Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/417

] to coalesce under an efficient government, and that after much anarchy, some future Cæsar, or Cromwell, would grasp their liberties, and confirm himself on a throne of despotism. They doubted the perseverance of their countrymen, in effecting their independence, and were also apprehensive, that in case of success, their future condition would be less happy than their past. Some respectable individuals, whose principles were pure, but whose souls were not of that firm texture which revolutions require, shrunk back from the bold measures proposed by their more adventurous countrymen. To submit without an appeal to heaven, though secretly wished for by some, was not the avowed sentiment of any; but to persevere in petitioning and resisting, was the system of some misguided honest men. The favorers of that opinion were generally wanting in that decision which grasps at great objects, and influenced by that timid policy which does its work by halves. Most of them dreaded the power of England. A few, on the score of interest, or in expectancy of favors from the royal government, refused to concur with the general voice. Some of the natives of the mother country, who, having lately settled in the colonies, had not yet exchanged European for American ideas, together with a few others, conscientiously opposed the measures of Congress: notwithstanding all this, however, the great bulk of the people, and especially of the spirited and independent part of the community, came with surprising unanimity into the project of severing the tie which bound them to England. And when once the idea of independence was clearly grasped, and fully appreciated, it was impossible to stay the onward progress of America toward that glorious result.

Washington, meanwhile, was waiting, impatiently, before Boston. His own wish had been, to take some active measures ere this, but various circumstances operated to prevent the accomplishment of his purposes. Congress, fearing, perhaps, that the commander-in-chief hesitated, lest an assault might be destructive of the property which many of the patriots and members of their body owned in Boston, formally urged Washington not to let any considerations of the kind interfere with the measures he deemed advisable. It was important, on every account, to dislodge the enemy, and Washington was not without hope of being able to carry the city by assault.

The scarcity of provisions in Boston was well known ; various facilities were afforded for an assault, and Washington, as we have noted on a previous page, (see p, 376,) called a council of war, and proposed to make the attempt without delay, The council did not agree as to the expediency of an assault, and preferred to force the enemy to evacuate, by occupying the Heights of Dorchester, which commanded the entire city. Washington, with his usual prudence, gave way, and it was determined to occupy the Heights directly. A quantity of fascines and gabions had been prepared, at the suggestion of Generals Ward, Thomas and Spencer, and the aid derived from the cannon taken at Ticonderoga and Crown