But for these towns, New England could not have been prompt to meet the crisis, and to assert the rights of the colonies by an armed resistance which made itself felt and respected from the very moment of the onset. By driving back the enemy discomfited, notwithstanding his partial suc cess, she gave confidence in the result of the war, if war must come.

It was through their organization that law was enforced and order sustained, during the period when war had subverted the administration of justice, which had previously existed, and peace had not arrived to substitute another. The towns organized under their own provisional government, as in the days of the earliest settlement, adopted regulations, and instituted an authority which reduced the refractory to obedience, and prevented the state of anarchy which must otherwise have existed to a greater or less degree.

It was through these towns that the great mass of the people of New England were not only prepared to throw off an allegiance which had become oppressive, but that they had anticipated the action of Congress upon that subject. The several averments or accusations in that bill of indictment, the Declaration of Independence, had been previously asserted and sustained by resolutions, over and over again, in the town-meetings of New England.

It was through these organizations, and not through a want of patriotism elsewhere, that the support of the declaration was more effectual in New England than in any other of the colonies.

That New England, like other communities, has and has had unworthy men within her borders, is doubtless true; that her soil and her resources teach her the salutary lessons of economy, has become proverbial. Founding himself on these facts, her character for patriotism in the war of the Revolu tion has been recently assailed by an English historian of

some distinction; and it may be proper to add a remark or two upon this subject, although it may lead to a restatement of some of the preceding matter.

Without intending any invidious comparisons, where in general all did well, and the credit of the successful issue is due to all, it is but justice to New England to declare, not only that in no other part of the country of the same extent was she excelled nay, equalled -in her expenditure of blood and treasure, which has often been said, and always proved when the occasion required proof; but that in no other part of the country could the war have begun with the same preparation on the part of so many of the inhabitants, and under circumstances so well calculated to inspire confidence in the result; and that in no other part could there have been the same efficiency in carrying it on.

If New England had been overcome, the war of the Revolution would have been an unsuccessful rebellion. And it is but a small measure of justice to the towns of New England to say, that this state of preparation, and this efficiency, were owing to their organizations, to the consultation of the inhabitants in town-meetings assembled, and to their powers to provide for the exigency by ammunition, provisions, money, and soldiers, growing out of that organization, as has already been stated.

Stores of that great sinew of war, ammunition, the want of which was such a constant source of complaint, were found nowhere to the same extent as in New England; and much of it was provided by the towns.

Were supplies of provisions to be had at short notice? It was not by foraging among friends as if they were enemies: but the towns were called upon, and the supplies were generally forthcoming; not always, it is true, in the ample manner desired, for there was not always sufficient ability when the will consented.

Was money required to carry on the operation of a cam