Chapter 17

EVENTS OF 1774.--ALL CLASSES IN THE COLONIES DISCONTENTED; ALL CLASSES AND ALL THE PROVINCES REJECT THE EAST INDIA COMPANY'S TEA. 388-402

Opposition to the tea duty represented in England as "rebellion," and the advocates of colonial rights designated "rebels" and "traitors" 388

Three Acts of Parliament against the inhabitants of Boston and of Massachusetts, all infringing and extinguishing the heretofore acknowledged constitutional rights and liberties of the people 389

Debates in Parliament, and misrepresentations of the English press on American affairs 390

Lord North explains the American policy; the Bill to punish the town of Boston; petitions against it from the agent of Massachusetts and the city of London; debates on it in the Commons and Lords 394

Distress of Boston; addresses of sympathy, and contributions of relief from other towns and provinces; generous conduct of the inhabitants of Massachusetts and Salem 395

The second penal Bill against Massachusetts, changing the constitution of the government of the province 396

Third penal Bill for the immunity of governors, magistrates, and other public officers in Massachusetts 396

The fourth Act of Parliament, legalizing the quartering of the troops in Boston 397

The effects of these measures in the Colonies the reverse of what their authors and advocates had anticipated; all the Colonies protest against them 397

General Gage's arrival in Boston, and courteous reception, as successor to Governor Hutchinson--his character (in a note) 398

Meeting of the Massachusetts Legislature; adjournment to Salem; their respectful, loyal, but firm reply to the Governor's speech; his bitter answer 399

Courteous, loyal, and patriotic answer of the Assembly to the Governor's speech 400

The House of Assembly proceed with closed doors, and adopt, by a majority of 92 to 12, resolutions declaring the necessity of a meeting of all the Colonies to consult together upon the present state of the Colonies 401

Curious dissolution of the last Legislature held in the Province of Massachusetts, according to the tenor of its Charter (in a note) 401