History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

342 HISTORY OP NORTHAMPTON. [1773-1774.
foremost among the leaders of the movement, made no
sign. Not only were the towns very nearly of one mind
in their decision to resist the unsatisfactory laws of Parliament,
but before spring, in most of them committees of
correspondence had been established. In this as well as in
committing herself to the cause of freedom, Northampton
was again dilatory, and for more than a twelvemonth nothing
of the kind was accomplished here.
No more Tea Allowed. During the followiug year came the attempt
to force upon the colonies the Tea
of the East India Tea Company, which the American
merchants had already refused to import. But the people
would have none of it, and successfully resisted the attempt
to pour it down their throats. From some ports the
tea ships were compelled to return with their cargoes undisturbed.
In Boston after the " tea party " in the harbor,
in December, 1773, no cargo remained for them to carry
away.
British Troops Sent Geu. Thomas Gage, who had for twelve
to Support Gage. years Commanded the British forces in
America, was appointed Governor of the
Province in 1774, and four regiments were sent over to enforce
the orders of Parliament. He arrived in May, and
was received with the usual civil and military demonstrations.
Convening at its usual time, the General Court
assembled the same month, and the new Governor ordered
that its sessions should be held at Salem. A series of resolutions
were adopted recommending a "congress of depu-
ties from the several houses of assembly on the continent,"
urging the inhabitants of the Province to dispense with
India Teas, and to discountenance altogether the use of
goods and manufactures imported from Great Britain. Immediately
the Governor dissolved the court, and that was
the last Legislature convened in Massachusetts under the
authority of the King of England.
The "Boston Port
Bin " and other
Early iu 1774, in order to punish that rebel-
Hous city for the dostructiou of so much
^°^^good
tea, the "Boston Port Bill"* was enacted.
It went into effect on the first of June. Before mid-