voluntarily; and yet the major part of the merchants wished to see the trade free from restraint; but having in the height of their zeal, called in the populace as their servants, to intimidate those who refused to join in the combination, they were now forced to submit to them as their masters, under the influence of a few of the merchants, who still adhered to their first plan. Several of the last importers begged with tears, that they might be allowed to house their goods, but it was not granted. One who had been pretty sturdy, had a committee of tradesmen sent him, with an axe-man, a carpenter, at their head, who told him that there were a 1000 men waiting for his answer, and if he did not comply, there was no saying what would be the consequences. The strength of the argument prevailed; and a day or two after the paper published that he complied voluntarily. The Bostonians moreover resolved to break off all trade with the Newport people, because of their duplicity, and breaking through the non-importation agreement. The next month Hartford followed the example of Boston. But about the same time the New-Yorkers, by dexterous management, were brought to agree to import—“every thing except such articles as are, or may hereafter be, subject to duty for the purpose of raising a revenue in America.” Government gained a party in the committee of merchants, who took advantage of the charges brought against Boston of importing large quantities of goods; and Mr. Hancock was complained of for suffering them to be brought in his vessels. By these means they prepared the minds of the people for the execution of the plan they had concerted. They did not call a meeting of the citizens, in which the vote of the populace, procured by the arts of individuals, might prevail; but went through the several wards, and took the sense of the principal inhabitants separately, when it appeared that the majority were for importing. Upon the receipt of letters from Philadelphia and Boston, the sense of the inhabitants was again taken, and turned out as before. They were severely censured by the Philadelphians for their defection, and by others also. The letter of the committee to the merchants at Boston, informing them what agreement they had adopted, was contemptuously torn to pieces. When those Yorkers who were in the interest of government, began to concert their plan, they rested on assurances of what would be done in parliament, and knew not, for certain, that the duties on glass, paper and colours had been taken off; but the news of the obnoxious act being so far repealed, reached the continent before they had fully perfected the business, on the 10th of July.[102]