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

[315] be arrested and shipped to England, was no more

Chap. XLII.} 1769. Nov.

heeded than idle words. The Assembly of North Carolina, in November, unanimously¹ adopted the protest of Virginia against the proposal, and thus provoked a dissolution, which opened to the Regulators some hope of relief through new elections.

But a different turn was given to public thought, when Botetourt, the King's own Friend, communicated to the Assembly of Virginia the ministerial promises of a partial repeal, and with the most solemn asseverations abdicated in the King's name all further intentions of taxing America. The Council, in its reply, advised the entire repeal of the existing taxes; the Burgesses expressed their gratitude for ‘information sanctified by the royal word;’ and considered the King's influence to be pledged ‘towards perfecting the happiness of all his people.’² Botetourt was so pleased with their Address, that he found his prospect brighten, and praising their loyalty, wished them freedom and happiness, ‘till time should be no more.’

The flowing and confident assurances of Botetourt encouraged the expectation that the unproductive tax on tea would also be given up. Such was his wish; and such the advice of Eden, the new Lieutenant Governor of Maryland.³ To the Legislature of New-York, Colden, who, on account of the death of Moore, now administered the Government, announced unequivocally ‘the greatest probability that the late duties imposed by the authority of Parliament, so much to the dissatisfaction of the Colonies, ’