a disposition favourable to a repeal of this obnoxious bill.

After much debating, and two protests in the house of lords, and passing an act "For securing the dependence of America on Great Britain," the repeal of the stamp act was finally carried: and on the 19th of March, 1766, the king went to the house of peers and passed the bill, to the universal joy of the Americans, and indeed to the great satisfaction of the British, whose manufactures began to suffer very seriously in consequence of the American association against

them.

The opposers of the repeal had contended for the declaratory bill, as essentially necessary. It declares, "That the parliament had, and of right ought to have, power to bind the colonies, in all cases whatsoever," and the friends of that measure acquiesced in it, to strengthen their party, and make sure of their object. "Many of both sides thought, that the dignity of Great Britain required something of the kind to counterbalance the loss of authority, that might result from her yielding to the clamours of the colonists." This much

diminished the joy, great as it was, with which the news of the repeal of the stamp act was received in America. It was considered as a proper reason to enforce any claims equally prejudicial with the stamp act, which might hereafter be set up; a spirit of jealousy pervaded the whole continent, and a strong party was formed, watchful on every occasion to guard against the supposed encroachments of the British power.

It was not long before an occasion offered, in which the Americans manifested a spirit of resistance to the omnipotency of parliament; and that instead of being bound by the British legislature in all cases, they would not be controlled by it in the most trivial affairs. The Rockingham ministry had passed an act, providing the troops stationed in different parts of the colonies with such accommodations as were necessary for them. The assembly of New York, however, took upon them to alter the mode of execution prescribed by the act of parliament, and to substitute one of their own, This gave very great offence to the new ministry, and render ed them, though composed of those who had been active against the stamp bill, less favourable to the colonies, than in all probability they would have otherwise been. An unlucky circumstance at the same time oecurred, which threw every thing once more into confusion. One of the new ministry, Mr. Charles 1767. Townshend, having declared that he could find a way of taxing the Americans without giving

them offence, was called upon to propose his plan. This was by imposing a duty on tea, paper, painters' colours, and glass, imported into America. The conduct of the New York assembly, respecting the troops, and that of Boston, which had proceeded in a similar manner, caused this bill to meet with less opposition than otherwise it might have done. As a punishment to the refractory assemblies, the legislative power was taken from that of New York, until it should fully comply with the terms of the act. Nothing could be more grating to the sons of liberty in every province. They saw now that their own colonial, parliaments, as they considered them, were to be bound to what the British ministry might deem their good behaviour, by acts of a British parliament. The assembly of Boston at last submitted with reluctance. The bill for the new taxes was quickly passed, and sent to America, in 1768. A ferment much greater than that occasioned by the stamp act now took place throughout the continent. The populace renewed their outrages, and those of superior station entered into regular combinations against it. Circular letters were sent from Massachu1768, setts colony to all the rest, setting forth the inFeb. 11. justice and impropriety of the behavior of the British legislature. Meetings were held in all the principal towns. In which it was proposed to lessen the consumption of foreign manufactures, by giving proper encouragement to their own. Continual disputes ensued betwixt the governors and general assemblies of their provinces, which were much heightened by a letter from lord Shelburne, to governor Bernard, of Massachusetts Bay,containing complaints of the people he governed. The assembly, exasperated to the highest degree, charged their governor with having misrepresented them to the court of Britain; re

quired him to produce copies of the letter he 1768. had sent; and, on his refusal, wrote letters to the British ministry, accusing him of misrepre sentation and partiality; complaining at the same time, most grievously, of the proceedings of parliament, as utterly subversive of the liberties of America, and the rights of British subjects.

March 4.

The governor, at a loss how to defend himself, prorogued the assembly: and, in his speech on the occasion, gave a loose to his resentment, accusing the members of ambitious designs,incompatible with those of dutiful and loyal subjects. To counteract the circular letter of the April 22. province of Massachusetts Bay, lord Hillsborough, secretary to the American depart

ment, sent another to the governors of the different colonies, reprobating the other as full of misrepresentation, and tending to excite a rebellion against the authority of the parent state.

Matters now hastened to a crisis. The governor had been ordered to proceed with vigour, and by no means to show any disposition to yield to the people as formerly. In particular they were required to rescind that resolution by which they had written the circular letter above mentioned; and in case of a refusal, it was told them that they would be dissolved. As this letter had been framed by the resolutions of a former house, they desired, after a week's consultation, that a recess might be granted to consult with their constituents; but this being refused, they came to a determination, 92 against 17, to adhere to the resolution which pro duced the circular letter. At the same time a letter was sent to lord Hillsborough, and a message to the governor, in justification of their proceedings. In both they expressed themselves with such freedom as was by no means calculated to accord with the sentiments of those in power. They insisted that they had a right to communicate their sentiments to their fellow subjects upon matters of such importance complained of the requisition to rescind the circular letter as unconstitu tional and unjust; and particularly insisted, that they were represented as harbouring seditious designs, when they were doing nothing but what was lawful and right. At the same time they condemned the late acts of parliament as highly oppressive, and subversive of liberty. The whole was concluded by a list of accusations against their governor, representing him, as unfit to continue in his station, and petitioning the king for his removal from it.

These proceedings were followed by a vioJune 10. lent tumult at Boston. A vessel belonging to

John Hancock, esq. a capital trader, had been seized in consequence of his having neglected some of the new regulations; and being taken under the protection of a man of war, at that time lying in the harbour, the populace attacked the houses of the commissioners of excise, broke their windows, destroyed the collector's boats, and obliged the custom house officers to take refuge in Castle William, situated at the entrance of the harbour.

The governor now took the last step in his power to put a stop to the violent proceedings of the assembly, by dissolving it entirely; but this was of little moment. Their behavior had been highly approved by the other colonies, who had written letters to them expressive of

their approbation. After the dissolution of the assem bly, frequent meetings of the people were held in Boston, which ended in a remonstrance to the governor, to the same purpose as some of the former; but concluded with a request, that he would take upon him to order the king's ships out of the harbor.

Whilst the disposition of the Bostonians was thus going on from bad to worse, news arrived that the agent for the colony had not been allowed to deliver their petition to the king; it having been objected, that the assembly, without the governor, was not sufficient authority. This did not contribute to allay the ferment; and it was farther augmented by the news that a number of troops had been ordered to repair to Boston, to keep the inhabitants in awe.

A dreadful alarm now took place. The people called on the governor to convene a general assembly, in order to remove their fears of the military; who, they said, were to be assembled to overthrow their liberties, and force obedience to laws to which they were entirely averse. The governor replied, it was no longer in his power to call an assembly; having, in his last instructions from England, been required to wait the king's orders,

the matter being then under consideration at Sept. 12. home. Being thus refused, the people took upon themselves the formation of an assembly, which they called a convention. The proceedings and resolutions of this body naturally partook of the temper and disposition of the late assembly; but they went a step farther, and having voted "that there is apprehension in the minds of many of an approaching rupture with France," requested the inhabitants to put themselves in a posture of defence against any sudden

attack of an enemy; and circular letters were Sept. 14. directed to all the towns in the province, ac quainting them with the resolutions that had been taken in the capital, exhorting them to proceed in the same manner. The town of Hatfield alone, out of ninety seven in the province, refused its concurrence. The convention, however, thought proper to assure the governor of their pacific intentions, and renewed their request that an assembly might be called but being refused any audience, and threat Sept. 29. ened with being treated as rebels, they at last thought proper to dissolve of themselves, and sent over to Britain a circumstantial account of their proceedings, with the reason of their having assembled in the manner already mentioned.

The expected troops arrived on the very day on which the convention broke up, and had some houses

in the town fitted up for their reception. Their arrival had a considerable influence on the people, and for some time seemed to put a stop to the disturbances; but the seeds of discord had now taken such deep root, that it was impossible to quench the flame. The late outrageous behavior in Boston had given the greatest offence in England; and, notwithstanding all the efforts of opposition, an address from both houses of parliament was presented to the king; in which the behavior of the colony of Massachusetts Bay was set forth in the most ample manner, and the most vigorous measures recommended for reducing them to obedience. The Americans, however, continued sted fast in the ideas they had adopted. Though the troops had for some time quieted the, disturbances, yet the calm continued no longer than they appeared respectable on account of their number; but as soon as this was diminished by the departure of a large detachment, the remainder were treated with contempt, and it was even resolved to expel them altogether. The country people took up arms for this purpose, and were to have assisted their friends in Boston; but before the plot could be put in execution, an event happened which put an end to every idea of reconciliation betwixt the contending parties.

On the 5th of March 1770, a scuffle happen1770. ed between the soldiers and a party of the town's people. The inhabitants poured in from all quarters to the assistance of their fellow citizens; a violent tumult ensued, during which the military fired upon the mob, killing three and dangerously wounding five more. The whole province now rose in arms, and the soldiers were obliged to retire to Castle William, to remove any pretext for farther disturbances. It appeared on the trial, that the soldiers had been abused, insulted, threatened and pelted, before they fired. It was also proved that only seven muskets were fired by the eight prisoners. The captain and six of the men were acquitted, and two were found guilty of man. slaughter. "The result of the trial reflected great honor on John Adams and Josiah Quincy, the counsel for the prisoners; and also on the integrity of the jury, who ventured to give an upright verdict, in defiance of popular opinions."

The consequences of this tragical event, sunk deep in the minds of the people, and were made subservient to important purposes: "The anniversary of it was observed with great solemnity for thirteen years. Eloquent orators were successively employed to deliver an annual oration to preserve the remembrance of it fresh