CHAP. II. 1768. Seizure of the sloop Liberty. their resolution; immediately after receiving which they were prorogued, and the next day they were dissolved by procla mation. While the opposition was thus conducted by the Legislature with temperate firmness, and with the use only of legitimate means, the general irritation occasionally broke out in the town of Boston in acts of violence, denoting evidently that the body of the people, at least in that place, were prepared for much stronger measures than their representatives had pursued. The seizure of the sloop Liberty, belonging to Mr. Hancock, by the collector and comptroller of the customs, occasioned the assemblage of a tumultuous mob, who beat the officers and those who assisted them, took possession of a boat belonging to the collector, which they burnt in triumph, and patrolled the streets for a considerable length of time. The revenue officers, fearing for their safety, took refuge first on board the Romney man of war, and afterwards in Castle William. After a considerable length of time had elapsed, the Governor moved having moored before the town, intimidated the coasting vessels bringing provisions, fire-wood, &c. committed many acts of violence and outrage, and in particular by cutting away a vessel from Mr. Hancock's wharf, and detaining her several days without any legal proceeding filed against her. This irritated the people, who patrolled the streets in a tumultuous manner, broke several windows to the value of about five pounds sterling, burnt a pleasure-boat belonging to the collector, and then dispersed at about eleven o'clock at night. A petition, presented to the Governor by the inhabitants assembled in a town meeting, a few days after this event, praying the removal of the Romney, after representing the grievances of which the people complained, the remonstrances which had been transmitted to Parliament, and the petitions to the Throne, proceeds to state that they had waited the effect of these applications with the greatest attention to the public peace, until they found themselves invaded with an armed force, seizing, impressing, and imprisoning the persons of their fellow-subjects, contrary to express acts of Parliament. Menaces, they said, had been thrown out fit only for barbarians, which already affected them in a most serious manner, and threatened them with famine and desolation; as all navigation was obstructed, upon which alone their whole support depended, and the town was at that crisis in a situation nearly such as if war was formally declared against it. Although the people thus justified, or rather excused, this act of violence, the Legislature did not think proper to afford it their countenance. CHAP. II. .1768. .1768. CHAP. II. Countenance. A Committee of both Houses appointed to inquire into the state of the province, after reprobating in their report the circumstances attending the seizure, to which they attribute the mob which was collected, declare their utter abhorrence and detestation of a procedure which they pronounced to be very criminal; and desire the Governor to direct the AttorneyGeneral to prosecute all persons concerned in the riot. They also requested that a proclamation might be issued, offering a reward to any person who should make discoveries, by which the rioters or their abettors might be brought to condign punish ment. This report, however, seems to have been rather intended to save appearances, than to have produced any real effect corresponding with the sentiment it expressed. It was perfectly understood that no person would dare to inform, or even to appear as a witness in any prosecution which might be instituted by the AttorneyGeneral; and, as if completely to prevent further proceedings, several persons, who had been active in producing the riots, were placed on the Grand Jury for the succeeding term. Suits were afterwards instituted against Mr. Hancock and others, owners of the vessel and cargo; but, as it was thought unsafe to hazard the trial of them, they were never prosecuted to a final decision. This riot, which completely demonstrated the impracticability of executing by ordinary means the obnoxious laws which Government seemed determined to enforce, though it might not occasion, certainly accelerated, a measure which tended in no considerable degree to irritate still further the angry dispositions already so prevalent in Boston. Repre 1768. Representations had already been made by the Governor to CHAP. II. Administration, stating the necessity of stationing a military force in the province for the protection of the officers employed in collecting the revenue, and of the magistrates in preserving the public peace; and orders to detach at least one regiment on that service had already been given to General Gage, who was directed to select for the command of it an officer on whose prudence, resolution, and integrity, he could entirely rely. The transactions respecting the seizure of the sloop Liberty rendered any attempt to produce a countermand of these orders entirely abortive, and probably was the cause that two regiments. instead of one were detached by General Gage. Before the arrival of this military force, the Governor had used expressions intimating that it might be expected; in conse quence of which, a committee of the inhabitants was deputed in a town-meeting to wait on his Excellency, to learn on what the suspicions he had expressed were founded, and also to pray to convene another General Assembly. him The answer of the Governor confirmed their fears respecting a military force, though he assured them that he had no official communication on the subject; and contained also the information, that no other Assembly could be convoked until his Majes ty's commands for that purpose should be received.: It seems to have been supposed that a dissolution of the Assem bly of Massachussetts would also dissolve the opposition to the measures of Administration; and that the people, having no longer constitutional leaders, being no longer excited and conducted by their. CHAP. II. 1768. their representatives, would gradually become quiet, and return to what was termed their duty to Government. But the opinions expressed by the House of Representatives were the opinions of the great body of the people, and had taken too deep root to be so readily suppressed. The most active and energetic part of society had embraced them with enthusiasm; and the dissolution of the Assembly only created a necessity for devising other, perhaps more efficient, expedients, and hastened a mode of conducting their opposition which was afterwards universally adopted. The answer of the Governor to their message being reported, the meeting immediately proceeded to resolve," That to levy money within that province by any other authority than that of the General Court, was a violation of the royal charter, and of the undoubted natural rights of British subjects. "That the freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of Boston would, at the peril of their lives and fortunes, take all legal and constitutional measures to defend all and singular the rights, liberties, privileges, and immunities, granted in their royal charter. "That, as there was an apprehension in the minds of many of an approaching war with France, those inhabitants, who were not provided with arms, should be requested duly to observe the laws of the province, which required that every householder should furnish himself with a complete stand." 'They further resolved, "That as the Governor did not think proper to call a General Court for the redress of their griev 1 ances, |