afternoon, seven of the first committee (viz. John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Wm. Molineux, Wm. Phillips, Joseph Warren, Joshua Henshaw, and Samuel Pemberton) were again deputed with the following message 'It is the unanimous opinion of this meeting, that the reply made to a vote of the inhabitants presented his honor this morning is by no means satisfactory; and that nothing less will satisfy them than a total and immediate removal of the troops.' Samuel Adams acted as 'chairman of this delegation,' and discharged its duties with an ability commensurate to the occasion. Col. Dalrymple was by the side of Hutchinson, who, at the head of the council, received them. He at first denied that he had power to grant the request. Adams plainly, in few words, proved to him that he had the power by the charter. Hutchinson then consulted with Dalrymple in a whisper, the result of which was, a repetition of the offer to remove one of the regiments, the 14th, which had had no part in the massacre. At that critical moment Adams showed the most admirable presence of mind. Seeming not to represent, but to personify, the universal feeling, he stretched forth his arm, as if it were upheld by the strength of thousands and with unhesitating promptness and dignified firmness replied, If the lieutenant governor, or Col. Dairymple, or both together, have authority to remove one regiment, they have authority to remove two; and nothing short of the total evacuation of the town, by all the regular troops, will satisfy the public mind or preserve the peace of the province.' The officers, civil and military, were in reality abashed, before this plain committee of a democratic assembly. They knew the imminent danger that impended; the very air was filled with the breathings of compressed indignation. They shrunk, fortunately shrunk, from all the arrogance which they had hitherto maintained. Their reliance on a standing army faltered before the undaunted, irresistible resolution of free unarmed citizens.

"Hutchinson consulted the council, and they gave him their unqualified advice, that the troops should be sent out of the town. The commanding officer then pledged his word of honor that the demand of the town should be complied with, as soon as practicable; and both regiments were removed to the castle in less than fourteen days.

"The funeral solemnities, which took place on Thursday, the 8th, brought together the greatest concourse that probably had ever assembled in America on one occasion. Attucks, who was a friendless mulatto, and Caldwell, who also was a stranger, wore borne from Faneuil Hall; Maverick, who was about 17 years old, from his mother's house in Union street, and Gray from his brother's in Royal Exchange lane. The four hearses formed a junction in King street, and thence the procession marched, in columns of six deep, through the main street to the middle burial-ground, where the four victims were deposited in one grave.'

The following, respecting the "Boston Tea-party," is taken from the account given in Snow's History of Boston.

'On the first of December, Capt. James Bruce, in the ship Eleanor, arrived with another portion of the tea. On the 3d he was ordered to attend the next day on a committee of the people in Faneuil Hall, where he was commanded, by Samuel Adams and Jonathan Williams, assembled with John Rowe, John Hancock, Wm. Phillips, and John Pitts, Esqrs., and a great number of others, not to land any of the said tea, but to proceed to Griffin's wharf and there discharge the rest of his cargo. Capt. Hez. Coffin arrived in the brig Beaver near the same time, and was ordered to pursue the same course.

"It being perceived that Mr. Rotch rather lingered in his preparations to return the Dartmouth to London, and the twenty days being nearly expired, after which the collector might seize the ship and cargo, Mr. R. was summoned before the committee, and stated to them that it would prove his entire ruin if he should comply with the resolutions of the 29th and 30th of November, and therefore he should not do it. A meeting of the people was assembled at the Old South on Tuesday P. M., Dec. 14th, when Mr. R. appeared, and was enjoined forthwith to demand a clearance. It was ascertained that one could not be obtained till the next day, and therefore the meeting was adjourned to Thursday, at the same place.

"On Thursday, there was the fullest meeting ever known; 2000 men, at least, were present from the country. Samuel Phillips Savage, Esq., of Weston, was appointed moderator. Mr. Rotch reported that the collector would not give him a clearance. He was then ordered upon his peril to get his ship ready for sea this day, enter a protest immediately against the custom-house, and proceed directly to the governor, (then at Milton, 7 miles distant,) and demand a pass for his ship to go by the castle. An adjournment to 3 P. M. then took place. At three having met, they waited very patiently till five o'clock, when, finding that Mr. Rotch did not return, they began to be very uneasy, called for a dissolution of the meeting, and finally obtained a vote for it. But the more judicious, fearing what would be the conse quences, begged for a reconsideration of that vote, for this reason, that they ought to do every thing in their power to send the tea back, according to their resoltes.' This touched the pride of the assembly, and they agreed to remain together one hour.

"This interval was improved by Josiah Quincy, jr., to apprize his fellow citizens of the importance of the crisis, and direct their attention to the probable results of this controversy. He succeeded in holding them in attentive silence till Mr. Rotch's return, at three quarters past five o'clock. The answer which he brought from the governor was, that, for the honor of the laws, and from duty towards the king, he could not grant the permit, until the vessel was regularly cleared.' A violent commotion immediately ensued. A person who was in the gallery, disguised after the manner of the Indians, shouted at this juncture the cry of war; it was answered by about thirty persons, disguised in like manner, at the door. The meeting was dissolved in the twinkling of an eye. The multitude rushed to Grillin's wharf. The disguised Indians went on board the ships laden with the tea. In less than 2 hours, 240 chests and 100 half Chests were staved and emptied into the dock. The affair was conducted without any tumult; no damage was done to the vessels or to any other effects whatever.

"This was executed in the presence of several ships of war lying in the harbor, and almost under the guns of the castle, where there was a large body of troops at the command of the commissioners. We are left to conjecture for the reasons why no opposition was made to this bold adventure. The names of the men who dared to engage in it have never been made public. Three or four of them are yet living. They had the honor of a part in the act which brought the king and parliament to a decision that America must be subdued by force of arms."

After the battle of Bunker Hill, Boston was closely besieged by the American troops. No provision of any kind, for man or beast, was allowed to enter; and the troops and inhabitants experienced much suffering: and while in this state the small-pox broke out,

and added to the general distress. The following account of the evacuation of the town is taken from Snow's History of Boston.

"GENERAL WASHINGTON had taken command of the American forces, July 2d, and Gen. Gage had resigned the British to Gen. Howe, and sailed for England about the first of October. As the winter approached, the scarcity of fuel began to be sensibly felt. The old north meeting-house and above 100 other large wooden buildings were taken down and distributed for firewood. Some of the wharves also at the north end were broken up for the same purpose. The British officers found little to amuse them, except the occasional performance of a farce, in Faneuil Hall, where they themselves were the actors. Their soldiers had enjoyed a single day of mirth, in which they were employed in felling Liberty Tree and cutting it up for fuel. A squadron of cavalry, attached to the army, occasionally exhibited feats of horsemanship in that sanctuary of freedom, the Old South church, which was transformed into a riding-school. Hollis-street, Brattle-street, the West, and the First Baptist meeting-houses were occupied as hospitals or barracks for the troops.

"Both parties were dissatisfied with so inactive a service. WASHINGTON 'had been some time contemplating an attack on Boston, as soon as he could be justified in attempting the execution of so bold a design. About the middle of February, 1776, the severe cold setting in, and the ice becoming sufficiently firm to bear the troops, he was disposed to make the attempt; but a council of war, summoned on the occasion, being almost unanimous against the measure, he reluctantly abandoned it.

"The effective regular force of the Americans now amounted to upwards of fourteen thousand men ; in addition to which the commander-in-chief called out about six thousand of the militia of Massachusetts. With these troops he determined to take possession of the heights of Dorchester, whence it would be in his power greatly to annoy the ships in the harbor and the soldiers in the town. By taking this position, from which the enemy would inevitably attempt to drive him, he expected to bring on a general action, during which he intended to cross over from Cambridge side with four thousand chosen men, and attack the town of Boston. To conceal his design, and to divert the attention of the garrison, a heavy bombardment of the town and lines of the enemy was begun on the evening of the 2d of March, and repeated the two succeeding nights. On the night of the 4th, immediately after the firing began, a considerable detachment, under the command of Gen. Thomas, passing from Roxbury, took silent possession of Dorchester heights. The ground was almost impenetrably hard, but the night was mild, and by laboring with great diligence their works were so far advanced by morning as to cover them in a great measure from the shot of the enemy. When the British after day-break discovered these works, which were magnified to the view by a hazy atmosphere, nothing could exceed their astonishment. No alternative now remained, but to abandon the town, or to dislodge the provincials. General Howe, with his usual spirit, chose the latter part of the alternative, and took measures for the embarkation, on that very evening, of five regiments, with the light infantry and grenadiers, on the important but most hazardous service. The transports fell down in the evening towards the castle, with the troops, amounting to about two thousand men; but a tremendous storm at night rendered the execution of the design absolutely impracticable. A council of war was called the next morning, and agreed to evacuate the town as soon as possible. A fortnight elapsed before that measure was effected. Meanwhile the Americans strengthened and extended their works; and on the morning of the seventeenth of March the British discovered a breast-work, that had been thrown up in the night at Nook's Hill, on Dorchester peninsula, which perfectly commanded Boston Neck and the south part of the town. Delay was no longer safe. By four in the morning, the king's troops, with those Americans who were attached to the royal cause, began to embark; and before ten all of them were under sail. As the rear embarked, General Washington marched triumphantly into Boston, where he was joyfully received, as a deliverer." "

Cotton Mather, D. D., F. R. S., a celebrated minister and writer, was a native of Boston, born Feb. 12, 1663. He was distinguished for his early piety, and was ordained colleague with his father, in 1684. He was a man of unequalled industry, vast learning, and expansive benevolence, also distinguished for his credulity, pedantry and want of judgment. No person in America had so large a library, or had read so many books, or retained so much of what he had read. So precious did he consider his time, that, to prevent visits of unnecessary length, he wrote over his study door "be short." He understood Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Spanish, and Iroquois, and wrote in

them all. By his diary, it appears that in one year he kept sixty fasts and twenty vigils, and published fourteen books, besides discharging the duties of his pastoral office. His publications amount in number to three hundred and eighty-two. His great work was his Magnalia Christi Americana, or ecclesiastical history of New Eng. land, from its founding to the year 1698. His style abounds with puerilities, puns, and strange conceits, and he makes a great display of learning. In his Magnalia he has saved numerous and important facts from oblivion. In the work are contained biographical accounts of many of the first principal settlers. He died in 1728,

Your faithful forend ядене

Fac simile of the handwriting of Cotton Mather; copied from a manuscript

Cotton Mather, letter.

"Benjamin Franklin, LL. D., was born in Boston, Jan. 17th, 1706, and served an apprenticeship to the printing business. He showed a philosophic mind from his earliest years, and by the continual exercise of his genius prepared himself for those great discoveries in science which have associated his name with that of Newton, and for those political reflections which have placed him by the side of a Solon and a Lycurgus. Soon after his removal from Boston to Philadelphia, in concert with other young men, he established a small club, in which various subjects were discussed. This society has been the source of the most useful establishments in Pennsylvania calculated to promote the cause of science, the mechanic arts, and the improvement of the human understanding. In 1757, Franklin was sent an agent by his country to England; in the year 1766, he was called to the bar of the house of commons, and underwent that famous interrogatory, which has raised his name in the political world. He was a member of the first congress, and a signer of the Declaration of Independence; he was sent to France, where he effected important services to his country." His history is too well known to need an extended notice in this work. He died at Philadelphia, April 17th, 1790.

CHELSEA.

THE ancient Indian name of Chelsea was Winnisemit. It was formerly a part of the town of Boston, and was called Romney Marsh; it was incorporated as a distinct town in 1738. The principal part of the town is broken into small hills. One eminence, called Powder-horn Hill, is said to be 220 feet high; it stands in the south quarter of the town, about four miles from Boston. The north-westerly strip (extending from the source of Chelsea creek three and a half miles) is mostly covered with woods. On the seashore and the borders of the creeks there are extensive and valuable salt marshes, from which large quantities of hay are yearly obtained.

The following is a representation of the United States Marine Hospital, three miles from Boston. This building is constructed of stone, and was erected in 1827, for the accommodation of sick and disabled seamen. The hospital is under the immediate care of the collector of the ports of Boston and Charlestown. A physician and surgeon are appointed by the president of the United States. All the other officers are appointed by the collector, who is agent for the institution. The average number of patients yearly, for 22 years preceding 1835, was 417. The most important branch of

manufacturing business in the town is the making of bricks; the value of bricks manufactured in 1837 was $24,831; hands employed, 46. Population, 1,659.

WORCESTER COUNTY.

THIS County was incorporated in 1731, and was the tenth county formed in the state. This is the largest county in Massachusetts. Its territory is larger than the whole state of Rhode Island, and its population greater than that of the state of Delaware. The county crosses the state, from New Hampshire on the north to Connecticut and Rhode Island on the south. It is sixty miles in length from north to south, and thirty-seven in width, from east to west. The surface of this county is rather undulating than very hilly. The soil is generally strong, and produces all kinds of grain, grasses, fruits, &c. common to its climate. Till within a few years almost all the people were farmers, and the great body still cultivate the soil. For the last few years many of the inhabitants have been employed in manufactures, especially in the southern part of the county. Water privileges abound in almost every town. Its principal rivers are the Blackstone, Quinebaug, Nashua, Ware, Miller's, and Mill rivers. The only elevation in the county which can properly be called a mountain is Wachusett. The following is a list of the towns, which are 55 in number.

In 1820, the population of the county was 73,635; in 1830, it was 84,365; in 1837, it was 96,551.

ASHBURNHAM.

THIS town was granted by the general court to Thomas Tileston and others, for and in consideration of services done by officers and soldiers of the ancient town of Dorchester in the expedition to Canada, in 1690, under Capt. John Withrington. This grant was formerly known by the name of "Dorchester Canada," but at its incorporation, in 1765, it was named Ashburnham. The Congregational church was gathered here in 1760, and Rev. Jonathan Winchester was ordained their pastor. He died in 1767, and was succeeded Rev. John Cushing, D. D., in 1768. Dr. Cushing died in 1823, and was succeeded by Rev. George Perkins, in 1824. Rev. George Goodyear was installed the next pastor, in 1832. About the year 1782, the Shakers made a commencement in this town, but they have long since become extinct.

This town lies upon the highlands between Connecticut and Merrimac rivers, so that part of its waters pass through Miller's river into the Connecticut, and part through Nashua river into the Merrimac. It is uneven in its surface, and contains several large ponds. Here are excellent farms and grazing lands, and the inhabitants are chiefly employed in agriculture. Leather has been extensively manufactured here, and a soap-stone company carry on their works in this town. In 1837, there were in this town 11 manufactories of chairs and cabinet ware; value of chairs and cabinet ware, $37,390 12; hands employed, 115; six tanneries; value of leather tanned and curried, $23,509 03; there were 122,864 palm-leaf hats manufactured, valued at $19,944. There was also 1 cotton mill. There are three churches, 1 Congregationalist, 1 Methodist, and 1 Baptist. Distance, 30 miles N. of Worcester, and 50 N. W. of Boston. Population, 1,758.

ATHOL.

THIS town was granted to a company of 60 persons by the general court, previous to 1734, in which year, in June, the proprietors met at Concord, and, in presence of a committee of the general court, whereof the Hon. William Dudley was chairman, drew their house