In what assembly, were they much ridiculed in 1775 ?

What were they declared to be by nature?

Of what, were they said to be incapable?

What Col. said, they would never dare to face an English army?

For what, did Grant say a slight force would be more than sufficient?

temptible of the human race. "Can we," said the ministers, "make a serious matter of the resistance of the Americans? Cowards by nature, incapable of any sort of military discipline, their bodies are feeble, and their inclinations dastardly." Col. Grant assured the house, that he had often acted in the same service with the Americans; he knew them well, and from that knowledge, would venture to predict, that they would never dare to face an English army, as being destitute of every requisite to constitute good soldiers; that by their laziness, uncleanliness, or radical defect of constitution, they were incapable of going through the service of a campaign, and would melt away with sickness, before they could face an enemy; so that a very slight force would be more than sufficient for their complete reduction. So infatuated was he, with this opinion, that he declared openly, he would undertake, with five regiments of infantry, to traverse the whole country, and drive the inhabitants from one end of the continent to the other. Many ludicrous stories were told of their cowardice, greatly to the entertainment of the ministerial members, who were all confident, that America would make a short and feeble resistance.

Hutchinson, Carlton and Tryon, who had been governors in Ameri

ca, were once called upon to give their opinion upon the question of going to war with the colonies. H. said, that the people would not with their armies, resist G. Brit ain that a few troops would be sufficient to quell them, if any one should make opposition. Carlton said, America might be easily conquered, though it would require a considerable army for the purpose; that he would not pretend to march from Canada to N. Y. or Boston, without 10,000 men. Tryon said, it would take large armies and much time, to bring America to their feet; that the power of Great Britain was equal to any thing; but all that power must be exerted to put the monster in chains.

It is said, that a British officer (probably Gen. Short) once said to Gen. Putnam, "Do you not think, that with 10,000 good royal troops, I could march through the colonies without opposition or molestation?"

"You undoubtedly might," said Putnam. "if you should restrain your soldiers from plunder, honorably purchase and pay for every article you might use, and treat every American with all possible civility and kindness. But remember, if you should offer the least injury or insult to any individual, though every mau should be absent, the women would instantly rush out with their brooms, and sweep every one of you into the ocean."

How large an army soon assembled in the vicinity of Boston? 30,000.

Over what towns, did the army extend? Charlestown, Cambridge and Roxbury.

What important fortresses, did the Americans think it desirable to secure?

In what colony, were they? On what lake? - - Which side? How far apart? 12 miles. Which most northerly? Who led the expedition against these fortresses ?

With what success?

Who demanded the surrender of Ticonderoga ? In what name? In what month?

What battle soon followed the capture of T. and C. P. ? Month and day? Where is that hill ?

What name is now given to that hill by the best authority? BUNKER HILL.

How many men were sent to fortify Bunker Hill?

By whom, commanded? Colonel Prescot.

Object of fortifying Bunker Hill? To prevent the British from marching through Charlestown into the country.

When did the provincials commence the fortification?

Meaning of redoubt? A square fort, defended on but one side.

When were they discovered by the British?

How did the British immediately attempt to annoy them?

From what hill in Boston, did the British fire upon them?

Conduct of the provincials under this cannonade ?

How many men did they lose during the forenoon?

How many British were sent to attack them by land?

By whom, commanded? What reinforcement did the Americans receive a little after noon? About 500 men.

By whom commanded? General Warren, and General Pomeroy. Which party commenced the fire ?

At what distance, did the provincials return the fire? With what effect?

How near did the Americans suffer them to approach the second time?

With what effect, did the Americans again return their fire?

What was the success of the third charge of the British?

Why were the Americans then compelled to retire?

How much greater was the loss of the British than of the Americans? About twice as great. Most memorable British officer that fell? - American ? How were the horrors of the scene greatly increased? By whose orders?

1

Consequences of the battle to the Americans?

What did they learn respecting their enemies?

Of what, did they learn the im portance?

Effect of this battle upon the na

Conduct of Lord Dunmore- - Evacuation of Boston.

Name, given to the third colonial congress? Second Continental , Congress?

Where did they meet?

In what year

What was now resolved upon, by the colonies ?

Whom did Congress choose for commander in chief?

How old was he then ? What colony had sent Washington to that Congress?

What resolution did Congress express, on presenting him with his commission?

To what office did they appoint Ward, Lee, Schuyler and Putnam?

To what office did they appoint Pomeroy, Montgomery, Wooster, Heath, Spencer, Thomas, Sullivan, and Greene?

Where did Washington first take command of the American army?

In what month, did he arrive at Cambridge?

How was he received by the army?

What extent of region, did the army occupy?

What places besides Boston, did the British occupy?

What is Boston Neck? The neck of land that unites Boston with Roxbury.

To what control, did Washington soon bring every soldier?

Who soon captured St. John's and Montreal from the British? What other city did he soon attack? Who aided him?

Who had sent Arnold?. Issue of this attack? Which of them fell?

Of all human transactions of a political nature, the declaration of our independence may unquestionably be regarded as the most magnanimous and the most beneficial. For the production of this event, millions and millions of important events were made to conspire, through a long lapse of ages and centuries, and these events were probably few, compared with those, which were destined to flow from our independence. To the philosopher, to the patriotic American, to the friend of man, scarcely any object can be more interesting or important. Is it not strange-is it not grievous, that a subject so momentous, a subject that is soon to be hailed and shouted through the world, should have received no more attention from the historic pen?

The enemies of the colonists often accused them of desiring and

seeking independence almost from the beginning. But this our fathers constantly, and no doubt sincerely denied, with the most solemn professions of loyalty to the king of England. When oppressed, they wished to cast off the yoke of oppression, but not of allegiance. It does not appear, that the Writs of Assistance, in '61, or the Sugar Act in '64, or the Stamp Act in '65, or the British declaration in '66, of their right to bind the colonies in all cases whatever, or the quadruple Revenue Act in '67, or keeping standing armies among them ir '68 and at other times, or the Boston Massacre in '70, or the crafty and insidious tea-expedition in '73, or the Boston Port Bill in '74, or its dreadful operation in '75 and 76, or the many aggressions and abominations of the royal governors it does not appear, that any of these injuries at the time of perpetration, or all of them together, till some time after, induced our most ardent patriots to think seri

How did they answer it?

Can you mention some of their grievances, that seemed sufficient to make them wish for independence?

Can you mention the dates of some of them?

For what object did they fight at Lexington, Concord, West Cambridge and Charlestown?

ously of a separation from Britain. When they fought and bled at Lexington, at Concord, at West Cambridge, at Charlestown-when they mustered by tens of thousands in the region of Boston, it was not for independence, but to repel injuries and obtain redress. Mr. Adams has indeed represented, that Independence was born at Boston in '61. Yet he could not mean, that any one at that time, had a serious design or thought of independence. For in '75, he declared, "There is not a man in the province among the whigs, nor ever was, who harbors a wish of that sort," (a wish for independence.) Again,

our

patriots have never determined or desired to be independent states." Though a train of mighty causes had been preparing the way for independence, yet it is manifest from the measures, which they adopted, they had no such object in view. "Had independence been their object," says Dr. Ramsay, even at the commencement of hostilities, they would have rescinded the associations for non-importation, and imported more largely than ever. Common sense revolts at the idea, that colonists, unfurnished with military stores, and wanting manufactures of every kind, should, at the time of their intending a serious struggle for independence, by a voluntary agreement, deprive themselves of the obvious means of procuring such foreign supplies, as their circumstances might make necessary."

Who nas represented Indepen dence as having been born in '61 ? What did he probably mean by that expression? That an event took place, which was most eminently conducive to independence.

How does it appear, that he did not then consider the Bostonians determined upon independence? What associations would the pa

In Nov. 1775, Richard Penn, Gov. of Pa. whom Congress had sent with the petition to the king, was ex...ined before the House of Commons upon this very point. He there solemnly testified, that he did not believe, that Congress had formed any designs of independence.

From such a state of loyalty, there was a sudden transition in favor of separation. In the course of three or four short months, the whole population of the colonies became almost unanimous in favor of independence. This appears to be one of the most remarkable events that ever transpired in the universe of thought. I know not, that any one has fully accounted for it; and yet perhaps, strange as it is, it is not altogether unaccount

able.