f New York refused to execute this Act, on the ground
that it involved the very principle of taxation which had just been
abandoned by the repeal of the Stamp Act. It made provision for the
troops in its own way, and calmly ignored the Act of Parliament.
Parliament retorted in due course by passing a bill by which the
Governor, Council, and Assembly of New York were prevented from passing
any law whatsoever until they had complied with the letter and the
spirit of the Mutiny Act. This measure was loudly applauded in
England, even by some who had shown themselves very friendly to the
grievances of the colonists. When New York found that her great deed
was too great, and, bending before the anger of Parliament, reluctantly
complied with the terms of the Mutiny Act, there were not wanting
observers to point out that the lesson, though only addressed to one
colony, was of significance to all, and that an inevitable surrender
was the proof {150} of the hopeless inferiority of the colonies when
brought into direct contest with the supreme power. These jubilations
were as short-lived as they were untimely. If New York was weak and
wavered, Massachusetts was more firm of purpose. She sternly refused
to comply with the terms of the Mutiny Act. She went farther still in
defiance of the Government. She issued a circular to the other
colonies, calling upon them very frankly and very clearly to co-operate
in taking some united course for the purpose of obtaining redress for
the recent acts of the English Government. This was the second
instance of deliberate combination for a definite end among the
colonies, and it caused much disquiet and more irritation to the
Government. Lord Hillsborough, always in favor of what he believed to
be firm measures, immediately sent Governor Bernard instructions to
have the offending circular rescinded. Governor Bernard would have
been only too glad to obey, but obedience was not easy.

[Sidenote: 1770--The Boston massacre]

Bernard could command, but Massachusetts could refuse to give way.
When Bernard retaliated by dissolving the Massachusetts Legislature,
colony after colony replied to his action by applauding the conduct of
Massachusetts and condemning Lord Hillsborough. The English Government
answered the protests of Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, Georgia, and New
York by creating a new office especially to deal with the colonies, and
by appointing Lord Hillsborough to fill the post.