The Loyalists of America and Their Times | Page 9

His vindication of himself, and description of his pitiable condition 383
Remarks on the difference between his conduct and that of the
Governors of other provinces 387
CHAPTER XVIII.
EVENTS OF 1774.--ALL CLASSES IN THE COLONIES
DISCONTENTED; ALL CLASSES AND ALL THE PROVINCES
REJECT THE EAST INDIA COMPANY'S TEA. 388-402
Opposition to the tea duty represented in England as "rebellion," and
the advocates of colonial rights designated "rebels" and "traitors" 388
Three Acts of Parliament against the inhabitants of Boston and of
Massachusetts, all infringing and extinguishing the heretofore
acknowledged constitutional rights and liberties of the people 389

Debates in Parliament, and misrepresentations of the English press on
American affairs 390
Lord North explains the American policy; the Bill to punish the town of
Boston; petitions against it from the agent of Massachusetts and the
city of London; debates on it in the Commons and Lords 394
Distress of Boston; addresses of sympathy, and contributions of relief
from other towns and provinces; generous conduct of the inhabitants of
Massachusetts and Salem 395
The second penal Bill against Massachusetts, changing the constitution
of the government of the province 396
Third penal Bill for the immunity of governors, magistrates, and other
public officers in Massachusetts 396
The fourth Act of Parliament, legalizing the quartering of the troops in
Boston 397
The effects of these measures in the Colonies the reverse of what their
authors and advocates had anticipated; all the Colonies protest against
them 397
General Gage's arrival in Boston, and courteous reception, as successor
to Governor Hutchinson--his character (in a note) 398
Meeting of the Massachusetts Legislature; adjournment to Salem; their
respectful, loyal, but firm reply to the Governor's speech; his bitter
answer 399
Courteous, loyal, and patriotic answer of the Assembly to the
Governor's speech 400
The House of Assembly proceed with closed doors, and adopt, by a
majority of 92 to 12, resolutions declaring the necessity of a meeting of
all the Colonies to consult together upon the present state of the
Colonies 401

Curious dissolution of the last Legislature held in the Province of
Massachusetts, according to the tenor of its Charter (in a note) 401
CHAPTER XIX.
1774, CONTINUED UNTIL THE MEETING OF THE FIRST
GENERAL CONGRESS IN SEPTEMBER. 403-408
Resolutions in all the Colonies in favour of a general Convention or
Congress, and election of delegates to it 403
General sympathy and liberality on behalf of the town of Boston 404
How information on subjects of agitation was rapidly diffused
throughout the Colonies 405
The Act of Parliament changing the Constitution of Massachusetts
without its consent gave rise to the American Revolution; the authority
of that Act never acknowledged in Massachusetts 407
CHAPTER XX.
GENERAL CONGRESS OR CONVENTION AT PHILADELPHIA,
SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER, 1774. 409-421
The word Congress "defined" 409
Each day's proceedings commenced with prayer; each Province
allowed but one vote 410
The members of the Congress and their constituents throughout the
Colonies thoroughly loyal, while maintaining British constitutional
rights 410
The declaration of rights and grievances by this Congress (in a note)
411
The explicit, loyal, and touching address and petition of this Congress

to the King 414
Manly and affectionate appeal to the British nation 416
The address of the members of the Congress to their constituents--a
temperate and lucid exposition of their grievances and sentiments 417
Reasons for giving a summary and extracts of these addresses of the
first General Congress 418
General elections in England hastened; adverse to the Colonies 419
The King's speech at the opening of the new Parliament, the 30th of
November, and answers of both Houses 419
Opposition in both Houses; protest in the Lords 420
The proceedings of the first American Congress reach England before
the adjournment of Parliament for the Christmas holidays, and produce
an impression favourable to the Colonies; hopes of a change of the
Ministerial policy in regard to the Colonies 420
CHAPTER XXI.
(1775.)
THE RE-ASSEMBLING OF PARLIAMENT THE 20TH OF
JANUARY; LETTERS FROM COLONIAL GOVERNORS,
REVENUE AND MILITARY OFFICERS, AGAINST THE
COLONISTS OPPOSED TO THE MINISTERIAL POLICY AND
THE PARLIAMENTARY ACTS; THE MINISTRY, SUPPORTED
BY PARLIAMENT, DETERMINE UPON CONTINUING AND
STRENGTHENING THE COERCIVE POLICY AGAINST THE
COLONIES. 422-432
The Earl of Chatham's amendment and speech in the Lords, against the
coercive policy of the Ministry and in behalf of Colonial rights,
supported by other Lords and numerous politicians 423

Lord Suffolk in favour of coercion; Lord Camden against it, and in
favour of the rights of the Colonies; Lord Chatham and others
denounced by the King (in a note) 424
The amendment negatived by a majority of 68 to 18; but the King's
own brother, the Duke of Cumberland, was one of the minority; yet the
King boasted of the "handsome majority" in support of his coercive
policy 425
The Earl of Chatham's bill "to