again alTerted their title to every privi- lege enjoyed by Englilhmcn. They particularly fluted, that as the diftancc of the Colonies from Britain made a reprefcntation of them in the Britifli Parliament inconvenient and impradlicablc, their Provincial Affemblies ought exclufively to poflefs the powers of legiflaiion, as the only legal repre- fentatives of the people, by whom they are chofcn. Thefc, conjointly with the Governor appointed by the King, being conftitutionally the only lawful ru- lers in each Province. In order, however, to prcfervc the conne(ftion between Great Britain and her Colonies unimpaired,. thrv conlented to pay due fubmiffion to fuch ad;s of the Biitilh Parliament as arc avowedly and evi- dently calculated for the meer regulation of com- merce, and to fecurc the benefits of the American trade to the parent llate ; but without empowering her toimpofe any tax whatfocver for the purpofc of raifmg a revenue in America without their con- fen t. They reprobated the idea of being tried for of- fences any where but at home, by juries chofen among LATE WAR. 159 rmong their neighbours. They claimed all the immunities granted to them at any time by royal L'haners, or lecured to them by law : they declared the keeping of an armed force in any Colony dur- ing peace, againfl its confent, illegal ; and that a council invclled with legiflative powers, and ap- poinr-^d by the Crown during pleafure, was con- trary to the fpirit of the conllitution, and fubverfive of freedom. They inlifled on thefe rights as inalienable, and in the lawful power of none to deprive them of. They were founded on the clearefl natural juftice, and could not rcafonably be called in queftion. They enumerated thofe adts of Parliament by which they thought themfelves illegally aggrieved, and of which they declared the repeal indifpcnfibly neceflary for the rcfloration of harmony between Great Britain and America. Among thefe was that relating to Quebec, which they explicitly termed An Aft for eilablilhing the Roman Catholic re- ligion in Canada ; abolifhing the equitable fyf- tem of Englilk laws, and eredling a tyranny there." This aft, they faid, was peculiarly hoftile to the Colonies, from the diflimilitude be- tween the religion, laws, and government, efta- bliihed among the Canadians, and thofe of the Co- lonifts. The French in that Province had not for- gotten the enmity formerly fubfifting between thcn-k and the Englifh Colonies, and that it was by the illillance of thefe, they had been torn from the do- minion of France, They then declared, that to obviate in the moft effcftuai manner the evils impending upon them, through the unjuftifiablc meafures of the Britiili miniftry, it would be proper to frame a body of re- gulations againft the importation and confumption 9i Englifh goods, until thofe afts were repealed that impofed duties upon tea, wine, cottee, fugar, and n i( i6o HISTORY 01^ THE and inolafTcs Imported into America, together with the Bollon port a(fl, tholV for altering the charter of Malliichufet, and the admlniftration of jnllicc in that Colony, and that relating to Quebec. The regulations agalnil iuiporting or ufing any articles coming from Britain, were much the fame that had been adopted on former occafions, and have been already ipecified : the principal differ- ence was, that they were now enacicd in a more formal manner, and recommended with more ear- nellncfs and folemnlty. They did not forget to return the warm thanks of America to thofe members of Parliament who had lb zcaloiifly, though ineffedtually, efpoufed its caiife ; as well as to thofe numerous individuals in England, that had flood up in its defence in their fpeeches or writings. Their next bufmefs was to draw up a petition to the King, an addrefs to the Britifh nation, another to the Colonies, and a third to the French inhabi- tants of Canada. In their petition to the King, they complained in particular of a military commander in chief being u]>pointed Governor of a Colony during peace; an armed force employed to compel the payment of taxes ; new offices created and attended with much cxpence and oppreflion ; Adaries and fees in the Courti of Admiralty payable out of the effects condemned; Cullom-houfe officers authorifed to force entrance into houfes without permiffion from the civil ma- giftrate ; heavy forfeitures for light offences ; falfe informers exempted from indemnifying the parties accufed ; unreafonable fecurity demanded for thefe when defending their right. After dwelling upon thefc, and the various in- fiances repeatedly mentioned as obje(fts of complaint amongil the Americans, they declared their attach- ment to the parent ftatc, their fidelity to the Crown, and t A T K WAR. t6t << « and afFc«5lion to the King*s penon and family^ with a more remarkable warmth and energy of expref- fion than had hitherto been ufed on luchoccafions. They entreated him, for the fake of his people and himfelf, to adhere to thofe principles that feated his royal anceftors on the Britifh Throne ; and that as the common lovereign of all his fubjed:s, he would impartially confider them as " connected by ** the fame bonds of law, loyalty, faith, and blood, though d .veiling in various countries ; and not fuffer the relation formed by thcfe tics, to be fur- ther violated, in uncertain expedationof effedts, which, if attained, never can compen fare for the calamities through which they mult be gained." They imputed the difconnents, ill blood, and difturbances in America, to the ill-advii'^l fyftem of government that had of late years prevailed amongft them : to this alone they afcribed all the misfortunes that had happened. Before the profe- cutionof this plan, univerfal tranquility ^d fatis- fadtion reigned throughout the Colonies. They did not petition, faid they, for new grants or fa- vours; they aJkcd only for peace and freedom. As this petition was looked upon as a folemn averc not over-awed by xhc one, nor debilitated by the other. Their immcnfc diftancc from the metropolis, had hitherto preferved them from the contagion of miniftcrial induencc : few were the means of de- taching individuals from the intereft of the public. The principal polls and offices in the gift of go- vernment, were chiefly bellowed on the natives of Britain ; and the inferior employments were neither numerous nor lucrative enough to purchafe many adherents. Thole honorary diltindlions which birth and titles create, were hardly known among them : every man occupied the rank which his own induf- try, or that cf his fathers had procured him. This afforded every individual the profped: of rifmg to itnportancc through the exertion of his talents, and encouraged him, of courfe, to make a proper ufc of them. Hopes of this nature excited univerfal emulation, and produced a laborious and diligent race of men, full pf projey medium between poverty and rictiel?;, was the moil defirable circumrtancc that could at- tend the Americans at this period. It approxima- ted and cemented the great body oi' the people; it itiade them duly fenfible of the ftrength and im- portance refulting from an equal diffufion of property, and infpired them with a refolution to , ihaintain themfclves in fuch a flate* The Americans, throughout the vvholc of this Conteft, entertained a very clear idea of their own fituation, and of that of Great Britain. They ftood prepaW on their own ground, where plenty of re- iburces were at hand : ihould not: rhclc prove fuf- ficient T, A T E W A R. 175 ficicnt to with Hand the power of Britain, they well knew where others might be found. The jealoufy of all Europe, of thofe ftatcs in particular whofe enmity to Britain was natural and hereditary, was a fund from vvhjnce to derive fupplies, which politi- cal inveteracy would render inexhauftible while the quarrel lafted. • . The condition of Great Britain was the revcrfe in every refpedt. She was torn with divifions at home, that rendered one half of the nation an ene- my to the other. The very fubjcil of the difpute with America was the caufe of endlefs conteft. She had an immcnfe ocean to crofs before ihe arrived at the fcenc of adticn. The preparation and expcncc for fo vaft an cnterprize, were necelFarily prodigi- /)us. Add to this the avowed unwillingnefs in mul- titudes of thofe who were to draw the fword in this quarrel, and the divided opinions of the wifefl men in the nation vfhat plan of adling was the moft eligible. But independent of thefe difficulties, which were fufficient to alarm the moft forward and confident, there was another of fuch magnitude, as feemed of itfelf to render the attempt impradlicable. This was the critical fituation of the public funds. — Great Britain was now at the eve of a war, that threatened to prove the moft perilous and expcn- five of any ihe had waged for ages. Her refources, though great, were in evident danger of foon di- minifliing through its operations. The ftanding revenlie was inadequate to the demands of the ftate on this occafion ; and the fears of thofe who could alone advance the neceflary fupplies, were to be overcome by views of intcreft. But even this powerful lure wa^ confidcrably wcakened-by the reflection on the precarious ftate of the Britifti finances. All Europe was aftonifticd at the boldnefs of Britain in commencing a war fo terrible ij6 HISTORY OF r U A terrible in its appearances, when loaded wltti (ucli enormous debts. It lecmed utterly impoflible for the nation to bear any additional weight ; and po- litical calculators were eager in prcdid:ing a national bankruptcy, in cafe Britain lliould perfill in the hoftile meafures it had refolved. The general opinion of Europe was decifivelf againft thefe meafures. They deemed it the height of impolicy in the Englifli, to attack their Colonies, and carry their arms fo far abroad, while their own affairs were in fuch diforder at home. The Americans were loudly of this opinion. The refinance they threatened was greatly founded on the prefumption that Britain was too much entang- led with domeflic difficulties tg turn her attention to fo great a diftance. Their arguments againft the probability of fuch a condudt in the Britifli minirtry, were enforced with that warmth and impctuofity which characterized all their proceedings. Is this a time, faid ihcy, for Briiuin to ruili to war with her Colonics, whofe wealth and ftrength conttitute fo great a part of her own, when fur- rounded by enemies wilhing for her dellrucftion, and that will undoubtedly contribute to accelerate it ? To attack America, is in facl to attack herfelf. Such an enterprize, to fay nothing of its injuftice, is founded on^ folly, and mult end in ruin : in lo- sing America, Britain will lofc a third of her domi- nions, her commerce, and her power. Neither will her lolTes terminate here. To fpill the blood of the Americans, the beft of her own mull be fhed. Her braveft foldiers and failors mult be facrinced in this fatal quarrel. Her treafisrcs will no lefs be profufcd, and all her refourccs llrained to their ucmolt bearing. If fhe pcrfilt in this unrighteous quarrel, the day will certainly come, when her ftrength will be cshauitcd, her trade and manufac- tures LATE WAR. viil not think that we defervc to be treated like Englifhmen, Such was the flile and manner of the number- lefs publications that appeared in America at this time. What added, doubtlefs, confiderably to the zeal thus manifefted in the common caufe, was the fpi- rit exerted upon this occafion by the independent clergy. They faithfully adhered to the people ; and by their condudt and difcourfes, ihowed that they confidered themfelves as .equally interefted with the reft of the community, in maintaining its various claims. Thqi;: T. A T E W A R. 189 There is probably no country upon earth where the inhabitiuus arc move under the influence of their preachers than New-England. To Tpcak with lin- j)artiality, they are ufually men of irreproachable chara(5ter, fincerc and laborious in their vocation, and exemplary in their lives and manners. Men of this defcripticn, many of whom were eminent for their learning and eloquence, w^re powerful aflillants in fpiriting up the peo|ile to co- operate with their leaden^s in refilling the defigns of Britain, which were painted to them in all the co- h)urs of injullice and tyranny. The difcourfes addrefled to the people from the pulpits in New-England, made the greater impref- fion, as they were unbought and flowed from prin- ciple. The caufcof the public, from this method of fupporting it, became more facred and refpedt- ablc. It created a kind of religious attachmenr^ and infpired men vvith an cnthuiiailic courage to defend it. The confequcnce was, that the inhabitants of New-England took up arms with the moft confci- cntious perfuafion of the juftice and redtitude of do- ing it. They went to the field of battle, convinced that if they fell, it was in a caufe that Heaven ap- proved. Sentiments of this kind could not fail to prodce intrepidity. TheCono-refs beheld with much flitisfadlion this tiniverfal difpofition to coincide with the mcafures^ which, it perceived, mult foon be taken in the prefent circumftances. From the irrcfiilible power of the Britllh miniftry, it clearly forcfaw that the utmoft efforts would be made to reduce America by force of arms. The refolutions adopted in the lad: feffion of Parliament, left no hopes of reconcilia- tion otherwife than by complving with the acts it had lately paiTed, and which were the chief caufe of the prefent t'ermentation throughoui: America. That ^1 I(]0 IF I s r o R Y OF T It r: That Aflcinhly was duly aware of the danprcr.? they nmil encounter in lb arduous an undertaking as that ot meetinfr regular troops in fight, fluihed with former vid:orIes, and commanded by otTiccrs of tried valour and experience. But it relied, at the fame time, on the nature of the country wherein the war would be waged ; full of palies and defiles, inter fcc^tcd with numberlefs rivers Uiid dreams,, ancl covc'ed in fo large a proportion with woods and hills. All thefe were powerful impediments to the motions of armies ; and would render the fuperior* difcipline of the Britifii forces much lefs formida- ble than it might at firll: appear. In order not to be wanting to themfelves in fo critical an exigency, lilh were carefully procured of the number of fencible men in every Colony, and of thofe efpecially who had ferved during the lall: war. As no more than twelve years had inter- tcned fince that period, near two thirds of thofe who had borne arms at that time, were ftill alive, if one may rely on the computation which allows two men out of three to be furviving at the expira- tion of ten years. This examination of their rcfources for the mili- tary lifi:, was far from unfatis factory. During the progrefs of the preceding war, more than forty thoufand Americans had taken the field in their fuc- cefiive tui ns : their (landing complement was twenty- five thoufand. Allowino; for the various accidents concomitant on life, a fund ftill remained confiftins: of about twelve thoufand men, who had feen actual fervice, and were well acquainted with the ufc of aims and military difcipline. C TT A P. LATE W A R, CHAP. VIII. 191 tranfaclions In Great Britain rclatln^^ to the Colonies, AFTER laying the foundation of the republi- can fyftem, fo long propolccl by the leading men in America, and providing for an etie(flual re- fiftance to the efforts of Great Britain, the Con- grefs feparatcd, after a feflion of near two months. Intelligence of the meeting and tranfadtions of this AlTembly, fpeedily reached England ; but not- withftanding their importance, they did not feem to occafion much alarm to the generality of people. That party which adhered to the views and refolu- tions of the miniflry, placed fo much confidence in their abilities, and in the meafures which they had lately taken to bring the Americans to obedience, that they felt no apprehenfion on account of the bold proceedings of the Congrefs. They looked upon them as little more than the idle clamours of an unruly multitude, which the exertion of a pro- per fpirit would quickly filence. The oth^^*" MartN', indeed, viewed thefe proceed- ings in a very different light. As they had from the commencement of the difpute taken upon them to predidt an univerilil confeJeracv ot Americii, and an obflinate refiflance to the dcfions of Great Bri- tain, they did not fail to point out to the world, how true and well-founded their nro^ncUlieiition'^ had proved; and to warn people not to advance an\ further in a track that evidently was dangerous in the higheft degree. But the public had loft all patience on this ri.bjcuh So much had been afferted and contradivfVccl (a\ boih fides of the queftion, it was involved in to ni-iny doubts and uncertainties, that ihc bulk of tl\e na- i '1 .1' tion / lf)2 H I S T O n Y OF T ir ft tionbcfTaii to droj) irs attention to American t()[)ic?. One would hiive thought by the inditlerence with which they were treated, by far the greatelt num- ber, that they had relblved, as it were, to give themfelves no further concern about them, until fomc event fliould happen of fo ferious a nature as to render them unqueilionably of the utmoft im- f»ortancc. Such was the temper of the nat.ion at large, 30th Ni;v. when a new Parliament met, which loon r';\' ajipeared to be no lefs difpofed than the former, to adopt and purfue with vigour the ideas and views of the miniftry refpcdting America. The Royal fpecch informed them of the difobe- dicnt fpirit flill prevailing in Maflachufet; that it was abetted by the other Colonics; that due mea- furcs had been taken to enforce the adts paiTcd by the late Parliament; that an inviolable rcfolution had been embraced to maintain the fupremacy of the Britifli legillatiue in every part of the empire; a!Kl that in the fupport of fo juft a determination, 110 doubt v/as cnicrtaincil of their warmefl concur- rence. An addrcfs In canformity to the fentiments cx" prcdld in this fpecch, was voted by a prodigious majority. But they who were of a difterent opi- nion, exerted rhemielves on this occafion with un- common vigour ; and though born down by the weight of numbers, did not feem inclined to give v.p any part of the contell upon that account. I'he refufal of their concurrence was founded on the necefllty of a f1:ri<^ examination of what the pre- ceding Parliament had done, before they ventured to give it their approbation. The reftoration of tranquility in America, had been held out as a motive to gain approvers of the meafures adopted in the concluding fcflion of the lall ; it became, there- fore, thofe who met in the firft fcIFion of the prefent^ L A T E W A ft. I93 prefjnt, to examine how far the fuccefs of thofc nieafures correfponded with the motives from which ihey had been approved* But how ditfercnt was the profped: from that which had been pro- mifcd ! Inftead of that peaceable pifture which mi- niftry had drawn in fuch flattering colours, they beheld all America in flames ; and it would require the ikill of the ableft ftatcfman to extmguifh it. To require them to give their fandtion to the plans in agitation among miniftcrs, was an attempt to impofe upon their common fen»t and experience* It was inviting them to add fuel to a fire that was confuming one of the noblefl monuments of Britifh genius und induftry. America was now, it clearly appeared, to be de- voted to minifterial vengeance, for having fully proved the incompetency of the fchemes that were now in profecution. With what prefumption had its immediate fall been foretold, beneath the ter- rors awaiting the armaments that had been fent forth ? But had any fupplicating voice been heard among the Americans ? Were they not, on the contrary, Handing in a firm and compadt array, pre- pared to meet our utmoft wrath, and full of confi- (^ence in the juftice of their caufe* It were imptudence in the extreme, with fuch a fight before them, to go forward without inquiring how far they were warranted in taking fo ferious a Hep. Speed was only advifable in the execution of defigns maturely weighed ; but no deliberation had preceded thofe of which miniftry demanded their approbation. Thofe defigns had hitherto been attended with a kind of fatality. Whatever had been done in con- fcqMence of them, had invariably been produ(5tive of mifchief. Was it confiftent with prudence to perfift in a fyftem not one part of which had anfwcr- cd expedlation ? , Vox. I. No. 4. N The fji II ■' s, * rn : :■, i 194. H I S T O n Y OF THE The anfvvcr to thefc objections was, that the be-* haviour of America was (o dirrefpedtful, and even lb threatening, that it wonld argue a total want of fpirit to let it pafs without notice. It was nugatory to fay that the Americans were perfuaded of the ccjuity of their caufe. This was an argument that might as juftly be pleaded in juftification of Great Britain. But who was, in fuch a cortteft, to decide of its red:itude or impropriety ? If Britain ought not, had America a better title ? The conteft was now chiefly from that quarter. It began about the right of Great Britain to impofe taxes upon America. In compliance with the wiihes of America, Great Britain virtually relinquilhed this right, by repeal- ing every money a^ laving one. That one was the k'afl luaterial of any ; its produce was a meer trifle ; it was excepted for no other reafon than to preferve the honour of the nation : the Americans knew it ; but nothing would fatisfy the Americans ; their pride and obilinacy difdained to feel for the honour of Britain : an unlimited fubmifllion to their de- mands, was the fole condition upon which they de- clared themfelvcs willing to be reconciled. In private quarrels, individuals that meant re- conciliation, met each other half way : the party that refuk'd was always confidercd as the moft blame- ublc. Now Britain had gone more than half thij way ; Ihe had gone alraoll the whole ; but Ame- licu had not moved a fingie ftcp from the ground upon which flie flood at firft : llie feemed imperi- oufly to wait for a total unreferved acquiefcence in her defires on ihe part of Britain. . This was a faithful portraiture of the refpedlivc pvylitior, of the two contendants. Would any man that wilhed well to the reputation of Britain, re- (j 11 ire that Ihe Ihould humbly fubmit to the dictates of America ? AH had been done that could be ex- pected by the friends of America : ail had been fa* . :- . 1 - . ^ crificcdj L A t E W A fti ■ i^j tfified, the honour of Britain excepted : Heaven forbid that alfo Ihonld be given np to the haugh- tinefs of the Americans. They alone had protrafted theconteft, by refufingallcondefccndance, while Bri- tain made fo many Gonceffions. Such a diffimilitudc? of behaviour made it necelfary for Britain to dtcr both her (lile and conduft. She no longer exafted taxeS from America ; flie demanded homage and refpedt ; ihe felt hcrfelf intuited, and expected a rcparatiorf of her honour: Ihe was not only the parent, but the proreding ftate; this gave her a fupcriority which inconteftably empowered her to look for de- ference and condcfcenfion in her dependants* The very nature of the difpute was totally" thanged. America having refufed the mod (lender acknowledgm.ent of the fovereignty of Britain, that could in the prefent ci re uir fiances have been re- quired, was guilty of a wilful and daring affront, which merited a confpicuous chaftifement. Were Britain to refrain from inflidling it, her fpirit and her power would equally be queflioned ; and if flic delayed it, the evil would accumulate by an in- creafe of infolence on the part of the Colonies, and of contempt on that of the European nations, which had already t-cftified their furptife at the pati- ence and inaction of the Britilh minifters, under fuch repeated provocations. Such was the ftile of the debates upon this ad- drefs : they were equally fpirited in both Houfes ; but it was carried in the Houfe of Commons by two hundred and fixty-four^ againft fevcnty-three ; and in the Houfe of Lords by fixty-three to thirteen. Such majorities decided at once the fate of all oppofition to miniftry ; and the Americans had now full intimation given them, that they would meet with no more favour from the prefent ParliameaC than from the lafl. - N 2 But (( f( ft *{ <( 196 H I S T O R Y F T tt E But the firmnefs and perfeverance of this oppo-* iition was not in the lead diminiihed by the prolpeft of the numbers it would have to encounter. Small as it was in the Upper Houfe, it produced a pro- teft which concluded with theie remarkable words : — " Whatever may the mifchievousdefigns, or the inconfiderate temerity which leads others to this dcfperate courfe, we wifh to be known ?s perfons who have ever difapproved of meafures ib per- nicious in their paft effedls, and their future ten- dency ; and who are not in hafte, without in- quiry or information, to commit ourfelves inde-? *' clarations which may precipitate our country *' into all the calamities of a civil war." -, The oppofition in Parliament was in the mean time ftrongly feconded by the merchants of London and Briflol trading to America. As they were fully ap- prifed of the ccnfequcnces that muft neceflarily in- fue from a perfeverance in the hoftile meafures re- vived upon with North America, and deeply inr Herefted in fuch an event, they exerted their whole influence to avert it. They prepared a reprefen- t;ation of the diftrefles they would unavoidably fuf- Cer from fuch meafures, and pointed out circum- iUntially the various detriments that would arife ♦jom them to the public, and how dearly the pro- fecution of them muft be paid for. . This oppofition was attended with another of no lefs weight and confequence. Mr. Pitt, now Lord Chatham, had for feveral years lived a retired life, remote from the bufy fcenes in which he had long adted fo confpicuous a part. But his apprehenfions of the danger impending on the ftate, now brought him again from his retreat. Though from feveral eaufcs hia popularity was diminifhed, and his power iiuich Icllened, yet the native dignity of his fupe- rior genius, and the remembrance of the illuftrious part he had aded in the fcrvice of hiicountry, could not L A ¥ E V^ A R. ipjr ftot fail to procure him attention and influence t'<) which ever lide he might feem to incline. He appeared in the Houfe of Lords on the firll ■ 30th Jan. day of their meeting after the Chrift- *77i* mas recefs. He began his fpeech by Si total diflent from the plan purfuedin America by the minillry, and moved for an addrcfs to the King, immediately to recall the troops from Bofton, as a neceflary ftep to all reconciliation. " An Hour now loft," faid he, "in allaying the ferment in Ame- rica, might produce years of calamity, as the fitu- ation of the troops rendered them and the Ameri- cans continually liable to events which would cut off the poflibility of a reconciliation. By withdraw- ing them, a proof of confidence and good will would be given on our fide, that would remove jealou fy and fufpicion on the other. This was a preliminary ftep of an indifpenfible nature, and which muft be taken previous to all others. It would be the fet- ting of our foot on the threihold of peace." He animadverted in the fevercft terms upon the conduct of miniftry. He accufed them of having deceived the nation, by mifreprefenting the fitua- tion of the Colonies, and by imprefling people with an idea, that the difputes and difturbances among them were the affair of Bofton only, in which the reft were unconcerned, and which a fingle regiment would fuffice to quell. He pointedly reprobated the whole fyftem of a£ts and regulations lately paf- fcd refpeifting them. He contended not, he faid, for indulgence, but juftice to America. If we con- fulted our intcreft or our dignity, the firft advances to peace and concord ihould comj from us ; as con- cefhon always comes with a better grace, and more falutary effedils, from a fuperior. He warned them to retract in time, left unfortunate accidents fhould compel them to fubmit to the difgraceful nccefTitv N 3 of ^9^ HI^TOEY OFTJJE pf yielding through force, whac they might hav^ had the credit of granting through kindnefi. • He concluded a long and animated fpeech upon this important occafion, in the following bold and (Iri- king manner : — ** If theminifters," faid he, ** thus ferlevere in mifadviiing and misleading the King, will not fay that they can alienate the affeiftions of his fubjedts from his crown; but I will affirm they .>vill make the crown not worth his wearing ;t— I will .not fay that the King is betrayed, but I will pro- pounce that the kingdom is undone," But the efforts of Lord Chatham in favour of the Americans, availed them nothing. Coercion was now decilively lefolved upon by the piajority, and no other plan was allowed to be admiffiblc. They re- newed all the arguments tending to criminate Ame- rica, and to juftify the cqndu(^ of i^iiniftry. The time was now arrived, faid th^y, for a final re- folution not only to be taken, bur enforced. Parr liament is determined to be obeyed ; America re- futes obedience ; what then but force can decide? To poftpone coercion after fo many threats, would be derogating from the national dignity. Delays in fo urgent a bufmefs would defeat it without re- medy, as the Americans were daily inc^eafing their preparations and Ikength to encounter it. Years had clapfcd fmce jt had been the duty of Great Bri? tain to employ her fuperiority of means ip crulhing this rebellious fpirit ; ihc had fuffered it already to go too far. But if relying on the groundlefs hope that America might be reclaimed by other meafurcs, Ihe negledted thofeof compulfion, Ihe would only render it a taik of more difficulty to employ them fuccefsfully ip future, as flie would certainly find to her coft, that Ihe muft employ them at lafl, however unwilling, if Ihe meant to retain any power over the Colonies. • ' ' ' * " Aft<^r have LATE WAR. 199 After a violent contcfl, fupportcd chiefly by a repetition of what had fo frequently been urged, the motion was reje(fled by a majority of fixty-eight to eighteen. In the mean time, the merchants and manufac- turers throughout the kingdom, in imitation of thofc of London and Brillol, laid a variety of petitions before Parliament againfi: the hoftilc projects of the miniftry refpedling America. The treatment of thefe petitions was remarkable : they were highly difplealing to the people in power, as tending dired:ly to defeat all the purpofes they had fo much at heart ; but as they could not be re- jeftcd with a high hand, without adding coniidera- bly to the multitude who oppofed the miniftry, a committee was appointed to take them into coniide- ration, which was not to take place till after a pre- vious committee on the affairs of America. The reafon afligned for feparating thefe tw^o ob- jects, was, that the conlideration of commercial, ought not to interfere with political matters ; each of thefe being fufficiently perplexing, without other embarrallment. While the attention of the Hcufe was taken up with the one, it ought not therefore to be diftradied by the other : both to- gether would puzzle and perplex ; but afunder, would be difculled with much more eafe and per-' fpicuity. But oppolition would not admit of fuch a reafon- ing. To difunite politics from commerce, in treat- ing of the bulinefs of America, were dividing, in a manner, the body from the foul. To v/hat purpofe fhould we concern ourfelves about America, unlcfs it were for the fake of commerce ? But were it otherwife, there was no clafs of men whofe cor- refpondcnce aflifted more in the illuftration of po- litical knowledge than that of merchants ; they cor- Kfponded upon all fubjedts neccffary for each others N 4 inform 200 HISTORY OF THB information ; among thefe the political occunences of the times conftituted a principal part ; as ac- cording to thefe, they regulated their mercantile proceedings. To exclude the intelligence that mull: arife from blending commerce with politics, would therefore be extremely unwife, efpecially in a cafe where they were fo intimately linked as in all that related to the Britifli Colonies. To defer the hearing of thefe petitions till the other committee had lat, was in effedt to reje«!;l them. They were intended as reafons to influence that very committee againft the propofals of mini- flry. The truth was, they were dreaded as the moft formidable objeftions to thefe propofals, and were not, for that reafon, to be permitted to enter the lifts, till the enemy theyijwere to combat, had moved off the field triumphantly, under pretence that no antagonift appeared to oppofe them. But the Houfe of Commons was equally decifive for minifterial meafures w'^th the Houfe of Lords. The queftion was carried in their favour by one hundred and ninety»feven, againft eighty-one. In confequence of this decifion, the petitions that had been prefented from London, Briftol, Liver- pool, Manchefter, Norwich, Birmingham, Glaf- gow, and other commercial towns, were fucceffively configned to what was then humourouily entitled the Committee of Oblivion, But the merchants of London were determined not to give up a gonteft of fo weighty a kind, with- out teftifying to the world how much they thought the proceedings of adminiftration were (contrary to found policy. They drew up a kind of proteft, in which they aflerted, that the connexion between Great Britain and America was principally of a commercial nature, as the benefits derived from it to each were chiefly fuch. During a century, and more, the wifdom of Parliament had been perpetu-^ I, A T E WAR. 201 ally employed in encreafing and encouraging thd trade carried on between them, as an objedit of the laft importance. That the manifold rcgulation."i adopted for the mutual profperity of the Colonics and the mother country, formed the great political chain that united them to each other. Queftioni of commerce and policy, wherein both are con- cerned, ought therefore never to be divided, but examined jointly, as compofmg a whole, of which the parts can never be well perceived, unlefs they are placed in one point of view. . This remonftrance was prefented on the day ap- pointed for the previous committee to take place. — • It was warmly fecoi ded by the oppofition, who in- filled on the indignity offered to fo refpedable a body as the merchants of London, in referring the petition to a mock examination. A direct refufal would have been lefs mortifying. As to the pretence fo ftrongly urged, that a dlf- cuffion of commercial matters would create a delay in the profecutionof meafuresofmoreconlequence, it was unjuft and groundlefs. No meafures could equitably be formed without fuch a difcuffion ; and the time required for it would not be of fufficient length to invalidate any meafures that might follow in confequcnce of fo proper and neceflary a dif- cuffion. ^ ' Such a proceeding, it was further alledged, wa$ unparliamentary : it pre-fuppofed a knowledge and convidtion in minifters that the queftion would be carried according to their wiihes ; this indeed was not furprizing: but what was truly intolerable, it took away the very forms that Ihould be obferved in tranf- adtions of this kind, and prevented thofe who had a clear right to it, from ftating their objediions to tho meafures that paffed againft their fuffrages. But the faft was, the ultimate decifion of mini- vers was jilready taken j they were tired of hearing fo 102 HISTORY OF THE fo many fpccches, of which they knew betbrchancl the inelFicacy. War was now the word; and not- W'ithflanding no weightier reafon could be given for not attending to what the merchants had to fay than this very determination, yet that was the very mo- tive that impelled mini/lers to refufe them a hear- ing, Icil: thefe Ihould make it appear how unwifc it was to precipitate the nation into fuch a meafurc. And yet in cafe of a war, whom were they bound to confult with more attention and deference than the mercantile clafles, upon whom principally de- pends the arrangement of finances, and thofe pecu- niary refources without which war cannot be waged. In whatever light ♦'herefore the point in queltion was confidercd, every motive concurred to induce the miniftry to pay the mod ferious regard to the reprefentations laid before them by fo great a num- ber of merchants from all parts of the kingdom. In anfwer to the oppofition, it was alledged, that fa<^lion had the principal hand in framing of the pe- titions fo much recommended. The merchants had hitherto teftificd the fulled reliance on the dif- cretion of Parliament ; why Ihould they feize an occafion of this kind to exprefs their doubts of its willingnefs to confult their interefts, and its ability to do it efre(ftually ? . The trade of Great Britain to America was in truth highly beneficial ; but chis was owing to the dependent fituation of our Colonics : were they per- mitted to encroach on the fupcriority of Britain, and to break through the regulations that had been framed with fo much care and fagacity to fecure it, the advantages refulting from their commerce, would gradually diminilh, and become undeferving of the iblicitudc with which l^^ngland had fo invari. ably attended to the proted:ion and weUai'c of her American dependencies. • v>- "•.'. ' • M Dillant polTc/iions required an equal mixture of knity and firmncfs in tb,e manner of governing thciii, •LATE WAR. 203 tTicMTi. AmcrlcLi, it couUl not be denied, had ex- perienced hitherto, much more of the firft than of the laft. Prefuming on its fiourifliing condition, and glorying in its ftrcneih, it now aimed at an abatement of that fiipciiority on the fide of Britain, which had been cxcrcifed ever fince the foundarion of her Colonics, without the lead comj)laint or ap-. pearance of difiatisfatftion. But ihould Britain re- lax of thofc rights llie had fo long maintained, and enjoyed without difpute, -the merchants themfclves would be the firft to feel the confecjuences, and to arraign the imprucUnt indulj_,encc of thofc mini- fters who Ihould, from ill-founded motives of po- licy, comply with the unreafonablc requeils of the Coloniils. True it was, that war, and its concomitances, were a terrible obje*^ to behold ; but they were forjetimes neccfTary, to prevent greater evils. — What evil could befal a trading nation fo much to be dreaded, as the lofs of its commerce ? — Was America to proceed in the couife it had begun, a few years would fuflice to fct her free from all thofe rcflraints that render the polIeiTion of her valuable to Great Britain. T^he chief of thcfe reftraints was the navigation arofit. But the loffes in prefent contemplation were no-i thing in comparifon to thofe that would follow in future, Ihould Britain, from a fpiritlefs fondnefs for temporary quiet, give up tamely thofe advantages that would infue from a refolute maintenance of her juft rights. This was a policy hitherto unknown in this country, where, inftcad of hefitation and back- wardnefs, her councils had alwiiys been noted for the ardour and celerity with which they were infpired> whenever the caufe of the public was in agitation. Thcfc were the fcope ancl purport of the niTmber- lefs arguments that filled both the Parliament and the nation. But fuch was the heat and violence of parties at this juncture, that arguments alone did not fulfice to exhale it. All bounds of decency^ were overleaped in this unfortunate contention ^ Scurrility and invedlive were fubftituted in lieu of of reafoning ; and animofity fuperceded all the rules of civility and decorum. Never did miniftry and oppofition engage with fo> much warmth as on the prefent oecaiion. Th« latter, who L A r K \v A fl. 207 w ho (At how light they were \n the I'of.lc of power, exerted all their elo(|uence and abilities in order to rtiuler their antagonilh odious. They reprelVnred them :rs incapable, neglectful, and ineonfiilenr ; and the adts t'ramed under their aulpiccs, as the oti- fpring of falle intbrmation a.i ' ignorance. They were threatened with a levere vengeance, when the day fhould come, as it jnull at lall, that the nation would open its eyes to the inic^uity ot their admini- ll rat ion. The lad Parliament was dcfcribcd as deeply par- ticipating of their guilt; and no language was f[)ar- cd in drawing: it in the moll defamatorv colours. Among a variety of charges, one in particvdar fpc- cificd, that it began its political life with a viola- tion of the lacred right of ele<5tion in the cafe of Middlcfex, that it died in the ad: of Popvr\', bv cllablifliing the Roniilh religion in Canada, and had left a rebellion in America, as a legacy to the nation. The final conclufion of this fccne of altercation and inveteracy was, that the motion in favour of the merchants petition was reie(fled by a divifion of two hundred and fifty to eighty-nine. But oppofition was not alone in this day of trial. America kcondcd them ftrenuoufly in the perfoi^s of her agents, one of whom, on this memorable occafion, was Dotior Franklin, whole genius and abilities had, at the time of the ftamp adt, been lb fuccefsfuUv exerted in the fervicc of his countrv. Thefe gentlemen prefcnted a petition, originally addrelfed by the American Congrefs to the King, who had referred it to Parliament. Hereupon a violent debate immediately arofe. No petition, it was argued, could be received from the continental Congrefs. It was no legal body; and to admit of anv hearing: on their behalf, would be a fort of recognition of their legality, . The ge- neral 20S HISTORY OF THE neral AiTemblies, and their agents, were the only lawful reprefentatives of the Colonies : none elfc would be admitted. The reply was, that no government fubfifted in the Colonies. Popular commotions, afts of Par- liament, and diflblutions, had feverally put an end to it. It was now incumbent on Parliament to co- operate in refloring it. The Congrefs confifted of perfons of great influence in America, who were hij^hly defirous to prevent the continuation of the diforders : they deferved, therefore, to be heard, if not as a public body, at leaft as individuals of charadter. Petitions were the acknowledged right of fubjed^s of all denominati6ns ; and it would ill become the Britifh Parliament to rejed: one that came recommended by fo many motives to give it at leaft, a civil, if not a favourable reception. It behoved Parliament in fo dangerous a crifis as the prefent, to beware of treating petitions or peti- tioners with fupercilioufnefs : they ought, on the contrary, to be encouraged, as poffibly the readieft, and, indeed, now the only means of preventing in- finite mifchiefs. Thefe mifchiefs were evidently impending, and would fall heavily and fpeedily on Britain and America, if not prevented with the ut- moft diligence. Parliament ought to rejoice at the humility adopted by Cor'7;efs, and receive its addrcfl'es with Che more readiiicfs, as a refufal would cut off all means of communication with fo refpedtable a body; which, though not aflembled according to ^he legal forms, was in fadt the moft powerful and important alFembly at prefent in North Amei- jrica» . :. It ought to be duly remembered, that it was chiefly by rejedting petitions, America had been brought to its prefent condition of turbulence and confufion» This pointed out the neccflity of aft'- injj L A T £ IV A ft. 209 ing othei'wife, unlefs it was refolved to accelelatc rebellion* This would infallibly be produced by a reful'al to attend to the prefent petitioni It was the duty of Parliament to receive itj as the very in- tent of their fitting was to hear and redrefs the grievances of the fubje^t* After an ineffedtual ftriigglej the American agents had the mortification of feeing the petition rejected by a majority of two hundred and eighteen tofixty*eight. In the mean time a conciliatory plan was prepar- ing by the Earl of Chatham* Prefervirtg the un- dauntednefs and perfeverance of his chai: after, he refolutely determined to exert his whole abilities ill oppofition to the hoftile fchemes propofcd by miniftry. To this effedt, he laid before the Houfe o( ift. Feb* Lords a bill, the intent of which was i77S« to fettle the troubles in America, and to aflert, at the fame time, the fupreme legiflativc authority and fuperintending power of Great Bri* tain over the Colonies* He requefted the Houfe, in the mofl earned and pathetic terms, fincerely to affift in fo falutary a work ; to lay afide the prejudices of party, and to confider well the importance of the fubjeft before them. The contents of this famous bill wdrc, a fpecific acknowledgment of thcfupremacy of thelegiflature, and the fuperintending power of the Britith Parlia- ment. It declared thai no taxes or charges fhould be levied in America but with the free cOnfent of their Affemblies. It r.ii'erted a right in the Crown to keep and ftation a military force eftablilhed by law, in any part of its dominions ; but declared, that it could not be lawfully employed to enforce implicit nnd illegal fubmiflfion* It aiithorifed the holding of VaL. L No. 4, Q a Con- aio HISTORY OF T«C a Congrcfs in order to recognize the fuprem'c fore* rcignty of Great Britain over the Colonies, and to fettle, at the fame time, an annual revenue upon the Crown, difpofable by Parliament, and applica- ble to the exigencies of the nation. On complying with thcfe conditions, the adls complained of by Congrefs were to be fufpcndcd, with every other nieafure pointed out as a grievance ; and the con- llitution of their governments to remain as fettled ' by their charters. But this bi'l, of which the illuflrious framer had conceived ic much hopes, met with the fate of every propofal that had been made in favour of America. It was oppofed with univerfal violence, condemned withom referve, and pronounced at once totally inadmifliblc. The reafons alledgcd for this immediate and en- tire condemnation, was its evident partiality to America, by the various conceflions li enacted, and in particular by einpotvering the Colonies to allem- ble in Congrefs ; a meafure which, of all others, w as the moll offenfive to the dignity of Great Bri- tain, andmoft injurious to its interefls* The fufpenfion of the ad:s to which they object- ed, was, in fad:, a repeal. Were, for initance, the Admiralty Courts to be abrogated, what would be- come of the navigation adt ? The rebellious fchemes of America w^re no fecret : they pretended griev- ances ; but meant, in reality, to put an end to all authority of Great Britain among them. It were the height of infatuation to think of conceffions, with fo many proofs of their antipathy to Britain. It was the bufinefs of every friend to his country, to combat their hollile difpofition with undaunted iirmnefs, and by no means to appear pliant and yielding 'vhilc they affumed, in all their behaviour luch an air of enmity and defiance, . Tbefe 1 LATE WAR* 211 .2 Thefe alTertions, it was urged, were not meer words called up for the purpofe of a debate. They were prompted by matters of fadt, and were un- happily but too well fou'ided. While they v.ere deliberatinf , within thefe walls, the inhabitants of America haO actually taken the field. They had attacked one of the King's garrifons, maftered it;, and feized all the ftores and ammunition for their own ufe, to be employed againll Britain* Who could, after this, open his moutn in ths-ir defence or favour ? They were no longer entitled to either. — ■ They had now thrown off the malk, and ihown thcmfclves, what they were, — inveterate enemies to Britain. From thefe caufes it was moved, that the bill introduced as conciliatory, Ihould be thrown out, in the very firft inftancc. In this motion the miniltc- rial party concurred without the leail hefitation.— • The circumllance above-mentioned of feizing a King's fort, contributed not a little to the warmth and haftincfs with which the bill was rcjcii^ed. Such 4.' condu(ft in the Americans was not unjullly looked upon ns a commencement of hoftilitics. But the fpirit of Lord Chatham* did not yield to the majority by which his plan was fo completely defeated. He fupported their attacks with all the fire of his former years, and defended it by a vari- ety of reafonings. While minifters, faid he, reprefented America as in aftatec/f rebellion, it behoved everv man prefent to exercife his capacity for the quellino; ot it* No plan h?d hitherto appeared in that Houfe for fo nr- ceifary a purpofe. To what could this be imputed, but to a negligence a'./v)lutelv Criminal in fo ardu- ous a lituation of public affairs ? When every exer- tion ihould be made to prevent the calamities that were fo fad approaching ; and that could not be ob- O i viated 212 HISTORY OF THg viated by any other method lb cflfedlually, as by 3 plan of reconciliation. It was ' to invite miniftcrs to embrace friendly mcafures, that he had employed himfclf in framing propofals of that tendency, which he adduced a multitude of reafons to prove, were the only effed:ual means to fettle the peace of Ame« rica upon a liable and permanent bafis. His opinion was fupported by the concurrence of other Lords in the oppofition. They contended that it was highly unreafonable to rejedt with fo lit- tle difcuflion, a bill that tended to bring about a pacification fo much wanted on both fides of the Atlantic. What would the Americans think, when they heard with what impetuofity all propofitions of peace and amity with them were attacked by fo refpeiflable a body as the Peerage of Great Britain ? Would they not inftantly, and juftly conclude, that all hopes of reconciliation were at an end, and that it only remained for ihem to prepare for war > Allowing that the condu6t of the Americans was highly blameable, and merited even chaflifemenr, flill if it were poffible to avoid fo harfh an extre- mity, without degrading the nation, would any prudent man de*: lare himfclf an enemy to any mea- fure by which fo falutary an end could be accom- plilhed ? War could only be juftified when the object proj^ofcd was not otherwife attainable.^— If the Colonics could be induced to comply with fuch terms, as were reconcilable with the dignity of the parent (late, as well as with their own views and wilhes, would not this prove a moll defirable event ? Was it not therefore jull and laudable to flrivc with all poffible zeal to compafs it, in pre- ference to thofe proje<^s that were founded upon coercion ? Thcfe were a dilgruce to humanity, and a rcfource which no good politician ever admitted into LATE WAR. 213 into his thoughts, while the fmalleft hope re- mained of compromifing differences upon any other footing. It was further aflerted, that miniilry ought fe- lioufly to confider, whether America was the fole enemy that Great Britain would have to encounter, in cafe of her having recourfe to arms for the deci- fion of this unhappy quarrel. Though America was unequal to atrial of llrength with Great Britain, were no other enemies to be apprehended ? Would our ancient rivals fland ftill, when lb fair an oppor- tunity was offered them of returning the heavy blows we had given them fo lately ? It was vain to flatter ourfelves the Americans would have no aflb- ciates ; the envy which the greatnefs and profperity of this country had univerfally created, would ope- rate on this occafion every where : they would find well-wifhers and abettors at our very doors, and would foon meet with their open countenance or fecret affiftance. No man that profeffed himfelf the lead converfant in hiftorical knowledge, could deny the validity of thefe furmifes. With fuch a profpedl of fure and certain danger, was it eligible to proceed in the track that led dircdtly to it ? Did thefituation of Great Britain warrant fuch a ftep ? — Was Ihe united in her fentiments concerning the juftice and propriety of venturing upon a war ? — Though a Parliamentary majority might approve it, would the nation at large join heart and hand in fuch a meafure ? The miniilry ought to know that America had a number of partizans in Britain, who not only condemned the proceedings of the people in power, but even reprobated the principles upon which they were founded, and juftificd the refiftance of the Colonies. People of this mind would al- ways find means of obftrudting, more or lefs, the deligns carrying on againft America; and might, O 3 though ] 214 HIStORV OF THE though indire(5Vlv, prove more effcdual inpportfrs' of its caiife than minillers leemed awaie. To dwell more particuUirly on this circumitance might not be advilabK ; but it iliould not be forgotten, that where a nation is fo coniiderably divided in opinion, peo})le Ihoiild not be fanguine in their de- cifions, and ought, in common riiodefty, to allow the poflibility of thtir being in error. , The minifterial party was not fiienced by thefe objedtions. They were reprefcnted as far-fetched, and founded chiefly upon fears and apprehenfions. Were men to hearken to thefe, no adtive mealures could ever be taken. Danger and uncertainty was the lot of all human enterprizes ; but were thefe a fufficient motive to refrain from ading, when called upon by juft and valid reafons ? Did it become Bri- tain to be pallive under affronts at this, more than any other time ? Was it efpecially from her own fubjedts Ihe ought to receive them without refent- ment ? This was not a maxim ever inculcated in the fchool of found policy ; we are taught there, that without a proper fpirit no flate-can flourifh and command refpcdt. But without adverting to gene- ral notions, why Ihould we behave with more timi- dity towards our Colonies, than any other {late that treated us with indignity ? We had faced the great- eft powers on earth fearlefsly and fuccefsfully, and at a time when it was thought as much as now, that they would prove an over-match ; but the courage and refources of Britain conquered all difficulties, and would conquer them again, if e:(evted with fpi- rit, prudence^, and fidelity ; while we can depend upon thefe, we may fafely bid defiance to all our enemies. Much had been infiftcd upon the difunion pre- vailing at home; but was there no difunion in the Colonies ? Were they to a mjin unanimous againil Bntain ? TATE WAR. 215 Britain? The contrary was well known. With cautioulncfs and management, a large proj^orrion would remain faithful and a^i;^ive in our favour ; and it would be our own fault if more did not fide with us than with our adverllirics. The means were flill in our power; — firmncfs in our mcafures, and warmth in the caufc of our friends and ad- herents. The profcrring of terms to America was vain and (lifgraceful. They had repeatedly declared againlt all others but thofe which they had didiated from the commencement of the difpute, and ftill infifted upon at this day. With a people foobftinate, and lb wedded to their own ideas, no treaty could be had: we muft cither comply with their terms im - plicitly, er force them to accept our own. Of the two alternatives, which became it Britain to adopt, confidently with its honour ? But after all the dif- cuffions and inveftigations that had perplexed Par- liament in the coiirfe of this conteft, was it not plain that America was weary of obedience to Great Britain? Was the queflion therefore any other, than whether Britain Ihall maintain her fovereignty, or relinquifli it ? No man, it was prefumcd, would rife lip in that Houfe, and move for a renunciation, on the part of Great Britain, of the dominion over America. If therefore it is to be retained, the fooner we convince the Americans of our ability to do it, the more fpirit and confiilency will appear in our councils, and the lefs we fliall be fufpeftcd of being defedlive either in means to accomplilli fuch a deiign, or in fortitude to undertake it. The ifliie of this long debate refembled that of the preceding. It concluded in the entire over- throw of the motion made by the Earl of Chat- ham : the votes were lixt)^-one to thirty-two. So Kfolutc was the majority in giving it ah entire re- • . . O 4 jcdioHj ii6 ttlSTOUY OF THE je^ion, that it was not even permitted to remain upon the table : a fevcre mortification to a man who had made (o fplcndid a figure, whofe abilities had raifed the nation to fuch a pitch of grandeur, and whofe opinion and judgment had once bceii con- fidered as the oracle of this country ! The determination to oppofe all conciliatory meafures was equally remarkable in the Houfc of Commons, A petition was prefented to it by the proprietors of eitates in the Weft India iflands, re- prcfenting their alarm at the aflbciation of the Ame- rican Colonies, and at their intended ftoppage of all trade with the Englilh iflands. Should this be carried into execution, which it certainly would, if Parliament did not repeal the afts they com- plained of, the fituation of the iflands would be- come very calamitous. The property of Britain in the Weft India iflands ^mounted to more than thirty millions, A fund of leveral other millions was employed in this trade : it was of the moft extenfive nature ; all quarters of the globe were concerned in it j the returns centered in Britain, and were an immenfe addition to its intrinfic opulence, The fliipping was an objeft of ftill greater confideration, by the vaft number of feamen which it conftantly maintained. But the Weft Indies, however wealthy, did not pro- duce the neceffariesof life in fufficient abundance for their inhabitants. Large importations were conti- nually wanted, which North America was the only place to fupply : were they to be cut off from a communication with that continent, they \vould ihortly be reduced to the utmoft diftrefs, This petition, ho^'ever, did nqt alter the difpo- fition of thofe who fypported the miniftry, T4iey feemed refplved to treat all petitions as the contri- vaucc of fatcion, The general ideas of thole who approved • : L A T E WAR. 217 tpprovcd of coercive meafures, was that however inconvenient, they ought not to be retarded by fuch a confidcration. Hoftilitics were neceliarily attended with a variety of difagrccable circumftan- ccs; but thefe ought ncvcrthelefs to be fubmittcd to, fooner than put up with humiliations and dif- graces; which, in the epd, often dctrimcnted a na- tion more than war itfelf. In the mean time, it was become ncceflary to let the nation be fully apprized of the ultimate refolves of miniftry refpedting America. This was done in the Houle of Commons, by a long fpeech, where- in the prefent circumftances of affairs in Ame- rica were detailed with great accuracy. The be- haviour of the different Colonies was pointed out, and the condu(ft necelfary to be obfervcd with each. The univerfal fermentation prevailing; among them, was aflerted to proceed from un- warrantable arts and practices to difpofc them againft the ruling powers in Britain. It was aflerted too, that notwithftanding all their complaints, the public charges borne by individuals in America, were, on the ftrifteft computation, not more than one to fifty, when compared with what was paid by individuals in England, So immenfe a difparity, removed at once all tea- fons for complaining. Nothing but a fettled de- termination to quarrel with the parent (late, could induce the Americans to perlifl in their difobcdi- cnce to the lawful injundrions laid upon them, which were neither injudicious nor oppreftive; but on the contrary, framed with all pofliblc lenity, and coun- ter-balanced by advantages which were not poflelVcd by the inhabitants of Great Britain. It was therefore a fpirit of rcfiftance that ant- mated America, and not a difcontent at oppreff fions^ which it was plain did not exift. Upon this ground ills Hn 2l8 HISTORY OP THE ground the quarrel now flood ; and every meafurc now adopted ihould be founded upon that idea. This, in the minillers own words, " was the great barrier which difunited both countries ; and on this ground alone of refillance and denial, he would raife every argument leading to the motion he in- tended to make for an addrefs to the King, and for a conference with the Lords, that it might be the joint addrefs of both Houfes." The meafurcs now propofed to the Houfe, were to lend a greater force to America, and to pafs a temporary a*^, fufpending all the foreign trade of the different Colonies of New England, and parti- cularly the Newfoundland fifhery, until they con- fcnted to acknowledge the fupreme authority of the Britilh legiflature, pay obedience to the laws of this realm, and make a due fubmiffionto the King; upon doing of which, thefc reftridtions ihould be taken off, and their real grievances, upon paking proper application, ihould be redreiTed. The expreffions of miniftry were very clear and explicit upon this occafion. New England, they faid, as moll culpable, was juftly lingled out as an obje<5l: of punilhment. The other Colonies, as lefs faulty, would, it was hoped, be brought back with Icfs compulfion. But ** the queftion now lay within a very narrow compafs : it was iimply, v/he- ther we would abandon all claims on the Colonies, and give up, at once, all the advantages ariling from our Ibvereignty, and the commerce dependant on it ; or whether we ihould refort to the meafures in- difpenfably neceilary to enfure both ?'* The addrefs voted in confequence of the minif- terial motion, fully '"oincidcd with all his views. It reprcfented the Colony of MaiTachufet to be in adlual rebellion, and encouraged by the other Co- lonies, It declared the rcfolution of Parliament to nvaintaiu n\ LATE W A K. If 9 maintain thcfuiircmc authoriry of the Britifli Ici^il- Uturc in every part of tlic King's dominions. It. bcfought iiini to enforce this authority l)\ the power conlVitutionally lodged in his hands ; and allured him of their concurrence, at all hazards, to fupporL him in the [)rofecution of fueh mealiires. An addrefs of this kind was in ellect a declara- tion ot war againll America. It was confidered as fuch by the oppolition, and thcconfequences which it would have, were pointed out with the utmolt freedom. Some, indeed, contended that the ac- culation of rebellion fixed upon the Province of MalTachulct, was falfe : the [)eople there had dow^: no more than what the conllitution allowed : they had refilled arbitrary meafures, after the exam- ples that had lo frequently been let them at home. 3ut whether they dcferved to be iligmatized as rebels or not, fuch an appellation was dangerous, and might better be 1 pared. It would only ferve to aggravate, and render fuch as might think it le- velled at them, dcfperate, and to infpire them with a determination to refift the efforts of Britain to the laft drop of their blood, from the apjirehen- fion that their properties and lives were become forfeited. , - .- The fingling out of Maflachufet as mod dcferv- Ing of chaltifement, would avail nothing. The Other Colonies knew rhemfelves as deep in the con- fpiracy, and expected, in their turn, no better treatment. To chaitife one, was to chaflifc all. If Britain meant to aifert her authority with a high hand, her preparations mufl take in all who were concerned againft her ; and not imagine that the re- duction of one Colony would fuffice. They were all formed into one body ; and to defeat a part, would now put the relt more upon their guard. It VV^s jdje tp aiin ^t 4iruniting them ; they knew their fituation 220 HISTORY OP THE fitnation too well to betray each other : it waj c(jually nugatory to exprefs more anger at one than ar another : opprobrious epithets, or infidious blan- tlifhments, were loft upon them. Their conduft and language were equally open and unequivocal, and amounted to a clear determination to remain united in dc Icnce of their liberties, until luch conceflTions were made on our parr, as would fully quiet the ap- prchcnfions they entertained for their fafety. Bri- tain, therefore, muft now confider, which of the two was the moft advilable, peace or war; not with one, but with all her Colonies. It was replied by the minifterlal party, that re- bellious deeds coni^iiuted rebellion. The condudt of the people in MaiTachufet could be viewed in no oi'her light. They had, by open force, refifted the execution of the laws ; which in England being re- puted rebellion, cannot in America be called by another name. It was not intended to exercife any more feverity than might be abfolutely requifite. Alercy would be Ihown, and extended with the ut- moft liberality to all who fubmitted ; but it was highly ncceflary to make a ftrong difcrimination between the deluded and the deluders. Policy and julVice demanded thcfe as vi<^tims for the good of the community ; on thefe alone the vengeance of Britain would fall. High ftrefs was laid upon the union of the Co- lonies ; but a little time would iliow with how much impropriety. When once they beheld the fpirit of Britain thoroughly roufed, they would foon retreat from the field of action, and humble them- fclvcs before her, They were aflbciated upon prin- ciples that would not fupport them ; the felf-dcny- ing regulations upon which their confederacy was founded, were too hoftile to the intereft and feel- ings of individuals, to bind them long together. Im- r. A T E WAR. 221 Itnnatience at fuch unnatural rcftraints, and piivatc Iclnlhnefs would breakthrough them, and ihow how little they were acquainted with human uaturc who could rely upon fo weak a foundation. But there were alfo other motives to view with unconcern, and even with contempt this parade of union among the Colonies. The natives of Ame- rica, it was faid, had nothing of the foldicr in them ; they were averfe to dilcipline, and incapable of military fubordination : they were even of a fear- ful and fpiritlefs difpofition ; (loathful, uncleanly, and of a conlViturion eafily fubdwed by fickncfs and fatigue. Thefe were not a people to face a Britilh army. Small would be the force neceflary to re- duce them to obedience, and to put an end to all their projects of independence. After a long and violent altercation, the quef- tion was carried for the addrefs by a divilion of two hundred and ninety-fix, to one hundred and iix. But the importance of the fubjcift that had been debated was fuch, that the minority made a motion fhortly after, to re-commit the addrefs. It was ar- gued that the confcquences that would probably re- fult from the profecution of the meafures it recom- mended, impelled them to folicit the Houfe for a re-con(iderarion of it : they appeared of iuch mag- nitude, that no time or attention could be mil- employed in a frefh inveftigation. A recapitulation followed of the dangers that would inevitably attend a war with America. The likelihood of other powers interfering, and the ini- mcnfe rifks we ihould incur for the fake of an object far beneath fuch a terrible contention. Should Great Britain triumph over all oppofition, what would prove her gains ? No more than what llic was fub- Il^jntially poflefled of at that very hour : the ema- ^22 HISTORY OF THE lumcnts accruing from the commerce of America* But flioe^ld fortune prove unpropitious, what would then be her fituation ? An anfwer to this quellion could not be made, without conveying a fenfatioii of horror to every man that felt for his country. A motion, therefore, to re-commit an addrefs of (o ferious a tendency, wherein, perhaps, the very ex- iftcnce of the Britifh empire was involved, ought certainly to be received without hefitafior by every man who profelfed impartiality and '^andour. A long debate followed this motion, and waSl- fiipported throughout with all the abilities and elo- quence of the two contending parties. The truth was, they both felt the magnitude and importance of the qucftion before them : fo great a one had not been agitated in Parliament during the prefent ccnturv. A]l that mafs of argumentation was re-produced on this occalion, which had compofed the materials of the numberlefs debates that had filled both Houfes of Parliament during the lalt ten years, and had been repeated all over the nation to no other purpofe than to breed ill blood among the difpu- tants. The fum of this famous debate was, that mi- niftry contended in the fame mnnner it had done be- fore, for the neccflity of drawing the fword, and manfully alTeiting the rights and the dignities of the parent flatc. Lenity was now become a fubjed: of derifion in the Colonics ; and was imputed to imbecility and fears. The Americans, through long forbearance, were become incorrigible by any other than harih means. They thought themfelves in a condition to aboliih the fovereignty of Britain in America, and were now refolved to do it. It was incumbent on every native of Britain, in fuch a cafe, to Hand forth, and to vindicate the- intereft and • I- A T E WAR. 223 unci glorr of his country : it was the duty of P.irlin- nicnt and miiiillry to lummon every piirtick- of fpi- rit that was left in the nation, to a c:)nrell wherein all that was dear to them, as individuals m well as a people, was fo deeply involved. The Americans had forcrotten the hand that had planted and reared them : they were become un- mindful of that protedtion and thofe boumjes thev were perpetually receiving from the generofuy of Britain. It behoved us, if we valued our own cha- racter, to make them fenliblc that we were ftill the great and potent people they acknowledged us, while we were Ihowering favours upon them. It was to thefe favours they owed the grandeur and opulence at which they were now arrived. We had but lately faved them from conquell and fiavery ; and they now repaid us with an accufation of ty- rannny : this was ingratitude in the extreme, as our requiiitions from them were fmall, even in the avowal of their warmefl friends, and their power to grant them no lefs undeniable ; but their inclina- tions were to deny every requeft welliould make. To temporize in the midft of fo much provoca- tion, would be to encourage further inlults and outrages. Britain had nothing elfe, indeed, to ex- pert, until flie had put an effedual ftop to the power of committing them. The whole conduondon merchrnts trading to America, and from thofe concerned in the Weft India trade, to be laid before the Houfe of Lords. The Marquis of Rockingham, as the principal Peer in the oppofi- tion, ^vas applied to on this occafion to prefent them, but he was prevented by a previous motion in favour of the addrefs. This however did not hinder a long debate con- cerning the propriety andneceflity of receivingthem. It was carried on with no lefs heat and animofity of exprcilion than that which had taken place the day before in the Houfe of Commons. The papers, on the veracity of which the addrefs lud been framed^ were reprefcnted by the oppofi^ uor\ LATE WAR, "J* ti'oii as partial and mutllatccl, and unfit for proj>cr documents info weighty a matter. It was for this rcalbn the duty ofthe Houie to attend with the more readinels to the reprelentation of the merehants ; whofc teftimony, as perfons deeply and efl'enrially intcrefted in brinj^ing truth to light in this impor- tant jundure, might be depended on with much greater fafety. It was their particular dcfirc to be heard, before ill-': Houfe took any determination relating to Ame- rica. To refufe this, it was urged, would be to tell the world, that right or wrong, its determi- nation would be againlt the fenfe of their petition. Was this a warrantable treatment of refpcdtablc and loyal fubjedls, who were endeavouring to fervc the ftate, by affording to government all the informa- tion they were mailers of. Good policy required the Houfc to hearken to them, as well as ecjuity and good manners. It was anfvverctl by the minlllerial party, that no difrefpedl was intended to perfons of lb much confe- quence in this commercial nation, as the merchants whofe petition was now in the Houfe; that it was n ith great grief adminiftration was obliged to declare, it could not be received confiitently with the gene- ral interefts of the kingdom. They were dcfired fe- rioufly to confider, how ncccflary it was become to prevent the evils threatened to this country by the proceedings in America; that were they permitted to continue, the commercial grandeur of this nation would fuffer a fatal di munition, if not a total over- throw, in which no individuals would be greater lutferers than themfelvcs. It became th-.m, from lb iuil a moti\e, to coniide in the wiluom of Par- liament, as it was not doubted tlu.t events would hereafter convince them, that hy alicrtln HISTORY OF THE The wliolc ni^j;lit was confiniKtl in this ilcbircj i*". lonchiclcd with th? total cici'cat of the Manjuis of Kocl;in^ham's motion : the numbers for him were only twenty-nine, thole againll him one hundred r.nil tour. I'his defeat, produced a remarkable protefl, drawn uj) with uneommon energy, and whieh lliongly characterized the temper of the o[)[>oliti()n at that period. It coneluiled in the tollowing words, \vhica may be eonlidcred as a fummary ot the lenlimcnts ciUirtained by the opponents to mi- iiilh)', both in i\uliaiuent, and throughout the nation. " The means of enforcing the authority of the liriiilli IcL^illature is coniided to perfons who have hitherto iifed no ctVectual means of concilialini^, or of reduciuL^ rhofc who oppofe that authority: This appears in ihe conllant lailure of all their projects, the infutficieney of all their inlbrnia- tion, and the difappoinLment of all \c hopes which they have for feveral years hel 't to the public. Parliament has never refuted any of their propolals, and yet our affairs have pro- ceeded from bad to worfc, until we have been brought Hep by Hep, to that Hate of confufion anil violence, which was the natural refult of de fperatc meafures. *' \Vc therefore proteft again II an addrefs found- ed on no proper Parliamentary information, whieh was introduced by refuting to fulfer thv pretentation of petitions againil it, (although it be the undoubted right of the fubjedl to prcllnt the fame) which followed the rejection of every mode of conciliation; which holds out no l\ib- *' Itantial oiler of redrels of grievances, and " which promitl's fupport to thole minifters who " have iniijmcd America, and grofsly milconduct- ** ed the aiTalrs of Great Britain.'' The 4( «( a <( (( «( << ti <( (( •LATE W A H. The addrcTs thus jointly voted by both Houfcs, was carried to the throne, and anfwered with an af- furancc of takin;; due meafures to enforce its con tents, and a mellage exhorting Parliament jpccdy - -•-- ^^•- '•- -^-^-^^" -.'- es, an af- con- to makki tents, and a mellage exhortmg Parliament to makki jpccdy provifion tor the eflfectually carrying intq execution the meafures they rccoiimK-ndcd. % C H A P, 23^> HISTORY OF THE CHAP. IX. T''^f'fdCiJons ill Great Britain relating to America^ AFTER providing a military force tobcila- tloncd at Borton, it was perceived that far- ther nieafures would be neceffary to execute the phin propofed. Soldiers might quell infurrediions and infults, but could not enforce the obfervancc of laws and regulations, without the intervention of the magi'lracy ; and it was evident that no affiil- ance of this kind was to be expeftcd from the peo- ple of Mallachufct. They beheld with (ilcnt abhorrence the coercive fcheiae that had been formed to compel their obe- dience to the injundions of the Britilh legiflaturc. Though they abflaincd from attive refiftancc, they were determined to throw every impediment in the way of compulfion, and if they could not face it ppenly, to fatigue it by indirecit and fecret oppo- fition. The difficulty lay in procuring afTillance from the inferior body of magillrates; as few of them were well-wiilicrs to the meafurrs in agitation, it was loiind im})rad:icable to employ them in their execution ; yet it was only through fuch means rhc commonalty was ro be brou^'-bt to a Hate of req;uhir and peaceable obedience. As the indiifolnble adherence to each other amontj; all orders and clalfes in Mallachufet, rendered it impoffible to feek for co-operators among them, and as the minillry was fully determinctl to proceed on the plan of coercion, the only method remain- ii)^ to make it eaeCtual, was to extend it in fuch a luanuer. LATE W A R, 23; manner, ns to afFe;i^ .238 HISTORY OF THE nnce. This Ihowcd at once what we had to cxpcdl from that quarter. As an alleviation to the feverity of this aift, it was propofed, that all perfons fliould be excepted from it whofc good behaviour the Governor of the Pro- vince would certificate, or who Ihould fubfcribe a tcft acknowledging the rights of Parliament. This bill was received by the oppoiition with every cxpreffion of difapprobation. It was particularly reprobated for involving fuch a multitude of inno- cent people in its operation. Half a million of people were condemned to famine for the delin- quency of a few, on a fuppoiition they were guilty. This was a precedent unknown in countries go- verned by jull: and equitable laws, and could only be found in the tranfadlions of tyrants. But were Maflachufet guilty, why mufl the in- fliction of fo fcvere a challifement extend to its nciirbours ? This was an excefs of refentment which nothing could juftify : it belied the mildnefs of characitcr which had hitherto done fo much honour to the Britilh Icgiflaturc; and was bcfide an act of impolicy tliat would raife up foes to Britain where it had none before. When people found that wc made no difcrimination between our friends :ind ene- mies, they would join with the latter to refcuc them- fclves from univerlal oppreflion. Britain, in the prcfent inftance, treated her own fubjeCts much worfc than Hie had ever done her avowed and luort inveterate enemies. During the Uiany wars between England and France, hollilitics had been reilrained to the nation, and never exer- cifed upon individuals. Our lleets and armed vef* fcls had always fparcd the fiihing craft of the cnc- mv : this was a rule from which they never devi- ated, even in the moil bloody contentions. I^ was beneath the character of a civilized and fi;cnerous people I- A T E W A R. 239 people to moled poor fifb^- '"men, and to deprive the wretched inhabitants of . /'a-coaft of their food. New England, they all Knew, fubfifted upon its fiflieries ; the produce of thefe were bartered for abfolutc neccflarics. It was alfo the medium that enabled them to fettle accounts with Britain, for the prodigious demands they were perpetually making u])on her merchants. Thus to cut them off from that refource, would be to flop their payments to Britain : this, in fad:, would be throwing upon ourfelves the punilhment intended for them. Should this bill operate to the extent propofed, the effeds produced by it would reach far- ther than it was ever defiQ-ned. In cafe of a future reconciliation with the Colonies, the laborious and indigent claffes employed in the fifhery, would by that time neceilarily have be- taken themfelves to other occupations for their fubfiftence, and it would be a difilcult matter to re- cal them to their former bufmefs. In the interval, this profitable trade might fall into the hands of other nations, who would, of courfc, ufe all their endeavours to retain it. Britain was too far diftant to cngrofs it wholly to herlelf, and would have too many objcds to diilrad: her attention in confequence of this quarrel, to take any more than ordinary ciirc of this branch of her trade. Another evil would arifc from this bill, which minillry did not appear lo forefee. By declaring war again the Colonics, and depriving them of their filherics^ the filhermcn were driven into the immediate fervice of rebellion; they would man privateers, and accelerate the levies of troops they were making ; and being robull and hardy men, would prove the beft recruits that could be found. Thus it was clear that this bill, in whatever lijrdit it was viewed, was highly diiriputablc and pei- niclous. The, 240 HISTORY OF THE The further allegations, on the other hand, uti flnoiir of the bill were, that Britain herein adccl only by way of retaliation and fclf-defence againil the Colonics. The precedent was their own ; they had combined, as far as in them lay, to deftroy oiir commerce and manufactures, and to reduce our iflunds to the utmoit diftrefs. Had any European power ai^ted in the manner they did, we ihould have done the lame, and probably more; The accufation of barbarity was equally ground- Icfs. No more was evidently meant than to com- pel the Colonies to pay juft obedience to the parent llate. The inconvenicncies refulting from this bill they had brought upon themfelves, and might put im end to whenever they pleafed. The mcafure was vigorous, but not precipitate: it left them lei- furc to rellccl on their lituation, and to regain the good-will of Great Britain, by embracing the prof, tcred means of reconciliation, which v^xre a peace- able fubmidion to the laws it had enacted* Iji other countries a r'^volt met with a far heavier chaltifement : forfeitures, corporal puniHiments, ^m\ death, wen: the '.ifual methods employed upoi^ fuch occafions, to bring rebellious ful)jects to rea- fon. It w^as with the fmcercft grief that the friends of Britain were made partakers of the inconvenicncies arifinir from this bill; but this was an inevitable confefjiience of thefe unhappv feut's. They would, from this confidcration, be the firlt to excufe us ; they knew that in war, friends and foes were often iniermixed, and liable to fulfer the fame calamiticb. Britain had long waited before Ihe adopted this mealurc. It was now ten years fuicc America not; oidv threatened, but actually put it in execution. Thrice had the Colonies thrown owr merchants and nibinufaCturciS into the utmofl coniternation : — U VvS'T. LATE W A It, 241 ;ttts now our turn to try whether we could not in- timidate them by the fame means. It behoved the people of Britain, if they had any fpirit left, to cruih at once this infulting difpofi- tion, which kept them in continual alarms, and rendered the poifeffion of America a matter of more anxiety than advantage. It were even better to part with it at oncc>, than to live in fuch a ftate of un- certainty and J pprehenfion on its account. The period was now arrived long wiftied for by America : — She now thought herfelf in a capacity to throw off all dependence upon Great Britain, and was determined to rifk. the attempt. It became Great Britain not to ihrink from the contell : if ihe was not able to face the Americans, Ihe was not wor- thy of ruling them* The connection between Great Britain and hei* Colonics, were matters to remain on the prefent footing, was no longer definable: they acknow- ledged fubjedtion, and yet would pay no obediencci Now was the time to afcertain it for a perpetuity. — - If we were to remain matters of them, we Ihould then know what fettlement to make ; and if we were to lole them, we fhould even, in that cafe, rid ourfelves of infinite perplexity* It Was replied by the minority, that the fpirit (o repeatedly required by the miniftry, however lauda* ble in refpedt to foreign nations, could only be pro- dudlivc of evil in domeflie^ contefts* Thofc who aded in differences of this kind with mod le- nity and forbearance, were poffeffed of the fpirit mod to be dcfired on fuch occafions* That heat and impetuoiity of condud: were the banc of all pro- ceedings at home, was a truth acknowledged by all men ; and it was upon this folid and unquertion* able principle the miniftry would be condemned by ihe unbiaffed and impartial world. V«L, I. No. 4, C^ FA-pc- 242 HISTORY OF THE Experience nijlicatcd invincibly againft die mf- nirtty. What were the ctfetts produced by the fpirit that dictated thclaft ad:s againft Mairachufct? Had they humbled that Colony? Had they terri- fied the Americans ? Had they not, on the contrary^ lpiritc(V up the whole American continent to an open and confirmed refiftance? Why Ihould other cffefts be cxpetfled from the further exertions of fuch a i'p\nt? ^ ^ >, , ! , The iffiie of this debate was, that the bill was carried for ipiniftry, by two hundred and iixty-one votes, againll eighty-five. A petition againft it was,hovvevcry prefented by the London merchants concerned in the American trade : It was i>rincipally founded on the danger that would accrue to the iiftierics of Great Britain frocu fuph a l^rohibition. Froiii the evidence which was brought in fup- port of this i>etition, it appeared that the American fifticrics were in fo flourilhiag a condition ten years before the prefent period, that the four provinces of New England employed m that branch of trade alone, near forty-fix thouiand tons of Ihinping, and fix thoufand feamen ; tKat the produce oi their fifh- eries in the foreign markets, ammmted in the year one thoufand fcven hundred and fixty-four, to upwards of three hundred and twenty thoufand pounds.^ Since that timCy the fiihericsy together w^ith their profits, had greatly increafcd. What rendered them particularly valuabie,- was, that all the materials ufed in them, (the fait for curing the fifli, arKl the timber for building the veffels excepted) were puTchafcd in Britain ;. and that thfc wet proceeds of the trade were all remitted hither. It alio appeared, that it would not be pradtleahlc to transfer thefc fiiheries to Halifax or Quebec, \\\:w cvi'v I'uch afliftancsor enc0urag(?inent given, to either LATE W A ft* i4j citliei: of thcfe places. They had neither veflels ndr people to man them, and would never be able to procure fuppUes of feamert from New England : fuch was the avcrfion the government of thofe two fettlements was held in by the natives of that Pro- vince. A circumftance came put at the fame time, in thd coiirfe pf this evidence, that was ftrongly infilled on as ajuft motive to recall this bil,K The commer- cial concerns of the city of London, only, were fo great and cxtenfive in New England, that th,is lat- ter ftood indebted to it near a million ftc;rling. This was urged as a powerful argument againft an adt which would totally deprive tht Britifli mer/- chants of all hopes of being paid fo confiderable a fum ; as it could only ariic out of the balance pro- duced by the gains upon the filheries. It was (hown at the fame time, that the cffe annually worth, on a moderate computation, five hundred thoufand pounds. ":t •'. i- ^ But this reprefentation did not prevent oppofi- tion from reprobating the bill, as tending, like the orher ad:s lately paifed, to exafperate the Colonics to a degree that would preclude all ideas of rccon- ciliLicion, LATE WAS. 245 filiation. They would now look on Parliament as an avowed and declared enemy, taken up only with the learch of means to diftreis them. The miniflry was accufed of adling not only with barbarity, but abfufdity. If their wilhes and in- tentions went to the prefervation of the Britifh do- minion over America, to what purpofe "did they drive to ruin that country ? The moft defpotic princes, in their punilhment of infurredtions againll their authority, carried it nr further than againfl the principal delinquents ; nie bulk of the commu- nity, however guilty, was fpared ; and the general intereft of the country ftill was confulted. But the refentment of our rulers knew no bounds ; they in- volved in one common deftrudtion the property and inhabitants of America, as if they had determined to render the pofleflion of it of no value ; and, in- deed, as if they forefaw, that from their inability and imprudence, it would be loft for ever to the Crown of Great Britain, They who fpoke on the other fide, were no lefs pointed and fevere in their condemnation of the Americans, oid of the conftant fullennefs and pcr- verfity with which they treated the condcfccnding difpolitioc of the parent ftatc. They contended, at the fame time, that this very bill againft their fifhery, however reftridtive it might appear, would not produce thofe diftrelTes that had been painted in fuch frightful colours. The idea of reducing them to real famine was ridiculous : the country abound- ed with provifions ; they were, in fome meaUirc, the ftaplc commodities of the land ; and if fome parts were deficient, others were plentiful. But were it true that they would be expofed to all manner of wretchednefs, ftill it would be their own feeking ; as fubmiffion to Britain would at once put an end to tfi^lx mifery, .0.3 ;.. ":.■. ^tiu, $4^ HISTOKV OF THB Still, however, k was contended by oppofitioh, that an aft of fuch a nature would difgracc us in the ryes of Europe, and juftify thafc malicious inipu«. tations of 4 cruel dilpofition, in which To many fo- feigners delighted. They would now have fome ground for their reproaches : a bill brought into an rcfenicd, would require much time and attention : iJut was it: prudent to run fuch a rilk ? Did wc not receive al- ready the fame profits we propoled to derive from this alteration ? The path was now fmooth and eafy ; why Ihould we be at the trouble of feekinjj; out another, which, at belt, would not be prefer- able to the prefent ? A variety of additional arguments were ufed to invalidate the propriety of the bill. The mutila- tion of the papers on which that infornKuion was founded, which was held forth to both Houfcs iis authentic, was complained of in the bittercll terms : it was carrying on a fyftem of deception unworthy of men of rank, who were intruded with the public ^lifairs : fuch a management of them, would lay them open to the fevereH refentment and proilcu- lion, and leave them without any excufe lor tlvjir juftification. Parliament depended upon them for true and fair accounts of thofe tranfaiftions, by which its fuffrages were to be guided ; if faUc or defedive the fault was iblely their owi), and they muft anfwer for it to the juftice of their country. But the efforts of oppofition were as unavailing in this, as in the other Houfe. The abfolute and iu- difpeniible neceffity of coming to a final conclufion of the American buhncfs, overcame all orhcr ideas : total fovereignty, or total lofs, were judged the hap- picft alternative for Great Britain ; its councils had been ■2^0 HISTORY OF THE been diftratfted for more than ten years by inceflant altercations on this rubje'.( '■• • A refoluticn adopted on the ground of this mo- tion would, it was faid, be *' an infallible touch- flone to try the fincerity of the Americans. If their profeffions were real, and their oppofition founded only upon the principles which they pre- tended, they muft, confidently with thofe prin- ciples, agree with this propofition. But if they were aduated by finifter motives, and had dan- " geroiis dcfigns in contemplation, their refufal of thefe terms would expofe them to the world. — We fliould then be prepared, and know how to act* After having fhown our wifdom, ourjuf- tice, and our humanity, by giving them an op- portunity of redeeming their paft faults, and holding out to them fitting terms of accommo- ** dation : if they fliouid rejc(ft them, we fnould be C£ <( C( (( LATE WAR. 2^5 be juflified in taking the moft cocrclsc mca- fiircs.'* The oppofition received this propofal with the unnoft difapprobation. It was, they \Vu\, '.a no wife conciliatory : it was replete with iniicliournefs, and would appear fuch in the eyes of the Ameri- cans. The motives held out to the nation tor uni- ting with miniftry againft America, were now, it was faid, entirely changed. The honour and dig- nity of Great Britain were lately the foie principle on which they exhorted men to adt ; obedience to the commercial regulations enaded by Parliament, and allegiance to the fupreme fovereignty of this country, was their conftant language : but they now aban- doned that argument ; the conteft was now to be for a prize of another nature, the accjuifition of a revenue. This probably they deemed an objeeareU, that at the foregoing period. LATE WAR. 2f9 Jwriod, the whole export trade of England, inclu- ding that to the Colonies, amounted to little more than fix millions and a halfi Thus the trade to America was now become not half a million lefs than the whole of that which I^ngland carried on with all the world, at the firft of the above periods. Valuing therefore the exportations from Great Bri- tain at fixteen millions, America employed more than a third of our foreign trade. He took notice of the feveral plans propofed for the government of America, and animadverted par- ticularly to that of force ; a method, which as it appeared fimple and eafy to comprehend, men were apt to have recourfc to in all difficult cafes. This idea he reprobated with great ftrength of argument. It depended upon times and circumftances, which were always changing and uncertain; it deflroyed the very objedls of prcfervation ; it was a mode of governing hitherto unknown in the Colonics, and therefore dangerous to make trial of. Their flour- ilhing condition, and the benefits we derived from them, were owing to quite other caufes. Without inquiring, therefore, whether it were a matter of right, or of favour, the only fafe rule by which to govern the Colonies with advantage, was by giving them " an intercft in our conftitution,** and by pledging the Parliamentary faith of the na- tion in the mod binding mnnncr, never to depart from the fyftem by which Great Britain is folemnly to declare that (he means to govern then;. . All difcuflions of right ihould be difclaimtd in fuch a fubje(ft: policy alone was to be confidered. He was not inquiring whether thiy had a right to make that people miierablc, but Vv'hether it was not their inrcreft to render them happy ? They were not to confult lawyers on wha" chi y might do, but to be guided by equity and found policy in what they ought to do. K 2 Hz 26o HISTORY O 1 THE He declared pointedly againft new projcds. His theory with regard to reprcfentation was founded on the ancient conftitutional policy of the realm, as contained in adts of Parliament ; and the prafticc he would recommend, was conformable to plain fadts, recorded in the journals of the Houfe. Experience had marked the road to be taken on this occafion ; it had been followed with advantage and fafety, until the prefent differences with Ame- rica. In conftitutional difcuffions practice was al- ways a wifer counfellor than fpeculation : their an- ceftors, who had founded both the conftitution and the Colonies, were the beft guides they could follow for their prefervation. He gave an hiftorical dedudtion of the manner of incorporating Wales, Chefter, and Durham, with the reft of England, and of the good confequences this meafure produced, in the readinels of their fub- fequent acquiefcence in the laws enadted by the au- thority of Parliament. Though Ireland had not been included in this incorporation, yet the EngUih conftitution had been fully communicated to that kingdom. The Colo- nies had received it as effetlually as their fituation would re Tped:ively permit. While the genuine fpi- rit of this conftitution remained unimpaired, peace and profperity attended them ; the moment an al- teration was attempted, dilorder cnfued. To return to our old policy, was therefore to tread on the furcft ground. Our future lyftcm in America ought to be fettled on a Parliamentary foundation, and afcertaincd in the clearolt and moll pcrfpicuous terms, in order to guard againll all pol- fible innovations. Taxation was by this fyftcm to be eitabliflied in the Colonics not by impofition from us, but by grants ["rom them : their Aflcm- blies were to Ijc acknowledged competent to pro- vide for the lupport of their government ia peace, and T. A T E VV A «. 2C1 fliid to furuifli public aids in war: the courts of ju- dicature were to be abfolutcly independent ; thole ot admiralty new regulated; and the adts of Parlia- ment fo much complained oi, to be totally re- pealed. Thcfc propofals were grounded on the non-rcprc- fentation of the Colonics in the Britilh Parlia« ment, the inconveniencics of their being repre- fcnted at fuch a diftance, the readincfs with which they had always complied with rcquifitions lawfully made, to raife money for public fervices, and the fuperior utility of their granting fubfidies, to the laying of taxes upon them by the authority of Par- liarnent. The debate on thefe propofitions was long and fpirited. The objedtions againft them were, that they gave up the object in contention, as notwith- ftanding the right of taxing was not formally, yet it was virtually renounced. Should thefe propo- fals be adopted, there was no certainty that the Americans would anfwer them with any returns of duty and compliance. As to their former proviiions of money, during the late war, they proceeded evidently from the fenfe of the danger they were in. But if required to do it upon any occafion lefs prefling, and lefs connedted with their immediate intereit, it was much to be doubted whether they would have been fo complying. But exclufive of thefe coniidcrations, it was the fole right and prerogative of Parliament to grant money to the Crown : no other body of men in the Britilh dominions could participate in this right. — Such was the exprefs declaration of the Bill of Rioihts. This right of taxation was the ground-work of the dignity and power of Parliament. It could not therefore be given up confidently with any pro- R 3 priety. ( 262 HISTORY or THE pricty. Its very cffcnce and cxiftencc dopcnclcd upon this prerogative. A minifter would defervc impeachment who iliould procure a pecuniary grant from the Colonics. Was fuch a practice to be to- lerated, it would lead to much more danger than feemcd to be apprehended ; efpccially in cafe the Colonies (hould ever have the privilege of granting money at their own option. In war, fuch a manner of levying fubfidies might be permitted, as refulting from neceflity ; but without fuch an urgent caufe, the conftitudon would evidently be expofcd to danger, were the Crown empowered to receive fupphes through any other channel than that of Parlianiettt. The exercifing of this high prerogative of taxing the fubjett, was lodged in the difcretion of that body. In this matter it was fupreme, and queftion- able by no other power in the ftate. All other bo- dies and aflemblies throughout the Britifh domi- nions, whatever immunities they enjoyed in other refped-s, and however independent of Parliamen- tary authority, ftill were bound to implicit obedi-. cnce in this. ■ It was replied, on the other hand, that the fole intent of the declaration contained in the Bill of Rights, was to prevent the Crown from levying taxes in the kingdom without the confent of Par- liament ; but did not mean to forbid the raifmg of them by lawful aflemblies, in other parts of the King's dominions, for the public fervjce. By thankfully acknowledging the promptitude and wilUngncfs with which the American afTemblics had pafled confiderable grants. Parliament had ac- knowledged their right of giving money to th<; Crown, The meaning of the Bill of Rights, v/as to confine the power of the Crown, but not the liberality of the fvibjedt ; the ftrll w^s dt^b^rrecj from exading money 7. A T E \V A R 2^3 money at plcafurc, but the fccond wns nor forbid- den to prclcnt it with what funis might be judL^od proper, cither as fupplics for public meafures, or as an aid or income to defray the charges neceliary to fupport the dignity and fplendour ot the throne ; or even by way of gratitude and atledtion to the Ibvereign, for th': benefits derived from his exer- tions for the happincfs of his people. The fubfidies raifed in this manner by the Colo- nics, having been equally abundant and produCilive of good confeciuences, having never been refuted, when demanded in the ufual way, and the Colonies tcllifying fo much unwillingnefs to grant them in any other, it would be prudent to accept of them upon their own terms, rather than rilk. the lofing them for ever, by putting at ftake the poflcflion of the Colonies themfelves. This danger, it could not bi denied, the Parlia- ment had brought upon the kingdom, by infilling obllinately, and necdlcfsly, on a mode of raifmg money in the Colonics, which would not cercainly produce more than that to which they had been fo long habituated, and were equally refolute in ad- hering to, notwithlhmding all the declarations and menaces of Parliament. It was therefore high time to put an end to this abfurd and pernicious controverfy. Nothing could betray more abfurdity than to quarrel about the ihado'vv, when we were poflelled of the fubllance. The ideas of fupreme fovcrcignty, and national unity, were not combated by the Americans, pro- vided an interpretation was niadc that did not in- trench upon fuch of their privileges, as, in their notions, were infeparable from a Itatc of freedom. Thefe privileges, it had been proved, were not in- jurious to this country, and the exercife of them had often proved ferviccable to it. But if by fu- preme fovereignty we meant abfolutc power, and by R 4 national i a 264 HISTORY OF THE national unity, an obligation in them to confonn implicitly to our will, why Ihould we expedt their admiffion of tenets manifeftly repugnant to our conftitution, and of which we had never bethought ourfelves before this prefent occafion. They acknowledged themfelves united with Bri- tain, and fubjcdt to its fovereign : they were will- ing to go proportionably as far as ourfelves in their contributions for the common defence. Was not this fubjed:ion and unity, in the ftridtefl acceptation of the terms ? Was it not the real fubftance of fove- reignty and union ? All requifitions from them, on our part, beyond thefe effential and voluntary ac- knowledgments of our fupremacy, were founded Qn fpeculative and imaginary rights, and tended j as experience had proved, to deprive us of folid benefits. We were throwing the moll valuable ad- vantages away, in the purfuit of empty and una- vailing titles. After a debate fupported with great vigour and ingenuity of argumentation on both fides, Mr. Burke*s propofitions were negatived, by two hund- red and feventy votes, againft feventy-eight. This rejection did not however difcouragc oppo- fition from another attempt. A few days after the March 27, failure of that made by Mr. Burke, ano- ^775' ther gentleman of great knowledT;e and abilities, followed his example. This was Mr. Hartley ; who propofed that a letter of requifition iliould be fent to the Colonies by a fecretary of ftate, o'. a motion from that Houfe, for contribution to the expenccs of the whole empire. This plan, it was reprefcnted, met thofc ideas of taxation that had lb often been approved by the Colonics, and conformably to which former levies of money had been made upon them, to their entire fatisfaition. It left them in the pofleflion of deter- minine, EBI LATE WAR. 265 mining exclufively the propriety of the demand, and of limiting the fum, and dired:ing its application. The Parliamentary declaration againft the railing ot fubfidies without its confent, was, by this plan, fully obviated, as the requifition would be their own adt and deed. Thus the lentiments of both the contending parties would be rcconf iled ; the Americans would be taxed, but in the manner moft acceptable to their own feelings ; yet as ef- fectually as if Parliament had railed and aiieflcd the fupplies by its fole authority; and Pdij lament would have no reafon to complain, when it faw that a funple motion in the Houfe, operated as power- fully as if it paffed an ad to that purpofe. As this motion feemed to coincide with the opi- nion eftabliflied in America, as well as with the in- tereft of Great Britain, it was expefted by many of its friends, that a favourable reception would have been given it, and that it might have proved a bafis upon which to ered: the fuperftrudture of a treaty ; but thefe expectations were totally fruftrated, and the motion was rejected without a divifion. » The rejection of this, and the anteceding pro- pofals, occalioned, mean while, much difcontcnt throughout a great part of the nation. The cha- racter and abilities of the gentlemen who had framed them, were highly refpeded ; and many people be- gan to wilh, with impatience, for the peaceable fet- tlement of a difpute, from the continuation of which no good could pollibly be expected ; and which they were dclirous ihould be terminated upon any terms. But the partiality expreifcd for America by fuch numbersof people at home, did them much dillcrvice on this as well ason fome other occalions. Thofe who were of contrary lentiments, began to dread the con- fequences of favouring the republican opinions that had gradually become fo current in the Colonies, liiid 266 HISTORY OF THE and thought that it ill became the inhabitants of a country that had fuffcrcd (o much from fuch prin- ciplcs, to give them any countenance by efpoufing the caufe of thofe who profefledly adhered to them. They looked upon this partiality as criminal, and were convinced, at the fame time, that it was ow- ing to the machinations of a party, which fooncr than mifs of a revenge for being difcarded, would wreck it on their own country. The fupix)rters of this party were looked upon by many as the propagators of thofe feditious maxims that had iilled England with difcontent, and had kindled a rebellion in America. Experience, in fome meafure, authorifed this opinion. So outrageous for many years had unhap- pily been the temper of all factions in this coun- try, that they kept no meafures in the prolecutioii of the objects they had in view, and employed, in- difcriminately, all means wliatfoever to attain them. Oppofition was, in confequence of the perfuafion that they were ad:uated by the fame principles, ac- cufed of harbouring the moll unjuftifiable defigns. As they were not permitted to rule the ftate, they were, it was faid, determined to embroil it, and to render the power lodged in the hands of others, a fource of continual vexation to them. Influenced by fuch notions, many were thofe who entertained unfurmountable fufpicions of whatever was propofed that bore the face of benevolence to America. They thought the Colonics had rendered thcmfelves by their behaviour, and the maxims of which they had occafioned the inculcation in this country, unworthy of all condefcenfion ; and that it would not be for the intereft of Britain to enter into any treaty with them, till their republican fpi- lit had been humbled. As this could not be effected any othervvifc than by the fupcriority of the Britilh ;irms, they heartily wilhcd to fee them employed LATE WAR. 267 for this end ; and they condemned all pacific and conciliating meafurcs, as inefficient and dangerous before it was accomplilhcd. They would not radi- cally remove the evil ; it would only be palliated ; by not being crulhed in proper time, it would gather additional ftrengch, and break out on a future oc- caiion with double violence. ' Sentiments of this kind prevailed no lefs in Par- liament : to thefe may principally be attributed the hoftile fpirit that influenced the concurrence of the majority in the meal'jres propofcd by miniftry for the reducflion of America. i - -1. . ' t' -^ J : . 'I'li' J . m m CHAP. 5i68 HISTORY OF THE CHAP. XI. Further reJlrlHions on tb:' American J'radc. — Petitions to Parliament for and a^ainjl America, — Petition from the Britijh Inhabitants of Canada, — Petition from the ^takers. — Remonjlrance from the City of Lo'ddo'U — Remonjlrance from New Tork, 1775. ^j^HE rcfcntmcnt of Parliament againft Amc- J^ rica fccmed to gain ground daily. In addi- tion to the bill of reftrictions upon its trade, already mentioned, a claufe was brought in, including the Colonies fituatcd on the river Delaware. The ground of inis additional prohibition, was, that they were as v(fra(ftory and culpable as tlTc other Colonies, and that fufficient proofs of this had been brought before the Koufe to juftify this pro- ceeding. In the mean time, a variety of petitions appeared on both fides of theaueflion from feveral manufac- turing towns in Great Britain and Ireland ; fomc contending for the neceflity of coerfive meafurcs againil the Colonies, others complaining of the bad confequcnces they had occafioned, and would ftill ciucc. The fad:s maintained by the refpediive pe- titions, created infinite controverfy : they were al- ferted and denied with equal vehemence. The oppofition contended, that the petitions mi- litating forminiilerial meafures, were promoted by pcrlbns who had no concern, or but a very diilant one in the commerce with America. They were, it was faid, of a party which had been long profcribed in this country ; but which, unhappily for it, pof- ildVd a fund of obllinac}- which neither time nor ciiiappointmcntb could overcome : th-^y had feizcd this I' LATE WAR. 269 this opportunity to revive the odious and exploded principles of abfolutc uncontroulable fovcrcignty, which had formerly done fo much mifchief : in a word, they were the Tories. Fronn the intriguej of people of this defcrintion, proceeded thofe re- prcfcntations in favour ot the violent refolves againft America, which were now brought forth in order to counter-balance the weight of thofe addrefles for peace and reconciliation which came from thofe who really traded with America, who had already felt, and experimentally knew how feverely they Ihould feel the lofs or fufpeniion of that ncceflary trade. Among other petitions, one was prefented to the Throne from the Britiili inhabitants of Canada againft the Quebec bill. It reprefented the trouble and cxpencc they had undcrgrone in fettling them- fclvcs in that Province ; that through their endea- vours and induftry, the value of that Cc-ony was more thin doubled fince its acquifition ; but that by the late aft of Parliament they were, without having dcfcrved fuch treatment, deprived of all the prlviledges of BritiDi fubivcfts, and placed under an arbitrary government, contrary to the expecta- tions and folemn promil'es which had induced them to fettle in that country. A like petition from them to the Iloufe of Lords was prefented, and vlgorouily fupportcd by Lord Camden, upon the principles of the Englilh con- ftitution, and the ncccfllty of protecting the Protcf- tant religion, at which a fcvcrc blow was aimed by the adt in qiieftion : he culled upon both the tem- poral anti fpiritual Lords to unite ujwn this occafion, in their refpcftive chambers of guardians of ihu laws and rclie;ion of the land. Adminillration oppoft'd him with no lefs warmth. The French inhabitants in Canada, were declaied to be perfectly fatisfied with that act ; by which they coulidcrei 27C» HISTORY OF THE conlidcred themfelvcs as entirely reftorcd to ths fame condition they wc.ve in when under the crown of France. They had exprell'ed their fatisfadion iiiX)n that account to General Carlton on his arrival in that Province in quality of Governor. They had tranfmitted an addrefs of the fame tendency to the King, acknowledging, in terms of the higheft gra- titude, iheir thankfulnefs for reftoring them to their ancient rights and priviledgcs. Thefc were une- quivocal proofs of the general contentment effedcd by that meafure ; and how impolitic it would be to repeal it in favour of about three thoufand indi- viduals, to the mortification of «iore than one hun- dred thoufand. After a long and animated altercation, the mo* lion to rejedt Lord Camden's propofal was carried by eighty-eight votes againll twenty-eight. Another petition from the Englilh in Canada, of the fame tenor as the foregoing, was prefented by Sir George Saville to the Houfe of Commons. It llatcd, among other particulars, ^hat the petition to rhe King, in the name of all the French inhabitants in Canada, in virtue of which the Quebec adt had paflTed, was not obtained in a fair and open manner. So far from being countenanced by the generality of people, it had not even been communicated to them. It was handed about in a private manner, and iigned by a few of the nobleirc and lawyers, with others in their confidence, through the inftl- gations of the Romifli clergy. The community at large, it was notorious, did not approve it. But the advocates for minillry contended no lefs llrcnuoully for the propriety of attending to the ad- dreflesof large and avowed bodies, in preference to the uncertain and unauthorifed furmifes of pri- vate individuals. The Canadians were a numerous and warlike people, whofe attachment it was pru- dent to fecurt :imidilthe univerfal dcfe(ftion of our own I. A T E WAR. 2;i ov.Ti Colonics. By indulging them with a rcftoration of their own laws and iilagcs, we made them our tall tViends. This was certainly a jult meafurc; as wa might probably (land ere long in need of their iVicndlhip and afli (lance, in purfuancc otthe plan pro- pored for the reduction of our rebellious Colonies. It was however intimated, that notwith Handing the unfavourable appearance of affairs in America, there were good rcafons for hoping that tranquility would foon be re-ellabliilied upon durable founda* tions, without appealing to the fword. When our R-fradlory fubjeds beheld themfelves furrounded on all fides, when they faw our armies encamped on their fhores, our fleets ftationcd along their coafts, their communication with other nations cut off, and their back-fettlements threatened by thofe allies who were fecurcd to Britain by the very a(5t in qucftion, and wliofc enmity they fomuch dreaded, and had fo often experienced in former wars : in fuch a fitua- lion, they would hardly think of facing fo many -tlifficultics, and would probably be glad to accept of thofe offers that were iHll held out to them. The iffue of this debate was, that Sir George Saville was not more fuccefsful in the Houfe of Commons, than Lord Camden had been in the Houfe of Lords. His motion for repealing this a(ft was rejedlcd by a vail majority, one hundred and feventy-four, to eighty-fix. Notwithffanding the ill fuccefs of fo many peti- tions, an humble, but firm one, was prefcnted by the body of the Quakers. It fpoke the language of peace and friendfhip peculiar to their perfualion, and recommended lenient meafures accordingly : — But it declared, at the fame time, their intimate perfuafion, that in real attachment to the fovercign and royal family, to the conrtiturion and people of his country, the Americans were exceeded by no fabjec'ts in the Britifh d')minious. While :'1*:;? '; j. r lyi HISTORY OP THE While petitions came from fo many quarters, the city of London determined to give them that coun- tenance which would arife from its weight and im- April 10, portance. It prefented a remonftrance to '77S* the throne, in which the meafures of the miniftry were condemned in the moll explicit and forcible language. It recapitulated all the articles of American grievances, and all the fatal confequen- ccs of them, that had been fo frequently predii^ted. They looked with horror, faid they, at the mea- fures in agitation. Not deceived by the fpecious artifice of calling defpotifm dignity, they plainly perceived that the real purpofe was to eftablilh arbi- ir.uy power over all America. They juftificd the refinance of the Americans upon the principles of the I^nglilli conftitution. Animated by thole princi- ples, our forefathers brought about the Revolution; they wrcited the fccptre out of the hands of the Stuarts, and placed the Houfc of Brunfwick upon the throne of Great Britain. " Your petitioners.'* continued they, "arcper- fuaded, that the meafures now purfuing, ori- ginated in the fccret advice of men, who are t-nemics equally to your Majcfty*s titles, and to the liberties of your people ; and that your Ma- jelly's minillers carry them into execution by the lame fatal corruption which has enabled them to wound the }>eacc, and violate the conftitution of this country. Thus they poilbn the fountain of public fecurity, and render that body which Ihould be the guardian of libertv, a formidable inilrumcnt of arbitrary power. Your petitionersi do therefore mod earneitly befeech your Majeily, to dilmifs irumediately, and forever, from your councils thofe minillers and adviicrs, as a firlt tlcp towards a redrefs of thofe grievances which alarm and atllid your whole people." Thi> €i (( << i( (( li (( ti it it i< » • (« (( <( {( (( LATE WAR. 273 This petition produced the following anfwer. ** It is with the utmoft allonilhment that I find any of my fubjedts capable of encouraging the rebellious difpofition which unhappily exifts in fomc of my Colonies in North America. Hav- ing entire confidence in the wifdom of my Par- liament, the great council of the nation. I will lleadily purfue thofe meafurcs which they have recommended for the fupport of the conftitutional rights of Great Britain, and the protedlion of the commercial intcrefts of my kingdoms.** Such, to the great concern of all rcfled:ing men, was now become the ftilc of intercourfe between the Crown and the people. In the mean time, another remonftrartce was pre** May 15, fented to the Houfe of Commons from the »775' Alfembly of New York. It was introdu- ced by Mr. Burke, to whom it had been tranfmit- ted for that purpofe. He reprefented in a ftrong and urgent manner, how greatly that province had fignali- zcd its attachment and fidelity to Britain in the midft of the prefent diilurbances, and how much it had in- curred the difpleafure of the other Colonies upon that account. He aflured the Houfe that the re- Jiionflrance he wifhed to lay before it, was conceived in terms of the higheft decency and refpedt.— Though it complained of fome adts of Parliament, which in that Colony were deemed grievances, yet he was of opinion, the remonftrance ought to be received, that if any matter contained in it Ihculd appear to the Houfe to need rcdrefs, it might be granted accordingly. T-his application he confidercd as a circumflancc improveable to thehigheit advantage in the prclcnc ])olh]re of affairs. It atibrded an opportunity of coming to terms of reconciliation with America. — A direct channel was now opened to communicate through the medium of New York with the other Vol. 1. No. 5. S Colonics^ m 274 HISTORY OF T Tr rr Colonies. The iitmoll care ftionkl be taken not t© ihiir it, left no other avenue IhouUl be found. Tlie minifterial objeiitions were, that it was in- compatible with the dignity of the Houfe to furtlr any paper to be prefented that (jueftioncd its \\\- prenie authority. Condefcenfion enough had Uxn Ihown in a variety of inftances ; but nothing was adminiblc that tended to Invalidate the right of tax- ation. Particular notice was taken at the fame time, that the title of petition did not accompany this paper: it was called a Reprcfentation and Kemonftranec, which was not the ufual, nor the proper manner of applici^tion to Parlianicnt. This fmgularity alone was fuflicient to put a negative on its prefentation. To this it was replied, that the times were fo dangerous and critical, that words and forms were no longer deferving of attention. The qucftion was, whether they thought the Colony of New York was worthy of a hearing? No Colony had behaved with fo much temperatenefs And difcrction, Notwith- llanding the tcmpeftuoufnefs of the times, and the general wreck of the Britilli authority, it had yet l)referved a fteady obedience to government. — VVhile every oiher Colony was bidding defiance to Britain, this alone fubmiffively applied to her for rcdrefs of grievances. Was it coafiftent with policy, after lofing the good-'will of all the other Colonies, to drive this, tluough a needlefs and punctilious fe verity, into their confederacy againll this country ? could we txi)c(ft, after fuch u treatment, that this Colony could withitand the arguments that would be drawn from our fupercilioufnefs, to induce it to rclinquifh a condu<^\ which was fo ill requited. This was n.ot a feafon for ftatelincfs and difregard with refpedt to thofe who profefled thcmfelves our adheienis. Were even the rcfradory to make an appU- L A T £ W A tt» 175 nppllcation, it ought to be received with benignity* VVhat countenance would the people of New York ntrumc, when they were reproached for having put their confidence in this country ? Whatexcufe would the AHembly be able to make to its conftituents, v/hcn accufed of having deceived them with pro* mifes of favour from Britain, when it was (vcn that Parliament refufed even to hear their humble and dutiful rcprcfcntations? This refufal, it was predicted, would give the f.nilhing blow to the Britifl-i intereft in America. — New York might from this day be counrcd among the hollile Colonies. What other line of conduct could that Province embrace, with any profped: of lafcty ? Spurned by Britain, it would inrtantly for- fake her, and wipe off the Itain of having forfakcn them, by the zeal it would henceforward exert in the common caufc. But the minifterial arguments againft the accept- ance of whatever derogated from the legiflative power of Parliament, |)reponderated with the ma- jority againft all other confiderations. The reje(5lion was carried by one hundred and eighty-fix, againlt fixty-feven. Aftei having been foiled in the Houfe o{ Com- mons, it now remained to be decided whether that Colony's reprefentations would meet with a mere [gracious reception in the Houfe of Lords. Rut here the difficulty was flill greater than in fhe other Houfe. The dignity of the Peerage was f.iid to be infulted by the aj^pellation undo: which it had been prefumed to ufiier thofe reprefentations into that Allembly. They were (liled a Memorial ; fuch a title was only uUovvable in tranfadions be- twecn princes and dates independent of each other, but was unfufferable on the ]nut of fubjcdls. The anfwer was, that the lowell ofllccr in the iervice ht'd a right to prefent a memorial, even to > \ ■''fi IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) /. /- 1.0 I.I 1.25 lt ;f Ilia ? >- IIIIIM u ,_ UUu 11= U IIIIII.6 6" V] <^ /i ^;; /; (p / Photographic Sdences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 «< iV A o <* ^>.'^. <1^ V' c* cretion of the garrifon ; and the inhabitants might beconlidered as imprifoned, and liable to be made anfwerable for the behaviour of the Province at large. Various expedients were fuggefted on this occa- fion, in order to extricate the people of Bofton from their difficulties, and thereby prevent fo large a luimber of individuals from remaining in the hands of the enemy. It was lirlt propofed to remove the inhabitants ; but this was imprad:i cable without the confentofthe Governor, who would foon perceive the drift of fuch a meafure, and att the more carc^ fully for their detention. The next propofal was, to put a valuation upon the houfes and effects of the inhabitants, fet fire to the town, and indem- nify the proprietors. But this, upon examination, proved no lefs difficult to accomplilh than the for- mer. It was therefore deemed moll prudent to truft 10 time and opportunities, and to watch for both with the utmoil vigilance : adtual force appeared yet premature, and might produce much niifchicf without anfwering the end in view. Numbers of the principr* inhabitants had, by this time, quitted the place ; lome from motives of dif- guft, at their confinement ; others from apprehen- fions of hoililities ; and no few from fear of being called to account for their adivity during the late difturbances. The garrifon, though not unprovided with abfo- lute neceiiaries, could not expc(5t to be fu;iplied with any refreihments or conveniencies from a peo- ple to whom th^ir prefencc was fo odious, and who viewed I r 282 HISTORY OF THE viewed thcni as the inllrumcnfs of tyranny, nnd the imnucliatc caiifc of the miferics they were endurinsr. After the dilfolution ot the l*rovincial Coni^irefs of Mallaehulct, the frienes of the Britifli govern- ment met in feveral ])laccs, at the inlligation of the Governor, in order to try what intereit remained to }jritain in ihat Colony ; but the trial was very iin- liitisfactory : few were thofe who gave them any countcnanee. After fomc ineffedual allbeiations nnd refolves, in oppofition to the Provincial meet- ing, the)- found themfelvcs unable to refill the fu- ])erior influenee of the contrary party : numbers overpowered them every where ; and they were ob- ligc'd to give up all hopes of counteracting them. In the mean time, the proclamation forbidding the exportation of military ilores to America, had begun to operate throughout the Colonies in the moll decifive munner. They not only betook them- felvcs to the fabrication of arms, and the manufac- turing of powder, but in fomc of them they [pro- ceeded fo far, as to feizc on the artillery and itores belonL'in^]; to irovernment. Newport, the capital of Rhode Ifland, was the place where thefe proceedings iiril: commenced. — Forty pieces of cannon, mounted on the batteries that protected the harbour, were carried off by the inhabitants. The captain of a man of war, having waited upon the Governor, who in that Province is chofen by the Aflembly, to in(juire into the caufe of lueh a proceeding, was explicitly told, that the people had feizcd them., that they might not be 11 fed againil themfelvcs by the Britiili forces ; and that they intended to employ them in their own de- fence, againll any one that^lhould attack them. After taking this meafure, the Alfembly met, and agreed that a^-ms and warlike Ilores Ihould be pur- chafed with the, public money. .Refolutions were ■.palied for training the inhabitants, and every man was LATE W A R. 283 was exhorted to prepare hinifell" for a vigorous de- fence of the rights and liberties of his country. The Colony of New Huinj)lhire had hitherto afted with great modi ration during thcfq difcurb- ances : but on receiving intelligence of the procla- mation above-menrioned, and of the proceedings in confe(]uencc of it at Rhode Ifland, they refolvcd to imitate them. A large body allenibLd accord- ingly, and feized on a fmall fort, containing fome artillei^ and powder. This happened in the montli of December, feventy-four. On the arrival of ""he King's fpccch, upon the opening of the new I^uliament, and the add relies to the throne voted by fuch prodigious majorities, the fpirit of refinance grew llronger than ever. — They had indulged thenifelves vviin an expectation, that reflediing on the calamities and dangers that mujil neccflarily accompany coercive mcafurcs, the people of Britain would in their election of the new members, have infifted upon peace and reconcilia- tion with America. But when they law how deci- fivcly fupcrior that party was which had relblved upon thofc mcafurcs, all their hopes of accom- modation entirely vanillied, and their whole atten- tion was turned to the means of oppofing force with force. But notwithftanding thefc hoftilc appearances, there was Itill a large number of individuals who earneftly delired a pacific fcttlement of thefe unhap- py differences. A convention was held in Penn- fyivania, which declared it to be their fervent wifli to avert impending calamities, by a reftoration of harmony between Great Britain and her Colonies ; and that they were ready to ufe their warmeft eridea- vours to that intent. But tliis clifpofition, however fmccre, was accompanied with an avowal of their refolution to take up arms in defence of what they demajidcd as their jull rights, in cafe the Britifli admi* iii n HISTORY OF THE adminlftration fhould proceed to adts of violciicc, in order to enforce fubmiffion to the adts againft which they had remonftratcd. Conformably to this declaration, an iinrcmittinj;^ affiduity was recommended in the profecuiion of thofe maniifadiires neceflary for their iiuernal fub- liftenee, as well as their defence : among which f:i!t, gun-powder, Heel, and falt-petre, were par- ticularly mentioned. Similar mcafures were adopt- ed in the other Colonics. There wits however one exception to this general ailbciarion againfl: Great Btitain. The Colony of New York, in the Alfembly held previous to the icth Jan. rejedlion of its remonftrance, rcfufed its ^77v concurrence with the refolutions of the Continental Congrefs, and determined for an ap- j>lication to the King and Parliament, in the man- ner that has been related. In this, it has been faid, they were inrtigated by private infmuations from the friends to minirtry at home; who flattered themfelves, that the example of fo confiderable a Colony, would influence the remainder to an adop- tion of the fame conduct. To this intent flrong ailuranccs were given that countenance would be fhown to their addrelfes; in which cafe they would have the honour of beinc; the iirll mediators of peace and reconciliation between the parent ftatc and her Colonies. If there ^vas any truth in this report, the event Ihowed they were greatly de- ceived. In the beginning of February, fevcnty-five, the Provincial Congrefs of Malfachufet met at Cam- bridge, according to appointment. The Deputies who compofed it, were men profefTcdly known to be determined to carry the oppofition againft the Bririfl;>minirtry to every length. None but luch would have met with eletYors in the Province at this time ; fo ftrong was the inveteracy tg thcfchemcs purfued in England 'wr T. A r p. W A R. 2^5 England rcfpcviting the Colonics, and the hatred en- icitaincd for thofc who abetted fhcin! The firl> public att of this AHenibly was to in- form the peo])le, that the tamper of minillry and Parliament accorded in every mcafurc that was planning for the dellrinftion of liberty in America; and that there was every rcafon to fear that all pe- titions and addielll's to the ruling men in England would be received with difdain. A powerful rein- forcement of troops and fhips of war was daily ex- pedited, of which the deftination was againft this Province in j)articular, whofe warmth and activity in the common caufe, had it feems, marked it out as the firll objcdl of Britilh refentment. They now therefore called upon the people to make good their determinations to adhere manfully to each other in the defence of their common free- dom, and 10 behave in a manner that fliould teach their enemies they had not degenerated from thofc brave anceftors who had fet them the example of laying down their lives for the liberty of their coun- try. They reminded them in the mod prefling terms, of the ncceffity of applying diligently to the perfecting themfelvcs in the ufe of arms, and m!''-dry difcipline. Among other military inditutions adopted at this time in New England, there was one which deferves particular notice ; — A number of the moll active and expert among the militia were chokn out, whok bufinefs it was to hold rhcmfelvc-s in perpetual readinefs to be forth-coming at the i'wiY lummons of their officers : hence they were calKd Minute-men: to do them jullice, their fubfequcnt condu(fl fully juftified the appellation. The fealbn was now approaching tor the Colonics to meet iii Congrcfs. Notwithitandlng the evident lofs of all its authority in America, the Brltilli yo- vcrnmcnt ventured to iirue u eireuiar Ictrcr throiigS- ^ out ; ,1 '. i ■' ?i I ; iS^) ir I S T O n Y OF T IT K out the Colonics, prohibitinfT under the ufi;.-;! po. naltk'S, the people from aHenibling Kjgerhcr tbr the ek'dion of deputies to that meetin<;. But \.\\U cUbrt of adminiltration was iifelefs ; the ekctions were carried on every where with the utmoil fpirit imd alacrity. During the winter of feventy-four, there was a tolerable Hate of tranquility in the Colonies ; but it was rather a fufpenfion of the defigns in agitation, than any real quiet. The knowledge of what was tranfadting in l^igland had too much forwarncd the Americans of what was to follow, to leave their minds at reth Publications were daily ap[Karing, wherein the condutl of Great Britain was defcribcd as tyrannical and impolitic in the extrcmeit degree ; and what was more opprobrious, has enflaved herfelf by the venality and bafenefs of a proftituted majo- rity in Parliament, to the views of an ambitious miniilry, deluded by falfe information into crrone- o\is meafures, and intending to eredl an arbitrary iyOem of government at home upon the ruins of liberty in America. In confequence of fo atrocious adcfign, the Bri- tifh nation v, as fummoned to rife in its own defence, Jis well as in that of America: and not vveaklv to ^\\\\\. its eyes to a danger, that could not threaten t!u' one without threatening the other. If the blow now aimed at America ihould brina: her to the ground, — beware, fnid they ;— let Bi'itain look to Iierfelf; — the next blow x^ deftined for her! — In- ilead of wifhincf for fr.cccfs to the arms of her mi- riflry, fhe ought, on the contrary, carneflly tolup- jdicate for defeat and deflrudtion to them. Such was the flile aiiumed in pamphlets, newf- papers, and common difcourfe aitiong the genera- lity of people throughout the Colonies; they con- fidercd themfelves as about to contend not for Ame- rica alone, but the whole Britifli nation; accu- sing li T. A T K W A n, iS ; ru\c; if, r^t tlu* fiimf rime, of not dckrvinp; any pro- ttCtors of ii conll'tiuion, rhc cl.-fcr.cc ot* which the/ ahaiulonocl in To pufiUaniiiious u iiKUV.K-r. All thin<2;s were now hallilv lendinii to tha?" crifls wliich was daily expecleil. The (iiiellioii now leeni- eil only in what manner hollilities ilioiikl bet^in. — • The troops in Boi\on were rired ot beinj^ cooped u|> wirhin :irown, while their commiflion was to brin^r a whole coiintrv to obedience. They held the na- tives in contempt, and looked upon their military nK'etini>;s with Icorn and deiifion. The people of Maliacluiler, on the other iiand, were lired with indii^iiarion at the ideas entertained of rluMii by the Britilh military, and loiidl\' [irorciied, t hat whenever they both met face to face, it then wotild be feen wdicther the Americans wanted coin-age, and whether their antagonilh had any other fuperiority over them than that of mecr pradice and difcipline. Thefc reciprocal taunts added freili fuel to the nnimofity that actuated each party ; and it was eaiily forefeen that hoililities were at no j^reat dilh'.nce, and that when they broke out, they would be at- tended with much inveteracv' and dellructioin Towards the clofe of Februarv, General Gage* Feb. zbj received information that a nuniber of iield- 1775' pieces had been brought to S'.ilcm. Judg- ing from the proxiniity of that place, that fome hof- tile defigns were in agitation, in order to prevenr them in time, he difpatchcd a bod\ of men tofeizc the cannon at SaU m. On their march they wer^ obftrufted bv a ri^ over which there was a draw'- bridge, which the people on the oppofite fide had drawn up, to hiiv.ler their paifing, and rcfufed to itt down, notwithftandins: tlx* con^mands and threats nf the olficer at the h^^iil of the detachmer.'-. Upon this refufal, a boat v/ai ieized b ferry them over : but the count re -•ng their mtention, iuiyi[>;.J into ": lUC muitarv to people jjercv^iv :>j >» t i !^ll 288 ir r 8 T R Y OF t li e open her bottom with axes : this occafioncd a fray between both pijrties, which would proba- bly have ended fatally, had not a clergyman inter- pofcd. He reprefcnted, on the one hand, to the commanding officer, the inevitable ronfequence of iifing force, and advifed the people, on the other, that as it was late in the day, and inipoffible from that reafon for the military to execute the orders they were fent upon, to let the detachment pafs ever the bridge without further oppofition. His advice w^as complied with accordmgly ; and the military, after remaining fome time in pofleffion of it, withdrew, without being able to execute their orders. This rranfadlion, though of no confequcnce in itfelf, difcovered the temper of the people ; and iliowcd at the fame time how little they were ^j be intimidated. ItflioXved, too, how difpofed they were to rufli to extremities, and how readily they would do it on the firil provocation. The time came at laft that was to change thefe preludes to holViiities into more ferious fcenes, and to rcali ''.c thofe apprehenfions that had fo long hung over the minds of all thinking men throughout the Britilh empire. Ir was now far advanced in April, and it was not doubted that the people of Maflachufet had formed a plan for action. A large quantity of military llores was colleAed at Concord, a town not niore than twenty miles diftant from Eofton, and where the I'rovincial Con2:ref5 was held. On receivins]; this intelligence, a detachment w^as fent from Bof- Con in order to deftroy thefe {lores, and at the fame time, as it was faid, to feize on Mr. Hancock £nd Mr. Adams, the principal diredors of that Al- fcmbly. This detachment, under the command of Colo- nel Smith, and Major Pitcairn, fct out from Boftoii ©n Fii/'/r'&/tf(/. Sf^/J' Oo:* /y^3, /y J(>/inFtWf{niy,£afer J\Whr Hoiv. ifwn LATE WAR* 289 on the 19th of April, before break of day, and proceeded with all expedition towards Concord, hop- ing to reach it before the country was alarmed* But notwithftanding the filence in which they marched, and the precaution of fecuring every one they met on the way, they found, by the continual firing of guns, and the ringing of bells in all the neighbouring villages, that they were difcovered, and that people of courfe Were aflembling from all fides. They arrived at Lexington about five in the morning, a place fifteen miles dillant from Bofton. The militia belonging tj this town was exercifing on a green adjacent to the road : an officer called out to them to throw down their arms and difperfe ; at the fame inftant fome Ihots, it is faid, were fired from a houfc. This occafioned a difcharge from our people, by which feveral of the militia were killed and wounded* The detachment then proceeded to Concord, where they deftroyed the ftores according to their orders. Here a ikirmiili enfued, when feverel were killed on both fides. The country now rofe upon them from all parts* During the courfe of a long and very hot day, they were expofed to a continual, though irregular fire, fupported with great vigour and resolution. In the retreat from Concord to Lexington, a fpace of fix miles, they wefe purfued with the utmoft fury by a large body of the Provincials, and fired at in the mean time from the houfcs, walls, and other coverts. By the time the detachment had reached Lcxing* ton, its ammunition was wholly expended. Here they had the good fortune to be joined by a confi- derable reinforcement under Lord Percy, fent to their relief by General Gage, from an apprchenfion of the danger they were in. Vol. L No. 5. T Boilo!\ f-t^ 2()0 HISTORY OK T IT E Be lion lay, however, no Icfs than fifteen mii\'5 off. HarraHed already with the duty and fatijijuc of the day, the troops had yet thi^ laborious march to perform, furrounded by enemies whofe numbers increafed every moment; who had the advantage of the ground, and could advance or retire at will. With all thefe difadvantages, the Britilh troops made good their retreat, and arrived at Bofton about fim fet. The ground they had meafured that day was above forty miles. Thus ended the memorable affair of Lexington, famous for being the firft engagement wherein the blood of Britiih fubicdls was mutually fhed by each others hands in America. Norwithflanding it laftcd a whole day, the num- ber of flain and wounded on the Britilh fide was no more than two hundred and fifty, and of prifoncrs about thirty ; a fmall lofs when the prodigious fupe- riority of the enemy is confidercd. The fecret of the expedition had got vent : the whole country was in arms for forty miles round; and allthebcfi markfmen in the Province were prefent in the en- gagement:. The lofs of the Americans, in killed and wounded, was about fixty. The Britilh detachment did not exceed tw^o thou- fiind men. They were excellent troops ; but they were coniined in a narrow road, ilanked on each fide, a great part of the way, with (lone walls, low enough to fire over, and high enough to cover the aliiulanrs from the iire of men, who were marching Vvith all fpeed, and had not Icifure to iloop behind foranv flielter, after 2;ivinu; their fire. Had it not been for two field pieces, brought with Lord Per- c\ 's.-tletachment, the daughter muil have been much greater. As they were managed with great fkill and adiviiy, they reprellcd not a litUe the impctu- oii'v of ihc AmericaJis. To LATE W A R* 291 To do tbcfe juflice, it mull: be acknowledged that in this firil: trial of their courage and military pro- wefs, they behaved with great fpirit, and fully re- futed the charge of timidity, fo unjuflly call upon them. Imputations of inhumanity were reciprocally made upon this occafion. But charges of this kind are ufual in civil war, where hatred and rancour are al- ways m.ore inveterate than between ftrangers ; but if there was any truth in them, it is probable there was far more exaggeration. Whatever might have happened in the heat of battle, after the adiun was over, due fentimcnts of humanity took place ; and the prifoncrs and wounded were treated with civi* lity and care. The news of this engagement raifcdthc whole Pro- vince : crouds flocked from every di if ridt, and Boilon was immediately furrounded on everv fide. So eager were the Provincials in their offers ot fervice, that it was eafy for their chiefs to colle(fl: numerous bodies of chofen men. They form^-d I'lrogcther an army above twenty thoufand ftrong. Their line of en- campment extended from Roxbury to MyOic, a fpace of about thirty miles, and w.is tolerably pro* vided with cannon. Their commanding officers were Colonels Ward, Pribblc, fT-ath, Prefcot, and Thomas, who, though they might nor perhaps have figured at the head of an F^uropen!^. army, were men of undoubted bravery and relolution, and not un* adequate to the charge they undertook. They were joined foon after by a large body of troops lent from Conneclicut, under the command of Colonel Putnam, an old American olficer of not- ed intrepidity, and great exj eric: •. He '.Tadferved in the two laft wars, and dilHn:^ lilhcd himfelf by fcveral actions, which recpnred ':.paciry as well as valour. He placed himfelf in fuch a pofitior^ as to T a be X 1^ i>l ''^l I 292 HISTORY OF THE be able to afford timely fuccour to any part of tKc troops before the town that might want it. The Provincial Congrcfs was now removed lo Watertown, about ten miles from Bofton. Here they framed an addrefs to the people of Great Bri- tain, in which they entered into a minute detail of every circumftance relating to the affair at Lexing- ton, and endeavoured to prove that the Britifh troops were the aggrcfibrs both at Lexington and Concord, and had been guilty of many irregularities at both places. They relied on the good fenfc and gcnc- rolity of the Britilh nation, for a fpcedy termination of evils,, which mull in the confequence affcd equally Great Britain and her Colonies. They ex- preffcd unlhakcn loyalty ; but flill perfifted in de- claring the moft inflexible relblution never to fub- mit to any fpecies of tyranny. They folemnly ap- pealed to Heaven for the juftice of their caufe, for which they i ow had, and would ftill continue to lay down their lives. They next voted for the array and fupport of the army, regulated the pay of officers and foldiers, and enafhied rules for its good government. In order to provide a fund for military expences, they voted a confiderable fum to be iflued in paper currency, re- ceivable as money, the payment of which v/as fc- cured on the public faith of the Province, Among a variety of other relblutions, they pafftd cne, by which they declared that General Gage was, by the late and preceding tranfadtions, difqualified from adling in the ftation of Governor ; that no far- ther obedience was due to him ; and that he fhould henceforth be confidered and treated as a public enemy. As foon as the affair at Lexington was known. It kindled wrath and fury throughout all the Colonies, Notwithllnnding they had been long prepared for futh an event, yet it was received with as much ap- parent LATE WAR. ' 293- parent: aftoniflimcnt and indignation, as if It had been wi-iollv iincx[c^t' d. It furniflied them with an additional icafon f'j (juickcn their warlike prepara- tions, and to maiic ready for events of a funilar nature. But what was of more confec^ucncc, it enabled them to rcprefent themfelvcs as more formidable than had been fuggelled by their enemies. The courage manifelled in that engagement by the Pro- vincials, was now become the fubjcd: of univcrfal couverfation : it excited a prodigious fpirit of emu- lation, and infufed a degree of confidence to which they had not hitherto been ufed. Thofe who had fallen in this action, were ex- tolled as the firfl martyrs of public liberty : their names and families became objecfts of refpedt and veneration ; and they were pointed out as examples of neceirary imitation in the arduous conflict where- in America was now engaged. In the midit of this univerlal fermentation, plans of revenge againft Britain were framing every where. The heads and hearts of all people in the Colonies were equally warm upon this occalion ; and they fecmed, as it were, to vie with each other who Ihould exhibit the molt violent proofs of refent- mcnt. m T3 CHAP. 294 HISTORY OF T H E CHAP. XIII. Tranfacl'inr.i at Bqftnn, — Meethip- of the Continental Con^n-cfs at Philadelphia. — Its proceedings. — Cr(i':vn Fuiut and Tuondero^a furpriied by the Americans, — Arrival of reinforcements at Boflon. — A5lion at Bunker* s Hill. — Confecjuences of the iluebec Jcl.^^ Further proceedings of the Congrefs. — Accejfion of Geor'/ia to the American Confederacy. — General Wafiington appointed to the Chief Command of the American Forces^ J775' THE firft mark of the puMic refentmcnt of America, was a total (top to the exportation of all provifions from their ports. This they knew muft bring infinite diftvefs on the Britifli iflands in the Welt Indies, whole only dependence for their necelTary fubfiRcnce, was on the importations of that nature hom North America. While they were thus univcrfally intent on the means of profecutiiig their revenge, the concilia- tory propofition'^i, moved by I-ord North in Parlia- ment, were brought to America, But this was no fcafon for thei|- icceprion: the people now enter- rained a rooted lufpicion of every offer of that kind which cime from England. The firft public body before which they were laid, was the Aifembly of Pennfylvania. But here they met wit:h a total rejection : they wete repre- fented a? dangerous and unadoquate ro the wifhes of America. The fimie opinion was adopted by the reighl)ouring Colony of Jerfcy ; and, after the ex- ample of thcfe, they were entirely rejected every \vhere. In L A T n \V A R. 295 In the mean while, the liritlili troops at Roflon were clolely blocked up. They were cut otV from all Tupplics of vegetables and Frelli proviiions, and reduced to lubfilt wholly on fait meat. The inha- bitants were in the lame cop.dition. The Provin- cials were the more lliidi in the prevention of all fupplies, as they intended therebv to compel the Governor to permit the departure of the town's peo- ple, whofe number was too great to be maintained out of the (lores appropriated to the garrifbn ; or to fuffer, at lealt, 'he women and children to de- part, according to repeated folicitations to that purpofe. After much entreaty from the inhabitants, an a<2;rjemcn!. was at length concluded, by which they were to be at liberty to quit the place, and carry off their effecHis, on delivering up their aims. They cbcarfuUy acquieiced in this propodd ; but after making this furrendcr, numbers were, to their great (lifappointment, ftill detained ; and thofe who had ])ermiflion to depart, were obliged to leave all their eftediis. This reduced many genteel families to great indigence. The poor and the helplcfs, indeed, were all diimilied. During thefe proceedings, the Continental Con- icth Mu/, grels met at Philadel])hia. They be- ^775* gan their feflion with refolutions to raife an army, and to eftablilli a large paper cur- rency to defray the public charges, me Colonies in their united capacity becoming fecuriry for the payment of it in due time, in real money. They next adverted to the means of diflreffing Britain moll effeiftually in her American concerns. To this intent they ftrie'tly prohibited the fupply- jng of the Britiih fifliery upon the Banks of New'- foundland, with any provisions whatfoever. Fully to effect this mcafure, all exportation was forbidden T 4 to i i 2()6 HISTORY OF THE to thofc Colonics in America that ftill remanicd In her Aibi';:ctioii. Thi:. was a proceeding wholly uncxpeou\rs, concerted together a plan, which denoted tlie cntcrjirifing Ipirit that animated the Ann ricans at that time: ii: was to furprize Crown Point, Ticondcrogn, and the other forts that command the l./akes, which form the line of coniniunication between the Colonies and Canada, Several perfons, it is iaid formed the fame project unknown to each other, and fell in together on their way to execute it. The principal condudtors of this exjv:dition, were. Colonels Eailon and Allen : the body under their command confirted of two hundred and fifty men. At the head of thcfe they fet forward with great fecrecy and expedition, and had the ^ood luck to furprize both the garrifons of Crown Point and Ticonderoga, which fell into their hands with- out the lofs of a man on either fide. Thefcizure they made on this occafion was very conliderable : they found two hundred pieces of cannon, be fide mortars, and a large quantity of military llores. They took two veliels completely equipped, and materials in readinefs for the coa- flrudtion of others. This fuccefsful expedition gave to the Ameri- cans entire command of thofe important pallcs for the poffeflion of which fo much Bririfli and French blood hadb^en ihed during the lail war. It was in its immediate confe(|uences, a heavy blow to the intereft of Great Britain ; as, Bolton except- ed, flic had not now a fingle hold left her in the revolted Colon? -j. Towards the clofe of May, the longexpe^ed re- inforcements arrived at Koiton, together with the Generals Howe, Burgoyne, ^nd Clinton, all oifi- cers ^t.^ fiii- nr 298 H I 3 T O R Y OF THE ccrsot' .Tjipiovrd nicrir, and whofc behaviour in the lad war had ivilUy {ijainttl thcni much rt-puiation. Hy thcfc arrivals, the troops now formed a large and velpedable body : both the officers and lol- diers were, without exaggeration, C()iial to any ii> F.iirope for dilcipline and valour. From the cha- racter ot thole who now commandctl them, it wus fxptCteil rhey would not long remahi inndlvc, and that their operations would not be coiifined to lb narrow a fcene as Rollon. It was become in lomc meafure neccfi'ary to ex- tend the quarters of the arniv, for fuch at prefm*: the forces in that place might be reputed. The Provincials boatlcd that they were befieging thofii who had been fent to fubduc them ; and as there was fomc truth in this vaunt, it was incumbcai on cur people to remove it. Since the blockade began, fomc fkirmiflics hiul happened in the iflands that lie in Boilon Bay. Thev v;ere occafioned by the endeavours of both parries to carry of the ilock upon them : the Provincial'i had the advantage : they burned in the laft, an arm- ed fchooner, left aground by the tide, and which the crew, after (landing a heavy fire of mulketry and cannon, were obliged to abandon. It had been propofed immediately after the fight at Lexington, to lead the Provincials onto Bofton, while their fpirits were animated with the bufmcls of that day ; but this propofal was overruled by the conlivleration, that the llorming of fuch a place would necellarily involve in one common ilaughtcr, both the military and the inhabitants. Other motives had probably their Ihare in this prevention. The number of lliips of war and armed velVels of all denominations that furrounded and guarded the town on every fide, would have ren- dered fuch an attcmj)t next to impracticable. The troops were numerous enough for a defence ; and from T, A T F WAR. 299 from their (kill and courage, a(!clc'i to thccxpcda- tion or* no ijuarfcr tVom :'.n cnn.gid cntm\', would have made a moil ilcipciarc rcliihincc ; they were well provided with aiiiilcry and aniiiumition, and knew pertedly hov; ro ulc them. Thofe, on the o. 'ur I'l.md, who commanded the Provincials, d'd not care ro ex pole them to a rc- jniife, whicli would piobably have been attended with a dreadl'ul flaiigluer. I'hev had been v/itnels to the caiifcs that niilitared for them at Lexington, and were fenfilile ot the dilVcrence between ;a"i en- gagement in clofe j-alU's, and narrow lanes, where the enemy thev att .eked was avowedly retreating, and the facing of him on a g'-oiind he had chofen, and where he ftood prepared to iiiijht : were the Provincials in fuch a conflicl to be defeated, it would throw a damp on their ardour that would be followed by worfe confeijuenecs than the mere lofs of men they would fuffer on fuch an occafion : this might be repaired ; but the diminution of fpiritand alacrity, they were confcious, was the greateft of all lolles in war, efpecially to men juft entered into that arduous career, whom little fuccelfes would animate, but whom fuch an overthrow would en- tirely difcourage, While both parties at Boflon were {landing, qs it were at bay, and watching each others motions, the Continental Congrefs was taking the moll vi- gorous meafures, and atfting with a fpirit that afto- nillied all men who refle 4 ;"'i:j' 3oO HISTORY OF THE the people wore legally at liberty to proceed to the choice of a Houfc of Rcprefentatives, and a Council, in cor/ormity to the fpirit and f^ibilance of tl;c charter thus viol-.tcd. Thty p-i'^Ied another rcfolution, by which the v forbid the accep^ancc or negociation of any bill of exchange, note, or order of any Britilh officer or agair, or the fupplying them with money; and proiiibited the fiirnifhing the Britilh army or navy with proviiions, or demands of any kind. In order to evince how feciirely their protedtion and gratitude might be depended on by their friends aiul adherents, and at the fame time to ihow how much they difregaidcd the frowns and difpleafure of tl.c liiitiiii Court, they re-appointed Dodtor Frank- lin i'ollmaftcr-General in America, an office from which he had been removed in England, on account of his adherence to the caufe of the Colonies. On the twelfth of June, a proclamation was ilTuccl t)y the Britifli government at Bofton, offering a par- don, in the King's name, to all who laid down their arms, and returned to their homes and occupations. Two pcrfons only were excepted, Mr. Samuel Adams, and Mr. John Hancock, whofe guilt was reprefcntcd as too great and notorious to efcape pu- nilhment. All who did not accept of this offer, or who affillcd, abetted, or correfponded with them, we i to be deemed guilty of treafon and rebellion, and treated accordingly. By this proclamation it V. as declared, that as the courts of judicature were fliut, martial law Ihould take place, till a due courfe of jullicc could be rc-eftablifhed. But this ad: of government was ?s little regarded as the preceding. To convince the world how iirmly they were determined to perfevere in their meafures, and how fmall an imprcffion was made by the menaces of Britain, Mr. Hancock immedi- ately LATE W A R. 301 atcly after his profcription was cholcn Picficlcnt of the Congrefs. The prochimation had no other eflfcci than to pre- pare people's minds for the woii^ that miirht fol- low. The appellation of tra'tors and rebels, 'vas no.v the moft honourable and fafe in America : inch n3 were fufpccted of fidelity and attachment to Great Britain, were in fatl the moil expofed tu detefear-'n and danger ; and obliged, for the ftike of pcrfonal fcciiriiy, to diliemble their real fentiments. The reinforcements arrived from L:itain, the cagernefs of the Britilh military to avail theml":lves of their prefent ftrengrh, ard the politlun of the Provincials, concurred to make both punies dili- gent in their preparations for adlion. It was equal- ly the deiire of both : the firfl were earned to ex- hibit 2n unqueftionablc tcftimony of their fuperi- ority, and to terminate the quarrel by one dccilive blow ; the others were no lefs willing to come to a fecond engagement, from a confidence they would be able to convince their enemies that they would find the fubjugation of America a much more difii- cult talk than they had promifed themfeives. Oppofite to the northern Ihore of the peninfula upon which Bollon flands, lies Charleftown, divi- ded from it bv a river about the breadth of the Thames at London bridge. Neither the Britilh, nor Provincial troops, had hitherto bethought ihem- fclves of fecuring this place. In its neighbourhood, a little to the eaft, is a high ground called Bunkcr's- Hill, which overlookg and commands the whole town of Bofton. In. the night of the fixteeiith of June, a party of the Provincials took polfellion of this hill, and Worked with fo much induftry and diligence, that t^ break of day they had almolt completed a re- doubt, together wirh a (Irong intrcnchment, reach- ing half a mile as far as the river Myltic to the •ait. \ < ■ K w i t. 302 HISTORY OF THE caft. As foon as difcovercd, they were plied with a heavy and inccilant fire from the fhips and floating- batteries that furroiinded the neck on which Charles- town is fituated, and from the cannon planted on the neareft eminences on the Bofton fide. This did not however prevent them from conti- nuing their work, which they had entirely iinilhed by mid-day, when it was found neceliliry to take more cfFed;ual methods to dillodge them. To this purpofe a confiderable body was landed at the foot of Bunker's- Hill, under the command of General Howe, and Gcncml Pigot. The firfl was to attack the Provincial lines, the fccond the re- doubt. The Britifn troops advanced with great in- trepidity ; but on their approach, were received with a fire from behind the intrcnchments, that continued pouring during a full half hour upon them like a ftream. The execution it did was terri- ble : fome of the braveft and oldcft officers declared, that for the time it lafted, it was the hottefl fervicc they had ever feen. General Howe Hood for fome moments almoft alone ; theolRcers and foldiers about him being nearly all ilain or difabled : his intrepi- dity and prefence of mind were remarkable on this trying occafion. General Pigot on the left, was in the mean time engaged with the Provincials who had thrown thcm- •felves into Charleftown, as well as with the redoubt, and met with the fame reception as the right. Though he conducted his attack with great fkill and courage, the inceflant deftrudiion made among the troops, threw them at firft into fome diforder, but General Clinton coming up with a reinforcement, they quickly rallied, and attacked the works with fuch fury, that the Provincials were not able to reliil them, and retreated beyond the neck of land that leads into Charleftown, This ■m I 1^1 ^ :>U.rj,„//, , PllhtipirJ \tat.lj.f7 rijl LATE WAR. 305 This was the bloodicft cniragemcnt during the whole war. The lofs of the Hritifli troops amount- ed in killed and wounded to upwards of a thoufand. Among the tirll were nineteen, and among the lalt feventy officers. Colonel Abercromby, Major ]*it- cairn of the marines, and Majors Williams and Spenlowe, men of diftinguiflied bravery, fell in this a added not a little to the military duty they were obliged to go through, and in fadt doubled their fatigues at a fealon, when the heat rendered them more painful than at any other* Thefe, toge- ther with *the want of frefli provifions, occafioned much illnefs among the foldiery. The Provincials, on the other hand, to convince the troops how little their fuccefs had availed them, raifed intrenchments on a height oppofite Charles- town, intimating to them that they were ready for aiiother Bunker*s-H4ll bufinefs, whenever they thought proper, and were no lefs willing than they to make another trial of fkill. In expe 1-1 '' I] m 1 ' Wm 1 Wm^ ' uH^H i 1 IH^I '- 3^l| '308 HISTORY OF tHE as the duty, of not only paying a faithful and entire obedience to the laws ena^ed for the government of the Colony, but alfoof complying readily with the defires exprefl'ed by their fuperiors. But the community at large flood immoveable in their determination to remain in a ftate of pcrlVd: neutrality between Great Britain and her Colonics. The truth was, that they had fufiiciently experienced the fuperior advantages of a Britifh government, to be defirous not to rclinquiih them. It was now al- moft fifteen years fince the reduction of that Pro- vince : they had during that fpace, been treated with fo much lenity, and had been lb much bene- fitted by the increaic of trade and bufinefs of all kinds, that they were fully convinced it was tl .ir interelt to preferve their prefent, and to oppofe whatever had a tendency to bring them back to their former fituation. In this perfuafion, notwithflanding they paflively fubmitted to the form of government impofed upon them by the Britifli miniltry, they refuicd to take an adtive part in forcing their neighbours to a fub- million, which they apprehended might terminate to their own detriment. Neither is it improbable, that the more flirewd and thinking people among them might view the ditturbances in the Britifh Colonies, as a motive to in^luce the Britilh miniltry to treat them the more favourably, in order to retain their allegiance, and to prevent them from accepting thofe offers of coali- tion which were held out to them by the Colonics. For this reafon it might chiefly be, that though -they acquiefced in the arrangements made for their internal government, they did not incline to pro- ceed any further, and thought that by doing this, the}' had fufiiciently tcftitied their fidelity, and ■ ought not to be required to do any more. Poflibly . 1 A T S WAR. 309 ■ Poflibly too, the arguments that had been la'ul before them in the adclrefs tranfmittcd to them by the Colonies, might have produced fome effc I^^I^B '«; BHv rll^Hl . I 'i^^H £:k1I^HB Ht^H 312 HISTORY OF THE It was alfo to have the appointment of all officers, civil and military, appertaining to the general con- federacy ; fuch as Generals, Admirals, Ambali'adors, and others in like ftations. The charges of war, and all other expences in- curred for the public fervice of the union, were to be defrayed out of the common treafury, which was to be fupplied by each Colony in proportion to its pumber of male polls, between fixteen and lixty years of age : the taxes for paying that proportion to be laid and levied by the laws of each Colony. The number of delegates from each Colony was to be regulated by the number of fuch polls re- turned ; one delegate to h,e allowed for every five thoufand polls. At every meeting of the Congrefs, one half of the members, excluilve of proxies, Ihould be ne- ceffary to make a quorum. If any delegate was abfent, from neceffity, he ihould be empowered to appoint any other delegate, from the fame Colony, to vote for him by proxy. An executive council was to be appointed by Congrefs out of their own body, to confift of twelve perfons ; four of whom were annually to be replaced by four others. This council, of whom eight were to be a quo- fum, was, in the recefs of Congrefs, to be en- trufted with the execution of all the meafures it had refolved upon; to have the management all of the Continental bufinefs at home and interefts abroad ; to receive application from foreign countries ; to prepare matters for the confideration of Congrefs ; to f;ll up, in the abfence of that body, all public offices that fall vacant ; and to draw upon the trea- fury for neceffary fervices. No Colony was to engage in offenfive war with fitp Indian nation, witb'out confent of Congrefs. The LATE WAR. 31^ The boundaries at^d lands ot all the Indian nations were to be afcertaincd, and fccurcd to them. Nq purchafe3 of land to be made by private individuals, nor even by any particular Colony hereafter, with^ Qut permiffiori obtained from Congrefs. Agents were to be appointed by Congrefs to rcfidc amongft the Indians ii> proper di(lrid:s, whofe duty it was to be, to prevent frauds i:nd injuftice in tlio trade with tl^ni ; and who were, at the public ex- pence, to relieve their perfonal wants and dirtrcfles. This confederation was to laft until the terms oi reconciliation propofed in the petition of the laft Congrefs to the King, were agreed to, and the ads leftraining the commerce of America repealed, xi\\ reparation was made for ihutting up the port of Bof- ton, the burning of Charleftown, and the expcnccj incurredby the war, and till the Britiih trpo])s were entirely withdrawn from the Colonies. When thofe events took place, the Colonies were to return to their former connections and friendlhip with Great Britain ; but on failure thereof, the con- federation was to be perpetual. Such was the tenor of the foedcral union entered into with fo much warmth and readinefs by the Co- lonies. It was plain by the ftile and manner they adopted in the wording of it, that they looked upon a reconciliation with Great Britain as a very doubt- ful event. The action at Bunker's Hill had filled the Ame- ricans with much higher notions of their ability to refill the efforts of Great Britain than they had ever entertained. Notwithftanding the noted bravery of the Britiih troops, they had found means to face them in a manner, which, though it did not place fhem upon a full equality of valour and difcipline, yetfhowed that they were a formidable enemy; and that they kncvy how to make the moft of vvery \kU vantage. Tills i> I 11 f il (J (I i ■J if if n ^ Ik i ; »}:ir: II 314 HISTORY OF THE. This perfuafion, which was certainly well found. cd, animated them to a furpiifing degree, and \\'a5 a circnmftance which operated with great force iu all their del?berations : thofe of Congrefs, itfelf, took a bolder turn from this period. The)' had from the Ix'ginning been refolute and firm ; but they now aliumed an ardour and decifivenefs, which indicated that they felt their llrength, and were en- tirely confident, that by exerting it vigoronlly, they fhould be able to furmount all dilficulties, and would not fail, with perfeverance, to obtain the end pro- pofed. In this temper of mind they began to weigh the progrefs and adtual circumftances of the caule for which they were contending, and came to a deter- mination, that after what had paffed, an explicit and formal avowal, and j unification of what they had done, and intended to do, was proper and ne- ceflarv. To this intent they publillicd a declaration, fct- ting forth the caufes and necoflity of their taking up arms, and refilling, by open force, the antho- lity :vnd the government of Great Britain. This declararloii was conceived in terms remarkably pointed and ftrong. ** Were itpofiible," faid they, *^ for men who exer- cife their reafon, to believe that the Divine Author of our exiftencc, irtcnded a part of the human race fo hold an abfohitc property in, and unbounded po vver over others, marked out by his infinite good- nefis and wifdom as the objcd:s of a legal domina- tion, never rightfully refifiable, however fevere and oppreffive, the inhabitants of thefe colonies might, at ieall, require from the Parliament of Great Bri* tain fome evidence that this dreadful authority over them has been granted to that body. But a rever- ence for our great Creator, principles of huma- nity, and the dictates of common kwk^ muft con^ vincc LATE WAR. 515 vlncc all thofe who reflc<^ upon the fubjeft, that government was inilitutcd to promote the welfare of mankind, and ought to be adminiltercd for the attainment of that end. ** The k'giflature of Great Britain, however, fli- mulatedby aninordinite paflion for power, not only unjuftifiable, but which they know to be peculiarly reprobated by the very conftitution of that king- dom, and defpairing of fuccefs in any mode of con- teft where regard fliould be had to truth, law, or right, have at length deferting thofe, attempted to efFedt their cruel and impolitic purpofe, of enflavlng thcfe Colonies, by violence, and have thereby ren- dered it necefTary for us to clofe with their laft ap- peal from reafon to arms. Yet however blinded that Aflembly may be by their intemperate rage for unlimited domination, fo to flight juftice and the o[)inlon of mankind, we efteem ourfelves bound by obligations of refpedt to the reft of the world, to make known the juiVice of our caufe. " Our forefathers, inhabitants of the ifland of Great Britain, left their native land tofeek, on thefc fhores, a relidence for civil and religious freedom. At the expenre of their blood, at the hazard of their fortunes, without the leaft charge to the country from which they removed, by unceafing labour and an unconquerable fpirit, they efFefted fcttlcments in the diftant and inhofpitable wilds of America, then filled with numerous and warlike nations of barba- rians. Societies or governments, veiled with per- fect legiflaturcs, were formed under charters from the crown, and an harmonious intcrcourfe was efta- bliflied between the Colonies and the kingdom, from which they derived their origin. The mutual be- nefits of this union became in a ihort time fo extra- ordinary, as to excite ailonilliment. It is univcrfal- ly confefled, that the amazing increafe of the wealth, jlrcngth, and navigation of the realm, arofc from this i M i mm .Si . - ^j^^^B i?-; w :}} ,. H i|| I iiH 1 B I^^^HI J 3l6 HISTORY OF THE this foiirce ; and the miniftcr who fo wifely and fuc- cefsfuUy dircdled the meafures of Great Britain in the late war, publicly declared that thofe Colonies enabled her to triumph over her enemies. " Towards the conclulion of that war, it plcafcd ©ur fovereign to make a change in his councils. From that fatal moment, the affrirs of the Britilh empire began to fall into confufion ; and gradually Hiding from the fummit of glorious profperity, to which they had been advanced by the virtues and abilities of one man, are at length diftrafted by the convulfions that now Ihake it to its deepeft founda- tions. The new miniliry finding the brave foes of Britain, though frequently defeated, yet ftill con- tending, took up thi unfortunate idea of granting them a hafty peace, and of then fubduing her faithful friends. *• Thefe devoted Colonies were judged to be in fuch a fl?te, as to prefent vidtories without blood- Ihed, and all the eafy emoluments of ftatutable plunder. The uninterrupted tenor of their peace- able and refpcdtful behaviour from the beginning pf their colonilation ; their dutiful, zealous, and iifcful ferviccs during the war, though fo recently and amply acknowledged in the moft honourable manner by his Majefly, by the late King, and by Par- liament, could not f^ve them from the meditated innovations, Parliament was influenced to adopt the pernicious proje^^ ; and alTuming a new power over them, has, in the courfe of eleven years, given fuch dccilive fpecimens of the fpirit and con- Ibqucnces attending this power, as to leave no doubt concerning the effcdts of acquiefcence under it." " They have undertaken to give and grant our money without our confcnt, though we have ever exercifed an exclufive right to difpofe of our own property. Statutes have been pafled for extending . the jurifdidion of courts of Admiralty and Vice Admiralty T" Late \v a r. 31^ Admiralty beyond their ancient limits ; for depriv- ing us of the accullomedand ineftimable privilege ot trial by jury, in cafes affefting both life and property ; for fufpending the legiflature of one of the Colonies ; /oi interdidling all commerce to the capital of ano- ther, and for altering, fundamentally, the form of go- vernment eftablifhed by charter, and fecured by adts of its own legiflature, folemnly confirmed by the Crown ; for exempting the murderers of Colonifts from legal trial, and, in efFedt, from punilhment; for erecting, in a neighbouring Province acquired by the joint arms of Great Britain and America, a •defpotifm dangerous to our very exiftence ; and for quartering foldiers upon the Colonifts in time of profound peace. It has alfo been reiblved in Par- liament, that Colonifts charged with committing certain offences, Ihall be tranfpoited to England to be tried. " But why fhould we enumerate our injuries in detail ? By one ftatute it is declared that Parliament can of right make laws to bind us in all cafes whatfo- cver : What is to defend us againft fo enormous — lb Ainlimited a power ? Not a fmgle man of thoie who affume it, is chofcn by us, or is fubjedt to our con- troulor influence ; but on the contrary, they are all ©f them exempt from the operation of fuch laws ; and an American revenue, -if not diverted from the oftenfible piirpofes for which it is raifed, -would ac- tually lighten their own burdens in proportion as it increafes ours. '* We faw the mifery to which fuch dcfpotifni would reduce us. We, for ten years, inccft'antly and inefte^ually bclieged the Throne as fupplicants ; wc reaibnod, we remonftrated with Parliament in the moft-„mild and decent language ; but adminiftration, fcnfiblethat we fhould regard thefa opprcffive mea- lure* as freemen ought to do, fciit ovor fleets aod '-iH'mies to enforce them. The i\ t( 3i8 HISTORY OF T H fi it The indignation of the Americans was roufcrj, it is true ; but it was the indignation of a virtuous, ]oyal, and aifedlionatc people. A Congrefs of de- legates from the united Colonies, was aiiemblcd at Philadelphia on the fifth day of laft September, We refolved again to offer an humble and dutiful petition to the King ; and alfo addreffed our fellow lubjcdts of Great Britain ; we have purfued every temperate, every refpedlful meafure; we have even proceeded to break off all commercial intercourfe with our fellow fubjecfts, as the laft peaceable ad- monition, that our attachment to no nation upon earth would fupplant our attachment to liberty : this, WT flattered ourfelves, was the ultimate ftep of the controverfy ; but fubfequent events have Ihown how vain was this hope of finding modera- tion in our enemies. " Several threatening expreflions againft the Co- lonies, were infertcd in his Majefty's fpeech. Our petition, though we were told it was a decent one, that his Majefty had been pleafed to receive it gra- cioufly, and to promife laying it before his Parlia- ment, was huddled into both Houfcs amongll a bundle of American papers, and there neglcdted. " The Lords and Commons in their addrefs in the month of February, faid that a rebellion at that time actually exifted within the Province of Maf- fachufets Bay ; and that thofe concerned in it, had been countenanced and encouraged by unlawful combinations and engagements entered into by his Majefty's fubjedts in feveral of the Colonies ; and therefore they befought his Majefty, that he would take the moft effe^ual meafures to enforce due obe- dience to the laws and authority of the fupreme le- giflature. Soon after, the commercial intercourfe of whole Colonies with foreign countries, was cut ©ff by an ad of ParUament ; by another, feveral of them •^^m LATE WAR 3:9 tlicm were entirely prohibited from the fiflicries in the leas near their coafts, on which they always de- pended tor their fuftenancc ; and large reinforce- ments of Ihips and troops were iiiiniediately fenc over to General Gage. ** Fruitlefs were all the entreaties, arguments, and eloquence of an illuftrious band of the molt diltin- guilhed Peers and Commoners, who nobly and ilre- nuoully alFerted the juilice of our caule, to rtay, or even to mitigate the heedlels fury with which thei'e accumulated outrages were hurried on. Equally fruitlefs was the interference of the City of Lon- don, ofBriftol, and many other refpetlable towns in pur favour. Parliament is next reprcfented by them, as in- tent upon the profecution of meafures, calculated to fovv diviiions between the Colonies, in order to extort their money from them, with more facility, *' at the point of the bayonet," to ufe their own expreffion. The only indulgence left them, being that of railing, in their own mode, the prefcribed tribute. "^ What terms," add they, " more rigid, and humiliating, could have been dictated by remorfelefs vidlors to conquered ene- mies ? In our circumftances to accept them, would be to deferve them.'* The declaration then proceeds to accufe General Gage of having begun hoftilities, and to tax him with breach of faith in not fulfilling the condition? he had entered into with the inhabitants of Bcfton. They charged the military, at the fame time, with the burning of Charles Town, and committing other outrages without neceflity, and contrary to the law:; of war. They reproach the Britifh government for cndua'. vouring to inftigate the French inhabi rants of Ca- nada, and the Indians,, to fall upon them ; -.md i'or C •*••••►•• n.ff i jii ' il ii m lij t;!| 11 M 1 :20 HISTORY OP TMfi exerting its utmoft efforts to fprcad among them the complicated calamities of fword, fire, and famine. *' VVc are reduced," continued they", ** to the akcrnative of chufmg an unconditional fiibmif- fion to tyranny, or refiftanoe by force* The lat- ter is our choice. We have counted the cofl of this conteft, and find nothing fo dreadful as vo- luntary flavery, Honour, juilice, and humanity, forbid us tamely to furrender that freedom which we received from our gallant anceftors, and which our innocent poftevity have a right to re- ceive from us. We cannot endure the infamy and guilt of refigning fucceeding generations to that wrctchcdnefs which inevitably awai-t^ them, if we Lafcly intail hereditary bondage upon them. *' Our caufe is juft, — our union is perfe^ : our internal rcfources arc great; and, if neceffary, fo* reign aflirtance is undoubtedly attainable. '* We gratefully acknowledge, as fignal inftan- ccs of the Divine favour towards us, that his Pro- vidence would not permit us to be called into this fcverc controverfy, until we were grown up to our prefent llrcngth, had been previouily exercifed in warlike operations, and polieHed of the means of defending ourfclves. *' With hearts fortified with thefe animating re- fled-ions, wc moft folemnly, before God and the world, cicclare, that exerting the utmoft energy of thofe powers which our beneficent Creator has gra- cioufly bellowed upon us, the arms we have been compelled by onr enemies to affume, we will, in defiance of every hazard, with unabated firmnef.> and pcrleverance employ for the prefervation of our Hbv^rties, beliu>- with one mind reiblved to die free- ■n\<:\^j raiher than live Haves.*' Thev next declare, that they mean not to diffolvc the union lb loni^ fubfiiling between Great Brirain ' itiiU the Colgniws; and that they have not nuiya ariiucs ll LATE WAR. armies with the ambitious dcfign of cflablifhing in- dependent ftates. ** Wc fight not," proceed they, " for glory, or for conquelt : wc exhibit to mankind the remark- able fpedtacle of a people attacked by unprovoked enemies. They boafl of their privileges and civi- lization, and yet proffer no milder conditions than fervitude or death. *' In our own native land, in cfefence of the free- dom that is our birth-righf, for the protection of our property, acquired by the honeft induflry of our forefathers, and our own, agalnft violence ac- tually offered, we have taken up arms : we iliall lay them down when hoflilities fhall ceafe on the part of the aggreffors, and all danger of their being re- newed Ihall be removed, — and not before." They concluded by imploring Heaven to profpcr them, and to difpofe their enemies to reafonablc terms of reconciliation. Such was the celebrated Declaration ofConj^rcfs^ on their formally taking up arms againft Gfe.it Bri- tain. It was dated at Philadelphia, the fixth rf July, 1775, and fubfcribed by John Hancock, as Preli- dent of that affembly, and Charles Thompfon, as Secretary ; the firft, a man who had eminently fig- nalized himfelf in the American caufe, having ex- pended a large proportion of an ample fortune in its fuppcrt ; the fecond, a perfon of great knowledge and experience, and whom his abilities alone had raifed to the employment he now occupied, and fill- ed, during the whole courfe of this conteft, with univerfal fat isf aft ion. This Declaration was carefully difperfed through- out the whole continent, and read in all public meetings with the utmoft folemnity. It was received by the Provincial troops encamp- ed before Bofton with extraordinary applaufe. The publication of it was attended with great military Vol. I, No* 6, X pompi '^' i !!J ^1 i 1 ■HH i'HK m , >' 1 MB fil ,i i 1 ^H ■i ^ ffit ^^^^H 1 1 '' I^^H' m ■■m '4 \ ■ . D 322 HISTORY OF THE pomp. It was read at Cambridge by the Prefidcr.t of the College, in prefence of all the principal pcr- fons of the i^rovinee of Maffachufet, and at the linis, by the principal clergyman in the army, who ac- companied it with an animated addrefs to the fol- diers arid officers, and a folemn prayer for the fuc- ccfs of the American arms. Nothing was more remarkable throughout the whole of this unfortunate war, than the religious matiner \vith which the people of the Northern Co- lonies efpecially, encouraged each other to do their duty in the field. It reminded one of the fimilar methods fo much recommended and pradtifed among the oplionents to the Royal caufe, during the civil wars in this country, in the reign of Charles the Firil. It was not only in the New England Provinces this religious fervour prevailed; it was (Irikinglv confpicuous in both the Colonies of New York and Pennfylvania. The fynod of Philadelphia and the City of New York held a formal meeting, wherein they framed a paftoral letter, which was publicly read in the churches, and contributed not a little to confirm the people in their adherence to the caulc they had efpoufed. It was drawn up with great circumfpe^ftfulncfs and decency, and breathed altogether fentimcntsof humanity and moderation, that did much honour to the compofers. After fomc general admonitions, and taking no- tice that the whole continent, with hardly any ex- ception, feemed determined to defend their rights by force of arms* " It is well known," laid they, *' othi-Twife it would be imprudent thus publicly to profefs, that we have not been inllrumental in infla- ming the minds ot the people, or urging them to ad:s of violence and dilorder. Perhaps no inftancc can be given, on fo intcrefling a fubjcdt, in which ^ ' . political LATE WAR. 323 political fentimcnts have been (o long, and fo fully kept from the pulpit; and even malice itfclf has not charged us with labouring from the prcfs. But things arc now come to fuch a height, that we do not wifh to conceal our opinions as men." After proper exhortations to thofc who went forth as champions in their country's caufc, they proceeded, by earneftly requcHing them to take every opportunity to exprefs their attachment to the King, and to the Revolution principles, that feated his family on the Britifli thronei They Urongly recornmended efteem and reverence for his perfon, as a Prince who had merited well of his fubjedls on many accounts, and had probably been milled into the late and prcfent meafures by thofc about him. — • ** Neither,*' added they, " have we any doubt but they themfelves have been in a great degree deceiv- ed by falfe information, from intereftcd perfons rciiding in America.** They next reminded them that the Continental Congrefs confifted of Delegates chofen in the moft free and unbiafTcd manner by the body of the peo- ple ; that they ought, for that reafon, to be treated with all refpecft, and their refolutions adhered to with fidelity and firmnefs, in order to enable them 1.0 bring out the whole ftrength of the vaft country that had put itfelf under their diredtioui They particularly recommended a fpirit of^ hu- manity and mercy, in the midft of that warmth and inij)otuoiity lb unhappily attendant on a civil war; they entreated all men, when called to adftion, to filed no blood but through abfolute ncceffity ; and to ceafe fighting, as foon as the neccffity was over; The declarations of Congrefs, and the exhorta- tions of the clergy, produced wonderful eflcds in the minds of the public. Convinced that they wcio fighting in a righteous caufc, people took up arms tvcr)' where with the utmoil chcarfulncls, and bc- X 2 havcd r }i I I ! n 3 24 HISTORY OF THE hnvcd in a mmncr thnt fully verified the maxim, that a [jcrruafion of adingjuftly, will always infpiic a man with courage, and fupply the defeats of know- ledge and difcijiline. After jurtifying its conduft to the world at large, the Congrefs determined to make a fecond appeal to the people of Great Britain. It was written in a very ferious, folemn, and forcible ftilc. They fecmed as if they confidered it as a valcdidtory ad- drefs ro their fellow-fubjefts in Europe, and as if they entertained but faint hopes of ever forming again one people, under the fame fovereign, united in one mind, government, and name, as before, and bound by one common intereft. *' Friends, countrymen, and brethren," faid they, ** by thefe, and every other appellation that may defignate the tics which bind us to each other, we entreat your ferious atte- *"ion to this our fecond attempt to prevent their d" ition. Remembrance of former friendfhips, pricie in the glorious at- chicvements of our common anceftors, and affedlion for the heirs of their virtues, have hitherto prc- fervcd our mutual connection. But when that friendlhip is violated by the grofleft injuries, when the pride of anceftry becomes our reproach, and we are no otherwife allied than as tyrants and Haves; when reduced to the melancholy alternative of re- nouncing your favour, or our freedom, can we he- iitate about the choice ? — Let the fpirit of Britons determine." After referring to their former addrefs, the llatc- ment it contained of the injuries they had received, and their hope that they would have been rcdrcflcd, they complained that their expectations had been grievoully fruftrated. That after being deprived by Parliament of many of their moft valuable rights, of thofe falutary laws which were tranfmitted to them by their anccftors, of thofo charters which in- fpiritcd LATE W A !?• 325 fplrltcd thefe to fettle in the land now inhabited h/ their defcendants, atter Teeing wnole Colonies con- demned without form of trial, their trade deftro\ - cd, their inhabitants impovcriilied, foldiers encour- aged to imbrue their hands in the blood of Americans by otfers of impunity; — after thofe, and the other inilances of oppreflion they had ex])erienced, they did not imagine that any more would have been add- ed to them ; but to their griel they are now con- vinced, from the late meafures ot the Britilh mini- ftry, that its objed: is the reduction of the Colonics to flavery. They appeal for proofs of this to the cruelty of rcftraining the people on the north rn ( oaft of Ame- rica from their ufual occupation of fifhing, whicU to fo many thon.fands was the only means of procu- ring a livelihood. They appeal in the fame manner to the prohibi- tion of their trade with all other nations : — " But this," add they, " wc confider rather as injurious to your opulence, than to our intercft. AH our commerce terminates with you ; the wealth we pro- cure from other nations is foon exchanged for your fuperlluities ; our remittances mult then ceafe with our trade, and our refinements with our affluence. We truit, however, that laws which deprive us of every bleffing, but a foil which teems with the ne- ceiTaries of life, and that liberty which renders the enjoyment of them fecure, will not relax our vigour in their defence." After adverting to the diftrefles of the people at Bofton, the burning of Charleftown, the feve- rities exercifed by the Britifh fliipping on the fea- coafl of New England, the other calamities they were fuffering, and the general harlhnefs of the treatment they had experienced, — ** To what are wc," faid they, ** to attribute this treatment ? If to any fecret principle of the conftitution, let it be X 3 mentioned; 326 HISTORY OF THE mentioned : let us learn that the government we have long revered is not without its defefts ; and that while it gives freedom to a part, it neceflarily enflaves the remainder of the empire. If fuch a principle exifts, why for ages has it ceafed to ope- rate? Why at this time is it called into aftion ? Can no reafon be afligned for this condud, or muft it be refolved into wanton exercife of arbitrary power ? And fliall the defcendants of Britain tamely fubmit to this? — No, Sirs ! we never will. — While we re- vere the memory of our gallant, virtuous anccilors, vvc never can furrender thofe glorious privileges for which they fought, bled, and conquered. Admit that your fleets cou.d dcflroy our towns, and ravage our iea-coafts, thefe are inconfidcrable objedts, — things of no moment to men whofc bofoms glow with the ^rdour of liberty. We can retire beyond the reach of your navy, and without any fenfible diminution ot the necellaries of life, enjoy the luxury of being free. " We know the force of your arms ; — and was it called forth in the caufe of julliceand your coun- try, we might dread the exertion. But will Bri- tons fight under the banner of tyranny ? Will they xounterad: the labours, and difgracc the vidlorics of their anceftors ? Will they forge chains for their pofterity? — If they dcfccnd to this unworthy talk, will their fwords retain their edge, — their arms their accuftom.ed vigour ? Britons can never become the inllruments of oppreflion till they lofe the fpirit of freedom, by which alone they are invincible. '* Our enemies charge us with icdition : — In what does it confilt ? In our refufal to fubmit to unwarrantable adts of injuflice and cruelty ? If lb, iliow us a period of your hiftory in which you have pot been ec^ually feditious." After denying the charge of aiming at indepen- dence, and mentioning tlicir frequent complaint*; and fulicitatiuus far redrcfs, >' What has hcen,^' added 2L A T E WAR. 327 added tl\ey, " the fuccefs of our endeavours ? Our petitions are treated with indignity, our prayers an- I'wered by infult*^ ; our application remains unno- ticed; and leaves us the melancholy apprehenfion of your wanting either the will or the power to affift us. " Even under thcfe circumftances, what mca- fures have we taken that betray a defire of indepcn* dence ? Have we called in the aid of thofe foreign powers who are the rivals of your grandeur ? When your tr; ops were few anddcfcncelwls, did we take ad- vantage of their dillrefs, and expel them our towns ? '* Let not your enemies and ours perfuadc you, that in this we are influenced by fear, or any other un- worthy motive^ The lives of Britons are Itill dear to us ; they are the children of our parents. When hof- tilities were commenced, when on a late occafion we rep lied their aflaults, and returned their blows, yet we lamented the wounds they obliged us to give ; nor have we yet learned to rejoice at a victory over Englilhmen." After juftifying their def mfive proceedings, they declare that they have not lolt fight of a reconcilia- tion upon conftitutional principles. They reprc- fent the benefits of their excluiive iiade, -and their willingnefs to fubmit to the reftrid:ioiis on it that fubCilcd at the conclufior of the laft wai. In anfwer to the allegation that they contributed nothing to the common defence, they aflerted, that the advantages derived to Britain from the mono- poly of their trade, far exceeded their proportion ; but that if thcfe advantajges were, upon a tair compa- tation, found inadequate, they were willing, provid- ed the above reftridlions were taken off, to contribute that full proportion, when conftitutionally required. They contended for the propriety of their refu- fing the plan of accommodation propofed by minl- rtry in Parliament, as not leaving to them the dif- poi'al of their property, but only the colled ion ^i X 4 tijc r a*i VI 1 j 328 HISTORY OF THE the taxes inipofed upon them In their own manner, — In order, however, to remove every imputation ofobllinncy on their part, "we have," faid they, ** again prefentcd an humble petition to the King, requefting him to diredt fome mode, by which the united applications of the Colonics may be improv- ed into a permanent reconciliation. " Yet,'* added they, *' conclude not from this, that we propofe to furrender our property into the hands of your miniftry, or veil your Parliament with a power which may terminate in ourdedrudion. ** The great bulwarks of our conftiturion we have endeavoured to maintain by every temperate, bv every peaceable means; but your miniflers, equril foes to Britifh and American frrcdouij have added to their foimer oppreflions an attempt to reduce us by the fword to a bafe and abjcdl fubmiffion. • ' ** On the fword, therefore, we are compelled to rely for protc6:ion. Should vidVory declare in your favour, yet men trained up to arms from their in- fimcy, and animated by the love of liberty, will afford neither a cheap, nor an eafy conqueft. ** Let us now afk what advantages are to attend our redudtion ? The trade of a ruined and defolate country is always inconfiderable, its revenue tri- fling ; the expcnce of fubjetting, and retaining it in fubjedtion, certain and inevitable. What then remains, but the gratification of an ill-judged pride, or the hope of rendering us fubfervient to defigns upon your liberty ? '* Soldiers who have iheathed their fwords in the bowels of their American brethren, will not draw them with more reluctance againft you. When too late, you may lament the lol's of that freedom, which we exhort you, while ilill in your pov^er, topreferve. " On the other hand, fl-.ould vou prove unfuc- cefsful, fnould that connection which we moft ar- dently wifh to maintain, be dilfplvcd, fhoukl vcur minilkrs LATE W A B. 3^9 minlftcrs cxhf'ft your treafurcs, wafte the blood of your count , nen in vain attempts on our liber- ty, do they not deliver you weakened and defence- Icfs to your natural enemies ? '' Since then your liberty muft be the price of your vid:ories, your ruin of your defeat, what blind fatality can urge you to a purfuit dcftrudtive of all that Britons hold moft dear ? If you have no regard to the conned ion that has fo long fubfifted between us ; if you have forgotten the wounds we rtceived fighting by your fide for the extenfion of the Britiih empire ; if our commerce is an objedt below your confideration ; if juiliceand hu- manity have loft their influence on your hearts, Hill motives are not wanting to excite your indignation at the mcafures now purfued : your wealth, your honour, your liberty are at ftake. ** Notwithftanding the diftrefs to which we are reduced, we fometimes forget our own afflidions to anticipate and fympathife in yours : we grieve that rafh and inconficlerate counfels fliould precipitate the deftrudtion of fo noble an empire, and call God to wdtrjefs, that we would part with our property, endanger our lives, and facrifice every thing, but liberty, to redeem you from ruin. *' A cloud hangs over your heads and ours ; — ere this reaches you, it may probably have burft upon us. Let us, then, before the remembrance of for- mer kindnefs is obliterated, once more repeat thofe appellations which are ever grateful in our ears ; let us entreat Heaven to avert our ruin, and the deftrudion that threatens our friends, brethren, and countrymen on the other fide of the Atlantic." Such was the laft addrefs of Congrefs to the Bririfli nation. It was drawn up rather as a vindication of what they had done, and intended to do, than with any real expecft'^tion of producing the effct!:t which was its oflenfible intent. Thofe who fram- I ed m II n ^1 m t I ill 3 It'n 33© HISTORY OF THE €d it, knew too well the temper and difpofuion of thofe who influenced the councils of Great Britain .at that time, to form any expectations of compli- ance on their part, with the requells it contained. The petition to the King, mentioned in the fore- going addrefs, was conceived in terms correfpond- inc; with the principles upon which this was founded. It began by obferving that the union between Great Britain and its Colonies, and the energy of a mild and juft government, produced benefits lb re- markably important, and afforded fuch an alTurance of their permanency and increafe, that the wonder and envy of other nations were excited, while they beheld Great Britain riling to a power the mofl ex- traordinary the world had ever known. Her rivals apprehending the future effe<5ts of this union, if left any longer undifturbed, refolved to prevent her receiving fuch continual and formidable acceffions of wealth and ftrength, by checking the growth of thofe fcttlements from which they were TO be derived. By their total defeat in the profecution of this at- tempt, an additional force arofe to Great Britain, through the vaft enlargement of her American domi- nions^ which placed her in a higher fummit of ele- vation than ever. At the conclufion of the laft glorious war, the Colonifts having, by their ftrenuous exertions, con- tributed remarkably to its fuccefs, and received re- peated acknowledgments of their fpirit and fidelity from both Crown and Parliament, doubted not they ihould, in common with all their fellow fub- jcds, participate in the emoluments of thofe vic- tories and conquetts, in which they had bore fo lliftinguiihed a fhare. But while thefe honourable teftimonials were fll|l rpfent, they were alarmed by a new fyftcw of fta- tutcs LATE WAR. 33* tutes and regulations, adopted for the adminlftrfitioii of the Colonics, that filled their minds with the inoft paini ul iVars and jealoufics ; to their inexpief- fible aftoii'iliment, the danger of a foreign quarrel was now ilicceeded by domeftic danger of a more dreadful kind. This dangerous fyftcm was prcgn:iiit with con- fequcnces, which, though not immediately felt, tended, however, ultimaLcly to affedt the profpe^ rity of Great Britain. *' We decline," fay they, ** the ungrateful taik of defcribing the variety of artifices pradiifed againfl the Colonies, tne delufivc pretences, fruitlels ter- rors, and unavailing feverities, that have from time to time been employed in attcm])ting to execute this impolitic plan. It wercirkfome to trace, through a feries of years paft, the progrefs of thofe unhappy differences that have flowed from this fatal fource,'* But the King*s minifters perfeverjng in thefe mca- fures, and proceeding to enforce them by open hofti- lities, had at lalt compelled the Americans to arm in their defence, though with the higheft reluctance, when they reflej^ted whom they muft oppofe in this conteft, and what might be the confcquences of its continuance. _< Knowing with what refentments and animofitie? civil difcords are apt to inflame the contending parr ties, they thought themfelves bound by every ob- ligation, to ufe aU the means in their power to flop the further cifufion of blood, and to avert the cala-f mitics impending upon the Britifli empire. Profefling, therefore, the molt devoted attache ment to the King's pcrfon, faniily, and government, connected with Great Britain by the itrongefl ties that can unite focieties, and deploring every event that may tend to weaken them, they folemnly de- clare themfelves ardently defirous, that harmony i}iay be f cilored and eftablilhed upon fo firm a bafis, ' a? ii 332 HISTORY OF THE as may perpetuate its bleflings, uninterrupted by any difl'cntions, to fucceeding generations, and tranfmit the King's royal name to poftcrity, ** adorned," to ufe their very words, " with that iignal and lalling glory that has attended the me- mory of thofe illullrious pcrfonages, whole virtues and abilities have extricated ftates from dangerous convulfions, and, by fecuring happinefs to others, have ercttcd the mofl noble and durable monuments to their own fame.** They affure the King, that notwithftanding their fufferings, they retain too high a regard for the kingdom from which they derive their origin, to requefl fuch a reconciliation as might in any manner be inconfiftent with its dignity or welfare. ** Thefe," faid they, " related as we are to her ; honour and duty, as well as inclination, induce us to fupport and advance.'* They befought him, therefore, to interpofe his royal authority and influence, to relieve them from their prefcnt fituation ; fubmitting to his confide- ration the expediency of directing fome method, by which the united applications of the Colonics to the Throne might be improved into a thorough reconci- liation ; and requefting, in the moan time, that hoftilities lliould ceafe, and fuch ad:s be repealed as are more immediately diftrcfling to the Colonics. By forming proper arrangements for coUcding the united fenfe of America, the King would re- ceive fuch fatisfadtory proofs of the good difpoiition of the Colonies, as would foon induce him to re- ftore them to his favour ; and by that means ena- ble them to evince the finccrity of their profcflions by every tcflimony of devotion to their fovereign, and of affcdtion for their parent (late. After paying thefe farewell addrefles, as the/ were not injudicioully called, to the King and peo- ple of Great Britain, the Congrefs thought it in- cumbent LATE WAR. 333 cunibcnt upon them, not to pafs by without a fimi- lar proof of attention and refpc^, fo confiderable a member of the Britifh empire, as the kingdom of Ireland : a country that had, at all rimes, furnilhed America with numbers of ufeful inhabitants, and at this time, efpecially, with fomc of the braveit mea in her fervicc. The addrefs to the Irifli nation, was written In the fame forcible and pathetic ftile, as all compo- fitions of that kind which flowed from the pens of Congrcfs at this period. After mentioning the importance and interefting- ncfs to all Europe of the conteft in which the Bri- tilh Colonies were engaged, they exprefs, the ear- neft defire of the Americans, to polfefs the good opinion of the virtuous and humane part of focicty, and flate the motives and objects by which they are ad:uated. They lament that, '' however incredible it may appear at this enlighted period, the rulers of a na- tion which in every age has facrificcd hecatombs of her braveft patriots on the altar of liberty, Ihould prefume gravely to aflcrt, and by force of arms at- tempt to eflablifh an arbitrary fway over the pro- perty, liberties, and lives of their fellow fubjeds in America." This attempt they accufe the miniflry in Britain of having, by fraud and violence, purfucd for the laft ten years. — " At the conclulion of the laft war," faid they, " the genius of England, and the fpirit of wifdom, as if offended at the ungrateful treatment of her fons, withdrew from the Britifli councils, and left that nation a prey to a race of mi- nifters, with whom ancient Engliili honefty and be- nevolence difdained to dwell. From that period jealoufy, difcontent, oppreflion, and difcord, have raged among all the King's fubje^s, and filled every part of his dominions with didrefs and complaint. '' Nor 1 ■ ' W'M ^1 i' iljli' Hi' Hi !iiHi ' ^'^^1 mm 334 HISTORY OF the " Not content," continue they, ** with our pur^ chafing of Britain, at her own price, cloathing and a thoufand other articles ufed by near three millions of people on this vaft continent ; not fatisfied with the amazing profits arifing from the monopoly of our trade, without giving us time to breathe after a long though glorious war, or the leaft credit for the blood and trcafurc we have expended in it ; not- withftanding the zeal we had manifefted for the fcr- vicc of our fovercign, and the warmeft attachment to the conftitution of Britain and the people of Eng- land, a black and horrid defign was formed to con- vert us from fubjedts into vaflals — from freemen into flavcs — from friends into enemies." They next proceed to a circumftantial enume- ration of their grievances; of their repeated and vain endeavours to obtain redrefs ; of their deter- mination to fufpend all trade with Great Britain, Ireland, and the Weft Indies, as the ultimate mea- fure left them ; "hoping by this peacable mode of oppofition, to obtain that juftice from the Britilh miniftry, which had been fo long folicited in vain. *' And here," fay they, " permit us to affure you, it was with the utmoft relud:ance we could prevail upon ourfclvcs toceafe our commercial con- nc(flions with your ifland ; — your Parliament had. done us no wrong ; — you had ever been friendly ro the rights of mankind ; and we acknowledge, with plcafurc and gratitude, that your nation has pro- duced patriots who have nobly diftinguilhed thcni- fjlvcs in the caufcof America and humanity. *' On the other hand, we were not ignorant that the labour and manufactures of Ireland, like thofe of the filkworm, were of little moment to herfelf ; and fcrvcdonly to give luxury to thofe who neither roil nor fpin. We perceived, that if we continued our commerce with you, our agreement not to hw- poit from Britain would be fruitlcfs j wc were thcrr- lore mi LATE WAR. 335 fore compelled to a adopt a meafure, to which no- thing but ablblutc ncccllity would have reconciled us. " It gave us, however, fomc confolation to rc- fledtj that (hould it occafion much diftrefs, the fer- tile regions of America would afford you a fafe afy- luni from poverty and oppreffion ; — an afylum in which many thoufands of your countrymen have found hofpitality, peace, and affluence, and become united to us by ^ill t le ties of confanguinity, mutual intereft, and afFedtion." They next advert to their application to their fellow fubjedts in Britain, their patience and long abftinence from open rcfiftance againft the violent proceedings of the Britilh miniftry refpedting Bofton and the Province of Maflachufet, the rejed:ion of their humble petitions, the infults offered to their character, and their " long forbearance rewarded with the imputation of cowardice. " Our peaceable alTemblies," continue they, ** for the purpofe of confulting the common fafety, were now declared feditious, and our alTerting thofc principles which placed the crown of Great Britahi on the heads of the three fucceffive Princes of the Houfe of Hanover, were ftiled rebellion.'* They complain that " the wild and barbarous favages of the wildernefs had been foliclted to take up the hatchet againft them, and inftigatedto deluge their fcttlements with the blood of innocent and de- fcncelefs women and children." Through thofe and the like means, '' the mi- niftry, bent on pulling down the pillars of the con- ftitution, has endeavoured to eredt the ftandard of dcfpotifm in America ; but if fuccefsful, Britain and Ireland may iluidder at the conlcquence." They proceed to the commencement of hoftili- lies, and ^hargcthe Britifh military with being ih^ agc^vcirors, H I S T O R OF T H K 33^ aggrcflbrs, and with having cariii.d the ravages of War to difhonourablc extremities. *' Though vilified," fliy thcv, " as wanting fpirit, we are determined to behave like men ; — though infultcd and abuled, we wiih for reconcilia- tion ; — though defamed as feditious, we are ready to obey the laws ; — and though charged with rebel- lion, will chearfully bleed in defence of our fovc- rcign in a righteous caufe ! — What more can ue fay ? — What more can we offer ? " The various and fruitlefs offers we have re- peatedly made, were not for penfions, for wealth, or for honours ; but for the humble boon of being permitted to polFefs the fruits of our honert indulhy, and to enjoy that degree of liberty to which God and the conftitution have given us an undoubted right. " Blefled with an indiflbluble union, with a va- riety of internal refources, and with a firm reliance on the juftice of the fupreme difpofer of all human events, we have no doubt of rifing fuperior to all the machinations of our enemies. We already an- ticipate the golden period, when liberty, with all the gentle arts of peace and humanity, Ihall efta- blifh her mild dominion in this weftern world, and eredt eternal monuments to the memt.ry of thofe patriots and martyrs who Ihall have fuffered, fought, and bled in her caufe." After fome ftri exert the utmoll vigilance and cfForts^ to ftrcngthcn •.i.\\(\ confu-m the friendly difpofition they had lately miH\i felled. In order to obviate the dangers that would cnfue from ilic enmlry of ihc-Iiullans, a plan was formed J bjf LATE WAR. 341 by Congrcfs, whereby more pernianently to fccure their fidelity and adherence to the Colonics. They were divided into levcral diltritlcs, over which, per- fons well converfant in their language, ways, and manners, were appointed as commiflioners. They were to maintain a continual correlpondence with them; to watch all their motions ; to be adifting to them in all their rcalbnablc rcquefli;, and to iupply them in their wants and neceflities. For this purpofe a confiderable fum was raifed, and put into the hands of thcfe commiflioners, to be diflributed among the Indians in their rcfpe^flivc departments, and thereby to counteract the endea- vours of the fame kind that were ufed by their advcrfaries. The principal tribes among the northern In- dians bordering on the Britiili Cohnies, arc thole known by the name of the Six Conrederate Nations, confifting of the Mohawks, Oneidas, Tufcaroras, Onondagas, Cayugas, and Scnekas. It was, by Congrefs, thought highly advifable to hold a folcmn conference with thefc people, in order to explain to them, in as clear a manner as poflible, the nature of the conteil fubliiling between Great Britain and her Colonies, and to induce them, by proper reafons, to ab.^ain from interfering in it, on cither fide. The flile of the fpeech made to thcn^in the name of the Congrefs, is, perhaps, the moit curious fpc- cimen that ever was made public, of the manner and form of the political intcrcourfe between the Europeans and the original natives of America. It was as follows : — r ** Brothers, Sachems, and Warriors ! " WE, the Delegates from the Twelve United Provin'ces, now fitting in General Congrefs at Phi- ladelphia, fend their talk to you, our brothers. Y % ** Wc l|!'^ 34^ HISTORY OF T H E " We are fixty-five in number, chofen and ap- pointed by the people throughout all thefe Pro- vinces and Colonics, to meet and fit together in one great council, to confult together for the common good of the land, and fpeak and aft for them." " Brothers, in our confultation we have judged it proper and ncceflary, to fend you this talk, as We are upon the fame ifland, that you may be in- formed of the reafonsof this great council, and our difpofition towards you, our Indian brothers of the Six Nations, and their allies. (( Brothers and Friends, now attend :— <6 When our fathers croflTed the great water, and came over to this land, the King of England gave them a talk, affuring them, that they and their children fhould be his children ; and that if they would leave their native country, and make fettlc- ments, and live here, and buy and fell, and trade with their brethren beyond the water, they ihould Hill keep hold of the fame covenant chain and enjoy peace ; — and it was covenanted that the fields, houfes, goods, and pofTeffions which our fathers Ihould acquire, fhould remain to them as their own, and be their children's for ever, and at their fole difpofal. " Trufting that this covenant fhould never be broken, our fathers came a great diftance beyond the great water, laid out their money here, built toufes, cleared fields, raifed crops, and, through their own labour and induftry, grew tall and llrong. " They have bought, fold, and traded with England, according to agreement, fending to them fuch things as they wanted, and taking in exchange fuch things as were wanted here. ** The King of England and his people kept the y{d,Y open for more than one hundred years ; a;id by ^ " " ' ^ ^ our I. A T E WAR. 3^3 our trade became richer, and by an union with us greater and ftronger than the other kings and people who live beyond the water. " All this time they lived in great friendlhip with us, and we with them ; for we arc brothers- one blood. ** Whenever they were (Iruck, we inftantly felt as though the blow had been given to us : — Their enemies were our enemies. *' Whenever they went to war, we fent our men to (land by their fide, and fight for them, and our money to help them, and make them ftrong. " They thanked us for our love, and fent us good talks, and renewed their promife to be one people for ever. ^' Brothers and friends, open a kind ear ! ** We will now tell you of the quarrel betwixt the counfellors of King George, and the inhabitants and Cdonies of America. " Many of his counfellors have perfuaded him to break the covenant chain, and not to fend us any more good talks. They have prevailed upon him to enter into a covenant againft us, and have torn aiiinder, and call behind their backs, the good old covenant, which their anceftors and ours entered into, and took ftrong hold of. ** They now tell us, they will put their hands into our pocket without afking, as though it were their own ; and at their plcafure they will take from us our charters, or written civil conftitution, which we love as our lives ; alfo our plantations, our houfes, and goods, whenever they pleafe, without afking our leave. They tell us that our veffels may go to that or this ifland in the fea, but to this or that particular ifland, we Ihall not trade any more ; and in cafe of our non-compliance with thefc new •rdcrs, they Ihut up our harbours. Y 4 ^' Brothers, !ij hi 344 HISTORY OF THE " Brothers, this is our prcfcnt fitnation. Thus have many of the King's counfellors and fervants ^ealt with us. If we lubmit or comply with their demands, you can eafily perceive to what ftate we ihall be reduced, If our people labour in the field, they will not know who fhall enjoy the crop ; if they hunt in the woods, it will be uncertain who flijH tafte the meat, or have the fkins; if they build houfes, they will not know whether they may fit round the fire with their wives and children : they cannot be fure whether they lliall be permitted to eat, drink, and wear the fruits of their own labour and indullry. ** Btethren and friends of the Six Nations, attend !— r « " We upon this iflandhave often fpoke and en- treated the King, and his fervants the counfellors, that peace and harmony might ftill continue be- tween us ; that we cannot part with, or loofe our hold of the old covenant chain, which united our fathers and theirs; that we want to brighten this chain, and keep the way open as our fathers did ; that we want to live with them as brothers ; labour, trade, travel abroad, eat and drink in peace : we have often aiked them to love and live in fuch friendfliip with us, as their fathers did vath ours, ff We told them again, that we judged we were exceedingly injured; that they might as well kill us as take away our property and the necefifarics of life. We have aiked why they treat us thus ? What has become of our repeated addrelfes and fupplica- tions to them ? Who has Ihut the ears of the King to the cries of his children in America?: — No fot't anfwer, no plcalant voice from beyond the water has yet founded in our ears. ** Brothers, thus {lands the matter betwixt old England and America. «* Not- 1 A T E W A R. ' 345 *^" Notwithftanding ail onr entreaties, we have but litilc hope the King will fend us any more good talks, by rcalon of his evil co'^nfellors. They have perfuaded him to fend an army of foldicrs, and many fliips of war, to rob and deflroy us ; they have Ihut up many of our harbours, feized many of our vefl'els : the foldicrs have ilruck the blow; the blood now runs of the American children ; they have alio burned our houfes and towns, and taken much of our goods. '* Brothers, we are now necefliatcd to rife, and forced to fight, or give up our civil conflitution, and run away, and leave our farms and houfes be- hind us : this mult not be. — Since the King's coun- fellors will not open their ears, and conlider our juft complaints, and the caufc of our weeping, and have given the blow, we are determined to drive away the King's foldiers, and deftroy all thofe wc fmd in arms againft the peace of the Twelve United Colonies. " Brothers and friends, we defire you will hear and receive what we have now told you, and that you will open a good ear, and liften to what we are now going to fay. This is a family quarrel between us and old England ; you Indians are not concerned in it ; we do not wifh you to take up the hatchet againft the King's troops; we defire you to remain at home, and not join either fide, but let the hat- chet be buried deep. " In the name and behalf of all our people, we atk. and defire of you to love peace, and to maintain it; and to love and fjmpathize with us in all our trouble ; that the path may be kept open with all our people and yours, to pafs and repafs without moleftation. " Brothers, we live on the fame ground with you ; the fame ifland is our common birth-place.— VV^e defire to fit down under the fame tree of peace with i n 34^ HISTORY OF THE with you : let us water its roots, and cherllh Irs growth, till the large leaves and flourifhingbranchts jhall extend to the letting fun, and reach the ikies. Brothers, obfcrve well — What is it wc have afked. of you ? Nothing liut peace, notwithftanding our difturbed iituation. And if application Ihould be made to you by any of the King's minifters to join on their fide, we only advife you to deliberate with great caution, and in your wifdom look forward to the confequences of a compliance : for if the King's troops take away our property, and dcftroy us, who are of the fame blood with themfclves, what can you, who arc Indians, exped: from them afterwards ? ** Therefore we fay, brothers, take care ?— ^hold faft to your covenant chain : you know our difpofi- tion towards you, the Six Nations of Indians, and your allies, Let this our good talk remain at Onon- daga, your central council-houfe. We depend upon you to fend and acquaint your allies to the northward, the feven tribes on the river St. Law- rence, that you have this talk of ours at the great council fire of the Six Nations. And when you return, we invite your great men to come andcon- verfe further with us at Albany, where we intend to re-kindle the council fire, which your and our anccHors fat round in great friendfhip. Brothers and friends, we greet you all : — Farewell. " Brothers, we have faid we wifh you Indians may continue in peace with one another, and with us, the vvhite people. Let us both be cautious in our behaviour towards each other, at this critical ilate of our affairs. This illand now trembles ; — the wind whilUes from ahnoft every quarter. Let us fortify our minds, and fliut our ears againft falfe rumours ; iet us be caiuious what wc receive for truth, uolcfs fpoken by wife and good men. If liny thing difagrecaLile lliould ever fall out between us* t A T E WAR. 347 «Sy the Twelve United Colonics, and you, the Six Nations, to wound our peace, let us immediately feelc meafures for healing the breach. From the prefent fituation of our affairs, we judge it wife and expedient to kindle up a fmall fire at Albany, where we may hear each others voice, and difclofe our minds fully to one another.'* Conferences were held, and fpceches of a fimilar tenor as the above delivered to the various tribes of Indians on the back-fettlcmcnts of the Colonics. In the mean time, it was become neceflary for Congrefs to come to a definitive refolution in regard to the conciliatory motion made in Parliament by the miniftry. It had already been glanced at in the declaration they had publifhed touching the ne- ceffity of their taking up arms, and represented in a very unfavourable light. But the friends to this motion in England thought very differently, and were even fo fanguine as to promife a kind reception to it, and that people in America would probably.confider it as a preliminary to reconciliation. In this expeftation, a gentleman high in office, was diredted by miniftry to draw up a formal noti- fication of their ideas upon this matter, in order to be communicated to Congrefs. . This notification gave them to underft:and, that it was earneftly hoped by all the real friends of America, that the terms exprcffcd in the refolu- tion which contained the conciliatory motion, would be accepted by all the Colonies who had the Icalt affe while invited by fo many motives. To trcv^d, with pferfet5t uniformity, in the fteps of the other* Colonies, they framed a petition to the King, containing reprefentations and remonftrances fimilar to thofe that had already been tranfmitted to Britain from the other Colonies. Vol. I. Noi 6; Z By 354 H r S T O R Y OF THE By this acceflion the Congrcfs faw itfclf at the head of all the Enclilh Colonies of confequencc throughout the contment, from the limits of Nova Scotia, to thofe of Florida ; neither of thefe, from Various caiifes, had it either in their inclination any more than theiir powef , to join the American alli- ance. But their liioation and circumftances were fuch, that as no benefits could be expected from rhcm, (o very little detriment was apprehended. As troops were continually raifmg and training in every Colony, it was now deemed expedient to unite th^m moi-e effedually together, by placing them under one head. To this intent it was re- folved, that a General ihould be appointed to the fupreme command of all the forces that ftiould be raifcd throughout the continent. Before fuch a refolution was taken, the eyes of all America were fixed upon a man whofe character and titncfs for fo important and arduous a fituation. Has probably the chief motive that induced the Congrefs to declare it expcidient and neccllary. This perfon was George Walhington, a gentle- man well known throughout the whole continent for his gallant behaviour during the laft war. He had, at an early period of life, difplayed a military ge~ nius that recommended him to the peculiar notice of thofe who were competent judges. His modefi/ Was equal to his merit, and his dlfintcreftednefs no lefs confpicuous. He was appointed, l>y the unanimous choice of the Congrefs, Captain General, and Commander in Chief of the American army, v/ith as ample a fa* lary as ii was in their power to bellow, and with a very cxtcnftvc degree of authority* After accepting of their nomination with un- fci<;ncd leludancc, he gcneroufly declined all pc- euniurv cniolaniciits. He earnellly defircd every jjcrlbn prelcnr IQ remember that he acknowledged KimlUf !| S III ^^s !i ' I "^'■1 I m m m ^u V'J yt. :■/...,.-. /• V. / w///.-^-rf t\,j,l jy /. I. A T K WAR. 361 c II A r. XIV. ^)-anfaBton$ in Canada. — Cbamble^ Si. John, ATon-: treat, taken by the Afncrkans — ^(ebec attacked by Generals Arnold and Montgomery. V 1775- ' THE profpc(5t of afHiirs in America began now to afford a variety of ideas to the political part of the world. They faw a people who had long moved in a fecondary light, ali'uming a power of which the augmentation was daily becoming more rapid. Inllcad of an humble and habitual lubferviencv to the views of that rtate from which they derived their origin, they now took upon them- felves to direct their own motions ; and not only to differ in opinion, but to oppole all its commands, and bid open defiance to its authority. They beheld them advancing fpccdily to the completion of the defign they had formed of etta- blifliing a fyftem of government totally repugnant to the ideas of the parent ftate ; but what was more alarming to thofe who reiiedcd upon the natural dif- pofition of men to enlarge their views in proportion to their fucceffes, they clearly perceived, that hav- ing attained this primary object, they would extend their dcfires ftill farther; clpecially when rhcy had tried their own ftrength, and found theml'elvcs abk to maintain their ground againft all foreign in- vafion. Whether thefe ideas began early to operate among the leading perfons in America, mav be a matter of fome doubt ; but that they Ihould very foon prefent themfelves to their minds, can hardly be called in queftoo, when it is confidered that thtv i/;)1 ; I- ,^ .»n.> '^»>, .0^, \^'^^^ IMAGE iVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // -Iv % 1.0 !f 1^ 1^ I.I »■ 3^ 11X2 1.8 1.25 1.4 J4 .« 6" - ' — * "l HiotDgraphic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 ci^ 363 HISTORY OF THE had the precedents of To many ages before then:, and tluit ambition quickly takes poflellion of men who happen to fuccecd in the beginning of an\ great enterprize. Ihe undertaking which the people of America had tirll in contemplation, was to afcertain beyond the power of encroachment on the part of Great Britain, the ri'>;ht of levying taxes upon themfelves : they viewed the exclufiveexercifeof this right, free from all extraneous interference, in the fame light as the Britiili Parliament views its own priviledgc of raiiing money independently of the Crown. Great Britain appeared to the Americans, to fland in the fame relation to them, as its Monarch does in refpedt to the Pirliament. His power is bounded by that great barrier of liberty, the priviledgc of granting money. While this remains in the hands of the people, their freedom reils on a fecure foun- dation ; the moment it is violated, their liberty is in danger. In the fiimc manner America, in order to be ftikd a free -country, mud alfo enjoy the exclufu e prero- gative of impofmg taxes upon its own inhabitants, Otherwife it would be in the fame condition as the Parliament, were this affembly fubje(5ted to arbi- trary .exactions from the Crown. Whether this reprefentation was well founded or not, Great Britain did not think proper to admit of it. The conteft was now, therefore, whofe de- cifion ihould (land good, that of Parliament, or that of the Congrefs. It was certainly a bold attempt to endeavour, by force of arms, to invalidate the decrees of fo potent and formidable a body of men as the Britiih Parlia- ment ; certain it was, however, that hitherto the refirtance of America had been fuccefsful. Britain now plainly difcovered that no common exertions would fufiice to brine htr with honour ^g "^ out LATE W A K. ^ ^ 63 ovif: of this quarrel. She now began to behold it m a far more icrious light than it had appcurcd ac firft ; but her fpirit was too great to bend beneath the profpedt of danger. She had fo often been iifcd to contend with the grcatefl difficulties, that ihc hoped this nncxpeclcd one, though it might involve her in a violent ftruggle, llill would, like many others, add to her glory by furmount- jng it. I'hough reconciliation was preferred by Amc* rica, the terms, iiiilead of according with thofe fhc had already offered, were diametrically the revcrfc. To offer a reconciliation of this kind ihe viewed as a d'^claration of war. In this mind, her pride was too great to fubmit to the did:ates of her inferior, and no fufferings or diilrefles appeared fo mortif} ing as fuch a fubmiilion. America was, on the other hand, obftinatcly de- termined to refufe the tonditi,>ns tendered by Great Britain ; and to adhere inflexibly to her own. By this determination fhc fcemed indifferent which of the twQ Britain would make choice of, peace or war ; preferring the latter, rather than relign her- felf to the difcretion of an opponent. It was not that Ihe apprehended any feveritles for what was paft : ihc was confcious that Britain would, for its own fake, treat her with mildnefs and lenity : harfhnefs would only tend to renew and embitter the quarrel. But the truth was, that her fpirit was equal to that of her parent ftate. She thought herfelf entitled to all the demands Ihe made : they were conceflions, in- deed, on the part of Britain ; but they were found- ed on the clearelt equity, and could not therefore be difgraceful to them by whom they were made : they were an aft of juftice, and not of humiliation. •—Such was the nerfuafion of America, * Thofc ;'I1 1! m: n J 64. HISTORY OF THE Thofe who were well aoquaintcd with the rtHpcc- tive tempers of the Engliih and of the Americans, never hefitated in pronouncing that the conteil would be the mofl ferious and interefling that iMig- land ever knew, fince Ihe firft began to afli.Tt her own rights againft abfolute power. It was long before people in this illand could be perfuaded, tjiat this unhappy quarrel would be at- tended with any effufion ot blood. It was with the iitmortarLonifliment that numbers of themoftfenfiblc and enlightened men in this country, received the news that the Americans had dared to face the Bri- tifli military at Lexington, and had made fo terri- ble a flaughter of them at Bunker's Hill. But this aftonifliment was mixed with an anger ,ind indignation that inflamed people's minds with rellntment, inftcad of caufing the lead apprehen- sion. Such, indeed, has always been the charader of the Britifli nation : difkculries and perils havd alwaV'S ferved to rouzc inftcad of depreffing its na- tive fplrit and refolution. Flulhed in the mean time with the fuccefsful ap- pearance of their affairs, the Americans were ex- erting their a^^tivity in improving every advantiigg they had gained. They now faw the whole conti- tincntj from Nova Scotia to Florida, entirely in their ovvn potleffion. They looked upon the trooi)S at Bofton to be in fuch a condition, as rather to vvilh tor a reieafe from their fufferings, bv >Ling per- mitted to retire from that town unmoleiled, than as inclined, or able, to venture an attack upon the powerful army that furrounded them. In this profperous ilate of their circumftanccs, they now determined to confine themfelves no longer to defenfive me^ifurcs. Caftino; their eves on the various parts of the Britifli empire in America, that lay moll oj*en to an hoftlle attempt, and from whcivL'e, in cafe of fucccfs, they lliouid derive moll bcncfir. L A T E W A R, 3^5 benefit, as well a? reputation, Canada, now called the Province of Quebec, appeared the mod likely to anfwer their wiflies and expedations. It was indeed inhabited by a people who had long been their natural enemies ; but conqueft and habit had now for a feries of years iamiliarized them to the manners and ideas of the Engliih. Though of a diifercnt relije;'Oii, the mild and tolerant difpofi- tion of the Britilh government in matters of this na- ture, had entirely quieted all apprchenfions on that account. They had too, during a long fpace, en- joyed the advantages of aneafy and equitable fyileiu of ruling, and began to feel an attachment to it, founded on thebeft of reafons, the benefits qnd do- mellic happinefs it had procured them. Though averfe to broils, and willing to obey without mur- mur, they plainly perceived that the late regula- tions introduced among them, were intended to render their Province totally dependcni; on the mi- ni (try, and to make the inhabitants fubfervicnt to its deligns againft the Engliih Colonies. Though the clergy and the noblefle were in the in- tcreft of the miniftry ; it was far othcrwife among the inferior orders. Thev were almoit to a man difpleafed with the acceflion of authority accruing to their fu- periors in confequence of the adl lately palFcd. They remembered with what haughtinefs thcfe had com- ported themfelves in former days, when under tlic dominion of France. They did not therefore wiili for a return of that dependence and vailalage under which the bulk of the Canadian people had fo long- been kept, to the great impoverilhir.cnt and opprcl- iion of the community, and the evident obftructioii of the general profperity of the Province. The number of individuals who had removed from the Colonies into that Province, and the many others who had gone over to it from P»ritai;i, had 'powerfully contributed to confiriii thoie difpofi- tij;,- 'IN if imu: •1 likl. f;l' ^66 HISTORY OF THE tions in the French inhabitants. The late fubvcr- fion of the Englilli laws, was confidercd by the Rri- tiih fcttlcr.) as an aft uttt-rly nnjuftiliablc. As long cuiloin emboldened thcfe to fpeak their minds with uncontroulable freedom, they rcprelented to the Canadians that they were treated in the moll unt\'ar- rantable manner, and that they were by no means bound to fubmit to the new forms of adminiftration framed for them by Parliament, as they were totally repugnant to the fpirit of the Englifti confti- tution, and ahfolutely illegal. They further rcprefented this aft as founded on falfehood and deception : it vyas obtained by their fccret enemies, the nobleiTe, who had bafely made ufe of their name, to induce the Britiih minillry to procure the paffing of it, as an acceptable deed lo tlic 'jcneraliry of the Canadians. 'I'his unworthy and furreptitious manner of ill- treating their countrymen, ought therefore to be * rcfcnrcd, ii" the community meant to prevent the repetition of that tyranny which they had fo long endured, and fruitlefsly complained of, till kind fortune placed them under the influence of an Englilh government, the fpirit of which did not al- low any part of the community to opprefs the other. But this oppreflion would now return, and be felf more heavily than before, if they did not unite in defence of their juft and natural rights, and manfully refiO: all fpecicsof tyranny. With fpeeches and reprefentations of this kind did the opponents of miniftry in Canada inflame the uiinds of the people againft the meafures propofed by government in the planning of the Quebec aft* T^'or were infinuations wanting at the fame time/ from thofe who fecretly wiflied well to the Colonies, how fair an opportunity the Canadians had at this prefent time to eiriancipate themfelves wholly from the fliackleS impofcd on them by that aft. Were they *'i LATE WAR. 2^ J they now to hearken to the tricndly advice contain- i\\ in the addrellcs made to them by Cungrcls, they need never after apprehend ill-ufage tVom Britain, or any other power, and would at once provide tor an vuiintt*»rupted continuance of domellic tranqui- lity and happinefs. The Congrefs was perfedlly acquainted with the dilcontents of the Canadians, and of their averfe- nefs toadt againft ihe Colonies : they knew that the Britiih fettlers in that Province wTre, with few ox- c'jptions, inclined to tavour them, if it could be done with fafety to themfelves ; and that what chief- ly retained them in obedience under the new fyf- tem of government, was their inability to refift it. ' They refledled, at the fame time, that unlels the intent of that ad: was obftru(fted by an early oppo- lition, it would operate in a very fatal manner to their intcrclls. Its piofeiVed and avowed purpofe was to arm Canada agalnlt the Colonies. Withfuch a manlfcft intimation of the danger with which they were threatened, they would Hand inexcufable to their conftituents, if they negleifted any pradticablc means of warding off fo terrible a blow. The only means by which to prevent it, was ob- viouily by (Iriking the firft blow themfelves, and making a vigorous attack upon that very quarter, while yet dellitutc of a power .uiEcient to refill a. fudden and fpirited impreffion. The fuccefs they had met with at Crown Point and Ticonderoga, had already paved the way to an enterprize of this nature. They had, by taking them, broken down the fences, that guarded the fron- tiers of Canada, and were now at liberty to cnter^ and contend on equal ground with the fmall number of troops remaining for its defence* They were duly fenfiblc, on the other hand> that by taking fo bold a ftep, they changed at once the whole nature of the war. From defcnfivc on their part. i68 HISTORY OK r II E part, it then became ofTcnfive, and fubjetlftcd thcnl henceforwards to the imputatio i oi' being the a^^- grclfors in this unfortunate quarrJ : many who be- fore fuch an attempt had warmly efpoufed their caufe in Britain, would probably be oftended at this meafurc, and tax them with heightening the fury, and increafing the mifchiefs occafioncd by this difputc. Tney were fully aware, that the principles of re- (iftance, fo far as they had hitherto adopted thcni, far from being condemned by the Britifh nation, were, on the contrary, abetted, and ftrongly juUi- fied by a very confiderable party, equal at leaft, if not fuperior in number, to that which approved of the meafures carried on againfl them. It might not, therefore, be prudent to expofe themfelves to the lofs of this good-will and favourable inclination to them among their Engiilli brethren, which might, on a future opportunity, prove highly ferviceablc in their caufe. Thefe reflcdlions, which were juflly founded, occafioned them to v/eigh w^ith great deliberation the probable confequenccs that might refult from cmbracinp- or declinino; fo daring; a mcafure. The difpleafure it might create in England was undoubt- edly a difagrecable circumftance; the Americans ought ferioully to endeavour to preferve the good opinion and fricndHiip of the Englifh nation : it was adcfirable objed: at all times, but more particular- ly in the prcfent juncture. But Hill the prefcrva- tlon of themfelves was an obje(5t of far greater im- portance. The affiilancc they had looked for in England had failed them. Mucb eloquence had been difplayed in Parliament in the fupport of their caufe ; petitions and remonltrances had been prc- fe-nted in their behalf, and tliey had every reafon to think that their conduft and principles were appro- ved by a large proportion, perhaps the majority of a the a' ' &• / L A t E tV A R 369 the people in Britain. Rut it was plain that thcfe indications of amity to them were all ihcy were td cxpcd:. A variety of caufcs \\;puld prevent any fuch afliftance to them from Britain as they ncv ftood in moft need of. It would therefore be imwifo to abftain from purfuing any meafure, however un- common and unprecedented, merely from the appre- hcnfion of giving umbrage to the Englilh. If they fincerely wifhed the Americans to profper in their proceedings, they wotild rejoice at any fuccelFes they might obtain ;- if, on the contrary, from a lukewarmnefs, or ignorance of the necelTity of ta- king the moll refolutc meafures, the people of Eng- land Ihould condemn them for fuch an enterprize, it were better to incur their difapprobation^ than to hazard the fafety of America by an untimely (^omplaifance, for which their real friends in Britain would be no lefs ready to blame them, than all the judicious part of the world. > As to thofe arguments that were drawh from th^ danger of exafperating the enemy to a degree that might increafe the refentment he already felt, and provoke him to additional exertions, they were weak and futile ; his wrath was already kindled to the highell pitch ; he had done, and intended to do all the mifchief that lay in his power. Intelli- gence was daily arriving of the vaft preparations he was making to fubdue the Colonies. His intentions were hoftile in the higheft degree^ To conquer, or to ravage America, was his fixed determination.^— Did it become men of fenfe and courage to hefitate in fuch a cafe about the propriety of any meafure that could diftrefs an enemy fo outrageoufly bent on their dellrudtion ? The readieft method to obvi- ate his threats, was to Ihovv him that they had not intimidated the Americans, and that inrtead of wait- ing for the iflue of his menacing declarations, they would anticipate every Hep he propofed to tiikc, and Vol* I. No. 6, ' A u carr/ w \'>i W/.: 37^ W I S T O R Y OF THE earry the operations of war into his own prccindf, before he was in readinefs towage it upon their own territories. In a quarrel fuch as the prefent, Where the ruling power was engaged on the one hand, and fubjeds on the other, it was the worft of all policy to tem- porize* Moderation would only produce pride, and avcrfenefs to terminate the difpute, from a no- tion that their fpirit began to fail, and that they were fearful of giving too much offence, left it ihouki create irreconcileabknefs in the bread of an irritated conqueror. Were fentiments of this kind to be once admit- ted, they would deftroy all fpirit and energy in their councils. America had better end the contcft at once, by fubmiffion to the dilates of Britain, than perfevere in it any longer, unlefs weak and wavering meafures were totally difcarded. It was in vain to expect favourable conditions by forbear- ing to eXert themfelves. This would only be giving advantages to the enemy, and protrafting the war to their own detriment. The laws of war and of nations allowed the forc- ftalling of an enemy. In their particular cafe, it would in all probability prevent infinite mifchicf. — If they forbore to attack the enemy in the quarter propofed, it would be precifely from thence he would make the.moft dangerous irruption. It was there he would collect his principal force, and come upon them without delay, as loon as it was ready. Happily for America, he was not yet in a formida- ble pofturc, nor could be duly prepared till next fpring. Now therefore was the feafon for adtion. — They had liiilicient numbers to fpare for fuch an ex- pedition ; it would be undertaken with more ala- crity than any other, as the purpofc of it was to fecure their back-lcttlements from the incurfions of the Indians, whore barbarities they were ex}x*rt- * - • mcntall/ W I i: LATE WAR. 371 mentally acquainted with, and multitudes of whom would not I'ail to join a foe that would entice them by rhe double motive of pay and plunder. This bufincfs could not be deferred. As foon as winter was over, fleets and armies would fail from Britain to invade their coafts, and their whole ftrength would then be wanted to protect them.— Then would they feel the confequences of having negledled to annoy the enemy in the effccftual man- ner now propofed ; they would be aflailed on every fide, on that particularly to which their attention was now diredled. Thefe were no furmifes : it was publicly known that large reinforcements were expe<^ed at Qiiebec the enfuing campaign, which would, in conjunction, with the Canadians and Indians, form a confider- able army. With this, the deiign of the rncmv was to penetrate into the heart of the Colonies, while a fuperior force was landed on their Ihores* The only poflible expedient left them to leflen thefe difficulties, was by immediately refolving to march with all expedition to Quebec, and ule their mod vigorous efforts to make themfelves maf- ters cf that place* The pofl'eflion of it would de- feat the moll dangerous proje; informed that leveral armed veU'els, Tome ot" whi :h were of confulerable force, were llationed at St. John's, a fort ot great llrength on the Sorel, from whence they were about to lail, in order to obllruct his pall age acrofs the hike. Upon this inteUigence, he hallened with all fpeed, anil took poilelfion of an ifiantl that conirnanded the mouth of the Sorel, and from whence he could pre- vent their entrance into the lake. On the arrival of General Schuyler, who was the fr.j)erior in command, they jointly agreed in pub- liHiing a maniferto, inviting the people of Canada to join them. To fupport the delign of this decla- ration, they advanced towards St. John's, fituated about twelve miles from the lake ; but they could not make good their landing under the cannon of that fort, and being apprehenfive, from the appear- ance of Itrcngth, and the countenance of the garri- fon, that they Ihould meet with great difficulties in fuch an attempt, they landed at a dirtance, in a part of the country full of woods, fwamps, and rivulets. But here they were immediately attacked by a large body of Indians, and found it neceliary, from the inconveniency of their fituation, to retreat with all fpced to the ifland which they had firll oc- cupied. Illnefs having obliged General Schuyler to re- move to Albany, the fole command devolved upon Montgomery, a man every way lit for the bulinei's he was now intrull:ed with. He united in an emi- nent degree, the charailcr of a foldier and a gentle- man; polite, well-fpoken, and humane; brave, cool, and thoroughly verfed in his profeffion. He foon found means, by his addrefs, to detach from General Carlton numbers of thofe Indians who had joined him ; and upon the arrival of the rcmun- Aa 3 V I ' i| !i un- ■J fli IIR inL>; '!'.[ r> 1 ■ •: t 1 374 HISTORY OF THE ing troops deflined for this expedition, he detcf" mined to lay fiege to Sr. John's, In the mean time various parties of the Americans were (.fifperfcd over the frontiers of Canada, where the inhabitants received them with great friendship and hofpitality. They not only furnillicd them with provifions, but alfiftcd in carrying on the fiege, and reinforced them with numbers of their own pcoph^ While General Montgomery was employed in this fiege. Colonel Allen, a bold and enterprifing man, to whom chiefly the Colonies were indebted for the taking of Crown Point and Ticonderoga, now formed the project of furprifing Montreal, He marched to this place at the head of a fmall party of refolute adventurers, like himfelf ; but the officers who were ftationed there, having received intelligence of his approach, went out and attacked him with the militia and a detachment of regulars. His party was totally routed, and himfelf taken prifoncr, with a number of his men. Their treat- ment was rather fevere ; thev were loaded with Irons, Allen himfelf not excepted, and fent pri- foners to England on board a man of war. The fiege of St. John's went on flowly at firft for want of ammunition ; but Gereral Montgomery having acquired a large fupply of powder, by the taking of Chamblee, a fmall fort at a little dillancc from St, John's, he now was enabled to pulli his ope- rations with vigour. The garrifon behaved with great courage, and fupported with uncommon patience the diftreifes to which they were reduced by the want of fufficient provifions, I'hey were commanded by Major Pref- tpn, who acquitted himfelf on this occafion with equal ikiU and Vfilour. General Carlton, confcjous of the importance of this place, made every poflible exertion to iclieve it. '■1 LATE WAR. 375 It. His (ituation was in every refped: highly unfa- I'ourable : the regular troops in his province were now an inconfiderable nnmljcr ; the neceffity of pro- viding for the defence of St. John's, had obliged him to garrifon it with the major part of them : the few he had left were difperfed at a confidcrable diftance from each other ; and it was chiefly upon new levies he was now to depend. In this exigency, it was propofed by Colonel Maclean, an a(ftive and gallant officer, to raifc a regiment out of the Scotch Highlanders that had lately emigrated from their country : with this body of men, affifted by fome Canadians, the Colonel polled himfelf at the junction of the Sorel with the river St. Lawrence. la the mean time General Carlton repaired to Montreal ; where, with intiniic pains, he coUedlcd about a thoufand men, chiefly natives of Canada, With thefc, and a few regulars and Britifli volun- teers, he fet out to join Colonel Maclean, intend- ing to march with him dircftly to the relief of St. John's. But the Provincials, who perceived his defign, gathered a fuperior force, and attacked him on his endeavouring to pafs from the ifland where Montreal Hands, to the eaftern fliore : his Canadians were foon routed by the Provincials, and the whole fcheme was defeated. Another body of Canadians who had joined Co- lonel Maclean, hearing of the difafler that had be- fallen their countrymen, abandoned him inftantly, and he was compelled to haften back to Quebec with all poflible fpeed. Thefe two fucceflivc defeats were powerful en- couragements to the Americans, who we \, belicg- ing St. John's : they carried on their works with double ardour, and made luch a progrcfs, ab to pre- pare for an aljault on the body of the place. The A a 4 garrifon ir: ¥\ ZT HISTORY OF THE garrifon as rciblutely waited for it, intending tio dc« fend themfelvcs to the )ail extremity. But the news of the two laft unfucccfshil cngac;c- ments being communicated to them, and the nrrcr impolTibility of being fuccoiired reprefented by Ge- neral Montgomery, they yieitied to necellitv ; and as any further defence could only oecaiion nccdlcfs bloodfhed, they contented to treat foi the furrender of the fort. The terms demanded by the garrifon, were, to be permitted to withdraw to Great Britahi ; they had even infilled, at iirft, on fome days refpite, in ex- pe(5tation of General Carlton being able either to raife the fiege, or throw in refrclliments and fiic- cours ; but both thefc requefts were i)ercmptorily ilenied. The only terms allowed then\, were to march out with the honours of war, in confideration of their gallant behaviour ; but then to lay down their arms, and deliver themfelves up as prifoncrs. They were permitted to keep their private pro- perty ; and in all other refpe<^ts were treated with that humanity which charadlerifed General Mont- gomery. The reddidon of fort St. John took place on the third of November, feventy-five. The number oj: prilbners amounted to upwards of five hundred re-^ gulars, and near two hundred Canadians ; among thcfe were fome of the principal noblelfe of that Province, who had very zealouily embraced this occafion of teftifying their attachment and fidelity to the Britifli government. The lofs of this place was a heavy and uncx- pci^ed blow to the Britifii interelT: in America. The llower of the military and of the Canadians were here. It was univerfally expe(!:l:ed that General Carlton would have been able to relieve it. His ill lucccfs, though proceeding from caufes that ijiade it inevitable, and which neither ikill nor va- j lour to i 1^ L A T F. W A R. 3// lour could oppofc, raifed the reputation of his an- tagonifts to a high pitch, and added frclh courage to the Americans and their adherents. The body of Provincials who had compelled Co- lonel Maclean to abandon the poll of Sorcl, loft no time in erecting batteries on the point projecting furthermoft into the river St. Lawrence, with the view of preventing the Ihipping at Monfo^al from going to Quebec : rafts and other conftrud:ions of that fort, well provided with cannon, were ftationed in the river, and every preparation macie that could effectually obftrud^ the Geneial's paliage. Here, again, the Americans met with the com- pleteft fuccefs. After fcvcral fruitlefs attempts made by the armed velfels from Montreal, to force their way down the river, they were attacked in their turn, forced to retire, and purfued by the Provincials, who were now become mafters of both fides of the fhore, and threatened to reduce Mon- treal as they had already done St. John's. After taking this fortrcfs, General Montgomery advanced immediately with his victorious forces to- wards Montreal. His approach being daily ex- pected, the few Britilh forces in that town repaired for fafety on board the fliipping, in hopes of fome aufpicious opportunity of efcaping down the river ; but it was fo well and fo clofely guarded by the Pro- vincial floating batteries, that all efcape was foon difcovered to be impracticable. Thus, whether in the town or in the Ihipping, they now faw that they muft unavoidably fall into the hands of the Pro- vincials. In this extremity, the principal of the Brltifli and French inhabitants applied to General Mont- gomery, for the grant of a capitulation ; bur he gave them to underftand, that being defencelefs and entirely at his difcretion, they could notexpeCt fuch a conccffiun on his part ; as he came notj however, with li:| 1 i'il '\ ■ r il 37^ HISTORY OF THE with any intention to opprefs or moled them, bur, on the contrary, to give them protedtion and free- dom, h'j would promile, in a folemn manner, that they Ihould remain in the unviolated polielTion of all their property and rights, civil and religious. He exprelild his hope, that the Canadians would fpecdily have an o[)portunity of fettling their government and laws conformably to their own defire, in a Pro- vincial Congrefs of their own chuiing. This would fllablilh their freedom and domeftic affairs upon a permanent footing, and deliver them from the in- convenitncieb of which they juftly complained un- der the form of government lately introduced among them for iniquitous purpofes. He engaged, that in the mean time, the execu- tion of the laws Ihould be conducted as near as pof- (ible in the fpirit of the Eng^iilh conftitution, and that the people fliould be treated with the utmolt lenity both in private and public concerns. Having thus adjufted all matters to the entire fa- lisfaCtion of the inhabitants, he took peaceable pof- feffion of Montreal on the thirteenth day of Novem- ber, feventv-five. After the lofs of St. John*s, and the furrender of Montreal, people began to think that Quebec would Ihortly Ihare the fame fate. Deftitute of a fuffici- ent garriibn for its defence, and full of malcon- tents, it feemed to offer itfelf an eafy conqueft to the Provincial army, elate with fuch rapid fuc- cefles, and led on by fo able a commander. It was not doubted this would be his next attempt, and the general cxped:arion was, that he would fucceed. What contributed particularly to this apprchen- fion, was the abfence of the Governor, who was himlelf in the moft imminent danger of being made prilbner ; ii-^ which cafe all hopes of preferving ei- ther the capital or the province itfelf, would be finally given up. % Gener;il LATE WAR. 379 General Montgomery, who fully knew the im- portance of making fuch a prize, neglc<^ccl nothing to fecure it : he was diligently conftructing flut boats, to carry guns of a futiicient weight of metal to attack the Britiih armament on his lidc, and thus to put it between two fires. No expectation now remained of elfcfting its efcape ; all that could poflibly be attempted, was to watch the opportunity of a dark night, to carry the Governor fafely off. This was happily executed accordingly, in a fmall boat, rowed in the pro- foundeft lilence with muffled paddles infteadof oars, of which the motion would, by its noife, have in- evitably occafioned an alarm among the enemies craft, fo thickly ftationed along the river. Having thus provided for his fafety, the next ftep was to capitulate with the Provincials ; but the conditions were entirely their own. The whole armament was obliged to furrender : it confillcd of eleven armed velTels, with a number of prifoners, feme of them Britiih officers of rank ; General Prefcot was one.; together with a very confiderable quantity of military ftores. In this manner was the whole dominion of Bri- tain in Canada reduced to the city of Quebec. The certainty of its being loft with the reit, appeared the more certain and indubitable, as it was now threatened by an enemy no lefs intrepid and enter- prifing than Montgomery himfelf. This new enemy was Colonel Arnold, a man of the moft undaunted courage and lingular activity, While the Provincial army was encamped befoie Bofton, he conceived the bold defign of invading Canada, in a manner never yet attempted, in the many expeditions that had taken place during the various wars that had been waged in America be- tween the French ai^d the Brliilh Colonies. Hitherto i^:; 380 HISTORY OF THE Hitherto the only prafticablc road to that Pro- vince was by the J.akes : they afforded the only convenient communication even in peace. I/itt;- was it ex|>e(!:ted that a military force, attended hv all the incumbrances of war, would ever imap;inL* it were polTil)le to penetrate into that country by any other way. About the middle of September, a body of chofen men, confillin^ of near twelve hundred, left the camp at Bollon under the command of Colonel Ar- nold. They proceeded to Newbury, a fea port, firuated at the mouth of the Merrimack, from whence they embarked for the mouth of the Ken- nebec k. This was the river intended to form the line of their expedition. Its head was at no great diibmcc from Quebec, the ultimate objedl of their under- taking ; but its llreim was rapid, and difficult to be Hemmed ; and its t ed was iirowed with a multi- tude of rocks that made it exceffively dangerous. They begun this laborious and fatiguing naviga- tion on the twentv-fecond day of September. — They were obliged conflanrly to work upwards againll: an im}>etuous current, that frequently overfet their boats, or filled them with water. They were offen compelled by caterads and other impediments, ro land and continue their march on Ihove, loaded with their boats, and other warlike burdens, no Icfs cuni- berfome. In the encountering of thelc, and many other difficulties, they fuffered great lofles of ftores, and provifions ; to fay nothing of the exceffive fa- tigue they underwent continually, the carrying places proving not feldom very long, and full of ob{lru(5tions, one of them llretching no lefs than a dozen miles. In the midil: of thefe inceffant difliculties. Colo- nel Arnold exerted all his vigilance to prevent a- furprize. The Indians, indeed, were the tnly pco- r«' B It LATE W A «. 381 •plc from whom fuch a thing could be apprehended in the frighful vvildernels in which he was now en- ijjaged. In order, however, to obviate any danger of that kind, befides the ftrid:eil guard and look out on every fice, he ufed the precaution ot real- renibling every night, in one encampment, the various divifions that had marched apart during the -day. After reaching the head of the river Kennebeck, they had Hill to make their way through forelh and Iwamps, and over mountains and the rocky fum- jruirs of thofe high ridges of land that feparatcNew England from Canada. The prodigious hardfhips they had undergone before their arrival at this place, had occafioned numbers of their men to be lickly. In their pro- vrefs along the iliores of that river, they had fome- timcs been forced to clear a paflagc, by cutting tlown the underwood, for miles. Thefe continual obftrudlions retarded them fo much, that on fomc days they could hardly get four or five miles for- wards. Their provilions too, from the frequent lofing of them by accidents on the water, and from the tedious and unexpedled length of this painful journey, were become lb fcarce, that many of them were obliged at lad to kill their dogs for food, and to have recourfe to other ihifts of that fort for their fuftcnance. On quitting Kennebeck, Colonel Arnold, in or- der to rid himfelf of all incumbrances, difmilVcd the fick and difabled, and with his own division proceeded forwards with all poffible fpced ; but un- fortunately for the expedition, here one whole third of his people, with a Colonel at their head, com- poling the rear divilion, took advantage of his ab- fence ; and pretending a want of futficient provi- fions, deferted him, and returned home the way they came. Undifmavei . m 3^2 II I S T O ft Y P T H E Undifmaycd by this dcfertion, the body under •Colonel Arnold pufhed onwards, and after having, with the fame courage and fortitude as before, over, come a variety of obltacles, they arrived at length on the banks of the Chaudiere, which difcharges itfelf into the river St. Lawrence, not far from the city of Quebec. On the third day of November, full fix weeks from the beginning of the dreadful march of which they now faw happily an end, they entered the cul- tivated parts of Canada, and met with the habita- tions of men, after having loft fight of them for above a month. They met v/ith the fame welcome that had been Ihown to their countrymen in other parts ; they were fupplied with all kinds of neceffaries, and expe- rienced every fort of encouragement they could defire. The Canadians were ftruck with amazement, when they beheld an embodied force emerging, as it were, from the bofom of the wildernefs. They were not unaccuftomed themfelves occafionally to vifit thofe defarts, in hunting parties ; but it had never entered into their conceptions, that it was poffible for human beings to traverfe fuch an im- menfe wild, where obftru6"»on3 arofe at every ftep, that had hitherto proved infurmountable ; and where Nature itfelf feemed to have forbidden fuch an attempt, by throwing the moft dreadful and terrifying difcouragements in their way. The novelty of the enterprize, the fplrit that jj;ave it birth, the intrepidity and genius that con- •duv^ed it, the courage and conftancy with which it Was atchieved, all contributed to render it the moft ilriking and memorable event that happened during the war. It did the higheft honour to its condudor, and to thofe he commanded i they were chiefly New Enghni LATE WAR. 383 Khghnd men ; the major part of whom had never been in war. It ihowcd they poli'cflcd the innate bravery of their forefathers, and were truly dcfcrv- ing the name of Englilhmen. But it was not only in America this expedition was extolled, as a feat of the molt confummate/kill and bravery : it was fpoken of in England itfelf, and over all Europe in terms of the highcft admi- ration, and allowed by military judges to be an ex- ploit of the firft rate merit. While it was viewed 'n this light by the Euro- pean world, we are not to be furprized that through- oiit the American continent, the people whom it fo deeply interefted, Ihould reprefent it as one of the moft ftupendous tranfad:ions that ever happened in war, and compare it to the march of Hannibal over the Alps, While the inhabitants of Canada were in this flatc of aftoniihment at the boldnefs and fuccefs of the New England people. Colonel Arnold publilhed a declaration in the name of General Waihington, which had been previoufly concert- ed between them on his departure for this expe- dition. It invited them to accede to the general union of the Colonies, and to fight like them for American freedom againft European oppreflion. They were told that the intention of Congrels in fending troops amongft them, v/as by no means to exercile hoili- lities, but to give them countenance and protection, and affbrd them an oppoitunlry of afl'erting their own juft rights. Far from confidering the Cana- dians as enemies, they were flriilly ordered to treat them as friends and allies, with whom they were jointly to co-operate in expelling the coinmoi) enemy. In confequence of ihefe folemn affuranccs, they were dtfired to remain in thcii; dwellings with the utinoit III :l 384 HISTORY OF 1* H E utmoft confulcncc and ficurity, and ro furniffi the troops with all the ncccirarics in their }>owtT, tor which they might depend upon full payment. The intelligence of Colonel Arnold's arri\ al in Canada, together with the lurpriling manner of his having penetrated through fuch a multitude of oh- llacles, threw the city of Quebec into the utmoft confternation* It was at this jundture in a very weakfituation. The inhabitants, and efpecially the natives of Britain, and of the Colonies fettled there, iverc highly averfc to the C^ebcc adt, and with the general fyftem refpeding the Colonies. Their dif* contents had cxpofed them to the refentment of the ruling powers; they were miftrufted, and regarded as fecret enemies, who would not fail to feizc the firft opportunity of acting openly an hoftile part. In the mean time, their behaviour was fuch as manifefted how much they conceived themfelves ill ufcd by the preference given, as they laid, and partiality ihown to thofe Canadians and Bri- tifh individuals who differed from them in fenti- mcnts, and affedled, on that account, a fupcrior degree of loyalty. Born and bred in principles of freedom, they complained that they could not exprefs themfelves on thefe fubjedts firmly and explicitly, without in- curring the cenfure of the adverfe party, and being reproached with malevolence to their king and country. They imputed to thefe injurious fufpicions the refufal to embody them for the defence of the city, when they had requelled it, an«. at a time, when from the departure of all the military, it was left in a ftate abfolutely defeneelefs, notwithftanding the immenfe property it contained, which mull una- voidably have fallen into the hands of the Provin- - cials. ^: m LATE WAR. 385 tials, together with the city, had it then been at tacked, as it was daily apprehended. But the Englilh fettled at Quebec were not the only malcontents there ; the far greater number of the French inhabitants were in the fame difpofition* As the Quebec ad: affected the inferior clailes among them chiefly, though they did not dare to vent their dillatisfaclion at it with the fame freedom as the natives of Britain, yet they v/cre no lefs ready to oppofe it in every Ihapc thcy could, without coming to open refinance. Neither was it doubted, that they would at laft have recourfe to this, if ever circundnnees Ihould prove unfavourable to the interctl of Britain in that Colony. The behaviour of their countrymen in many parts of the Province, thofe efpecially remote from the feat of government, and where the multi- tude was under no controul, had exhibited convin- cing proofs what little dependence could be placed on their attachment, and was a fufficient earnefl of what might be expeded from the French inhabi- tants of Quebec. The heart-burnings and animofities necelTarily arifing from thefe caufes, were at their height when Colonel Arnold made his appearance on the oppo- fite {hore, in fight of the town. Luckily for the place, intimation of his approach had been given time enough to remove all the boats and fmall-craft^ otherwife he would probably have madehimfelf maf- ter of it in the firlt moments of the general panic he had occafioned. This difappointment retarded his pafTage fomc clays : he was obliged to apply to the Canadians for affiftance; they gave *. with the utmolt chearful- nefs. But another difficulty remained : the river was guarded by frigates and armed velfels, that were now polled in fuch a manner, as to render hiu paiFage impradicabie by d:iy. He vyas compelled Vol. I. No. 7, B b tg ill! *.f»t :286 HISTORY OP THE to wait for an oljfcuif night, favoured by whicl?^ he found nicans, by great management and circum- fpetf^ion, to elude the vigilance of the men of wars jieople, and to land his men on the otlier fide of the river. In the mean time, ncccfllty had efTedted a reunion of all parties in C^ebec. The property contained in that city was lb great, and the apprchcniion of loofing it, fliould the city be taken, fo well found- ed, tliiat both iM^glifh and Canadians agreed to join iinccrely and corcJially in its defence. They were-, according to their defire, formed into an armed bodV) i^i^d did military duty with all poflible ala- crity. In this exigency, application was made to tlie men of war in the river for the affitlance of their failors and marines. They were landed according- ly, and were ilationed at the cannon on the ram- part?, where they behaved with their ufual intrepi- dity, and did effeniial fervicc. in fuch a march as that executed by Colonel Ar- nold, it had been utterly impoflible to bring any ar- tillery. He now greatly experienced the want of it. He had found none in his crofling through Ca- nada. It is probable that he relied uj)on fome for- tunate contingency for a fupply fo neceffary for his prefent undertaking ; or that he promifed himfclf to be able to carry the place by furprize ; or, poffi- bly, that the numbers of the well-wifliers to his eaufe, would have ovcr])owercd the other pariy, and delivered the town into his hands. On the failing of thefc expc«i:l:ations, he had no other plan to follow than to fcizc the avenues to the city, and cut off irs conmiunication with the coun- try, in order to diftrcfs it for want of provifions, .and .thereby accelerate its reduction on the arrival ofthofe troops that were now daily expected tobc- fk-pc it in due fonn, lie I t, r.Ti I I «, t A t E W A ft. 38; . He polled hiinfclfon the hci^^.hts of Abram, fa- Xtious tor the vidtory and fall of General Wolfe, in the late war. From thence he fentallrg, fuaimou- Ing the town to furrincier; but the garnfon fired at, and refufed to admit his melFagc* Finding this trial inerte«flual, he witi drew to fo'iie diflance from it, in order to refrelh his men ; not forgetting, how- ever, to place them in fiicli a pofition as to intercept iill fuppjics from without. Hcxc he determined to jemain till joined by thofe forces that had taken St. John's and Montreal,, and which he doubted no,C would ul'c their utmolt endeavours to dole the fuc- ccfsful campaign they had made by the taking of Quebec. This was their earncft defire, as well as that of General Montgomery, who commanded them. The furrendcr of Montreal had fupplied them with the cloathmg nccliaiy torfo rip.orous a climate as that of Canada duruT, uhc v^ inter lenfon. Ir was now be- gun, and had been fcverely felt by th m, bur fuch was their confidciice m the abilities ot tiicn Gene- ral, and their readinefs to fceoad his dcligis, that they bore all harufhips with the greatell patience md alacrity. Such behaviour in them was the more fingular and unexpected, as the natives of tho Britifli Colonies Jhavo a remarkable antipathy to regular and formal fubordinatlon ; the ptople of "^ 'nv England efpe- cialiy, are much more intolerant of controul than the others, and are pcculiaily averfe to any exterior ily for the gnrrifon, the bencgcrs v/crc not fo fuperior to them in point of numbers, as to caufe much a[)prehenfion on that aeeount. Ir was Jiillly forcfeen, that with proper nianngemenr, a fuillci- cncy of tlrength would he found to cope with every attack they might make ; and that if they iliould i)e- conie maJlers of Quebec, it v.ould be uu:eh mor»* ovvina: to their adlivitv and viyour, than to themuU ticude of hands they could employ. Having thus taken elieclual meafures for a refo- iute LATE WAR. 389 lute ck'fence, unanimity and confidence were happily xeftored among the inhabitants, and they chearfully prepared to give the enemy a fpirited reception, whenever he came. Two impediment?: of an eflential kind militated in their favour againft this enemy ; the latenefs of the feafon, and the defee knew the mofl defperate ex- ertions of valour would be required, he had feled:ed a number of his moll refolute men to accompany him on this firll: onfet. With thefc he made the quickell hafte to clofe in upon the enemy, as near 3S it was pradlicable. He loon forced his way through the firft barrier ; but the fecond, which led immediately to the gates of the Lower Town, was much more ftrongly for- tified. Here a llrong body of the befieged wa^ polled, with feveral [)icees of cannon. They re- ceived him with a difcharge of mufketry and grape iliot, that made an inllant and almoll total flau^h- ter of his party. — He feii himfclf with his princip.il ©fficcrst The 1 1 394- HISTORY OF the The lofs of their General Co much difLor.ccvtcd the body whi'^h he had conin.inndcd, that the attuck was not continued, and a icticat was thought moll advifable. Colonel Arnold, at the head of his New En .armed 4^4 rr I s T o R Y or t h k armed (hippinc; on the coaft, he now propofed td keep an eye uj)0u the country, and to be in readi- licfs to lay hold of any feaionablc opportunity of thwarting the dcfigns of the malcontents; The in- terfcdtion of Virginia by the many larg^ and navi- gable rivers, with which it is watered every where, made this no difficult lafk ; as by means of thefe, its principal parts lie open at all times to the atf tempts of a keen and vigilant enemy that is matter at (cui With fuch view, he fitted out fome veflels of fuf- ficicnt force to alarm the inhabitants near the Ihorc, but not equal to any undertaking of confequence. The truth was, that he was obliged to extort by main force the provifions he wanted, as they refu- fcd to fupply him with any< The Virginians complained, on the other hand, that he often landed with an hoftile intent, fetting fire to houfes, deftroying plantations, carr^ g ofl' the flaves, and fcizing on pcrfons of the 'erfe party. This compelled them to ftand more care* iully on their dtfcnce; and produced at laft conti* nual fcencs of rapine and dcvaftation ; wherein lives ivere loft, and mifchief done to individuals, without cft'edting any material hurt or fervice to either fide^ and from which no reputation could be acqtiired to thofc who condud^cd them. By degrees matters became more ferious. De- tachments of thofc troops levied by order of th^ Provincial Meeting, were now ordered to the ihores of the rivers, and to the fea-coafts, which rendered attempts againft the different fcttlements more dif* iicult and dangerous j and occafioned, of courfe^ tnoip blood to be fpilt in them. Enmity was now xifen to fuch a height, that the ftridteft watchful- nefs was employcfi to cut off all means of ful>riftenc»e from the (hipping. They could obtain n©ne any where but at the point of the I'word. a Thu» LATE WAR. 415 Thus war, without any formal denunci'itlon, waft Hot the lefs real ; and nothing but the want oF a more conlidcrablc force prevented it from being carried on with more vigour and eftbdh Having however colled:ed from fevcral quarters fome companies of foldiers, the Governor deter- mined upon an enterprize of importance. This was the burning of Hampton, a town with a good har- bour. His deiign, through fome means, came to the knowledge of the inhabitants, who made what prc- rations they could to obftrudt it, by finking craft in the place through which the Shipping mud pafs, and oppofing fuch other impediments as might prevent a landing ; but the ihips forced their way through them, and proceeded to lire upon the place with great fury. A body of rifle-men now came oppor- tunely to the afliftance of the town ; thcfe plied the aflailants with their mufkctry from the Ihore fo rc- folutely, and with fo much dexterity, that they com- pelled them to retire with the lofs of one of their vcfTels. A proclamation was now publifhed by the Go- vernor, fetting forth, th^as the civil laws were no longer of force for the prevention of rebellion, and the punifhment of traitors, it was become ncceffary to fubftitute martial law in its room, for the fup- preflion of diforders throughout the Colony. AU people able to bear arms were hereby fummoncd to repair to the King's ftandard, under the penalty of being reputed rebels; and the Haves, and fervants of perfons under this defcription, were declared free, on condition of their taking up arms in the .King's fcrvice. This proclamation gave univerfal offence to all the people of America. As every Colony, New England only excepted, was in a manner overrun with Negro flaves, the letting them loofe upon their nuftcrs, was a meafure which excited abhorrcnc?. 1 I: tl il 41 6 HISTORY OF THE It was rcpreleni'^d as a determination to carry refertN ment beyond the common bounds of humanity, and )the rules eftablilhed among civilized nations. It was authorizing domcflic murders and affaffinattons, and encouraging the p^.petration of all manner of barbarity. It involved in one common butchery the innocent as well as the guilty : Negroes could not difcriminate between the friends and foes to the Britilh government ; and might be led by their ig- norance, or prompted by the defire of freedom, either to fufpedt, or pretend fufpicion of the loyalty of their mailers, and from fuch motives would for- fake or rife upon the Vi. It '.vas no Icls reprobntcd as impolitic in its gene- ral tendency. L removed :hat necefl'ary barrier of fear and implicit obedience, which kept .the blacks in fuch profound fubmiffion to the white people. — » By fetting them at large, and prompting them to face the whites with arms in their hands, it taught them ideas of equality, and placed them on a foot- ing with thofe whom they had been ufed to confider as their fuperiors. in the very order of nature. The confequences of fuch an emancipation were al- together equally obvious and terrible. It led to hor. rors of every defcription. Self prefer vation would na- turally fet the Colonifts on their conftant guard againft plots and machinations from thofe by whom they were continually furrounded : the lead fufpicioii would occaiion the exercife of feverities ; thefc would excite rcfentments, and quickly be followed by dC;fertions, iufurredions, and open defiance : all confidence would vaniih on either fide; down- right enmity and violence would fucceed ; and no other hope of fafety would remain to either of the parties, than in the utter extermination of the other* Such was the light in which the Americans re- prefented this proclamation ; which however was attended by none of the atrocious effett^ that bad been LATE WAR. 41 jp been apprehended ; and ferved much mere to ex« afperatc than to caufo them any efiential preju- dice. , .1 r, . In the mean time Lord Dunmore was at Norfolk, a place of which the inhabitants, with thofe of the adjacent parts, were well affedted to his caufe.- H;;' was joint d here by confiderable numbcis, and hc> began, ro form hopes that he fliould gradually be able to raifc iuch a force, as Ihouid enable mn\ to reftorc the authority of government throughout the whole Province. But the ruling powers exerted themfelves with {q much diligence, that a large body was fpeedily coU lefted and put in motion againft him. On receiv- ing intelligence of this, he polled himfelf at a place called ;he Great Bridge, on the road to Norfolk, through which they were neceffitated to pafs iii marching to this town. Here he threw up Tome works, well lined with cannon, intending to make a refolute Hand with the whole force he coul4 mufter. But this was very inconfiderable : he had no more than about two hundred regulars ; his remaining ftrength confided of an undilciplined aflcmblagc of white and black people. With thefe, however, hp courageoufly refolved to encounter the enemy, who were now advanced very near him, and had alfo caflf up an intrenchment within the reach of his guns. After obferving each others motions during lomc days, Lord Dunmore grew impatient of inaction, and formed a plan to iiorm their intrenchment, Captain Fordyce, an officer of great bravery, com- manded on this occaiion. In the front of their works lay a narrow caufeway, which vvas the only avenue to them. The Captain, at tne head of a body of grenadiers, advanced upon this path to their intrenchments, and attacked them with a(lo- VoL. I. No. 7, , Dd niihing 4l9 HISTORY OF THE fiifliing refblutlon. The enemies works were (bi Conftructed, that while he was attempting their front, his own flanks were expofed to a fevere fire, The valour of this gallant officer, and of the brave /nen that followed him, met with unfurmountablfe obftacles ; he was flain with a number of them; Such was the obltinacy with which they fought, and the danger of the fervice they wdnt upon, that pot one individual among them efcaped without i wound. They made good their retreat under the guns of their own works, the enemy not venturing to purfue them. The only prifoners made were fuch as, on ac^ Count qf their wounds, were unable to retire froni the fieldf T{iqfe arnong them who were natives of Britain, iritt with very civil ufagfe from the Provin- cials ; but the natives of An^eriba experienced great feverity ; and were treated as men who had deferted their own colours, and fought under thpfe of an incmy. After this repulfe, the encampment at the Great Bridge was broke up ; and as the (snemy was daily jncreafing in number, and there appeared no rea- fonable hope of being able to relift him. Lord Dun- iTiore withdrew again to his fhipping. It was now equally numerous, and crouded witn people of all denominations, who were his adherents, and who had fled to it as the only place of protedion from the refentment pf the Provincial party. ' While Lord Dunmpre was thus exerting himfelf pu the coafts of Virginia, a plan was forming to in- vade it, together with the other fouthern colonies, on their back arid inland parts. The people in thofe fettlements were confidered as (Irongly attached to the Engliih government, and it was expedled that large numbers of them would be difpofed to take up arms in its fupport. It was alfo fuppofed that fomc of the Indian tribes in the neighbourhood of I thole I;- '^ U-i LATE WAR. V9 f thofc parts, might be ought to join them. All this would form a force 1 ..fficient to make an effec- tual imprellion on the encmv, and to open a pafl'ag;e in the very heart of the Colonies, through which they might make an irruption into any Province they chofe particularly to attack, Virginia was the Colony chiefly aimed at by this fcheme. The projedor of it was Mr. Conelly, a Pennfylvanian, a man completely qualified for its execution. He was one of thofe rcltlefs and daring individuals that feemed born for the tempeftuous period they lived in, and with whom America abounded at this time. He communicated his projcft to Lord Dunmore, with the a^ivity and refolutenefs of whofe temper it perfe(5lly correfponded. It met accordingly with his entire approbation ; and Mr. Conelly let out im- mediately CO carry it forwarcis with all poffiblc ex- pedition. Through a multiplicity of obftacles he reached the back fcttlements, and there found means to negotiate with great fecrecy, a treaty with the Indians fituated on the Ohio, and to bring over to his defign the people in thofe remote diftrids. On his returning to Lord Dunmore with the intel- ligence of his fuccefs, he was difpatched to Bolton with proper recommendations. Here he was com- niiffioned by General Gage to adt in this bufinefs as Colonel and Commander, with promifcs of being thoroughly fupported. By this plan it was agreed, that the Britifh forces at Detroit, and the forts in its vicinity, with thofe that were flationed in others of thole diftant fcttlc- mcnts, fliould each furniih as many men as could poffibly be fpared. With thefe, which would alio- gether form a confiderable body, the Colonel was to proceed as early the next fpring as practicable, to Fitlburgh, w^herc he was to eiUblilbJiis head quar- Dd a tors. : 1 420 HISTORY OF T H K ters, till the difaffedlcd pa'-ty rlu-rewas entirely fu|>- preffed, and the friends of government colletTtcd to a fufficient number to form them into regiments. From Pitiburgh he was to crofs the Allegany Moun- tains, and penetrate into Virginia. Here, after leaving fort Cumberland ftrongly garrifoncd, he was to fall down the river Potomack, and feize upon Alexandria, where it was concerted that Lord Dun- more Ihould meet him with the fleet under his com- mand, and all tne force he could gather. Alexan- dria was then to be ftrongly fortified, and made a place of arms, and the centre of their operations. By thefe means the frif^nds of government would be able to declare themfelves without reftraint, and to form a general jundlion with facility ; and what was of more importance than all the rell:, the com- munication between the northern and fouthern Co- lonies would be cffedtnally cut off. Such was the vail", and comprehenfive plan pro- je(f^ed by Mr. Con-lly» He had made a confider- able progrci's on his journey towards Detroit ; and was now on the back frontiers of Marjland, and had fcemingly cfcaped the principal dangers, when he .as unluckily diicovercd by one of thde unex- pected accidents that lb often bafHe the bed concert- ed dcfigns, A tradefman with whom he was acquainted and had dealt, met him on the road, and diredtly gave information to the nearell committee : he was im- mediately feizcd upon fufpicion, and his papers dif- covcred the whole dcfign. They were communi- cated to the Cangrefs, and the Colonel was thrown into prifon. In this manner was fruflratcd a fcheuie eq\ially bold and judiciouily arranged, artd wliich wasnow almoO- on the point of execution. It is not impro- bable that had he not been thus arrcftcd in the mid- dle LATE WAR. 42t die of his career, Colonel Conelly, from the acute* ncfs and activity of his character, would have con- dudcd the operations with which he was entiufted, with equal ikiil and expedition ; and would have proved one of the mott dangerous enemies whom the Congtefs would have had to encounter. In the mean time, the retreat of Lord Dunmore from Norfcilk, left that place entirely at he mercy of the Provincials. The loyalilts had been rather fevere upon their adverfaries during their poUVirion of thofe parts : this feverity was now retoited upon them ; and all thofc who had remained on Ihorc ex- perienced much ill treatment, and many mortniea- tions. The condition of thofe who had fled for fhelter on board the Ihipplng was not Icfs diftref^ful ; as they were cut off from all communication alhore, they were dcftitutc of means to p^oviile thcmfelves with neceliaries, and were redured lo the moft dreadful extremities. In fuch a lituation, the calls of nature rendered them dcfperate, and they ne- gle«^ed no opportunity of venturing lo land in every place where they expected to find provifions. This occafioned perpetual fkirmiflies between them and the Provincial troops that lay in wait to intercept them. During thefe tranfad:ions,a man of war of fome force arrived in Norfolk harbour. It was now refolved to infift upon their permitting the fleet to be furnilhed with neceiraries,and that they ihould defill from an- noying thelhipping with their mufkctry, which only tended to the deitroying of men without neceffity, and could hardly be viewed in any light but that of abfolutc murder. The fa •J7. CHAP. XVI. ^ranfiitllons in }\orth and South Carolina, and In ••'' • •• ' • ' -' Majj'dchufet, , ' ' ' ;; . t i J775* WHILE Virginia was fiiffcring in this crncl manner from intcftinediirentions, its neigh- bours, the Carolinas, were much in the fame dif- tradled flatc. In North Carolina, Governor Mar- tin, a gentleman of great vigour and activity, was involved in perpetual contells with the various com- mittees and aflbciations it had formed, and elpe- cially with the Provincial Congrefs. He wasaccu- fed of having, like Lord Dunniore, endeavoured to excite a rebellion among the negroes; and upon that, and other charges, he was declared a public enemy to the Colonies, and to that particularly of which, as Governor, he ought to have had the in- tereft moft at heart ; and all perfons were, in con- fequence, interdicted from any communication with him. He replied to this declaration by a bold and fpi- rited proclamation ; wherein he cleared himfclf of malevolence to the Province, and jullified his con- dud: by a variety of reafons : animadverting at the fame time with the utmoft freedom and pointedncfs, upon all their proceedings, and reprobating them as inimical to pence, and repugnant to the duty and obedience which they owed to Great Britain, and tending manifeflly to breed ill blood, and kindle fed ition and rebellion. The wrath and refcntment of the Provincial Con- grefs was provoked to fuch a pitch by this procla- mation, that they voted it a libel of the molt inju- ' 1. ^ J : . rious LATE WAR. 425 tibus and defamatory naiure ; loaded it wlrlv every opprobrious epithet they could dcvlfc, and ordered it to be publicly burned by the common execu- tioner. Notwithftanding the violence and enmity of the Congrefs, the Governor entertained a full expecta- tion of being able to defeat their dcligns. He ftrong- •ly relied on the lo\ alty of thofe who were fettled in the interior parts of the Pr^^vincC; and fuch as had lately emigrated from Sec land, who were chiefly Highlanders, a brave and hardy race of men. — With thefe he doubted not to form a numerous bo- dy of firm and determined adherents, to whom the Congrefs would not find it in their power to oppofe an equal force. While arrangements were forming to brmg them together, he though it prudent, for his own per- gonal fecurity, to fortifv Ills refuh iice at Nowbern, in order to prevent a lurprize from people, whofe inveteracy he was apprchcniive might prompt them to offer him fome infult. His intention was to re- •plenifh it with warlike Itores, and to (Ircngtjien it lb well, as to fet all attempts againlt him at defi- ance. He had partly executed his defign, when, on the moving in of fome guns, a fufpicion of it arofe, followed immc'diately by an infurrc(:ition, which appeared fo dangerous, that he found it moll advifable inftantly to withdraw, and IhcUer himfclf on board an armed vefTel. The populace rufhed into his houfe in fcarch of what they fufpedted, and difcovercd accordingly gunpowder and ball, with other military ftorcs, •concealed under-ground, in the garden. This con- firmed the furmifes that had been fprcad concern- ing his hoftile intentions, and he was now regarded as a man with whom it was no longer ncccllary, of proper, to keep any ipeafurcs. * - 2 . In 'H J^26 HISTORY or T 11 e In |hc mean time, fimilar methods of proceeding; were aciopted throughout this Province as ui the other Colonics. An upper council, and committees of lafety, were nominated, and every other reguhi- tion made that was judged requilite for good order and government. They provided in the fame man- ner for the public defence, by calling out the mi- litia, and raifing additional forces. They adted, in Ihort, with the fame fpirit and determination as their neighbours. They framed a public addrefs to all the fubjedits of the Britilh empire, in the fame Itile as thofe that have already been mentioned, de- claring their readincfs to be reconciled upon conili- tutloual terms, and their rcfoUition to admit of no other. In South Carolina the like diflurbances prevailedk^ The people charged their Governor, Lord William Campbell, who had oppofed their proceedings with great fpirit and perfeverance, with having treated with the Indians for their alliftance againit themy and induced the inhabitants of the back-fettlements to attack their countrymen. The commotions raifed upon this occafion were fo violent, that he was compelled to retreat on board a man of war. After his departure, they took the government into their own hands ; and, in order to obviate any danger that might arife from the negotiations that had been carried on with the back fettlers, they de- puted Mr. Drayton to confer with them, a gentle- man, famous for his oppofition to the Britilh govern- ment, and at that time the moft popula:r man in the Province^ He proceeded to that part of the coun- try at the head of a confiderable body of men. An agreement was ;iccordingly entered into between ,both parties ; In which all differences were fettled to their mutual fatisfadion ; the back-fettlers bind- ing themfelves to a jKaceable demeanoiir, and in no' fiiapc to oppofethe meafures t]^t Ibould be adopted by ¥■ r, A T E W A R. 427 by the Provincial meeting, nor to aribrd nny alliit- anco to the Britilh military. In other refpei^ts they were left at freedom to adt as thev deemed it molt expedient tor their own welfare, '''ney were to be permitted to remain perfcdiy neutral in the prefent (quarrel between Great Britain and the Colonies, and were by no means to be fubjed: to any detriment lor refilling to efpoufe their caiile. Having delivered thcmfelvcs from all apprehcn- fions on tliat (piarter, their next bufinefs was to fet- tle a form of government. They appointed a coun- cil of fafety to confift of thirteen members, who were to be aflliled in cafes of difficulty and impor- tance, by a committee of one hundred. Hearing, at the fame time, that preparations were making in England, which were particularly levelled at this Colony, they ncgle(fted no means to put it in a j)of- ture of defence, by raifing forces, diligently train- ing them, and efpecially by fortifying Charles Town in the ftrongeft manner they were able. During thefe tranlaaration of the feveral ingre- dients of which this manufad:ure is compofed; but time only could brini^' this refourcc to that Hate of abund;ince uhich was at prefcnt lb much needed. Mean while their chief Uipplics were from abroad ; but they came in very llowly, and amidit a multi- tude of obftacles. I'he communica'-ion with thofe European countries from whence it was to be had, was intercepted, and the navigation of their own iliipping was lb diligently traced, and fo clofely watched, that the importation of this indifpenliblo nccellary, was attended with every kindof difficuliy and dilcouragement. As a proof to what extremities they were reduced from the fcantinefs of gun})owder, fome of their own officers, it has been faid, acknowledged, that while they lay before Bollon, they were at one time fo fhort, that had they been attacked, they mult immediately have fled, and difembodied themklves. At Bunker's Hill and Lexington, manv had ex- pended their whole (lock betore the bufinefs was over, To remedy fo effential a deficiency, no efTorts were fparecj, ai)d no exiKdicnts left untried. The fwifroll" failing; 430 II I S T b ft Y OF THE failing veflcls were difpatchcd to the coaft oT Guinc:?, in Alrica, where they purchafed all the powder that was to be fold among the European Ihipping that was trading along the ihorcs of that extenfive country : they bought it under pretence of making up their own aUbrtmenrs of articles for the trade of that country ; and they went away unfufpeded. Another fupply was brought from the ifland oF Ber- muda, where the crew of a vcflel, fent for that pur- pofe, landed in the night, and plundered thcmagii- zinc, that lav at fome dilV^ncc from the town, ot all the powder it contained. In defa'dlt of adion between the regulars and the Provincinib at Borton, a predatory war was now car- ried on ^long the coall of New England, which re- fembled; in fome meafure, that which the people of Virginia were experiencing upon their own Ihores, and arofe alfo from fimilar motives, the neceflity of procuriiig frefh provifions. As the inhabitants were no lefs refradtoiy and violent in their condud, and exercifed all the refiftance they were able, the confcfjuence was, that they vvere treated occafion- ally with equal feverity. Among other places that fuffered in the courfe of thefe holtilities, was the town of Falmouth, fituated in Cafco Bay, in the Province of Main, which is the name given to the northern parts of MaiTa- chufet, from which it is divided by the Colony of New Hampfliire. It was a commercial thriving place, confifling of about five hundred houies. Its harbour was particularly commodious for its proxi- mity ro thofc parts of the country, where ihip tim- ber was plenty ; and it was here the fliipping from England took in yearly a large quantity of malls, cfpecially for the navy. A veifel was lying here at this time for that very purpofe : a ditierence un- hajipily arofe about the loading of her, which oc- cafioned a violeiit dilturbancc. It proceeded to luch length J I % ^^ LATE WAR 43t length, that in refeiitmcnt for the peoples beha- viour, a refolution w;ii taken to dcllroy the town, which was cft'edred accordingly, after notice had been given to the inhabitants to remove with what effects they could carry off. The dt ftrudiion of Falmouth was grlevouily re-* fented by the Provincials. The Congrefs of Maffa- chufet, which was tht-n fitting at Watertovvn, de- termined immediately to take every poflible meafure for the protection of their coaft, and with that in- tent paired an att for granting letters of marque and reprifal, and ereifted Coi rts of Admiralty for the trial and adjudication of all Britifh prizes brought into their harbours. To qualify, in fome refpeft, fo daring a meafure, they declared at the fame time, that their lolc in- tention was to guard their fea coafts from violence and depredation, and to fecure the navigation of their own veflels ; to this end thoie iliipt; niacic up whenever Britain Ihould think proper. Ilie fealon for adlion was beginning to draw to- \vards an end ; the Americans would employ that Icifart'. in pondering upon the future, and reflecting on • he pall: ; the events of the prefent campaign had been rather favourable to them ; and the profpedtof the incrcafing enmity of Britain, from its vaft prepa- rations againll them, might, in all likelihood, drive |hem into meafures, which, if once adopted, would let reconciliation at a woeful dillance. They flill, however, difclaimed all ideas of thai tendency : they unanimoufly protefted that they took up arms with no other intent, than to main- tain rhcir rights, and to obtain a redrefs of griev- ances : they looked no further at prefent : a fepa- ration from the parent llate was an object foreign to their wilhes ; but if the difpute ftill lafted, who could tell how it would terminate ? If bloodfhed con- tinued much longer, habitual enmity would oblite- rate all former friendihip, and become at lail fami- liar to their feelings. Such was the matter of the cpiflolary reprefen- tations that were continually arriving from Ame- rica; but whatever impreffion they might make upon thofe to whom they were addrelFcd, they pro*- duGed no efledt with thofe perfons whofe influence would have been ferviceable in promoting the ends for which they were written. In the inidftof thofe violent fcencs that were ad:- ing in America, remonftrances o{ this kind were not \nifrcquent even to the gentlemen of the army itfelf. The porfon who chiefly excited the attention of the public on this a::count, was General Lee, whole lei tters to Lord Percy and General Burgoyne, were originals in their kind, and fully exhibited the pcr culiar difpofitlon of that eel brated officer. While thefe conciliatory attempts were made on the 01.0 handj a curciunrtance that much contributr ■'i cd LATE W A Ri 453 ^d on the other to embitter and alienate the minds of both parties in America, was the acrimonious ftile of their public correfpondence. As the letters that palfed between them were often occafioned by erroneous reports, and miftated fa(fts, they were of courfe dictated fometimes by the keeneft anger and refentment, and produced the like emotions in thof& to whom they were directed. The rancour that always accompanies a civil war, rendered individuals on both fides extremely impati- ent at any deviation from the friendly treatment, to which, by habits of long intimacy, they were reciprocally accuftomed. Every proof of enmi- ty, however flight, ftill was heavily felt, as pro- ceeding from thofe who were once friends and Aflbciates. From motives of this kind, the par ties who complained of being aggrieved, were apt^ in the bitternefs of their impatience, and invete- racy, frequently to aggravate the caufes of their complaints i this of courfe inflamed the minds of thofe who were interefted in protedting them from ill ufage, and engaged them to efpoufe their defence with all the warmth of indignation* A remarkable inftance of this nature happened at Bofton, while invefted by the Provincial army, and produced thofe memorable letters between the re- fpedtive commanders, of which fo much notice was taken at the time, and which created fuch a divcr- lity of opinions concerning their merits and pro- priety. That with which General Wafliington clofcd his correfpondence with General Gage, was conceived in terms of peculiar fpiritednefs and energy, and drew a ftrong pi as already obferved, were not only the foremoft of any people in their fecret encouragement, and opert applaufe and vindication of the Americans, but loft no opportunity of exercifiug their natural vivacity, upon this fubjearrial men. No people that had ever been called forth to the field lb fuddenly, had, in fo fliort a fpacc of time^ Ttiadc a greater, if fo great a proficiency. The uncommon excellence of the Biitifh troops in jx)int of regularity and difciplincc, had been much infilled on. But proofs in abundance, borti from ancient and modern times, could be adduced, chat regular and difciplincd troops, as they were vauiitingly 4-r^ HISTORY OF THE vauntingly called, were not fo invincible as preju- dice and imbecility of ajiprchcnfion were fo ready to reprefent them. The Roman legions that fought and vantpiiflied Pyrrhus, were a bold and intrepid militia : yet he and Alexander were deemed by Hannibal, a competent judge, the greatclt of all commanders ; and his army was compofcd of Greeks, at that time the moll converfant of men in ta even by the greatclt generals. Thcfe two qualifi- cations were in i'onie meafure charadteriflical among the people of America, and would alone enable them towithltand the vigour and adtivity peculiar to the Britiili nation. Though they might not be able td concjuer them in the field, they Ihould v.'eary them out by perfeverance, and by improving thofe oj)- portunities which it was reafonable to fuppofc that fortune would Ibmctimcs throw in their way. Such were the rcalonings and arguments cmplovcd to nourifh and ilrt-ngihcn the fpirit of oppofitiun and rcfifiancc in America, Without inqiiiriiig how far rhev were appofite and welj-founded, thcv pro- tfiiced the efletts j)ioi)orc(i, and prepared the mind ^ and cxpccV.itionj? of men for ilic events that were id foiio'.v. fcSP OF VOL, U