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