The Rebels; or, Boston before the Revolution/Preface

DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS, TO WIT:

District Clerk's Office.

BE it remembered, that on the twelfth day of November, A. D. 1825, and in the fiftieth year of the Independence of the United States of America, Cummings, Hilliard, & Co. of the said district, have deposited in this office the title of a book, the right whereof they claim as proprietors, in the words following, to wit:

"The Rebels, or Boston before the Revolution. By the author of Hobomok.

Here the free spirit of mankind at length Throws its last fetters off; and who shall place A limit to the giant's unchained strength, Or curb his swiftness in the forward race.


 * Bryant

In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, "An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned;" and also to an act entitled, "An act, supplementary to an act entitled, `An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned,' and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching, historical and other prints."

JOHN W. DAVIS,

Clerk of the District of Massachusetts.

TO

GEORGE TICKNOR, ESQ.

THIS VOLUME IS MOST RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED

BY

THE AUTHOR.

PREFACE.

Nothing is more delightful to the human mind than to ascend from important results to their primitive causes; and surely the Reformation alone has produced as extensive and important effects as the American Revolution: yet how few understand the springs which set that tremendous machine in motion. America is now vigorous and majestic; she dwells in her spacious, sky-canopied home, where the Pacific kisses her feet in homage, and the Atlantic touches her garments, and rolls on more proudly than before. We now hear her youthful shout of freedom loudly echoed by the far-off nations;---but while we exultingly exclaim, "To-day our country may stand against the world!" we forget that but yesterday, none were so poor to do her reverence. Hercules decked with a lion's spoil, is before us; but the infant, struggling with serpents, is indistinctly seen in the distance.

True, we talk loudly of the battles we have fought, and the blood we have shed, in our glorious contest; but there are very few among us who duly appreciate the deep wisdom, the passive courage, and the unyielding firmness of those men, who looked on the mighty torrent of English power, jealously watched its overflowing tide, and fearlessly exclaimed, "Hitherto shalt thou come---but no further." Had I the power to give a faithful picture of the vacillating, yet obstinate course of the British ministry, constantly changing their position, in order to elude the dangerous weapons which gleamed around them, and as constantly involving themselves in new and unforeseen difficulties;---were I able minutely to recount the sounds of opposition, which grew louder and louder, as the spirits of men were stirred within them, and their lips touched by a living coal from the altar of freedom,---I fear the number to whom I should impart pleasure would be but small.

Surely, however, the domestic annals of those times, when the whole community seemed heaving with the pressure of expanding energies, yet unconscious of the desperate effort, that was so soon to tax its utmost strength, cannot fail to interest every American heart.

Thus much for the period I have chosen. How faithfully it has been portrayed, must be left to critics less merciful than myself.

Many will complain that I have dwelt too much on political scenes, familiar to every one who reads our history; and others, on the contrary, will say that the character of the book is quite too tranquil for its title. I might mention many doubts and fears still more important, but I prefer silently to trust this humble volume to that futurity which no one can foresee, and every one can dread.