ed he is an honest man and will pay you as soon as possible. However, if However, if you should think fit to pursue him, I desire you would send a power to some other person, as he is an old friend, and I chuse not to be concerned in any severity against him, or any other gentleman."

In November, 1768 writing to the same-" But as I wrote you before, I decline that, and all other affairs of the kind, especially as the times are, and as I am winding up my own concerns, in order as soon as possible to retire from business."

To Mr. Arthur Jones, he writes-November 26th, 1768. "All business is at a stand here, little going on besides military musters and reviews and other parading of the red coats, sent here, the Lord I believe only knows for what. I am and have been long concerned more for Great Britain than for the colonies. You may ruin yourselves, but you cannot in the end ruin the colonies-Our fathers were a good people, we have been a free people, and if you will not let us remain so any longer, we shall be a great people, and the present measures can have no tendency but to hasten with great rapidity, events, which every good and honest man would wish delayed for ages, if possible, prevented for

ever."

In two letters dated October 11th, 1769. is this ominous memorandum at the

of Boston manufacture."

66 top:

There

on paper

His talents and learning placed him so much above those of his own standing, that he had no

rival; and though civil to those about him, he was not very cautious in concealing the contempt he felt for political enemies, who were inferior to him in every thing, but the power of their office, and who were, for the promotion of their private advantage, he believed, conspiring to ruin the country. Having cited Domat, in the course of some discussion, Governor Bernard enquired, "who he was?"-Otis answered, that," he was a very distinguished civilian, and not the less an authority, for being unknown to your Excellency."

His mode of conducting causes, as an advocate, was consistent with his extensive acquirements. He argued with boldness, energy and decision, without resorting to many of the subtleties, and narrow expedients, that are allowable, and often employed in the common practice of lawyers. He was indeed conscious of his strength, proud and impatient of rivalry. Governor Hutchinson, whose favourable testimony must have more weight, as being that of an enemy, said of him; "that he never knew fairer or more noble conduct in a pleader, than in Otis; that he always disdained to take advantage of any clerical error, or similar inadvertence, but passed over minor points, and defended his causes solely on their broad and substantial foundations."

These desultory anecdotes and disconnected sketches of his private life, are selected from the few that can be now recovered. His professional reputation and influence, having been gradually established on the most solid foundations, were held

in the first rank, before he began his career in public life, the date of which may be fixed, from his pleading the cause of the Writs of Assistance. His learning and eloquence, on this occasion, gave him precedence over every member of his profession; while his ardour and enthusiasm excited a corresponding feeling in the breasts of his fellow citizens, who placed him at the succeeding election in the legislature of the Province. From that time, he became, for a period of ten years, the chief counsellor, and leading orator, in the course of resistance to arbitrary encroachment, that brought on the declaration of independence. A cursory view of the administration of the Province, at this epoch, will shew more clearly the situation in which he was placed.

Chapter XV.

Political Situation of Massachusetts-Governor Shirley-Lieutenant Governor Phipps-Governor Pownal-Lieutenant Governor Hutchinson-Appointment of Governor Bernard-Colonial mo

nopoly.

THE war which terminated in the Peace of 1763, was for several years almost the exclusive object of attention, among the people of the Northern Colonies; and as Massachusetts was not only the most

considerable of these in wealth and population, but far exceeded her proportion, in contributions of men and money and efforts of all kinds in the public serVvice, her government had a very leading influence in all the transactions of the day. Jealousy and animosity towards the French, was in no part of the British dominions more keenly felt. On the water, they met us as rivals in the fisheries, while on the land, all the frontier settlements from Novia Scotia to the Lakes, were subject, through French agency, to perpetual anxiety, and occasionally to the desolating incursions, and horrible barbarities, of Indian warfare. The enmity arising from these causes was aggravated and kept in activity, by a deep hereditary prejudice on account of their religion.

*

To overturn the power of France in Canada, was therefore the leading and engrossing wish in our politics; and to effect this object we made voluntary sacrifices, that perhaps were never exceeded by any people, whose whole territory was not overrun. Mr. Shirley the Governor of Massachusetts, was indefatigable in stimulating the ministry, and the several colonies, to follow this course. He had discovered so much industry and ability in his government, although not bred to a military life, that he was made Commander in Chief of the military forces, after the death of General Braddock. The brilliant success of the expedition to Louisbourg, in

* At one period every third man was engaged in some branch of the sea or land service, and the taxes in Boston, amounted to two thirds of the whole income of the real estate.

1745, undertaken under his auspices, gave him a reputation for the management of military operations. But the disappointments and defeats, that took place in the campaign of 1755, were attributed to his want of skill in the immediate command of the forces. He was succeeded by General Abercrombie for only a few months, and then by Lord Loudon. Under this latter commander, the Colonies were involved in the deepest depression. His arrogance and indiscretion led him into disputes, and almost to make war against those he came to defend; while his indecision and delay, inspired the enemy with confidence, wasted all the resources of the country, paralysed every operation, and exposed the colonists, to the greatest mortification and danger. This period of imbecility and mismanagement dissipated much of that illusion, which had been felt in regard to the British regulars, as they were called. The bold tone and arrogant presumption, which the regular army always assumed over the provincial troops, and which was commonly submit

*The capture of Louisbourg, by the Massachusetts troops, was a fair subject of triumph, and is often mentioned, in the subsequent annals of that province. That their idea of the importance of this operation is not singular, the following passage from Lord Chesterfield's works will serve to prove. "This conquest was certainly of great importance, and in the end procured peace; but it was magnified to such a degree, that the noble Duke, who was at the head of the Admiralty, declared, that if France was master of Portsmouth, he would hang the man, who should give up Cape Breton in exchange,

Chesterfield's works, v. 2. p. 283.

+ This distinction between regulars and provincials, which arose while they acted together, was retained long after. In popular language, the common term for the British troops, during the revolutionary war, was the " regu lars."