From the commencement of hoftilities in America, to the meeting of Parliament in November, 1781. CHA P. I. Evils foretold on the first fettling of Colonies in America General Gage appointed to the chief command-Difcontents in America-General Congress first held-Proceedings of that body-Meeting of Parliament-Inactivity of Government towards America-Various opinions among the people-Reduction in the army and navy-Petitions and addresses-Lord Chatham's motion in the House of Lords-His plan of conciliation-Bill to refrain the American fisheries-Mr. Burke's Syftem of American government-Unrefrained liberty of the press-Conduct of the Earl of Effingham-Finances for the year 1775-Sentiments of European flates respecting the conteft between Great Britain and her Colonies. HEN the defign of fettling Colonies in North WH reign of James the Firft, the fpeculative politicians of that age raised many objections to the measure, and fore-told, that after draining their mother-country of inhabitants, thofe Colonies would foon fhake off her yoke, and erect an independent government in America *. More than a century and a half had, however, elapfed, and neither of thefe predicted evils had been realized. Experience had fhewn, that the depopulation of Great Britain by emigrations to America was not to be feared; and the appre henfion of the Colonies becoming independent ftates, feems. at no time to have been entertained by government before the conclufion of the peace with France and Spain in 1763. Notwithstanding which fecurity, it was evident, from the nature of things, that there certainly would come a time when the Northern continent of the new world, being overspread with a race of men active, enterprifing, and enthufiaftically attached to freedom, would begin to confider reftraints as oppreffions. The Colonifts, influenced by that univerfal principle of felf-love which actuates communities, as well as individuals, would, in process of time, recoil at the idea of that fupremacy and inherent right of controul, which the parent ftate claimed to itself in perpetuity. " The establishment of parliamentary taxation in America, appeared to them to be nothing short of holding their property by the courtesy of a British fenate. As their strength and confequence fhould hereafter advance, fuch views of * Hume's Hiftory of England, Vol. VI. 188. things, things would of course prefs upon them with greater weight. Thus whenever their population fhould have trebled its prefent amount, that acceffion would lead them to difregard those prohibitions which deprived them of the liberty to work up the materials which their earth yielded for the purposes of civil life; when risen so high in the scale of political confequence, they would certainly have thought it oppreffion in being prohibited from manufacturing their own iron. The prefent race of Americans did not openly complain of the commercial reftrictions which are laid upon them, but their immediate defcendents yet unborn, if it had happened, that an uninterrupted course of profperity, had nurtured them into a contempt of fecondary importance, would have thought fuch burdens too grievous to be borne at least the history of mankind will warrant fuch a fuppofition; for fubordination can be expected only from the weak to the ftrong. When fuch a revolt should cause them to be upbraided with ingratitude to their parent ftate, they might have replied, "we have enriched you by our commerce whilft we were your dependents, we will still continue to do fo on the footing of friends and equals, but our state of minority is now paft." An independent condition is always accompanied by an independent fpirit. Even a colony of Frenchmen, in whofe breafts allegiance to their King is the most active public principle, when they grew fufficiently numerous and powerful to fupport themselves, would have looked to independence as their right. The nature of the government eftablished in British America, and the conduct of our Kings towards the Colonies, has uniformly been fuch as to encourage, instead of checking an independent spirit. The general law of descent in the New England provinces, is an extention of that which is known among us by the title of gavel-kind, for the children equally fhare the patrimony, which effectually bars the acquifition, or at least the perpetuity of large fortunes, and greatly promotes a republican spirit. It has been afferted, that when a plan of taxation for America was proposed to Sir Robert Walpole, he rejected it, faying, "let fuch measures be adopted by my fucceffors, I never will undertake fo intricate a business." It is however certain, that his adminiftration was the precife time, for introducing fuch a form of government, as should correct whatever had been found to be wrong, or too indulgent, in the charters, and for familiarizing the people to the mode of internal taxation, rather than to the burdens of it, which might have gradually increased in proportion to their ability of bearing them. The more opulent and confiderable Americans fhould have been enobled, and composed a legislative body in each province, to check the democratic tendency of the popular affemblies. In fhort, it required the most penetrating eye, the most determined hand, and the most enlightened head, to establifh fuch a' fyftem of government among the rifing Colonies, as would fecure their attachment and obedience throughout a series of ages; and the proper time for adopting these establishments was, when they were beginning to reckon their population by millions. To introduce an hierarchy might be what the friends of perpetual fubordination would rather have wifhed than fuppofed practicable. Fifty years ago addrefs and management might have proved fuccessful in warping the natural difpofition of the people in civil establishments, but in religious matters the Americans were ever inflexible. The The views of the legislature towards America, before the commencement of the present reign, were entirely occupied about raifing the Colonies from a state of imbecility to ai vigorous maturity, which was no fooner effected than popular discontents and unfettled government at home greatly leffened that refpect and awe in which Great Britain had been held. We are now to relate the events which happened immediately after paffing those reftrictive acts of liament which fhut up the port of Bofton, and gave a new form of government to the Colony of Maffachufett's Bay; a time when mutual diftruft was rankling into bitter enmity. par That the coercive measures taken by government might produce their desired effect upon the people, General Gage was appointed Commander in Chief of the forces in North America, and Governor of Maffachufet's-Bay. This gentleman had refided many years on the American continent, had filled many refpectable pofts, and had rendered himself popular by his general conduct. On his arrival at Boston, in May, 1774, Mr. Hutchinson, the late Governor, embarked for England. Such was the prevailing temper of the people, as to render them little inclined to welcome, with fincere gratulations, any Governor who might be placed over them, however they might venerate the perfonal qualities of the man. Nothing like difmay or remorfe had been excited on the arrival of the act of parliament, by which the port of Bofton was to be fhut up. That which was meant as a punishment for fedition and violence, ferved only to roufe a more general fpirit of refentment and oppofition. The people felt the weight of the chastisement rather as citizens than as traders, and were more incenfed at what they thought an arbitrary |