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 gradua............