1. WE come now to trace the causes by which PT. III. England lost her colonies, and America gained her P'D. I. independence. We should always remember that there CH. 1. is a GREAT FIRST CAUSE, even God, our Creator and The Ruler. We should observe with thankfulness, by Great what steps, He led our forefathers, and how He made them a way across the deep, and gave them a place, wherein to plant a great nation. In His providence, the time was approaching, when the bonds were to be severed, which bound this country to the parent land.

CHAPTER I.-1. In tracing the causes of things, what should we always remember? What should we observe with thankfulness? What in reference to the Great First Cause, can we say of the separation of our country from England?

First

Cause.

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Second causes.

CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION.

2. But the First Cause, uses, as His agents, the opinions and wills of men, which guide their conduct. CH. 1. The men in Great Britain, who took at this time, the lead in the government, had haughty and wrong notions, of the power, which England had a right to exercise over her distant colonies. They forgot, that the American people were children of the same forefathers with themselves, and heirs of the same political rights. Pride They held the Americans in comparative contempt, as ishness those whose labors and money, must, if they demanded, on one be given to them; without, or against their owner's

and fool

side.

consent.

3. Had the rulers in England, undertaken to oppress the people there in the same manner, they would have rebelled; much more the Americans. They, as we have seen, had grown up in their new countries, with a deep sense of the rights of the people. Toil and danger had made them strong and brave. When they On the saw that the rulers in Great Britain, had determined on manly making them submit to their unrighteous will, they became alarmed. They resolved, that they would first endeavor, by petitions, to bring them to a better mind. If after that, they persisted in their oppressions, they would refuse to submit; and if force was employed against them, repel it by force; trusting, that a righteous God, would aid their cause.

other,

determi

nation.

Lord

4. During the French war, the English wanted the services of the Americans; and, besides, those were Gren- in power, who opposed the high government party. But the war was no sooner at an end, than this party took the lead, with Lord Grenville at its head.

ville.

the

1764. 5. In 1764, Lord Grenville gave notice to the AmeriProposes can agents in London, that it was his intention to draw stampact a revenue from the colonies, and that he should, in the ensuing session of parliament, propose a duty on stamps.

2. What does the First Cause use as his agents, or as second causes? What opinions were held by the leading men in Great Britain? What did they forget? What did they hold concerning the Americans ? 3. Of what had the Americans a deep sense? What had made them strong and brave? When did they become alarmed? What did they resolve?-4. Why did the British oppress the Americans less, during the French war? What happened as soon as it was ended?-5. What notice was given by Lord Grenville?

DEBATES IN PARLIAMENT.

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N. Y.

6. The colonial agents in London informed their P'T. III. respective colonies of the intended system of taxation. Massachusetts instructed her agents, to deny the right CH.1. of parliament to impose taxes upon those, who were not Mass., represented in the house of commons. The house of Va., and burgesses of Virginia appointed a committee to prepare take bold an address to the king and parliament. The assembly ground. of New York also sent petitions, which, in a spirit more bold and decided, than those from any other colony, asserted their own rights, and the limitations of British power.

Societies

the Brit

7. Associations were formed in all the colonies to encourage home manufactures, and prohibit, as much as possible, the use of British goods. The tendency of injure this judicious measure, was to make the colonists less dependent, and, by operating injuriously on the British merchants, to make them a party against the ministry.

ish trade.

Act

8. Notwithstanding the opposition, which, in truth, was not unexpected, Lord Grenville, introduced into 1765. the British parliament, his plan for taxing America, to Stamp commence with duties on stamps. In the house of opposed. commons, the project, though ably supported, met with ardent and animated opposition.

defense

9. "Children planted by your care?" exclaimed Colonel Barre, in answer to one who spoke against Colonel the Americans. "No! Your oppressions planted them Barre's in America! They fled from your tyranny to an un- of the cultivated land, where they were exposed to all the Amerihardships to which human nature is liable.

cans.

their ser

suffer

10. They nourished by your indulgence? No! They grew by your neglect! When you began to Recounts care about them, that care was exercised in sending vices and persons to rule over them, whose character and conduct has caused the blood of these sons of liberty to recoil within them. They protected by your arms? They have nobly taken up arms in your defense!

6. What was done by Massachusetts, on being informed of the intention of Lord Grenville? What by Virginia? What by New York?-7. What were formed? What was the tendency of the measure?-8. How, in the first place, was Lord Grenville's project received?-9. Repeat a part of Col. Barre's speech.-10. Relate the succeeding part.

ings.