effected their object, shewed no marks of triumph; no savage warwhoop was heard; nor did they commit any other violence or disorder, but in the same silent, solemn and orderly manner, marched back through the town, followed by a vast crowd. No movements on the part of the government, or disturbance by the people, followed this event; and it was observed at the time, that the stillest night succeeded, which Boston had enjoyed for several months.

No persons assisted the savages, in the destruction of the tea, except some boys or young men, who had assembled on the occasion, and voluntarily took a part in what was going on; one of these youths, collected the tea which fell into his own shoes and those of several of his companions, put it in a phial and sealed it up; which is now in his possession, containing the same obnoxious tea, which in this instance was considered as more dangerous to the political health and constitution of the people, even than strong drink. The number of the savages, manufactured for the occasion, has been variously estimated, from sixty to eighty: although several persons have been mentioned as among the number, none of them have ever been known with certainty; there are many and obvious reasons, why secrecy then, and concealment since were necessary. Not any of those who it has been confidently asserted were of the party, have admitted the fact except some of the boys. Nearly all of the disguised persons have left this scene of strife, and their secret has died with them; and what few remain, if any, will probably be as prudent as those who have gone before them, and like them will suffer their knowledge to be buried with them, so that the great secret will shortly be beyond the reach of human research. The success of this bold and daring measure, astonished Governor Hutchinson and the British party, and seemed to convince him, that the "Sons of Liberty" were not quite so contemptible as he had represented them in his letters to the ministry; and it even astonished the whigs, in the other colonies, and contributed to fan the flames of liberty, and give them a deeper glow, and more intense heat.

When the intelligence of this event reached England, accom panied with all the exaggeration and colouring which Hutchinson could give to it, it produced the utmost excitement, and indignation with the ministerial party, and even the opponents of the American revenue system, could not justify so rash and desperate a measure. Parliament at once determined to crush the devoted town, which was the seat and cause of this high handed resistance to its supremacy. Its omnipotent power, and all the terrors of its wrath, were to be concentrated and directed against this rebellious town. A bill was immediately introduced to discontinue the landing and discharging, landing and shipping of goods, wares and merchandise, at the town of Boston, or within the bar. This bill, called the " Boston Port Bill," passed on the 25th of March, 1774, and when it was known, threw the inhabitants into the utmost consternation, A general meeting was called, and spirited resolutions adopted, expressive, in strong terms,

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of their sense of the oppressive measure, and they requested all the colonies to unite in an engagement to discontinue all importations from Great Britain; and most of the colonies resolved to make common cause with Massachusetts, in her opposition to the unconstitutional measures of parliament. The first of June, when the port bill was to go into operation, was appointed to be kept as a day of fasting and prayer. This act was soon followed by another, "for the better regulating government in the province of Massachusetts Bay;" the object of which was to alter the charter, so as to make the judges and sheriffs dependant on the king, and removeable at his pleasure. And this act was soon succeeded by another, which provided, that any persons indicted for murder, or other capital offence, committed in aiding the magistrates, in enforcing the laws, might be sent by the governor eiher to any other colony, or to Great Britain for his trial. The Quebec Bill followed in rapid succession, enlarging the bounds of that province, and conferring many privileges on the Roman Catholics; the design of which was to secure the attachment of that province, and prevent its joining with the colonies in their measures of resistance. These measures instead of intimidating the colonies into submission, only confirmed their fears of the settled designs of Great Britain to deprive them of their chartered rights, and reduce the colonies to the lowest state of political degradation and oppression. A sense of common danger led to an extensive correspondence, which resulted in the opinion that it was expedient to convene a general congress, to consist of deputies from all the colonies. This congress met at Philadelphia on the 5th of September, 1774; and comprised among its members, some of the most dstinguished patriots, astatesmen and orators in the country, or perhaps in any other. Notwithstanding the ferment which prevailed in most of the colonies, their proceedings were characterised by coolness, unanmity and firmness.

They published a long and solemn declaration of rights, as British subjects, and maintained in the strongest terms, their exemption from taxation by parliament; besides which, they prepared a petition to the king, which was refused to be answered; an address to the people of Great Britain, and another to the people of America. These documents were drawn up with a masterly hand, and exhibited great dignity and ability, and were in every respect worthy of the men who had confided to them the liberties of their country, and the destinies of three millions of their countrymen, threatened with slavery.

The proceedings of congress did not tend to allay public feeling, and as the royal agents in Massachusetts seemed determined to push matters to extremities, and reduce the people to unconditional submission, by arbitrary and forcible means, every thing now wore the appearance of civil war. A new council, and new judges were appointed by the crown; and the latter attempted to enter upon the execution of their offices; but the juries refused to be sworn under them; the people in some counties assembled to prevent their proceedings, and in Berk

shire succeeded, thus setting an example, which was afterwards followed by Shays' men, in violation of the laws of the state About this time the famous "Tree of Liberty," in Boston, which had been pruned and ornamented with so much pride and care, "fell a victim to British vengeance, or to some individual to whom its shade had become offensive."

Previously to this period, General Gage had succeeded Hutchi inson as Governor of Massachusetts; and, apprehending danger from a general muster of the militia, he caused the magazines and ammunition at Charlestown and Cambridge, to be removed to Boston, and fortified the neck of land which joins Boston to the mainland, at Roxbury. These measures occasioned an universal panic; delegates from all the towns in the county of Suffolk met, and spirited resolutions, and a remonstrance to the governor, were adopted. The general assembly had been summoned to meet at Salem; but from the turbulence of the times, the governor issued his proclamation, countermanding their meeting; yet, in defiance of the governor's mandate, ninety members met, resolved themselves into a provincial congress, chose Mr. Hancock president, and adjourned to Concord, nineteen miles from Boston. They fearlessly proceeded to business; after addressing the governor, and reiterating their grievances; in the face of British law and British troops, they proceed to adopt the first measures, which were taken, directly and avowedly preparatory to an appeal to the sword, in defence of their rights and liberties; they regulated the militia, made provision for furnishing the people with arms, and for supplying the treasury; and such was the enthusiasm of the people, that their recommendations had the force of law. Governor Gage was filled with rage at these daring proceedings, and issued a proclamation, in which he insinuated that they amounted to rebellion.

Early in 1775, parliament passed the fishery bills, which prohibited the colonies from trading in fish with Great Britain, Ireland and the West Indies, and from taking fish on the banks of Newfoundland. These acts were intended to operate on the town of Boston, which had become the devoted object of ministerial wrath. The various statutes, which were passed, occasioned deep and general distress in Boston and its vicinity; but their brethren in the other colonies sympathized with them, and promptly supplied them with provisions of every description for the relief of the sufferers.

This policy of the British government was not only oppressive, but mean and contemptible. Partial legislation is always odious and tyrannical; yet it consisted with the justice and dignity of the British nation; and a series of acts were passed, and the power of the nation exerted, to crush the town of Boston, because it had shewn a more determined spirit of resistance to their oppressive and unconstitutional measures than had appeared in other places. The ministry were not sensible that the colonies considered themselves all engaged in a common cause; they were in hopes to humble and crush the rebellious inhabitants of that devoted town, which they thought would be such a terrific example as would