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THE UNION OPPOSED BY THE BRITISH.

183

5. These acts revived the same feelings which the PT. II. Stamp Act had produced. In Massachusetts, the as- P'D. I. sembly sent a petition to the king. They also ad- Cн. III. dressed circulars to the other colonial assemblies, 1768. entreating their co-operation, in obtaining the redress of their grievances.

Bernard

6. The British ministry viewed this measure as an attempt to convene another congress; and they had always dreaded the effects of voluntary colonial union, independent of the crown. Governor Bernard required dissolves the assembly to rescind the vote by which the circu- the assembly. lars were sent to the other colonies. The assembly refused to rescind the vote, and the governor dissolved it. But, instead of intimidating, this measure did but exasperate the people.

7. In June, the custom-house officers seized a sloop June 10. belonging to John Hancock, a merchant of eminence, Seizure and a patriot much beloved by the people of Boston. cock's They assembled in crowds, insulted and beat the offi- sloop. cers, and compelled them to leave the town.

The

governor

call an

assem

bly.

8. The assembly of Massachusetts had not convened, since its dissolution by Governor Bernard. A report was circulated, that troops were ordered to march into Boston. A town meeting was called, and refuses to the governor was earnestly entreated to convoke the assembly. His reply was "that he could not call another assembly this year, without further commands from the king." A convention of the people was then proposed, and accordingly held, on the 22d of September. The members petitioned the governor, that A conan assembly might be convened; but he refused, and vention. called them rebels. They transmitted to the king a respectful account of their proceedings, and dissolved, after a session of five days.

9. Orders were given to General Gage, the com

5. What measures were taken in Massachusetts?-6. What was the view of the British concerning the Union? What did Governor Bernard require? What ground was taken by the assembly? What was the consequence?-. Where, and on what occasion, were the custom-house officers insulted and beaten?-8. What did a town meeting in Boston request of the governor? What was his reply? What was then proposed and done?

Sept. 22

184

P'D. I.

come

MEASURES MUTUALLY HOSTILE.

PT. III. mander-in-chief of the British troops in the colonies, to station a force in Boston, to overawe the citizens, CH. III. and protect the custom-house officers in the discharge Sept. 28. of their duty. Two regiments were accordingly orTwo re- dered from Halifax, and escorted by seven armed vesgiments sels, they arrived at Boston on the 28th of September. The fleet took a station which commanded the town, to Bos- and the troops marched into Boston. The select men refusing to provide them with quarters, the governor commanded the state house to be opened for their reception. Though outward violence was restrained by this measure, yet hostile dispositions were increased.

from Halifax

ton.

10. The proceedings in Massachusetts were declared by the British parliament, to be "illegal, unconstitu1769. tional, and derogatory to the rights of the crown and ening at- to parliament." Both houses, in a joint address to the titude of king, recommended vigorous measures, and besought Britain. him to direct the governor of Massachusetts Bay, to

Threat

Great

Met

spirit in

nia.

make strict inquiries, as to all treasons committed in that province since the year 1767, in order that the persons most active in committing them, might be sent to England for trial.

10. The house of burgesses in Virginia met a few days after this address was received in the colonies. They with passed resolutions, in which they boldly denied the Virgi- right of the king to remove an offender out of the colony for trial. When the intelligence of these proceedings reached the governor, he suddenly dissolved the assembly. The members assembled at a private house; elected their speaker, Peyton Randolph, modeThe bur- rator, and proceeded to pass some decided resolutions gesses against importing British goods. These were introthem- duced by Colonel Washington, who had been a memselves ber of the house since his resignation. The example

make

indepen

dent of was extensively followed.

non-im

portation 11. The assembly of Massachusetts convened. They refused to proceed with business while the state house

9. What orders were given to General Gage? What forces were brought to Boston, and where placed?-10. What news was received from England? What was done by the legislature of Virginia? Had Washington been in any public capacity since his resignation? What was now done by him?

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was surrounded by an armed force. The governor P'T. III. would not remove it, but adjourned them to Cam- P'D. I. bridge. Considering the establishment of a standing CH. III. army in time of peace, as an invasion of their natural 1770. rights, they refused to make any of the appropria- May. tions of money which the governor proposed, and he Assem again prorogued them. In August, Governor Bernard Mass.adwas recalled, and the government left in the hands of to Camlieutenant governor Hutchinson. bridge.

bly of

journed

12. Some of the inhabitants of Boston insulted the military, while under arms; and an affray took place, in which four persons were killed. The bells were March 5. Affray instantly rung; the people rushed from the country to with the the aid of the citizens; and the soldiers were obliged British to retire to Castle William, in order to avoid the fury of the enraged multitude. The soldiers were tried and acquitted.

troops.

1771.

January.

North

13. În England Lord North was appointed to the ministry. He introduced a bill into parliament, which passed on the 12th of April, removing the duties which Lord had been laid in 1767, excepting those on tea. But tempothey still claimed the right of taxing the colonies.. In rizes. Rhode Island the people rose and destroyed the Gas- 1972. pee, an armed British schooner, which had been sta- Jane. tioned in that colony, for the purpose of enforcing the Gaspee acts of trade.

What

11. Were the British able, by their armed force, to frighten the assembly of Massachusetts, to make laws to please them? Why did they refuse to make appropriations of money? change occurred respecting governors ?-12. Give some account of the affray with the military? 13. What now occurred in England? Did the Americans refuse to obey the British, to save the money to be paid in these taxes, or to maintain their rights? What vessel was destroyed? Q 2

8*

The

destroy

ed.

186

THE BOSTON TEA PARTY.

P'T. III.

P'D. I.

CHAPTER IV.

Seizure of Tea.-Boston Port Bill.-Arrival of British Troops.

1. THE non-importation agreements which had been made and rigidly observed, in respect to the article of CH. IV. tea, now began to affect the commercial interest of Great Britain. Parliament passed an act, allowing the 1773. May. East India Company to export to America, its teas, Law free of all duties in England; thus enabling them to England reduce its price in the colonies. Tea was accordingly ing tea. shipped from England in large quantities. Resolutions were extensively adopted, that the tea should not be received on shore, but sent back to England.

made in

respect

Bostoni

ans put 342 chests

into the

sea.

Parlia

shuts the

2. In Boston, several men disguised as Indians, went on board the ships during the night, and threw their cargoes into the water. Three hundred and forty-two chests of tea were thus broken open, and their contents thrown overboard.

3. The parliament of England, in order to punish 1994. the inhabitants of Boston, and oblige them to restore ment the value of the tea, passed a bill in March, 1774, "interdicting all commercial intercourse with the port Boston. of Boston, and prohibiting the landing and shipping of any goods at that place," until these ends should be accomplished.

port of

sure of

4. General Gage was made governor of MassachuExpo- setts, in the place of Hutchinson. He had been reHutchin- moved from his office, in consequence of unpopularity son's let- occasioned by the exposure of letters, which had been

ters.

written by him, during the years 1767 and 1768, to the leading men of Great Britain. These had tended greatly to increase the prejudice of parliament against the colonies.

CHAPTER IV.-1. What agreements had been made in regard to tea? Were they observed? What did they affect? What act did parliament pass? What was accordingly sent from England? What resolutions adopted? - 2. What daring exploit was performed at Boston? -3. What was done by the British to retaliate? 4. What change was made in Massachusetts ?

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Boston port bill

5. On the arrival of the port bill in Boston, a meet- P'T. III. ing of the inhabitants was held, who declared that the P'D. I. "impolicy, injustice, and inhumanity of the act ex- CH. IV. ceeded their powers of expression!" The assembly May 10. convened at this place, but was removed by the governor to Salem. It was here resolved, that a congress, causes composed of delegates from all the colonies, ought to be elected, to take their affairs into the most serious consideration. They nominated five eminent men, as their representatives to such a congress; and directed ral conthe speaker of the house to inform the other colonies of their resolution.

6. The governor sent an officer to dissolve the assembly, in the king's name, but as the members would not permit him to enter the hall, he read the order aloud on the staircase; but it was not obeyed until the members had finished their most important business.

excite

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A gene

gress.

Assembly disobeys the thority.

royal au

Noble conduct

people of

Salem.

7. Governor Gage had believed that the advantages arising to the trade of Salem, from shutting up the port of Boston, would render its inhabitants more favorable to the royal government; but the people of that of the town declared, "that nature, in forming their harbor, had prevented their becoming rivals in trade; and that even if it were otherwise, they should regard themselves lost to every idea of justice, and all feelings of humanity, could they indulge one thought of raising their fortunes upon the ruins of their countrymen."

tonians

8. The cause of the people of Boston was espoused The Bosby all the colonies, and their wants were supplied by aided by contributions. The people of Marblehead generously the offered them the use of their harbor, their wharves, country. and warehouses.

9. When, in May, 1774, the house of burgesses in Virginia, received the news of the Boston port bill, they proclaimed a fast. Lord Dunmore, the governor,

5. What was done on the arrival of the port bill? What important resolution was passed at Salem; and what consequent measures taken?-6. In what manner did the assembly treat the royal authority? -7. What generous part did the inhabitants of Salem take? 8. What those of Marblehead ?-9. What was done by the Virginians respecting the troubles in Boston?

whole

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