XXXVII. fight," wrote Hutchinson,1 "when they know death CHAP. by the sword, or the halter will be the consequence." 1768. "Great Britain," remarked a wise observer, "will Oct. sooner or later repent her mistaken policy." " 2 Dalrymple encamped the twenty-ninth regiment, which had field equipage; for the rest, he demanded quarters of the Selectmen. They knew the law too well to comply; but as the night was cold, the compassion of the inhabitants was moved for the soldiers, and about nine o'clock the Sons of Liberty allowed them to sleep in Faneuil Hall. "By management," said he, "I got possession of the School of Liberty, and thereby secured all their arms."4 "I will keep possession of this town, where faction seems to prevail beyond conception," he blustered; we shall see how he redeemed his word. For the present, the passive resistance which he encountered compelled him to ask aid of the Commander of the fleet. The troops were in a miserable condition, having neither quarters nor any means to dress their provisions. On Monday, the third, Bernard laid before the Council Dalrymple's requisition for the enumerated allowances to troops in barracks. "We," answered the Council," are ready, on our part, to comply with the Act of Parliament, if the Colonel will on his." " After two days reflection, the Council consented to the appointment of a commissary, if he would XXXVII. CHAP. "take the risk of the Province's paying " the charge of his office. The condition was strictly 1768. right; for to appropriate money, was the attribute of the Assembly. Since there was no Assembly, no power in the Province could pledge its credit.1 Oct. "Tyranny begins," said Samuel Adams, "if the law is transgressed to another's harm. It behoves the public to avail themselves of the remedy of the law. It is always safe to adhere to the law. We must not give up the law and the Constitution, which is fixed and stable, and is the collected and long digested sentiment of the whole, and substitute in its room the opinion of individuals, than which nothing can be more uncertain." While Hood meditated embarking for Boston to winter there, Gage came from New-York to demand, in person, quarters for the regiments in the town. The Council would grant none till the barracks at the Castle were filled.* The Governor and the Sheriff attempted, at least, to get possession of a ruinous building, belonging to the Province; but its occupants had taken the opinion of the best lawyer, and kept them at bay. Bernard next summoned all the acting justices to meet him, and renewed the General's demand for quarters. "Not till the barracks are filled," they answered, conforming to the law." "How absurd Bernard to Hillsborough, 5 Oct. 1768. Major part of Council to Hillsborough, 15 April, 1769. 2 Samuel Adams in Boston Gazette, 10 October, 1768. Commodore Hood to Mr. Stephens, Secretary of the Admiralty; Halifax, 12 Oct. 1768. 4 Gage to Commodore Hood, 18 Oct. 1768. Bernard to Hillsborough, 18 Oct. 1768. 6 Compare Samuel Adams to Dennys De Berdt, Esq., Boston, 3 October, 1768. "The clause and ungrateful," cried Hutchinson. try, where every man studies law." "I am now at At last, the weather growing so severe that the troops could not remain in tents, "the commanding officer was obliged to hire houses at very dear rates," as well as procure, at the expense of the Crown, all the articles required by Act of Parliament of the Colony. The Main Guard was established opposite the State House, and cannon were pointed towards the rooms in which the Legislature was accustomed to sit. But as the town gave an example of respect for law, there was nothing for the troops to do. Two regiments were there as idle lookers-on, and two more were coming to share the same inactivity. Every one knew that they could not be employed except on a requisition from a civil officer; and there was not a magistrate in the Colony that saw any reason for calling in their aid, nor a person in town CHAP. XXXVII. 1768. Oct. XXXVII. CHAP. disposed to act in a way to warrant it. So that after all that had been done, the spirit of the Colonies was as intractable as ever. 1768. Oct. 1 The Commissioners of the Customs, whose false alarms had brought troops to the Province, having received orders to return to Boston, wished to get from the Council some excuse for their de parture, as well as for their return. "They had no just reason for absconding from their duty," said Bowdoin; and the Council left them to return of themselves; but in an Address to Gage, adopted by a vote of fifteen out of nineteen, they explained how trivial had been the disorders on which the request for troops had been grounded. Gage became convinced by his inquiries, that the disturbance in March was trifling; that on the tenth of June the Commissioners were neither attacked nor menaced; that more obstructions had arisen to the service from the servants of Government, than from any other cause.3 But purblind in the light, he adopted the sentiments and language of Bernard; and advised barracks and a fort on Fort Hill to command the town; while the Governor urged anew a forfeiture of the Charter, and owned that "troops would not restore the authority of Government."4 XXXVII. 1768. Oct. It was on every one's lips, that the die was thrown, CHAP. that they must wait for the event; but the parties who waited, were each in a different frame of mind. A troublesome anxiety took possession of Bernard, who began to fear his recall, and intercede to be spared.' "These red coats make a formidable appearance," said Hutchinson, with an exulting countenance, and an air of complacency, buoyant with the prospect of rising one step higher. The soldiers liked the country they were come to, and, sure that none would betray them, soon deserted in numbers.2 The Commissioners were more haughty than before, and gratified their malignity by arresting Hancock and Malcom on charges, confidently made but never established. All were anxious to know the decision of the King and the New Parliament, respecting the great question between Government by consent and Government by authority. But the determination of the King was evident from the first. "Chatham, even if he is crazed, is the person who most merits to be observed," wrote Choiseul; but the British Ministry had less discernment. Yielding to the "daily "" importunities of the King, Grafton prepared to dismiss Shelburne. The assent of Camden was desired. "You are my pole star," Camden was accustomed to say to Chatham; "I have sworn an oath, I will go, I will go where you 'Hutchinson to T. Whately, Bos- sy at London, 21 August, 1768. ton, 17 Oct. 1768. 2 Grafton's Autobiography. 6 Andrew Eliot to Thomas Hol Compare Francès to Choiseul, 7 Oct. 1768. 7 Camden to Chatham, 20 March, 1768. Chatham's Correspondence, iii. 325. |