George Bancroft, History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent, Vol. 7, 4th edition.

[124] to the continental congress for their consideration

Chap. X.} 1774. Sept.

and advice. ‘In a cause so solemn,’ they said, ‘our conduct shall be such as to merit the approbation of the wise and the admiration of the brave and free, of every age and of every country.’

The good judgment and daring of Warren singled him out above all others then in the province, as the leader of ‘rebellion.’ The intrenchments on the neck placed all within the lines at the mercy of the army; yet fearless of heart, he hastened into the presence of Gage, to protest in the name of Suffolk county against the new fortifications that closed the town.

All the while the sufferings of Boston grew more and more severe; yet in the height of distress for want of employment, its carpenters refused to construct barracks for the army. Its inhabitants, who were all invited to share the hospitality of the interior, themselves desired to abandon the town, and even to see it in flames, rather than ‘to be totally enslaved’ by remaining at home; but not knowing how to decide, they looked to congress for advice. Meantime the colony desired to guard against anarchy, by instituting a government of their own, for which they found historical precedents. In the days of William the Deliverer and Mary, Connecticut and Rhode Island had each resumed the charter of government, which James the Second had superseded; the people of Massachusetts now wished to revive their old charter; and continue allegiance to George the Third on no other terms than those which their ancestors had stipulated with Charles the First; ‘otherwise,’ said they, ‘the laws of God, of nature, and of nations ’