George Bancroft, History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent, Vol. 6, 10th edition.

[210] ‘take the risk of the Province's paying’ the

Chap. XXXVII} 1768. Oct.

charge of his office. The condition was strictly right; for to appropriate money, was the attribute of the Assembly. Since there was no Assembly, no power in the Province could pledge its credit.¹

‘Tyranny begins,’ said Samuel Adams,² ‘if the law is transgressed to another's harm. It behoves the public to avail themselves of the remedy of the law. It is always safe to adhere to the law. We must not give up the law and the Constitution, which is fixed and stable, and is the collected and long digested sentiment of the whole, and substitute in its room the opinion of individuals, than which nothing can be more uncertain.’

While Hood meditated embarking for Boston to winter there,³ Gage came from New-York to demand, in person, quarters for the regiments in the town. The Council would grant none till the barracks at the Castle were filled.⁴

The Governor and the Sheriff attempted, at least, to get possession of a ruinous building, belonging to the Province; but its occupants had taken the opinion of the best lawyer, and kept them at bay.⁵

Bernard next summoned all the acting justices to meet him, and renewed the General's demand for quarters. ‘Not till the barracks are filled,’ they answered, conforming to the law.⁶ ‘How absurd ’