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

[284] safety by betraying their leaders.¹ Since the propo-

Chap. XLI.} 1769. May.

sal to ship Samuel Adams, Otis, and their chief supporters across the water had come to naught, the cabal were left without a plan of conduct. The Regiments which had been sent at their suggestion were pronounced to be useless, because they were inactive. Disheartened by the appearance of moderation in the British Government, they complained that their accusations which had, as they thought, ‘been fully certified, had not been noticed at Westminster for Treason.’

The choice of Representatives showed the sense of the people. The town of Boston, on coming together, demanded the withdrawal of the soldiery during the election; but they were only confined within the barracks while the ballot was taken. Of five hundred and eight votes that were cast, the four old representatives, Otis, Cushing, Samuel Adams, and Hancock, received more than five hundred. They were instructed to insist on the departure of the army from the town and Province; and not to pay any thing towards its support.²

Of the ninety-two who voted not to rescind, eighty-one, probably all who were candidates, were re-elected; of the seventeen rescinders, only five. Especially Salem condemned the conduct of its former representatives and substituted two Sons of Liberty in their stead. Cambridge charged Thomas Gardner, its representative, ‘to use his best endeavors, that all their rights might be transmitted inviolable to the latest posterity;’ and the excellent man proved