THE STAMP ACT REPEALED-REJOICINGS. 293 Burke, then a young man rising into notice, advocated the CHAP. repeal with great eloquence. XXV. The House of Commons wished to inquire still further 1766. of the temper of the Americans before taking the vote. They accordingly called witnesses to their bar, among whom was Benjamin Franklin. His knowledge was the most perfect, and his testimony had the greatest effect upon their minds. He said the colonists could not pay for the stamps for want of gold and silver; that they had borne more than their share of expense in the last war, and that they were laboring under debts contracted by it; that they would soon supply themselves with domestic manufactures; that they had been well disposed toward the mother country, but recent laws were lessening their affection, and soon all commerce would be broken up, unless those laws were repealed; and finally, that they never would submit to taxes imposed by those who had no authority. The vote was taken, and the Stamp Act was repealed; not because it was unjust, but because it could not be enforced. The people of the English commercial cities manifested their joy; bonfires were lighted, the ships displayed their gayest colors, and the city of London itself was illuminated. Expresses were sent to the seaports, that the news might reach America as soon as possible. The rejoicings in the colonies were equally as great. In Boston, the bell nearest to the Liberty Tree was the first to ring; soon gay flags and banners were flying from the shipping, from private dwellings, and from the steeples of the meeting-houses. Amidst the joy, the unfortunate were not forgotten, and those immured in the debtor's prison, were released by the contributions of their friends. The ministers, from their pulpits, offered thanksgiving in the name of the whole people, and the associations against importing merchandise from England were dissolved. New York, Virginia, and Maryland, each voted a statue to Pitt, who became more than ever a popular idol. Mar. 18. CHAP. In the midst of these troubles the cause of education and religion was not forgotten. The Rev. Eleazar Whee1766. lock established at Lebanon, in Connecticut, a school to educate Indian boys, and train them as teachers for their own race. Success attended the effort. A grant of fortyfour thousand acres of land induced him to remove the school to Hanover, New Hampshire. Under the name of Dartmouth, a charter as a college was granted it, by Wentworth, the governor. The Earl of Dartmouth, a Methodist, a friend of John Wesley, aided it, was one of its trustees, and took charge of the funds contributed for it in England-hence the name. 1769. The establishment of this institution was one of the effects of the Great Revival. In the midst of the native forest of pines the work was commenced. The principal and his students dwelt in log-cabins, built by their own hands. CHAPTER XXVI. CAUSES WHICH LED TO THE REVOLUTION-CONTINUED. The English Ministry determine to obtain a Revenue.-Massachusetts invites to harmonious Action.-The Romney and the Sloop Liberty.-A British Regiment at Boston.-Collision with the Citizens.-Articles of Association proposed by Washington.-The Tax upon Tea.-Whigs and Tories.-The Gaspé captured.-The King's Maxim.-The Resolutions not to receive the Tea.-Tea thrown into Boston Harbor.-Its Reception at other Places.-More oppressive Laws passed by Parliament.Aid sent to Boston.-Gage's Difficulties.-Alexander Hamilton.-The Old Continental Congress.-The Organization; the first Prayer.-The "Declaration of Rights."-The "American Association."-The Papers issued by the Congress.-The Views of Pitt in relation to them. XXVI. LORD GRENVILLE, the head of the ministry, was dismissed, CHAP and the Marquis of Rockingham took his place. This ministry soon gave way, and another was appointed by 1766. the king, at the head of which was placed Pitt, who, in the mean time, had been created Earl of Chatham. June. The following year, during Pitt's absence, Charles Townshend, his Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced that he intended, at all risks, to derive a revenue from 1767 America, by imposing a duty upon certain articles, which the colonists received from abroad, such as wine, oil, paints, glass, paper, and lead colors, and especially upon tea, as they obtained it cheaper from Dutch smugglers than the English themselves. It was suggested to him to withdraw the army, and there would be no need of a CHAP. tax. "I will hear nothing on the subject," said he; "it XXVI. is absolutely necessary to keep an army there." 1767. The colonists were startled by this news. They now remembered the fatal reservation in the repeal of the Stamp Act, that Parliament had the absolute right to tax them. "We will form a universal combination to eat nothing, to drink nothing, and wear nothing, imported from England," passed as a watchword from one colony to another, and very soon the non-importation associations. were again in vigor. "Courage, Americans; liberty, religion, and science are on the wing to these shores. The finger of God points out a mighty empire to your sons," said one of the lawyers of New York. "Send over an army and fleet, and reduce the dogs to reason," wrote one of the royal governors to the ministry. Suddenly the Romney, a man-of-war, appeared in the harbor of Boston. The question soon arose, Why is a vessel of war sent to our harbor? The people had resisted no law; they had only respectfully petitioned for redress, and resolved to dispense with the use of British goods. Since the arrival of the Romney, the haughty manner of the Commissioners of Customs toward the people had become intolerable. The Romney frequently impressed the New England seamen as they came into the harbor. One man thus impressed was forcibly rescued by his companions. These and similar outrages excited the bitterest animosity between the royal officials and the people. The Massachusetts Assembly issued a circular to the other Colonial Assemblies, inviting to harmonious action in obtaining redress. A few months afterward the minis1768. try sent peremptory orders to the Assembly to rescind June. their circular. Through the influence of Otis and Samuel Adams, the Assembly refused to comply with the arbitrary demand, but instead intimated that Parliament ought to repeal their offensive laws. Meantime the other Colonial Assemblies received the circular favorably, and also en A BRITISH REGIMENT STATIONED IN BOSTON. 297 XXVI. couraged Massachusetts in her resistance to tyranny and CHAP injustice. At this crisis, under the pretence that she had made 1768. a false entry, the sloop Liberty, belonging to John Hancock, one of the prominent leaders, was seized, and towed under the guns of the Romney. She was laden with Madeira wine, on which duties were demanded. The news soon spread, and a crowd collected, the more violent of whom attacked the houses of the Commissioners of Customs, who were forced to fly for safety to Castle William in the harbor. Of these outbreaks of a few ignorant persons, the most exaggerated accounts were sent to England, and there it was resolved to send more soldiers, and make Massachusetts submit as a conquered country. Vengeance was to be especially taken on "the insolent town. of Boston." As the Parliament had determined to send troops to the colonies, Bernard, the governor, requested Colonel Gage to bring a regiment from Halifax to Boston. On a quiet Sabbath, these troops were landed under the Sept. cover of the guns of their vessels, their colors flying, drums beating, and bayonets fixed, as if they had taken possession of an enemy's town. Neither the leaders of the people, nor the people themselves, were intimidated by this military demonstration. According to law, troops could be lodged in Boston, only when the barracks at the forts in the harbor were full. The Assembly refused the soldiers quarters, and the food and other necessaries which had been demanded. The royalists gravely thought the Bostonians "had come within a hair's-breadth of committing treason." Gage wrote, "It is of no use to argue in this country, where every man studies law." He would enforce obedience without delay. Boston was held as a conquered town; sentinels were placed at the corners of the streets, and citizens, when passing to their ordinary business, were challenged; even the sacred hours of the Sabbath were not free from the 1 |