CHAPTER XVI.

REVOLUTION.

THE years 1771 and 1772 were not distinguished by any important event. The southern colonies, more agricultural than commercial, suffered but little from the operation of the laws of trade, and having mostly popular governors, continued tranquil. In Massachusetts, various causes contributed to increase the discontent which previously existed. Governor Hutchinson, having adjourned the general court to Salem, refused, notwithstanding reiterated remonstrances. to permit them to return to Boston. He withdrew the provincial troops from the castle and supplied their place with regulars, as the British troops were then called. He declined receiving his salary from the colonial treasury, stating that his majesty had assigned to him, and also to the judges, permanent and honourable salaries, to be paid in Great Britain. These measures were highly unpopular, and especially the last, which released those officers from all dependence on the people.

To ascertain the sentiments of the inhabitants; to enlighten the remotest parts of the province by diffusing intelligence, and distributing political essays; and to produce concert in measures,

the jury. Of the soldiers, six were als quitted, there being no positive testimony they fired upon the people; and two were ac of murder, as great provocation was offer found guilty of manslaughter.-A result e the integrity of the jury and the magnanir. uprightness of the counsel for the accused While these events were occurring in nies, an attempt supported by the prim was made in England, to repeal all raising a revenue in America. The with a mixture of timidity and obsti teristic of the councils of the nation relinquished all the duties but t this they unwisely retained to a their supremacy over the coloni This partial repeal produced sentiments of the people. R test more clearly a contest of. their conduct in their own that of the world. The ments, however, were r

the general enr standing Teleme them to return. provincia troc

their plane were there

salary from

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paid 1.

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to all the towns in al court, in several published, animadmisrepresentations tters, thus increasing iscovery and perusal

e East India company, America, accumulated in gland. Encouraged by solved to export it on their pointed consignees in the he colonies. Those in Phiaced, by the disapprobation itizens, to decline their appointYork, spirited handbills were ing with ruin every person who rned in vending tea, and requiring their peril, not to conduct ships, hat article, into the harbour. Inti-hese proceedings, the captains of the bound to those ports, returned with Des to England.

ston, inflammatory handbills were also d, and meetings held; but the consignees, ostly relatives of the governor, and relying support, refused to decline their appoint

Their refusal enraged the citizens, and mmunity became agitated by the operation ghly excited passions. Meetings were more ently held. The committees of correspondwere every where active. The people of country exhorted their brethren in Boston to

the jury. Of the soldiers, six were also acquitted, there being no positive testimony that they fired upon the people; and two were acquitted of murder, as great provocation was offered, but found guilty of manslaughter.-A result evincing the integrity of the jury and the magnanimity and uprightness of the counsel for the accused.

While these events were occurring in the colonies, an attempt supported by the prime minister, was made in England, to repeal all the laws for raising a revenue in America. The parliament, with a mixture of timidity and obstinacy, characteristic of the councils of the nation at that period relinquished all the duties but that on tea, and this they unwisely retained to assert and display their supremacy over the colonies.

This partial repeal produced no change in the sentiments of the people. By rendering the contest more clearly a contest of principle, it sanctified their conduct in their own view and ennobled it in that of the world. The non-importation agreements, however, were made to correspond with the altered law. Tea only was to be excluded from the country; and this article of luxury was banished from the tables of all who were friendly to American rights.

CHAPTER XVI.

REVOLUTION.

THE years 1771 and 1772 were not distinguished by any important event. The southern colonies, more agricultural than commercial, suffered but little from the operation of the laws of trade, and having mostly popular governors, continued tranquil. In Massachusetts, various causes contributed to increase the discontent which previously existed. Governor Hutchinson, having adjourned the general court to Salem, refused, notwithstanding reiterated remonstrances. to permit them to return to Boston. He withdrew the provincial troops from the castle and supplied their place with regulars, as the British troops were then called. He declined receiving his salary from the colonial treasury, stating that his majesty had assigned to him, and also to the judges, permanent and honourable salaries, to be paid in Great Britain. These measures were highly unpopular, and especially the last, which released those officers from all dependence on the people.

To ascertain the sentiments of the inhabitants; to enlighten the remotest parts of the province by diffusing intelligence, and distributing political essays; and to produce concert in measures,