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Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing), Massachusetts, (search)
They ordered all persons not already in possession of fire-arms to procure them at once; and they appointed a day of fasting and prayer to be observed by all Congregational societies. The convention petitioned the governor to summon a general court. He refused to receive the petition, and denounced the convention as treasonable. They proceeded cautiously. All pretensions to political authority were expressly disclaimed. They prepared and adopted a petition to the King, and a letter to De Berdt, agent for the provinces in England, charging him to defend the colony against accusations of sedition or a rebellious spirit. Such was the beginning of the system of conventions which, in a few years, assumed the whole political authority of the colonies. The convention adjourned after a four days session, and the day after the adjournment troops from Halifax arrived. On March 5, 1774, John Hancock and Samuel Adams spoke to a great meeting of citizens in Faneuil Hall. The former said
George Bancroft, History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent, Vol. 5, 13th edition., Chapter 21: (search)
racy, and feared by the king, Pitt pursued his career alone. In the quiet of confidential intercourse, he inquired if fleets and armies could reduce America, and heard from a friend, that the Americans would not submit, that they would still have their woods and liberty. Thomas Hollis sent to him the masterly essay of John Adams on the canon and feudal law. He read it, and pronounced it indeed masterly. The papers which had been agreed upon by the American Congress had been received by De Berdt, the agent for Massachusetts. Conway did not scruple to present its petition to the king, and George Cooke, the member for Middlesex, was so pleased with that to the Commons, that on Monday, the twenty-seventh of January, he offered it to the house, where he read it twice over. Jenkinson opposed receiving it, as did Nugent and Welbore Ellis. The American Con- chap. XXI.} 1766 Jan. gress at New-York, they argued, was a federal union, assembled without any requisition on the part of the
George Bancroft, History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent, Vol. 6, 10th edition., Chapter 27: (search)
the honest, but aged Dennys De Berdt as its own particular Agent. This is the time from which Hutchinson dated the revolt of the Colonies; and his correspondence and advice conformed to the opinion. Hutchinson's History, III. 173. The revolt of the Colonies ought to be dated from this time, rather than from the Declaration of Independence. But Samuel Adams was gifted with a sagacity which divined the Chap. XXVII.} 1766. Dec. evil designs, now so near their execution. He instructed De Berdt to oppose the apprehended establishment of a military force in America, as needless for protection and dangerous to liberty. Certainly, said he, the best way for Great Britain to make her Colonies a real and lasting benefit, is, to give them all consistent indulgence in trade, and to remove any occasion of their suspecting that their liberties are in danger. While any Act of Parliament is in force, which has the least appearance of a design to raise a revenue out of them, their jealousy w
George Bancroft, History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent, Vol. 6, 10th edition., Chapter 31: (search)
nd in the course of the dispute Otis said to S. Adams, You are so fond of your own draughts that you can't wait for the publication of them to the proper time. This remark which referred to a letter to Lord Hillsborough, defending the letter to De Berdt and its consequences, speaks not of a draught of one letter, but generally of draughts; which is in harmony with all the contemporary testimony. See the unpublished part of the letter of Bernard to Hillsborough, 9 July, 1768. Otis was named usetts. Disclaiming the most distant thought of indepen- Chap. XXXI.} 1768. Jan. dence of the mother country, provided they could have the free enjoyment of their rights, the House affirmed, Letter from the House of Representatives, to D. de Berdt, Agent for the Province in England, January 12, 1768, in Bradford's Massachusetts State papers, 124. that the British constitution hath its foundation in the law of God and nature; that in every free state, the supreme Legislature derives its
George Bancroft, History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent, Vol. 6, 10th edition., Chapter 33: (search)
of colonial discontents. On the fifteenth of April the news of the Circular letter of Massachusetts reached the Ministers. It is an incentive to rebellion, De Berdt to the Speaker, 29 July, 1768. said some of them; and their choleric haste dictated the most impolitic measures that could have been devised. To insulate the of settled the repeal of these Acts with Lord North; but the opposition of the Colonies, renders it absolutely necessary to support the authority of Parliament. De Berdt to the Speaker of Massachusetts Assembly, 29 July, 1768, in Bradford's State Papers. Here was a colonial system, never before thought of Townshend had suspene was not more just to the Colonies than its predecessor. Out of doors, America was not without those who listened to her complaints. The aged Oglethorpe, Miss De Berdt to Mr. Read. founder of the Colony of Georgia, busied himself with distributing pamphlets in her behalf among the most considerable public men. Franklin, in Lo
George Bancroft, History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent, Vol. 6, 10th edition., Chapter 34: (search)
June. stones, bricks and dirt at them, alarming them, but doing no serious mischief; and while Samuel Adams, Hancock and Warren, with others, were deliberating what was to be done, a mob broke windows in the house of the Comptroller and of an Inspector, and failing to find a boat belonging to the Romney, seized on the Collector's pleasure-boat, dragged it in triumph to Boston Common and burnt it. After this, at about one o'clock, they dispersed, Hutchinson to R. Jackson, 16 June, 1768. De Berdt's Memorial to Hillsborough, with the accompanying affidavits. Bernard's Letter to the Ministry. and the town resumed its quiet. On Saturday nothing indicated a recurrence of riots; and the Council Hutchinson to T. Whately, Boston, 18 June, 1768. Compare also T. Whately to Grenville, 26 July, 1768, in Grenville Papers, IV. 322. had only to appoint a committee to ascertain the facts attending the seizure by the examination of witnesses on the following Monday. The Commissioners had
George Bancroft, History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent, Vol. 6, 10th edition., Chapter 35: (search)
in; that the people of Boston had hastened to acts of violence sooner than was intended; that nothing but the immediate exertion of military power could prevent an open revolt of the town, which would probably spread throughout the Provinces. Narration of Facts relative to American Affairs; Thomas Bradshaw to J. Pownall, 22 July, 1768. The counter memorial in behalf of Boston, proving that the riot had been caused by the imprudent and violent proceedings of the officers of the Romney De Berdt's Memorial, 24 July, 1768. Twelve affidavits sent from Boston in June. met little Chap. XXXV.} 1768. July. notice. At the same time Narrative of Facts relative to American affairs. letters arrived from Virginia, with their petitions and memorial, expressed, said Blair, the President of the Council, with modesty and dutiful submission; but under the calmest language, uttering a protest against the right of Parliament to tax America for a revenue. The party of Bedford, and the Duke hi
George Bancroft, History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent, Vol. 6, 10th edition., Chapter 36: (search)
but that they respected the law and gave good and prudent advice, only wrote to Hillsborough: Compare Bernard to Hillsborough, 24 Sept. 1768, and S. Adams to De Berdt, Oct. 1768. The Council are desirous to lend a hand to the Convention, to bring about a forfeiture of the Charter. Bernard to Hillsborough, 26 September, 1768for an Act of Parliament by the very persons who set up to enforce Parliamentary authority. On the side of the Province, no law was violated; Samuel Adams to De Berdt, Oct. 1768. only men would not buy tea, glass, colors, or paper; on the side of Hillsborough, Bernard and Gage, requisitions were made contrary to the words and danger to the liberties of America from a united body of pensioners and soldiers. Boston Gazette, 10 October, 1768, contains the letter from the Convention to De Berdt, dated Boston, 27 September, 1768, and signed, Thomas Cushing, Chairman. They renewed their Petition to the King, which they enjoined their Agent to deliver in p