USA > Massachusetts > History of Massachusetts from 1764, to July 1775; when general Washington took command of the American Army. V. 1 > Part 25
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In May 1774, a plan was formed by individuals for frequent and stated communications between the sev- eral colonies. Dr. FRANKLIN, who had been Deputy Post Master General for America, under the British Government, was removed from the office early in this year, in consequence of his fidelity as an agent for Massachusetts ;* and no one was appointed to succeed him in that department. Some patriotic cit- izens in Massachusetts and several of the other colo- nies immediately adopted means for conveying intelli- gence through various parts of the continent ; which was found to be very useful at that critical period, when the views and proceedings of one part of Amer- ica were important to be early known in others.
The inhabitants of Boston were called together, on the 13th of May, to consider the act of Parliament for shutting up the port and harbor. It was voted to make application to the other colonies to refuse all importations from Great Britain, and to withhold all commercial intercourse with her, as the most proba- ble and effectual means to procure the repeal of the
* Under his prudent management, it yielded a considerable net in- come to the crown.
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late oppressive laws, especially that for blockading their port. And one of the citizens* was dispatched to New York and Philadelphia for the purpose of ascertaining the views of the people in those cities in the present crisis ; and to give assurances of the de- termination of the inhabitants in Boston and vicinity to continue their opposition to the arbitrary measures of the British ministry. He was received with great cordiality ; and found a most enthusiastic disposition prevailing in those places, favorable to liberty. From Philadelphia, messengers were sent to Mary- land and Virginia, to communicate the proceedings and the feelings of the people here. And the same generous and noble spirit was discovered in these colonies ; resolutions were immediately adopted for the relief of the inhabitants of Boston, and for sup- porting them in their patriotic purpose of non-inter- course, and of defending, in every lawful way, the liberties of the country. A distinguished citizen of Philadelphiat was soon after deputed to visit Boston, to make known more fully the patriotic sentiments of that populous and respectable city. These mutual communications had a happy effect ; and served, pro- bably, to bring about the plan, soon after adopted, of a congress, to be composed of committees or delegates from all the colonies on the continent.
At the same meeting, O. WENDELL, I. SMITH, and W. POWELL were chosen a committee to visit Salem and Marblehead ; to consult for the welfare of the capital in its embarrassed and distressed situa- tion. The inhabitants of those towns received the communication with a generous sympathy and a pa- triotic zeal, which did them great honor : And when, afterwards, the Boston port bill took effect, they ren- dered the people of the metropolis every facility in their power ; and were very liberal in contributions for their relief. In June, when the act was in force, the citizens of Marblehead voted to accommodate the
* P. Revere, Esq. 1 Mr. Wm. Bradford.
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merchants and traders in Boston with wharfage and storage free of expence. Newburyport was alike generous in donations ; and patriotic in its resolutions to afford support to the Bostonians ; who, they con- sidered, were suffering in the common cause, and as deserving more commendation, in proportion to the peculiar resentment pointed against them by a tyran- nical government.
A large committee, consisting of S. ADAMS, J. ROWE, W. PHILLIPS, Dr. WARREN, J. ADAMS, J. QUINCY, H. INCHES and others,* was appointed at the meeting in Boston, already mentioned, to consider and report what was proper and necessary to be done, for the preservation of the liberties of the people, and to provide for the difficulties which were likely immediately to ensue, under the opera- tion of the act for prohibiting all trade to and from Boston, which was to be in force from the first of June. After having, at the first meeting, as has been related, resolved to request the sea ports in the province, and the large commercial places in the southern colonies, to unite against all importations from Great Britain, the General Court having also soon after convened, who it was hoped and pre- sumed, would devise measures for general relief and defence; there was little left for this committee to propose ; nor does it appear that they ever reported any particular system of measures. But at another meeting in June, which appears to have been an adjournment of the former, it was voted to recom- mend to all classes of citizens to subscribe 'a solemn le gue and covenant,' by which they promised to use no foreign articles, or goods imported from Eng- laad, until the bill for blockading the port and har- bor of Boston was repealed; and to write again to the southern commercial towns and cities, desiring them to see their former agreements for the same
* In the public papers of that day, it is said, " Mr. Hancock is con- fined to his house, by sickness ; which is greatly regreted."
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purpose, strictly executed .* Many expected that this agreement would soon so affect the manufactur- ing interests in England, that ministers would be induced to relax in their severe policy. It would only remain for them, some observed, if they adhered to this engagement, " to sit still, and see the salvation of the Lord." And governor GAGE was so opposed to the plan, from intimations given him, no doubt, by the British ministry, that he issued a proclama- tion, forbidding people to subscribe the agreement ; and threatening those "who should dare to do it, with transportation to England for trial, as guilty of treason." This arbitrary threat, however, had no effect on the opinion or conduct of the people : And they very generally came into the agreement. It was the only measure they could legally adopt to shew their resentment against administration. They were ready to submit to the greatest privations, for the security of their rights, and to produce a change in the policy and measures of the British administra- tion. For ministers were, at this period, as on some former occasions, vacillating in their conduct towards America ; and in Parliament, very opposite opinions were entertained as to the proper policy to be pursued. Lord NORTH declared he would not listen to any ยท remonstrance or petition, until America should cease all opposition, and submit to the past requisitions of the British government. And many members of Parliament were for enforcing the laws within the province, although destructive of charter privileges, and inconsistent with the principles of the British constitution. Some even declared, that the charter of Massachusetts must be taken away ; and that there was no hope of tranquility while the people had so much freedom. They were disposed to treat the inhabitants of the province, as altogether destitute of any inherent rights; and as holding all their
* Great efforts were made in some places, to prevent the adoption of this plan ; and it was reported, that it was disregarded by many.
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privileges and every portion and degree of liberty wholly at the will of the King and Parliament. The minds of the people of Massachusetts were greatly agitated and alarmed by the doctrines advanced by the ministry in England, and by the measures already adopted. The conduct of Chief Justice OLIVER, in receiving his salary from the crown, gave great offence. At the Courts holden in the counties of Middlesex and Worcester, in the month of April, the grand jurors declined taking the usual oaths, or proceeding to business until they were assured, that the Chief Justice would not attend. They expressly declared to the other Judges, that, if he attended, they should not acknowledge the Court as a constitu- tional tribunal; being of opinion, that he could not justly be considered in office, in consequence of his accepting a stipend from England, and having been impeached by the Representatives of the people.
When to this and other previous causes of discon- tent, we add, the law passed by Parliament for shut- ting up the port and harbour of Boston, and others proposed for altering the charter, as to the manner of selecting counsellors, for giving power to the Governor alone to appoint all civil officers, for trans- porting any, charged with opposition to government, to Great Britain for trial, for screening murderers in certain cases (if agents of administration) from trial in the province, and for sending several additional regiments of regular troops to be stationed in the metropolis to overawe and govern the inhabitants, it is easy to believe that there was a spirit of alarm and apprehension, of anxiety and dismay, bordering almost on desperation.
CHAPTER XIV.
General Gage appointed Governor, and arrives in Boston-Received with respect, but viewed as only a Military Commander-Adjourned the Court to Salem-Negatived many of the Council-Their spirited Address censured by the Governor-Firm and patriotic message of House-And objection to sitting in Salem-Delegates chosen to a General Congress-Season of anxiety and alarm-County Meetings and Conventions-Military discipline encouraged-Course of Justice impeded-Jurors decline acting-Mr. Hancock dismissed from Com- mand of Cadets-Governor Gage collects military stores in Boston- Congress met at Salem-Adjourned to Concord-Chose a Committee of Safety-Committee for Military Supplies-Appointed General Offi- cers-Address Governor Gage-And decide to adopt Measures of Defence.
IT was in this state of the province, that general GAGE, who had been several years commander in chief of the British military forces in America, arrived in Boston, to take upon him the office of chief magis- trate, to which he was appointed by the King, on the recall of Mr. HUTCHINSON. He had been in the province, at several former periods. In October, 1768, he visited the capital, at the request of gov- ernor BERNARD and of the commissioners of the customs, to concert measures for their safety, and with a pretence of maintaining the tranquility of the province. His conduct, on that occasion, gave suffi- cient proof of his prejudices against the people of Massachusetts, and of his entire subserviency to the arbitrary views of the British administration. He,
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then, represented to ministers in England, that there was no government in Boston; and that the civil authority needed the constant aid and support of the military. He also joined governor BERNARD and lieutenant governor HUTCHINSON, in censuring the Council, because they would not consent to the quar- tering of the troops in the town of Boston. It was perceived, also, by the more intelligent and judicious, that he was selected for the command, upon the idea that a large military force was to be placed in the province, to overawe and govern the people; for the control and subjection of whom, Mr. HUTCHIN- SON, with all his talents and intrigue, was not fully competent. And yet, strange as it may appear, many were pleased with the change: For they had suffered so much, and been so often deceived by gov- ernor HUTCHINSON, that they were ready to prefer any one to him. In a situation of great oppression, there is always a secret, though often groundless hope of melioration, in a change of rulers.
Governor GAGE was received by the Council, and by the citizens of Boston, with great ceremony, and with apparent respect. The Clergy and the gentle- men of the Bar, respectively, addressed him in a gratulatory style; and expressed a hope, that he would be instrumental in securing the liberty and welfare of the province. But it was soon evident, that his object and design were very far from effect- ing these salutary purposes ; and that he was disposed to tread in the steps of his two immediate predeces- sors, in being a humble and servile agent of an administration, more arbitrary, perhaps, than had been in power in England for nearly one hundred years. At the opening of the Court on the last Wednesday of May, he gave the Representatives notice, that, in a few days, he should remove them to Salem; which, as it was inconvenient both to them and to the people to have the Assembly sitting in that place, instead of Boston, must have been
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altogether an arbitrary act on his part, although he had discretionary orders for that purpose. He also gave his negative to thirteen of the Council chosen by the Representatives on that day. But a censure of this kind, under the circumstances of the times, and by such a character, renders them more deserv- ing of grateful remembrance. They were J. Bow- DOIN, S. DEXTER, J. WINTHROP, T. DANIELSON, B. AUSTIN, W. PHILLIPS, M. FARLEY, J. PRES- COTT, J. ADAMS, N. QUINCY, J. BOWERS, E. FREE- MAN and J. FOSTER.
After the General Court had been in session one week, the Governor adjourned them to Salem, as he had intimated it was his purpose to do. The object of this measure was twofold : The first was to mani- fest ministerial resentment for the late conduct of the inhabitants of Boston: The other, to prevent the intelligent citizens of the capital from influencing the members of the Assembly. In the reply of the Council to the Governor's speech at the opening of the session, they expressed their hopes " that his ad- ministration would be a happy contrast to that of his two immediate predecessors." "It is irksome," they added, " to censure any one ; but we are constrained to say, that there is great reason to apprehend, that, from their machinations, both in concert and apart, are derived the origin and progress of the dispute between Great Britain and the colonies, and the present distressed state of the province. We claim no more than the rights of Englishmen, without diminution or abridgement. These, as it is our indispensable duty, so it shall be our constant en- deavor to maintain, to the utmost of our power ; in perfect consistence, however, with the truest loyalty to the crown ; the just prerogatives of which your Ex- cellency will find this Board ever zealous to support. Permit us to express the firmest confidence, that, under their present grievances, the people of this province will not look in vain to your Excellency for
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your paternal aid and assistance : And, as the great end of government is the good of the people, that your experience and abilities will be applied to that end."*
When the committee, t who presented this message to the Governor, had read as far as the clause, in which the Council censured the conduct of the two former Governors, he requested the chairman to pro- ceed no farther; and said he could not receive an address which reflected so highly on his predeces- sors. And afterwards sent them a written message, in which he observed, that the conduct of his pre- decessors had been approved by the King : And that he considered the address of the Council "an in- sult to his Majesty, and an affront to himself." The House, in their answer to the Governor's speech, congratulated him on his arrival ; and declared, " that they honored him in the exalted station he held in the province, and confided in him to make the known constitution and charter the rule of his administration." It gave them much concern, they said, to learn, that he had directions to hold the General Court in any place out of the town of Bos- ton ; not only as that was the ancient and usual place of its sitting ; but as it was very inconvenient, both for the people and their Representatives, to have it convened in any other town. "They trusted, how- ever, in the impartiality and justice of his Excel- lency, that the true state of the province and the character of his Majesty's subjects in it, their loyalty to their Sovereign and their affection for the parent country, as well as their invincible attachment to their just rights and liberties, would be laid before
* This spirited address of the Council affords proof, that the members who were not negatived by the Governor, were zealous and faithful in the cause of freedom. Among them were the following gentlemen: S. Danforth, J. Erving, A. Ward, W. Sever, B. Greenleaf, S. Phillips, R. Derby, jr. and G. Leonard, jr.
t This committee was composed of W. Sever, W. Powell and J. Preble.
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his Majesty ; and that he would be the happy in- strument of removing his Majesty's displeasure, and restoring harmony, which had been long interrupted by the artifices of interested and designing men."
The Representatives of the people at this critical juncture, did not shrink from the high and imperious duties, which devolved upon them, in defence of political freedom. They had been selected, under the belief, that a most important crisis was approach- ing .* They adopted resolutions, recommending to the citizens of Boston, to be firm and patient; to the people through the province, to assist their brethren in the metropolis ; and to all, to refrain entirely from the use of British goods, and of other foreign articles, subject to a duty ; conceiving this to be a lawful and most efficient means of convincing the parent government of their opposition to recent op- pressive measures, and of prevailing on ministers to relax in their arbitrary and severe conduct towards Massachusetts. They also requested the Governor to appoint a day for public religious worship and prayer. And as he declined doing it, they recom- mended the observance of a particular day for that solemn service, in imitation of their pious ancestors, who, on all occasions of public distress and danger, humbly sought to the Almighty for guidance and protection.
But the most important measure, adopted at this eventful period, and in preparing which a large committee was occupied the greater part of the session, was that of choosing five members of the House, as delegates to a general and continental Con- gress ; and of giving immediate information thereof to all the other colonies, with a request, that they would appoint deputies for the same purpose. A
* A gentleman of New York, in a letter dated last of June, 1774, says, " I am extremely well pleased with the spirit and glorious con- duct of your General Court. They are a band of patriots, fit to be entrusted with the rights and liberties of the people. Their resolution and good sense would do them honor in any country under heaven."
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measure of this kind had been already suggested both in Massachusetts and in several of the other colonies ; but nothing definite or decisive had been done; nor had any committees or deputies been elected with this design. The patriots in this pro- vince were convinced, that the time had arrived for a more efficient and united stand, in defence of their rights. They did not even now, meditate an inde- pendency of Great Britain; much less did they, generally, suppose, that a resort to arms would be necessary to maintain their liberties. Yet they were resolved to shew the British ministry, that a deter- mination prevailed through all the colonies, to oppose their arbitrary and oppressive plans of governing America ; hoping, no doubt, for a new administra- tion, whose views would be more conciliating and just. The preamble to the resolutions for choosing delegates to meet in a General Congress states, con- cisely, the reasons which induced the House to adopt this important measure. It is as follows: "This House, having duly considered, and being deeply affected with the unhappy differences, which have long subsisted, and are increasing between Great Britain and the American colonies, are of opinion, that a meeting of committees from the several colo- nies on this continent, is highly expedient and neces- sary, to consult upon the present state of the country, and the miseries to which we are and must be re- duced by the operation of certain acts of Parliament; and to deliberate and determine upon wise and proper measures, to be by them recommended to all the colonies, for the recovery and establishment of our just rights and liberties, civil and religious ; and the restoration of union and harmony between Great Britain and America, which is most ardently de- sired by all good men." And the resolution was adopted, by a vote of one hundred and sixteen to twelve. And the following distinguished citizens, whose talents and patriotism placed them high in
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the esteem and confidence of the people, were then appointed : T. CUSHING, S. ADAMS, R. T. PAINE, J. BOWDOIN and J. ADAMS.
While the House were engaged in considering this measure, the Governor received notice of their design from one of the members, politically attached to him, and immediately directed that they be dis- solved. But the door-keeper was ordered to admit no person into the House. Soon after, however, the Secretary proceeded, by his Excellency's com- mand, to the door of the room in which the Repre- sentatives were sitting, and read a proclamation for dissolving the Assembly. And when the resolves were adopted respecting the delegates to Congress, and an order was passed for their compensation, the House separated.
In this measure, it was easy to perceive the com- mencement of a general and open opposition to the parent government ; which, without a great change in the policy of the English Cabinet, or servile submission on the part of the colonies, through an apprehension of a more wretched condition under a powerful military force, would produce a struggle, to be determined only by superior physical power.
The bill " for better regulating the government of Massachusetts Bay," and "that for the more im- partial administration of justice," which were pro- posed in the month of March, when the Boston Port Bill passed, were approved by the King in May; and intelligence thereof was received in the province in July. By one, the Governor alone was authorized to appoint all civil officers ; and by the other, the Counsellors were to be selected by the King and his ministers in England. A list of those appointed was soon made known, and gave great dissatisfaction. Three of the number were P. OLIVER, F. HUTCH- INSON and W. BROWN,* Justices of the Superior
* Mr. Brown had then been recently appointed one of the Judges of the Superior Court.
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Court; and many of the others were among the most unpopular characters in the province. The dissatisfaction and uneasiness, already very great, were much increased by these measures. And to add to the general and deep anxiety which now pervaded every breast, a large military force was ordered into the province, and an act of Parliament was passed, directing the Governor to provide bar- racks, or other quarters for them in any town or place he might choose. Thus the charter, the palla- dium of their rights and privileges, under the shelter of which they had formerly felt themselves safe, at least from systematic tyranny, was wantonly violated by the arbitrary will of a favorite minister. They were to be governed entirely by strangers, and those in whom they had no confidence : And foreign merce- naries were provided to stifle the murmurs occasioned by oppression, and to check the efforts of a generous patriotism, which ministerial threats had not been able to silence or prevent. The intelligent citizens, who composed the committees of correspondence, and others, distinguished by their activity and firm- ness, were openly threatened by the servile tools of despotism, and marked out as victims to appease a tyrannical administration. But, happy for their countrymen, and happy for posterity, they were not moved from their high purpose by the menaces of the corrupt or powerful. Satisfied of the justice of their cause, they resolved to attempt every thing, and hazard every thing for its support. It was diffi- cult, however, to devise any measures, other than those already adopted, to recover the liberty which had been attacked by the ruthless hand of power: And it seemed proper, also, to wait the result of a General Congress, which was to meet in the ap- proaching month of September.
The citizens of Massachusetts, however, were not al- together inactive. In most of the counties, conventions were holden by committees from the several towns ;
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in which resolutions were passed, expressive of their sense of the heavy oppressions which had been heap- ed upon them, and of their determination to maintain their liberties at every hazard. Besides the griev- ances of which they justly and loudly complained, occasioned by the arbitrary acts of Parliament, their resolutions referred to recent alarming and hostile movements of general GAGE, who was openly making warlike preparations; and to a proposition which had been made for a Provincial Congress, to consult for the welfare of the people, instead of the House of Assembly, which had been dissolved.
Great attention was also given to military disci- pline. Independent companies were formed, at this time, in various parts of the province, which elected their own officers ; and by whom they were instruct- ed in military tactics, much beyond the ordinary acquirements of the militia. And in many places, there were those to be found, then only in the meridian of life, who had served as officers in the war of 1758 and '60, between England and France.
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