chronological history of the anglo-american colonies, from 1763 to july 4, 1776.
in february, 1763, the peace of paris, concluded between the governments of england and france, closed the war in america that had been so painful to the colonies from the part which the french persuaded the indians to take in it. but, while the colonies bore a large part of the burden, (they had raised $16,000,000 of its expenses, and had lost, in battle or in hospital, 30,000 men,) of a war that drove the french out of all their possessions in canada and east of the mississippi river; they were, at the same time, trained to act in concert, which paved the way for a future confederation, and hardened them to war. being called into battle under celebrated english commanders, and to fight side by side with european veterans, they had opportunity to learn the art of war, as well as to compare themselves with the soldiers of the mother country and of france. this comparison was favorable to them, and inspired them with confidence in their own ability.
the fatal blunders of gen. braddock, and the skill and bravery of washington and his provincial troops which, alone, saved the british army from entire annihilation in the pennsylvania wilderness, was never forgotten. they felt themselves, even as raw militia, equal to the best european soldiers, when on their own ground.
it was a great mistake of the home government to put on an arrogant tone with them just when they had learned their strength. in the year 1764 that government, plunged in debt by its long wars with the continental powers, (it amounted to[163] $700,000,000,) and on the plea that the colonies who had been protected, should bear a fair share of the pecuniary burden, determined to impose taxes on them. previously they had restricted their commerce to english ports, had laid duties on various imports, and assumed authority to change the governments of the colonies without their consent. this had produced much dissatisfaction, but had no further immediate effect than to lead them to remonstrance, evasion, or legal resistance. the proposal to lay internal taxes was quite another affair. submission to this they thought would be fatal to their liberties. they resisted with general moderation, respectfully, but with determined resolution.
the british ministry were provoked by this resistance, holding it to be rebellion; and determined to put it down, by force, if need be. the struggle continued for ten years with growing obstinacy on either side. the home government was exceedingly obtuse or it would have either proceeded to extremes at once or yielded the whole case, as it finally determined to do in 1776, when it was too late. in this period of lively discussion, and of organization to secure the strength of union in resistance, the separate colonies were gradually moulded into a nation, imbued with common sympathies and ideas, and moved by common interests. they had not thought of independence during all this preliminary struggle. the war had lasted a year before that idea became prominent. that was not, even then, regarded as an end, so much as an indispensable means to secure their liberties. thus we see that no taint of conspiracy attached to the revolutionary struggle. the colonies were thoroughly loyal, until loyalty came to mean loss of liberty, and the rights enjoyed by englishmen in england. the exercise of arbitrary power they felt it right to resist; but they exhausted all other modes and means of resistance before they resorted to arms.
they did not even make a first attack. they waited till armies were sent to subjugate them, and until those armies[164] commenced the attack; then the whole country rose in the stern resolve to right their wrongs.
1763.
the peace of paris was signed in february of this year. july 7th began “pontiac’s war,” with the simultaneous attack on all the forts in the peninsula of michigan, and the whole frontier of pennsylvania and virginia. pontiac was an ottawa chief, of great ability, and had drawn many indian tribes into the war. it was virtually ended in september of the same year.
1764.
april 5.—“the sugar act” was passed in the english parliament. this levied duties on coffee, pimento, french and east india goods, and forbade iron and lumber to be exported except to england. it was for the avowed purpose of raising a revenue, and raised instead a storm of indignation. the massachusetts house of representatives said: “if we are taxed and not represented, we are slaves.”
1765.
feb. 27—was passed the obnoxious stamp act. also the military law was made to authorize the ministry to send any number of troops to the colonies, for whom the colonists were to find “quarters, fire-wood, bedding, drink, soap, and candles.”
may 29—patrick henry introduced five “resolutions” into the virginia house of burgesses, claiming for virginians the rights of british subjects; that only their own representatives could lawfully tax them; declaring the attempt to vest that power in any other hands subversive of both british and american liberty.
sept. 1—the pennsylvania assembly passed similar resolutions.
oct. 7—a congress of delegates, or committees, from nine colonies, met in new york. it was the first continental[165] congress. its spirit harmonized with that of massachusetts, virginia, and pennsylvania, and its “declaration of rights and grievances” was cordially approved by all the colonial assemblies.
1766.
mar. 29—the stamp act could not be enforced in america, and it was repealed by parliament; but the repeal was followed by another act asserting the power and right of parliament “to bind the colonies in all cases whatsoever.” thus yielding the thing and asserting the principle, they both strengthened the colonies by a sense of their power, and exasperated them by a total denial of their declaration of rights.
may—yet their triumph filled the colonies with joy, and gratitude toward the king and their english friends. virginia voted the king a statue.
1767.
june—but their exultation was short-lived. in this year taxes were levied on tea, paints, paper, glass, and lead. this led to the determination, on the part of the colonies, to pay no more taxes or duties at all.
oct. 28—the governor of massachusetts having refused to call the general court (or legislative body of the colony) together, a public meeting was held and resolutions passed to encourage “economy, industry, and manufactures,” and a committee appointed to get subscribers to an agreement to discontinue the importation of british goods not absolute necessaries. this was imitated in other colonies.
1768.
feb. 11—massachusetts general court issues a general circular to other colonial assemblies, inviting co?peration for the defense of colonial rights. those bodies mostly gave cordial replies. this general court having july—been dissolved, the new one being called on to rescind this circular, refused by a vote of ninety-two[166] to seventeen. these seventeen became the butt of public scorn.
sept. 12—four regiments of british troops ordered to boston.
” 22—the governor had been desired, by a boston “town meeting,” to call a general court. he refused, and the “meeting” issued a call for delegates from the towns to a colonial convention. more than a hundred towns were represented in the convention meeting this day. their main effort was to vindicate the ” 28—colony from the charge of a rebellious spirit. the day after this meeting adjourned two regiments of british troops arrived in boston.
1769.
jan’y—parliament severely censures all the colonial acts, and directs that persons arrested in the colonies for treason be sent to england, to be tried.
may—the virginia assembly take strong ground against this, and agree with the massachusetts convention.
” 31—the massachusetts general court assembles, but refuses to transact business in the midst of an armed force. after long contest with them the governor adjourned them to cambridge.
june 13—required to support the troops, they respectfully and temperately, but firmly, refuse, and decline to vote any supplies for government till their grievances are redressed.
july 15—all the colonies manifest the same spirit.
1770.
mar. 5—the indignation of boston at the presence of troops breaks out into an affray. the troops fire on the citizens. three are killed and five wounded. it was called the “boston massacre.”
april—british parliament repeals the last tax on all articles but tea. the non-importation agreements had exerted a great influence in promoting economy, encouraging manufactures, and bringing “home-made” into fashion.[167] the graduating class in harvard college took their degrees in “home-spun” this year.
1771.
throughout this year the same disputes were maintained between the governors and colonial legislatures as formerly; but as the home government did not push the struggle to an issue, there was comparative quiet, but no yielding.
1772.
june 10—the gaspe, a british revenue schooner, burned by a party from providence, rhode island. parliament offers six hundred pounds sterling and a pardon to any accomplice who will confess and give up the offenders. they were well known by colonists, but no legal evidence could ever be obtained.
oct. 28—a committee appointed in boston to state the rights of the colonists and correspond with other sections on this subject. they publish an address, which is extensively circulated. franklin, agent for the colonies in england, republishes it there.
1773.
march—this address led to the first measures for a political union of the colonies.
july—the british ministry attempt to import tea into the colonies.
oct. 2—the people of philadelphia declare that any one who shall “aid or abet in unloading, receiving, or vending the tea is an enemy to his country.”
nov. 3—the boston consignees required by the people to resign. they refuse.
” 5-19—a legal town meeting takes them in hand, and at length they resign.
dec’r—three ships loaded with tea having arrived, the people labor for near a month to have them sent back. not succeeding, the cargoes are all emptied into the sea.
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1774.
mar. 25—parliament retaliated by the “boston port bill,” closing it to commerce.
may 13-20—meetings held in the principal cities to consider the state of affairs, recommended the assembly of a continental congress. this body was appointed in all the provinces but georgia. there were fifty-three delegates.
sept. 4—these assemble at philadelphia, and peyton randolph, of virginia, is chosen president. they publish a “declaration of colonial rights.” they agree on fourteen articles as the basis of an “american association” to support these rights. this body was henceforth the real government, all their directions being obeyed by the people. they completed the organization of the union and took preliminary measures for defense in case of attack.
1775.
feb. 1—lord chatham introduced a bill in parliament which might have accommodated all differences, but it was treated with great discourtesy. parliament determines to humble and subdue the colonies.
april 19—battle of lexington. general gage sends eight hundred british troops to destroy some colonial military stores at concord, twenty miles from boston. the “minute men” assembled at lexington, are fired on and dispersed. the troops march to concord, destroy the stores, and hastily retreat before the gathering minute men, who assail them on all sides. they would have been completely destroyed but for a timely reinforcement at lexington of nine hundred men and two cannon. the loss of british killed and wounded was nearly three hundred; of the provincials eighty-five. boston is immediately beleagured by some twenty thousand minute men.
” 22—massachusetts legislature assembles. it sends depositions,[169] proving that the soldiers fired first, to england, with an address to the english people, declaring that they will “die or be free.” this body voted a levy of thirteen thousand men for the protection of the colony.
may 10—the second continental congress assembled at philadelphia.
colonels ethan allen and benedict arnold surprise the fortress of ticonderoga, on lake george, new york. its small force of three officers and forty-four privates cannot defend it, and they surrender without fighting. crown point, on lake champlain, is occupied without resistance.
peyton randolph again chosen president of congress.
” 24—peyton randolph being called home, john hancock, of massachusetts, is chosen president of congress.
” 25—generals howe, clinton, and burgoyne, with large british reinforcements, arrived at boston.
june 15—george washington unanimously chosen commander-in-chief of the continental forces.
” 17—the battle of bunker hill (or breed’s hill), near boston. the british were twice repulsed, with great loss, when the ammunition of the americans failing, they retreated in safety. british loss over one thousand; american, four hundred and fifty. british forces engaged, three thousand; american, less than fifteen hundred. the british commander burned charlestown during the battle. general warren, american, was killed.
” 23—congress issue bills of credit for $2,000,000.
” 30—articles of war are agreed to in congress.
july 8—a last petition to the king is sent by richard penn, grandson of william penn.
” 17—another million dollars in bills of credit is issued. the liability for these was distributed among the colonies.
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” 26—benjamin franklin appointed first postmaster general.
aug. 30—general schuyler embarks on lake champlain, for an expedition against canada. he leaves the command with general montgomery. early in september general arnold starts with eleven hundred men to canada by maine.
sept. 24—ethan allen is taken prisoner, near montreal.
oct. 18—falmouth (now portland, maine) burned by the british.
” 22—peyton randolph, of virginia, died. he was the first president of congress.
nov. 3—montgomery captures st. johns, canada.
” 13—montreal surrendered to the americans under montgomery.
” 20—$3,000,000 more in bills of credit issued by congress, payable in eight years.
dec. 7—lord dunmore, british governor of virginia, defeated near norfolk, virginia.
” 13—a navy of thirteen vessels created by congress. letters of marque and reprisal granted.
” 21—the british parliament pass a bill declaring all american vessels and goods, and those of all persons trading with them, a lawful prize, and authorizing the impressment of american sailors into the royal navy, where they might be required to fight against their own cause and friends.
” 31—general montgomery and colonel arnold make an unsuccessful attack on quebec. montgomery is killed, arnold wounded, and four hundred men killed, wounded, or taken prisoners. arnold withdrew, but kept quebec blockaded through the winter.
1776.
jan. 1—lord dunmore, royal governor of virginia, ravages the coast and burns norfolk, but is obliged to fly to bermuda.
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” 20—georgia prepares to join the other twelve colonies.
feb. 4—mcintosh, with an american force, destroys several vessels loading for england, near savannah, georgia.
” 17—four millions more of paper money issued by congress.
march 4—washington fortifies dorchester heights, overlooking boston, which renders it untenable by the british.
” 10—the inhabitants and merchants of boston plundered of their lighter property by the british army.
” 17—the british embark for halifax, and washington occupies the town.
” 18—sir archibald campbell sails into boston, and his whole force of seventeen hundred men are taken prisoners.
” 23—congress declares all british vessels a lawful prize.
april 26—washington removes his army to new york.
may 3—sir peter parker, with ten ships of war and seven regiments, joins the force from boston under general clinton, at cape fear.
” 15—congress declared that all authority under the british crown ought to be totally suppressed and government conducted by colonial representatives alone. this was only an expression of their sense of the danger to their interests and liberties of allowing british agents to act.
june 7—richard henry lee, of virginia, moved the declaration of independence.
” 8—american army in canada, under general sullivan, make an unsuccessful attack on the enemy. they are pressed by superior numbers, and retreat in good order, though with a loss of one thousand men prisoners, out of canada, losing all their conquests.
” 11—congress appointed thomas jefferson, john adams, benjamin franklin, and robert r. livingston a committee to prepare the declaration of independence.
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” 28—british fleet attack fort moultrie, on sullivan’s island, near charleston, south carolina, but were defeated with loss of two hundred men, one vessel, and death of lord campbell, the ex-royal governor.
july 4—declaration of independence by the congress at philadelphia.
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