First settlements in Massachusetts: sketch of revolutionary events in
this province: its actual condition.
The first settlements made in that part of North America called
Massachusetts, owed their origin to the religious persecutions in
England under the reigns of Elizabeth, James I. and Charles the first.
The history of the first emigrants, who came to seek amidst the savages
of the New World, liberty of conscience, which the _European_ philosophy
of the seventeenth century refused them, offers nothing but a mournful
picture of continual struggles against climate, disease and famine. It
was not until 1630, that they were reinforced by a more numerous and
better regulated expedition, which aided them in founding the towns of
Boston, Charlestown and Salem. Cromwell, Hampden and many others who
exercised so terrible an influence over the revolution that broke out
soon after, were to have accompanied this expedition: they were already
on board the ships, and were about to seek in the New World, occupations
for their ardent dispositions, which would perhaps have been less
excited here, than in the presence of tyranny, when Charles the first,
as if urged by some fatality, had them arrested and brought back to
land.
It is a fact, worthy of remark, that the majority of these emigrants who
relinquished their country, families and friends solely to escape
religious persecution, and who by consequence might be supposed to hate
their persecutors, continued, notwithstanding their exile, attached to
the English government, and honoured the names of their kings in the
land of their refuge by bestowing them upon the rivers they discovered,
upon the towns they founded, and the monuments they erected. Was it from
habitual reverence for royalty, which in spite of its crimes, appeared
still sacred to them, that they acted thus? Or was it merely to cover
and protect the weakness of their settlements with the name of a
powerful authority, and at the same time pay a sort of tribute to the
English government, the self constituted proprietor of these vast
regions, _by right of discovery_, which would not have allowed the
colonists peace, if they seemed desirous of dissolving all ties, and
obliterating all recollections of the mother country? The latter appears
to us, to be the most probable, and is sufficiently confirmed by the
following declaration drawn up and signed by the _Pilgrims_, who landed
in 1620 at New Plymouth.
“In the name of God, amen, We, whose names are underwritten, the loyal
subjects of our dread sovereign Lord, King James, by the grace of God,
of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, king, defender of the faith, and
having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the
Christian faith, and honour of our king and country, a voyage to plant
the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do by these
presents, solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God and of one
another, covenant and combine ourselves together in a civil body
politick, for our better ordering and preservation, and furtherance of
the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute and frame
such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and offices,
from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the
general good of the colony; unto which we promise all due submission and
obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names.
Cape Cod, eleventh of November in the year of the reign of our sovereign
Lord, king James of England, France and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of
Scotland the fifty-fourth. A. D. 1620.”
This act, as is evident, even in appearing to recognize the authority of
England, claims for the colonists the direct administration of their
affairs, and laid the foundation of that spirit of Independence, which
more than a century afterwards threw off the yoke of the mother country,
when she wished to return to the exercise of a despotism, which she
seemed to consider her prescriptive right. In order to secure its right
of sovereignty over Massachusetts, the English government in 1692, under
the reign of William and Mary, usurped the right of appointing governors
of this province: this however fell short of its aim, as the right of
fixing and paying the governor’s salaries, was left with the provincial
legislature, so that he was without power or influence. The English
government soon perceived its error, and wished to correct it, and
thenceforth the misunderstandings commenced between the colonies and the
mother country, in which the latter increased their resistance, in
proportion as the demands of the former were augmented.
The privileges of the different powers were soon entirely confounded.
The governor was invested by the crown with the right of erecting courts
and nominating judges; privileges which were vividly contested by the
people, who claimed them as legislative prerogatives. Notwithstanding
the multifarious encroachments of the crown, the colony, even when most
actively opposing them, remained still attached to the mother country,
and willingly aided her in the colonial war she had to sustain against
France in 1744. After this war, which had alternately been renewed and
suspended during sixteen years, with various successes and reverses, and
which finally terminated in the ruin of the French colonies, the
colonists hoped that the gratitude of England for the services they had
rendered, would assure them thenceforth the enjoyment of their rights
and liberties, acquired by every kind of sacrifice; but scarcely had two
years elapsed after the establishment of peace, before all their hopes
were blighted.
England at that time triumphed by land and sea; her commercial
preponderance was felt in all parts of the world, and aroused the envy
of all European nations. But this glory with which she was intoxicated,
was not acquired without waste of treasure, and the contracting of
immense debts. To pay these debts, and re-establish her finances, new
sources of revenue were to be created, and her attention was turned
towards her colonies.
The colonies had made an immense profit by their West India trade, and
by the aid of a good administration had found means to form a sinking
fund, which enabled them to pay their debts, and successively to
increase their importations of English manufactures. The cupidity of the
crown was excited by this prosperity, and from that moment ministerial
adroitness was exercised in nothing but varying the means of extracting
money from the colonists. The commanders on the coasts were converted
into harsh excisemen, charged to _repress unlawful commerce_, and
_prevent smuggling_. These commanders, assured of impunity, since they
were only to be tried by the courts of Great Britain, were not backward
in making illegal seizures, for their own profit. The import duties were
raised to the highest pitch, and these duties were made exclusively
payable in gold or silver, which rendered the paper money circulated
among the colonists of no value. In short, the new system introduced by
the English minister, became as tyrannical as ruinous, because at the
moment enormous duties were imposed, it annihilated the means of paying
them. Emboldened by the forbearance of the colonists, the British
government knew not where to stop, and in the year 1765, the oppressive
law called the _stamp act_ was passed, which ordered, that for the
future all contracts, wills, deeds, &c. should be drawn on stamp paper,
under penalty of being rendered null, and imposed a tax on this paper,
destined to pay the expenses of the _last American war_. This law
produced universal exasperation, as soon as it was made known; it became
the subject of conversation and discussion in all public and private
societies; every one looked to the past, and recapitulated with
bitterness the outrages perpetrated by England, and from that moment, it
may be said, the revolutionary fire was kindled. From supplications and
remonstrances, to which the colonists had hitherto confined themselves,
they advanced to threats; the people of Massachusetts especially,
expressed their resentment forcibly. It was at the instigation of this
state, that a congress formed of deputies from many provinces, assembled
at New York, on the 7th of October. This Congress, composed of men
respectable for their characters and information, and which eventually
served as the model of the Congress that so gloriously conducted the war
of the revolution, published an energetic declaration of the rights of
the colonies; a view of the oppressions of England; a petition to the
king, and a memorial to parliament. These acts of Congress produced an
effect upon parliament, which was augmented by the presence and writings
of Benjamin Franklin, who was then in London, and had been called before
the house of Commons to be examined relative to the complaints of his
fellow citizens. He presented himself with characteristic modesty, and a
republican simplicity, which was singularly in contrast with the
insolent splendor of the minions of power, who attended his examination
in crowds, in hopes of seeing him humbled, whom they regarded as a
rebel, for presuming to speak of the rights of man in the presence of
royalty. His calm answers and profound arguments produced a great
impression upon the assembly, causing the promoters of the stamp act to
reconsider the matter, and determined them to withdraw this monument of
their ignorance and tyranny.
In proportion to the height the indignation of the Americans had been
raised by the passage of the stamp act, was their joy on hearing of its
repeal. The British government however, did not profit by this return of
public feeling to a milder mood; not only were all the odious
restrictions upon the colonial commerce continued, but the stamp act was
followed by an equally intolerable duty upon the paper, tea, glass and
colours imported by the colonists from England. But the preamble to this
act was most especially grevious to the colonists; as it announced that
the product of these new taxes should be placed at the disposal of
parliament, to defray the expenses of the colonial administration, and
particularly to pay the salaries of the governors and judges, who would
thereby be rendered independent of the provincial Legislatures and made
dependent upon the ministry. A permanent administration to superintend
these taxes was created by parliament and established at Boston. The
people of Massachusetts could not be deceived as to the views of the
ministry; accustomed for a long time to discuss and manage their own
affairs they resolved not voluntarily to submit to the disgrace of being
governed by an unlawful authority, appointed at a distance of more than
3,000 miles. The representative assembly was then convened, and
protested against the taxes and the use to be made of them; and they
addressed a circular to the other provincial assemblies, in which, after
recapitulating their privileges, and the oppressions of England, they
conclude by asking for their co-operation in resisting a tyranny which
daily pressed with increased weight upon the colonies. This step was
treated as infamous and rebellious by the servants of the crown, who
redoubled their vexations. Two English regiments arrived, which being
refused quarters in the city, by the council, landed under protection of
their ships, with fixed bayonets and two pieces of cannon, and
established their guard-house in front of the state house, which was
thus turned into a barrack. The city was thenceforth in the power of the
military, who scoured the streets, insulting the citizens, disturbing
their rest or business, and interrupting even their religious exercises
by the continual noise of their martial music.
Under these circumstances the assembly was convoked at Boston, but did
not meet, declaring that they did not feel at liberty in presence of an
armed force; the session was consequently removed to Cambridge, where
the governor had the impudence to present himself and demand funds to
pay the troops; which being refused, the assembly was dissolved.
However, a change in the English ministry had determined parliament to
suppress all the duties except that on tea; but this apparent return to
a system of moderation in no way appeased the resentment of the citizens
of Massachusetts, who saw nothing but caprice in the measure, or a new
method employed by parliament to establish its right of interference in
colonial affairs; and they determined not to abandon the contested
point.
A circumstance soon after occurred in Boston, which might have been
followed by the most serious consequences. The English soldiers
accustomed to regard the citizens as rebels, treated them with severity;
and the citizens irritated by their incessant ill treatment, cherished a
violent hatred against the troops, allowing no opportunity of expressing
their dislike to escape. On the 5th of March, 1770, a detachment under
command of Captain Preston was insulted by some boys, who, it is said,
pelted them with snow balls, and abused them. Blinded by resentment, the
soldiers charged and fired upon the crowd, wounding five dangerously,
others slightly, and killing three outright. The citizens immediately
flew to arms, and but for the intervention of the governor and
magistrates, Preston and his men would have been exterminated. The troop
were arrested and tried, but such was the feeling of justice that
animated the inhabitants of Boston, that the jurors, convinced that the
soldiers had been provoked, entirely acquitted them.
This event convinced the popular party that an open struggle with the
mother country was unavoidable, and that they must prepare for it. In
consequence, secret committees of correspondence were organized, in
order to regulate the measures that would soon have to be adopted. The
utility of this organization, then called the _league_ and _covenant_,
soon became apparent.
From the time the tax on tea was established, the Bostonians resolved to
relinquish its use, rather than receive it from the English, and
thenceforward the East India company received no more orders. The
company, however sorry for the loss of their market, determined to send
several cargoes of tea to their agents in Boston who would pay the
duties and thus avoid the difficulty. But scarcely was the arrival of
these cargoes known, before the public agitation became great. The next
morning the following hand bill was widely circulated through the city.
“Friends, brethren, fellow citizens!
“The accursed tea sent to this port by the East India
company has arrived. The hour of destruction, or of vigorous
resistance to the machinations of tyranny has struck. All those who
love their country, who are jealous of their own happiness and who
wish to deserve well of posterity, are invited to assemble at
Faneuil Hall, to day at 9 o’clock (the bells will then ring) to
concert a determined resistance to this destructive and infamous
measure of the administration.
Boston 29th. Nov. 1773.”
The citizens eagerly responded to this patriotic call. The concourse was
so great that the Hall could not contain the people, and they were
obliged to adjourn to a more ample space; the discussions which were
commenced and continued at this meeting prevented any resolution from
being adopted on that day. The meeting adjourned until next day, and 500
persons under command of Capt. Proctor were appointed to watch that the
tea should not be landed during the night. The meeting of the 30th. was
still more numerous, and the ardor of the citizens was farther augmented
by the governor’s proclamation, which commanded them to renounce their
projected resistance to the law, and to disperse on peril of their
lives. The governor’s orders were treated with universal contempt, and
the meeting calmly proceeded to draft several propositions which were
accepted, and it was decided, that those who had used the tea without
reflection since the tax was laid, should be censured, and that those
who received it for the future should be declared enemies to their
country. The members of the assembly pledged themselves by oath, to
support the different resolutions with their lives and fortunes; after
which they voted thanks to their neighbours of the vicinity of Boston
for the promptness with which they had joined them, and also to Jonah
Williams for the manner in which he had acted as _moderator_. After
appointing a committee to hasten the departure of the tea ships, the
meeting adjourned. Many days were spent in negotiation between the
committee and the authorities without producing the departure of the
vessels.
On the 15th of December, a more numerous meeting of citizens than had
yet been collected, occurred; more than two thousand persons from the
country were present. Samuel Philips Savage, of Weston, was chosen
moderator, and Mr. Rotch, owner of one of the vessels, was cited before
the meeting to account for her remaining in port, and declared that the
collector of the customs had refused to clear her. He was directed to
have her ready to sail that day, at his own risk and peril, to protest
immediately against the custom house, and to address the governor
directly for a clearance. The meeting was about to adjourn until the
next day, but Josiah Quincy, Jr. an influential member of the popular
party, endowed with great energy of character, detained his fellow
citizens and reminded them of their pledge in the city to _sustain all_
their resolutions at peril of their lives and fortunes. At a quarter
past six Mr. Rotch returned. The governor’s answer was, that for the
honour of the laws, and the respect due to the king, he would not allow
the ships to depart, until all formalities should be freely and fully
concluded by the custom house. This answer produced much commotion in
the meeting. Immediately a man who was in the gallery dressed in the
costume of a Mohawk Indian, uttered a _war whoop_, which was re-echoed
by about thirty persons at the door, dressed in the same manner, when
the meeting was dissolved as if by enchantment. The crowd hastened
towards the harbor. The men disguised as Indians, rushed on board the
tea ships, and in less than two hours, all the tea chests were broken
open and thrown into the sea; every thing else on board was left
untouched; and after this expedition, the multitude withdrew silently
and in order. This scene occurred in presence of several vessels of war,
and as it were under the eyes and guns of the garrison of the fort,
without the government attempting to make the least resistance, so grand
and so imposing is the anger of a people who throw off the shackles of
tyranny.
The names of the citizens disguised as Indians were never made known;
several of them are said to be still living, and enjoy with modesty the
happiness of having struck the first blow which shook the royal power on
the American continent.
The national pride of Great Britain, became indignant at the news of
this resistance, which was called an outrage against the royal majesty.
The governor and governed, all uttered the same cry, vengeance! war!
against the rebel colonists; and this cry was followed by a host of
laws, each more tyrannical than the other, by the aid of which they
hoped to alarm and reduce the province of Massachusetts. The port of
Boston was interdicted for an unlimited time; the provincial charter was
destroyed; the citizens were torn from their natural jurisdiction; the
appointment of magistrates was placed at the special pleasure of the
crown, which also arrogated to itself the right of billeting its
soldiers in the houses of the citizens. Far from being disheartened or
intimidated by the audacious folly of the English government, the
inhabitants of Massachusetts redoubled their activity. A new assembly of
the people was convoked at Boston in which an appeal was made to God and
the world, against the tyranny and oppression of England. An exhortation
was addressed to the other colonies, beseeching them to unite with
Massachusetts for the maintenance and defence of their common liberties.
The other colonies were not regardless of this appeal, and many of the
legislatures declared that the first of June, upon which the port of
Boston was shut up, should be ranked among unfortunate days, and the
bells on that day were muffled and tolled; the people in crowds attended
the churches, and sought the protection of the Deity against those who
meditated civil war, and the destruction of their liberties.
The assembly of Massachusetts adjourned to meet at Salem, but Governor
Gage, prevented the meeting. The members of assembly formed themselves
into a private society, under the name of the _League_, in which they
reciprocally pledged themselves, before God, to suspend all relations
with Great Britain, until her unjust laws should be repealed. The
governor declared this league to be criminal, and contrary to the rights
of the king, and this declaration was in turn treated as tyrannical,
since it opposed the people in attending to their own especial
interests; and the indignant people, after forcing the crown magistrates
to resign their functions, swore no longer to obey any other authorities
than those of their own creation, and to recognize no other law than the
ancient laws of the colony.
The suspension of all commerce soon plunged the inhabitants of Boston
into the deepest distress; their necessities daily multiplied and were
felt with increased severity, yet no one thought of compounding with
tyranny. In spite of the injunctions of the English government, the
citizens of Marblehead and Salem hastened to alleviate the sufferings of
their Boston brethren; they furnished them with provisions and money;
offered them the free use of their ports, wharves and warehouses, for
the renewal of their commerce, which could no longer be carried on at
home, yet without which it was almost impossible for them to subsist.
Encouraged by these evidences of the approbation of their compatriots,
the Bostonians were confirmed in their resolution of maintaining the
justice of their cause by force of arms. They began immediately to make
preparations; companies of minute men were organized in the city and
throughout the province. At the first sound of the first call of the
league, or the first report of a new outrage by the English, these
minute men were to take up arms and attack the aggressors wherever to be
met with. Magazines of arms and ammunition were collected with address
and activity. For several months, about thirty young mechanics had
formed a volunteer company for the purpose of watching the movements of
the English and informing their fellow citizens; towards the spring of
1775 they increased their activity, and every night patroled the streets
two by two. About midnight on the 15th of April, they observed that all
the boats were launched and ready astern of the ships of war, and that
the grenadiers and light infantry were making preparations, they gave
immediate notice of this to Dr. Warren, who despatched a messenger
forthwith to John Hancock and Samuel Adams with the news, they having
left the city to avoid being arrested by the governor, who, it was
reported, had issued orders to that effect. On the 18th additional
indications of some projected movement were perceived. The Light
infantry and grenadiers were concentrated upon the common, and at 10
o’clock at night, 800 men under command of Colonel Smith embarked, and
landed at Lechmere point, near Cambridge, whence, after receiving a
day’s rations, they marched at midnight. This expedition was destined to
destroy the magazines established by the league at Concord. The secrecy
observed in the camp, and the silence maintained during the march, led
the English to believe that no one in Boston suspected their departure.
They pressed forward by moonlight, and arrived at Lexington by daylight,
six miles from Concord. But the calm which had previously existed, was
now interrupted by the beating of drums through the country, which
seemed to call the inhabitants to arms, and a company of about sixty
Americans suddenly appeared before them. The English immediately halted,
closed up their ranks, and loaded their arms: the Lexington company did
the same, and were ordered not to abandon the ground without orders, nor
to be the first to fire. Scarcely were these arrangements made, when
Major Pitcairn, commanding the British advanced guard, came forward and
cried out in an insolent voice, “throw down your arms and disperse, you
rebel scoundrels.” This audacious summons was not answered, and Pitcairn
ordered his troops to fire: they eagerly obeyed, and eight hundred
Englishmen were not ashamed to utter shouts of joy in commencing so
unequal a combat, in which sixty citizens offered with devotion their
lives as a sacrifice in the holy cause of their country.
The Americans received the first fire with firmness; one of them seeing
a friend fall at his side, cried out “you shall be revenged,” fired upon
the English, and the war of independence was begun. But the Americans
could not long sustain themselves against so unequal a force. They
abandoned the ground, leaving eight killed and several wounded, around
whom the British proudly defiled, insulting them with shouts of victory.
Having reposed for some time after this _terrible_ battle, the fierce
defenders of the crown marched for Concord, where they arrived at nine
o’clock. They found the inhabitants in great agitation, but still
ignorant of the assassination of their fellow citizens at Lexington. A
company of citizens occupied the bridge, and this time the British fired
without any summons to surrender: the citizens of Concord warmly
returned their first fire, killing some soldiers and officers of the
king, after which, too weak to sustain a battle, they dispersed and
abandoned the magazines to the English, which they destroyed in a few
hours.
The alarm was soon spread throughout the country; the tocsin called to
arms all who were able to bear them, and in a short time the English
found themselves so surrounded, that they began to feel that their
retreat would not be so easy as their two victories. From Concord to
Lexington their march was nothing better than a disorderly flight; the
well sustained and well directed fire of the rebels, who were concealed
along their route, in the barns, gardens, behind the trees and in the
ditches, did not allow them to halt a moment to defend themselves. At
Lexington they were met by Lord Percy, who at the head of six companies
of infantry, a corps of marines, and two companies of artillery, which
came in time to prevent their entire destruction, but not to save them
from disgrace. Notwithstanding this reinforcement, they still reached
Charlestown with great difficulty, where they passed the night under the
protection of the guns of the ships; the next morning they re-entered
Boston, after having lost in this sad expedition, nearly two hundred
men, in killed and wounded.
It would be difficult to depict the astonishment and humiliation of the
English, at finding themselves thus driven back by the rebels, and
blockaded in their entrenchments by an undisciplined multitude.
The royal army, however, was speedily reinforced by 12,000 men from
England, commanded by General Burgoyne, Clinton and Howe. General Gage
resolved to strike a great blow against the spirit of insurrection, in
order to wipe off the disgrace of the rout at Lexington; he commenced by
a proclamation in which he announced the vigorous enforcement of martial
law, and promised entire pardon to all those who laid down their arms.
Samuel Adams and John Hancock had the honour of being excepted from this
general amnesty. This distinction was in fact well merited by their
ardent love of liberty, their intelligence, patriotic virtues, and the
immense influence they exercised over the minds of the people.
This proclamation was received as all the promises and threats of
despotism should be; it was entirely disregarded; and the people closed
up their ranks.
While the English army remained shut up in Boston, and upon the narrow
tongue of land, which unites the city with the continent, 30,000
Americans kept them rigorously blockaded. Their right was in front on
the Dedham road, their centre at Cambridge, and their left wing
especially composed of Massachusetts troops, rested upon Charlestown, a
village separated from Boston by a narrow stream, traversed by a bridge.
The English general resolved to escape by this bridge, from his
unfortunate position; but the Americans suspected his plan, and hastened
to prevent its execution. During the night, a thousand men under the
command of Colonel Prescott established and entrenched themselves upon
Breed’s Hill, a small eminence, which commanded the city of Boston, and
the Charlestown bridge. When the British at day-break discovered the
redoubt, which Colonel Prescott’s little troop had thrown up with so
much diligence, they attempted but in vain to destroy it; General Gage
then thought it highly important to the safety of his army, that the
Americans should be dislodged from this commanding position, and made
his arrangements accordingly. Major general Howe at the head of ten
companies of grenadiers, ten companies of infantry, and some field
pieces, landed at Moreton point, and formed his troops in line of
battle; but perceiving that the Americans were not intimidated by this
hostile demonstration, he thought it advisable to wait for a
reinforcement, which he immediately demanded from Boston. This delay
gave the Americans time to receive additional troops, which were led by
General Warren, and to complete their plan of defence. The English began
this attack by burning Charlestown; in a few minutes this village
containing more than five hundred wooden buildings was devoured by the
flames.
The inhabitants of Boston, and the reserve of the English army were
gazing from the amphitheatre formed by the heights of the city, with
equal anxiety upon the dreadful battle, with the results of which the
destinies of each were equally connected.
On the 17th of June 1775, at one o’clock, the English army moved slowly
to the fight, with shouldered arms, exhibiting that calmness, which is
inspired by a long habit of military discipline. The Americans awaited
them firmly, with the coolness and resolution that is always imparted by
love of liberty. The English had already approached within thirty yards
of the entrenchments, without a single gun being fired to break the
ominous silence, under which their movements were made, when suddenly
they received a volley of musketry so fatally aimed that their ranks
were disordered, broken, and flying in confusion towards the shore,
leaving behind them a great number of their officers killed and wounded.
A second attack was followed by a similar result, and even at this time
the English soldiers were thrown into such a panic that many of them
sought refuge in the boats. Their officers could neither check their
flight nor rally them except by resorting to the severest measures.
Finally, a third attack, supported by some pieces of artillery, aided by
the fire of several ships, and two floating batteries, was completely
successful. The Americans, forced from their entrenchments, still
defended themselves for a considerable time, fighting hand to hand, and
giving blows with the butts of their guns in return for the enemy’s
charges with the bayonet. Their retreat was more calm and regular than
could have been anticipated from inexperienced militia. In this last
attack, the royal troops showed great intrepidity, and a courage worthy
of a better cause. They lost nearly 1,100 men killed and wounded, among
which were more than 90 officers. The patriot army, which fought for a
long time under cover, did not lose 500 men, but had to lament the death
of one of its most estimable commanders, general Warren.
The English paid too dearly for this victory to follow up its
advantages; they were on that day contented with the possession of the
bloody field of battle.
The useless burning of Charlestown, which preceded the battle, was
regarded by the Americans, as an act of the most shameful barbarity, and
excited a general sentiment of horror and indignation. It was at
Charlestown, that the English after their rout at Lexington had found
succour for their wounded, and the most generous hospitality was
displayed towards their stragglers. The loss of the position on Bunker’s
Hill, did not prevent the Americans from keeping the royal army closely
blockaded in Boston. The forces of the besiegers were daily augmented,
and on the 2d of June, general Washington, in the name of the Congress
assembled at Philadelphia, took the command. Nothing of importance,
however was undertaken against the city during the rest of the year. The
approach of winter rendered the condition of the besieged dreadful; the
cold was extreme and fuel was deficient; the English could not obtain it
but at the expense of the inhabitants whose houses were demolished for
the sake of the wood. The situation of the inhabitants deeply affected
Washington, who wished to profit by several days of severe frost, which
would have allowed him to cross upon the ice, to make a general attack:
but this plan was unanimously opposed by his council of war.
About the end of April 1776, having received some reinforcements, he
resolved to occupy the heights of Dorchester, whence it would be easy to
annoy the ships in the harbour and even the garrison in the town. He
hoped moreover that this movement, by drawing the enemy from his
inaction, would give an opportunity of bringing him to a general
engagement, and he took his measures with great skill, to derive all
possible advantage therefrom. The occupation of the heights of
Dorchester was effected on the night of the 2d March, with so much
activity, that at day-break the besieged beheld the Americans
established and capable of sustaining an attack in their new position.
General Howe immediately perceived the critical situation into which he
was thrown by this bold movement of the Americans, and after several
fruitless attempts to dislodge them, he determined to evacuate Boston,
while the sea still remained open to him. On the 17th of March he
embarked with all his army, and his rear-guard might have heard the
shouts of joy with which the triumphal entry of Washington was hailed in
the city.
From that time, Boston, which is justly distinguished by the glorious
title of _Cradle of the Revolution_, ceased to be the theatre of war.
The town and province were forever freed from the presence of the
enemies of liberty; but the citizens of Massachusetts did not display
less ardour in the achievement of the great work, the liberation of the
colonies; their contingents to the continental army were always
furnished with exactness, and their troops sustained to the end of the
war, their admirable reputation for courage and patriotism.
The news of peace arrived at Boston on the 23d April, 1783, and diffused
among the people the most exhilarating joy; the entire abolition of
negro slavery was proclaimed, and commerce and industry, under the
protection of freedom, appeared with renewed lustre.
The state of Massachusetts since that epoch has constantly increased in
wealth and happiness; it has regulated and determined its boundaries in
a friendly manner with its neighbours, and at present it is bounded
north by the states of Vermont and New Hampshire; east by the Ocean;
south by the states of Rhode Island and Connecticut; and west by the
state of New York. The face of the soil is infinitely varied, and its
coasts are richly furnished with convenient bays, which are adorned with
a great number of small islands. The soil of the sea board is generally
arid, but the lands of the interior are very productive, and cultivated
in such a manner as to impart to the whole country the appearance of a
smiling garden. Elegant country houses, fine villages and large towns,
amply attest the numbers of the population, in fact about 530,000 souls
occupy a surface of 7,800 square miles. In 1790 the population was only
370,787 souls; this increase is certainly very rapid, but we shall find
much more astonishing changes in the new states.
65,000 persons are employed in agriculture. 36,000 in the various
manufactories of cotton, wool, cloth, glassware, paper, soap, in the
foundries, &c.; and about 14,000 in commerce. A considerable number are
also engaged in the fisheries, but of the exact amount we have been
unable to procure information; however, this sketch will suffice to show
to what degree public industry is carried in this state; for if we
subtract the individuals employed in the various offices of government
in public instruction, or engaged in particular business, such as
carpenters, masons, tailors, &c. and then remove from the sum total of
the population children still unfit for labor, and the aged who are
disabled by their infirmities, we shall see how small a number of idle
persons belong to this state. From this active industry a degree of
general domestic comfort is produced, which strikes Europeans with
astonishment when they first visit this country.
The general welfare of the people, contributes to augment between all
classes, that equality which the constitution establishes between
individuals, in the eye of the law. At church on Sunday, and at public
meetings, it is impossible to distinguish by his dress, and it might
almost be added, by his manners, an artisan, from what is called a
_gentleman_, in society: the multiplicity of schools, and the _right_
which every man enjoys of attending to public affairs, diffuses among
this class of Americans a knowledge and a correctness of judgment, which
would be sought in vain in the middle classes of France. In Boston, what
is called the best society, that is, companies of literary men, rich
merchants, government officers, and professional men, offer the
surprising contrast of a rare degree of information, with great
simplicity of manners. The excessive severity of character which
distinguished the first settlers of New England, is gradually becoming
effaced by communication with other people, and especially by the
introduction of religious toleration; the rigorism of the puritans has
given place to a mild harmony between the numerous sects, which are not
only numerous in New England, but the whole Union. But it must not be
supposed, however, that indifference has succeeded to fervor; religious
exercises are observed with scrupulous exactitude; and it would be
difficult to find in Boston a pleasure house open on Sunday. The chains
which were formerly stretched across the streets during divine service,
are gradually disappearing. The government never interferes in any way
in religious matters; the pastors of the different congregations are
paid by their parishioners, and if an especial respect be publicly paid
to those who frequent the churches, those who never attend them are
never persecuted. Finally, there is but one remaining trace of the
religious tyranny of the first settlers, and unfortunately that trace
occurs in the state constitution. The 1st article of the 6th chapter,
excludes from the offices of government all candidates who are not
christians, and who will not swear that they are convinced of its
truth.—“I, A. B. do declare that I believe the christian religion, and
have a firm persuasion of its truth.”
We can scarcely comprehend how, in a society so free and enlightened,
where the progress of philosophy is every day evident, the state still
can continue to refuse the services of a virtuous man, because the
individual may be a Jew or a Mussulman.