Narrative and Critical History of America, Vol. 6 (of 8): The United States of North America, Part I
History
Narrative and Critical History of America, Vol. 6 (of 8): The United States of North America, Part I
America -- Discovery and exploration; America -- History; United States -- History
After a water-color painted by Miss Eliza Susan Quincy in 1822. The
house was built in 1770, by the father of the patriot, Josiah Quincy,
Jr. The original sketch is among the Quincy MSS. in the Mass. Hist.
Soc. cabinet. Cf. cut in _Appleton's Journal_, xiv. 161. Of Josiah
Quincy, Jr., there was an engraving made in his lifetime, which was
held to be a good likeness, and from this, and with the family's
assistance, Stuart, fifty years after Quincy's death, painted the
picture which is engraved in the _Mem. Hist. Boston_, iii. 37.]
[Illustration: HEADING OF A HANDBILL.
Fac-simile of the top portion of an original broadside in Mass. Hist.
Society's library. The bills were that for the impartial administration
of justice, and that for better regulating the government of the
province of Massachusetts Bay.]
The earliest significant movement in 1774 was the impeachment
of Peter Oliver, chief justice, and younger brother of the late
lieutenant-governor, for receiving his salary from the crown,—the
controversy respecting the governor and other officers being thus made
independent of the people, having been one which had been active for
two years past.[262]
Gen. Gage had landed in Boston May 17th, to put in force, June 1st,
what is known as the Boston Port Bill (approved March 31, 1774), or _An
Act to discontinue, in such manner, and for such time as are therein
mentioned, the landing and discharging, lading or shipping, of goods,
wares, and merchandise, at the town, and within the harbour of Boston,
in the province of Massachuset's Bay, in North America_.[263]
While Salem and Marblehead were thus made chief ports of entry, the
commerce of Boston was suddenly checked, and the town was forced to a
dependence for succor upon other towns and other colonies.[264]
The effect of the measures on the other colonies was instant and
widespread.[265]
One of the immediate results in Massachusetts because of these
oppressive acts was a retaliatory "Solemn League and Covenant" agreed
upon in the provincial assembly,—a combination made more or less
effectual by the active agency of Boston and Worcester in issuing
broadsides against the use of imported British goods.[266]
In July, 1774, close upon his arrival in London, Hutchinson held an
interview with the king, and set forth his opinions of the condition of
affairs in the colonies.[267]
In August, 1774, Gage received the two acts mentioned in the annexed
fac-simile of a handbill.[268]
It is claimed by Dawson[269] that the movements of 1774 in New York
Were precipitated by the merchants and their adherents, "aristocratic
smugglers", who formally organized themselves in May, 1774; and it was
on the 6th of July that Alexander Hamilton made his stirring appeal at
"the great meeting in the fields."[270] Further south a similar spirit
prevailed.[271]
[Illustration: HANDBILL.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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