XVI. the close of the last war, and our former harmony BOOK will be restored." In the memorial to the inhabitants of British America, they deeply deplore 1774. the necessity which pressed them to an immediate interruption of commerce, and apologize by saying, "We are driven by the hands of violence into unexperienced and unexpected public convulsions, and are contending for freedom so often contended for by our ancestors." Towards the close they have these words: "We think ourselves bound in duty to observe to you, that the schemes agitated against these colonies have been so conducted as to render it prudent that you should extend your views to the most unhappy events, and be in all respects prepared for every contingency." But the congress seemed to reserve their chief strength for the address to the king, which is penned with extraordinary force and animation, in many parts rising to a very high strain of eloquence. They express their "confidence, that, as his majesty enjoys the signal distinction of reigning over freemen, the language of freemen cannot be displeasing" adding, "Your royal indignation, we hope, will rather fall on those designing and dangerous men who, daringly interposing themselves between your royal person and your faithful subjects, have at length compelled us by the force of accumulated injuries to disturb your XVL 1774. BOOK majesty's repose by our complaints." They assure his majesty, that for the support of civil government, and the administration of justice, such provision has been and will be made by the colonial legislatures as may be judged suitable to their respective circumstances. They affirm, that for their defence, protection, and security in time of peace, their militias, if properly regulated, would be fully sufficient; and in case of war, his faithful colonists will be ready and willing, as they have ever been when constitutionally required, to demonstrate their loyalty, by exerting their most strenuous efforts in granting supplies. and raising forces. They say, "We ask but for peace, liberty, and safety. We wish not a diminution of the prerogative, nor do we solicit the grant of any new right in our favor. In the magnanimity and justice of your majesty and parliament we confide for a redress of our grievances, trusting that when the causes of our apprehensions are removed, our future conduct will prove us not unworthy of the regard we have been accustomed in our happier days to enjoy. And appealing to that Being who searches thoroughly the hearts of his creatures, we solemnly profess that our councils have been influenced by no other motive than a dread of impending destruction. We implore therefore your majesty, as the loving father of all your people, connected by XVI. 1774 the same bands of loyalty, faith and blood, not BOOK to suffer the transcendent relation formed by these ties to be further violated in uncertain expectation of effects which, if attained, never can compensate for the calamities through which they must be gained. So may your majesty enjoy every temporal felicity throughout a long and glorious reign, and your descendants inherit your prosperity and dominions till time shall be no more."-It is difficult to conceive how this address could be read without exciting, in the breast even of the most obdurate, strong emotions of compunction and remorse; but there are those who have hearts and understandings upon which no impression can be made by any effort of human reason, and who can resolutely "turn a deaf ear to the voice of the charmer, charm he ever so wisely." In a subsequent address to the Roman-catholic inhabitants of Canada, the congress with perspicuity and energy state to the Canadians the rights enjoyed under that constitution from which by the late act they are debarred. "These rights," say they, "defend the poor from the rich, the weak from the powerful, the industrious from the rapacious, the peaceable from the violent, the tenants from the lords, and all from their superiors. They invite and solicit them to consult their own glory and welfare, and to unite with VOL. VI. XVI. 1774. BOOK them in one social compact. Your province," say they, "is the only link wanting to complete the bright and strong chain of union. Nature has joined your country to ours,-join also your political interests by an accession to the general confederation." But the spirit of liberty was too faint and feeble in Canada, and the aristocracy and priesthood too powerful to admit of any considerable effect from this address. The congress, having finished their deliberations, dissolved themselves after an uninterrupted session of fifty-two days. Such was the noble and enthusiastic detestation of this assembly to tyranny and slavery, that in one of their debates respecting the proba bility and danger of a rupture with Great Britain, a leading member rose up and said, "I should advise persisting in our struggle, though it were revealed from heaven that nine hundred and ninety-nine were to perish in the contest, and one only of a thousand to survive, and retain his liberty." The last resolution of this assembly imported that another congress shall be held the 10th day of May 1775, unless redress of grievances be obtained before that time. General Gage had issued writs for convoking the general court of Massachusetts at Salem on the 5th of October, which subsequent events induced him to recall; but the court nevertheless met, and, voting themselves into a provin XVI. 1774. cial congress, appointed a committee to present BOOK a remonstrance to the governor, complaining in strong terms of the late arbitrary laws, and the hostile preparations making to enforce them. The governor refused to recognize them as a lawful assembly, and warned them at their peril to desist from their illegal and unconstitutional proceedings. To this requisition or menace little regard was paid, and at a subsequent meeting a plan was drawn up for the immediate defence of the province; magazines of ammunition and stores were provided for twelve thousand militia, and an enrolment made of a number of minute men, so called from their engaging to turn out with their arms at a minute's warning. Winter approaching, the governor was desirous of providing barracks and clothing for the soldiers: but no workmen could be procured; and the merchants returned for answer, that they never would supply any article for the benefit of men who were sent as enemies to their country. Every thing now served to increase the mutual apprehension and animosity. A magazine of powder at Charlestown, near Boston, had been seized by general Gage's order, and a battery of cannon spiked by a detachment from the shipping. On the other hand, the fort at Portsmouth, in New Hampshire, was assaulted by an armed body of provincials, and after a slight resistance carried by storm, and the |