with intervals of tranquillity. The reservation of the duty on tea, the stationing a standing army in Massachusetts, the continuance of a board of commissioners in Boston, and the appointing the governor and judges of the province, independent of the people, were the causes of that irritation which pervaded all ranks of the community.

In the year 1773, the American controversy was recommenced, in consequence of tea being sent to the colonies by the East India Company. The Americans now perceived that the tax was likely to be enforced, and were determined to oppose the revenue system of the British Parliament. They considered this attempt of the East India Company as an indirect mode of taxation, and took measures to prevent the landing of the teas. One universal spirit of opposition animated the colonists from New Hampshire to Georgia. The province of Massachusetts distinguished itself by the most violent and decisive proceedings. Three ships from England, laden with tea, lay in the harbour of Boston; and the townsmen resolved to destroy it, rather than suffer it to be landedFor this purpose, a number of men, disguised like Indians, on the 18th December, 1773, entered the ships, and threw overboard three

hundred and forty-two chests of tea, being the whole of their cargoes.

The ministry now resolved to enforce their authority, and as Boston had been the principal scene of outrage, it was determined to punish that town in an exemplary manner. On the 25th March, 1774, an act was passed, called the Boston Port Bill, "to discontinue the landing, and discharging, lading and shipping of goods, wares and merchaudizes, at the town of Boston, or within the harbour."

The news of this bill was was received by the Bostonians with the most extravagant tokens of resentment; and during the ferment, their new Governor, Gen. Gage, arrived from England. This gentleman had been appointed on account of his being an officer of reputation, and a man esteemed by the Americans, among whom he had resided many years. The first official act of his government was the removal of the Assembly to Salem, a town seventeen miles distant.

Virginia again took the lead in a public avowal of its sentiments. The first day of June had been appointed for the Boston Port Act to take place, and on that day the General Assembly of Virginia enjoined a public supplication to Heaven. The style of

this injunction was remarkable: the people were directed to "beseech the Deity to give them one heart and one mind, firmly to op pose every invasion of the American rights." The Assembly of Virginia also recommended to the colonies to appoint a Congress of Delegates to deliberate on the critical state of their affairs.

Meanwhile the Bostonians were not inactive. They framed an agreement, which they called a solemn league and covenant, by which the subscribers engaged, in the most religious manner, "to discontinue all commercial intercourse with Great Britain, after the expiration of the month of August, till the late obnoxious acts were repealed, and the colony re-possessed of its charter." Resolutions of a similar nature were entered into by the other provinces; and when General Gage attempted to counteract the covenant by a proclamation, the Americans retorted, by insisting that the law allowed subjects to associate in order to obtain redress for their grievances.

In the month of September, 1774, the general Congress of all the colonies met at Philadelphia. That body consisted of fifty-one delegates, chosen by the representatives of each province.

The first act of the continental Congress was their approbation of the conduct of the Bostonians, and an exhortation to them to persevere in their opposition to government, till the restoration of their charter. They avowed their allegiance to his Majesty, and drew up a petition, in which they entreated him to grant them peace, liberty, and safety. After several resolutions, tending to recommend unanimity to the provinces, and after having resolved that another Congress should meet in Philadelphia on the 10th of May following, if their grievances should not be redressed, they recommended to the people the speedy nomination of new delegates, and then separated.

Meanwhile a reinforcement of British troops arrived in Boston, which increased the general dissatisfaction to such a degree, that the people were ready to rise at a moment's warning. The colonists now began seriously to prepare for war; they embodied and trained their militia; and, to render themselves independent of foreigners for the supply of military stores, they erected mills and manufactories for gun-powder, both in Philadelphia and Virginia.

These hostile preparations induced General Gage to fortify the neck of land which

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joins the town of Boston to the continent.But though this measure of security was justifiable on the principle of self-defence, the Americans remonstrated against it with the greatest vehemence. Instead of paying any attention to these invectives, the General seized the provincial ammunition and military stores at Cambridge and Charlestown. This act of hostility excited the popular rage to such a degree, that it was with the utmost difficulty the inhabitants of Massachusetts could be restrained from marching to Boston to attack the troops.

From these hostile dispositions it was evident, that the ensuing spring would be the commencement of a war, of which even the most resolute dreaded the consequences. The utmost diligence, however, was used by the colonists to be provided against any attack of the British army. A list of the men able to bear arms was made out in each province, and the Assemblies were animated with the most lively hopes on finding that two-thirds of the men who had served in the former war were alive, and zealous in the cause.

Washington was among the most active in raising troops. His well known intrepidity and generosity obtained him a numerous corps of volunteers; he was appointed their