History of the Siege of Boston, and of the Battles of Lexington, Concord and Bunker Hill. Also, an account of the Bunker Hill Monument. With illustrative documents

Preface

. The preparation of a History of Charlestown led to large collections relative to the military transactions that occurred, in 1775 and 1776, in the vicinity of Boston. The greater part of them, however, could not be properly used in a publication of so local a character ; and as no work had been issued containing a full narrative of these interesting events, it was con cluded to prepare the present volume. It will be found to contain little of general history, and no more of the civil history of Boston than appeared to be necessary to show its relation to the patriot party at the commencement of hostilities. Time and labor have been freely spent in searching for original documents for this work. Hence, much of the narrative has been drawn from contemporary manuscripts, and nearly all of it from contemporary authorities.

Less scepticism as to tradition, and the admission of a larger portion of personal anecdote, might have made it more amusing, but it would have been less reliable. No statement has been made without being warranted by authority believed to be good, and no opinion has been expressed which a

PREFACE.

. careful scrutiny of evidence did not seem to authorize. Ample time, also, has been taken in the labor of arrangement, and hence haste will not be pleaded in extenuation of error. It will only be remarked, that while there has been diligent search for facts, a careful endeavor has been made to state them fairly and exactly. The author takes pleasure in expressing grateful acknowledgments to the many friends who have aided or encouraged his humble labors. He will always remember their courtesy and kindness. He is specially indebted to President Jared Sparks, Hon. James Sav age, and George Ticknor, Esquire, for valuable assistance. The librarians of various public institutions have rendered every facility in making researches. Such attention is alike cheering and gratifying to the inquirer.

This volume has been written under sentiments of grateful veneration for the memory of the men who sacrificed so much, and who struggled so nobly, in be half of American Liberty. May it contribute something to perpetuate the story of their heroism and suffer ing, and to foster a desire to emulate their virtues and patriotism. CONTENTS.

Chapter I

— COLONIAL POLITICS Date. Page 1774. Progress of New England, . . . 1 Jealousy of Great Britain, ... 2 Taxation of the Colonies, .... 3 Massachusetts Politics, .... 4 Mar. 31. Passage of the Port Bill, .... 6 May 13. Arrival of General Gage, .... 6 17. Lands in Boston, 6 June. Orders Troops to Boston, .... 7 The Regulating Acts 8 Aug. 6. Received by Gage, 9 Committees of Correspondence, . 10 26. Council at Faneuil Hall, . . . . 11 30. Middlesex County Convention, .12 Sept. 1. Removal of Powder, 13 Popular Excitement, 14 4. Fortification of Boston Neck, . 15 Remonstrances, 16 Date. Pag a 1774. Sept. Boston in 1774, 17 Topography, 18 Government, 18 Population 19 Commerce, 20 Patriots, 21 Divines, 24 Mechanics, 25 Public Meeting., ... 26 Committees, 27 Clubs, 29 Newspapers, 31 Tories, 32 Daily News, 35 Suffering, 37 26. Militia Organized, 41 Nov. British Troops in Boston, ... 43

Chapter II

— LEXINGTON AND CONCORD. 1775. ] January. Policy of the Patriots, 45 of General Gage, .... 46 23. Expedition to Marshfield, ... 46 Feb. 26. Expedition to Salem, 47 Insults of the British Troops, . . 49 Mar. 30. Excursion into the Country, . . 51 Hostile News from England, . . 52 Spirit of the Patriuts, 53 April. Gage resolves to destroy theStores:55 15. Suspicious Movements in Boston. 56 18. Proceedings of British Officers, . 56 Embarkation of Troops, . . . . 58 The Town of Lexington, . . . . 59 March of Colonel Smith, .... 60 19. Skirmish at Lexington, .... 62 Concord in 1775, 64 Retreat of the Militia, .... - 66 The British in Concord, .... 67 The Militia and Minute-men, . 67 Skirmish at the North Bridge, . 69 A* 1775. April 19. Gathering of the Minute-men, . 71 The British leave Concord, ... 72 Skirmish at Merriam's Comer, . 72 in Lincoln, 73 in Lexington, .... 74 Disorder of the British, . . . . 74 Lord Percy's March, 76 Doctor Warren and Gen. Heath, 76 Events in West Cambridge, . . 77 Fire at Prospect Hill, 78 Events in Charlestown, .... 79 Killed and Wounded, 80 Monuments, 82 Character of the Battle, . . . . 83 Effect in the Colonies, 84 Narrative sent to England, ... 85 Effect in England, 86 Ministerial Card, 87 British Comments, 89 Greatness of the Day, VI CONTENTS.

Chapter III

-THE SIEGE OF BOSTON. Date. Page 1775. April 20. Circulars of the Committee of Safety, 91 Assembling of an Army, ... 92 The People of Boston, .... 93 23. Agreement with Gage, .... 94 27. Delivery of Arms, 95 Violation of the Agreement, . . 96 The People of Charlestown, . . 97 Action of Massachusetts, ... 98 of New Hampshire, . . 99 of Connecticut, .... 100 of Rhode Island, .... 100 Organization of the Army, . . 101 Its Character 102 Its Officers, 103 May 1. Embassy of Connecticut, . . . 104 Fortifications at Cambridge, . . 106 Date. P»ge 1775. May 3. Letter to the Continental Congress, 106 4. Letter to Connecticut, .... 106 5. Vote against Governor Gage, . 107 9. Alarm in the Camp, 107 13. March to Charlestown, .... 107 17. A British Barge fired upon, . .10. 21. Fight at Grape Island, . . . . 10<_ 27. at Noddle's Island, . . . 1C9 June.

Debates on Armed Vessels, . . 110 6. Exchange of Prisoners, . . . .111 12. Proclamation of Gage, . . . .113 The British Army, 114 Report on Fortifications, . . .115 15. Resolve to occupy Bunker Hill, 116 16. Position of the Americans, . .117 Description of Charlestown, . . 119

Chapter IV

— BUNKER HILL BATTLE June 16. Detachment ordered to Bunker Hill, 121 Prescott's Orders, 122 March to Charlestown, .... 122 Consultation of Officers, . . . 123 Proceedings during the Night, . 124 17. Cannonade of the British, . . .125 Prescott's Coolness, 126 June 17. Sufferings of the Men, . . . . 126 British Council of War, . . . . 127 Prescott and Reinforcements, . 128 Putnam and the Intrenching Tools, 129 Preparations of the British, . .130 Landing at Charlestown, . . . 131 Alarm in Cambridge, 132

Chapter V

— BUNKER HILL BATTLE. June 17. Anxiety at Breed's Hill, ... 133 Putnam. Warren. Pomeroy, 133 The Rail-fence Breastwork, . .134 The New Hampshire Troops, . 134 The American Defences, . . . 135 Positions of the Regiments, . . 136 Howe's Speech to his Men, . . 137 Walker's Reconnoitre Service, . 138 Advance of the British, . . . .139 Fire of the Artillery. Plate. . 139 First Attack, 140 Putnam and Prescott, 142 June 17. Second Attack, 143 Burning of Charlestown, . . . 144 ReLreat of the British, . . . . 145 The American Reinforcements, 146 Scenes on Bunker Hill, .... 147 Prescott at the Redoubt, . . . 147 Second British Reinforcement, 148 The Third Attack, 149 The Redoubt Stormed, .... 150 Retreat of Prescott, 151 Putnam on Bunker Hill, . . . 152 Prescott at Cambridge, .... 153

Chapter VI

— BUNKER HILL BATTLE. June 17. Character of the Battle, . . . . 154 Its Object, 165 Its Consequences, 156 Its Confusion, 158 Question of Command, . . . . 159 Evidence respecting Prescott, 159 June 17. Evidence respecting Putnam, . 163 Conclusion, 166 William Prescott, 166 Israel Putnam, 168 Joseph Warren, 170 Seth Pomeroy, CONTENTS VII

Chapter VII

— BUNKER HILL BATTLE. Date. Page 1775. June 17. The American Regiments, . . 175 Prescott's, Frye's, 175 Bridge's. Moses Parker, ... 176 Little's. Doolittle's, 177 Willard Moore. Gerrish's, . . 178 Samuel Gerrish, 179 Christian Febiger, 179 Gardner's. Thomas Gardner, . 180 The Charlestown Company, . . 181 Brewer's. Wm. Buckminster, 182 Woodbridge's. Whitcomb's, . 183 Richard Gridley, 184 Scarborough Gridley, 185 John Callender, 185 Stark's. John Stark, 186 Date. Pago 1775. June 17. Andrew McClary, 186 Reed's Regiment, 187 The Connecticut Troops, ... 188 Webb's Letter, 189 Thomas Knowlton, 190 Numbers engaged 190 Killed and Wounded, 192 Major Pitcaim 195 Major Spendlove, 195 British Comments, 196 The Redoubt 197 General Howe 199 British Criticism, ... .... 199 Destruction of Charlestown, . . 201 Characteristics of the Battle, . 204

Chapter VIII

— THJ June 18. Alarm in the Country, .... 207 Distress in Boston, 207 Scenes in Charlestown, .... 208 General Ward reinforced, . . . 209 Appeal of the Provincial Congress, 210 Prospect Hill fortified, .... 210 Winter Hill " . . . . 211 Works at Roxbury, 212 Skirmishes and Cannonade, . . 213 Congress adopt the Army, . . . 213 E SIEGE OF BOSTON. June 15. Washington made Commander, 214 His Journey to the Camp, . . .214 July 3. Assumes the Command, .... 214 Addresses to him and his Replies, 215 Description of the Lines, . . . 216 Character of the Army, .... 217 9. Council of War, 218 Organization of the Army, . . 219 The Environs of Boston, . . . 220 Description of the Camp, . . . 221 of Washington, . .222

Chapter IX

—THE SIEGE OF BOSTON. July. Generals Lee and Burgoyne, . . 223 8. Skirmishes on Boston Neck, . . 224 12. Expedition to Long Island, . . 225 18. Declaration of Congress, .... 226 20. Expedition to Nantasket, ... 227 29. Skirmish at Charlestown Neck, 228 30. Skirmishes and Cannonade, . . 230 31. Expedition to the Light-house, 230 Aug. 3. Council of War, 231 Aug. 26. Ploughed Hill fortified, .... 233 State of Boston, 234 Distresses of the British Array, 235 Hardships of the Inhabitants, .236 Destruction of Liberty Tree, . . 237 Enlistment of Tories, 239 Treatment of Prisoners, . . . .240 Sept. Cannonade, 242 Attack on Boston proposed, . . 244

Chapter X

— THE SIEGE OF BOSTON. Oct. 1. Gage resolves lo Winter in Boaton, 246 His Recall, 247 6. Addresses to him, 248 10. General Howe assumes the Command, 249 Oct. 10. His Character and Policy, ... 250 Bunker Hill and Boston Neck, 251 28. Howe's Proclamations, .... 252 Skirmishes in October, .... 253 The Roxbury Lines, 254 Views of Washington, . . . .255 CONTENTS. VIII Da.e. Pa-° 1775. October. His Trial and Punishment, . . 259 Armed Vessels fitted out, . . . 2C0 Action of Massachusetts, . . . 261 The Pine-tree Flag 262 Datt. Page 1775. October. Committee from Congress, . . 256 Attack on Boston proposed, . . 257 Correspondence of Dr. Church, 268 His Arrest 258

Chapter XI

— THE SIEGE OF BOSTON. Nov. Independence advocated in the Camp, 263 Success of the Americans, . . .264 Efforts of New England, .... 264 of Massachusetts, . . . 265 Jealousy of New England, . . . 266 New Arrangement of Officers, . 266 9. Skirmish at Lechmere's Point, 267 22. Cobble Hill fortified, 268 Success of the Armed Cruisers, 269 The Stores of the Nancy, . . . 270 29. Battery at Lechmere's Point, . 270 Dec. 17. Lechmere's Point fortified, . . 271 Manly's Captures, 272 Dec. Conduct os Connecticut Troops, 273 Requisition for Militia, .... 273 Description of the Camp, . . .274 Proceedings in England, . . . 276 The Supplies sent to Boston, . 277 Instructions to General Howe, . 277 Howe's Apprehensions ofScarcity, 278 He enlists Loyalists, 279 His Proclamation, 279 Sufferings of the Army, . . . .280 Plundering, 281 Demolition of'Buildings, . . . 281 Description of Boston, . . . .282 CHAPTER Xn. — THE SIEGE OF BOSTON. 1776.

Jan. 1. The Union Flag, 283 Effect of the King's Speech, . . 284 Weakness of the Americans, . 284 An Assault recommended, . . . 286 8. Enterprise to Charlestown, . . 287 Skirmishes, 2S9 Council of War, .... ... 290 Washington's Views, 292 Expedition from Boston, . . . 292 Howe's Views of the Campaign, 293 Arrival of Supplies, 293 Habits of the Troops, 294 Cheerful Aspect of Things, . .295 Washington receives Supplies, 295 Prepares to occupy Dorchester, 297 Mar. 2., Cannonade of Boston, 297 4. Dorchester Heights occupied, . 297 1776. Mar. 5. Howe resolves upon an Attack, 298 Effects of a Storm, 300 7. Howe's Critical Situation, . . 301 Resolves to evacuate Boston, . 301 Astonishment of the Tories, . . 302 Boston threatened, 303 The Selectmen and Washington, 303 9. Attempt to occupy Nook's Hill, 305 10.

Howe's Proclamation, .... 306 11. Plundering in Boston, . . . • .307 14. Streets barricaded, 303 16. Nook's Hill occupied, 309 17. The British evacuate Boston, . 309 The Americans take Possession. 310 They march to New York, . . 312 Captain Mugford's Engagement, 313 June 14. The British leave the Harbor, . 314

Chapter XIII

— THE SIEGE OF BOSTON. March. Joy in the Colonies, 316 Address of Boston Selectmen, . 316 Reply of Washington, 317 Address of Massachusetts, . . .318 Letter of Congress, 318 The Medal ordered by Congress, 319 Letter of Elbridge Gerry, . . . 320 The Intelligence in England, . 320 Debates in House of Commons, 321 in House of Lords, . . 322 March. Approval of the Ministry, . . . 324 Criticism on General Howe, . . 325 Washington's Policy approved, 326 Description of Boston, . . . .327 The Old South Church, .... 328 Public Buildings, 328 The Fortifications, 329 Description of Charlestown, . . 330 Fort on Bunker Hill, 331 Concluding Remarks, CONTENTS, IX THE BUNKER HILL MONUMENT. Page Page Monument to Warren proposed, 337 Meeting in Faneuil Hall, 348 The Celebration of Bunker Hill Battle, . 338 Debt of the Monument Association, . . .348 Monument on Breed's Hill, 338 Recommencement of the Work, 348 Description of it, 339 Its Suspension, ... • 349 Early Celebrations, 339 Amos Lawrence and Judah Truro, .... 349 Origin of the Bunker Hill Monument, . .340 The Ladies' Fair, 350 Act of Incorporation, 341 Contract with James S. Savage, 351 Subscriptions solicited, 342 Completion of the Monument, 351 Celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary, . 342 Celebration of 1843, 351 The Form of the Monument, 343 Receipts, 352 Description of the Celebration, 344 Expenditures.

Services of Individuals, . 353 Solomon Willard, 346 Officers of the Association, 354 Commencement of the Work, 346 Economy of the Work, 355 The Mechanic Association, 347 Description of the Monument, 355

Appendix

. Colonial Politics. 3. General Gage's Official Account, . . 386 1. Call of a Meeting, Aug. 26, 1774, . . . 361 4. Letter of John Chester, 389 2. Proceedings of the Meeting, 361 5. Letter of Peter Brown, 392 3. Extracts from the Diary of T. Newell, 363 6. Letter of Samuel Gray, 393 7. Letter of William Prescott, and Extracts from Letters of Wm. Tudor, Wm. Heath, and Artemas Ward, . 395 Lexington and Concord. 1. Publications on the Events of the 19th of April, 365 8. Account in Rivington's Gazette, . . . 397 2. Deposition relative to Events in Lexington, 367 9. Criticism printed in the London Chronicle, 398 10. List of the Regiments, 401 3. Deposition relative to Events in Concord, 367 4. Petition of William Tay, 368 Siege of Boston. 5. of Martha Moulton, 369 1. Return of the Army, March 2, 1776, . 404 C. of Jacob Rogers, 371 2.

Returns of the Army during the Siege, 406 Bunker Hill Battle. 3. Account of Stores, Ordnance and Vessels, left in Boston, 406 1. Review of the Authorities on the Battle, 372 2. Narrative prepared by Order of the Committee of Safety, 381 4. Account of the Forts around Boston, erected during the Siege, 409 ILLUSTRATIONS. Plan of Boston, to face Title-page, .... 3 Cannonade in Bunker Hill Battle, . . . . 139 An Attempt to land a Bishop in America, 24 British Plan of the Redoubt, 198 Plan of Concord, 70 Pine-tree Flag, 262 Monument at Lexington, 90 Lines on Boston Neck, 315 Boston and its Environs 91 Fort on Bunker Hill, 331 Monument at Concord, 120 View of Bunker Hill Monument, 337 View of Charlestown, 121 Section of the Monument, 357 Plan of Bunker Hill Battle, 133 First Monument on Breed's Hill, ....

MAPS AND ILLUSTRATIONS. The Plan op Boston, by Lieut. Page, was published in England, in 1777. It is the only plan of Boston, of much value, of the publications of 1775. It contains many names not on the last edition of Price's plan, which is entitled, " A New Plan of the Great Town of Bos. ton, in New England, in America; with the many Additional Buildings and New Streets, lo the year 1769." Page's plan is curious, as it shows the streets and principal places in the last year Boston was under British authority, and the intrenchments erected by the British troops. This is the first American engraving of this plan. It is of the same size as the engraving of 1777, and as nearly as possible a sac-simile of it. The Plan of Bunker Hill Battle is by the same person— the groundwork being from an actual survey by the celebrated British engineer, Capt. Montresor.

It is the only plan of Charlestown of so early a date. It is on the same scale as that published by Felton and Par ker, in 1848, and the plans will be found to agree as to Main-street, Bunker Hill-street and other streets. The engraving for this work is the first American engraving. It is of the same size as the British engraving, and as to the outlines — streets, houses, trees, fences, line of fire and lettering— is an exact copy. It will be observed that the hills are not named correctly — Bunker Hill should be Breed's Hill. This plan was first published in 1776 or 1777, and the plate of it, with a few alterations in the lettering, was used by Stedman, in 1794, —without, however, any credit being given either to Montresor or Page. A plan was also made by Henry D'Berniere, a British officer.

This was first engraved in this country, in 1818, for the Analec tic Magazine. The ground plan is not so correct as Page's. I have seen an old MS. copy of this, slightly varying in the streets from the engraving. This plan forms the basis of Colonel Swett's plan of the battle. The Plan of Boston and its Environs was prepared from several plans. Various maps of this vicinity were published during the Revolution. A curious one appeared in England, in 1775, entitled, "The Seat of War in New England, by an American Volunteer, with the Marches of several Corps sent by the Colonies towards Boston." It is on one sheet of imperial paper, and was published by R. Sayer and J. Bennett, Sept. 2, 1775. This map contains a plan of Boston and of Boston harbor; also, a picture of the battle of Bunker Hill.

It represents the town on fire, and the British columns, with colors, marching to the attack. The map repre sents the New Hampshire troops coming by the way of Andover, Wilmington and Woburn ; the Connecticut troops, by way of Providence ; and Washington and " the New York Grena diers" (! )by the way of Worcester. It is more curious than valuable. The Philadelphia Ledger (Aug. 19, 1775) contains an advertisement of a map taken " by the most skilful draughtsman in all America." This was Roman's Map of the Seat of Civil War in America. It is inscribed to John Hancock. It has a rude view of the lines on Boston Neck, and a " Plan of Boston and its Environs." A curious map of Boston and its environs was published, in 1776, at Paris, by " Ch. de Beaurain, Geographer to his Majesty." It purports to be copied from a British plan, — probably from a plan drawn by an engineer in Boston, in October, 1775, and (March, 1776) published "by a nobleman."

This plan also is curious, but not correct. Other smaller plans also appeared, in various publications. Lieut. Page prepared a map of "Boston, its Environs and Harbor, with the Rebels' Works," &c, from his own observations and the plans of Capt. Montresor. This was published in England, by William Faden, in 1777. It is valuable as to the harbor, but incorrect as to the country. Henry Pelham published, in 1777, a large map of Boston and its environs, dedicated to Lord George Germaine, which is by far the most accurate of the maps of the environs. The plan in Dr. Gordon's History was evidently compiled from Page's for the harbor, and from Pelham's for the country. This was copied by Marshall. The View of Charlestown is copied from an original MS. of 1775, and communicated by Henry Stevens, Esq. The View of the Lines on Boston Neck is taken from one of the British prints of 1777.

The Plan of the Fort on Bunker Hill is taken from Lieut. Carter's letters, written mostly from Charlestown Heights, during the siege, and published in England, in 1781. The Representation of the Pine-tree Flag is from the French map of Boston and environs. The Stamps on the covers are representations of the devices on the gold medal (see p. 319) struck, by order of Congress, in honor of Washington. THE SIEGE OF BOSTON.

Chapter I

Colonial Politics. Taxation of America. The Boston Port Bill. Acts altering the Massachusetts Charter. Resisted by the People. Hostile Preparations. Boston in 1774. The New England colonists always claimed the liberties of Englishmen. They brought with them the principles that the people are the fountain of political power, and that there can be no just taxation without representation ; and contended for the right of applying these principles according to their wants. They brought with them, also, that republican spirit which animated the English Puritans, and their early ideal was the establishment of civil commonwealths on the basis of Christian principles. To their vision, this form was a divine institution, the government of angels in heaven, and which ought to be that of men upon earth.

It was instituted by God himself in the Holy Scriptures, whereby any nation might enjoy all the ends of government in the best manner.1 Hence the New England communities became republican in form, while they had for their "quickening spirit, equal rights, freedom of thought and action, and personal independence."2 It was this spirit, and the bold application of these principles, that made the colonists, so far as their internal policy was concerned, virtually independent; while, so far as their external politics were concerned, their allegiance to the crown did not include an admission of the supremacy of-Parliament. In fact, they regarded themselves as capable of organizing 'Eliot's Christian Commonwealth, Preface, 1650. sJohn Q. Adams, in Mass. Hist. Coll., vol. 29, p. 210. local governments, contracting alliances with each other, coin ing money, making war, and concluding peace.

The institutions that grew up, shaped in a great measure as experience dictated, were admirably adapted to strengthen and develop a love of liberty united to a respect for law. The almost con tinual struggles with the aborigines and the French served as an invaluable school in which to learn the discipline, and to become inured to the dangers, of a military life ; while schools, and colleges, and churches, maintained with wonderful perseverance, nurtured an equally invaluable intelligence and public virtue. Persons and property were secure, and labor was less burdened with restriction, and more free to reap a fair reward, than it was in any country in the world. In a word, there grew up a system of local administration well suited to the condition of a rising people, united to a general organization, capable, in any emergency, of affording it pro tection.

The colonists, in the enjoyment of so large a measure of individual freedom, developed in a remarkable degree the resources of the country, and increased surprisingly in com mercial and political importance. This progress, which ought to have been regarded in Great Britain with pride and pleasure, was beheld with jealousy and apprehension ; — with jealousy, lest the industrial enterprise of the colonists should compete too successfully with that of the mother country ; and with apprehension, lest their rising importance should invite them to assert political independence. These feelings were strengthened by the representations made of their condition by agents of the ministry and by royal governors. Quarry's memorial in 1703 affords a striking illustration of these reports. "Commonwealth notions," he wrote, "improve daily ; and if it be not checked, in time the rights and privileges of British subjects will be thought by them to be too narrow."

Various measures were recommended to check these ideas. Sagacious royalists saw the republi can tendencies of the prevailing system of local government, — the Congregationalism in the churches, the town organizations, the local assemblies, — whose influence reached the roots and fibres of the social system ; and it is worthy of remark, that their recommendations reached the foundation of this tendency. JEALOUSY OF GREAT BRITAIN. Randolph in 1685, Quarry in 1703, Hutchinson in 1773,' advised an interference with the towns, and the adoption of the policy of centralization. Other recommendations were made, and commercial regulations were established, which bore with monstrous injustice on their rising manufactures and trade. The colonists, however, had enjoyed their social and political advantages too long to relinquish them without a struggle.

They determined to retain their admirable system of local government, and to keep free from foreign taxation. They claimed the right to go on in the path of freedom and progress they with so much toil and treasure had laid open. Why should a country, clothed by the God of nature with all his highest forms of magnificence and grandeur, be governed by an island of the Old World 1 Why should it be impeded in its career by manacles thrown about its giant limbs by the selfishness of its parent?2 The tyrannical revenue laws were never fully submitted to ; and if they were not openly opposed, it was because they were not rigidly enforced. The British ministry, dissatisfied with so easy an allegiance, resolved, after the conclusion of the treaty of Aix La Chapelle, (1748,) to adopt a more stringent policy with respect to the colonies, by enforcing the revenue laws, and asserting the prin ciple of British supremacy.

They introduced into Parliament a bill which proposed to sweep away the colonial charters without the form of legal judgment, and which authorized the king's instructions to be enforced as law. This bill excited great alarm, and was successfully resisted by the agents of the colonies.3 War again broke out with France, and William Pitt became prime minister, who was opposed to this policy. This great statesman resigned in 1761, and the Grenville ministry subsequently renewed it. In consequence of this, politics became the chief concern of almost every local community. 1 Hutchinson, March 10, 1773, wrote, " Is there any way of compelling Boston to be a corporation, by depriving them of their present privileges, and not suffering any acts of the town? The charter of New York city might be a good pattern.

Can no restraint be laid on the other towns, from acting in any other affairs than such as immediately concern them respec tively? 2 Smyth's Lectures, vol. ii., p. 357. 3 Minot's Massachusetts, vol. I., p. 147. In opposition to this policy, and in behalf of commercial free dom, James Otis made (1761) his memorable speech on writs of assistance. The idea was entertained, at this period, that an American empire was close at hand. It was deduced from the ratio of the increase of population in the colonies, their great natural resources, free spirit, deliverance from danger from the French, and the adoption of the restrictive policy of the ministry. It is not the purpose of these pages, however, to dwell on political events further than as they were the im mediate occasion of the commencement of hostilities.

In 1765 the ministry determined to enforce the supremacy of Parlia ment by a system of internal taxation. Hence the stamp act, and the opposition to it; its repeal, and the Avild joy of the colonists. But the claim was still asserted, that Parliament had the right to bind the colonies in all cases whatsoever ; and, to enforce it, other acts were passed, bearing upon all of them, and calling forth in all general opposition and counteracting measures. In Massachusetts, for nearly a century and a half, there had been a steady and healthy development of free principles. The people manifested it in the early struggles for their char ters, in their resistance to the greedy tyranny of Andros, and in the subsequent political controversies between the liberty men and the prerogative-men. Hence, during the ten years of strong reasoning, and firm resolve, and eloquent appeal — from 1764 to 1774 — the acts judged unconstitutional, and contrary to natural and chartered rights, met in this colony with the most determined opposition.

It was carried on by men of the Puritan stock, who had in them the earnestness, singleness of heart, and ready devotion, of the olden time, and who believed that Divine Providence had appointed them to develop and defend a rational liberty. There was no com promise, with such men, with duty. Hence, in dealing with the small tax on tea, when no other course remained, they did not hesitate to destroy the obnoxious herb. Hutchinson writes, " This was the boldest stroke that had been struck in America." It was done after deliberate council, was the work of no common mob, was welcomed through the colonies by the ringing of bells and other signs of joy, and was defended GENERAL GAGE. as a measure of political necessity. Ministerial wisdom de vised as a punishment the Boston Port Bill, which was signed March 31, 1774, and went into effect on the first day of June.