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get a larger field to fatten a herd of worthless parasites was all that was intended." *

In the long interval of hope and doubt, Boston had well regarded the sage advice of the first Congress. Without a government, without the administration of justice, the people of the Bay State maintained order, reasoned out their cause to its just conclusions, made more apparent their grievous wrongs, while preparing for a final issue, and counteracting the preparatory measures of General Gage, the British governor, and commander of the forces. England had passed a law to prevent the shipment of powder to America. She had induced the States General of the United Provinces to issue a proclamation forbidding the transport thither of all warlike stores. There was a deposit of guns at Salem. Gage resolved to seize them. Troops were landed there, but the pieces were gone. They were followed until an arm of the sea was reached, and a drawbridge to be passed. The draw was ordered to be lowered. The citizens refused as a matter of legal right. The road was private. They had a right to raise an obstruction. Boats were ordered to be launched. The owners scuttled them with

their axes. The boats were their own property. Violence was threatened by the commanding officer, and blood would have been shed, had not a "minister" present prevailed upon his congregation to lower the draw. The delay had enabled the patriots, of whom the leader was no less a man than Timothy Pickering, to carry off the

cannon.

Stores were collected at Concord, twenty miles from Boston. Gage, anxious to prevent hostilities, decided to destroy them. Eight hundred grenadiers and light infantry, the flower of the British army, were ordered on this

* History of Great Britain, by J. R. Miller. Fothergill to Franklin.

duty. They performed it. But on their return, the people had assembled, and from their coverts poured in upon the retreating party a close, destructive fire. Thus occurred what is known as the "Battle of Lexington."

A general appeal to the sword seemed inevitable. And now were seen the power of the dissenting clergy, and the religious temperament of the people. Farewell sermons were addressed to the militia. "Play the man for your country and for the cities of your God, and the Lord do that which seemeth good," was a teeming text. The drums beat to arms, and, followed by fathers, mothers, wives, sisters and children, the hardy yeomanry of New England marched on to the expected conflict. As they passed the meeting houses on the Lord's day with drums and fifes playing, the only question was, "Will God be pleased with such a breach of the Sabbath? *

In New York and in Philadelphia the Presbyterian synods issued pastoral letters suited to the occasion. The lawyers argued to the people the right of the cause; and the people, with bursts of passion, cried aloud "To arms.” In New Jersey the provincial treasury was taken possession of. In Philadelphia the shipping was embargoed. In Maryland and in Virginia the public arms were seized.

Trumbull, governor of Connecticut, wrote to Gage; "Is there no alternative but absolute submission, or the desolations of war?" and ordered the train bands to their duty.

The Provincial Congress of Massachusetts collected and sent to England evidence to show that the British troops were the aggressors, asserted their loyalty, appealed to the clergy for their influence, and to Heaven as to the justice of their cause; seized the public money and

Hist. Coll. Connec. 104.

raised and marched a force to Boston, exceeding in number the royal army. The skirmish at Lexington was announced to New York in the concluding words of a letter, "The crimson fountain is opened, and God only knew when it would close." Tumultuous menace and execrations followed. Patrols were formed, and, directed by Sears and Willett, took their rounds throughout the night as though an enemy were at their doors. Mobs assembled. The keys of the custom house were taken. The armory was broken open, and, dismayed by the irresistible impetuosity of the populace, a battalion of the royal troops surrendered their weapons, and left the city.

A committee of one hundred was raised. The organization of the militia was recommended, and an address was sent to the City of London, stating, that "all the horrors of civil war will never compel America to submit. to taxation by authority of Parliament." "The whole country are ardently wishing peace. They are indefatigable in preparing for the last appeal.'

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Five days after, Crown Point and Ticonderoga were surprised and taken by a volunteer expedition from New Hampshire and Connecticut, "in order," as was stated, "to prevent the Canadians and Indians from making incursions into New England."†

On the same day, the tenth of May, the second Continental Congress met. Its proceedings were also secret.

A circular letter from Franklin and other colonial agents, dated at London, advised them of the avowed determination of the ministry "to enforce obedience to all the late laws;" and that with this purpose "a military force was under orders for America "-" The treatment, the petitions already presented have hitherto received, is

66

* American Archives, May 5, 1775.
+ New York Gazette, May 15, 1775.

such, as, in our opinion, can afford you no reliance on present relief through their means."

A letter from the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts was also received, stating the recent hostilities, their measures of defence, and the evidence that the British were the aggressors.

In reply to an application from New York, it was recommended, if troops should arrive there, that colony should "act on the defensive as long as might be consistent with their own safety," that these troops be not suffered to erect fortifications or to take any steps for cutting off the communication between the town and country; and if they commit hostilities or invade private property, the inhabitants should defend themselves, repelling force by force-a sufficient number of men to be embodied and ready to protect from insult and injury.

A committee was ordered, of which Washington was the first, to report immediately what posts in New York were necessary to be occupied. Advices arriving of the capture of Ticonderoga, the cannon and stores were recommended to be removed from it, and New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Massachusetts to establish a strong post at the south end of Lake George.

At the instance of New Jersey, a recent resolution of the British House of Commons was considered. It was, that if any colony shall propose to make provision for the common defence disposable by Parliament, and shall engage to provide for the support of its civil government and the administration of justice, it will be proper, if such proposal shall be approved by the king and Parliament, as long as such provision shall be made, to forbear, in respect to such colony, levying any duty or tax, other than duties for the regulation of commerce, to be carried to the account of the respective colony.

Stating the unconstitutional and oppressive acts for levying and enforcing the collection of taxes, and the hostilities which had been commenced, and their ardent desire of conciliation; Congress met this overture by resolving that measures be entered upon for opening a negotiation, and that it be a part of their petition to the king.

At the same time, doubting the success of such negotiation, New York was urged to persevere the more vigorously in preparing for her defence. To prevent aggressions, a second letter was addressed to Canada, asking peace and union in defence of their common liberties, and incursions into it were dissuaded.

In return for the recent acts restricting their commerce and stopping the labors of the fishermen, exportations to all such parts of British America as had not acceded to their commercial association were "immediately to cease." No provisions of any kind or other necessaries were to be furnished to the British fisheries. No draft or money order of any British officer, agent or contractor, was to be received or negotiated, or money supplied to them, and no supplies to be made to the royal forces. Thus, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and the West Indies, were all to be reached; and the means of supplying the British army without direct remittances of specie were at an end.

These decisive measures preceded others of larger scope and more pointed character. A general post was established. A committee, of which Schuyler was second to Washington, was directed to form an estimate of the money to be raised. A general fast was ordered. Pow der mills were to be put in motion, a corps of riflemen to be organized.

Having advised Massachusetts, in her pressing emer

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