land could but look into the town, they would
smile to see the utmost good order and observance of the laws, and that
this mighty armament has no other rebellion to subdue than what has
existed in the brain and letters of the inveterate G------r B-----d
(Governor Barnard), and the detested Commiss (Commissioners) of the
Board of Cust--s (Customs). What advantage the Court of Versailles may
take of the present policy of the British Ministry can be better
determined hereafter." (pp. 177, 178.)]

CHAPTER XV.

EVENTS OF 1769--UNJUST IMPUTATIONS OF PARLIAMENT ON THE LOYALTY OF THE
COLONISTS, AND MISREPRESENTATIONS OF THEIR JUST AND LOYAL PETITIONS.

The earliest proceedings of this year in regard to the American colonies
took place in the British Parliament. In all the resolutions, protests,
addresses, and petitions which had been adopted by American Assemblies
and at town meetings, asserting the exclusive right of the colonists to
tax themselves, and against taxation without representation by the
British Parliament, they professed heartfelt loyalty to the King, and
disclaimed all views of independence; while in England the Parliament
asserted unlimited supremacy in and over the colonies, and the Royal
speeches, as well as the resolutions and addresses adopted by the Lords
and Commons, represented the colonies as being in a state of
disobedience to law and government, adopting measures subversive of the
constitution, and manifesting a disposition to throw off all allegiance
to the mother country. The House of Lords passed resolutions censuring
the resolutions and proceedings of the Massachusetts House of
Representatives, pronouncing the election of deputies to sit in
Convention, and the meeting of that Convention at Boston, daring insults
to his Majesty's authority, and audacious usurpations of the powers of
Government; yet, as has been seen, that Convention expressly disclaimed
any assumption of government, and simply expressed the grievances
complained of, prayed for their redress, declared their loyalty to the
King, and recognition of the supreme authority of Parliament according
to the constitution, and quietly dissolved. But the House of Commons
declared concurrence in the resolutions of the Lords; and both Houses,
in their address to the King, endorsed the measures of his Ministers,
declared their readiness to give effectual support to such further
measures as might be found necessary to execute the laws in