theless, the
rejoicing was very great. On May 16, 1766, the public spirit of Boston
was stimulated by the distribution of a broadsheet headed "Glorious
News." This broadsheet announced the arrival of John Hancock's brig
"Harrison," in six weeks and two days from London, with the important
tidings of the repeal of the Stamp Act. The broadsheet painted a
lively picture of the enthusiasm at Westminster and the rejoicings in
the City of London over the total repeal of the measure. It told of
the ships in the river displaying all their colors, of illuminations
and bonfires in many parts; "in short, the rejoicings were as great as
was ever known on any occasion." This broadsheet, "printed for the
benefit of the public," ended in a rapture of delight. "It is
impossible to express the joy the town is now in, on receiving the
above great, glorious, and important news. The bells on all the
churches were immediately set a-ringing, and we hear the day for a
general rejoicing will be the beginning of next week." Boston had
every reason to rejoice, to ring its bells and fly its flags, and set
poor debtors free from prison in honor of the occasion. The colonies
had stood together against the Home Government, and had learned
something of {105} the strength of their union by the repeal of the
Stamp Act.

[Sidenote: 1766--Action of the Colonial Governors]

But when the bells had stopped ringing and the flags were hauled down
and the released debtors had ceased to congratulate themselves upon
their newly recovered liberty, Boston and the other colonial cities
found that their satisfaction was not untempered. The broadsheet that
had blazoned the repeal had also assured its readers that the Acts of
Trade relating to America would be taken under consideration and all
grievances removed. "The friends to America are very powerful and
disposed to assist us to the best of their ability." The friends to
America were powerful, but they fought against tremendous odds.
Dulness and mediocrity, a spite that was always stupid, and a stupidity
that was often spiteful, an alliance of ignorance and arrogance were
the forces against which they struggled in vain. The Acts of Trade
were to be enforced as rigidly as ever. The Declaratory Act pompously
asserted the unimpeachable prerogative of British Majesty to make what
laws it pleased for the colonies. The good that had been done seemed
small in comparison with the harm that might yet be do