1775. might have been attended with great incon- CHAP. V. venience; nor indeed were they prepared to precipitate a conflict, the confequences and the termination of which no human calculation could reach. This manœuvre also difcovered that the people of the country were not deficient in point of courage, but that they stood charged for a refiftance, that might fmite the fceptred hand, whenever it should be ftretched forth to arreft by force the inheritance purchased by the blood of ancestors, whofe felf-denying virtues had rivalled the admired heroes of antiquity. ΨΟΣ. 1. CHAPTER VI. Parliamentary Divifions on American Affairs-curfory Observations and Events.-Measures for raising an Army of Obfervation by the four New England Governments of New Hampshire, Maffachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Battle of Lexington.-Sketches of the Conduct and Characters of the Governors of the fouthern Provinces.-Ticonderoga taken.-Arrival of Reinforcements from England.-Profcription and Characters of Samuel Adams and John Hancock, Efquires.-Battle of Bunker-Hill.-Death and Character of General Jofeph Warren.-Maffachusetts adopt a ftable Form of Govern ment. CHAP. VI. 1775. WE have seen several years pafs off in doubtful anxiety, in repreffion and repulfion, while many yet indulged the pleasing hope, that some able genius might arife, that would devise meafures to heal the breach, to revive the languishing commerce of both countries, and restore the bleffings of peace, by removing the causes of complaint. But these hopes evanished, and all expectations of that kind were foon cut off, by the determined fyftem of coercion in Britain, and the actual commencement of war in America. The earliest accounts from England, after the beginning of the year one thousand seven hundred and feventy-five, announced the ferments of the British nation, principally on account of American measures, the perfeverance of the ministry, and the obftinacy of the king, in fupport of the fyftem ;-the fudden diffolution of one parliament, and the immediate election of another, compofed of the fame members, or men of the fame principles as the former. Administration had triumphed through the late parliament over reason, justice, the humanity of individuals, and the intereft of the nation. Notwithstanding the noble and fpirited oppofition of feveral distinguished characters in both houses, it foon appeared that the influence of the miniftry over the old parliament was not depreciated, or that more lenient principles pervaded the councils of the new one. Nor did more judicious and favorable decisions lead to the profpect of an equitable adjustment of a difpute that had interested the feelings of the whole empire, and excited the attention of neighboring nations, not as an object of curi ofity, but with views and expectations that might give a new face to the political and commercial fystems of a confiderable part of the European world, The petition of the continental congrefs to the king, their addrefs to the people of England, with general Gage's letters, and all papers relative to America, were introduced early in the feffion of the new parliament. Warm debates enfued, and the caufe of the colonies was advocated with ability and energy by the CHAP. VI. 1775. CHAP. VI. 1775. most admired orators among the commons, and by feveral very illuftrious names in the house of lords. They defcanted largely on the injustice and impolicy of the present sys tem, and the impracticability of its execution. They urged that the immediate repeal of the revenue acts, the recal of the troops, and the opening the port of Bofton, were neceffary, preliminary steps to any hope of reconciliation; and that these measures only would preserve the empire from confequences that would be fatal to her interefts, as well as difgraceful to her councils. But, pre-determined in the cabinet, a large majority in parliament appeared in favor of ftrong measures. The ministerial party infifted that coercion only could enfure obedience, reftore tranquillity to the colonies, repair the infulted dignity, and re-establish the fupremacy of parliament. An act was immediately paffed, prohibiting New Hampshire, Maffachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut from carrying on the fishing business on the banks of Newfoundland. Bythis arbitrary ftep, thousands of miferable families were fuddenly cut off from all means of subsistence. But, as if determined the rigors of power should know no bounds, before parliament had time to cool, after the animofities occafioned by the bill juft mentioned, another* was introduced by the * Parliamentary proceedings in one thousand feven hundred and feventy-five. ' 1775. minifter, whereby the trade of the fouthern CHAP. VI. colonies was reftrained, and in future confined entirely to Great Britain. The minority ftill perfevered in the most decided oppofition both against the former and the prefent modes of severity towards the colonies. Very fenfible and spirited protests were entered against the new bills, figned by some of the first nobility. A young nobleman of high rank and reputation predicted, that "measures commenced in 'iniquity, and purfued in refentment, muft "end in blood, and involve the nation in im"mediate civil war."* It was replied, that the colonies were already in a state of rebellion; that the fupremacy of parliament must not even be queftioned; and that compulsory measures must be pursued from absolute neceffity. Neither reason nor argument, humanity or policy, made the smallest impression on those determined to fupport all defpotic proceedings. Thus after much altercation, a majority of two hundred and eighty-two appeared in favor of augmenting the forces in America, both by fea and land, against only feventy in the house of commons, who opposed the measure. All ideas of courage or ability in the colonists to face the dragoons and refift the power of Britain, were treated with the greatest derifion, * Debates in parliament, one thousand feven hundred and seventy-five. |