Everything that
could be done on the English side of the Atlantic by those in power to
show those on the American side of the Atlantic that they might look in
vain for justice or for consideration from authority was done. Lord
Hillsborough was under the impression that a little firmness--what he
called firmness--would soon bring the colonists to their senses, but
every mail that came across the Atlantic showed that Lord
Hillsborough's theory was unsupported by facts. Now it was the news
that the seizure of John Hancock's sloop "Liberty" for a breach of the
revenue laws had brought about a riot in Boston in which the
Commissioners of Revenue had to fly for their lives. Now it was the
news of {151} a great convention in Faneuil Hall to protest against the
troops which Hillsborough, at the request of Bernard; poured into
Boston. Now it was the news of daily increasing hostility between the
citizens of Boston and the British soldiers quartered in the town. It
was evident, even to Hillsborough, that a dangerous spirit had been
aroused in America, but he still believed that America could be easily
frightened or chastised into good behavior. He proposed to enforce an
old law of Henry the Eighth by which the colonists offending could be
shipped across the Atlantic for trial in England. All that was best
and most eloquent in the House of Commons protested against such folly,
and did not protest in vain. Some small concessions were made in a
half-hearted and grudging way to the Americans. Governor Bernard was
recalled. Some of the obnoxious taxes were repealed, though Lord North
was not to be persuaded to abandon the tax on tea. These poor
concessions were made known to the colonists in a more than usually
uncivil and injudicious letter from Lord Hillsborough. The concessions
were too trivial and they came too late. If Boston had its brief day
of rejoicing when Bernard took his departure, the men of Boston were
soon to be occupied with other thoughts than of banners and bonfires.
The bad feeling between the people and the military grew worse, and at
last displayed itself in active hostility. March 5, 1770, was a
memorable day in the history of Boston. Three thousand miles away Lord
North was moving in Parliament for the repeal of all the American
duties with the single and fatal exception of the tax on tea. In
Boston a small quarrel between some of the citizens and certain British
troops under the command of Colo