Montreal fell into the hands of the English, and, soon after, all the French posts in Canada fell into their power. Thus ended a war, which had continued six years, which had cost many thousand lives and much distress. In 1763, Nova Scotia, Canada, the Isle of Cape Breton, and all other islands in the gulf, and near the St. Lawrence, were ceded by treaty to the British crown.

AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

CHAPTER XXIX.

AMERICAN REVOLUTION.-State of feeling among the North American colonists-Loyalty of the Americans-Effect of the peace of ParisPolitical privileges of the colonies-Scheme for taxing the Americans— Resolutions of the House of Commons-Imposition of duties on imports -Penal enactments-Remonstrances of the colonists-Scheme for a stamp act-Opposition in the House of Commons-Speech of Colonel Barrè-The stamp act passed—Franklin's remark upon the stamp act— Consternation in America-General disaffection of the colonies-Resolutions in the legislature of Virginia—Speech of Patrick Henry-Combination among the colonies-Excitement on the subject of the stamp act -Disturbances at Boston-Affairs in Connecticut and the southern colonies-Stamped paper burnt at New York-General opposition to the stamp act-Discontent in England-Speech of Lord Chatham in parliament-Repeal of the stamp act-Farther designs of the British government-The tea tax-Proceedings in Massachusetts-Convention at Boston-British troops sent to Boston—Non-importation league— Boston Massacre-Discovery of the Hutchinson letters-Great excitement at Boston-Arrival of the tea ships-Ferment at Boston-Destruction of the tea.

THE history of the North American colonies now assumes an entirely new character, although the spirit and temper of the colonists remained the same. Great Britain had from the beginning treated her children in the western world as a grudging and unnatural step-mother. The narrow and illiberal policy of the British government towards her

calculated to alienate the affections of the colonies from the parent country; yet, from their exposed situation and habitual loyalty, this conduct, long persevered in, produced no sensible impression on the Americans; their loyalty and attachment to the interests of Britain were not in the smallest degree impaired, down to the period of the peace of Paris, in 1763. Never had they shown so much zeal, or made such great sacrifices in the cause of their country, as during the preceding war; having lost more than twentyfive thousand men, expended all the revenues they could raise, and involved themselves deeply in debt. Nearly all the burden of the war in America had fallen on the colonies; and their exertions were altogether disproportionate to their means, and tended greatly to impoverish and distress them. After eight years' arduous struggles, attended with the greatest sacrifices, the successful termination of the war,-the dominion of France in America being relinquished forever,-occasioned universal joy throughout the colonies; they forgot their sufferings and distresses, in the fair prospects which the peace afforded.

But these prospects were of short duration; the peace of Paris formed a new era in the views and conduct of Great Britain towards her colonies in America. The possessions of France in America having been ceded to Britain, and having no longer any fear of her power in this hemisphere, a system of measures was pursued towards the colonies, originating in jealousy, and tending to despotism. As soon as the colonies had fought their way to a condition which afforded the prospect of rapidly increasing in population and wealth, attempts were made to restrict their commercial and political privileges, and gradually to reduce them to the most wretched state of colonial vassalage. For a century and a half, the colonies had been left to themselves, as to taxation; their own local assemblies had provided the necessary revenues to defray the expenses of their governments; and the parliament of Great Britain had, neither directly nor indirectly, ever attempted to derive a dollar of revenue from America. Although various acts had from time to time been passed, regulating the trade and com