began to be interrupted. Their trade was restricted by the imposition of unjust taxes for the benefit of the mother country. By the act of 1651, none but British or colonial vessels were allowed to participate in the export and import trade. Another act, passed in 1660, enacted that certain articles should not be exported directly from the colonies to any foreign country; thus, compelling the colonists to sell their produce in no other than British markets. It was next provided, (in 1663,) that they should buy such foreign articles as they needed entirely of the merchants and manufacturers of England. Duties were even imposed on certain colonial products transported from one colony to another. All attempts to manufacture such articles as the mother country could provide, were discouraged. In 1699, it was enacted, that no wool, yarn, or woollen manufactures should be exported from the American colonies; and, in 1750, every slitting or rolling mill, plating forge to work with a tilt hammer, or other machinery, was declared to be a common nuisance, which the governors were directed to cause to be abated. It is true, however, that many of these and similar acts of parliament were openly disobeyed or secretly evaded Such were some of the features of the policy of the mother country, and the causes of irritation and discontent in the colonies. Many of the acts for regulating the trade of the colonies, had been unwillingly submitted to, as violations of their rights, or secretly evaded or openly disregarded, for many years, when measures were at length taken by the ministry, not only to enforce such acts, but to raise a revenue in America by internal taxation. In 1765, the obnoxious stamp act was passed, by

What acts were passed in 1651, 1663, and 1699? In 1750, what obnoxious declaration was made? How were many of these acts of parliament regarded? What did the ministry at length attempt to do? In 1765, what act was passed? What bill was brought in

which obligations in writing in daily use were to be null and void, unless they were executed on paper or parchment stamped with a specific duty. Newspapers, almanacs and pamphlets, printed in America, were to be made to contribute to the British treasury. About the same time, a bill was brought in authorizing the quartering of troops in the colonies. As might have been expected, the colonists were unwilling to submit to these acts and measures; and a general congress, the first of the kind, was held at New York, which adopted a declaration of rights and grievances, asserting taxation by themselves, and trial by jury, to be inherent rights of the British subjects in the colonies. The colonial assemblies adopted similar measures; meetings of the people were held; and the whole country was set in a flame. So violent was the opposition to the stamp act, that on the first of November, the day on which the act was to have taken effect, neither stamps nor officers were to be found! In this state of affairs, the act was repealed, (March, 1766.) At the same time, by a declaratory act, parliament asserted the right to bind the colonies in all cases whatsoever. In 1767, a bill was passed imposing a duty on glass, paper, paints and tea, imported into the colonies; and troops were quartered in Boston to enforce obedience. But combinations having been formed by the Americans against the importation of those articles, the act was repealed, March, 1770, the duty on tea alone being continued. Accordingly the colonists renounced the use of that article, or obtained it from foreign countries; in conse

about the same time? In regard to these acts, what measures were adopted by the colonists? Was the stamp act ever en forced? On repealing this act, what right did the British parliament assert?What bill passed in 1767? How did the Americans avoid the force of this act and cause it to be repealed? On what article was the duty continued? How did parliament hope to induce the

quence of which an act was passed in 1773, allowing a drawback on tea exported to America, for the purpose of rendering it cheaper, and inducing the Americans to submit to the small duty imposed upon it. Large shipments of tea were accordingly made; but in New York and Philadelphia the vessels were not allowed to land their cargoes; in Charleston it was stored, but not permitted to be offered for sale; and in Boston, after several unsuccessful attempts to prevent its being landed, a party of men, disguised as Indians, boarded the tea ships, and threw the tea overboard. This occurred December 16, 1773. In the following spring, by an act of parliament, called the Boston port bill, passed March 13, 1774, the port of Boston was closed, and the landing and shipping of goods were ordered to be discontinued. The custom house and trade, and the session of the court, were removed to Salem, and the charter altered, taking the whole executive government from the people, and vesting the appointment of all the important officers in the crown. It was also enacted, that a person indicted for a capital offence, committed in aiding the magistrates, might be sent to Great Britain for trial. In the same year, General Gage, the British commander-in-chief, and governor of Massachusetts, arrived in Boston to enforce the Bostonians into a compliance with the oppressive acts of parliament. In this crisis, the other colonies made common cause with Massachusetts. Deputies from most of the colonies met in congress at Philadelphia, September 5, 1774. Congress published a declaration of rights, protesting against the right of Great Britain to tax the colonies, or to interfere in their internal policy; with a

Americans to submit to the tax on tea? How were their plans defeated? What measures of retaliation were then taken by parliament? In this crisis, what did the colonies do? What declaration

statement of grievances, declaring the late acts of parliament to be violations of the rights of the colonists. They next proceeded, to interrupt all commercial intercourse with Great Britain, pledging themselves not to import or use British goods, till the acts complained of should be repealed. Addresses, petitions and remonstrances were resorted to, but all to no effect. Instead of changing its policy, the British government imposed additional restrictions upon the trade of the colonies. Preparations now began to be made for resistance. Gunpowder was manufactured, the militia was trained, and military stores were collected. In April, 1775, a detachment of troops was sent to destroy the military stores collected at Concord. At Lexington, the militia were collected to oppose the incursion of the British forces. They were fired upon by the British troops, and eight men were killed. After having proceeded to Concord, and destroyed a few military stores, the troops returned, and were pursued by the Americans to Boston. Here was spilled the first blood in the war which severed the American colonies from Great Britain. In May, 1775, a second congress met from all the states, and immediately determined to organize an army; and Washington was appointed, June 15, commander-in-chief of the colonial forces. Congress authorized the emission of two millions of dollars in bills of credit, for the redemption of which the colonies were pledged; and an apportionment was made of the quota to be paid by each colony of the bills emitted. A general post office was established, and rules were framed for the

did congress publish? How did the British government treat the petitions and remonstrances of the Americans? What now began to take place? Where was the first blood spilled? What measures were adopted by the second congress? Who was appointed commander-in-chief of the American forces? What declaration

government of the army. Congress also published a solemn declaration of the causes of taking up arms, an address to the king, entreating a change of measures, and an address to the people of Great Britain, requesting their aid, and admonishing them of the threatening evils of a separation. At the next meeting of the same congress, rules were adopted for the regulation of the navy; a further emission of bills was authorized; and a treasury department was established. A general system of measures for resistance was now adopted throughout the colonies. General Washington had been at Cambridge at the head of an army, whose term of service expired with the year, 1775, without ammunition, and but imperfectly supplied with arms. By the beginning of March, 1776, 14,000 regular troops had been enlisted, and the British were obliged to evacuate Boston, March 17. On the 10th of June, a committee was appointed by congress to prepare a declaration, "that these colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states." On the 11th of June, a committee was appointed to prepare the form of a confederation between the colonies. On the 2d day of July, congress adopted the the resolution for independence; and on the 4th of July, they adopted the Declaration of Independence.

did congress publish? What was the state of the army în 1775 ? How many troops were added in March following?