troops from the merchants; but they returned for answer, "We will never supply any article for the benefit of men who are sent as enemies to our country."

The committees of safety and supplies proceeded to procure arms, ammunition, and provisions for the service, and formed depots at Concord, and Worcester, and sent into the neighbouring provinces to procure a further supply, together with all necessary camp utensils; and all wore the aspect of hurry and bustle, with the preparations for war.

In this critical state of affairs, a party of sailors landed from the American ships, and spiked all the cannon upon one of the town batteries, which excited some alarm, as well as resentment; but nothing serious.

The provincial congress had given such offence by their proceedings, to Gov. Gage, that he denounced them on the 10th of November, as rebels, and strictly prohibited the inhabitants, in the king's name, from complying with any of their orders, recommendations, or requisitions.

On the 23d of November, the provincial congress met, according to adjournment, and chose Samuel Adams, Esq. their president. The zeal of this man pushed the general preparation for resistance a little too fast for the delicate nerves of several members of the congress, and they obe tained leave of absence, on account of indisposition. When the malady became alarming, by its increase, the president expressed his pleasure that all members who became unwell, might return home, provided they would inform their towns that they were not represented in the congress; which checked the malady at once. This congress next proceeded to raise and equip 12,000 men, to act upon any sudden emergency; together with one fourth of the militia, to act as minutemen, and both were to choose their own officers, and be under pay from the time they were

actually detached, or enlisted. They also made a requisition upon New-Hampshire, Rhode-Island, and Connecticut, for eight thousand men, in addition, according to their several quotas, which would make up an army of 20,000 men, ready for actual service..

The next question to be determined was, when, and how to begin hostilities. This question was settled by a numerous committee, specially appointed by the last named colonies, in a conference with the provincial congress, and it was agreed, that whenever the British troops should march out in a hostile manner, with cannon, baggage, &c. that they should be opposed by force.

I shall pass over the circular letter sent by this congress into Canada, to negociate a friendly intercourse with that colony, and pursue the affairs of the colony of Massachusetts, and the other colonies.

The congress next proceeded to appoint Colonels Thomas and Heath, as additional generals, and dissolved their sittings, December 8th.

About this time the assembly of Pennsylvania met, and ratified the doings of the General Congress, and appointed members to attend the next congress, in May following.

About this time news came from England, that the king had prohibited by proclamation, the exportation of military stores, &c. from Britain; and the province of RhodeIsland seized on all the cannon mounted upon the batteries about the harbour, and their assembly ordered every effort to be made to procure arms, and military stores, from every quarter, possible, and that the militia should be regularly armed and trained.

These spirited movements in Rhode-Island, roused up the province of New-Hampshire to a more immediate sense of her duty, and she put forth all her exertions, and became uncommonly active in the cause of liberty. The sons of liberty at Portsmouth, rose in a body and beset his

majesty's castle; the commandant fired upon the populace with cannon, and musquetry; but the castle was instantly stormed and rifled, and the garrison were made prisoners. Fortunately no blood was spilt, and the fort was again delivered up to the garrison. Here was a field opened in the colonies, for the display of talents and characters which knew no bounds. Liberty and patriotism became the order of the day, and the ranks were filled in every colony with a class of men who did honour to themselves, to their country, and to the world. All the energies of individuals, as well as the acts of public bodies, served to shew that the colonies of America had become one great body, actuated by one soul, and that soul to be inspired by the spirit of liberty.

Such was the power of habit, arising from a long and steady obedience to the laws, in a well regulated state of society, that Massachusetts was in all respects, as free from every degree of licentiousness, now all courts of justice were suspended, and one great bustle of military preparation had usurped the place of the laws, as she ever had been in times of profound peace.

The firmness of the town of Boston, under all her sufferings, shed a lustre upon herself, and a glory upon her country, which gained her the universal applause of that day, and which will be transmitted down to the latest generation.

Ministers had paved the way for this crisis, by procuring a dissolution of Parliament at an early day; but as things ripened up for the contest, it became necessary to call a new Parliament to provide for the exigencies of the times, and the events of the day.

On the 30th of November, his majesty met his new Parliament, with a high toned speech, in which he informed them "that a most daring spirit of disobedience to the law still unhappily prevailed in Massachusetts, and had VOL. III.

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broke forth in fresh violences of a criminal nature; that these proceedings had been encouraged in other colonies, and unwarrantable attempts had been made to obstruct the commerce of the kingdom, by unlawful combinations; that such measures had been taken, and such orders given, as were judged most proper for carrying the laws into execution; and that they might depend upon a firm resolution to withstand every attempt to weaken the supreme authority of the legislature, over all the dominions of the crown, his majesty being assured of their support, while acting upon these principles."

This high toned speech of his majesty was supported by an overwhelming majority in both houses of Parliament, and ministers were fully determined to push to the utmost extremity the rod of coercion, with which they were now menacing America; and their sentiments were fully expressed in the following observations of Lord North to Mr. Quincey.

"We must try what we can do to support the authority we have claimed over America; if we are defective in power, we must sit down contented and make the best terms we can; no body then can blame us, after we have done our utmost; but till we have tried what we can do, we can never be satisfied in receding; we ought to, and shall be very careful not to judge a thing impossible, because it may be difficult; nay, we ought to try what we can effect, before we determine upon its impracticability."

This was not only the stile of the king, and his ministers, but the nation had joined the cry, in hopes of being relieved from that weight of oppressive taxation under which they groaned. But America had friends in Britain as well as enemies; friends who knew her strength, as well as worth; friends who wished to cultivate peace, not only for the

good of America, but for the best interest of Britain. At the head of these friends stood the illustrious Pitt, then Earl of Chatham.

Mr. Quincey, who attended in the House of Lords on the 20th of December, when the minister opened his budget upon the affairs of America, thus describes the great champion of America.

"Lord Chatham rose like Marcellus. Viros superiment omnes.' He seemed to feel himself superior to those around him. His language, voice, and gesture were more pathetic than I ever saw or heard before, at the bar, or in the senate. He seemed like an old Roman senator, rising with the dignity of age; yet speaking with the fire of youth.

"The illustrious sage stretched forth his hand, with the decent solemnity of a Paul, and rising with his subject, he smote his breast, with the energy, and grace of a Demosthenes. He opened with some general remarks, upon the importance and magnitude of the quarrel with America, (as he called it.) He enlarged upon the dangerous, and ruinous events, that were coming upon the nation, in consequence of the present dispute, and the measures already begun and now carrying on by his majesty's ministers. He arraigned their conduct with great severity and freedom. He then proceeded."

"My Lords, these papers now laid for the first time before your lordships, have been for five or six weeks in the pockets of the minister, and notwithstanding the fate of this kingdom hangs upon the event of this great controversy, we are but this moment called to a consideration of this important subject. My Lords, I do not want to look into one of those papers; I know their contents well enough already; I know there is not a member in this house but is acquainted with their purport also. There