from England, and they loved the English people, and respected King George III. 4. But neither the king nor the people in England loved the Americans as much. They were at that time jealous of them. They feared that at some future period the Americans would become rich and powerful, and wish to separate from them. 5. The Americans were, indeed, prospering. They now amounted to more than three millions of people. The statesmen in England said they were growing too fast; they would soon become proud and independent. Something must be done to keep them in check. 6. At length it was resolved to tax the Americans. This would take away their money, and keep them poor. The first tax was imposed in 1764. In that year it was ordered that the Americans should pay a certain sum on all the sugar, indigo, coffee, etc., taken from England to America. 7. In 1765 the English Parliament went still farther, and passed an act, called the "Stamp Act;" that is, a duty or tax on every piece of paper used for notes, deeds, wills, etc. It was called the "Stamp Act" because each piece of paper had a stamp upon it, representing a crown. This act was very odious to the Americans. They thought it unjust, and they resolved not to submit to it. The next year, 1766, the act was repealed. This filled the Americans with joy. They thought the king and Parliament would tax them no more. 8. But they were deceived. Not long after Parliament taxed them again in another way. They laid a tax on glass, paper, and tea. Several cargoes of tea were sent to America. It was to be sold in the colonies cheaper than people could buy it in England. But the Americans resolved that they would purchase none of it, because they would not pay the tax laid upon it. 9. King George aroused the anger of the people still more by sending over large bodies of soldiery to keep them in order. A great many of these troops were quartered in New York and Boston. They were hated by the people and constant riots took place. 10. One cargo of the tea sent over was shipped to Boston. On its arrival, the people resolved that it should not even be landed. To prevent the landing several persons assembled at the wharf, dressed like Mohawk Indians, and, going on board the ship, they took 342 chests of tea-the whole cargo-and threw them into the sea. This was in the year 1773. Questions. 1. When did the war of the Revolution begin? Why was it so called? 2. Until this time, to whom were the colonists in America subject? By whom had the country been settled? What right had the king? 3. How long were the colonists willing the king should govern them? How did they regard the English people and the king? 4. How did the king and people in England regard the Americars? What did they fear? 5. and 6. Were the Americans prosperous? What was their number? What did the statesmen of England say? What did they resolve to do? In what year was this? What was ordered this year? 7. What act was passed in 1765? What was meant by the Stamp Act? Why was it so called? What did the Americans think of this Act? What did they resolve about it? When was the Stamp Act repealed? How did the Americans feel about it? What did they think? 8. Did they think right? What did the king and Parliament soon after do? What articles did they tax? What did the people resolve about the tea sent over? Why? 9. How did the king further arouse the anger of the people? Where were these troops quartered? How were they regarded by the people? 10. To what place was one of the cargoes sent? When it arrived, what did the people resolve? What did they do with the tea? How were they dressed who threw the tea overboard? How many chests were thrown into the water? In what year was this? Story. 1. Even the children of Boston were greatly excited by the presence of British troops among them. 2. In the winter the boys were in the habit of building snow-hills and sliding down them to the pond on the common. The English soldiers, to tease them, would often beat down these hills. 3. On one occasion, having rebuilt them, and finding, on their return from school, that they were again trodden down, several of the boys went to the captain and complained of his soldiers. The officer made light of it, and the soldiers became more troublesome than ever. 4. At last a deputation of some of the larger boys waited upon General Gage, the commander-in-chief, himself. He asked why so many children had called upon him. "We come, sir," said the tallest boy, "to demand satisfaction." "What!" said the General, “have your fathers been teaching you rebellion, and sent you to exhibit it here?" 5. "Nobody sent us, sir," replied the boy, while his eyes flashed and his cheeks reddened at being accused of rebellion; we have never injured nor insulted your troops, but they have trodden down our snow-hills and broken the ice on our skating-grounds. We complained, and they called us young rebels, and told us to help ourselves if we could. We told the captain, and he laughed at us. Yesterday our works were destroyed the third time, and we will bear it no longer." 6. The nobler feelings of the General's heart were awakened, and, after gazing upon them in silent admiration for a moment, he turned to an officer by his side, and said, "The very children here draw in a love of liberty with the air they breathe. You may go, my brave boys, and be assured, if my troops trouble you again, they shall be punished." Lossing. |