The Loyalists of America and Their Times Volume I Part 49

"The Congress at this juncture, like most other public a.s.semblies, seemed but slightly affected by the dangers which as yet were not close upon them. On the 11th of December they pa.s.sed some resolutions contradicting, as false and malicious, a report that they intended to remove from Philadelphia. They declared that they had a higher opinion of the good people of these States than to suppose such a measure requisite, and that they would not leave the city of Philadelphia 'unless the last necessity shall direct it.' These resolutions were transmitted by the President to Was.h.i.+ngton, with a request that he would publish them to the army in General Orders. Was.h.i.+ngton, in reply, excused himself from complying with that suggestion. In thus declining it, he showed his usual sagacity and foresight; for on the very next day after the first resolution, the Congress underwent a sudden revulsion of opinion, and did not scruple to disperse in all haste, to meet again the 20th of the same month, not at Philadelphia, but at Baltimore." (Lord Mahon's History of England, etc., Vol. VI., Chap. liv., pp. 189-193.)]

[Footnote 407: Dr. Andrews' History of the American War, etc., Vol.

III., Chap. x.x.xv., p. 111.]

[Footnote 408: Frothingham's Rise of the American Republic, Chap. xii., p. 572.]

[Footnote 409: The Life of Arthur Lee (I., p. 53) contains the letter to Lee, copied from the original MSS. in the handwriting of Franklin, dated December 12, 1775, and signed by Franklin, d.i.c.kenson, and Jay.]

[Footnote 410: Frothingham's Rise of the American Republic, Chap, xi., p. 488.]

[Footnote 411: Franklin to Josiah Quincy, April 15, 1776. Sparks' Works, Vol. VIII., p. 181.]

[Footnote 412: History of the United States, Vol. II., Chap. xv., pp.

242, 243.

The same historian observes: "On the 11th of June, Congress appointed a Committee to prepare a plan of a treaty to be proposed to foreign powers. The discussion of this novel subject engaged their attention till the latter end of September. Congress having agreed on the plan of the treaty which they intended to propose to the King of France, proceeded to elect commissioners to solicit its acceptance. Dr.

Franklin, Silas Deane, and Thomas Jefferson were chosen. The latter declining to serve, Arthur Lee, who was then in London, and had been very serviceable to his country in a variety of ways, was elected in his room. It was resolved that no member should be at liberty to divulge anything more of these transactions than 'that Congress had taken such steps as they judged necessary for obtaining foreign alliances.'"--_Ib._, p., 242, 243.

It is worthy of remark, that although Dr. Franklin consented to act as one of the commissioners to France, he opposed the application itself; for he himself wrote a few months afterwards as follows: "I have never yet changed the opinions I gave in Congress, that a virgin state should preserve a virgin character, and not go about suitoring for alliances, but wait with decent dignity for the applications of others. I was overruled, perhaps for the best." (Works, Vol. VIII., p. 209.)]

GENERAL INDEX.

Abercrombie (General)--Arrives in America with the troops, and forty German officers to drill and command regiments in America (which gives offence to the Colonists). i. 257.

Is disgracefully defeated by Montcalm (though commanding the largest force ever a.s.sembled in America). i. 258.

With General Loudoun, hesitates and delays at Albany, while the French generals are active and successful. i. 258.

Adams (John)--The prompter and adviser of hanging "Tories." ii. 127.

Address of Governor Winthrop and his company on leaving England, in 1630, to their "Fathers and Brethren of the Church of England,"

declaring their filial and undying love to the Church of England, as their "dear mother," from whose b.r.e.a.s.t.s they had derived their nourishment. i. 55.

Alliance between Congress and the Kings of France not productive of the effect antic.i.p.ated, and deferred twelve months by France after it had been applied for by Congress. ii. 1.

American Affairs--Misrepresented in the English Parliament and by the English Press. i. 390.

American boastings groundless over the surrender of Cornwallis. ii. 46.

American Colonies--Their position in regard to England and other nations at the Peace of Paris, 1763. i. 274.

American Revolution--primary cause of it. i. 30.

American treatment of Canadians by Americans who invaded them. ii. 464.

Invasions of Canada, and their forces. ii. 262.

Amherst (Lord)--Supersedes Abercrombie as Commander-in-Chief, a.s.sisted by General Wolfe. i. 260.

Plans three expeditions, all of which are successful. i. 261.

His energetic movements. i. 262.

He receives all Canada for the King from the French. i. 267.

His parting address to the army. i. 268.

Anderson (Samuel). ii. 192.

Andros (Edmond)--Appointed local Governor of Ma.s.sachusetts Bay, and Governor-General of New England; his tyranny; seized at Boston and sent prisoner to England. i. 215.

(Examined)--Acquitted by King William in Council, because he had acted according to his instructions. i. 215.

Articles of treaty and preamble. ii. 56.

a.s.sociations in the Colonies against the use of tea imported from England. i. 370.

Bancroft--Confirms the statement as to the aggressions and pretensions of the Ma.s.sachusetts Bay Government. i. 200.

His interpretations against England. i. 247.

Baptists--The persecution of them instigated by the Rev. Messrs. Wilson and Newton, and justified by the Rev. Mr. Cotton. i. 120.

Barnard (Governor)--His reply to the Ma.s.sachusetts Legislative a.s.sembly. i. 357.

His recall and character. i. 359.

Bethune (Rev. John). ii. 192.

Boston and Ma.s.sachusetts--Three Acts of Parliament against, all infringing and extinguis.h.i.+ng the heretofore acknowledged const.i.tutional rights of the people. i. 389.

Boston--In great distress; addresses of sympathy and contributions from other towns and provinces.

Fourth Act of Parliament, legalizing the quartering of troops in. i. 397.

General sympathy and liberality in its behalf. i. 404.

Boston Ma.s.sacre--Soldiers acquitted by a Boston jury. i. 365.

Boyle (Hon. Robert)--In a letter in which he expostulates with the Ma.s.sachusetts Bay rulers on the intolerance and unreasonableness of their conduct. i. 160.

Braddock's unfortunate expedition. i. 247.

Bradstreet (Colonel)--His brilliant achievement in taking and destroying Fort Frontenac. i. 261.

Bradstreet and Norton--Sent to England to answer complaints; favourably received; first thanked and then censured by the Ma.s.sachusetts Bay rulers; Norton dies of grief. i. 142.