The Rev. George Whitefield took leave of the church in 1765. Savannah; and the Orphan house was discontinued.1

Florida.

On the 3d of January, near the head of St. John's river in Frost in East Florida there was a frost so intense, that in one night the ground was frozen an inch thick upon the banks of the river. The limes, citrons, and banana trees, at St. Augustine, were destroyed.2

The Quebec Gazette, La Gazette de Quebec, in French and Quebec English, was first published.3

Gazette.

Timothy Cutler, rector of Christ church in Boston, died, Deaths. aged 82;4 Edward Wigglesworth, the first professor of divinity in Harvard College, in the 73d year of his age;5 Oxenbridge Thacher, aged 45 years.

1 By the general account of monies expended and received for the use of the Orphan house from 7 Jan. 1739 to 9 Feb. 1765, it appears, that

2 Bertram's Journal. "3d. Clear cold morning; thermometer 26. wind N.W. The ground was froze an inch thick on the banks; this was the fatal night that destroyed the lime, citron, and banana trees in Augustine, many curious evergreens up the river, that were near 20 years old, and in a flourishing state; the young green shoots of the maple, elm, and pavia, with many flowering plants and shrubs never before hurt." This extreme cold was of short continuance. The next morning (4th) the thermometer was at 50°. See NOTE IV. 3 Thomas, ii. 379.

4 Pres. Stiles, MSS. Holyoke, MS. The Rev. Dr. Cutler was educated at Harvard College, where he was graduated in 1701. In 1710 he was ordained minister of a congregational church in Stratford, in Connecticut. In 1719 he was chosen rector of Yale College, and inducted into office, the duties of which he performed with usefulness and dignity. In 1722 he relinquished the communion of the congregational church, and soon after went to England, where he received orders in the Episcopal church, and the degree of Doctor in Divinity from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. He was a man of profound and extensive learning. He was preeminently distinguished for his knowledge of the Hebrew and oriental languages; and was well skilled in logic, metaphysics, moral philosophy, theology, and ecclesiastical history. Clap, Hist. Yale College. Miller, ii. 359. Eliot, Biog.

5 The Rev. Dr. Wigglesworth was the son of Rev. Michael Wigglesworth of Malden. He was graduated at Harvard College in 1710; and when the professorship of divinity was founded in that college by Mr. Thomas Hollis, he was unanimously appointed first professor, and was inducted into office in 1722. He was an eminent theologian, and distinguished for learning, humility, and piety. Eliot and Allen, Biog.

6 He was a son of Rev. Oxenbridge Thacher of Milton, and the father of the late Rev. Dr. Thacher of Boston. He was graduated at Harvard College in 1738; and afterwards rose to eminence at the bar. He was representative for Boston when the first revenue acts were passed, and he opposed every measure of the Britsish parliament against the constitutional liberties of his country. He wrote a pamphlet, entitled "The Sentiments of a British American," occasioned by an "Act to lay certain duties in the British colonies and plantations;" also "Considerations upon reducing the value of gold coins within the province." He was "a man of strict integrity, highly esteemed for his moral worth, as well as his legal knowledge. His death was universally lamented as a great loss to the public." Eliot, Biog. Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. viii. 277; iii. 301.

King's speech at

1766.

AT the opening of parliament, on the 19th of January, the opening of king reminded both houses, that when he met them last, he parliament. acquainted them, that matters of importance had happened in America, which would demand their most serious attention. He informed them, that he had ordered all the papers that give any light into the origin, the progress, or the tendency of the disturbances which have of late prevailed in some of the northern colonies, to be immediately laid before them. His majesty expressed a firm confidence, that their wisdom and zeal would guide them to such sound and prudent resolutions, as may tend at once to preserve the constitutional rights of the British legislature over the colonies, and to restore to them that harmony and tranquillity, which have lately been interrupted by riots and disorders of the most dangerous nature. "If any alterations," said his majesty," should be wanting in the commercial economy of the plantations, which may tend to enlarge and secure the mutual and beneficial intercourse of my kingdom and colonies, they will deserve your most serious consideration.-I have nothing at heart but the assertion of legal authority, the preservation of the liberties of all my subjects, the equity and good order of my government, and the concord and prosperity of all parts of my dominions."

Dr. Frank

nation be

fore the house of commons.

In February, Dr. Franklin was examined before the English lin's exami- house of commons, relative to the Repeal of the Stamp Act. His answers to the numerous questions put to him, on this occasion, show at once his thorough knowledge of the merits of the cause, and of the views, principles, and spirit of his countrymen. To the question, "Do not you think the people of America would submit to the stamp duty, if it was moderated?" he answered, “No, never, unless compelled by force of arms." To the question, "What was the temper of America towards Great Britain before the year 1763?" he replied, "The best in the world. They submitted willingly to the government of the crown, and paid, in their courts, obedience to acts of parliament. Numerous as the people are in the several old provinces, they cost you nothing in forts, citadels, garrisons, or armies, to keep them in subjection. They were governed by this country at the expense only of a little pen, ink, and paper; they were led by a thread. They had not only a respect, but an affection for Great Britain; for its laws, its customs, and manners, and even a fondness for its fashions, that greatly increased the commerce. Natives of Britain were always treated with particular regard; to be an Old England-man was, of itself, a character of some respect,

and gave a kind of rank among us."—" And what is their temper now?" it was asked. "O, very much altered," he replied. "Did you ever hear the authority of parliament to make laws for America questioned till lately?" The authority of parliament," said he, "was allowed to be valid in all laws, except such as should lay internal taxes. It was never disputed in laying duties to regulate commerce." To the question, "Can you name any act of assembly, or public act of any of your governments, that made such distinction?" he replied, "I do not know that there was any: I think there was never an occasion to make such an act, till now that you have attempted to tax us: that has occasioned resolutions of assembly, declaring the distinction, in which I think every assembly on the continent, and every member in every assembly, have been unanimous."1

1766.

ment for the

The decided opposition of the American colonies to the stamp Advocates act rendered it necessary for Great Britain either to enforce or in parlia repeal it. Each of these measures had advocates. Among the colonies. foremost to vindicate the colonies were lord Camden, in the house of peers, and Mr. Pitt, in the house of commons. "My position is this," said lord Camden, "I repeat it, I will maintain it to my last hour; taxation and representation are inseparable. This position is founded on the laws of nature. It is more, it is itself an eternal law of nature. For whatever is a man's own, it is absolutely his own. No man has a right to take it from him without his consent. Whoever attempts to do it, attempts an injury; whoever does it, commits a robbery."

against the

tion.

In the debate on the motion of address, Mr. Pitt rose to offer Mr. Pitt's his sentiments on the present situation of affairs. His speech speech was in his own bold, nervous, and eloquent style. He pro- measures of nounced every capital measure, taken by the late ministers, to administrahave been entirely wrong. "It is a long time, Mr. speaker, since I have attended in parliament. When the resolution was taken in this house to tax America, I was ill in my bed. If I could have endured to have been carried in my bed, so great was the agitation of my mind for the consequences, I would have solicited some kind hand to have laid me down on this floor, to have borne my testimony against it. It is my opinion, that the kingdom has no right to lay a tax upon the colonies. At the same time, I assert the authority of this kingdom to be sovereign. and supreme in every circumstance of government and legislation whatsoever. . . . . The idea of virtual representation is the most contemptible that ever entered into the head of a man; it does not deserve a serious refutation. The commons in America, represented in their several assemblies, have invariably exercised

1766. this constitutional right of giving and granting their own money; they would have been slaves, if they had not enjoyed it; at the same time, this kingdom has ever possessed the power of legislative and commercial controul. The colonies acknowledge your authority in all things, with the sole exception that you shall not take their money out of their pockets without their consent."

Mr. Grenville's in defence of them.

reply.

After some minutes of profound silence, Mr. Grenville rose, and entered into a laboured vindication of the measures of his administration. He asserted, that the tumults in America bordered on open rebellion; and if the doctrine promulgated that day were confirmed, he feared they would lose this name, to take that of revolution. He affirmed taxation to be a branch of the sovereign power; and that it had been frequently exercised over those who were never represented. "Great Britain," said he, "protects America; America is therefore bound to yield obedience. If not, tell me when were the Americans emancipated? The seditious spirit of the colonies owes its birth to the faction in this house." When he had finished his speech, Mr. Pitt rose to reply, but was called to order, the privilege of speaking a second time being allowed only in a committee. But the house resounding with the cry of "Go on," he proceeded, with an independence of spirit and power of eloquence, worthy of his Mr. Pitt's subject: "Sir," addressing the speaker, "a charge is brought against gentlemen sitting in this house, for giving birth to sedition. in America. The freedom with which they have spoken their sentiments against this unhappy act, is imputed to them as a crime; but the imputation shall not discourage me. . . . We are told, America is obstinate-America is almost in open rebellion. Sir, I rejoice that America has resisted; three millions of people so dead to all the feelings of liberty, as voluntarily to submit to be slaves, would have been fit instruments to make slaves of all the rest. . . . The honorable gentleman tells us, he understands not the difference between internal and external taxation; but surely there is a plain distinction between taxes levied for the purpose of raising a revenue, and duties imposed for the regulation of commerce. 'When,' said the honorable gentleman,' were the colonies emancipated?' At what time, say I in answer, were they made slaves?" Having adverted to the profits to Great Britain from the trade of the colonies, he proceeds: "I know the valour of your troops-I know the skill of your officers-I know the force of this country; but in such a cause your success would be hazardous. America, if she fell, would fall like the strong man; she would embrace the pillars of the state, and pull down the constitution with her. Is this your boasted peace? Not to sheathe the sword in the scabbard, but to sheathe it in the bowels of your countrymen? The Ameri

cans have been wronged-they have been driven to madness by 1766. injustice. Will you punish them for the madness you have occasioned? No: let this country be the first to resume its prudence and temper; I will pledge myself for the colonies, that, on their part, animosity and resentment will cease."

In conclusion, he proposed that the stamp act should be absolutely, totally, and immediately repealed. In a short time, the new ministers brought in a bill for the repeal; which, after a very vehement opposition, passed both houses of parliament and received the royal assent. It was accompanied with a Declaratory Act, asserting the power and right of Great Britain to bind the colonies in all cases whatsoever. The declaratory act passed in Stamp act the beginning of March; and on the 18th of the month the repealed. stamp act was repealed, by a majority of 275 to 167. News of the repeal excited great joy in America; where it was celebrated by the ringing of bells, fireworks, and festivals.1

By an act of parliament, the non enumerated commodities, as Act of parthose were called, which were not confined to the market of liament. Great Britain, and which could originally be shipped to any part of the world, were limited, in the same manner as rice and lumber, to the part of Europe south of Cape Finisterre."

By a very accurate statement, drawn up this year by order of State of governor Ulloa to be sent to the Spanish ministry, it appears, Louisiana. that the French colony of Louisiana contained 5556 white inhabitants, and 5940 slaves.3

tions.

This year were published, The Crisis, or a full defence of the Political Colonies; An Enquiry into the Rights of the British Colonies, by publicaRichard Bland, of Virginia;5 Considerations on the propriety of imposing Taxes on the British Colonies, for the purpose of raising a Revenue, by Act of Parliament, ascribed to Daniel Dulaney, of Maryland; and, The Grievances of the American Colonies candidly examined, printed by AUTHORITY, at Providence, in Rhode Island."

6

1 Belsham, Hist. G. Brit. v. b. 14. Parliamentary Journals. Bisset, Reign of George III. c. 5 Adams, N. Eng. c. 20. Gordon, i. Lett. 3.—The Declaratory Act, says Mr. Adams, was made without our consent, by a parliament which had no authority beyond the four seas. Hist. Dispute.

2 Pitkin, Statistical View.

3 Stiles, MSS. The particulars are, 1893 white men, fit to bear arms, 1044 women (marriageable), 1375 boys, and 1244 girls. There were then in the colony 2907 horses, 37,491 black cattle, 7736 sheep, goats, and hogs.

4 Biblioth. Amer. 154.

5 Jefferson, Query xxiii.

6"Daniel Dulaney, Esq. was an eminent counsellor, who resided at Annapolis. He was considered as one of the most learned and accomplished men of his profession, that our country ever produced. He died at an early stage of the revolutionary war." Miller, ii. 379.

7 The Rhode Island publication, remarking upon the duty of three pence per gallon on foreign molasses, observes: "Heretofore there hath been imported