port had reached the town some days before, and although the feelings of the people were highly excited by that measure, there was no want of proper respect towards the new governor. He was received with all the distinction due to his rank and character. But it soon became evident, that neither the extensive powers committed to him, nor the array of military force by which he was supported, operated in the slightest degree to intimidate the people. Hutchinson, before his departure, having dissolved the General Court, a town meeting was held in Boston the day after Gage's arrival. It was numerously attended, and the subject of the port bill was fully considered. "The impolicy, injustice, inhumanity, and cruelty of the act,"—such was their earnest language—"exceed all our powers of expression; and, therefore, we leave it to the censure of others, and appeal to God and the world." They also declared it as their opinion, that, "if the other colonies come into a joint resolution to stop all importations from, and exportation to, Great Britain, and every part of the West Indies, till the act be repealed, the same would prove the salvation of North America and her liberties." Josiah Quincy, too, in his celebrated "Observations on the Boston Port Bill," issued at this very time, burst forth in fervid tones of remonstrance:—"Whence arose this extraordinary stride of legislation? What is it that the town of Boston hath done? What new and unheard of crime have the inhabitants committed, to justify the enacting of such disabilities, forfeitures, pains and penalties? Punishments that descend indiscriminately on all, ought to have the sanction of unerring wisdom and almighty power, or it will be questioned, if not opposed. The present vengeance falls indiscriminately on the acknowledged innocent, as well as the supposed guilty. Surely, the evil is of a very malignant and terrible nature that can require such an extraordinary remedy. Admit for a moment, that the inhabitants of Boston were charged as high criminals; the highest criminals are not punishable till arraigned before disinterested judges, heard in defence, and found guilty of the charge. But so far from all this, a whole people are accused; prosecuted by, they know not whom; tried, they know not when; proved guilty, they know not how; and sentenced in a mode which, for number of calamities, extent and duration of severity, exceeds the annals of past ages, and we presume, in pity to mankind, will not mark any future era in the world."[1]
It may well be believed that this was a trying moment to the patriots of Boston. Would they who had taken the first resolute step in the struggle, be left to maintain it single-handed, or would, their countrymen come forward to strengthen their resistance and mitigate the sufferings they were called upon to endure? Every means was immediately taken to obtain the sympathy of their fellow colonists. The bill, printed on
- ↑ See "Memoir of the Life of Josiah Quincy, Jr.," p. 376. The "Observation," which constitute the chief political work of Mr. Quincy, are appended in full to the Memoir. They are well worth reading even at this date.
