By a train of considerate attentions the Corps was placed on a respectable footing, its discipline became much improved, and his Lordship soon saw those objects of his tender care, surpassed by no troops in the world, for subordination, intrepidity, and cool valour.
Nothing farther which attaches to my detail appears on the face of public events, until Britain again unsheathed the sword, to assert the rights of supremacy over her North American Colonies.
[CHAP. XXVIII.]
From the era of 1764, we may date the fatal American rebellion, and those revolutionary principles which have long continued, and what still menace the quiet and independence of Europe, and the World.
Political topics, from that period, were predominant amongst the Colonists, and all who know how easy it is to sway popular prejudices, will readily allow it is as little difficult to give them action.
Grievances, whether real or imaginary, which is not my business to decide, unceasingly agitated the public mind, weaned by degrees every filial affection, and from their tedious speculative existence, they implanted within the breasts of many, the lurking sentiments of jealous rancour. Such in their progress became principles, and those men, very early, either filled the Armies of North America, or guided her Councils.
A public character, much respected for his private as well as military virtues, was placed at Boston. General Gage, from a long residence upon the Continent, was well qualified to allay the general ferment; but it was too deeply rooted, and the duty he owed his King, was soon necessarily paramount to every other consideration.
In the year 1774 an assemblage of troops, under that Officer, gave umbrage not only to the Bostonians, but to their surrounding neighbours, and the placing of a guard at the Neck, which is the narrow isthmus that joins the Peninsula to the Continent, afforded an additional cause of suspicion.