CHAP. XV.

Critical fate of affairs in America-general enthusiasm guided by prudence.-The provincials learn the reception of their petitions, and the measures of the new parliament.— Warlike preparations-general Gage attempts to feize ftores -detachment fent to Concord-to Lexington-firft hoftile conflict between Britain and her colonies-British retire -an American army raised-second meeting of congress -fpirit of republicanifm-New York accedes to the confederacy.-War-attempt on Ticonderoga-the Americans inveft Boston-battle of Bunker's hill—Americans not cowards, as reprefented—provincials elated with the eventblock up Boflon--project an expedition into Canada-political and military reafons.-Washington commander in chief.Montgomery heads the army fent to Canada-progress on the Lakes-neglected fate of the British forts-enters Canadacaptures Montreal_march of Arnold across the country-arrives oppofite to Quebec-junction with Montgomery-fiege of Quebec.-General Carleton's difpofitions for its defence— attempts to form it-Montgomery killed-fiege raised.— Proceedings in the fouth-of lord Dunmore in Virginia.— Scheme for exciting negroes to massacre their masters-Connelly's project.-Maryland-Carolinas.-Farther proceedings of congrefs.-Refult of 1775.

אן

XV.

1775

Critical state

of affairs in America.

America, affairs were becoming every day more CHAP. critical provincial differences were giving way to common confederation, the refolutions of the congrefs became the political creed, and the people were preparing to act according to the directions of that body, and zeal and unanimity were generally prevalent among the colonists. Town and provincial meetings, colonial affemblies, grand juries, VOL. II. judges,

S

XV.

1775.

thufiafm

CHAP. judges, and even private parties, all spoke the fame language, and breathed the fame fpirit: "we will not be taxed, but by our own confent; we will not receive the merchandise of that country which proposes fuch injuftice; we will combine in defending our property, and refifting oppreffion." Accuftomed to the gratifications derived from imported luxuries, the inhabitants of this rich and great commercial country refolutely relinquifhed all thofe indulgences the pleasures of the table, elegance of dress, splendour of furniture, public diversions, the conveniences, ornaments, and relaxations of life, were facrificed to one general sympathy; all ranks General en- were infpired with an enthusiasm, which, from whatever cause it arifes, and to whatever objects it is directed, never fails to be moft powerful in its operation, and important in its effects. The merchant refigned the advantages of commerce; the farmer gave up the fale of his productions and the benefits of his induftry; the mechanic, the manufacturer, the failor, fubmitted to the privation of their ufual means of fubfiftence, and trufted for a livelihood to the donations of the opulent, which, from the fame fympathetic feelings, and conformity of opinions and determinations, were most liberally bestowed. It was not temperance that rejected luxury; it was not indolence that precluded commercial enterprise and profeffional effort; it was not generofity which made the rich munificent; or idlenefs or fervility which made the poor seek subsistence from the gifts of the wealthy. All ordinary fprings of action were abforbed by the love of liberty; and the enthusiastic ardour of the colonists

was

XV.

3775. guided by

prudence.

was regulated and guided by prudence and firmnefs. CHA P. While in most of the provinces they made preparations for hoftility, fhould Britain perfevere in coërcive measures, they abstained from actual violence. It was hoped by many, that the petition of congrefs to the throne would be attended with fuccefs; and alfo, that the addrefs to the people of Eng land would be productive of useful effects, and influence the deliberations of the new parliament. They did not, however, intermit their attention to warlike affairs; they exercised and trained the mili tia; and, as foon as advice was received of the proclamation iffued in England to prevent the exportation of arms and ammunition to America, meafures were speedily taken to remedy the defect. For this purpose, and to render themselves as independent as poffible on foreigners for the fupply of these effential articles, mills were erected, and manufactories formed, both at Philadelphia and Virginia*, for making gun-powder, and encouragement was given in all the colonies to the fabrication of arms. was in the northern provinces that hoftilities commenced when the proclamation concerning warlike ftores was known in Rhode island, the populace, rifing, feized on all the ordnance belonging to the crown in that province, amounting to forty pieces of cannon, which had been placed on batteries for defending the harbour, and these they removed into the country. Inquiry having been made by the governor concerning this procedure, the provincials did not hesitate to avow that their object was to prevent the cannon from falling into the

*See Stedman.

S 2

It

hands

XV.

3775

CHAP. hands of his majesty's forces, and that they in tended to employ them against any power which should attempt molestation. The affembly of the province alfo paffed refolutions for procuring arms and military stores, by every means and from every quarter in which they could be obtained, as well as for training and arming the inhabitants. In New Hampshire, hitherto moderate, the proclamation caufed an infurrection ; a great number of armed men affembled, and, furprising a small fort called William and Mary, took poffeffion of the ordnance and other military ftores. Meanwhile the colonies anxiously waited for the king's speech, and the addreffes of the new parliament; the tenour of which would in a great degree determine whether the British government meant coërcion or conciliaProvincials tion. On the arrival of thofe papers, they produced measures of the very effect which oppofition had predicted. Inliament. stead of intimidating the Americans, they impelled

learn the

the new par

them to greater firmness, to a more close and general union. In proportion as government manifested itself earnest to force them to fubmiffion, the more refolved were they to resist that force: they confidered Britain as attacking their rights and liberties, and these they determined to defend. The provincial conventions of the fouthern provinces now imitated those of the north, in paffing resolutions for warlike preparations; which, before the arrival of the speech and addreffes, had not been propofed by any of the middle or southern assemblies, but had been left to individuals. The provincial convention of Pennsylvania paffed a refolution of the nature of a hostile manifesto; declaring their wifh to fee harmony restored between Britain and the colonies, but

that

XV.

1775

that if the humble and loyal petition of the congrefs CHAP. to his majesty should be disregarded, and the British administration, instead of redreffing grievances, were determined by force to effect a fubmiffion to the late arbitrary acts of parliament, in fuch a fituation they held it their indifpenfable duty to refift that force, and at every hazard to defend the dearest privileges of America. Preparations were now making throughout the colonies for holding a general congress in the month of May; while in the intermediate time the provincial conventions continued to meet, in order to appoint delegates to the congrefs, direct and hasten military preparations, and encourage the spirit of resistance in the people.

preparations.

But, as the republican spirit of Maffachufets had Warlike from the beginning carried oppofition to a much greater length than in the other colonies, fo in this province actual hoftilities first commenced. The provincial congrefs having met in February 1775, directed its chief attention to the acquifition of arms and warlike ftores, by purchase, seizure, or any other means. Contributions were levied for defraying the expence of warlike preparations. The most violent of the Bostonians had removed into the country, to join the other colonifts; but those who remained in the town, though lefs outrageous, were equally hostile: they greatly co-operated with their friends in the country, by communicating whatever they could difcover of the intentions of the British governor, and by this means became more instrumental in defeating his plans.