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

[312] together by lawful authority, made their

Chap. XLII.} 1769. Oct.

‘Appeal to the World.’ They refuted and covered with ridicule ‘the false and malicious aspersions’ of Bernard, Gage, Hood, and the Revenue Officers; and making the language and the intrepidity of Samuel Adams¹ their own, they avowed their character and proclaimed their decision, with a boldness that would have seemed arrogance, had not events proved it to have been magnanimity. ‘A legal meeting of the Town of Boston,’ such were their words,

is an Assembly where a noble freedom of speech is ever expected and maintained; where men think as they please and speak as they think. Such an Assembly has ever been the dread, often the scourge of tyrants.

An Appeal to the World, or a Vindication of the Town of Boston, p. 18.

‘We should yet be glad that the ancient and happy union between Great Britain and this country might be restored. The taking off the duties on paper, glass and painters' colors, upon commercial principles only, will not give satisfaction. Discontent runs through the continent upon much higher principles. Our rights are invaded by the Revenue Acts; therefore until they are all repealed,’ ‘and the troops recalled,’ ‘the cause of our just complaints cannot be removed.’

The declaration of the town of Boston² was fearless and candid; Hutchinson, through secret channels, sent word to Grenville, to Jenkinson and Hillsborough,