CHAPTER IX.

REIGN OF GEORGE III. (_continued_).

Lord North--He forms a Ministry--Chatham declaims against Secret Influence--Grenville's Election Committee--Lord North's Conciliatory Measures--Determination of the Bostonians--The Boston Massacre--Trial of the Soldiers--Apparent Success of North's Measures--Affair of the Falkland Islands--Promptitude of the Ministry--The Quarrel composed--Trials of Woodfall and Almon--The Right of Parliamentary Reporting--Strengthening of the Ministry--Quarrels in the City--The Royal Marriage Act--Fate of the Queen of Denmark--Anarchical Condition of Poland--Interference of Russia--Deposition of Poniatowski--Frederick's Scheme of Partition--It is ratified--Inquiry into Indian Affairs--Lord North's Tea Bill--Lord Dartmouth and Hutchinson--The Hutchinson Letters--Dishonourable Conduct of Franklin--Establishment of Corresponding Committees--Burning of the _Gaspee_--Destruction of the Tea--Franklin avows the Publication of the Letters--Wedderburn's Speech--The Boston Port Bill--The Massachusetts Government Bill--The Coils of Coercion--Virginia joins Massachusetts--Gage dissolves the Boston Assembly--He fortifies Boston Neck--The General Congress--A Declaration of Rights--The Assembly at Concord--They enrol Militia--Seizure of Ammunition and Arms--Meeting of Parliament--Chatham's conciliatory Speech--His Bill for the Pacification of the Colonies--Its Fate--Lord North's Proposal--Burke's Resolutions--Prorogation of Parliament--Beginning of the War 199