of their addresses, the composition of the several papers that were drawn up by them, were in every particular calculated to excite the admiration of the world. That an assembly of fifty two men, born and educated in the wilds of a new world, unpractised in the arts of polity, most of them unexperienced in the arduous duties of legislation, coming from distant and distinct governments, differing in religion, manners, customs and habits, as they did in their views with regard to the nature of their connexion with Great Britain-that such an Assembly, so constituted, should display so much wisdom, sagacity, foresight and knowledge of the world, such skill in argument, such force of reasoning such firmness and soundness of judgment, so profound an acquaintance with the rights of man, such elevation of sentiment, such genuine patriotism, and above all, such unexampled union of opinion-was indeed a political phenomenon, to which history has yet furnished no parallel.

Nor is it less wonderful that the whole people of the Colonies represented, should have regarded the simple recommendations of this Congress, with the reverence and obedience due to the strongest ties of law. Even in those Colonies where law and authority had been set at defiance, the injunctions of the Congress were scrupulously obeyed. The whole country was in that awful calm of expectation which precedes the bursting of a storm. They were willing to wait the issue of their petitions, but ready to enforce their rights at the risk of life.

While the Congress were in session at Philadelphia, nearly all the Colonies had fallen upon the plan of forming Provincial Assemblies or Congresses, without regard to their old forms of government, or rather

for the purpose of reestablishing their ancient rights of government. In Massachusetts the people had determined to hold a Provincial Congress on the 15th of October, which induced General Gage to issue his proclamation, convoking the General Court of the Province, to assemble at Salem on the 5th. By this manœuvre, it is probable, he hoped to prevent the institution of a Provincial Congress. The members, most of whom had formed the last General Court, obeyed the writs and repaired accordingly to Salem. But, for some extraordinary reason which does not appear, probably because he foresaw the impossibility of managing the same members who had so handsomely outwitted him in the month of June preceding, on the 4th of October, the day previous to the intended meeting, General Gage issued a second Proclamation, dissolving the Assembly. The members, nevertheless, met on the 5th, and determining the last proclamation to be illegal, they agreed to wait one day for the Governour's appearance to administer the oaths, and that failing, they resolved themselves into a Provincial Congress, as at first intended, and adjourned to Concord. All that they did here was to appoint a President, John Hancock, afterwards president of the Continental Congress-address a communication to the Governour, (which with his reply were in the usual strain of accusation and recrimination)—and then adjourned to meet at Cambridge on the 17th. Here they appointed a committee of safety, and a committee of supplies; the first of which was empowered to call out the militia for the defence of the Province, and the last to purchase supplies. Elbridge Gerry, who afterwards filled many of the most important stations in the Government, was at the head of this last

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 Chatham-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 consequences.

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