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Boston, the tea being consigned to the royal governor, (Hutchinson,) the populace, "clad like the aborigines of the wilderness, with tomahawks in their hands and clubs on their shoulders, without the least molestation, marched through the streets with silent solemnity, amidst innumerable spectators, and proceeded to the wharves, boarded the ships, demanded the keys, and without much deliberation, knocked open the chests, and emptied several thousand weight of the finest teas into the ocean. No opposition was made, though surrounded by the king's ships; all was silence and dismay. This done, the procession returned through the town, in the same order and solemnity as observed in the outset of their attempt. No other disorder took place; and it was observed, the stillest night ensued that Boston had enjoyed for several months." Intelligence of this transaction reached the British ministry, and in 1774, they passed an act to restrain all intercourse by water with the town of Boston, by closing the port. They also removed the government and public offices to Salem.

54. First Continental Congress.

The first general congress met at Philadelphia, in the beginning of September, 1774. It consisted of fifty-one delegates from twelve colonies. They chose Peyton Randolph president, and Charles Thompson secretary. The delegates were appointed by the colonial legislatures, or, where none existed, the appointments were made by select meetings and associations of citizens. "The novelty and importance of the meeting of this congress excited universal attention, and their transactions were such as could not but tend to render them respectable.

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The first act of congress was an approbation of the conduct of Massachusetts Bay, and an exhortation to continue in the same spirit which they had begun. Supplies for the suffering inhabitants, whom the operation

of the port-bill had reduced to great distress, were strong. ly recommended; and it was declared, that in case of attempts to enforce the obnoxious acts by arms, all America should join to assist the town of Boston; and, should the inhabitants be obliged, during the course of hostilities, to remove farther up the country, the losses they might sustain should be repaired at the public expense.

Congress next addressed a letter to General Gage; in which, having stated the grievances of the people of Massachusetts, they informed him of the fixed and unalterable determination of all the other provinces to support their brethren, and to oppose the British acts of parliament; that they themselves were appointed to watch over the liberties of America; and entreated him to desist from military operations, lest such hostilities might be brought on as would frustrate all hopes of reconciliation with the parent state.

"Their next step was to publish a declaration of rights. These they summed up in the rights belonging to Englishmen; and particularly insisted, that as their distance rendered it impossible for them to be represented in the British parliament, their provincial assemblies, with a governor appointed by the king, constituted the only legislative power within each province. They would, however, consent to such acts of parliament as were evidently calculated merely for the regulation of commerce, and for securing to the parent state the benefits of the American trade; but would never allow that they could impose any tax on the colonies, for the purpose of revenue, without their consent.

"They proceeded to reprobate the intention of each of the new acts of parliament, and insisted on all the rights they had enumerated as being unalienable, and what no power could deprive them of The Canada act they pointed out as being extremely inimical to the colonies, by whose assistance it had been conquered; and they termed it, An act for establishing the Roman Catholic religion in Canada, abolishing the equitable system of English laws, and establishing a tyranny there.'

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"They farther declared in favour of a non-importation and non-consumption of British goods, until the acts were repealed by which duties were imposed upon tea, coffee, wine, sugar, and molasses, imported into America, as well as the Boston port act, and the three others passed at the preceding session of parliament.

"The new regulations against the importation and consumption of British commodities, were then drawn up with great solemnity; and they concluded with returning the warmest thanks to those members of parliament who had with so much zeal, though without any success, opposed the obnoxious acts of parliament.

“The next proceedings of Congress were to frame a petition to the king, an address to the British nation, and another to the colonies; all of which were in the usual strain of American language at that time, and drawn up in such a masterly manner, as ought to have impressed the people of England with a more favourable opinion of the Americans, than they could at that time be induced to entertain."*

After a session of eight weeks, congress dissolved themselves, after recommending another congress to be convened on the 10th of May ensuing, unless the grievances should be previously redressed. Although the power of this congress was merely advisory, their resolutions received the general sanction of the provincial congresses, and of the colonial assemblies; "and their recommendations were more generally and more effectually carried into execution than the laws of the best regulated state."

55. Battle of Lexington.

Determined to reduce the rebellious colonies to submission, the British ministry transported a force of 10,000 men, who were stationed at Boston.

The Americans having deposited a considerable quanWilliams' History of the Revolution.

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