1771 The liberty of reporting Parliamentary debates, 1062 North's ministry gathers strength, 1063 1772 Royal Marriage Law, 1064 Fate of the Queen of Denmark, 1064 Division of Poland, 1065 Constitution of Poland, 1065 1773 =Organized opposition in America=, 1067 1774 Dunning's petition rejected, 1068 1772 The India Company's difficulties, 1069 1774 Boston Port Bill, 1070 Massachusetts Government Bill, 1070 Crisis of the quarrel, 1070 Acts of the General Congress, 1071 1775 Chatham's motions for reconciliation, 1071 Skirmish at Lexington, 1072 The Canada Bill, 1072 =The Congress assumes sovereign authority=, 1073 Washington commander-in-chief, 1073 Battle of Bunker's Hill, 1073 The Olive Branch Petition, 1075 Attack on Canada, 1075 1776 Howe retires to Halifax, 1076 Fresh offers of conciliation rejected, 1076 =Declaration of Independence=, 1077 Battle of Brooklyn, 1077 1777 Washington recovers New Jersey, 1079 Threefold plan of the English, 1079 Howe's expedition against Philadelphia, 1080 Battle of Germanstown, 1080 Washington reorganizes the army, 1081 =Burgoyne's disasters=, 1081 1776 =Effect of American affairs in Parliament=, 1082 1777 Increase of the Civil List, 1082 =France acknowledges the independence of America=, 1084 Chatham's energy in Parliament, 1084 1778 North's Conciliation Bill, 1085 Rupture with France, 1085 Death of Chatham, 1086 Laws against Roman Catholics repealed, 1087 =America rejects North's conciliatory offers=, 1087 Effect of the alliance between America and France, 1088 Weakness of North's ministry, 1088 1779 Difficulties in Ireland, 1090