terests of the British merchants, had the desired effect. Warm discussions took place in the British parliament, and the ablest peakers in both houses denied the justice of taxing the coonics. The opposition could not be withstood; and ig March, 1766, the law was repealed. Simultaneously, however, with repealing this act, the British parliament passed another, declaring that the British parliament had a right to make laws binding the colonies in all cases whatever; and soon after another bill was passed, imposing in the colonics duties on glass, paper, painters' colors, and tea, 8. The fire of opposition was now rekindled with addition al ardor, by the same principle, exhibited in its new form.The best talents throughout the colonies were engaged, in the public prints and in pamphlets, to work up the public feeling against the arbitrary measures of the British parliament.New associations were formed to suspend the importation of British manufactures. The Massachusetts assembly, having passed resolutions to this effect, drew forth the marked displeasure of the crown; and, on their refusal to cancel their resolutions, were dissolved. 9. In 1768, Mr. Hancock's sloop Liberty was seized at Boston, for not entering all the wines she had brought from Madeira. this inflamed the populace to a high degree of resent ment. Soon afterwards, two British regiments, and some armed vessels, were sent to Boston, to assist the revenue officers. The parliament, encouraged by the expectation of quelling the refractory by their arms, continued to dissolve the opposing assemblies; but the colonics remained firm in their purposes. 10. Lord North succeeded the Duke of Grafton, as British premier in 1770; and the act was repealed imposing a duty on glass, paper, and painter's colors; but that on tea was retained. Some slight prospect of allaying the difficulties sucreeded. But on the second of March an affray took place in Boston between a private soldier and an inhabitant. This was succeeded, in a few days afterwards, by a mob meeting a party of British soldiers under arms, who were dared to fire, and who at length did fire, and killed five persons. The captain who commanded, and the troops who fired, were afterwards tried for murder, and acquitted. 11. Things continued in this mode of partial irritation until 1773, when the British East India Company were authorized to export their tea to all places, free of duty. As this would cable then to sell that article cheaper in America, with the government excions, than they had before sold it without them, it was confidently alculated that teas might be extensively disposed of in the colonies. Large consign ments of tea were sent to various ports, and agents appointed for its disposal. 12. The consignees, in several places, were compelled to elinquish their appointments. Popular vengeance prevented the landing at New York or Philadelphia. In Boston it was otherwise. The tea for the supply of that port was consigned to the sons and particular friends of Governor Hutchinson. The tea was landed by the strenuous exertions of the govern or and consignees. But soon a party of men, dressed as Indians, boarded the tea ships, broke open the cargoes, and threw the contents into the sea. 13. Enraged against the people of Boston, the parliament resolved to take legislative vengeance on that devoted towr. Disregarding the forms of the British constitution, by which none are to be punished without trial, they passed a bill, closing, in a commercial sense, its port: its custom house and trade were soon after removed to Salem. The charter of the colony was new modelled, so that the whole executive government was taken from the people, and the nomination to all important offices vested in the crown; and it was enacted, that if any person was indicted for any capital offense committed in aiding the magistrates, he might be sent to Great Britain or another colony for trial. 14. Property, liberty, and life, were thus subject to minis terial caprice. The parliament went still farther, and passed an act extending the boundaries of Canada, southward to the Ohio, westward to the Mississippi, and northward to the borders of the Hudson's Bay Company, assimilating its laws with the French, which dispensed with the trial by jury, and rendering the inhabitants passive agents in the hands of power. QUESTIONS. How many soldiers did the colonies furnish in the French war 3 When was the British stamp act passed? Where in the colonies was it first opposed? Which of the colonies proposed a continental congress to be held at New fork? When was the law repeated? What bill, was passed on the repeal of this? What disturbances took place at Boston in 1763? What change took place on the elevation of Lord North ? What disturbances took place in Boston in March, 17707 What took place in 1773? What resistance was made in Boston in 1773, to the British government in re ation to tea? Who was the British commander in chief in Boston at this time 1 SECTION VII. The same subject continued. 1. THE flame was now kindled in every breast; and associations were formed, and committees of correspondence were established, which produced a unity of thought and ac on throughout the colonies. General Gage, the British commander in chief, arrived in Boston, in 1774, with mor troops, with the avowed intention of dragooning the refrac tory Bostonians into compliance. A general sympathy was excited for the suffering inhabitants of Boston: addresses poured in from all quarters; Marblehead offered to the Bos fon merchants the use of their wharves, and Salem refused to adopt the trade, the offer of which had been proffered as temptation to her cupidity. 2. Affairs rapidly approached a crisis. The preparations for offense and defense, induced General Gage to fortify Boston, and to seize on the powder lodged at the arsenal at Charlestown. 3. In September, deputies from most of the colonies met in congress, at Philadelphia. These delegates approved of the conduct of the people of Massachusetts; wrote a letter to General Gage; published a declaration of rights; formed an association not to import or use British goods; sent a peti tion to the king of Great Britain; an address to the inhabitants of that kingdom; another to the inhabitants of Canada; and another to the inhabitants of the colonies. In the beginning of the next year, (1775,) was passed the fishery bill, by which the northern colonies were forbidden to fish on the banks of Newfoundland for a certain time. This bore hard upon the commerce of these colonies, which was in a great measure supported by the fishery. 4. Soon after, another bill was passed, which restrained the trade of the middle and southern colonies to Great Britain, Ireland, and the West Indies, except under certain conditions. These repeated acts of oppression on the part of Great Britain, alienated the affections of America from her parent and sovereign, and produced a combined opposition to the whole system of taxation. Preparations began to he made to oppose by force the execution of these acts of parliament. The militia of the country were trained to the use of arms-great encouragement was given to the manufacture of gunpowder, and measures were taken to obtain all kinds of military stores. 5. In February, Colonel Leslie was sent with a detachment of troops from Boston, to take possession of some cannon at Salem. But the people had intelligence of the designook up the drawbridge in that town, and prevented the troops from passing, until the cannon were secured; so that the ex pedition failed. In April, Colonel Smith and Major Pitcairn were sent with a body of troops, to destroy the military store which had been collected at Concord, about twenty miles from Boston. At Lexington the militia were collected on a green, to oppose the incursion of the British forces. These were fired upon by the British troops, and eight men killed on the spot. 6. The militia were dispersed, and the troops proceeded to Concord, where they destroyed a few stores. But on their return they were incessantly harrassed by the Americans, who, inflamed with just resentment, fired upon them from houses and fences, and pursued them to Boston. Here was spilled the first blood in the war which severed America from the British empire. Lexington opened the first scene of the great drama, which, in its progress, exhibited the most illus trious characters and events, and closed with a revolution, equally glorious for the actors, and important in its conse quences to the human race. 7. This battle roused all America. The militia collected from all quarters, and Boston was in a few days besieged by twenty thousand men. A stop was put to all intercourse between the town and country, and the inhabitants were re duced to great want of provisions. General Gage promised to let the people depart, if they would deliver up their arms. The people complied; but when the general had obtained their arms, he refused to let the people go. 8. In the mean time, a small number of men, under the command of Colonel Allen and Colonel Easton, without any public orders, surprised and took the British garrison at Ti conderoga without the loss of a man. 9. In June following, our troops attempted to fortify Bunker's Hill, which lies in Charlestown, and but a mile and a half from Boston. They had during the night thrown up a small breastwork, which sheltered them from the fire of the British cannon. But the next morning, the British army was sent to drive them from the hill; and landing under cover of their cannon, they set fire to Charlestown, which was consumed, and marched to attack our troops in the entrenchments. 10. A severe engagement ensued, m which the British suffered a very great loss, both of officers and privates. They were repulsed at first, and thrown into disorder; but they finally carried the fortification with the point of the bayonet. The Americans suffered a small loss compared with the British; but the death of the brave General Warren, who fell in the action, a martyr to the cause of his country, was severely felt and universally lamented. 11. About this time, the continental congress appointed George Washington, Esq. to the chief command of the continental army. This gentleman had been a distinguished and successful officer in the preceding war, and he seemed destined by Heaven to be the savior of his country. He ac cepted the appointment with a diffidence which was proof of his prudence and his greatness. He refused any pay for eight years laborious and arduous service; and by his matchless skill, fortitude, and perseverance, conducted America, through indescribable difficulties, to independence and peace. While true merit is esteemed, or virtue honored, mankind will never cease to revere the memory of this hero; and while gratitude remains in the human breast, the praises of WASHINGTON shall dwell on every American tongue. 12. General Washington, with other officers appointed by congress, arrived at Cambridge, and took command of the American army in July. From this time, the affairs of America began to assume the appearance of a regular and general opposition to the forces of Great Britain. 13. In autumn, a body of troops, under the command of General Montgomery, besieged and took the garrison at St. John's, which commands the entrance into Canada. The prisoners amounted to about seven hundred. General Montgomery pursued his success, and took Montreal, and designed to push his victories to Quebec. A body of troops, commanded by Arnold, was ordered to march to Canada by the river Kennebec, and through the wilderness. After suffering every hardship, and the most distressing hunger, they arrived in Canada, and were joined by General Montgomery before Quebec. 14. This city, which was commanded by governor Carleton, was immediately besieged. But there being little hope of taking the town by a siege, it was determined to storm it. The attack was made on the last day of December, bu: proved unsuccessful, and fatal to the brave general, who with his aid was killed in attempting to scale the walls. Of the three divisions which attacked the town, one only entered, and that was compelled to surrender to superior force. After this defeat, Arnold who now commanded the troops, continued some months before Quebec, although his troops suffer |