The news of a partial repeal did not satisfy the colonists. But they attempted in vain to keep up the non-importation agreement after the defection of New-York. The Boston merchants at length, in a meeting held at the coffee-house in October, unanimously voted to alter it, and adopt the same plan of importing with that of the New-Yorkers. It appeared to be the sense of the one and the other, and also of the Philadelphians, that no tea should be imported; and that if any was brought into the several ports, it should be smuggled to avoid paying the duty. The Virginia house of burgesses, in a petition to his majesty, expressed their exceeding great concern and deep affliction upon finding, that the several acts imposing duties for the purpose of raising a revenue in America, were continued; and said, “A partial suspension of duties, and these such only as were imposed upon British manufactures, cannot remove the too well grounded fears and apprehensions of your majesty’s subjects, whilst impositions are continued on the same articles of foreign fabric, and entirely retained upon tea, for the avowed purpose of establishing a precedent against us.” The present year was marked by a different scene of blood than what offered in February, which could not be introduced in the order of time, without breaking the thread of the preceding narration. Outrages had been committed by the soldiers; and frequent quarrels had happened between them and the inhabitants of Boston, who viewed the military as come to dragoon them into obedience to statutes, instructions, and mandates that were thoroughly detested. Each day gave rise to new occurrences which augmented the animosity. Reciprocal insults soured the tempers, and mutual injuries embittered the passions of the opposite parties. Beside, some fiery spirits who resented the indignity of having soldiers quartered among them, were continually exciting the town’s people to quarrel with the troops. Not only so, but a pompous news-paper account of a victory obtained by the inhabitants of New-York over the soldiers there in an affray, undoubtedly excited the resentment of the military at Boston, and exultations among their opponents, and thus increased the ferment. Every thing tended to a crisis; and it is rather wonderful that it did not exist sooner, when so many circumstances united to hasten its approach. The lieutenant governor did not attend to those things properly, and was not sufficiently careful to prevent consequences, by strongly urging the officers to keep their men in the barracks as much as possible, and to maintain the strictest discipline. He was desirous of recommending himself both to them and the commissioners, and therefore was very cautious lest he should offend either.