1774. to every idea of justice, lost to all feelings of humanity, could we indulge one thought to seize on wealth, and raise our fortunes on the ruins of our suffering neighbours." Annual Massachu setts. General court meets at Salem ; advises a At the annual election in Massachusetts, in May, not less than election in thirteen counsellors were negatived by governor Gage. He laid nothing before the general court more than the common business of the province; but gave notice of its removal to Salem on the 1st of June, in pursuance of the act. On the 7th of June the court met according to an adjournment at Salem; and a committee was appointed to consider and report the state of the province. The house of representatives at length, taking into consideration the unhappy differences which had long subsisted between Great Britain and the American colonies, resolved, "That a meeting of committees from the several colonies on congress; this continent is highly expedient and necessary, to consult upon the present state of the colonies, and the miseries to which they are and must be reduced by the operation of certain acts of parliament respecting America; and to deliberate and determine upon wise and proper measures to be by them recommended to all the colonies for the recovery and establishment of their just rights and liberties civil and religious, and the restoration of union and harmony between Great Britain and the colonies, most and chooses ardently desired by all good men." In pursuance of this resodelegates. lution, a committee of five persons1 was appointed, to meet committees or delegates from the other colonies at Philadelphia, or at any other place which shall be judged most suitable, on the first day of September next; and directed the speaker of the house to write to the speakers of the house of burgesses or representatives in the several colonies, to inform them of the The meas- substance of these resolves. The recessity of a general congress was soon universally perceived, and the measure was erai. gradually adopted by every colony, from New Hampshire to South Carolina. ure be comes gen nental con gress. On the 4th of September, delegates from eleven colonies2 Sept. 5. appeared at Philadelphia; and the next day, having formed First conti- themselves into a congress, unanimously chose Peyton Randolph, late speaker of the Virginia assembly, president, and Mr. Charles Thomson secretary. After considerable discussion and debate respecting the mode of conducting business, it was resolved, that each colony should have one equal vote, whatever might be the Declaration number of its deputies. A declaration of rights was soon of rights. agreed on; the several acts, infringing and violating those 1 Thomas Cushing, Samuel Adams, Robert Treat Paine, James Bowdoin, and John Adams. 2 The deputies of North Carolina did not arrive till the 14th, rights, recited; and the repeal of them resolved to be essen- 1774. tially necessary to the restoration of harmony between Great Britain and the colonies. In the hope that peaceable measures might be adequate to the desired object, a non importation, non consumption, and non exportation agreement, was made. to the king; On the 1st of October, the congress, having resumed the con- Resolve on sideration of the means necessary to the restoration of American an address rights, resolved unanimously, "that a loyal address to his majesty be prepared, dutifully requesting the royal attention to the grievances which alarm and distress his majesty's faithful subjects in North America; and entreating his majesty's gracious interposition to remove such grievances, thereby to restore to Great Britain and the colonies that harmony so necessary to the happiness of the British empire, and so ardently desired by all America." It was ordered that Mr. Lee, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Henry, and Mr. Rutledge be a committee to prepare such an address. On the 11th of the month, it was resolved unanimously, that a memorial be prepared to the people of British America, stating to them the necessity of a firm, ple of Britunited, and invariable observance of the measures recommended ish Ameriby Congress, as they tender the invaluable rights and liberties derived to them from the laws and constitution of their country: Also, that an address be prepared to the people of Great Britain. and an adMr. Lee, Mr. Livingston, and Mr. Jay, were appointed to pre- people of pare the memorial and address.2 1 The acts complained of were such as had been passed by parliament since 1763, viz. acts of 4, 5, 6, and 7 George III, which imposed duties for the purpose of raising a revenue in America; extended the power of the admiralty courts beyond their ancient limits; deprived the American subject of trial by jury; authorized the judge's certificate to indemnify the prosecutor from damages, to which he might otherwise be liable, requiring oppressive security from a claimant of ships and goods seized, before he was allowed to defend his property: Also 12 Geo. III, ch. 24, entitled, "An act for the better securing his majesty's dock yards, magazines, ships, ammunition and stores," which declares a new offence in America, and deprives the American subject of a constitutional trial by jury of the vicinage, by authorizing the trial of any person, charged with the committing of any offence described in the said act out of the realm, to be indicted and tried for the same within any shire or county within the realm: Also the three acts, passed in the last session of parliament, for stopping the port and blocking up the harbour of Boston; for altering the charter and government of Massachusetts Bay; and for the better administration of justice &c.: Also the act, passed in the same session, for establishing the Roman Catholic religion in the province of Quebec, abolishing the equitable system of English laws, and erecting a tyranny there to the great danger (from so total a dissimilarity of religion, law, and government) of the neighbouring British colonies, by the assistance of whose blood and treasure the said country had been conquered from France: Also the act, passed in the same session, for the better providing suitable quarters for officers and soldiers in his majesty's service in North America. It was also resolved, that the keeping of a standing army in several of these colonies in time of peace, without the consent of the legislature of that colony in which such army was kept, is against law. 2 Life of R. H. Lee, i. c. 5. Mr. Lee wrote the Memorial to the people of a memorial to the peo ca; dress to the G. Britain. 1774. These papers inspired the people of the colonies with the highest confidence in the wisdom and ability of their delegates, These pa"and attracted the admiration, respect, and sympathy of Europe pers have towards themselves and the cause of America." The memorial, great effect in the colo- address, and petition, were transmitted to the colony agents, to nies, and in be presented and printed. Lord Chatham, speaking of them in G. Britain; the house of lords, said: "When your lordships look at the by lord papers transmitted to us from America, when you consider their Chatham. decency, firmness, and wisdom, you cannot but respect their are extolled Letters to Canada and other colo nies. Resolu tioned by the colonies. cause, and wish to make it your own. For myself, I must declare and avow, that in all my reading and observation, and it has been my favourite study, I have read Thucydides, and have studied and admired the master states of the world-that for solidity of reasoning, force of sagacity, and wisdom of conclusion, under such complication of circumstances, no nation, or body of men, can stand in preference to the general Congress at Philadelphia."1 A letter was also written to the people of Canada; and letters were addressed to the colonies of St. John's, Nova Scotia, Georgia, and the Floridas, inviting them to unite with their brethren in what was deemed the common cause of all British America. After a session of eight weeks, congress dissolved themselves; but not without giving their opinion," that another congress should be held on the tenth of May next ensuing, at Philadelphia, unless the redress of their grievances should be previously obtained ;" and recommending "to all the colonies to choose deputies as soon as possible, to be ready to attend at that time and place, should events make their meeting necessary." The resolutions of the Continental Congress received the tions sanc general sanction of the provincial congresses, and of the colonial assemblies. Though the power of that congress was merely advisory; "yet their recommendations were more generally and more effectually carried into execution, than the laws of the best regulated state." British America; Mr. Jay, the Address to the people of Great Britain. Ib. On the 7th of January following, Mr. Quincy wrote from London: "I have lately read various letters from several inland manufacturers to their mercantile correspondents, and I find that the address to the people of this country hath wrought, and s still working wonders." Life of Josiah Quincy, 295. 1 Life of R. H. Lee, i. c. 5. 2 The assembly of New York was the only legislature, that withheld its approbation from the resolutions of congress. The capital of that province had long been the head quarters of the British army in America; and many of the best families were connected with persons of influence in Great Britain. The unequal distribution of land in the province "fostered an aristocratic spirit." To these and other causes it is ascribed, that the party for royal government was more numerous and more respectable in New York, than in any of the other colonies. Ramsay. setts. The entire aspect of things in Massachusetts was still inauspi- 1774. cious. Soon after general Gage's arrival, two regiments of foot, with a small detachment of artillery and some cannon, were Affairs of landed at Boston, and encamped on the common; and they had Massachubeen gradually reinforced by several regiments from Ireland, New York, Halifax, and Quebec. The arrival and station of these troops excited the jealousy of the inhabitants of Boston and of the circumjacent counties. Their jealousy was increased by the stationing of a British guard on Boston neck, and perseverance in repairing and manning the fortifications at that entrance of the town. On the 1st of September, governor Gage sent two companies, and took possession of the powder in the arsenal at Charlestown.1 What was lodged in the magazine at Boston was also withholden from the legal proprietors. These injurious measures rendering consultation necessary, delegates assembled for that purpose from the several towns in the county of Suffolk. This assembly passed a number of spirited resolutions, containing Sept. 6. a detail of the particulars of their intended opposition to the late Suffolk Reacts of parliament, and a general declaration, "that no obedience is due from the province to either, or any part of the said acts, but that they should be rejected as the attempts of a wicked administration to enslave America." These resolves, "which in boldness exceeded any that had been adopted," were immediately forwarded to the continental congress; and were explicitly sanctioned by that august body. solves. legislature sembly, Governor Gage had issued writs for the holding of a general Members assembly at Salem on the 5th of October; but afterward judged chosen for it expedient to counteract the writs by a proclamation for sus- form a propending the meeting of the members returned. The legality of vincial as the proclamation, however, was questioned; and the new members, to the number of ninety, meeting according to the precept, and neither the governor nor any substitute attending, they resolved themselves into a provincial congress, and soon adjourned to Concord. They there chose Mr. John Hancock president; 1 The arsenal was in the northwest part of Charlestown, between Medford and Cambridge. About 200 of the king's troops passed silently in 13 boats up Mystic river in the night; and, disembarking at a convenient place, proceeded to the powder house, and carried off the whole quantity of powder deposited there, amounting to 250 or 300 barrels. Intelligence of this transaction was rapidly circulated; and in the morning several thousand inhabitants of the neighbouring towns assembled at Cambridge, principally in arms, and were with difficulty restrained from marching into Boston, to demand a delivery of the powder, and, in case of refusal, to attack the troops. Amidst the noise and confusion attending this affair, there sprang up a rumour, that the fleet and troops were firing on the town of Boston; and it flew through New England with such rapidity, that in less than 24 hours there were between 30 and 40,000 men in arins. Pres. Stiles, MS. Governor Gage, in a letter to the earl of Dartmouth, 3 September, mentions "the arsenal in Cambridge, which," he writes, "I had before sent a detachment to secure, and lodged it in Castle William." Parliamentary Register. and take measures for the de fence of the province. 1774. and appointed a committee to wait on the governor with a remonstrance, concluding with an earnest request, that he would desist from the construction of the fortress at the entrance into Boston, "and restore that pass to its neutral state." The governor expressed himself indignantly at their supposition of danger from English troops to any, excepting enemies; and warned them to desist from their illegal proceedings. Without regarding his admonition, they adjourned to Cambridge; and, when reassembled, they appointed a committee to draw up a plan for the immediate defence of the province; resolved to enlist a number of the inhabitants, to be in readiness to turn out at a minute's warning; elected three general officers to command those minute men and the militia, in case of their being called out to action; and appointed a committee of safety, and a committee of supplies. The same congress, meeting again in November, resolved to get in readiness 12,000 men, to act on any emergency; and that a fourth part of the militia should be enlisted as minute men, and receive pay; appointed two additional general officers; and sent persons to New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, to inform those colonies of its measures, and to request their cooperation in making up an army of 20,000 men. A committee was appointed to correspond with the inhabitants of Canada; and a circular letter was addressed to the several ministers in the province, requesting their assistance in averting the threatened slavery.3 The popularity of the measures taken for resisting the encroachments of the British government, and the confidence reposed in the provincial congress of Massachusetts, appear from Gov. Gage. the testimony of governor Gage: "The officers of the militia have, in most places, been forced to resign their commissions, and the men chose their officers, who are frequently made and unmade; and I shall not be surprised, as the provincial congress seems to proceed higher and higher in their determinations, if persons should be authorized by them to grant commissions, and assume every power of a legal government, for their edicts are implicitly obeyed throughout the country." 1 Hon. Jedidiah Preble, Hon. Artemas Ward, and colonel Pomeroy. 3 The form of the letter was as follows: "Rev. Sir, We cannot but acknow- |