Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/316

292 it. They passed several spirited resolutions, declaring their exclusive right to tax themselves, and denying the right of the king to remove an offender out of the colony for trial. An address to his majesty was also agreed on, which stated, in a style of loyalty and real attachment to the crown, the deep conviction of the House of Burgesses of Virginia, that the complaints of the colonists were well founded. When the intelligence of these proceedings reached the governor, Lord Botetourt, he suddenly dissolved the Assembly. But the current of opposition was too strong to be resisted. The members assembled at a private house, elected their speaker, Peyton Randolph, Esq., moderator; and proceeded to pass resolutions against importing British goods. Their example was followed by other colonies and non-importation agreements, which had before been entered into by Boston, Salem, the city of New York, and the colony of Connecticut, now became very general.

The General Court met in Boston, May 31st, and immediately resolved that it was improper for them to hold a session in the midst of an armed force. The governor, on their requesting the removal of the troops, declared that he had no authority over the troops. The House then determined that they would not enter upon any business, or vote supplies, until their wishes were acceded to. The governor, June 13th, adjourned the refractory House to Cambridge. Bernard informing them that he was about to go to England, the House unanimously voted a petition that he be removed from his office as governor, and were roused to a high pitch of indignation by being called upon, not only to refund expenses incurred in finding quarters for the troops, but also to provide for the future in this respect. "General discontent," such is their language, "on account of the Revenue Acts, the expectation of a sudden arrival of a military power to enforce them, an apprehension of the troops being quartered upon the inhabitants, and the General Court dissolved, the governor refusing to call a new one, and the people reduced almost to a state of despair, rendered it highly expedient and necessary for the people to convene by their committees, to associate and consult upon the best means to promote peace and good order, to present their united complaints to the throne, and pray for the royal interposition in favor of their violated rights; nor can this proceeding possibly be illegal, as they expressly disclaim all governmental acts. That the establishment of a standing army in the colony in time of peace is an invasion of their natural rights; that a standing army is no part of the British constitution ; and that to send an armed force among them under pretence of assisting the civil authority, is highly dangerous to the people, and both unprecedented and unconstitutional."

The governor, on the 12th of July, calling upon them to declare positively whether they would, or would not, make provision for the troops, they boldly spoke out as follows: "Of all the new regulations, the Stamp Act not excepted, this under consideration is