482 A. D. 1768. 



put upon the commanders of their fhips, the partiality fhcwn to the 

 French, and the arbitrary power of the governors and magiflrates of 

 Cadiz, who were ignorant of the treaties, and had not even any in- 

 flrudions to regard them. 



The diredors of the Eall-India company, being determined to pre- 

 vent the fale of the command of their (hips, refolved that after 25'" 

 March 1 769 all their commanders fhould be chofen by ballot out of 

 perlons, who have already commanded fhips, or at leafl: performed one 

 voyage to India as chief or fecond mate in their fervice. They alfo re- 

 folved, that after the fame time no fhips fhould be built for their fe- 

 vice without leave obtained from the court of diredors. 



In all the meafures taken in oppofition to government in America 

 the people of Bofton conflantly took the lead. Their refolutions of lall 

 Odober were followed in February by an ofBcial circular letter from 

 the aflembly of MafTachufets bay to all the other afTemblies in Britiflx 

 America, propofing a flrid union of all the colonies in oppofing by 

 all legal means the operation of the late ads of parliament, and recom- 

 mending harmony in their applications to government for the repeal of 

 them. The minds of the people of Bofton were much exafperated by 

 the feizure of a floop, belonging to one of the reprefentatives of that 

 city, by the officers of the cuftoms, who, to efcape from the outrages 

 of the people, were obliged to take fhelter onboard a fhip of war, from 

 which they removed to Caftle William, fituated on a fmall ifland in 

 the harbour ; and there they eftablifhed the cuftom-houfe. The diffo- 

 lution of the aflembly by the governor added fuel to the flame, and 

 paved the way for a convention of reprefentatives, eleded by the peo- 

 ple, and afl'embled without any authority from government, who, 

 however, profefling themfelves to be only a meeting of private perfons, 

 earneftly requefted the governor to call together a conftitutional afTem- 

 bly. The governor refufed to receive their meffage, and warned them 

 to difperfe; but they, neverthelefs, continued their meetings tor feveral 

 days. The day of their breaking tip was diftinguiihed by the unwel- 

 come arrival of a fleet of fhips of war from Halifax, with two regiments 

 of ibldiers and a detachment of artillery, v:ho were quartered in Bofton. 

 In a fhort time after two more regiments arrived from Ireland, as alfo 

 General Gage, who was appointed commander in chief of the forces. 



Previous to the meeting of the convention the merchants and traders 

 ef Bofton had entered into a new refolution againft importing any 

 Britid) goods from i*^ January 1769 to i*' January 1770, except fait, 

 coals, fifh hooks and lines, hemp and duck, bar lead and fhot, wool 

 cards and card wire. And they more efpecially refolved not to import 

 any tea, paper, glafs, or colours, till the duties on them fliould be repeal- 

 ed. A fimilar agreement was entered into by the traders of New-York. 

 Throughout the month of Odober the following premiums were 

 .giveix to fach boats as fhould deliver at Billingfgate in one tide, not lefs 



