of dutiable articles, and the governor refused to give a pass for the vessels until they were properly qualified from the custom-house; and to guard against the vessels being taken possession of, and conducted out of the harbor, the governor ordered Admiral Montague, who commanded the naval force, to keep a vigilant look-out, and to suffer no vessel, coasters excepted, to pass the fortress from the town, without a pass signed by himself. The rigorous adherence to these measures, afforded great satisfaction to the governor and his minions, and all the British party; they flattered themselves that the "Sons of Liberty," after all their clamor, resolutions, and schemes to resist the tea system, were outmanaged, and that it would be impossible for them to prevent the landing and sale of the obnoxious cargoes.

Their measures had been planned so wisely, and their execution was intrusted to agents of such known fidelity to the crown, and who were under the immediate influence and control of the governor, that they thought there. was not a loophole, whereby the rebellious Americans could escape paying the hateful tax. The governor, after all he had witnessed and experienced, judging rather from his feelings than his knowledge, was entirely ignorant of public sentiment, and of the spirit of the people; he had no idea that they had determined to resist the obnoxious measure, at every hazard, even that of life. Nothing short of this bold step could prevent the deep-laid scheme against the liberties of the country from succeeding.

Both parties had taken their measures, and the British party were confident of success; the contest was advancing to a crisis; alarm and dismay prevailed; the deepest anxiety was depicted in every countenance. Had an invading army been in the neighborhood, threatening to sack the town, or had the pestilence which walks in darkness ravaged its pavilions, greater gloom could not overspread the town, or stronger indications been exhibited of a pending event, big with the fate of three millions of people.

Du mg this suspense, a report was started, which spread with the rapidity of lightning through the town, that Admiral Montague was about to seize the ships, and dispose

of their cargoes, at public auction, within twenty-four hours; which was believed to be a cunning device of Hutchinson, as this would as effectually have secured the duties, as if the teas had been sold at the stores of the consignees. This rumor was like an electric shock. Leaving their employments, the people rushed into the streets, and, with amazed and terrified countenances, every one seemed to say, What shall we do to prevent the consummation, in so bold and daring a manner, of this iniquitous scheme? In a few moments, as from an instinctive impulse, a vast crowd repaired to the Old South church, in Boston, and organized themselves into a public meeting. Previously to taking any other step, a message was sent to the governor and the consignees, who with difficulty could be found, as they were afraid to encounter even the looks of an indignant and injured people. No satisfactory answers were returned: but, instead of complying with their wishes, whilst the assembled multitude were quietly, notwithstanding the excitement which prevailed, consulting on their critical situation, and the measures proper to be adopted, the sheriff entered with an order from the governor, styling them an illegal and seditious assembly, and ordering them immediately to disperse. But he did not bring with him the posse comitatus, as the power of the county was already assembled, and it was that which the sheriff was ordered to disperse. This mandate was treated with deserved contempt, and the sheriff hissed out of the house, mortified and chagrined; and a confused murmur followed, not only in the house, but among the vast multitude from without; but soon order was restored, and the meeting adjourned, without adopting any vote or resolution. The leaders probably supposed that such a meeting was not the place to discuss and devise measures to meet the crisis.

In a few hours after the adjournment of the public meeting, the bold measure, on the success of which the great question of taxation hung suspended, was contrived, matured, and ripened for execution; and, in the evening of Dec. 16th, appeared in the streets a large number of per

hand, and a club over the shoulder; who, in a silent and solemn manner, not a voice being heard, marched, in Indian file, through the streets, amidst a crowd of astonished spectators, the most of whom knew not what to think of so unexpected and strange an exhibition; and its novelty, and the surprise which it occasioned, may have prevented any steps being taken to oppose their design.

They proceeded directly towards the wharves where the tea-ships lay; boarded them, and, without the least hesitation or delay, knocked open the tea-chests, three hundred and forty-two in number, and emptied the contents overboard. The deed was done with so much silence and expedition, that, although surrounded by the king's ships, no opposition was made or attempted. The "Indians," having effected their object, showed no marks of triumph; no savage war-whoop was heard; nor did they commit any other violence or disorder, but, in the same silent, solemn, and orderly manner, marched back through the town, followed by a vast crowd. No movements on the part of the British, or disturbance by the people, followed this event; and it was observed at the time, that the stillest night succeeded which Boston had enjoyed for several months. No persons assisted the savages in the destruction of the tea, except some boys or young men, who had assembled on the occasion, and voluntarily took a part in what was going One of these youths collected the tea which fell into his own shoes, and those of several of his companions, put it in a phial, and sealed it up, which is now in his possession, containing the same obnoxious tea, which, in this instance, was considered as more dangerous to the political health and constitution of the people even than strong drink. The number of savages, manufactured for the occasion, has been variously estimated, from sixty to eighty.

on.

In the other colonies, the tea met with an equally unwelcome reception; although none of them displayed such spirit and decision as the people of Boston. At New York, the tea was landed under the cannon of a man-of-war. But it met with no purchasers. In other places it was thrown

into damp warehouses, where it was spoiled. Thus the scheme of the "tea-tax" was frustrated at the very outset, and the crafty manœuvres of the British cabinet resulted in nothing but disappointment and mortification to themselves.

CHAPTER XXX.

AMERICAN REVOLUTION.—Indignation of the British government at the destruction of the tea-Boston port-bill-General Gage governor of Massachusetts-The Quebec bill-General congress at Philadelphia— Further encroachments of the British in Massachusetts-Gage fortifies Boston Neck-General court at Concord—Outrage in Boston—Occurrences in Rhode Island and New Hampshire-Efforts of Lord Chatham and Dr. Franklin, in behalf of the colonies-Gage's expedition to Salem—Exasperation of the people of Massachusetts—Battle of Lexington -Provincial congress in Massachusetts-Capture of Ticonderoga and Crown Point-Movements of the British at Boston-Battle of Bunker Hill.

THE Success of these bold and daring measures astonished Governor Hutchinson and the British party, and seemed to convince him that the "Sons of Liberty" were not quite so contemptible as he had represented them in his letters to the ministry; and it even astonished the whigs in the other colonies, and contributed to fan the flames of liberty, and give them a deeper glow, and more intense heat.

When the intelligence of the destruction of the tea at Boston reached England, accompanied with all the exaggeration and coloring which Hutchinson could give to the story, it produced the utmost excitement and indignation with the ministerial party; and even the opponents of the American revenue system could not justify so rash and desperate a measure. Parliament at once determined to crush the devoted place which was the seat and cause of this high-handed resistance to its supremacy. Its omnipotent power, and all the terrors of its wrath, were to be concentrated and directed against the rebellious town of Boston. Under the auspices of Lord North, who was now