enaces of
Britain, Mr. Hancock, immediately after his proscription, was chosen
President of the Congress. The proclamation had no other effect than to
prepare people's minds for the worst that might follow.

"The reinforcements arrived from Britain; the eagerness of the British
military to avail themselves of their present strength, and the position
of the Provincials, concurred to make both parties diligent in their
preparation for action. It was equally the desire of both: the first
were earnest to exhibit an unquestionable testimony of their
superiority, and to terminate the quarrel by one decisive blow; the
others were no less willing to come to a second engagement (the first
being that of Concord and Lexington), from a confidence they would be
able to convince their enemies that they would find the subjugation of
America a much more difficult task than they hod promised themselves.

"Opposite to the northern shore of the peninsula upon which Boston
stands, lies Charleston, divided from it by a river (Mystic) about the
breadth of the Thames at London Bridge. Neither the British nor
Provincial troops had hitherto bethought themselves of securing this
place. In its neighbourhood, a little to the east, is a high ground
called Bunker's Hill, which overlooks and commands the whole town of
Boston.

"In the night of the 16th of June, a party of the Provincials took
possession of this hill, and worked with so much industry and diligence,
that by break of day they had almost completed a redoubt, together with
a strong intrenchment, reaching half a mile, as far as the River Mystic
to the east. As soon as discovered they were plied with a heavy and
incessant fire from the ships and floating batteries that surrounded the
neck on which Charleston is situated, and from the cannon planted on the
nearest eminence on the Boston side.

"This did not, however, prevent them from continuing their work, which
they had entirely finished by mid-day, when it was found necessary to
take more effectual methods to dislodge them.

"For this purpose a considerable body was landed at the foot of Bunker's
Hill, under the command of General Howe and General Pigot. The first was
to attack the Provincial lines, the second the redoubt. The British
troops advanced with great intrepidity, but on their approach were
received with a fire behind from the intrenchments, that continued
pouring during a full half hour upon them like a stream. The executi