History of the Rise, Progress, and Termination of the American Revolution. Mercy Otis Warren

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      HISTORY

      OF THE RISE, PROGRESS

      AND TERMINATION OF THE

      AMERICAN REVOLUTION

      This book is published by Liberty Fund, Inc., a foundation established to encourage study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.

      The cuneiform inscription that serves as our logo and as a design element in Liberty Fund books is the earliest-known written appearance of the word “freedom” (amagi), or “liberty.” It is taken from a clay document written about 2300 B.C. in the Sumerian city-state of Lagash.

      Foreword and editorial additions © 1994 by Liberty Fund, Inc.

      Cover art courtesy of the New York Public Library. Volume I, engraving by Paul Revere. Volume II, engraving after a painting by John Trumbull.

      This eBook edition published in 2013.

      eBook ISBNs:

      Kindle 978-1-61487-021-0

      E-PUB 978-1-61487-139-2

       www.libertyfund.org

      Contents

      VOLUME ONE

Foreword

Bibliography

Editor’s Note

List of Abbreviations

“An Address to the Inhabitants of the United States of America”

       [VOLUME ONE OF THE 1805 EDITION]

CHAPTER I

Introductory Observations

CHAPTER II

The Stamp-Act • A Congress convened at New York, One thousand seven hundred and sixty-five • The Stamp-Act repealed • New Grievances • Suspension of the Legislature of New York

CHAPTER III

Cursory Observations • Massachusetts Circular Letter • A new House of Representatives called • Governor Bernard impeached • A Riot on the Seizure of a Vessel •Troops applied for to protect the King’s Officers • A Convention at Boston • Troops arrive • A Combination against all Commerce with Great Britain • A General Assembly convened at Boston—removed to Cambridge • Governor Bernard after his Impeachment repairs to England

CHAPTER IV

Character of Mr. Hutchinson • Appointed Governor of Massachusetts • The attempted Assassination of Mr. Otis • Transactions of the fifth of March, one thousand seven hundred and seventy • Arrival of the East India Company’s Tea-Ships • Establishment of Committees of Correspondence • The Right of Parliamentary Taxation without Representation urged by Mr. Hutchinson • Articles of Impeachment resolved on in the House of Representatives against Governor Hutchinson and Lieutenant Governor Oliver • Chief Justice of the Province impeached • Boston Port-Bill • Governor Hutchinson leaves the Province

CHAPTER V

General Gage appointed Governor of Massachusetts • General Assembly meet at Salem • A Proposal for a Congress from all the Colonies, to be convened at Philadelphia • Mandamus Counsellors obliged to resign • Resolutions of the General Congress • Occasional Observations • The Massachusetts attentive to the military Discipline of their Youth • Suffolk Resolves • A Provincial Congress chosen in the Massachusetts • Governor Gage summons a new House of Representatives

CHAPTER VI

Parliamentary Divisions on American Affairs—cursory Observations and Events • Measures for raising an Army of Observation by the four New England Governments of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut • Battle of Lexington • Sketches of the Conduct and Characters of the Governors of the southern Provinces • Ticonderoga taken • Arrival of Reinforcements from England • Proscription and Characters of Samuel Adams and John Hancock, Esquires • Battle of Bunker-Hill • Death and Character of General Joseph Warren • Massachusetts adopt a stable Form of Government

CHAPTER VII

A Continental Army • Mr. Washington appointed to the Command • General Gage recalled—succeeded by Sir William Howe • Depredations on the Sea Coast • Falmouth burnt • Canadian Affairs • Death and Character of General Montgomery

CHAPTER VIII

Dissensions in the British Parliament • Petition of Governor Penn rejected • Boston evacuated • Sir Henry Clinton sent to the Southward—Followed by General Lee—His Character • Sir Peter Parker’s Attack on Sullivan’s Island • General Howe’s Arrival at Sandy-Hook • General Washington leaves Cambridge • Observations on the Temper of some of the Colonies

       CHAPTER IX

       Declaration of Independence • Lord Howe’s Arrival in America • Action on Long Island • Retreat of the Americans through the Jersies, and the Loss of the Forts Washington and Lee • Affairs in Canada • Surprise of the Hessians at Trenton • Various Transactions in the Jersies • General Howe’s Retreat—Makes Head-Quarters at Brunswick—His Indecision—Some Traits of his Character

       CHAPTER X

       Desultory Circumstances • Skirmishes and Events • General Howe withdraws