Chap. XXXVI.} 1768. Sept. |
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soldiers in any of his Majesty's dominions in America
otherwise than was limited and allowed by the Act, he should be ipso facto cashiered and disabled to hold any military employment in his Majesty's service.β1 Besides it was urged that quartering troops in the body of the town was inconsistent with its peace.
The Council, who were conducted in their opposition by James Bowdoin, one of the most heartily loyal men in the King's dominions, was in the right in the interpretation of the law, and equally so on the question of prudence; for why irritate the people of the town unnecessarily by the presence of soldiers?
At the Castle they would be serviceable on the shortest notice.
Bernard, with no ground of complaint against the Council, but that they respected the law and gave good and prudent advice, only wrote to Hillsborough:2 βThe Council are desirous to lend a hand to the Convention, to bring about a forfeiture of the Charter.3 The Government is entirely subdued.
If the three regiments ordered to Boston, were now quietly in their quarters, it would not follow that it could renew its functions.
The forfeiture of the Charter is an event most devoutly to be wished.β4
On the appointed day, Thursday, the twentysecond of September, the anniversary of the King's coronation, about seventy persons, from sixty-six
1 Bernard to Hillsborough, 23 Sept. 1768, and answer of the Council, 26 Sept. 1768.
2 Compare Bernard to Hillsborough, 24 Sept. 1768, and S. Adams to De Berdt, Oct. 1768.
3 Bernard to Hillsborough, 26 September, 1768.
4 Bernard to Hillsborough, 27 September, 1768.
Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1859.
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