ions, petitions, and addresses. While some passages breathed the
spirit of bold and uncompromising defiance, others expressed loyalty of
the most ardent nature to his majesty, and unalterable attachment to the
mother country. The spirit by which congress was actuated is, however,
clearly defined by their proceedings, and by the character of the men
who composed it. There was one gentle Dickinson among the number, who
still hoped for a reconciliation with Great Britain, but the majority of
its members were akin in spirit to the fiery Jefferson, whose turbulency
often showed itself during their deliberations. There was, however, no
room to doubt as to the determination of the Americans to assert their
independence, for, while this congress was sitting, events had occurred
which proclaimed that determination to all the world in language which
could not be misunderstood. Blood had again stained the soil of America.

[Illustration: 3-079-bunker-hill.jpg BATTLE OF BUNKER'S HILL]

BATTLE OF BUNKER'S HILL.

Towards the end of May 10,000 fresh troops arrived from Britain, under
the command of Generals Howe, Burgoyne, and Clinton. As the gauntlet
had been thrown down by America, and war had been resolved upon by the
English, it might have been expected that active operations would have
been commenced forthwith. Such was not the case. An English soldier
remarked:--"We were kept on the Neck twisting our tails and powdering
our heads, while the Yankees were gathering in our front and in our
flanks like clouds." It seems to be generally acknowledged that this
inactivity was fatal to the cause of the British arms in America, and
that if General Gage had employed the troops, so soon as he received
such valuable reinforcements, he might have scattered the militiamen and
raw troops which hemmed him in, like chaff before the wind. Instead
of that, time was given them to increase their force,--to perfect
themselves in military evolutions,--to give consistency to their loose
lines, and to render the blockade more effective. At length, however,
this dreamy inactivity was broken. On the 8th of June, grown bold by
impunity, the provincial congress of Massachusets Bay resolved that the
compact between the crown of Great Britain and that colony was dissolved
by the violation of their charter; and they recommended the people to
establish a new and independent government. Four days after this
General Gage, still hoping to restore tranquilli