11 



it necessary however, to aiDologize to the mmistry for this step, by 

 informing them, "That Mr. BowDom's opposition would be 

 less injurious in the Council, than in the House of Eeprc- 

 scntatives." The evidence derived from these flicts is of the 



-I 



highest nature ; and irresistably prove Mr. Bowdoin's unequivo- 

 cal attachment to the rights of his countr3^ 



J 



wiiEx the town of Bosfon was a garrison, he' left his home, and 

 became a fugitive with his brethren. He was elected a member 

 the first American Congress, but did not accept the appointment. 

 This measure has in a later period been misrepresented by those 

 who wished to diminish his influence ; but it was the effect of his 

 firmness and independence of spirit : Conscious of his own recti- 

 tude, and daring to face calumny as well as the resentment of the 

 British government, he ventured to decline the trust. He found 

 his health, which through life had been tender, too feeble for such 



an undertaking, in a chmate calculated to af>:i?ravate his com 



plaints. But did he temporize ? Did he leave his country, or its 

 enemies, to doubt of his future conduct ? So far from this, that 

 while the British ministry exercised the pageantry of civil govern- 

 ment within the province, Mr. Bowdoin took his station at the 

 head of the Council, who were exercising the supreme executive, 

 and one branch of the legislative authority, and thereby exposed 

 himself to punishment for this conspicuous overt act of treason. 

 Through all periods of the war, which was now begun, and which 

 ended with the emancipation of America from the yoke of Great- 

 'itain, he exerted all his talents and devoted himself to the 



B 



of his country 



IN 



