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CHAP. kind of warfare there could be no parity between the X. English and the Americans. The cannibal Indian 1774. was a dangerous incumbrance in the camp of a regu lar army, and not formidable in the array of battle; he was a deadly foè only as he skulked in ambush ; or prowled on the frontier; or burned the defenceless farm-house; or struck the laborer in the field; or smote the mother at her household task; or crashed the infant's head against a rock or a tree; or tortured the prisoner on whose flesh he was to gorge. The women and children of England had an ocean between them and the Indian's tomahawk, and had no share in the terror that went before his path, or the sorrows that he left behind.

While Gage was writing for troops from England, from New York, and from Quebec, for French Canadian regiments, and for war-parties of Indians, the militia of Worcester county, hearing of the removal of the powder belonging to the province, rose in a mass and began the march to Boston. On Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, the volunteers from Hampshire county advanced eastward as far as Shrewsbury. On the smallest computation twenty

thousand were in motion. The rumor of the seizure reached Israel Putnam, in Connecticut, with the addition, that the British troops and men-of-war had fired on the people and killed six men at the first shot. Sending forward the report to Norwich, New London, New Haven, New York, and so to Philadelphia, he summoned the neighboring militia to take up Thousands started at his call; but these, like the volunteers of Massachusetts, were stopped by expresses from the patriots of Boston, who sent word

arms.

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that at present nothing was to be attempted. In re- CHAP. turn, assurances were given of most effectual support, whenever it might be required. "Words cannot express," wrote Putnam and his committee in behalf of five hundred men under arms at Pomfret, "the gladness discovered by every one at the appearance of a door being opened to avenge the many abuses and insults which those foes to liberty have offered to our brethren in your town and province. But for counter intelligence, we should have had forty thousand men, well equipped and ready to march this morning. Send a written express to the foreman of this committee, when you have occasion for our martial assistance; we shall attend your summons, and shall glory in having a share in the honor of ridding our country of the yoke of tyranny, which our forefathers have not borne, neither will we; and we much desire you to keep a strict guard over the remainder of your powder, for that must be the great means, under God, of the salvation of our country."

"How soon we may need your most effectual aid," answered the Boston committee, "we cannot determine; but agreeably to your wise proposal, we shall give you authentic intelligence on such contingency. The hour of vengeance comes lowering on; repress your ardor, but let us adjure you not to smother it.”

This rising was followed by many advantages. Every man was led to supply any deficiencies in his equipments; the people gained confidence in one another; and a method was concerted for calling them into service. Outside of Boston the king's rule was at an end; no man dared to invoke his protection. The wealthy royalists, who entertained no

X.

CHAP. doubt that all resistance would be crushed by the massive power of Britain, were silent from fear, or 1774. fled to Boston, as their "only asylum." Even there they did not feel safe.

Sept.

By the fifth of September Gage had ordered ground to be broken for fortifications on the neck which formed the only entrance by land into Boston. In the evening the selectmen remonstrated, but with no effect. The next day the convention of Suffolk county, which it had been agreed between Samuel Adams and Warren should send a memorial to the general congress, met in Dedham. Every town and district was represented; and their grand business was referred to a committee, of which Warren was the chairman.

While their report was preparing, the day came for holding the county assize at Worcester. On that morning the main street of the town was occupied on each side by about five thousand men, arranged under their leaders in companies, six deep, and extending for a quarter of a mile. Through this great multitude the judges and their assistants passed safely to the court house; but there they were compelled to stay proceedings, and promise not to take part in executing the unconstitutional act of parliament.

An approval of the resistance of the people was embodied in the careful and elaborate report which Warren on the ninth presented to the adjourned Suffolk convention. "On the wisdom and on the exertions of this important day," such were its words, "is suspended the fate of the new world and of unborn millions." The resolutions which followed, declared that the sovereign who breaks his compact

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with his people, forfeits their allegiance. By their CHAP. duty to God, their country, themselves and posterity, they pledged the county to maintain their civil and religious liberties, and to transmit them entire to future generations. They rejected as unconstitutional the regulating act of parliament and all the officers appointed under its authority. They enjoined the mandamus councillors to resign their places within eleven days. Attributing to the British commanderin-chief hostile intentions, they directed the collectors of taxes to pay over no money to the treasurer whom he recognised. The governor and council had formerly appointed all military officers; now that the legal council was no longer consulted, they advised the towns to elect for themselves officers of their militia from such as were inflexible friends to the rights of the people. For purposes of provincial government they advised a provincial congress, while they promised respect and submission to the continental congress. In reference to the present hostile appearances on the part of Great Britain, they expressed their determination "to act upon the defensive so long as such conduct might be vindicated by reason and the principles of self-preservation, but no longer." Should Gage arrest any one for political reasons, they promised to seize every crown officer in the province as hostages; and should it become necessary suddenly to summon assistance from the country, they arranged a system of couriers who were to bear written messages to the selectmen or corresponding committees of the several towns. The resolutions which thus concerted an armed resistance, were unanimously adopted, and forwarded by express

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CHAP. to the continental congress for their consideration and advice. "In a cause so solemn," they said, 1774. our conduct shall be such as to merit the approSept. bation of the wise and the admiration of the brave and free, of every age and of every country."

The good judgment and daring of Warren singled him out above all others then in the province, as the leader of "rebellion." The intrenchments on the neck placed all within the lines at the mercy of the army; yet fearless of heart, he hastened into the presence of Gage, to protest in the name of Suffolk county against the new fortifications that closed the

town.

All the while the sufferings of Boston grew more and more severe; yet in the height of distress for want of employment, its carpenters refused to construct barracks for the army. Its inhabitants, who were all invited to share the hospitality of the interior, themselves desired to abandon the town, and even to see it in flames, rather than "to be totally enslaved" by remaining at home; but not knowing how to decide, they looked to congress for advice. Meantime the colony desired to guard against anarchy, by instituting a government of their own, for which they found historical precedents. In the days of William the Deliverer and Mary, Connecticut and Rhode Island had each resumed the charter of government, which James the Second had superseded; the people of Massachusetts now wished to revive their old charter; and continue allegiance to George the Third on no other terms than those which their ancestors had stipulated with Charles the First; "otherwise," said they, "the laws of God of nature, and of nations