consisting of cultivated lands, buildings, negroes, and stock of all kinds, did not amount to less than sixty millions sterling. Their exports of late years to Great Britain had run to about 190,000 hogsheads and puncheons of sugar and rum annually; amounting in

weight to 95,000 tons, and in value about four millions; besides a great number of smaller articles, as well as their immense export to North America. So rapid was the improvement of these islands, that within a few years, their export of sugar to Britain had been increased by 40,000 hogsheads annually, amounting to near £800,000 in value; and it seemed probable, that no less than thirty millions of West India property belonged to people in Britain; and that the revenue gained above £700,000 annually upon the West India trade, exclusive of its eventual and circuitous products, and of the African trade. It was also fully shown, that this immense capital and trade, as well as the African, neither of which could subsist without the other, were, both from nature and circumstance, totally dependent on North America.

This petition, as well as another from Waterford in Ireland, produced no good consequences. The ministerial plan was unalterably determined. Conciliatory motions were proposed by Mr. Burke and Mr. Hartley; but, whatever ingenuity might be displayed in the devising and framing these notions, very little regard was paid to them by administration. The only thing remarkable was the immense value o North America to Britain, as appeared from Mr. Burke's comparative view of the trade of Britain at different periods. From thence it was shown, that in 1704, the exports to North America, the West Indies, and Africa, amounted only to £569,930. That in the year 1772, at an average of several years before and after the exports to the same places, including those from Scotland, (which, in the year 1704, had no existence) amounted to no less than £6,024,171, being in the proportion of nearly eleven to one. He also showed, that the whole export trade of England, including that of the colonies, amounted, at the first period of 1704, only to £6,509,000. Thus, the trade to the colonies alone was, at the latter period, within less than half a million of being equal to what Britain carried on at the beginning of the present century with the whole world. And, stating the whole export trade of Britain at present at sixteen millions, that to the colonies, which in the first period constituted but one twelfth of the whole, was now very considerably more than one third.

However astonishing this general increase of the whole colonies may appear, the growth of the province of Pennsylvania was still more extraordinary. In the year 1704, the whole exports to that colony amounted only to £11,459, and in 1772 they were risen to £507,509, being nearly fifty times the original demand, and almost equal to the whole colony export at the first period.

Towards the close of the session a memorial was presented to the house of commons, and another to the house of peers, from the assembly of New York, and both were rejected, upon the principle that they claimed to themselves rights derogatory to, and inconsistent with, the legislative authority of parliament. Memorials from the British inhabitants of Quebec, presented by Lord Camden, and another from the inhabitants of Quebec at large, were likewise rejected. The only remarkable circumstances attending these, were the two royal brothers voting in the minority, and the animated speech of Lord Effingham, in the upper house, in favour of the claims of America, when he declared his resignation of the military command he held.

The session concluded with the passing the money bills in the usual form. The speaker, in his address to the king, stated the heaviness of the grants, which, however, had been readily complied with, on account of the particular exigence of the times; at the same time assuring his majesty, that should the Americans persist in their resolutions, and thus render if necessary to draw the sword, the commons would do every thing in their power to support the dignity of the British legis. lature.

Doctor Franklin laboured hard to prevent the breach from becoming irreparable, and in union with Dr. Fothergill and Mr. David Barclay, two English gentlemen, highly esteemed by the British ministry, candidly stated the outlines of a compact which he supposed would procure a durable union of the two countries; but his well meant endeavours proved abortive, and in the mean time he was abused as the fomenter of those disturbances which he was anxiously endeavouring to prevent. That the ministry might have some opening to proceed upon, and some salvo for their personal honour, he was disposed to engage, that pecuniary compensation should be made for the tea destroyed; but he would not give up essential liberty, for the purpose of procuring temporary safety. Dr. Franklin finding the ministry bent on war, unless the colonists would consent to hold their rights, liberties and charters at the discretion of a British par

liament, and well knowing that his countrymen woud hazard every thing, rather than consent to terms so degrading, as well as so inconsistent with the spirit of the British constitution, he quitted Great Britain in Marca 1775, and returned to Philadelphia; where he joined his countrymen, and exerted his great abilities in conduct ing them through a war which was now unavoidable.

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CHAP. VI.

Stores and ordnance seized by the people of Rhode-Island and New-Hampshire-Faint exertions of the loyalists quashed by the sons of liberty-The regulars are frustrated in their attempt to seize some field pieces at Salem-Skirmish at Lexington-General Gage receives the arms of the inhabitants— Fails in his agreement-Boston invested by a provincial army-Public fast- Ticonderoga and Crown Point takenCongress meet-Direct the people of Massachusetts to form a new government-Proclamation by General GageBattle at Bunker's Hill-Paper currency established-Dis tress of the garrison in Boston-Articles of union between the colonies-Declaration on taking up arms-Proceedings of Congress-Speech to the Indians-Addresses-Second petition to the king-Georgia accedes to the confederacyGeneral Washington joins the continental army-Rich prizes taken, containing immense supplies designed for Boston -Falmouth burnt-Hostilities in New-York and Georgia -Resolutions of the Rhode-Island assembly.

WHILST the rulers of Britain were thus pluming themselves ou their own wisdom and prudence in conducting the affairs of the empire, the Americans were preparing for a determined resistance. The southern colonies began to take up arms as well as the northern ; and, as soon as news came of a proclamation having been issued in Britain to prevent the exportation of arms and ammunition to the colonies, every method was taken to supply that defect. The people of Rhode-Island however, bolder than the rest, or not having equal resources, seized upon the ordnance belonging to the crown, amounting to about forty pieces of cannon of different sizes; whilst the assembly passed resolutions for the procuring of arms and military stores by every means, and from every quarter in which they could be obtained, as well as for training and disciplining the inhabitants. Their example was followed by the people of New Hampshire, who, with the same view, surprized a small fort, called William and Mary, from whence

they were supplied with as much powder and ammunition as enabled them to put themselves in a posture of defence.

Dec. 14.

The determination of the colonies was confirmed by the news of the king's speech, and the address in answer to it. The assembly of Pennsylvania unanimously approved and ratified the acts of Congress; and the assembly of Maryland appointed a sum of money for the purchase of arms and ammunition. A provincial congress, held at 1775. Philadelphia in the end of January, recommended the encouragement of the most necessary manufactures; particularly salt, saltpetre, gunpowder, and steel; and at the same time declaring their resolution to resist, in case the petition of Congress to the king should prove ineffectual. Powder mills were erected in Pennsylvania and Virginia, and encouragement was given for the fabrication of arms throughout the whole continent. The only exception to this general voice, was the assembly of New-York, in which, January 10, 1775, it was carried by a very small majority not to accede to the resolutions of Congress; and at this meeting they drew up, with the consent of their lieutenant governor, the paper which, as we have already seen, the parliament refused to hear read.

The recess of the provincial congress of Massachusetts Bay, in the beginning of November 1774, had afforded an opportunity to the friends of government, or loyalists, as they now began to be called, to try their strength in various places. Associations for mutual defence were accordingly formed, and resolutions taken to oppose the provincial congress; but the associators were every where overwhelmed with prodigious majorities, and their attempts had no other effect than to mislead the governor, and through him the people of Great Britain, with regard to the general disposition of the people.

Doctor Gordon observes, that assemblies, conventions, congresses, towns, cities, private clubs and circles, were seemingly animated by one great, wise, active and noble spirit; one masterly soul, enlivening one vigorous body. All their acts tended to the same point, the supporting of the measures of the continental congress. But there were great numbers in every colony, who disapproved of these measures; a few, comparatively, from principle and a persuasion that the same were wrong, and that they ought to submit to the mother country; some through attachment to the late governmental authority exercised among them; many from self interest; but the bulk, for fear of the mischievous

consequences likely to follow. The professing friends of liberty, acted in a spirited manner, whilst the others lay still. Such as discovered a disposition to oppose popular measures were not supported; they therefore declined making further efforts, and absented themselves from town and other meetings. The popular cry being against them, they sought personal peace and safety in remaining quiet. But could the truth have been ascertained, it would probably have been found, that in most of the town and other meetings, even in New-Enland, far more than half the parties having a right to attend, from various causes were absent; and that there were a great many among the absentees, who were such, because they knew that matters would be carried at such meetings contrary to their own sentiments.

The truth of these latter remarks of our author, in their full extent, appear rather problematical; but those readers who were in the scene of action are the best judges.

As the disturbances had originated in the province of Massachusetts Bay, and there continued all along with the greatest violence, so this was the province where the first hostilities were formally commenced In the beginning of February the provincial congress. met at Cambridge, and elected John Hancock, Esq. their president: and as no friends to Britain could now find admittance to that assembly, the only consideration was how to make proper preparations for war. Expertness in military discipline was recommended in the strongest manner, and several military institutions enacted; among which that of the Minute-men was one of the most remarkable. These were chosen from the most active and expert among the militia; and their business was to keep themselves in constant readiness at the call of their officers; from which perpetual vigilance they derived their title.-It was now easily seen that a slight occasion would bring on hostilities, which could not but be attended with the most violent and certain destruction to the vanquished party; for both were so much exasperated by a long course of reproaches and literary warfare, that they seemed to be filled with the utmost inveteracy against each other.

On the 26th of February General Gage, having been informed that a number of field pieces had been brought to Salem, dispatched a party to seize them. Their road was obstructed by a river, over which was a drawbridge. This the people had pulled up, and refused to let down upon which the soldiers seized a boat to ferry them over; but the people cut out her bottom. Hos