those who favoured the ministry, durst not, have any thing to do with it.

Parliament, in the mean time, was exerting its omnipotence to subdue the 'daring spirit of resistance 'and disobedience,' which, the king said, still pre'vailed in Massachusetts.' Lord Chatham endeavoured to introduce some conciliatory measures; but he was overpowered by a majority of sixty-one to thirtytwo; and Lord North obtained two hundred and eighty-eight votes, in three hundred and ninety-four, for an address to his majesty, in which it was resolved, 'that a rebellion actually exists in Massachusetts Bay.' In the debate on this motion, the American character was treated with the greatest contempt; and General Grant said, in the sublimity of his scorn, that, with five regiments of infantry, he would undertake to drive the inhabitants from one end of the continent to the other. Military men are apt to imagine, that no force of inexperienced militia can stand before a few well-trained regular troops: but, if any should still think, that discipline and order are any thing, compared with a sense of injuries, or a love of country, let them go to the plains of Marathon, or the heights of Bunker's Hill.*

To cripple what he supposed to be the only refractory part of the colonies, Lord North next intro

* See Note (P).

E e

duced a bill to deprive New England of her fisheries. It was scarcely passed, when the American papers brought the intelligence, that the disaffection was not confined to the north; and the restraints were immediately extended, by a second bill, to East and West Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina, and the counties on the Delaware. New York and North Carolina were spared, because they still appeared to be loyal. The former refused to adopt the resolutions of congress; and the latter had taken no decisive part on either side. When North Carolina joined the common cause, we know not; but New York was soon after converted, by the rejection of a petition, which she had laid before the commons by the hands of Mr. Burke,—the only man, besides Lord Chathain, who decried the injustice, and exposed the impolicy, of parliament, in its measures relating to America.

The commons were ready for the adoption of any measure, which was hostile to America; but, when another bill, brought in by Lord North, proposed, that parliament should cease to tax that colony, which should tax itself, as much as parliament desired, the house was in an uproar of indignation. Lord North was brazen enough to avow, that his object was to divide America; and silly enough to imagine, that, after such an avowal, the Americans would be caught in the trap. The commons, however, would listen to

nothing, which had the appearance of conciliation; and it was not till after the bill was shown to be really an attack in the shape of a concession, that they could be made to adopt it. Copies were immediately despatched to all the colonies; and the event showed, that the measure had been taken with the most perfect safety.

The colonies no longer doubted, that an open rupture was inevitable; and, while they were electing delegates for the ensuing congress, they urged the militia and minute-men to perfect their discipline, and hold themselves in readiness. The crisis was now arrived. On the night of the 18th of April, 1775, Governor Gage despatched Major Pitcairn and Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, with eight or nine hundred men, to destroy a quantity of military stores, which had been collected at Concord. Great pains were taken to keep the expedition a secret; but some messengers, sent out by Dr. Warren, were enabled to spread the alarm; and, when the troops reached Lexington at five, on the morning of the 19th, they found about seventy militia paraded under arms. Major Pitcairn galloped to their front; and cried out, Re'bels, disperse! down with your arms, and disperse.' His own soldiers shouted and rushed on. Here and there a scattering fire first announced the catastrophe; and a general discharge soon broke the spell for ever.

The militia were routed, with eight men killed, and several wounded.

Before Lieutenant-Colonel Smith proceeded to Concord, he detached six companies of light infantry to occupy two bridges, which it would be necessary to secure. Some minute-men and militia, who had been cautioned not to give the first fire, attempted to pass them, as common travellers. The enemy (for we must, hereafter, use that name) fired, and killed two men. A skirmish ensued; and the regulars were worsted. The militia now poured in, from every quarter. The British, finding themselves attacked on all sides, commenced a retreat, and were driven back, by inches, into Lexington. Foreboding some such event, Governor Gage had despatched Lord Percy, in the morning, with sixteen companies of foot, a body of marines, and two pieces of artillery. They arrived in time to give the regulars a short respite; but they soon renewed the retreat; and the militia continued to hang on their rear and flanks, and to gall them from trees and stone-fences, until they arrived, about sunset, at Charlestown. The colonists had now taken their choice; and ratified it by the most sacred of all symbols. The very first 'drop of blood, which is shed in America,' said Chatham, 'will cause a wound, that never can be healed."

* See Note (Q).

CHAPTER VIII.

Birth and Early Life of Washington-Mission to the French, on the Frontiers-Appointment of Lieutenant-Colonel, in the Virginia Regiment-Defeat at Fort Necessity-Resignation Volunteers as Aid to General Braddock-Made Commander-in-chief of the Virginia Forces-Exertions for the Defence of the Frontiers-Abused by Governor Dinwiddie-Defamed by his Enemies-Expedition, under General Forbes, against Fort Du Quesne-Second Resignation, and Marriage.

WE have hitherto abstained from giving any notices of the chief actor in our revolution, because we supposed, the importance of his part would entitle him to a distinct chapter, in our early history. It is, even now, too general an opinion, that Washington had seen little military service, before the eruption of the colonial war; but, if, as it has been remarked, his subsequent life may be considered as the history of America, his life previous to that event may be called the history of Virginia. He underwent a severe apprenticeship to the trade of war, under its most horrible aspects; and, if we can extend the knowledge of the school, in which so glorious a character was