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ARROGANCE OF ENGLAND.

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their rights. Massachusetts did not stand alone. An indignity offered to one, was held in the light of an insult to all the Colonies. Virginia, ever fearless, entered her solemn protest, and appointed the day on which the Boston Port Bill was to take effect-the first day of June—as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer. All the Colonies united in its observance, and the earnest and manly appeals which were pronounced from the sacred desk on that occasion, rendered it an event memorable in the American struggle for freedom and justice.

Events matured rapidly. To effect a greater concert of action, at the suggestion of the Legislature of Virginia, measures were taken to secure a convention, by delegates, of all the Colonies. Pursuing a course of systematic aggressions, the British government drove the Colonies to these extreme measures, and with persistent madness cast away the brightest jewel that sparkled in her coronet.

CHAPTER II.

THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION, 1774-1789.

A GENERAL Convention of delegates from the several Colonies convened at Philadelphia on the 5th of September, 1774. This Convention-better known as the Continental Congress-contained many of the ablest minds in the Colonies; men of sound judgment, unquestioned patriotism, and determined purpose. To aggression they opposed resistance; for the maintenance of their rights life itself was not too dear a sacrifice.

Congress reiterated the grievances of the Colonies in an address to the king, in a second address to the people of Great Britain, and in a third, to the colonists themselves.

From the temper of Parliament, which asembled soon after the adjournment of Congress, it was too evident that the appeals of the colonists had availed little, and that faint hopes of reconciliation could be cherished. All overtures for adjustment of difficulties and reconciliation had been spurned, and it only remained now to prepare for the last resort-the arbitrament of arms. Manufactories of arms and ammunition were put in operation, and the implements of war were collected and stored for use. These supplies the British attempted to destroy. With this design a detachment was sent in April, 1775, to Lexington, where, coming in contact with the local militia, eight of these

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were slain. Having destroyed a portion of the stores at this place and at Concord, the English force retreated to Boston, which place was reached with extreme difficulty.

The issue was fairly made. There was no retreat for the colonists but in submission and servitude. Step by step had they been goaded on. Insult and aggression upon their rights had separated them farther and farther in their relation with the parent country. They had seen themselves treated as dependents, not as equals under the British Constitution. Their chartered privileges had been restricted. Rights guaranteed to every citizen by the fundamental law of the realm were rendered nugatory to them alone. Coercive measures failing, indignity was added to insult and aggression, in the base attempt to suborn the colonial leaders. But virtue was without price. Each noble mind, true to the instincts of justice and humanity, spurning the base and flattering overtures, proved himself a man,

"Who dared to love his country and be poor."

The temper of Parliament and the condition of the Colonies left Congress in no doubt, on its reassembling in May, 1775, as to the line of policy which remained for it to pursue. A continental army was organized, with Washington at its head. A treasury department was established, and a fund provided by the issue of bills of credit.

Earnest and protracted efforts for reconciliation prov ing ineffectual, the American Congress, after prayerful and solemn deliberation, published to the world, on the 4th of July, 1776, a Declaration of Independence from all allegiance to the mother country.

Conscious of the magnitude of the difficulties which

attended them in the approaching contest, and sensible of the advantages arising from combination of strength and harmony of action, Congress at once took the incipient steps for the establishment of a compact, by which the union of the Colonies would be consolidated, and a power created which would have authority to provide for the defence of the country. The first attempt proved unsuccessful; but a plan was ultimately agreed upon, April, 1777. In these "articles of confederation," the confederacy was termed "the United States of America," and all powers not expressly delegated to the Congress were reserved to the States, which existed as separate independencies.

CONTINENTAL CONGRESS-ITS CHARACTER.

Delegates to the Continental Congress were elected by the Legislatures of the several States, the States sending from two to seven delegates each,—and were supported by the States and subject to their recall. Congress was vested with power to declare war and establish peace, to make requisition on the several States for men and money, the compliance therewith being at the option of the States, and to regulate the interests of the nation. Voting by States, a majority was essential to the passage of any bill, while acts for coining, emitting bills, borrowing or appropriating money, declaring war, and granting letters of marque and reprisal, required the sanction of nine States.

The limited powers thus vested in Congress greatly embarrassed the government and rendered its efforts feeble and often ineffectual, where prompt and efficient action was indispensable to procure the safety and defend the honor of the country. The union of thirteen independent States in a compact which should preserve the rights of

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each intact, and at the same time render efficient the authority of the general government, was a work attended by almost insuperable difficulties, and was only approximately attained under the Articles of Confederation.

Amid all these discouraging circumstances the great object for which America was contending was never lost to view. Congress, with a noble independence worthy all praise, spurned the proffered terms of reconciliation proposed by the Crown in 1778, refusing countenance to any conference until the independence of the States was formally declared and the British troops removed. The constantly accumulating burdens of war rendered bankrupt the whole country, save the resolute and determined spirit of the people. Congress scrip had become worthless, and the commissaries, already in debt, were left without money or credit. The army was saved from starvation only by a forced levy upon the country. Contending with a people so resolute, so determined, so indomitable as the Americans proved themselves, it is by no means strange that the English government became discouraged. Their proposals for peace were readily acceded to by Congress, and commissioners were appointed for the purpose of negotiation. A treaty of amity and commerce between England and America was signed on the 30th of November, 1782, and was to take effect in the spring succeeding.

The contest of arms was ended. Independence of foreign dominion was secured, but it brought not with it that train of blessings which had been fondly hoped and expected. Only when the restraint of absolute necessity was withdrawn were the difficulties apparent which stood in the way of the nation's permanent establishment. Congress was impotent. Its defect was its weakness. It could do little more to relieve the indebtedness of the country than to appeal to the several States. Its inability

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