sses of Virginia, and of the Assembly of North
Carolina, after their dissolution, met as private gentlemen, chose for
moderators their late Speakers, and adopted resolutions against
importing British goods. This was followed by other colonies, and the
non-importation agreement became general. Boston had entered into the
non-importation agreement as early as August, 1768, which was soon after
adopted in Salem, the city of New York, and the province of Connecticut;
but the agreement was not generally entered into until after the
Virginia resolutions. "The meetings of non-importation associations were
regularly held in the various provinces. Committees were appointed to
examine all vessels arriving from Britain. Censures were freely passed
on such as refused to concur in these associations, and their names were
published in the newspapers as enemies of their country. The regular
Acts of the Provincial Assemblies were not so much respected and obeyed
as the decrees of these Committees."[309]

Governor Barnard could not delay calling the General Assembly of
Massachusetts beyond the time prescribed by the Charter for its meeting
in May; and when it met, its first act was to appoint a Committee to
wait on the Governor, and represent to him "that an armament by sea and
land investing this metropolis, and a military guard with cannon pointed
at the door of the State House, where the Assembly is held, are
inconsistent with the dignity and freedom with which they have a right
to deliberate, consult, and determine," and added, "They expect that
your Excellency will, as his Majesty's representative, give effectual
orders for the removal of the above-mentioned forces by sea and land out
of this port, and the gates of this city, during the session of the said
Assembly." The Governor answered: "Gentlemen, I have no authority over
his Majesty's ships in this port, or his troops within this town, nor
can I give any orders for the removal of the same." The House persisted
in declining to do business while surrounded with an armed force, and
the Governor at length adjourned it to Cambridge.

On the 6th of July the Governor sent a message to the House with
accounts of expenditures already incurred in quartering his Majesty's
troops, desiring funds for their payment, and requiring a provision for
the quartering of the troops in the town and on Castle Island,
"according to Act of Parliament." The next day, among other things, the
House passe