his
election in Cambridge instead of in the "Town House in Boston, the
accustomed Ancient Place," and also directly to the Governor, which
was answered by him in the newspapers; and at this election a most
significant event occurred--John Hancock declined to accept a seat
among the counsellors, to which he had been elected. The
newspapers--the _Massachusetts Spy_ and the _Boston Gazette and
Country Journal_--commented on his action thus:--

"Mr Hancocks declining a seat in the Council Board is very
satisfactory to the Friends of Liberty among his constituents. This
Gentleman has stood five years successively and as often Negativ'd.
Whatever may have been the Motive of his being approbated at last
his own Determination now shows that he had rather be a
Representative of the People since he has had so repeatedly their
Election and Confidence."

NOTE 68.

Boston had two election days. On Artillery Election the Ancient and
Honorable Artillery had a dress parade on the Common. The new
officers were chosen and received their new commissions from the new
Governor. No negroes were then allowed on the Common. The other day
was called "Nigger Lection," because the blacks were permitted to
throng the Common and buy gingerbread and drink beer, as did their
betters at Artillery Election.

NOTE 69.

Col. Thomas Marshall was a Revolutionary officer. He commanded the
Tenth Massachusetts Regiment at Valley Forge. He was Captain of the
Ancient and Honorable Artillery from 1763 to 1767, and at one time
commanded Castle Island, now Fort Independence. He was one of the
Selectmen of Boston at the time when the town was invested by troops
under Washington. He died at Weston, Mass., on November 18, 1800.

NOTE 70.

A night gown was not in those days a garment for wear when sleeping,
but resembled what we now call a tea-gown. The night attire was
called a rail. Both men and women wore in public loose robes which
they called night gowns. Men often wore these gowns in their
offices.

NOTE 71.

Many Boston people agreed with Anna in her estimate of Rev. Samuel
Stillman. He was called to the First Baptist Church in 1765, and
soon became one of Boston's most popular and sensational preachers.
Crowds thronged his obscure little church at the North End, and he
took an active part in Revolutionary politics. Many were pleased
with his patriotism who