USA > New Hampshire > The history of New-Hampshire > Part 45
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A second cargo of thirty chests, which came consigned to the same person, raised a small ferment ; and the windows of Sept. S. his lodgings were broken. He applied to the governor for protection. The governor, as before, summoned the council and magistrates. The town, by their committee, prevailed on the consignee to send the tea to Halifax, after having paid the duty, without which the ship could not legally be cleared at the custom house.
A general detestation of the measures, pursued by the British ministry, to rivet the chains on America, universally prevailed.
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The towns had severally passed resolves, asserting their right of exemption from all taxation by parliament ; condemning the im- portation and use of tea ; and appointing committees of inspection to carry their resolutions into effect. The committees were vigi- lant ; and being aided by the general sentiment of the people, their exertions were successful.
The controversy had now advanced, to a stage, which excited the most serious apprehensions. The parliament had assumed judicial,. as well as legislative powers ; and directed their ven- geance against Boston. Its port was shut, and guarded by ships of war ; its commerce was interdicted ; its tradesmen were with- out employment ; and its poor without bread. A military gov- ernor presided there, and was drawing together all the British troops from every part of America ; that he might be prepared, to make any sanguinary experiment, which, in the ministerial plan of coercion, might be judged necessary.
The sympathy of their American brethren, raised contributions, for the relief of the numerous poor in Boston, who were regarded as suffering in the common cause. But, to guard ourselves ef- fectually against the gathering storm, a union of the colonies was thought absolutely necessary ; and recourse was had to the same measure which had formerly been tried in cases of common dan- ger, to hold a CONGRESS of delegates from each colony.
The enemies of America have uniformly censured this meas- ure as unprecedented, illegal and dangerous. That it was dan- gerous to the designs of the British administration, is admitted ; but for that reason, it was to us the means of safety. Though it was not supported by any written law, yet it was evidently foun- ded on self preservation, the first law of nature. But that it was unprecedented, is a very great mistake. From the middle of the preceding century, the united colonies of New-England, held annual, or semiannual meetings of commissioners, on their com- mon concerns, for above forty years. From the reign of Queen Anne, to that of George the Second, governors, and delegates from councils and assemblies, occasionally met in central places, to hold conferences relative to the operations of war, or treaties with the Indian tribes." These meetings, usually called by the name of Congresses, though unknown, or disregarded in Britain, were familiar to the people of America ; and what could be a more natural or obvious step, in a time of common danger, than to assemble by deputies, and confer on the means of safety ? Precedents were numerous, that governors and delegates had
* ' May 6, 1754. A question was moved in council by the governor, # Whether it be not an infringement of the prerogative for the house to join ' with the council, in appointing delegates to the congress at Albany ? To F which the council answered ; that the house had no inherent right ; but ' it had been long the custom, at such interviews, for the lower house to nom- ' inate persons, to be joined with such as the council should appoint.' Coun- cil Minutes.
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PROVINCE. JOHN WENTWORTH, 2d.
1774.]
held these assemblies, when their interests were united ; what then should hinder the people from following the example, when their interest required them to meet, without their governors, who were endeavoring to maintain a separate interest ?
At the meeting of the assembly of New-Hampshire, in the spring, the house of representatives, conformably to the May 10. proceedings of the assemblies in the other colonies, ap- pointed a committee of correspondence. The governor, who had in vain labored to prevent this measure, adjourned the as- July 8. sembly, and after a few days, dissolved it; hoping, by this means, to dissolve the committee also. But they were not restricted by forms. On a summons issued by the committee, the representatives met again, in their own chamber. The July 6. governor, attended by the sheriff of the county, went among them. They rose at his entrance. He declared their meeting illegal, and directed the sheriff to make open proclama- tion, for all persons to disperse, and keep the king's peace. When he had retired, they resumed their seats ; but, on further consid- eration, adjourned to another house ; and after some conversa- tion, wrote letters to all the towns in the province ; requesting them to send deputies, to hold a convention at Exeter, who should choose delegates for a general congress ; and to pay their respective quotas of two hundred pounds, agreeably to the last proportion of the provincial tax. They also recommended a day of fasting and prayer, to be observed by the several congregations, on account of the gloomy appearance of public affairs. The day was observed, with religious solemnity. The money was collec- ted. Eighty-five deputies were chosen and met at Exe- July 14. ter, where they delegated Nathaniel Folsom and John Sullivan, Esquires, to attend the proposed congress, at July 21. Philadelphia, in September, and delivered to them the money which had been collected, to defray their expenses. They also recommended the distressed state of Boston, to the commisera- tion of their brethren in New-Hampshire ; and contributions were raised in many of the towns for their relief.
The governor was now convinced, and in his letters to the ministry acknowledged, that ' the union of the colonies would not ' be lost in New-Hampshire.'1 At the same time, he did the people the justice to say, that they had abstained from violence and outrage, and that the laws had their course. In his letters, which were published by the ministry, there appears a spirit of candor toward the people, as well as a desire to recommend himself to the approbation of his superiors. Though be saw another authority rising in the province, founded on the broad basis of public opinion, and unrestrained representation, an au- thority over which he had no influence or control ; yet he en-
(1) Parliamentary register, 1775, vol. i. p. 61, &c.
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[1774.
deavored to preserve the shadow of the royal government, and keep up its forms as long as possible.
But it was impracticable for a person, circumstanced as he was, to withstand the spirit of the people .* That his wish was to prevent a rupture, there is sufficient evidence, for candor to believe. But it cannot be thought strange, that in his endeavors to comply with the expectations of the ministry, and their instru- ments, which he conceived to be his duty, he should fall into such a snare, as to lose the affections of the people; for it was impos- sible to please both.
The troops in Boston wanted barracks, to secure them against the approaching winter. The artificers of the town, were, by the popular voice, restrained from working in the service of govern- ment. General Gage was therefore obliged to send for assistance to the neighboring governors, and, among others, to Governor Wentworth. Instead of convening his council for their advice, or issuing a proclamation, inviting help and promising a reward, he privately employed a person to hire carpenters to go to Boston. It was impossible that the secret should be kept, and when it was known, his best friends reprobated his conduct. The committee of Portsmouth, at the head of which, was his uncle, Hunking Wentworth, bore their public testimony against it; and censured him, not by name, but by implication, as ' an enemy to the com- munity,' and the men whom he had employed, as unworthy of society.' The agent in this secret business, was brought on his knees before the committee of Rochester, and made an humble acknowledgment. This prudent step of the committee, disarmed the popular rage, and prevented any injury to his person or property.
The transactions of the congress which met at Philadelphia, were universally approved. The spirit of them was firm, but
Sept. 4. pacific. The mode of opposition, to the arbitrary claims of Britain, which they recommended, was non-importation and non-consumption. But in the close of their address, to their constituents, they advised them to ' extend their views to the most ' unhappy events, and to be in all respects prepared for every ' contingency.' Not long after this advice was made public, a contingency presented itself, in which the people of New-Hamp- shire gave an example of that spirit, by which the whole country was animated.
An order having been passed by the king in council, prohibiting the exportation of gunpowder and other military stores, to Ameri-
* The following paragraph, of one of his private letters, written at that time, to a confidential friend, deserves to be remembered.
' Our hemisphere threatens a hurricane. I have in vain strove, almost to ' death, to prevent it. If I can, at last, bring out of it, safety to my country, ' and honor to our sovereign, my labors will be joyful. My heart is devoted ' to it, and you know its sincerity.' MS. letter to T. W. W.
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1774.]
ca ; a copy of it was brought by express to Portsmouth, at a time, when a ship of war was daily expected from Boston, with Dec. 13. a party of troops, to take possession of Fort William
and Mary, at the entrance of the harbor. The committee of the town, with all possible secrecy and despatch, collected a company, from that and some of the neighboring towns ; and before the governor had any suspicion of their intentions, they proceeded to Newcastle, and assaulted the fort. The captain and his five men (which was the whole garrison) were confined, and one hun- dred barrels of powder were carried off. The next day, another company went and removed fifteen of the lightest cannon, and all the small arms, with some other warlike stores ; which they dis- tributed in the several towns, under the care of the committees. Major John Sullivan, and Captain John Langdon, distinguished themselves, as leaders in this affair. It was transacted with great expedition and alacrity, and in the most fortunate point of time ; just before the arrival of the Scarborough frigate, and Canseau sloop, with several companies of soldiers ; who took possession of the fort, and of the heavy cannon which had not been removed.
The governor put the five men, who belonged to the fort, on board the ships of war, to be reserved as evidences in case of a prosecution of the offenders for high treason ; and having con- sulted counsel in this and the neighboring province, thought it his duty ; that he might prevent any charge of misprision of treason against himself; to dismiss from public trust, all those persons concerned in the assault of the fort, who had held any office un- der the government, and concerning whose proceedings he had authentic testimony. He also issued a proclamation,* command-
* [The following is a copy of the proclamation :
PROVINCE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE .- A Proclamation by the Governor. Whereas, several bodies of men did, in the day time of the !14th, and in the night of the 15th of this instant December, in the most daring and rebellious manner invest, attack, and forcibly enter into his majesty's castle William and Mary in this province, and overpowering and confining the captain and garrison, did, besides committing many treasonable insults and outrages, break open the magazine of said castle and plunder it of above one hun- dred barrels of gunpowder, with upwards of sixty stand of small arms, and did also force from the ramparts of said castle and carry off sixteen pieces of cannon, and other military stores, in open hostility and direct oppugna- tion of his majesty's government, and in the most atrocious contempt of his crown and dignity ;-
I Do, by advice and consent of his majesty's council, issue this proclama- tion. ordering and requiring, in his majesty's name, all magistrates and other officers, whether civil or military, as they regard their duty to the king and au tenor of the oaths they have solemnly taken and subscribed, to exert themselves in detecting and securing in some of his majesty's goals in this province the said offenders, in order to their being brought to condign pun- ishment ; And from motives of duty to the king and regard to the welfare of the good people of this province : I do in the most earnest and solemn man- ner, exhort and injoin you, his majesty's liege subjects of this government, to beware of suffering yourselves to be seduced by the false arts or menaces of abandoned men, to abet, protect, or screen from justice any of the said high handed offenders, or to withhold or secrete his majesty's munition forcibly ta-
47
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ing all officers, civil and military, to assist in detecting and secur- ing the offenders ; and exhorting all people to beware of being seduced, by the false arts and menaces of abandoned men .*
It was thought proper by the governor and some of his friends, to form an association, for the support of the royal government, and for their mutual defence. They boasted, that an hundred ten could be procured, from the ships, at a minute's warning. This transaction exposed the weakness of the cause, which
1775. they meant to support ; for what could an hundred men do against the whole country ?
A second convention of deputies met at Exeter, to consult on the state of affairs, and appoint delegates for the next general Jan. 25. congress, to be holden on the tenth of May, at Philadel- phia. Major Sullivan and Captain Langdon were chosen ; and the sun of two hundred and fifty pounds, were ordered to defray their expenses. This convention issued an address to the people, warning them of their danger ; exhorting them to union, peace and harmony, frugality, industry, manufactures, and learn- ing the military art ; that they might be able, if necessary, to de- fend the country against invasion. They appointed a committee of correspondence, with power to call another convention, when they should judge it necessary.
The winter passed away in gloomy apprehension and anxiety. Men of consideration saw that a wide breach was made, and that it could not easily be closed. Some happy genius was wanting to plan, and wisdom on both sides to adopt, a constitution for Britain and America. Royal charters and instructions, acts of parliament and precedents of all kinds, were at best but a rotten
ken from his castle ; but that each and every of you will use your utmost endeavors to detect and discover the perpetrators of these crimes to the civil magistrate, and assist in securing and bringing them to justice, and in recov- ering the king's munition ; This injunction it is my bounded duty to lay strictly upon you, and to require your obedience thereto, as you value indi- vidually your faith and allegiance to his majesty, as you wish to preserve that reputation to the province in general ; and as you would avert the dreadful but most certain consequences of a contrary conduct to yourselves and pos- terity.
Given at the council-chamber in Portsmouth, the 26th day of December, in the 15th year of the reign of our sovereign lord George the Third, by the grace of God, of Great-Britain, France and Ireland, king, defender of the faith, &c. and in the year of our Lord Christ, 1774.
J. WENTWORTH.
By his excellency's command, with advice of council, THEODORE ATKINSON, Sec'ry. GOD save the King.]
* [1774. Warner, Deering, Nelson, Stoddard, Erroll, Kilkenny, Mills- field, Piercy and Whitefield were granted or incorporated. During the rev- olutionary war, the following towns were incorporated : viz. in 1776, Wash- ington and Marlborough ; 1777, Antrim, Moultonborough and New-Hampton ; 1778, Fishersfield and New-Chester; 1779, Andover, Hancock, New-London and Northumberland ; 1780, Orange and Northfield ; 1781, Thornton ; and 1782, Pittsfield.]
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1774.]
foundation. The store of temporary expedients was exhausted. It was doubtful whether force could generate submission, or whether resistance could enervate force. Neither country was sensible of the strength and resources of the other. The press teemed with arguments on both sides ; but no plan of conciliation was adopted. A fair and candid representation of our grievances could not be received, in the court of Britain. Each side was tenacious of its claims, and there appeared no disposition to relax. When two independent nations are in such a state, they generally find among their friends and allies, some mediating power, to bring them to terms and prevent a rupture. Between Britain and America, no mediator could be found. The controversy could be decided only by the supreme arbiter of nations.
The first ships, which arrived in the spring, brought us news that the petition of congress was graciously received by the king ; and that the merchants of England were petitioning in our favor. This revived our hopes. Soon after, we were informed, that the parliament had voted the existence of a rebellion in Massachu- setts ; and that the other colonies were aiding and assisting : That the lords and commons had addressed the king, to enforce the revenue-acts, and had assured him, that they would stand by him, with their lives and fortunes : That the king had demanded an augmentation of his forces, by sea and land : That the com- merce of the New-England colonies was to be restrained, and their fishery prohibited ; and that an additional number of troops, horse and foot, were ordered to America. These tidings threw us into distress. A war seemed inevitable ; and a gloom over- spread the whole country. The people of Boston began to re- move from the town; and those, who could not remove, were solicitons to secure their most valuable effects. In the midst of this distress, a frigate arrived express from England ; with Apr. 14. an account of a proposal made and voted in parliament,
which was called Lord North's conciliatory proposition. It was this ; ' that when any colony by their governor, council and as- ' sembly, shall engage to make provision, for the support of civil ' government, and administration of justice, in such colony ; it ' will be proper, if such proposal be approved by the king and ' parliament, for so long time as such provision shall be made, to ' forbear to levy any duties or taxes in such colony, except for ' the regulation of commerce ; the neat proceeds of which shall ' be carried to the account of such colony respective'y.' The troops, however, were to remain ; and the refractory colonies were to be punished. This proposition was said to be founded on some advice, received from New-York, that if concessions were made by parliament, they would censure the proceedings of congress, and break the union of the colonies. The proposal was evidently a bait thrown out to divide us, and tempt us to desert the colony
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of Massachusetts ; who could not comply, without submitting to the alteration, lately made by parliament in their charter.
What might have been the effect of this proposition 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 highest degree absurd and inconsistent. He had been blamed in parliament for his inactivity. He had friends in Boston, who con- stantly assured him, that the people in the country would not dare to face his troops. He had been informed of a magazine of pro- visions and stores, at Concord, laid up by the provincial congress, in case of extremity. With the news of the conciliatory propo- sition, lie received orders to make an experiment of its success. On the eighteenth day of April, he issued writs for calling a gen- eral assembly, to comply with the proposed terms of reconcilia- tion ; and in the night following, he privately despatched a body of his troops, to destroy the magazine at Concord ; and to seize some of the leaders of opposition, who had retired from the town. He was induced to believe, that if between the issuing of his writs, and the meeting of the assembly, he could strike a bold stroke,; it would so intimidate the people, and unfit them for defence, that they would easily comply with the terms proposed. But he to- tally mistook the genius of the people of New-England. Nor were his designs carried on so secretly as he imagined. . The popular leaders were seasonably apprised of their danger, and kept themselves out of his reach. The country was alarmed, by expresses sent off in the night, before he had taken the precaution to shut the avenues of the town. A company of armed citizens kept guard at Lexington, on the road to Concord. The British troops, when they appeared in the morning, having ordered them to disperse, fired upon them, as they were retiring, and killed
several on the spot. They then proceeded to Concord, Apr. 19. and destroyed such of the stores as had not been removed ; and having accomplished their object, as far as they were able, they retreated through showers of musquetry from the people, who suddenly collected from all quarters to oppose them.
On the alarm of this act of hostility, the people of New-Hamp- shire, and of the other colonies, took arms, and flew to the assist- ance of their bretliren.
Notwithstanding this ill-advised and unsuccessful attempt of Gage, Governor Wentworth had very sanguine hopes of the good effect of the 'conciliatory proposition ;' and determined, as he said, ' to plant the root of peace in New-Hampshire.' He sum- moned a new assembly; and in his speech, entreated them, as May 4. ' the only legal and constitutional representatives of the ' people, to direct their counsels to such measures, as ' might tend to secure their peace and safety ; and effectually ' lead to a restoration of the public tranquillity ; and an affection-
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1775.]
' ate reconciliation with the mother country.' The house desired a short recess, that they might advise with their constituents on so momentous a question ; and the governor reluctantly consent- ed to adjourn them to the twelfth day of June.
In the mean time, the officers and men of the Scarborough began to dismantle the fort ; they also stopped two vessels laden with provisions, which were coming into the harbor ; and not- withstanding the most pressing remonstrances of the inhabitants, and solicitation of the governor, refused to release them. Upon this, a body of armed men, went to a battery on Jerry's May 26. point, at Great-Island, and took away eight cannon of twenty-four and thirty-two pound shot, which they brought up to Portsmouth ; and whilst they were engaged in this work, the Canseau sloop convoyed the two provision vessels to Boston, for the supply of the fleet and army.
A new convention was at this time sitting at Exeter ; in which the province was more fully and equally represented, than it ever had been before. They passed votes of thanks to those who had taken the powder and guns from the fort, in the preceding winter, and to those who had removed the cannon from the battery. They also instructed the representatives, how to act at the next meeting of the assembly ; and the voice of the convention was regarded by the house, as the voice of their constituents.
At the adjournment, the governor again recommended ' the conciliatory proposition.' The first step which the house June 12. 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 townships ; whilst many other towns, of much older standing, and more populous, were neglected, and never enjoyed the privilege of representation, but in the newly established conventions. The governor then adjourned the as- sembly to the eleventh of July. One of the expelled members, having spoken his mind freely without doors, was ussaulted by the populace, and took shelter in the governor's house. The people demanded him, and brought a gun, mounted on a carriage, to the door ; upon which the offender was delivered up, and conveyed to Exeter. The governor, conceiving himself insulted, retired to the fort; and his house became a scene of pillage.
When the assembly met again, he sent a message from the fort, and adjourned them to the twenty-eighth of Septem- July 11. ber ; but they never met any more. He continued under the protection of the Scarborough, and another ship of war, till all the remaining cannon of the fort were taken on board, and then Aug. 24. sailed for Boston. In September, he came to the Isles of Shoals, and there issued a proclamation, adjourning the assembly to the next April. This was the last act of his administration, and the last time that he set his foot in the province. Thus an end
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