teen individuals, as many thousands were involved in
one general calamity."[332]

Shortly after the passing of the Boston Port Bill, the second Bill was
brought into Parliament, entitled "An Act for the Better Regulating of
the Government of the Province of Massachusetts Bay." This Bill was
brought in on the 28th of March, three days before the Royal assent was
given to the Boston Port Bill. As the town of Boston had received no
notice of the Bill which closed its port, and had therefore no
opportunity to vindicate its conduct or rights; so the Province received
no notice of the Bill which changed its system of government, which
abrogated so much of its Charter as gave to its Legislative Assembly the
choice of the Council; abolished town meetings, except for the choice of
town officers, or on the special permission of the Governor, which gave
to the Crown the appointment and removal of the sheriffs, and to the
sheriffs the selection of the juries, which had hitherto been elected by
the people. After an animated debate, led by Dunning in opposition, the
Bill passed the Commons by a vote of more than three to one.

The third penal Bill brought in and passed was said to have been
specially recommended by the King himself. It authorized, at the
discretion of the Governor, the removal for trial to Nova Scotia or
Great Britain of all magistrates, revenue officers, or soldiers indicted
for murder or other capital offence. Mr. Bancroft says: "As Lord North
brought forward this wholesale Bill of indemnity to the Governor and
soldiers, if they should trample upon the people of Boston and be
charged with murder, it was noticed that he trembled and faltered at
every word; showing that he was the vassal of a stronger will than his
own, and vainly struggled to wrestle down the feelings which his nature
refused to disavow."[333]

Colonel Barre, who had supported the Boston Port Bill, said: "I execrate
the present measure; you have had one meeting of the colonies in
Congress. You may soon have another. The Americans will not abandon
their principles; for if they submit they are slaves." The Bill passed
the Commons by a vote of more than four to one.

The fourth Bill legalized the quartering of troops within the town of
Boston.

The question now arises, What were the effects of these measures upon
the colonies? We answer, the effects of these measures were the very
reverse of what had been anticipated and predicted by their advocat