92 



goods imported into the colonics from such of the West India 

 Ishmds as did not belong to Great Britain, made the first move 

 in the hazardous game, on the issue of which were staked the 

 destinies of the American people by the passage of the odious 

 stamp act. When the news of this fact reached the colonies, it 

 produced the utmost commotion. In Boston, the bells of the 

 churches were first mufHed, and then made to send forth the 

 most solemn peals. This was succeeded by outbreaks of the 

 people, in which the officers of the crown were severely handled 

 and their property in several instances destroyed. Salem shared 

 with other towns in their detestation of this measure, but no 

 violence was committed here. She contented herself with pro- 

 testing against it in the Legislature, as "very injurious to lib- 

 erty, since we are therein taxed without our consent, having no 

 representation in Parliament." 



This act was, however, rendered entirely inoperative by the 

 resistance of the Colonies, and after its repeal, the calm of a 

 few months, which followed, was again disturbed by the passage 

 of the revenue act of 1767, which imposed heavy duties on 

 glass, paper, painter's colors, and teas. The colonies at once 

 resolved to abstain from the use of all foreign commodities as 

 far as possible. By this step the imports from Great Britain 

 in one year were decreased in amount nearly four millions of 

 dollars, and the revenue from America decreased from five 

 hundred and fifty thousand dollars to one hundred and fifty. 

 Salem was among the foremost to declare in favor of this policy. 

 Massachusetts issued a circular to the other colonies denounc- 

 ing this oppressive measure, which on being desired by the 

 King through the Royal Governor to rescind, the House by a 

 vote of 92 to 17 refused to obey him. These were called the 

 "glorious 92," and "infamous 17." Salem, indignant that 

 her two representatives had voted with the minority, called a 

 town meeting and passed a vote of thanks to the majority, in 

 the following words : — " Voted, that the said town do thank the 

 Hon. House for their firmness and resolution shown in main- 

 taining our just rights and liberties."* The places of the gen- 

 tlemen who had thus voted with the minority were the next year 

 filled by others more friendly to the cause of liberty.f Only a 

 kmd of truce followed the partial repeal of that act in 1770, 



* Essex Gazette files, August 2, 1768. 

 fRichai-d Dcrljy, jr. and John Pickering, jr. 



