there was a slackness or backwardness on the part of government in
sending instructions to the magistrates to step forward; in so much
that the people grew terrified that they would be conquered, without
having even an opportunity to defend, as their fathers did of old,
the hallowed things of their native land; and, under the sense of
this alarm, they knotted themselves together, and actually drew out
proposals and resolutions of service of their own accord; by which
means they kept the power of choosing their officers in their own
hands, and so gave many of the big-wigs of the town a tacit
intimation that they were not likely to have the command.

While things were in this process, the government had come to its
senses; and some steps and measures were taken to organize volunteer
corps throughout the nation. Taking heart from them, other corps
were proposed on the part of the gentry, in which they were
themselves to have the command; and seeing that the numbers were to
be limited, they had a wish and interest to keep back the real
volunteer offers, and to get their own accepted in their stead. A
suspicion of this sort getting vent, an outcry of discontent thereat
arose against them; and to the consternation of the magistrates, the
young lads, who had at the first come so briskly forward, called a
meeting of their body, and, requesting the magistrates to be
present, demanded to know what steps had been taken with their offer
of service; and, if transmitted to government, what answer had been
received.

This was a new era in public affairs; and no little amazement and
anger was expressed by some of the town-council, that any set of
persons should dare to question and interfere with the magistrates.
But I saw it would never do to take the bull by the horns in that