Chapter VI.

THE REVOLUTION.

Commencement of the causes which led to the Revolution-Colonial Congress-Opposition to the stamp act-Its repeal-Imposition of new duties by parliament-Opposition of the colonies-Repeal of the duties, excepting on tea-Affray of March 5th 1770-Destruction of tea in Boston-Boston port bill-Meeting of Congress-Engagements at Lexington and Concord-Surrender of Ticonderoga and Crown PointBattle of Bunker hill-Washington appointed commander in chief-He arrives at Cambridge-Surrender of fort St. Johns, and Montreal— Unsuccessful attack of Quebec-Death of Montgomery-Burning of Norfolk, by lord Dunmore-Boston evacuated-Declaration of Independence-Engagement on Long-Island-Retreat from the IslandForts Washington and Lee surrendered to the British-General despondency---Capture of the Hessians at Trenton---Battle of Brandywine ---Howe enters Philadelphia---Battle of Germantown---Battle of Bennington---Surrender of the British army under Burgoy ne---Treaty of Alliance with France---Battle of Monmouth---Savannah surrendered to the British---Ineffectual attempt to recover Savannah---Stoney Point taken by Wayne-Penobscot expedition---Defeat of the Five Nations--Surrender of Charleston to Clinton---Battle of Camden---and of King's mountain---Treason of Arnold---Fate of Andre---Predatory warfare of Arnold in Virginia--Battle of Cowpens--Battle of Guilford---Battle of Eutaw Springs---Surrender of the British army under Cornwallis---. New-London burnt by Arnold---Naval engagement in the West Indies --Commissioners appointed to negociate a peace---Peace concluded--Army disbanded---Washington's resiguation.

IN the year 1764, the parliament of England passed an act, the preamble to which begins thus: Whereas it is just and necessary, that a revenue be raised in America, for defraying the expenses of defending, protecting and securing the same, &c." The act then proceeds to lay a duty on clayed sugar, indigo, coffee, silk, molasses, calicoes, &c. being the produce of a colony not under the dominion of his majesty. To this the colonists submitted; though not without complaint and remonstrance.

Instead of a repeal of the act, parliament, the next year, imposed a duty on stamps. Resolutions were passed by the popular branches of most of the colonial legislatures, against this duty. Massachusetts recommended a colonial congress, to consult for the general welfare. A congress from most of the colonies, consisting of twenty-eight members met at New-York; remonstrated against the act of parliament; petitioned for its repeal; and made a declaration of the rights of the colonies; declaring that taxation and representation were inseparable; and that parliament had no right to take their money without their consent.

The stamp act was to begin its operation on the first' of November. On this day, in most of the colonies, the strongest opposition was made to the collection of the duty. Mobs, in many of the cities, attacked the property and persons of the collectors, of the distributors of stamps,and other obnoxious persons. The colours of vessels in port were hoisted at half mast-high, bells were tolled, the effigies of offensive characters were hanged; and other expressions of resistance were exhibited throughout all the colonies.

In some places the constituted distributors of stamps were compelled to resign, to save themselves from the vengeance of the people. The stamps were refused a landing in some ports, and delivered up to the people in others. Business was conducted without stamped paper; and the validity of obligations was established by the courts. Meanwhile the colonists entered into associations, not to import British goods, till the stamp act should be repealed.

When information of the almost universal opposition of the Americans to the stamp act, reached the ears of parliament, a considerable agitation arose. Mr. Pitt said: " You have no right to tax America. I rejoice that America has resisted. Three millions of our fellow subjects so lost to every sense of virtue, as tamely to give up their liberties, would be fit instruments to make slaves of the rest."

Parliament had only the alternative; to compel the Americans to submit to the act, or to repeal it. After much de

bate and contention, the act was repealed: but the repealing act had this sweeping sentence. "That the parliament had, "and of right ought to have, power to bind the colonies "in all cases whatsoever :" thus asserting a right over persons, property, and every thing connected with civil and religious liberty, and human happiness.

The Americans, however, considered this as merely a salvo for the honour of parliament; and did not suppose they would ever again tax the colonies. Hence the repeal gave the greatest satisfaction: commercial intercourse was renewed, and importations from Great Britain were larger than ever.

1767. The chancellor of the exchequer brought into parliament a bill for imposing a duty to be collected in the colonies, on glass, paper, painter's colours and tea. The bill soon passed both houses; and was the next year sent to the colonies. A bill was passed also for establishing at Boston a board of commissioners, to manage the revenue arising from the duties. An act was also passed to compel the colonies to provide for British troops, and support them at their own expense.

These various acts of parliament resuscitated the flames. of resentment and opposition, which had been almost extinguished. Resolves, remonstrances, petitions and addresses, were the order of the day. Another association was formed, for discontinuing the importation of British manu. factures. Massachusetts sent a circular address to the sister colonies, which was universally approved by them; they in most instances adopting similar modes for obtaining redress of their grievances. The British ministry were highly offended, more particularly against Massachusetts; and sent word to the governor to call on the assembly to rescind their proceedings. The assembly refused, ninetytwo to seventeen; and were, the next day, dissolved by the Governor.

At the instigation of the British custom house officers, two regiments from Halifax were landed in Boston, whose

presence, but more, whose outrages, greatly irritated the inhabitants.

1769. The proceedings of Massachusetts highly exasperated parliament. Both houses addressed the king, begging him to give orders to the Governor of Massachusetts to take notice of all treasons and misprisons of treasons, and transmit the names of all who were active in the commission of offences, to one of the secretaries of State, that they might be arrested and brought to England for trial. The right claimed by parliament, to bring offenders to England for trial, excited high and universal indignation.

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On the receipt of the resolves of parliament, the house of burgesses in Virginia passed some spirited resolutions ; denying the right of taxing the colonists, or the right of remov. ing an offender from one of the colonies to England for trial. The Governor immediately dissolved the assembly. The assembly of North Carolina followed the example of Virginia for which they were dissolved by their Governor. 1770. The non-importation resolutions had no inconsiderable effect on the manufactures of Great Britain. They petitioned parliament for a repeal of the act laying duties. The firm and persevering opposition of the Americans had assumed a threatening aspect. Parliament repealed five sixths of the duties, leaving only a duty of three pence per pound on tea, still asserting her right, to "bind the colonies in all cases whatsoever ;" and the tax on tea contained the principle, by which no limitation would be put to taxation, except the possessor's all.

On the fifth of March, while some of the British troops in Boston were under arms, they were insulted and pelted by a mob having clubs, snow balls, stones, &c. The soldiers were dared to fire. One, who had received a blow fired. Six others discharged their pieces; by which three of the citizens were killed, and five wounded. The town was immediately in an uproar ; and nothing but an engagement to remove the troops, saved them from falling a sacrifice to the indignation of the people.

The Captain, Preston, who commanded, and eight soldiers, were tried, and acquitted; two soldiers excepted, who were brought in guilty of manslaughter. This affray was represented in its worst light, and had no small influence in increasing the general indignation against the British.

1773. No tea of consequence having been imported into the colonies, parliament enjoyed her supposed right, without benefit; and the Americans denied it, without injury. Affairs therefore remained in the same state, till the East India company, who had on hand about seventeen million pounds of tea, were allowed by parliament to export their tea into any part of the world, free of duty: hence to the colonists, tea, though with a duty of three pence, would be cheaper than before.

The colonists were again up in arms. The corresponding committees, which had been forming throughout the colonies for the last two years, excited resistance, declaring such as directly or indirectly aided in these violations of liberty, enemies to their country. The consequence was, that the cargoes of tea, sent to New-York and Philadelphia, were sent back those sent to Charleston, (S. C.) were stored, but not offered for sale.

The tea ships intended for the supply of Boston, after the inhabitants had tried in vain to have them returned, they being consigned to the relations of Governor Hutchinson, were entered by about seventeen persons, dressed in the disguise of Indians; and three hundred and forty-two chests of tea were thrown into the dock; no other damage being done.

1774.

Parliament, receiving information of the treatment of the East India company with respect to their tea, were much exasperated. Though the opposition was genal, the province of Massachusetts, and especially the town of Boston, were considered the fomenters of disobedience to their authority.

Boston was therefore selected as the mark, towards which