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The Life of Gouverneur Morris Index < Prev      Page 22      Next > 'Let me beg you to make my respects acceptable to your family, and to believe that I am really your friend, 'GOUVERNEUR MORRIS.' When the news of the act of Parliament for shutting up the port of Boston reached New York from England, it created a strong sensation there, as it did throughout America, for although the bill was intended only to operate against the town of Boston, yet it was designed as a punishment to the inhabitants of that place, on account of the spirited resistance they had made to the oppressive acts of the British government, the principles of which were equally dangerous to the liberties of all the colonies.  A letter was forthwith despatched by express to the Committee of Correspondence in Boston, assuring them of the general indignation against this measure, and that a meeting of the citizens would be immediately called to give a public testimony of their sentiments, and of their determination to make common cause with the people of Boston.[6]  The meeting was summoned by a public notice, and a large concourse assembled.  The tories, as the adherents of the Ministry were called, and the moderate men of wealth and character, came to the meeting with the view of counteracting the efforts of the warm partizans of opposition, and having previously concerted matters together, they expected to give a turn to the proceedings suited to their purpose.  They had even gone so far as to make out the list of a committee, who should be appointed to consider the affair of the Boston Port Bill, the immediate cause of this commotion.  But this was discovered by Sears in time to thwart their plans.  He proposed that no lists should be presented, but that the committee should be appointed by nominations on the spot.  This was carried, and the committee consisted of a nearly < Prev      Page 22      Next > From The Life of Gouverneur Morris: With Selections from His Correspondence and Miscellaneous Papers; Detailing Events in the American Revolution, The French Revolution, and in the Political History of the United States, by Jared Sparks, Volume 1, Boston: Gray & Bowen, 1832, p 22. Some minor edits may have been made, but an attempt has been made to preserve the original spelling. Although some effort has been made to correct the limitations of OCR technology, if you find an error please report it to jvinci@colonialhall.com.     Designed and Edited by John Vinci Last modified August 20, 2006