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

[229] said, was their creed; but he justified them by

Chap. XXXVIII} 1768. Oct.

reporting the universal avowal of a most ardentdesire to assist upon every occasion, if they might do it as formerly in consequence of requisition.¹ Yet the laws were obeyed, and the duties complained of were collected in every part of the Colony, without a shadow of resistance. He was persuaded that the new Assembly would come together in good humor,² which he was resolved not wantonly to disturb. His letters to the Ministry, written with candor, required no concealment.

The Western Boundary was the engrossing subject, which invited the immediate attention of the new Governor. Botetourt entered heartily into the wishes of Virginia, and exerted all his influence, and even put in pledge his life and fortune,³ to carry its jurisdiction to the Tennessee River on the parallel of thirty-six and a half degrees. ‘This boundary,’ it was said, ‘will give some room to extend our settlements for ten or twelve years.’⁴

While Virginia was engaged in stretching its

Nov.

dominion over the West, England began to think reconciliation with Massachusetts hopeless, and to prepare for desolating war.⁵ Such was the public temper, when news arrived that the troops had landed at Boston without opposition, that the Convention had dissolved, and that all thoughts of resistance were at an end. A very few perceived, that the power of moderation which the people of Boston had displayed,