committee. They voted to enlist one fourth of the militia as minute men, to be frequently drilled and held in readiness for service at a minute's warning; and after appointing three general officers, they adjourned to the 23d of November.

The General Assembly of Pennsylvania at their meeting in November, by a formal vote ratified the proceedings of the Congress, and appointed delegates to represent them at its next meeting in May.

Maryland was particularly active in training her militia to the use of arms, which it was probable they would be so soon called upon to exercise. They took the appointment of officers out of the hands of the Governour, and manifested a zeal in the common cause, highly honourable.

In every Colony, before the close of the year, the scene of preparation was going on. In the meantime the situation of the citizens of Boston was in every respect disagreeable and alarming. Surrounded by the troops of his Majesty, they were every moment liable to attack and to be cut off from their friends in the country; and the alternative of removing with their families amid so many perils and difficulties, at such an inclement season, was scarcely less distressing. General Gage, however, seemed to have no disposition to risk an immediate attack upon the Americans. He expected reinforcements in the Spring, and he had seen how easy it had proved to the country to assemble a force of twenty thousand men, which in the event of his bringing on an engagement would have been sufficient to destroy his army.

His intention of remaining quiet for the present was still further evinced by his demand of materials for the construction of winter quarters for his men. But

so great was the general detestation of him and his men, that he could neither procure workmen, materials, clothing, or provisions.

In the mean time the Massachusetts Committees were active in their preparations for the most vigorous defence in the Spring. They had procured all sorts of military supplies for the service of twelve thousand men, and had engaged the assistance of the three neighbouring Provinces of New-Hampshire, Rhode Island and Connecticut. But it will now be necessary to take a view of the proceedings in England before we go on with the further measures of the Continent.

CHAPTER X.

Events of 1775-Proceedings of the British Parliament-Speech of Lord Ghatham-Lord North's Fishery Bill-his conciliatory propositions-extraordinary confessions of some Noble Lords. People of New Hampshire seize the powder at the Fort-movement of Colonel Leslie-Quarrel in New York-Affair of Lexington and Concord-Exploit of the Rev. Mr. Payson-Seisure of the powder in Virginia.—Conduct of Patrick HenryLord North's conciliatory proposals received Affair of Ticonderoga-Conduct of General Gage to the people of BostonMassachusetts Congress meet-appoint Generals-Adams and Hancock declared outlaws-Continental Congress meet—their proceedings-Hancock appointed President-Washington appointed Commander in Chief-Battle of Breed's Hill-its con

sequences.

THE moderation evinced by the Congress at Philadelphia, had given great hopes to all the friends of America, that Ministers might be induced to treat their complaints with the respect which their justice demanded. Some of the first statesmen in England had openly declared that their resolutions and manifestos contained nothing which an Englishman, proud of his birthright, ought to wish to see altered. They saw in the resistance of the Colonies that invincible spirit of freedom which marks the dignity of human nature. They saw with satisfaction, that while the Americans maintained with manly firmness their own rights, they knew how to estimate the rights of the British Government, and that it now remained with the Ministers to accept the terms of reconciliation which were fairly and honourably offered, or lose the affection of the Colonies for ever, by an obstinate per

severance in their wild dreams of Parliamentary supremacy.

The old Parliament having been unexpectedly dissolved, a new one was convened on the 29th of November, 1774. The King in his opening speech from the throne informed the two houses that the daring resistance and disobedience of his subjects in Massachusetts Bay still continued, with increasing and more criminal violence; but that the "most proper and effectual measures had been taken to prevent these mischiefs; and that they might depend upon a firm resolution to withstand every attempt to weaken, or impair the supreme authority of this Legislature over all the dominions of the Crown."

It is a singular fact in the history of Great Britain, that the vote on the Address, which usually follows the opening Speech from the Throne, occasioned a protest in the House of Lords-the first which had ever been made on such an occasion-in which the protesting Lords declare, that they cannot consent to be handed down to posterity as giving their assent to the continuance of measures, which a fatal experience had proved so ill adapted to the nature of the case, and which there is every reason to fear would plunge the country into the calamities of civil war.

But such a consideration could have no weight with men who had staked their reputation on the success of the bayonet. The Ministers, however, were evidently at some loss how to proceed, notwithstanding the high tone of his Majesty's Speech. They ridiculed the idea of a war, but were careful for some time to say nothing of their views or intentions.

At length on the 20th of January 1795, Lord Dartmouth, Secretary of State for the Colonies, laid be

fore the House of Peers, the papers relative to his department. He had firmly opposed the Minister's scheme of coercion, but without effect, and it was fiAs soon as the nally developed to the House. papers were read, Lord Chatham rose to move that a humble Address be presented to his Majesty, advising and beseeching him that "in order to open the way to a happy settlement of the dangerous troubles in America, it may graciously please his Majesty to transmit orders to General Gage for removing his Majesty's forces from the town of Boston." Lord Chatham sarcastically observed, that as he had not "the honour of access to his Majesty" he had no other medium of communicating to him his ideas of America than through Parliament; and that he was desirous "to rescue him from the advice of his present Ministers." He said that America could not be reconciled, "she ought not to be reconciled to this country, till the troops of Britain are removed from the Continent." The noble Lord went on to say, "Resistance to your acts was necessary, and therefore just; and your vain declarations of the omnipotence of Parliament, and your imperious doctrines of the necessity of submission, will be equally impotent to convince or enslave America." The commanding eloquence of the noble Lord was never more forcibly displayed than on the present occasion. He insisted that the whole force of Britain would be incompetent to subdue the people of America. "You may no doubt, said he, destroy their cities; you may cut them off from the superfluities, perhaps the conveniencies of life; but, my Lords, they will still despise your power, for they have yet remaining their woods and their liberty." He said that the spirit which now animated America