Chapter II: Letter IV: P. 140–204

Mr. Samuel Adams chosen a member for Boston, p. 140—as also Mr. John Hancock, p. 142. Compensation made to the sufferers in the time of the riots, p. 144. The proceedings of the Massachusetts and New-Yorka assemblies, 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 called, 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 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, & South-Carolina, 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, 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.