wholesale smuggling which prevailed. This step caused extreme
discontent among the trading classes of America, and these set to
work vigorously to stir up a strong feeling of disaffection against
England. The revenue officers were prevented, sometimes by force,
from carrying out their duties.

After great consideration the English government came to the
conclusion that a revenue sufficient to pay a considerable proportion
of the cost of the army in America might be raised by means of a
stamp-tax imposed upon all legal documents, receipts, agreements, and
licenses--a tax, in fact, resembling that on stamps now in use in
England. The colonists were furious at the imposition of this tax. A
Congress, composed of deputies from each State, met, and it was
unanimously resolved that the stamp-tax should not be paid. Meetings
were everywhere held, at which the strongest and most treasonable
language was uttered, and such violent threats were used against the
persons employed as stamp-collectors that these, in fear of their
lives, resigned their posts.

The stamp-tax remained uncollected and was treated by the colonists
as if it were not in existence.

The whole of the States now began to prepare for war. The Congress
was made permanent, the militia drilled and prepared for fighting,
and everywhere the position grew more and more strained.
Massachusetts was the headquarters of disaffection, and here a total
break with the mother country was openly spoken of. At times the more
moderate spirits attempted to bring about a reconciliation between
the two parties. Petitions were sent to the Houses of Parliament, and
even at this time had any spirit of wisdom prevailed in England the