the tea reach Great-Britain, than the parliament resolved to punish that devoted town: accordingly an act was passed to "discontinue A. D. the landing and discharging, lading, and 1774. shipping of goods, wares, and merchandizes, at the town of Boston or within the harbour."

This act threw the inhabitants of Massachusetts into the greatest consternation. But fortunately for them it was not the only statute made at that time: but it was also enacted, that the town-meetings, sanctioned by charter, should be either discontinued, or subject to such restrictions as rendered them of no value; and that persons indicted for any capital offence committed in obstructing the powers of magistracy, might at the pleasure of the governor be sent to another colony, or even to Great-Britain, to take their trial for such offence.

Petitions against these bills, couched in strong and pointed language, were presented to parliament, as they were passing the two houses; and the lords of the minority entered a solemn protest against the passing them. On one of these occasions colonel Barré, who had ever been the advocate of liberty, concluded an admirable speech by saying, "You are offering the last of human outrages to the people of America, by subjecting them in effect to military execution: instead of sending them the olive branch, you have sent the naked sword. What madness is it that prompts you to attempt obtaining that by force, which may, with so much more facility and certainty, be procured by requisition? Retract your odious exertions of authority, and remember that the first step towards making them contribute to your wants is to reconcile them to your government."

The parliament did not stop here; but before

they completed the memorable session, they passed an act respecting the government of Quebec. The principal objects of the bill were, to ascertain the limits of the province, which were now made to extend southward to the Ohio, and westward to the banks of the Missisippi, and northward to the boundary of the Hudson's bay company; to establish a legislative council, the members of which were appointed by, and removeable at the pleasure of, the crown; to confirm French laws, and a trial without jury in civil cases: to secure to the Roman catholic clergy the legal enjoyment of their tithes from those who were not of their own religion. The revenue of the province was consigned to the support of an unlimited civil list, and the administration of justice; the judges holding their offices and salaries during pleasure.

Among the more southern colonies, it was ima gined that this bill was intended to conciliate the inhabitants of Canada, and make them fit instruments in the hands of government to reduce them to a state of slavery. But these measures did not intimidate the Americans: they rather served to confirm their former apprehensions of the evil designs of government, and to unite the colonies in their opposition. A correspondence of opinion with respect to the unconstitutional acts of parliament produced an uniformity of proceedings in the colonies. Most of them entered into spirited resolutions, on this occasion, to unite with Massachusetts in a decided opposition to the unconstitutional measures of the parliament. The 1st of June, the day on which the Boston port-bill was to take place, was appointed to be kept as a day of humiliation, fasting and prayer, throughout the colonies, to seek the Divine direction and

aid, in that critical and gloomy juncture of affairs. This act of devotion was considered by the people as an humble appeal to heaven for the justice of their cause, and designed to manifest their dependence on the Almighty for success in maintaining it against their hostile brethren. The prayers and discourses of the clergy, who were friends to their suffering country, and who had by their exemplary conduct secured the confidence of the people, had great influence in encouraging their hearers to engage in defence of their rights: and to them has been justly ascribed no inconsiderable share of the success and victory that crowned the American

arms.

The minds of the people being thus prepared, the friends of liberty of Massachusetts petitioned the governor to convene the assembly; which being refused, a general meeting of the inhabitants was called together. About eight thousand met, and passed several spirited resolutions, in which it was determined to assemble a continental congress. In this the people generally concurred; and deputies being appointed, the congress met on the 26th of October, 1774.

In this first session the proceedings were cool, deliberate, and loyal; but they were marked with unanimity and vigour. They first drew up a statement of their rights; then a petition to the king. They afterwards signed an association to suspend the importation of British goods, and the exportation of American produce, until their grievances should be redressed. They sent an address to the inhabitants of Great-Britain, and another to the people of America: in the former they enumerated the oppressions of parliament, and called upon their British brethren not to aid the ministry in en

slaving their American subjects: in the latter they endeavoured to confirm the people in a spirited and unanimous determination to defend their constitutional rights.

In the mean time, every thing in Massachusetts wore the appearance of opposition by force. A new council for the governor had been appointed by the crown; new judges were appointed, and attempted to proceed in the execution of their office. But the juries refused to be sworn in under them; and in some counties the people assembled to prevent the courts from entering upon business.

The day for the annual muster of the militia ap proached. General Gage, the governor, apprehen❤ sive of some violence, had the precaution to seize the magazines of ammunition, and stores at Cambridge and Charlestown, and lodged them in Boston. This measure, with the fortifying of that neck of land which joins Boston to the main land at Roxbury, caused an universal alarm and ferment. Several thousand people assembled, and it was with difficulty they could be restrained from falling upon the British troops.

A general assembly had been summoned to meet previously to this; and notwithstanding the writs had been countermanded by the governor's proclamation, on account of the violence of the times, and the resignation of several of the new counsellors, yet representatives were chosen by the people, who met at Salem, resolved themselves into a provincial congress, and adjourned to Concord, about twenty miles from Charlestown. On their meeting there, they chose Mr. Hancock president, and proceeded to business.

This congress addressed the governor with a rehearsal of their distresses, and took the necessary

steps for defending their rights. They regulated the militia, made provision for supplying the treasury and furnishing the people with arms; and such was their enthusiasm and union, that the recommendations of the provincial congress had the force of laws.

General Gage, governor of Massachusetts, was incensed at these measures: he declared in his answer to their address, that Britain could never harbour the black design of enslaving her subjects; and he published a proclamation in which he insinuated that such proceedings amounted to rebellion. He also ordered barracks to be erected for the soldiers, but found great difficulty in procuring labourers either in Boston or New-York.

The governor's proclamation was unavailing; the provincial congress appointed a committee to draw up a plan for the immediate defence of the province. It was resolved to enlist a number of the inhabitants, under the name of minute men, who were under obligation to turn out at a minute's warning. Priddle, Ward, and Pomeroy, were elected officers to command those minute men, and the militia, in case they should be called to action. A committee of safety, and one for sup plies, were appointed.

The same congress met again in November, and raised twelve thousand men, one-fourth of whom were minute men, and received immediate pay. They also sent to New-Hampshire, RhodeIsland, and Connecticut, to inform them of the steps taken, and to request their co-operation in making up an army of twenty thousand men. Committees of these several colonies met, and settled their plans. The period of commencing opposition to Gage's troops was determined to be