they adjourned to Concord, where they formed themselves into a provincial Congress, and elected John Hancock their president. They now adjourned to Cambridge, where they drew up a plan to defend the province, by preparing munitions of war, filling magazines with provisions, enlisting men, appointing officers, &c. This provincial Congress met again in November, when it was resolved that 12,000 men should be raised to act on any emergency. They also enrolled one-fourth part of the militia, whom they called minute-men, to be held in readiness to march at a minute's notice. At the same time the neighbouring states were requested to increase this army to 20,000 men. All these resolutions, both of the Continental Congress and of the local Assemblies, were approved and strictly carried into effect by the people. Their meetings and union of their representatives produced a liberal interchange of ideas between the remote parts of the colonies,-formed a moral bond of union,-produced a spirit of laudable emulation, and improved the moral, political, and intellectual condition of the whole country. The principles of justice and honour distinguished all the acts of these newly constituted authorities, the agents of the people, who now, according to the natural rights of man, constituted the government. "What constitutes a state? Not high-raised battlements or labour'd mounds, Not cities proud, with spires and turrets crown'd; Where, laughing at the storm, rich navies ride; Where low-brow'd baseness wafts perfume to pride, Men, who their duties know, But know their rights, and, knowing, dare maintain; And crush the tyrant while they rend the chain; Two regiments of infantry, with several pieces of cannon, had followed the arrival of General Gage, and were quartered in Boston. These were reinforced by several regiments from Halifax, Ireland, Quebec, and New York, to crush at once the spirit of liberty that was about to kindle into a widespread conflagration. But "if the true spark of civil and religious liberty be kindled, it will burn; human agency cannot extinguish it: like the earth's central fire, it may be smothered for a time; the ocean may overwhelm it; mountains may press it down; but its inherent and unconquerable force will heave both the ocean and the land, and at some time or another, in some place or another, the volcano will break out and flame up to heaven." Many of the people, being experienced huntsmen, prepared for war with the greater facility, and were able to use the rifle with great advantage. Drums and fifes were now everywhere heard; balls were cast in almost every house, and the martial scenes exhibited by training were attended by the people of all ages and conditions. Even the ladies, as is usual on all occasions that try men's souls, animated and encouraged the patriots with their presence; assisted in the preparations for war, and shared the extreme sufferings to which the colonists were subjected, "With tears for naught but other's ills, And then they flowed like mountain rills.' "Oh, woman! in our hours of ease, Uncertain, coy, and hard to please, By the light quivering aspen made; When pain and anguish wring the brow, The governor, who had already excited the indignation of the people, by placing a guard upon the isthmus which connects the peninsula on which Boston is situated with the main land, now commenced fortifying the isthmus, to intimidate the people and prevent them from transporting arms from the town into the country. He next seized the powder that was stored in the magazine in Charlestown, adjoining Boston, apprehensive that the people might take possession T * of it during the annual review of the militia, which was approaching. These proceedings were regarded as acts of hostility, and excited the rage of the people to the highest degree. They seized their arms, assembled from every quarter, and hastened to Cambridge. They would at once have marched to Boston, had they not been restrained by the prudence of some of their leaders. A report was soon after circulated that hostilities had commenced in Boston, by the fleet and garrison firing upon the town, and that the Bostonians were defending themselves. The rumour was heard with avidity and circulated with surprising rapidity through every part of the province. The farmer stops his plough in the field, seizes his gun, while he breathes retributive vengeance against the oppressors; the mechanic throws down his hammer and obeys the call of freedom; the labourer abandons his shovel, spade or axe for the weapon of war; the merchant forsakes his counter, the lawyer his desk, the physician his patient-from the hills and the valleys they come; from the hamlet and the cottage they issue forth-all hurrying promiscuously towards the supposed scene of action; and in a few hours 30,000 men were under arms. As from some mountain's craggy forehead torn, At every shock the crackling wood resounds; Still gathering force, it smokes, and, urged amain, Whirls, leaps, and thunders down, impetuous to the plain: So this armed multitude stops; but not until they are satisfied that the report of the attack on Boston is unfounded. Every province had now become the theatre of popular commotions, and a general scrambling took place between the adverse governments for the powder. At Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the provincials stormed the fort, carrying off the powder and artillery. In Rhode Island a similar course was pursued; at Newport the people rose in their majesty, and took forty pieces of cannon which defended the harbour, fully convinced that the language of these would be the only effectual argument against the tyranny of their relentless oppressors. CHAPTER II.. Efforts of Parliament-Pitt's conciliatory Bill-People of Massachusetts declared Rebels-Violent Commotions in America-Battle of Lexington-Flight of Adams and Hancock-Provincial Congress of Massachusetts-Address to the People of England-Army of 30,000 Men blockade Boston. "And, as a lover hails the dawn Of a first smile, so welcomed they "Oh! what an ever-glorious morning is this!" THE Omnipotence of Parliament and the impotence of Lord North, prime minister, were still exerted to subdue the "daring spirit of resistance and disobedience" in the colonies, while Mr. Pitt, who after a long absence had resumed his seat in the House of Lords, introduced a conciliatory bill, and supported it and the people of America in a long and eloquent discourse; but the ministers obtained a majority and the bill was lost. The inhabitants of Massachusetts were soon after declared rebels, which was equivalent to declaring war against them. The object of treating this province with such rigour was to separate her from the rest; but the very measures that were adopted to separate the colonies cemented their union for mutual protection and defence. The rights of one were the rights of all; to submit to the enslaving of a sister province, would be a tacit recognition of the right of England to enslave the rest. The news having arrived of the king's speech against the colonists at the opening of Parliament, the resolutions of that 66 body, and of the act declaring the people of Massachusetts rebels, all the inhabitants of the province seized their arms. Indignation became fury-obstinacy, desperation. All idea of reconciliation had become chimerical; necessity stimulated the most timid; a thirst for vengeance fired every breast. The match is lighted-the materials disposed-the conflagration impends," while the sister colonies console and encourage them with a full assurance of their assistance through the impending war. "In these arms," said they," in our right hands, are placed the hope of safety, the existence of country, the defence of property, the honour of our wives and daughters. With these alone can we repulse a licentious soldiery, protect what man holds dearest upon earth, and unimpaired transmit our rights to our descendants. The world will admire our courage; all good men will second us with their wishes and prayers, and celebrate our names with immortal praises. Our memory will become dear to posterity. It will be the example, as the hope of freemen, and the dread of tyrants, to the latest ages. It is time that old contaminated England should be made acquainted with the energies of America, in the prime and innocence of her youth; it is time she should know how much superior are our soldiers in courage and constancy to vile mercenaries. We must look back no more! We must conquer or die! We are placed between altars smoking with the most grateful incense of glory and gratitude, on the one part, and blocks and dungeons on the other. Let each then rise, and gird himself for the combat; the dearest interests of this world command it; our most holy religion enjoins it; that God, who eternally rewards the virtuous and punishes the wicked, ordains it. Let us accept these happy auguries; for already the mercenary satellites, sent by wicked ministers to reduce this innocent people to extremity, are imprisoned within the walls of a single city, where hunger emaciates them, rage devours them, death consumes them. Let us banish every fear, every alarm; fortune smiles upon the efforts of the brave!" On the 19th of April, 1775, the first blow was struck, with |