The Loyalists of America and Their Times | Page 9

the Governor's speech 400
The House of Assembly proceed with closed doors, and adopt, by a majority of 92 to 12, resolutions declaring the necessity of a meeting of all the Colonies to consult together upon the present state of the Colonies 401
Curious dissolution of the last Legislature held in the Province of Massachusetts, according to the tenor of its Charter (in a note) 401
CHAPTER XIX.
1774, CONTINUED UNTIL THE MEETING OF THE FIRST GENERAL CONGRESS IN SEPTEMBER. 403-408
Resolutions in all the Colonies in favour of a general Convention or Congress, and election of delegates to it 403
General sympathy and liberality on behalf of the town of Boston 404
How information on subjects of agitation was rapidly diffused throughout the Colonies 405
The Act of Parliament changing the Constitution of Massachusetts without its consent gave rise to the American Revolution; the authority of that Act never acknowledged in Massachusetts 407
CHAPTER XX.
GENERAL CONGRESS OR CONVENTION AT PHILADELPHIA, SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER, 1774. 409-421
The word Congress "defined" 409
Each day's proceedings commenced with prayer; each Province allowed but one vote 410
The members of the Congress and their constituents throughout the Colonies thoroughly loyal, while maintaining British constitutional rights 410
The declaration of rights and grievances by this Congress (in a note) 411
The explicit, loyal, and touching address and petition of this Congress to the King 414
Manly and affectionate appeal to the British nation 416
The address of the members of the Congress to their constituents--a temperate and lucid exposition of their grievances and sentiments 417
Reasons for giving a summary and extracts of these addresses of the first General Congress 418
General elections in England hastened; adverse to the Colonies 419
The King's speech at the opening of the new Parliament, the 30th of November, and answers of both Houses 419
Opposition in both Houses; protest in the Lords 420
The proceedings of the first American Congress reach England before the adjournment of Parliament for the Christmas holidays, and produce an impression favourable to the Colonies; hopes of a change of the Ministerial policy in regard to the Colonies 420
CHAPTER XXI.
(1775.)
THE RE-ASSEMBLING OF PARLIAMENT THE 20TH OF JANUARY; LETTERS FROM COLONIAL GOVERNORS, REVENUE AND MILITARY OFFICERS, AGAINST THE COLONISTS OPPOSED TO THE MINISTERIAL POLICY AND THE PARLIAMENTARY ACTS; THE MINISTRY, SUPPORTED BY PARLIAMENT, DETERMINE UPON CONTINUING AND STRENGTHENING THE COERCIVE POLICY AGAINST THE COLONIES. 422-432
The Earl of Chatham's amendment and speech in the Lords, against the coercive policy of the Ministry and in behalf of Colonial rights, supported by other Lords and numerous politicians 423
Lord Suffolk in favour of coercion; Lord Camden against it, and in favour of the rights of the Colonies; Lord Chatham and others denounced by the King (in a note) 424
The amendment negatived by a majority of 68 to 18; but the King's own brother, the Duke of Cumberland, was one of the minority; yet the King boasted of the "handsome majority" in support of his coercive policy 425
The Earl of Chatham's bill "to settle the troubles in America," not allowed a first reading in the Lords 425
Petitions from various towns in England, Scotland, and Ireland against the American policy of the ministry 425
Petition to the Commons from Dr. Franklin, Mr. Bollan, and Mr. Lee, Colonial agents, praying to be heard at the bar of the House in support of the petition of the American Continental Congress, rejected by a majority of 218 to 68 426
Dr. Franklin's dismissal from office; his success in office; his sentiments on the rejection of the petitions of the Colonies and punishment of their agents (in a note) 426
Lord North's resolution for an address (given entire) to the King, endorsing the coercive policy, and denouncing complaints and opposition to it in America as "rebellion" 426
Remarks on the gross inaccuracies and injustice and empty promises of this address 428
Debates in the Commons on Lord North's address to the King 429
Mr. Fox's amendment to Lord North's address rejected by a majority of 304 to 105 430
Second great debate on Lord North's warlike resolution for an address to the King, and Lord John Cavendish's amendment to it; speakers on both sides 430
Lord North's address, made the joint address of both Houses of Parliament, presented to the King, with His Majesty's reply 431
Remarks on the King's reply, and the proceedings of Parliament in respect to the Colonies 431
The Ministry and Parliament virtually declare war against the Colonies 432
CHAPTER XXII.
(1775, CONTINUED.)
PARLIAMENT PROCEEDS TO PASS AN ACT TO PUNISH THE NEW ENGLAND COLONIES FOR SYMPATHISING WITH MASSACHUSETTS, BY RESTRICTING THEIR TRADE TO ENGLAND AND DEPRIVING THEM OF THE NEWFOUNDLAND FISHERIES. 433-441
Parliament passes a second Act to punish in the same way all the Colonies, for the same reason as those of the New England Colonies, except New York, Delaware, North Carolina; these Provinces decline the exception 433
Much expected from the General Assembly of New York, which had not endorsed the first Continental