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Spirited Measures in Boston

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overawe the people. What was to be done? The General Court had been dissolved, and the governor refused to convene it without the royal command. A convention, therefore, from various towns met at Boston, on the 22d of September, to devise measures for the public safety; but disclaiming all pretensions to legislative powers. While the convention was yet in session (September 28th), the two regiments arrived, with seven armed vessels. "I am very confident," writes Commodore Hood from Halifax, "the spirited measures now pursuing will soon effect order in America.”

On the contrary, these "spirited measures added fuel to the fire they were intended to quench. It was resolved in a town meeting that the king had no right to send troops thither without the consent of the Assembly; that Great Britain had broken the original compact, and that, therefore, the king's offcers had no longer any business there.*

The "selectmen" accordingly refused to find quarters for the soldiers in the town; the council refused to find barracks for them, lest it should be construed into a compliance with the disputed clause of the mutiny act. Some of the troops, therefore, which had tents, were * Whately to Grenville. Gren. Papers, vol. iv., p. 389.

encamped on the common; others, by the governor's orders, were quartered in the statehouse, and others in Faneuil Hall, to the great indignation of the public, who were grievously scandalized at seeing field-pieces planted in front of the state-house; sentinels stationed at the doors, challenging every one who passed; and, above all, at having the sacred quiet of the Sabbath disturbed by drum and fife, and other military music.

Chapter 11.

Cheerful Life at Mount Vernon-Washington and George Mason-Correspondence concerning the Non-importation Agreement-Feeling Toward England-Opening of the Legislative Session-SemiRegal State of Lord Botetourt-High-toned Proceedings of the House-Sympathy with New England-Dissolved by Lord Botetourt-Washington and the Articles of Association.

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HROUGHOUT these public agitations, Washington endeavored to preserve his equanimity. Removed from the

heated throngs of cities, his diary denotes a cheerful and healthful life at Mount Vernon, devoted to those rural occupations in which he delighted, and varied occasionally by his favorite field sports. Sometimes he is duckshooting on the Potomac. Repeatedly we find note of his being out at sunrise with the hounds, in company with old Lord Fairfax, Bryan Fairfax, and others; and ending the

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