remember the weakness of the colonies on the one side, and the strength of
an organized government, with the law and force both, on the other.

Cadwallader Colden, a Scotchman by birth, and a clergyman by profession,
was at that time acting Governor of New York; and to guard against any
resort to force on the part of the people when the stamps should arrive,
had Fort George, on the Battery, reinforced by a regiment from Crown
Point, its magazines replenished, the ramparts strengthened, and its guns
trained on the town. The people saw all this, and understood its import;
but it had the opposite effect from that which was intended, for, instead
of overawing the people, it exasperated them.

At length, in October, 1765, a ship with the British colors flying came
sailing up the bay, and anchored off Fort George. In a short time the
startling tidings was circulated, that she brought a quantity of stamps.
It was like sounding an alarm-bell, and the streets became thronged with
excited men, while all the provincial vessels in the harbor lowered their
colors to half-mast, in token of mourning. In anticipation of this event,
an organization of men had been formed, called "Sons of Liberty." They at
once assembled, and resolved at all hazards to get hold of those stamps.
They had caused the act itself to be hawked about the streets as "the
folly of England and the ruin of America," and now they determined to
measure their strength with the Governor of the colony. That night, when
the town was wrapped in slumber, they quietly affixed on the doors of
every public office and on corners of the streets, the following placard:

PRO PATRIA.

_The first man that either distributes or makes use of stamped paper,
let him take care of his house, person, and effects._