The charges against them, however, were not reduced to form, nor duly signed, by the local authority, and they were accordingly released soon after their arrival.

The effect of the revolt was electrical among the other colonies. At Plymouth, as soon as they heard of the insurrection in Boston, the people secured the deputy of Andross, and imprisoned him. The old Pilgrim fathers were now all dead, but they had transmitted their gloomy religion and democratic spirit to their children. They reinstated the Governor, who had been superseded by Sir Edmund, and renewed the constitution which, more than seventy years before, had been signed on board the May Flower.' In Rhode Island they assembled on the day of election in great numbers, and unanimously replaced their old officers, and resumed their former patent. New York underwent a violent change also. One of the lowest of the people, a bankrupt trader, of small capacity, but great boldness, (a class of persons generally

account of your letters to me, I have now to complain that on Monday, the whole day, I could be allowed no victuals till nine of the clock at night, when the keeper's wife offered to kindle her own fire to warm something for me, and the corporal expressly commanded the fire to be put out. I I may be easily oppressed to death. God will hear them that complain to Him." The complaints of Mr. Randolph, the dreaded custom-house officer, shows that his treatment was both cruel and indecent.

conspicuous in revolutions) urged the inhabitants to depose the Lieutenant-Governor, and authorise him to assume the administration of affairs until the Prince of Orange should send them one duly commissioned. Maryland ejected its proprietor, Lord Baltimore, and proclaimed William and Mary.

Thus did the revolution extend from Boston to the Chesapeake, and from the Atlantic to the frontiers of the French and the Indians. The dethronement, however, and murder of Charles I., the overthrow of the Protectorate, the Restoration, the fall of James II., and the changes that preceded and followed the arrival of William and Mary, succeeded each other in such rapid succession, that men's minds in all the colonies became unsettled; and from the period of this spontaneous domestic revolution, a marked alteration was perceptible in the tone of feeling throughout all British America. People began to talk and act in a spirit of total independence of England. The power to control was much doubted, and the right utterly denied. Scotch Covenanters, English Independents, and Dissenters of every variety were fast covering the land, and although these fanatics differed more or less on doctrinal points, they all agreed in politics, for they were all republicans.

Shortly after Andross was released, he was appointed Governor of Virginia, as a reward for

exasperating the people of Massachusetts, and exciting them by his illegal conduct and oppressive measures into open rebellion, a precedent, the value of which may be estimated, from the uniformity with which it has been observed from that early date to the present period. Whatever changes may have taken place in other colonial usages, this has been generally adhered to; and from Andross, who caused a revolution in 1688, the effects of which are still felt in North America, to him who recently assented to an act rewarding those who plunged their country into a civil war, imperial honours but too often await the man who signally fails of success in his administration, provided he obeys his orders; while he who preserves prosperity in the province committed to his charge, is as frequently left to enjoy in obscurity the approbation of his own conscience, unless military rank or parliamentary influence are sufficient to supply the want of such a total absence of genius.

CHAPTER III.

Representatives meet at Boston, and induce the Governor and Magistrates to continue in office-King and Queen proclaimed-A general gaol delivery-Orders received from England for the local authorities to retain the Government until further instructions Anxiety in

America as to the convention of Parliament-Doubts of the Tories and scruples of the Prelates-Conduct of the Whigs-Macaulay's definition of the "essence of politics"-The report of the Commons, and the declaration of rights read with great interest by Provincials— Political influence of the commercial party in England -Its conduct towards the plantations-The prerogative described-Its effects in America-Blackstone's definition and Bacon's views of it-Local assemblies imitate the declaration of rights-Cause of the loss of the old colonies.

THE representatives of fifty-four towns met at Boston, on the 22nd of May, and induced the Governor and magistrates, chosen in 1686, to occupy again the position they formerly held according to the rules of their patent; but these

gentlemen qualified their acceptance with a declaration that they did not wish it to be understood they intended to reassume the Charter Government. As soon as this was agreed upon, the "Council of Safety" retired from their provisional office.

During all this time they had neglected to proclaim the King and Queen, being more concerned for their own liberties than those of England. At last they endeavoured to compensate in parade and processions for any deficiency in promptness, and the ceremony took place with more than usual regard to effect. On the accession of Charles II., every person was strictly forbidden, under penalties for disobedience, to drink his health. Wine was now served out to the soldiers, and they were encouraged to vociferate, on the joyful occasion, their benedictions on loyalty in the heart of the little republic. The death of a democratic usurper like Cromwell was no subject for rejoicing, for they were permitted to participate in his oppression. The expulsion of a royal despot like James deserved celebration, for they were the victims of his tyranny.

As soon as a new House assembled, the representatives declared that the Council ought to assume its proper share in the Legislature, according to the Charter, and unless they did so, they should decline to take any part in public affairs.