determination."[40] And so went another hope of the Tories.

The summer of 1774 wore along, with no improvement in the situation.
Rather it became worse. So much time had elapsed without definite news
of the passing of the Regulating Act, that there was hope that the
measure had failed. But early in August came news of its passage, and
with it a list of appointments for the new Council. The appointees were
all chosen from among the Tories, or from those inclined to the king's
side. "It is apprehended," wrote Andrews, "that most of 'em will
accept."

Now at last it was natural to suppose that the Whigs had come to the end
of their resources. Their Assembly was dissolved, a Tory held each
appointive position, Boston was filled with soldiers, and the harbor was
guarded by ships of war. Active opposition to the troops would have been
madness, and it seemed impossible to conduct even the ordinary business
of the town, for now town meetings might legally be called only for the
purpose of electing officers. Yet when Gage called the selectmen before
him, and graciously indicated his willingness to allow meetings for
certain harmless purposes, the reply surprised him. There was no need,
said the selectmen, to ask his permission for a meeting: they had one
in existence already. In fact they had two, the May meeting and the June
meeting, each legally called before the enforcement of the Regulating
Act, and each legally "adjourned" until such time as it was needed. The
technical subterfuge was too much for Gage, and the adjournments
continued in spite of the law.

As the Massachusetts delegates prepared for their journey to
Philadelphia, where the Congress was to be held, there occurred, if we
can believe the story told by John Andrews--it was certainly believed in
Boston at the time--a demonstration of affection for Samuel Adams. "For
not long since some persons (their names unknown) sent and ask'd his
permission to build him a new barn, the old one being decay'd, which was
executed in a few days. A second sent to ask leave to repair his house,
which was thoroughly effected soon. A third sent to beg the favor of him
to call at a taylor's shop and be measur'd for a suit of cloaths and
chuse his cloth, which were finish'd and sent home for his acceptance.
A fourth presented him with a new whig,[41] a fifth with a new Hatt, a
sixth with a pair of the best silk hose, a seventh with six pair of fine
thread ditto, a eighth with six p