hmond warmly opposed the measure, as did Lords Camden and
Shelburne, the latter of whom proved the tranquil and loyal condition in
which he had left the colonies on giving up their administration.]

[Footnote 332: Colonial History, Vol. I., Chap. iv., p. 379.

"The inhabitants of Boston, distinguished for politeness and hospitality
no less than for industry and opulence, were sentenced, on the short
notice of twenty days, to a deprivation of the means of subsistence. The
rents of landholders ceased, or were greatly diminished. The immense
property in stores and wharves was rendered in a great measure useless.
Labourers and artificers, and many others employed in the numerous
occupations created by an extensive trade, shared the general calamity.
Those of the people who depended on a regular income, and those who
earned their subsistence by daily labour, were equally deprived of the
means of support. Animated, however, by the spirit of freedom, they
endured their privations with inflexible fortitude. Their sufferings
were soon mitigated by the sympathy and relieved by the charity of the
other colonists. Contributions were everywhere raised for their relief.
Corporate bodies, town meetings, and provincial conventions sent them
letters and addresses applauding their conduct and exhorting them to
perseverance. The inhabitants of Marblehead (which was to be the seaport
instead of Boston) generously offered the Boston merchants the use of
their harbour, wharves, warehouses, and their personal attendance, on
the lading or unlading of their goods, free of all expense. The
inhabitants of Salem (the newly appointed capital) concluded an address
to Governor Gage in a manner that reflected great honour on their virtue
and patriotism. 'By shutting up the port of Boston,' they said, 'some
imagine that the course of trade might be turned hither, and to our
benefit; but nature, in the formation of our harbour, forbids our
becoming rivals in commerce with that convenient mart; and were it
otherwise, we must be dead to every idea of justice, lost to all
feelings of humanity, could we indulge one thought to seize on wealth
and raise our fortunes on the ruins of our suffering neighbours.'"
(Holmes' Annals, etc., Vol. II., pp. 187, 188.)]

[Footnote 333: History of the United States, Vol. VI., Chap. lii., pp.
525, 526.]

[Footnote 334: Marshall's Colonial History, Chap. xiv., p. 405.

"As soon as the Act was received, the Boston Committ