Wesley Corpus

But a violent storm drove him up to New-England; and he was for some time detained at Boston. Even then he was surprised to hear the most serious people, and men of consequence, almost continually crying out, “We must be independent; we shall never be well, till we shake off the English yoke.” This sounded exceeding strange to him; as he could not form any imagi nation, that they could be happier under any government, than the mild one which they then enjoyed. A gentleman who spent some time at Boston in the year 1739, informed me that he had frequently heard the very same conversation there; although at that time the people only spake what they had long and eagerly desired; but, it seems, without any formed design, or having concerted any measures upon the head. 7. Almost from their settlement in the country, but more especially from this time, the people of this as well as the other provinces, multiplied exceedingly. This was the natural effect of the unparalleled lenity of the Government they were under, and the perfect liberty they enjoyed, civil as well as religious. Through the same causes, from the small ness of their taxes, and the large bounties continually received from their mother country, (which also protected them from all their enemies,) their wealth increased as fast as their numbers. And, together with their number and their wealth, the spirit of independency increased also. At the same time, it could not be but their shipping would increase in the same proportion with their trade, which was now extended not only through America, and not only through Great Britain and Ireland, but also (notwithstanding the Act of Naviga tion) through almost every part of Europe. 8. Much more wealth was accumulated in the numerous seaport towns, by defrauding His Majesty of his customs. This was continually done, not only by stealth, but frequently with an high hand. Whole ship-loads of uncustomed goods were imported, particularly at Boston, and that at noon-day. And it is notorious, that one of the greatest dealers in this kind was the celebrated Mr. Hancock. It is true, this now and then met with some check from His Majesty's officers; but it was so little, it scarce deserves the naming. However, little as it was, they bore it not without huge indignation, and strong marks of resentment.