troversy continued to rage with increasing animosity.

In 1774, the assembly passed an act, by which it was declared felony punishable by death, for any of the settlers of the New Hampshire Grants to oppose the government by force. The governor at the same time made proclamation, offering a reward of fifty pounds each, for the apprehending, and securing, of Ethan Allen, Seth Warner, and six others of the most obnoxious of the settlers.

The inhabitants of the New Hampshire Grants became still more violent in their opposition, and formed new associations for mutual support. The proscribed persons, in an address to the people of the county of Albany, made this public declaration-" We will kill and destroy any person or persons, whomsoever, who shall presume to be accessary, aiding, or assisting in taking any of us."

SEC. XII. 1775. The coercive measures of the British government were not relinquished. Early in the present year, bills were passed for restraining the trade of New England, and of the middle, and southern colonies, with the exception of New York, Delaware, and North Carolina.

The manifest object of the ministry, in making this discrimination, was to promote disunion among the colonies. The plan, however, proved unsuccessful. The exempted colonies spurned the proffered favor, and submitted to the restraints imposed on their neighbors.

What success attended them?

-What act was passed in 1774 ?

-What was the object of

What measures were taken by the settlers? XII. What bills were passed in 1775 ?the ministry?. -How did the plan succeed?

At the time the restraining acts were framing, the as sembly of New York were preparing a petition for a redress of grievances. On the receipt of this petition, the British parliament were not a little disappointed to find the very "loyal assembly of New York" stating, " that an exemption from internal taxation, and the exclusive right of providing for their own civil government, and the administration of justice in the colony, were esteemed by them, as their undoubted and unalienable rights."

SEC. XIII. The controversy relative to the New Hampshire Grants continued to rage with unabated violence. In the spring of the present year, an event took place, which served still further to exasperate both parties.

In consequence of the differences existing with the British Government, the courts of justice held under the royal authority, in the adjacent provinces, were either shut up, or adjourned without transacting any business. At the time appointed, for the session of the court at Westminster, in the New Hampshire grants, some of the inhabitants of this, and the adjacent towns, took possession of the court house at an early hour, to prevent the officers of the court from entering.

The judges, on being refused admittance, at the customary hour of opening the court, retired to their quarters. About eleven o'clock at night, the sheriff and other officers attended by an armed force, repaired to the court house; when being again refused admittance, some of the party fired into the house, killed one man, and wounded several.

The people were highly inflamed by this rash proceeding, and, on the following day, assembled in large numbers. A coroner attended, and a jury of inquest brought in a verdict, that the man was murdered by the court party. Some of the officers were seized, and carried to the jail at Northampton in Massachusetts, but were released from confinement, on application to the chief justice of New York.

What was done by the assembly, while these acts were framing? -What statement did they make in this petition?

XIII. What is said of the controversy, concerning the Grants at this time?

Give some account of the occurrence at Westminster.

Committees of a large body of the people soon after met at Westminster, and amongst other measures, passed the following resolve. "That it is the duty of the inhabitants wholly to renounce and resist the administration of the government of New York, until such time, as their lives and property can be secured by it; or until they can have opportunity to lay their grievances before the king, with a petition to be annexed to some other government, or erected into a new one, as may appear best for the inhabitants."

SEC. XIV. Matters now appeared about to form a most sanguinary crisis. Both parties were in the highest state of resentment, and exasperation; when an event, the most tremendous in its consequences, arrested the attention of all, and gave a new channel to the torrent of popular fury.

The breaking out of the American war at Lexington, by presenting new scenes, and greater objects, seems to have prevented either party from proceeding to open hostilities, and turned their attention from their particular contest, to the general cause of America. Local and provincial contests were at once swallowed up, by the novelty, the grandeur, and the importance of the contest, which then opened between Britain and America.*

* Williams.

What measures were taken by the settlers?
What resolutions were passed at Westminster?

XIV. What is said of the controversy at this time? vented their proceeding to open hostilities?

10*

CHAP. XI.

COMMENCEMENT OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.

Convention

Origin of the controversy with Great Britain. State of affairs in the colony. appoint delegates to the Provincial Congress. War breaks out at Lexington. Disturbances in New York. Capture of Ticonderoga and Crown Point. Gov. Tryon arrives. Expedition against Canada. Surrender of Chambly, St Johns and Montreal. Montgomery appears before Quebec. His death. Inhabitants of Tryon county disarmed. Provincial troops enter New York. Americans evacuate Canada. Declaration of Independence.

SEC. I. The dissentions between the colonies and their mother country commenced soon after the peace of 1763; and originated in the right claimed by the king and parliament to tax the colonies, and to make laws binding them in all cases. The colonies contended, that taxation and representation were inseparable; and that, as they had no representation in the British parliament, such right could not exist.

Previous to the peace of '63, the colonies had been permitted to tax themselves without the interference of par

1. When did the dissensions between Great Britain and the colonies commence ?—In what did they originate?— What was contended by the colonies?

How had the colonies been taxed previous to 1763 ?

liament. The first act for the avowed purpose of raising a revenue from the colonies, was passed by the British parliament in 1764, laying a duty on sundry articles of American consumption. Of this act, the colonies highly disapproved, because it recognised a right to tax them without their consent. In pursuance of the same policy, the celebrated stamp act wass-passed the following year, and excited general indignation throughout the colonies.

SEC. 11. The controversy, thus introduced, had been continued for ten years, increasing in animosity; and had gathered strength and maturity from various circumstances of aggression and violence. The state of affairs during this period presents a series of coercive and oppressive measures, on the one hand, and of uniform and unshaken resistance on the other.

The Americans had no desire for a separation from England, and neither party appears to have anticipated a civil war. Both parties were resolutely determined not to abandon the ground they had assumed; and were indulging the hope, that they should ultimately find means to bring their opponents to submission. Matters were however obviously tending towards that point, at which, all hope of reconciliation must be banished for ever.

SEC. III. 1775. The second continental congress was to be assembled the present year at Philadelphia in May. The subject of sending delegates to this congress was agitated in the assembly of New York; and, on the refusal of that body to appoint them, a provincial con

When was the first act passed by the British parliament for this purpose ?- Why was it disapproved ?- -What other act is mentioned?

-Of the

II. What is said of the progress of the controversy ?state of affairs during this period?-Did the Americans desire a separation from England?What hope was indulged by both parties?

III. What congress in 1775 ?- -What was agitated in the New York Assembly?