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

[308] conspiracy or an intrigue. But some of his letters

Chap. XLII.} 1769. Aug.

could hardly fail to be discovered; and then it would be disclosed that he had laid snares for the life of patriots, and had urged the ‘thorough’ overthrow of English liberty in America.

The agreement of non-importation originated in New-York, where it was rigidly carried into effect. No acrimony appeared; every one, without so much as a single dissentient, approved the combination as wise and legal; persons in the highest stations declared against the Revenue Acts;¹ and the Governor wished their repeal.² His acquiescence in the associations for coercing that repeal, led the moderate men among the patriots of New-York to plan a Union of the Colonies in an American Parliament, preserving the Governments of the several Colonies, and having the members of the general Parliament chosen by their respective Legislatures.³ They were preparing the greatest work of their generation, to be matured at a later day; their confidence of immediate success assisted to make them alike disinclined to independence, and firm in their expectation of bringing England to reason by suspending their mutual trade.

The people of Boston,⁴ stimulated by the unanimity and scrupulous fidelity of New-York, were impatient that a son of Bernard, two sons of Hutchinson, and about five others, would not accede to the