placed on an equality of mis and privileges with her other elfdren.

A dogle word in the passare shed from Washington's letter, evinces the thord which still vibrated in the American bosom: be incidentally speaks of England as home. It was the familiar term with which she was usually indicated by those of English descent; and the writer of these pages remembers when the endearing phrase still lingered on Anglo-American lips even after the Revolution. How easy would it have been before that era for the mother country to have rallied back the affections of her colonial children, by a proper attention to their complaints! They naked for nothing but what they were entitled to, and what she had taught them to prize as their dearest inheritance. The spirit of liberty which they manifested had been derived from her own prosopt and example.

The result of the correspondence between Washington and Mason was the draft by the latter of a plan of association, the members of which were to pledge themselves not to import or to any articles of British merchandise or manntheture subject to duty. This paper Washfngton was to submit to the consideration of the House of Burgesses, at the approaching session in the mouth of May.

The Legislature of Virginia opened on this eception with a brilliant pageant. While military force was arrayed to overawe the republican Puritans of the east, it was thought to dazzle the aristocratical descendants of the cavaliers by

the reflex of regal splendor. Lord Botetourt, one of the king's lords of the bed-chamber, had recently come out as governor of the province. Junius described him as "a cringing, bowing, fawning, sword-bearing courtier." Horace Wal pole predicted that he would turn the heads of the Virginians in one way or other. "If his graces do not captivate them he will enrage them to fury; for I take all his douceur to be enameled on iron." The words of political satirists and court wits, however, are always to be taken with great distrust. However his lordship may have bowed in presence of royalty, he elsewhere conducted himself with dignity, and won general favor by his endearing manners. He certainly showed promptness of spirit in his reply to the king on being informed of his appointment. "When will you be ready to go?" asked George III. "To-night sir."

He had come out, however, with a wrong idea of the Americans. They had been represented to him as factious, immoral, and prone to sedition; but vain and luxurious, and easily captivated by parade and splendor. The latter foibles were aimed at in his appointment and fitting out. It was supposed that his titled rank would have its effect. Then to prepare him for occasions of ceremony, a coach of state was presented to him by the king. He was allowed, moreover, the quantity of plate usually given to ambassadors, whereupon the joke was circulated that he was going "plenipo to the Cherokees.” 2

1 Grenville Papers, iv. note to p. 330.

2 Whately to Geo. Grenville. Grenville Papers.

import nor

made a manufactures

or Bubamar Tast & revenue in Amer

Esrument was sent throughout the

le start and the scheme of nonHAAL Z sumeč u a few northern BALES. Was Son unversally adopted. OFL Dr. Wasingan altered to it rigorously

For his

The articles proscribed by

i ve leter I be sea in iis house, and his agent in Loudon was erjaned to ship nothing for i wile site in an

The popular ferment in Virginia was gradually Layed by the amiable and cocchistory conduct of Lori Botetourt. His lordship soon became aware of the erroneous notions with which he had entered upon office. His semi-royal equipage and state were laid aside. He examined into public grievances; became a strenuous advocate for the repeal of taxes; and, authorized by his dispatches from the ministry

public that such repeal would sp

the

His assurance

and for a v

received wi

was qu

CHAPTER XXX.

Hood at Boston. - The General Court refuses to do Business under Military Sway. Resists the Billeting Act.-Effect of the Non-importation Association. - Lord North Premier. - Duties revoked except on Tea.

Disuse of Tea. - His Death.

The Boston Massacre. Conciliatory Conduct of Lord Botetourt.

HE worst is past, and the spirit of sedition broken," writes Hood to Grenville,

early in the spring of 1769.1 When the commodore wrote this, his ships were in the harbor, and troops occupied the town, and he flattered himself that at length turbulent Boston was quelled. But it only awaited its time to be seditious according to rule; there was always an irresistible" method in its madness."

In the month of May, the General Court, hitherto prorogued, met according to charter. A committee immediately waited on the governor, stating it was impossible to do business with dignity and freedom while the town was invested by sea and land, and a military guard was stationed at the state-house, with cannon pointed at the door; and they requested the governor, as His Majesty's rep ative, to have such forces

373

20

ur

station.

In vain the

urged that this single

cuni produce no revenue,

ne whole cause of conten

gus a single external duty was wonies would consider their rights cuid remain unappeased. Lord

be convinced; or rather, he e vai vill was indexible, and he comis benests. The properest time to

nt to taxation," said he, is when

s refused. To temporize is to yield; authority of the mother country, if it is supported, will be relinquished forever: repeal cannot be thought of till America is wostrate it our feet.” I

On the very day in which this ominous bill was passed in Parliament, a sinister occurrence ok place in Boston. Some of the young men

the place insulted the military while under arms; the latter resented it; the young men, after a scuffle, were put to flight, and pursued. The alarm bells rang; a mob assembled; the custom-house was threatened; the troops in proteeting it were assailed with clubs and stones, and obliged to use their fire-arms, before the tumult could be quelled. Four of the populace killed, and several wounded. The troops now removed from the town, which remained in the highest state of exasperation; and this untoward occurrence received the opprobrious and somewhat extravagant name of "the

were

were

Boston massacre."

1 Holmes's Amer. Ann