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CHAP. safe for the government to show a confidence in the people." "I will cram the stamps down their throats with 1765. my sword," said an officer. The churchmen preached obedience to the king-the "Lord's anointed." William Livingston answered, "The people are the Lord's anointed,' though named 'mob and rabble'-the people are the darling of Providence."

Colonel Barre, in his famous speech, characterized those in America who opposed British oppression, as "Sons of Liberty." He read them rightly; Sons of Liberty they were, and destined to be free; they felt it; they adopted the name, it became the watchword under which they rallied. Associations called by this name sprang up as if by magic, and in a few weeks spread from Massachusetts to Maryland. They would neither use stamps nor permit the distributers to remain in office.

One morning the famous Liberty Tree in Boston was found decorated with the effigies of some of the friends of the English ministry. The mob compelled Oliver, the secretary of the colony, who had been appointed stamp distributer, to resign, and promise that he would not aid Aug. in their distribution. They also attacked the houses of

some of the other officials. The patriots protested against these lawless proceedings. Five hundred Connecticut farmers came into Wethersfield and compelled Jared Ingersol, the stamp officer for that colony, to resign, and then take off his hat and give three cheers for "Liberty, Property, and no stamps." Such was the feeling, and Nov. such the result, that when the day came, on which the law was to go into effect, not one stamp officer could be found-all had resigned.

1.

June.

The General Court of Massachusetts issued a circular in June, inviting all the colonies to send delegates to a convention or Congress, to be held at New York, on the first Tuesday of the following October. Accordingly, on

THE CONGRESS IN SESSION.

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the day named delegates from nine of the colonies met at CHAP. the place appointed.

The idea of a union of the colonies dates as far back 1765. as the days of William Penn, who was the first to suggest it; but now the question was discussed by the various committees of correspondence. At a convention which met at Albany eleven years before this, Benjamin Franklin had proposed a plan of union. This was adopted and laid before the Assemblies of the colonies, and the Board of Trade, for ratification. It met with a singular fate. The Assemblies rejected it, because it was too aristocratic, and the Board of Trade because it was too democratic.

The Congress met and spent three weeks in deliberation. They drew up a Declaration of Rights, a Memorial to both Houses of Parliament, and a Petition to the king. They claimed the right of being taxed only by their own representatives, premising, that because of the distance, and for other reasons, they could not be represented in the House of Commons, but in their own Assemblies. These documents were signed by nearly all the delegates, and transmitted to England. The colonial Assemblies, at their earliest days of meeting, gave to these proceedings of the Congress their cordial approval. Thus the Union was consummated, by which the colonies "became as a bundle of sticks which could neither be bent nor broken." While the Congress was in session, a ship with stamps on board made its appearance in the bay. Placards were posted throughout the city, threatening those who should attempt to use them. "I am resolved to have the stamps distributed," said Colden, the governor. "Let us see who will dare to put the act into execution," said the Sons of Liberty.

On the last day of October all the royal governors, except the governor of Rhode Island, took the oath to carry into execution the Stamp Act. On the next day the law was to go into effect. But not a stamp was to be

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CHAP. seen; instead, in every colony the bells were tolled, and XXV. the flags lowered to half-mast-indications that the pas1765. sage of this act was regarded as "the funeral of liberty."

1766.

The merchants of New York, Boston, and Philadelphia, agreed to send no orders to England for merchandise, to countermand those already sent, and to receive no goods on commission till the act was repealed. They were sustained by the people, who pledged themselves not to use the products of English manufacturers, but to encourage their own. Circulars were sent throughout the land inviting to harmonious action; these were responded to with a hearty good-will. Luxuries were dispensed with, and homespun was more honorable than ever.

The infatuated ministry, in view of this opposition, resolved to modify, not to repeal the law. It would detract from their dignity, to comply with the request of the colonists. "Sooner," said one of them, "than make our colonies our allies, I would wish to see them returned to their primitive deserts."

Infirm health had compelled Pitt to retire from active life. "My resolution is taken," said he, "and if I can crawl or be carried to London, I will deliver my mind and heart upon the state of America." When accused by Grenville of exciting sedition, "Sir," said he in reply, "I have been charged with giving birth to sedition in America. Sorry I am to have the liberty of speech in this house imputed as a crime. But the imputation will not deter me; it is a liberty I mean to exercise. The gentleman tells us that America is obstinate; that America is almost in rebellion. I rejoice that America has resisted." The sentiment startled the house; he continued: "If they had submitted, they would have voluntarily become slaves. They have been driven to madness by injustice. My opinion is, that the Stamp Act should be repealed, absolutely, totally, immediately." The celebrated Edmund

THE STAMP ACT REPEALED-REJOICINGS.

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Burke, then a young man rising into notice, advocated the CHAP. repeal with great eloquence.

The House of Commons wished to inquire still further 1766 of the temper of the Americans before taking the vote. They accordingly called witnesses to their bar, among whom was Benjamin Franklin. His knowledge was the most perfect, and his testimony had the greatest effect upon their minds. He said the colonists could not pay for the stamps for want of gold and silver; that they had borne more than their share of expense in the last war, and that they were laboring under debts contracted by it; that they would soon supply themselves with domestic manufactures; that they had been well disposed toward the mother country, but recent laws were lessening their affection, and soon all commerce would be broken up, unless those laws were repealed; and finally, that they never would submit to taxes imposed by those who had no authority. The vote was taken, and the Stamp Act was Mar. repealed; not because it was unjust, but because it could not be enforced. The people of the English commercial cities manifested their joy; bonfires were lighted, the ships displayed their gayest colors, and the city of London itself was illuminated. Expresses were sent to the seaports, that the news might reach America as soon as possible.

The rejoicings in the colonies were equally as great. In Boston, the bell nearest to the Liberty Tree was the first to ring; soon gay flags and banners were flying from the shipping, from private dwellings, and from the steeples of the meeting-houses. Amidst the joy, the unfortunate were not forgotten, and those immured in the debtor's prison, were released by the contributions of their friends. The ministers, from their pulpits, offered thanksgiving in the name of the whole people, and the associations against importing merchandise from England were dissolved. New York, Virginia, and Maryland, each voted a statue to Pitt, who became more than ever a popular idol.

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In the midst of these troubles the cause of education and religion was not forgotten. The Rev. Eleazar Whee1766. lock established at Lebanon, in Connecticut, a school tc educate Indian boys, and train them as teachers for their own race. Success attended the effort. A grant of fortyfour thousand acres of land induced him to remove the school to Hanover, New Hampshire. Under the name of Dartmouth, a charter as a college was granted it, by Wentworth, the governor. The Earl of Dartmouth, a Methodist, a friend of John Wesley, aided it, was one of its trustees, and took charge of the funds contributed for it in England-hence the name.

1769.

The establishment of this institution was one of the effects of the Great Revival. In the midst of the native forest of pines the work was commenced. The principal and his students dwelt in log-cabins, built by their own hands.