George Bancroft, History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent, Vol. 6, 10th edition.

‘ [165] day,’ said Samuel Adams, using words which, seven

Chap. XXXIV.} 1768. June.

years later, he was to repeat. ‘This is the most glorious day ever seen,’ responded his friend, Samuel Cooper. The merchants of Boston met, and successfully renewed the agreement not to import from England.¹

The House, employing the pen of Samuel Adams² without altering a word, reported a letter³ to Lord

Hillsborough, in which they showed that the Circular Letter of February was, indeed, the declared sense of a large majority of their body; and expressed their reliance on the clemency of the King, that to petition him would not be deemed inconsistent with respect for the British constitution, nor to acquaint their fellow-subjects of their having done so, be discountenanced as an inflammatory proceeding.

Then came the great question, taken in the fullest House ever remembered. The votes were given by word of mouth, and against seventeen that were willing to yield, ninety-two refused to rescind. They finished their work by a message to the Governor, thoroughly affirming the doings from which they had been ordered to dissent. On this Bernard, trembling with fear,⁴ prorogued them, and then dissolved the Assembly.

Massachusetts was left without a Legislature

July

Its people had no intention to begin a rebellion; but only to defend their liberties, which had the