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those who were hostile to such an event, were opposed to any measure, which might either dispose the colonists towards it, or strengthen the opinion in Great Britain that it was the real object of those who had opposed the Legislativé supremacy claimed by Parliament. It was not without much opposition that a resolution was obtained in the case of New Hampshire, which formed a precedent for others of the same nature, recommending it to the provincial convention to call a full and free representation of the people, who should establish such form of government, as, in their judgment, would best produce the general happiness, and most effectually secure peace and good order in the colony during the continuance of the present dispute with Great Britain. Without this last clause, which still maintained the appearance of preserving the ancient connexion with the parent state, the recommendation would not have been made. About the same time it was also declared, that it would be extremely dangerous to the liberties and welfare of America, for any colony separately to petition the King, or either House of Parliament.

Having taken under their consideration a proclamation declaring certain persons in the colonies to have forgotten their allegiance, and to be in a state of open rebellion; and threatening with punishment those who should be found carrying on correspondence with those in rebellion, they de

clared,

clared," in the name of the people of these united colonies, and by authority according to the purest maxims of representation derived from them, that whatever punishment shall be inflicted upon any persons in the power of their enemies, for favouring, aiding, or abetting the cause of American liberty, shall be retaliated in the same kind, and in the same degree, upon those in their power, who have favoured, aided, or abetted, or shall favour, aid, or abet, the system of ministerial oppression." The essential difference, say they, "between our cause and that of our enemies, might justify a severer punishment; the law of retaliation will unquestionably warrant one equally severe."

The British army under General Howe, who, on the recall of General Gage, in October, had succeeded to the command of it, still remained inactive in Boston, and was still closely blocked up on the land side by the Americans. The history of this winter campaign, is a history of continuing the successive struggles on the part of the American General, under the vexations and difficulties imposed by the want of arms, ammunition, and permanent troops, on a person in an uncommon degree solicitous to prove himself, by some grand and useful achievement, worthy of the high station to which the voice of his country had called him.

The resolution relative to the attack on Boston he considered as in some degree manifesting the wishes

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wishes of Congress on that subject; and he assured the president, that an attempt would be made to put it in execution, the first moment he should perceive a probability of success. If this should not be as soon as might be expected or wished, he prayed that his situation might be attended to, and that Congress would do him the justice to believe that circumstances, not inclination on his part, occasioned the delay. "It is not," says he, "in the pages of history to furnish a case like ours. To maintain a post within musket shot of the enemy for six months together without ammunition, and at the same time to disband one army, and recruit another, within that distance, of twenty odd British regiments, is more than, probably, ever was attempted. But if we succeed as well in the latter as we have hitherto done in the former, I shall think it the most fortunate event of my whole life."

The want of ammunition was not the only alarming difficulty to be encountered. The condition of the troops in respect to arms, was almost equally critical. The soldiers composing the first army, had, generally, brought with them into the field their own fire-arms. Indifferent as these were, it was necessary to retain, at least, as many of them as were in any degree fit for use. Το effect this, inspectors were appointed to examine them, and fix their value, and notice was given

that

that two months' pay should be stopped from every, soldier who should leave the camp without this previous examination of his arms, and without giving up such as should be deemed fit for use. The arms were either so generally useless, or, notwithstanding these precautions, were so generally carried off, that only sixteen hundred and twenty muskets were retained; and thus, this source of supply, bad as it was, did not fulfil the hopes which had been formed of it.

The recruiting officers were directed to enlist only those men who had arms; but they reported, that they must depart from these instructions, or recruit no soldiers. The neighbouring governments, as well as that of Massachussetts, were applied to without success; and persons sent with money to make purchases in the country, were not more fortunate. In the beginning of February, General Washington informed Congress, that there were then in his army near two thousand men without fire-arms of any sort, and at that time his wholeeffective rank and file, independent of militia, amounted only to eight thousand eight hundred and fifty-three. Hisincessant representations and complaints on this all interesting point, were unable to procure, for a considerable time, any supply.

Under all these disadvantages, the General still cherished the hope of being enabled, in the course of the winter, to act offensively. So early as in

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the month of January, he had called a council, at which Mr. John Adams, a member of Congress, and Mr. Warren, president of the Provincial Congress of Massachussetts, assisted; in which it was resolved, "that a vigorous attempt ought to be made on the ministerial troops in Boston, before they can be reinforced in the spring, if the means can be provided, and a favourable opportunity should offer." It was further advised, "that thirteen 1egiments of militia should be asked for from Massachussetts and the neighbouring colonies, in order to put them in a condition to make the attempt. The militia to assemble on the first of February, and to continue, if necessary, till the first of March." In pursuance of this advice, the requisitions for militia were made, and readily complied with. The reinforcements thus obtained, amounted to between four and five thousand men, but the mildness of the season had hitherto been such, that the waters about Boston continued open.

"Congress, in my last," said the General on the 19th of January, "would discover my motives for strengthening, these lines with militia. But whether, as the weather turns out exceedingly mild, (insomuch as to promise nothing favourable from ice,) and there is no appearance of powder, I shall be able to attempt any thing decisive, time only can determine. No man upon earth wishes more ardently to destroy the nest in Boston than

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