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CHAPTER XXVI.

CAUSES WHICH LED TO THE REVOLUTION-CONTINUED.

The English Ministry determine to obtain a Revenue.-Massachusetts invites to harmonious Action.-The Romney and the Sloop Liberty.—A British Regiment at Boston.-Collision with the Citizens.-Articles of Association proposed by Washington.-The Tax upon Tea.-Whigs and Tories.-The Gaspé captured.-The King's Maxim.-The Resolutions not to receive the Tea.-Tea thrown into Boston Harbor.-Its Reception at other Places. More oppressive Laws passed by Parliament.— Aid sent to Boston.-Gage's Difficulties.-Alexander Hamilton.—The Old Continental Congress.-The Organization; the first Prayer.—The "Declaration of Rights."-The "American Association."-The Papers issued by the Congress.-The Views of Pitt in relation to them.

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XXVI.

LORD GRENVILLE, the head of the ministry, was dismissed, CVP and the Marquis of Rockingham took his place. This ministry soon gave way, and another was appointed by 1766. the king, at the head of which was placed Pitt, who, in the mean time, had been created Earl of Chatham.

June.

The following year, during Pitt's absence, Charles Townshend, his Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced that he intended, at all risks, to derive a revenue from 17 America, by imposing a duty upon certain articles, which the colonists received from abroad, such as wine, oil, paints, glass, paper, and lead colors, and especially upon tea, as they obtained it cheaper from Dutch smugglers than the English themselves. It was suggested to him to withdraw the army, and there would be no need of a

CHAP. tax.

"I will hear nothing on the subject," said he; "it XXVI. is absolutely necessary to keep an army there."

1767.

The colonists were startled by this news. They now remembered the fatal reservation in the repeal of the Stamp Act, that Parliament had the absolute right to tax them. "We will form a universal combination to eat nothing, to drink nothing, and wear nothing, imported from England," passed as a watchword from one colony to another, and very soon the non-importation associations were again in vigor. "Courage, Americans; liberty, religion, and science are on the wing to these shores. The finger of God points out a mighty empire to your sons," said one of the lawyers of New York. "Send over an army and fleet, and reduce the dogs to reason," wrote one of the royal governors to the ministry.

Suddenly the Romney, a man-of-war, appeared in the harbor of Boston. The question soon arose, Why is a vessel of war sent to our harbor? The people had resisted no law; they had only respectfully petitioned for redress, and resolved to dispense with the use of British goods. Since the arrival of the Romney, the haughty manner of the Commissioners of Customs toward the people had become intolerable. The Romney frequently impressed the New England seamen as they came into the harbor. One man thus impressed was forcibly rescued by his companions. These and similar outrages excited the bitterest animosity between the royal officials and the people.

The Massachusetts Assembly issued a circular to the other Colonial Assemblies, inviting to harmonious action in obtaining redress. A few months afterward the minis1768. try sent peremptory orders to the Assembly to rescind June. their circular. Through the influence of Otis and Samuel

Adams, the Assembly refused to comply with the arbitrary demand, but instead intimated that Parliament ought to repeal their offensive laws. Meantime the other Colonial Assemblies received the circular favorably, and also en

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