As soon as England received the addresses an order was made by which the governor was directed to reduce the colonists by force.
So we see that England took the initiative in the war which was to deprive her of her richest colonies.
A fleet and an army of ten thousand men were sent to America to aid in the work of subjugation.
Gov. Gage seized Boston Neck and fortified it. The military stores in the arsenals of Cambridge and Charlestown were conveyed to Boston, and the general assembly was ordered to disband.
Instead of accepting their dismissal, the members resolved themselves into a provincial congress, and voted to equip an army of twelve thousand men to defend the colony.
As soon as the people of Boston learned the intentions of the governor, they concealed their ammunition in carts of rubbish and conveyed it to Concord, sixteen miles away.
The wrath of the governor was especially directed against Samuel Adams and John Hancock, who were looked upon as the leaders of the rebellion.
An expedition was sent against Concord, and eight hundred men marched toward the town.
But the people of Boston were not to be taken by surprise.
Bells were rung and cannon fired, and the citizens were informed of the expedition.