The resolve of congress of the 17th of September was a recommendation to defend, in a firm and temperate way, the civil constitution; and, in doing this, to use so much of the law as remained. This also was the advice of Samuel Adams. And John Adams, after he had learned with certainty the views of the members, wrote, "The proposal of some among you of re-assuming the old charter is not approved here at all. The proposal of setting up a new form of government of our own is less approved still." He wrote of the future in the following warning tone: "They [the members] will not, at this session, vote to raise men or money or arms or ammunition. Their opinions are fixed against hostilities and ruptures, except they should become absolutely necessary; and this necessity they do not yet see. They dread the thoughts of an action because it would make a wound which would never be healed; it would fix and establish a rancor which would descend to the latest generations; it would render all hopes of a reconciliation with Great Britain desperate; it would light up the flames of war, perhaps through the whole continent, which might rage for twenty years, and end in the subduction of America as likely as her liberties."1 Such language must have increased the anxiety of the popular leaders in the Provincial Congress. A close inspection of its proceedings shows, that little of a positive character was done for ten days, or until after it met at Cambridge. It was evidently awaiting the final action of "The Grand American Congress," as the Philadelphia body was termed. It was now said, that "the whole attention and conversation were wrapped up in the congress. ." An intelligent Boston patriot, John Pitts, in a letter to Samuel Adams, relative to the views of the members of the Provincial 2 Newspaper. 1 Letter to William Tudor, Oct. 7, 1774. Congress on the question of "a subordinate government," said, "Without doubt they would be cautious to take the sense of your body, from whose wisdom we hope for relief." In fact, it had long been an understanding, reached through the organization of committees of correspondence, that the patriots of one colony should take no important step without the concurrence of the patriots of the other colonies. In this spirit, the proceedings relative to the tea had been carried on. In this spirit, the people had refused to obey the officials acting under the Regulating Act. In this spirit, the wise popular leaders meant to proceed in the formation of a new Government. Man had not attained to perfection in Massachusetts: there were mobs, personal insults, and silly gasconade; and the violent talked as though they were ready, at the head of a town or a county or a colony, to brave the British Empire. This was the effervescence of the hour. It was the material which for years supplied what truth there was in the wanton misrepresentations of the patriots by the Tories, who said that this was the patriot cause. To the statesmen of that day, in all the colonies, who, amidst the unavoidable confusion in upholding this cause, held on to social order and national unity, is the world indebted for the American Revolution. Warren, in the letter just printed, said that the determination of congress was awaited with much impatience, and that would be decisive; and that people were rapacious for intelligence from it. It is said, in the newspapers, that "the congress continued in private, solemn deliberation; and, as the members 1 Letter, Oct. 16. The resolve was a recom perate way, t "They [the members] or money or arms or am Such language must hav the popular leaders in the close inspection of its proce of a positive character was do after it met at Cambridge. It the final action of "The Grand as the Philadelphia body was said, that "the whole attention a wrapped up in the congress." A patriot, John Pitts, in a letter t relative to the views of the member 1 Letter to William Tudor, Oct. 7, 1774. ringing the bells, some of them till midnight. Hancock did not attend the next meeting of the committee of safety, on the 15th, when it was voted to have seven large pieces of cannon carried out of Boston. Warren, in behalf of the committee of donations, now replied to a letter from the committee of Middletown, Connecticut, which enumerated things that "roused their attention and zeal," and induced them "to unite with their brethren throughout the continent." They said the claim of parliament was enforced by "the grossest violation of royal faith, in tearing up by the roots the ancient charter" of Massahusetts, and "by all the evils of Pandora's box let ose in the new form of Government imposed" upon people. The reply to this spirited letter is as -:SM Reply to Middletown. BOSTON, November 17, 1774. EMEN, Your kind letter of the 17th of October came safe When we reflect on the great importance of the controversy are engaged; when we consider that America will be free servilely wretched, according as we conduct ourselves,ut that we are contending for our rights, that the ts us,― makes us confident and determined. The n so long concerted, to deprive America of her rights, "xecuting, and that the ministry have chosen the heir first victim. tered from all America, for a criterion by which w far the idea of despotic government is comof free-born Americans, gives us no concern, discovered in Middletown has diffused itself ny have been the devices, subtle have been ifices, made use of to sow dissension and r country has risen superior to them all; 1 which will encourage our friends and istry have hitherto kept the people of were under some honorary ties of secrecy, nothing had transpired of their proceedings." Ten days later, nothing had transpired from this body; but it was reported, that Paul Revere, who went as "an express from Boston to the delegates," was waiting in Philadelphia for the result of the determinations of congress. A week later, on the 20th of October, the "Massachusetts Gazette" contained this announcement: "A gentleman last evening favored us with the following resolves, just come to hand from Philadelphia." They were five in number, the first having been passed on the 8th of October: "Resolved, That this congress approve of the opposition made by the inhabitants of the Massachusetts Bay to the execution of the late Acts of Parliament; and, if the same shall be attempted to be carried into execution by force, in such case all America ought to support them in their opposition." The four other resolves were designed to meet the condition of affairs in the province. One recommended, that the people continue "peaceably and firmly in the line they are now conducting themselves, -on the defensive;" another substantially advised a suspension of action relative to instituting a new Government, until the effect was known of an application for a repeal of the Act by which their charter rights were infringed. Samuel Adams now wrote to Dr. Young: "I think our countrymen discover the spirit of Rome or Sparta. I admire in them that patience, which, you have often heard me say, is characteristic of the patriot. . . . Inter arma silent leges. I have written to our friends to provide themselves, without delay, with arms and ammunition, get well instructed in the military art, embody them-¡ selves, and prepare a complete set of rules, that they may be ready in |