Dr. Ramsay's History of the War in Carolina, was com municated to him while in manuscript; and liberty was grant ed to make full use of it; the present opportunity is embraced for acknowledging the benefit received from it, and for returning grateful thanks to the Doctor. The Americans remarked, that Dodsley's Annual Register contained the best foreign printed summary account of affairs: But it was not possible for writers on this side the Atlantic to avoid mistakes. That Register and other publications, have been of service to the compiler of the present work, who has frequently quoted from them, without varying the language, except for method and conciseness. He gathered from every source of intelligence in his power, while at the place of his residence near Boston; and since his return to his native country, in 1786, has improved the advantage arising from it. The accounts here given of American affairs, are so different in several respects from what have heen the conceptions of many on each side the Atlantic, that it was necessary to insert a variety of letters, papers, and anecdotes, to authenticate the narrative. The publication of these, it is presumed, will obtain credit for such parts as could not with propriety be supported by the introduction of similar proofs. To write a history worthy the approbation of his friends, and (as far as his power extended) of the present age, and of posterity; and to convince mankind, that TRUTH was his care, his search, and what his soul was engaged in, have been the great objects of London, Oct. 28, 1788. THE AUTHOR. OF THE SEVERAL LETTERS IN VOL. I. THE of and p. 1stle aw- Plymouth; and adopt the congregational mode of church go- vernment, p. 17. The Puritans purchase and settle the Massa- chusetts Bay, p. 22. Connecticut and New-Haven colonies settled, p. 32. The settling of Providence and Rhode-Island colony, p. 35. New-Hampshire and the Main settled, p. 36. New-York, p. 40. New-Jersey, p. 41. Virginia, p. 45. The New-York and Massachusetts settlements on the subject of taxation, p. 72. Parliamentary acts respecting the colonies, p. 75. The latter co-operate with the mother country, p. 77. The expedition against Louisburgh, in 1745, p. 81. The Ohio company, in 1749, p. 86. Hostilities commence in 1754, p. 89. The plan of the Albany congress for uniting all the colo- nies, p. 90. The ministerial plan, and Dr. Franklin's objec- tions to it, p. 91. General Braddock's defeat, p. 95. Lord Loudon and the Massachusetts general court, p. 96. The ex- ertions of the Massachusetts in the common cause, p. 97. Go- vernor Bernard, p. 98. Mr. James Otis, p. 100. The Mas- sachusetts people jealous of ministerial designs against their li- The Massachusetts assembly declare against parliamentary taxation, p. 105. Appoint a committee to correspond with the several assemblies on the continent, p. 108. The stamp act, p. 111. It occasions a general discontent in the Massachusetts, p. The Virginia resolves respecting it, p. 118. A congress meet at New-York, in 1765, p. 120. Riots at Boston and else- where on account of the stamp act, p. 121. Associations against the Massachusetts and New-Yorka ssemblies, p.145. Mr. Charles Townsend's bills for taxing the colonies afresh, p. 146. The New-York legislative power suspended, p. 147. A board of commissioners established in America, ibid. Non-importation renewed, p. 148-162. The New-England spirit of patriotism approved of at Philadelphia, p. 149. The Massachusetts assembly agree upon a circular letter to the rest of the assemblies, p. 151. The new assembly required to rescind the resolution which gave rise to it, p. 154-refuse, and are dissolved, p. 155. Mr. Hancock's sloop Liberty seized, p. 156. Troops ordered to Boston, p. 161. A convention is cailed, and meets at Boston, p. 165. Troops land in the town, p. 166. The letters of the Philadelphia merchants to the committee at London, p. 168-178. The parliamentary resolutions against the Massachusetts proceedings, p. 170. The counter resolves of Virginia and Massachusetts, p. 171-174. Governor Bernard recalled, p. 182. Goods re-shipped from Boston, p. 185. The act for repealing the duties on glass, paper, and colours, p. 186. The soldiers at Boston fire upon the inhabitants, on March 5, 1770, p. 190. Captain Preston and the soldiers are tried, p. 193. Mr. M'Dougall, of New-York, committed to jail for publishing an address to the inhabitants, p. 199. Massachusetts assembly and lieutenant-governor Hutchinson, p. 201. LETTER V. P. 205-213. Governor Hutchinson and the Massachusetts general court, p. 205. The Gaspee schooner burnt, p. 206. Mr. James Warren proposes committees of correspondence through the Massachusetts, p. 207. Governor Hutchinson, in his speech to the general court, introduces the subject of the supremacy of parliament, p. 212. LETTER VI. P. 214-215. An act for the better securing of his majesty's dock-yards, ships, &c. p. 214. The East-India Company empowered to export their own teas, p. 215, LETTER VII. P. 215-229. The Virginia burgesses resolve to maintain an intercourse with the sister colonies, p. 216. A number of letters transmitted by Dr. Franklin, are communicated to the Massachusetts assembly, p. 217. The measures pursued by the colonies to prevent the introduction of the tea sent by the East-India Company, p. 218. The proceedings at Boston relative thereto, p. 220 The The tea is thrown into the water, p. 224. The conduct of the Massachusetts assembly respecting the judges receiving their support from the crown, p. 227. The sentiments of the professed patriots in the Massachusetts, p. 228. LETTER VIII. P. 229-236. A duel occasioned by the letters sent over by Dr. Franklin, p. 229. The Massachusetts petition for the removal of the governor, dismissed, p. 230. The Boston port-bill, p. 231. The bill for regulating the government of the Massachusetts, p. 232 -for the impartial administration of justice, ibid. for the government of the province of Quebec, p. 235. LETTER IX. P. 237–257. Governor Gage arrives at Boston, p. 237. The measures pursued relative to the Boston port-bill, p. 238. The Massachusetts assembly appoint a committee to attend a general congress, p. 241. The measure is adopted by other colonies, p. 242. Boston considered as suffering in the common cause, p. 245. Observations on the port-bill, p. 246. General Gage alarmed, p. 248. The Massachusetts people prepare to defend their rights with the sword, p. 249. The courts of judicature suspended, p. 253. Gage fortifies the entrance into Boston, p. 254-seizes a quantity of powder, ibid. An assembly of delegates form the towns in Suffolk, of which Boston is the county town, p. 255. LETTER X. P. 258-279. The general congress meet at Philadelphia, p. 258-write to Gen. Gage, p. 259-make a declaration of rights, ibid.-enter into a non-importation, non-consumption, and non-exportation agreement, p. 261-address the people of Great-Britain, p. 262 their memorial to the inhabitants of British America, p. 263, address the king, p. 264-the Canadians, p. 266. Messrs. Galloway and Duane on the side of ministry, p. 267. Massachusetts provincial congress form and adopt measures for the defence of the colony, p. 263. Proceedings in Pennsylvania, Rhode-Island, New-Hampshire, Virginia, Maryland, & SouthCarolina, p. 275. The state of the Massachusetts colony, p. 278. LETTER XI. P. 279-304. The parliament dissolved, p. 279. His majesty's speech to the succeeding new one, p. 280. Transcript from Mr. Quincy's journal, p. 282. Lord Chatham's speech, Jan. 30, 1775, VOL. I. B P. 286. p. 286-Lord Camden's, p. 290. The petition of the house of commons in favour of the colonist neglected, p. 293. Lord North proposes a joint address from both houses to the king, p. 296— It occasions great debates, p. 297-is protested against, p. 300. North's conciliatory motion, p. 301. Opposition to the bill for restraining the New-England provinces from fishing on the banks of Newfoundland, p. 302. The Americans insulted by several in both houses of parliament, p. 303. LETTER XII. P. 304-319. The Massachusetts congress meet, p. 305. General Gage sends troops to Salem, ibid. A battle between the whigs and tories at New-York, March 5, 1775, p. 307. The precautions of the Massachusetts people to supply themselves with military articles, and to prevent a surprise, ibid. Gage sends troops to Concord, p. 310-they fire upon the militia at Lexington, ibid. The country rises, p. 311. A reinforcement of British sent from Boston, p. 312. The origin of the term Yankee, ibid. The royal troops obliged to retreat to Bunker's-hill in Charlestown peninsula, p. 314-cross over to Boston, ibid.-which is invested by the provincials on every side by land, p. 315. Gage agrees with the committee of the town, p. 316. Dr. Warren's letter to him, p. 317. The provincials no wise prepared for a military contest with Great-Britain, p. 318. LETTER XIII. P. 319-326. The fishery restraining bill, and the bill for restraining the commerce of the colonies, p. 319. Petitions against the coercive acts, and counter petitions, p. 321. The city of London approaches the throne with an address, remonstrance, and petition, in favour of the Americans, p. 322. The earl of Effingham resigns his regiment, p. 323. Generals Howe, Clinton, and Burgoyne, sail for Boston in the Cerberus, p. 324. The news of the Lexington engagement reaches London, p. 326. LETTER XIV. P. 327–387. The North-Carolina general assembly meet, p. 327. The effects of the Lexington engagement, p. 328. The expedition against Tyconderoga, p. 332. The proceedings of the Massachusetts congress, p. 336. Transactions in and about Boston, p. 341. Governor Hutchinson's letter books discovered, p. 344. The acts of the general congress, p. 346. George Washington, esq. elected commander in chief of the continental forces, p. 347. The battle at Breed's-hill, erroneously called Bunker's hill, p. |