USA > New Hampshire > The history of New-Hampshire. Comprehending the events of one complete century and seventy-five years from the discovery of the River Pascataqua to the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety, Vol 2 > Part 19
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In this controverfy Mr. Livius met with great fupport, from the intereft of thofe who wifhed to difplace the Governor ; and they became fo deeply engaged to him, as to pro- cure for him an appointment to be the Chief
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Juftice of New-Hampfhire ; but, upon more 1773, mature confideration, this was thought too likely to produce difcord and confufion, and he obtained an appointment to a more lucra- tive office in the Province of Quebec.
When the final iffue of the complaint was known in New-Hampfhire, a general fatis- faction appeared among the people. At the next feffion of the Affembly, the Houfe of Reprefentatives prefented to the Governor, an addrefs of congratulation, in the name of their conftituents ; and the citizens of Portf- mouth gave a fplendid ball, to which the Governor and both Houfes of Affembly were invited.
Hitherto the Governor had preferved his popularity ; and the people, in general, were fatisfied with his administration. But, the obligation which lay on him to fupport the claims of Britain, and aid the plans of her miniftry, rendered his fituation extremely delicate, and his popularity very precarious. The controverfy between Britain and the Col- onies was drawing to a crifis. By the refer- vation of the duty on tea, the Parliament in- fifted on it as their right, to tax their Ameri- can brethren without their confent ; and the Americans, by withholding the importation of tea from Britain, made ufe of the only peaceable mode, in their power, effectually to oppofe that claim. The revenue failed, and the warehoufes of the Eaft India compa- ny were filled with an unfaleable commodi- ty. The miniftry and the company, thus fe- verely difappointed, formed a plan, by which it was expected, that the one would enforce their claim, and the other fecure their traffic.
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It was therefore enacted in Parliament, that the duty on the exportation of tea, from Britain, fhould be taken off; and the Eaft India company be enabled to fend tea, on their own account, to America, fubject to a duty only of three pence on the pound ; by which means it would come to us, cheaper than before, or than it could be procured by illicit trade.
This meafure caufed a. general alarm, through the Colonies ; and united the inter- eft of the merchants, with the views of the politicians, and the general fenfe of liberty in the people. The trading towns fet the ex- ample, which the others followed, of patling refolves, not to permit tea, freighted by the Eaft India company, to be landed or fold. Thefe refolutions . were effectual. In fome places the confignees were obliged to relin- quifh their appointments, and the tea was re- turned unladen. In other places it was de- pofited in ftores, till it could be refhipped. In Bofton, where the obftinacy of Governor Hutchinfon drove the people to defperation, it was deftroyed. In New-Hampshire, the prudence of Governor Wentworth, the vigil- ance of the magiftrates and the firmnefs of the people were combined, and the hateful com- modity was fent away without any damage, and with but little tumult.
June 25. 1774.
The firft cargo of tea, confifting of twenty- feven chefts, was landed and ftored at the cuf- tom houfe, before any people could affemble to obftruct it. A town meeting was called, and a propofal was made to Mr. Parry, the confignec, to refhip it : To this he confented. A guard was appointed by order of the town,
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to watch the cuftom houfe. The tea having been entered, it was neceffary that the duty fhould be paid ; which was done openly, by the confignec. The Governor convened the Council, and kept the magiftrates and peace officers in readinefs to fupprefs any riotous appearances ; but there was no need of their exertion. The tea was peaceably refhipped and fent to Halifax.
A fecond cargo of thirty chefts, which Sept. 2. came configned to the fame perfon, raifed a finall ferment ; and the windows of his lodg- ings were broken. He applied to the Gover- nor for protection. The Governor, as before, fummoned the Council and magiftrates. The town, by their committee, prevailed on the confignee to fend the tea to Halifax, after ha- ving paid the duty, without which the fhip could not legally be cleared at the cuftom houfc.
A general deteftation of the meafurcs, pur- fued by the Britifh miniftry, to rivet the chains on America, univerfally prevailed. The towns had feverally paffed refolves, af- ferting their right of exemption from all tax- ation by Parliament ; condemning the im- portation and ufe of tea; and appointing com- mittees of infpection to carry their refolu- tions into effect. The committees were vi- gilant ; and being aided by the general fen- timent of the people, their exertions were fuc- cefsful.
The controverfy had now advanced, to a ftage, which excited the moft ferious appre- henfions. The Parliament had affumed ju- dicial, as well as legiflative powers ; and di- rected their vengeance againft Bofton. Its
1774.
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1774. port was fhut, and guarded by fhips of war ; its commerce was interdicted ; its tradefmen were without employment; and its poor with- out bread. A military Governor prefided there, and was drawing together all the Brit- ifh troops from every part of America ; that he might be prepared, to make any fanguina- ry experiment, which, in the minifterial plan of coercion, might be judged neceffary.
The fympathy of their American breth- ren, raifed contributions, for the relief of the numerous poor in Bofton, who were regarded as fuffering in the common caufe. But, to guard ourfelves effectually againft the gather- ing ftorm, a union of the Colonies was thought abfolutely neceffary ; and recourfe was had to the fame meafure which had formerly been tried in cafes of common danger, to hold a CONGRESS of delegates from each Colony.
The enemies of America have uniformly cenfured this meafure as unprecedented, ille- gal and dangerous. That it was dangerous to the defigns of the British adminiftration, is admitted ; but for that reafon, it was to us the means of fafety. Though it was not fup- ported by any written law, yet it was evident- ly founded on felf prefervation, the firft law of nature. But that it was unprecedented, is a very great miftake. From the middle of the preceding century, the united Colonies of New-England, held annual, or femiannual meetings of Commiffioners, on their common concerns, for above forty years. From the reign of Queen Anne, to that of George the fecond, Governors, and delegates from Coun- cils and Affemblies, occafionally met in cen- tral places, to hold conferences relative to the
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operations of war, or treaties with the Indian 1774. tribes .* Thefe meetings, ufually called by the name of CONGRESSES, though unknown, or difregarded in Britain, were familiar to the people of America ; and what could be a. more natural or obvious ftep, in a time of common danger, than to affemble by depu- ties, and confer on the means of fafety ? Pre- cedents were numerous, that Governors and delegates had held thefe Affemblies, when their interefts were united ; what then fhould hinder the people from following the exam- ple, when their intereft required them to meet, without their Governors, who were endeavoring to-maintain a feparate intereft ?
At the meeting of the Affembly of New- Hampfhire, in the fpring, the Houfe of Rep- refentatives, conformably to the proceedings of the Affemblies in the other Colonies, ap- pointed a committee of correfpondence. The Governor, who had in vain labored to prevent this meafure, adjourned the Affembly, and after a few days, diffolved it ; hoping, by this means, to diffolve the committee alfo. But they were not reftricted by forms. On a fummons iffued by the committee, the Reprefentatives met again, in their own chamber. The Gov_ July 6. ernor, attended by the Sheriff of the coun- ty, went among them. They rofe at his en- trance. He declared their meeting illegal, and directed the Sheriff to make open procla- mation, for all perfons to difperfe, and keep
May Io.
july 8.
· 'May 6, 1754. A queftion was moved in Council by the Governor, · Whether it be bot an infringement of the prerogative for the Heute to ' join with the Council, in appointing delegates to the Congr fs at A.ba- ' ny ? To which the Council answered ; that the Houle had no inher. 'ent right ; but it bad been long the cuftom, at fuch interviews, for the ' lower Houfe to nominate perfous, to be joined with fuch as the Council Council minutes.
" fhould appoint.'
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1774. the King's Peace. When he had retired they refumed their feats ; but, on further confider- ation, adjourned to another houfe ; and after fome converfation, wrote letters to all the towns in the Province ; requefting them to fend deputies, to hold a Convention at Exe- ter, who fhould choofe delegates for a gene- ral Congrefs ; and to pay their refpective quotas of two hundred pounds, agreeably to the laft proportion of the Provincial tax. They alfo recommended a day of fafting and prayer, to be obferved by the feveral congre- gations, on account of the gloomy appear- ance of public affairs. The day was obfer- ved, with religious folemnity. The money was collected. Eighty-five deputies were chofen and met at Exeter, where they delega- ted Nathaniel Folfom and John Sullivan, Efquires, to attend the propofed Congrefs, at Philadelphia, in September, and delivered to them the money which had been collected, to defray their expenfes. They alfo recom- mended the diftreffed ftate of Bofton, to the commiferation of their brethren in New- Hampshire ; and contributions were raifed in many of the towns for their relief.
July 14.
July 21."
The Governor was now convinced, and in ary regifter. his letters to the miniftry acknowledged, that Parliament- 1775. vol. I, page 61, ' the union of the Colonies would not be loft ' in New-Hampfhire.' At the fame time, he did the people the juftice to fay, that they had abftained from violence and outrage, and that the laws had their courfe. In his letters which were published by the miniftry, there appears a fpirit of candor toward the people, as well as a defire to recommend himfelf to the approbation of his fuperiors. Though
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he faw another authority rifing in the Pro- 1774. vince, founded on the broad bafis of public opinion, and unreftrained reprefentation, an authority over which he had no influence or control ; yet he endeavored to preferve the fhadow of the royal government, and keep up its forms as long as poffible.
But it was impracticable for a perfon, cir- cumftanced as he was, to withftand the fpirit of the people .* That his wifh was to pre- vent a rupture, there is fufficient evidence, for candor to believe. But it cannot be thought ftrange, that in his endeavors to com- ply with the expectations of the miniftry, and their inftruments, which he conceived to be his duty, he fhould fall into fuch a fare, as to lofe the affections of the people; for it was impoffible to pleafe both.
The troops in Bofton wanted barracks, to fecure them againft the approaching winter. The artificers of the town, were, by the popular voice, reftrained from working in the fervice of Government. General Gage was there- forc obliged to fend for affiftance to the neigh- boring Governors, and, among others, to Gov- ernor Wentworth. Inftead of convening his Council for their advice, or iffuing a procla- mation, inviting help and promifing reward, he privately employed a perfon to hire car- penters to go to Bofton. It was impoffible that the fecret fhould be kept, and when it was known, his beft friends reprobated his
* The following paragraph, of one of his private letters, written at that time, to a confidential friend, deferves to be remembered.
' Our hemifphere threatens a hurricane. I have in vain ftrove, almofe ' to death, to prevent it. If I can, at lant, bring out of it, filety to my ' country, and honor to onr fovereign, my labors will be joyful. My · beart is devoted to it, and you know its fincerity.'
MS letter to T. W. W.
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1774. conduct. The Committee of Portfmouth, at the head of which, was his uncle, Hunking Wentworth, bore their public teftimony a- gainft it; and cenfured him, not by name, but by implication, as 'an enemy to the com- munity,' and the men whom he had employ- ed, as ' unworthy of fociety.' The agent in this fecret bufinefs, was brought on his knees before the committee of Rochefter, and made an humble acknowedgment. This prudent ftep of the committee, difarmed the popular rage, and prevented any injury to his per- fon or property.
Scpc. 4.
The tranfactions of the Congrefs which met at Philadelphia, were univerfally ap- proved. The fpirit of them was firm, but pacific. The mode of oppofition, to the ar- bitrary claims of Britain, which they recom- mended, was non-importation and non-con- fumption. But in the clofe of their addrefs, to their conftituents, they advifed them to 'extend their views to the moft unhappy e- ' vents, and to be in all refpects prepared for 'every contingency.' Not long after this ad- vice was made public, a contingency prefent- ed itfelf, in which the people of New-Hamp- fhire gave an example of that fpirit, by which the whole country was animated.
Dec. 13.
An order having been paffed by the King in Council, prohibiting the exportation of gunpowder and other military ftores, to Amer- ica ; a copy of it was brought by exprefs to Portfmouth, at a time, when a fhip of war was daily expected from Bofton, with a party of troops, to take poffeffion of fort William and Mary, at the entrance of the harbour; The committee of the town, with all poffible
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fecrefy and difpatch, collected a company, 1774. from that and fome of the neighboring towns; and before the Governor had any fufpicion of their intentions, they proceeded to New- caftle, and affaulted the fort. The Captain and his five men (which was the whole gar- rifon) were confined, and one hundred bar- rels of powder were carried off. The next day, another company went and removed fifteen of the lighteft cannon, and all thefmall arms, with fome other warlike ftores ; which they diftributed in the feveral towns, under the care of the committees. Major John Sullivan, and Captain John Langdon, diftin- guifhed themfelves, as leaders in this affair. It was tranfacted with great expedition and alacrity, and in the moft fortunate point of time; juft before the arrival of the Scar- borough frigate, and Canfeau floop, with fev- eral companies of foldiers ; who took poffef- fion of the fort, and of the heavy cannon which had not been removed.
The Governor put the five men, who be- longed to the fort, on board the ships of war, to be referved as evidences in cafe of a profe- cution of the offenders for high treafon ; and having confulted Council in this and the neighbouring Province, thought it his duty ; that he might prevent any charge of mifprif- ion of treafon againft himfelf; to difmifs from public truft, all thofe perfons concerned in the affault of the fort, who had held any of- fice under the government, and concerning whofe proceedings he had authentic teftimo- ny. He alfo iffued a proclamation, com- manding all officers, civil and military, to af- fift in detecting and fecuring the offenders ; NN
m ally
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1774. and exhorting all the people to beware of being feduced, by the falfe arts and menaces of abandoned men.
It was thought proper by the Governor and fome of his friends, to- form an affocia- tion, for the fupport of the royal govern- ment, and for their mutual defence. They boafted, that an hundred men could be pro- cured, from the fhips, at a minute's warning. This tranfaction expofed the weaknefs of the caufe, which they meant to fupport ; for what could an hundred men do againft the whole country ?
1775.
Jan. 25.
. A fecond convention of deputies met at Exeter, to confult on the ftate of affairs, and appoint delegates for the next general Con- grefs, to be holden on the tenth of May, at Philadelphia. Major Sullivan and Captain Langdon were chofen ; and the fum of two hundred and fifty pounds, was ordered to de- fray their expenfes. This convention iffued an addrefs to the people, warning them of their danger ; exhorting them to union, peace and harmony, frugality, induftry, manufac- tures, and learning the military art ; that they might be able, if neceffary, to defend the country againft invafion. They appointed a committee of correfpondence, with power to call another convention, when they fhould judge it neceffary.
The winter paffed away in gloomy appre- henfion and anxiety. Men of confideration faw that a wide breach was made, and that it could not eafily be clofed. Some happy ge- nius was wanted to plan, and wifdom on both fides to adopt, a conftitution for Britain and America. Royal charters and inftructions,
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acts of Parliaments and precedents of all kinds, 1775. were at beft but a rotten foundation. The ftore of temporary expedients was exhauft- ed. It was doubtful whether force could gen- erate fubmiflion, or whether refiftance could enervate force. Neither country was fenfi- ble of the ftrength and refources of the other. The prefs teemed with arguments on both fides ; but no plan of conciliation was adopt- ed. A fair and candid reprefentation of our grievances could not be received, in the Court of Britain. Each fide was tenacious of its claims, and there appeared no difpofition to relax. When two independent nations are in fuch a ftate, they generally find among their friends and allies, fome mediating pow- er, to bring them to terms and prevent à rupture. Between Britain and America, no mediator could be found. The controverfy could be decided only by the fupreme arbi- ter of nations.
The firft fhips, which arrived in the fpring, brought us news that the petition of Congref's was gracioufly received by the King ; and that the merchants of England were petition- ing in our favor. This revived our hopes. Soon after we were informed, that the Par- liament had voted the exiftence of a rebellion in Maffachufetts ; and that the other Colo- nies were aiding and affifting : That the Lords and Commons had addreffed the King, to enforce the revenue-acts, and had affured him, that they would ftand by him, with their lives and fortunes : That the King had de- manded an augmentation of his forces, by fea and land : That the commerce of the New-England Colonies was to be reftrained,
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April 14.
1775. and their fifhery prohibited ; and that an ad- ditional number of troops, horfe and foot, were ordered to America. Thefe tidings threw us into diftrefs. A war feemed inevi- table ; and a gloom overfpread the whole country. The people of Bofton began to re- move from the town ; and thofe, who could not remove, were folicitous to fecure their moft valuable effects. In the midft of this diftrefs, a frigate arrived exprefs from Eng- land ; with an account of a propofal made and voted in Parliament, which was called Lord North's conciliatory propofition. It was this ; ' that when any Colony by their ' Governor, Council and Affembly, fhall en- ' gage to make provifion, for the fupport of ' civil government, and adminiftration of juf- ' tice, in fuch colony ; it will be proper, if ' fuch propofal be approved by the King and ' Parliament, for fo long time as fuch pro- 'vifion fhall be made, to forbear to levy any ' duties or taxes in fuch Colony, except for ' the regulation of Commerce ; the neat pro- ' ceeds of which fhall be carried to the ac- ' count of fuch Colony refpectively.' The troops, however, were to remain ; and the refractory Colonies were to be punifhed. This propofition was faid to be founded on fome advice, received from New-York, that if conceffions were made by Parliament, they would cenfure the proceedings of Congrefs, and break the union of the Colonies. The propofal was evidently a bait thrown out to divide us, and tempt us to defert the Colony of Maffachufetts ; who could not comply, without fubmitting to the alteration, lately made by Parliament in their charter.
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What might have been the effect of this propofition in the other Colonies, if it had been allowed time to operate, is uncertain. The conduct of General Gage, on receiving this news, was in the higheft degree abfurd and inconfiftent. He had been blamed in Parliament for his inactivity. He had friends in Bofton, who conftantly affured him, that the people in the country would not dare to face his troops. He had been informed of a magazine of provifions and ftores, at Con- cord, laid up by the Provincial Congrefs, in cafe of extremity. With the news of the conciliatory propofition, he received orders to make an experiment of its fuccefs. On the April 18. eighteenth day of April, he iffued writs for calling a general Affembly, to comply with the propofed terms of reconciliation ; and in the night following, he privately difpatched a body of his troops, to deftroy the magazine at Concord ; and to feize fome of the lead- ers of oppofition, who had retired from the town. He was induced to believe, that if be- tween the iffuing of his writs, and the meet- ing of the Affembly, he could ftrike a bold ftroke ; it would fo intimidate the people, and unfit them for defence, that they would eafily comply with the terms propofed. But he totally miftook the genius of the people of New-England. Nor were his defigns car- ried on fo fecretly as he imagined. The popular leaders were feafonably apprifed of their danger, and kept themfelves out of his reach. The country was alarmed, by ex- preffes fent off in the night, before he had taken the precaution to fhut the avenues of the town. A company of armed citizens
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1775. kept guard at Lexington, on the road to Con- cord. The British troops, when they appear- ed in the morning, having ordered them to difperfe, fired upon them, as they were re- tiring, and killed feveral on the fpot. They
April 19. then proceeded to Concord, and deftroyed fuch of the ftores as had not been removed ; and having accomplished their object, as far as they were able, they retreated through fhowers of mufquetry from the people, who fuddenly collected from all quarters to op- pofe them.
On the alarm of this act of hoftility, the people of New-Hampshire, and of the other Colonies, took arms, and flew to the affiftance of their brethren.
Notwithstanding this ill-advifed and un- fuccefsful attempt of Gage, Governor Went- worth had very fanguine hopes of the good effect of the 'conciliatory propofition ;' and determined, as he faid, ' to plant the root of ' peace in New-Hampfhire.' He fummoned a new Affembly ; and in his fpeech, entreat- ed them, as 'the only legal and conftitution- ' al Reprefentatives of the people, to direct ' their counfels to fuch meafures, as might 'tend to fecure their peace and fafety ; and ' effectually lead to a reftoration of the pub- ' lic tranquillity ; and an affectionate recon- ' ciliation with the mother country.' The Houfe defired a fhort recefs, that they might advife with their conftituents on fo momen- tous a queftion ; and the Governor reluct- antly confented to adjourn them to the twelfth day of June.
In the mean time, the officers and men of the Scarborough began to difmantle the fort ;
May 4.
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they alfo ftopped two veffels laden with pro- vifions, which were coming into the harbor; and notwithftanding the moft preffing remon- ftrances of the inhabitants, and folicitation of the Governor, refufed to releafe them. Upon this, a body of armed men, went to a battery on Jerry's point, at Great-Ifland, and May 26. took away eight cannon of twenty-four and thirty-two pound fhot, which they brought up to Portfmouth ; and whilft they were en- gaged in this work, the Canfeau floop convoy- ed the two provifion veffels to Bofton, for the fupply of the fleet and army.
A new convention was at this time fitting at Exeter ; in which the Province was more fully and equally reprefented, than it ever had been before. They paffed votes of thanks to thofe who had taken the powder and guns from the fort, in the preceding winter, and to thofe who had removed the cannon from the battery. They alfo inftructed the Rep- refentatives, how to act at the next meeting of the Affembly ; and the voice of the con- vention was regarded by the Houfe, as the voice of their conftituents.
At the adjournment, the Governor again Jane 32. recommended ' the conciliatory propofition.' The firft ftep which the Houfe took, was in obedience to the voice of the convention, to expel three members whom the Governor had called by the King's writ, from three new townfhips; whilft many other towns, of much older ftanding, and more populous, were ne- glected, and never enjoyed the privilege of reprefentation, but in the newly eftablifhed conventions. The Governor then adjourned the Affembly to the eleventh of July. One
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