Intolerable Acts

 

The Intolerable Acts was the name Americans gave to a series of 

British-imposed restrictions that came in the wake of the Boston Tea Party.

Prime Minister Lord North was reported to be "deeply angered" by this action. North's associates regarded the colonial act of violence as "flaunting of constituted authority". Lord North continued by asking Parliament to discipline and control the colonies more firmly.

Parliament has placed four "coercive acts" on Boston, Massachusetts and the other colonies. Lord North introduced the first measure, the Boston Port Bill last March 18, and it has been signed by King George III. This act has closed the port of Boston until England is repaid for the tea.

On May 20, The Massachusetts Bay Regulating Act was passed. North's ministry wants to redress what they feel are "defects" in the administration of Massachusetts Bay. With royal approval no town meetings are to be held in the colony, to retain the liberty- minded.

Lord North wants to try to secure fair trials for British subjects and wants to try preventing rioting among the colonies. North proposed the Impartial Administration of Justice Act on April 15. This act permits the governor to move trials to other colonies, or to England. He is also being permitted to call upon the British army for aid to put an end to civil disturbances. In the view of most colonists this Act quite absurd and will just cause more problems.

The fourth act applies to all of the colonies. This act passed on June 2 is the Quartering Act. This Act requires colonists to house royal troops because barracks are unavailable or unsuitable. Colonist cannot refuse Royal soldiers quarter when called upon.

Many colonists have said these acts to be "intolerable."

Local Colonist Speaks Out Against Parliament

My name is Jonas McKenzie and I write opinions for this publickation, the North American Review. I know I am not alone when I say that the Coercive Acts passed by Parliament are outrageous and unfair. We, the colonists should not have to live under such tyranny. The Parliament has gone too far with these intolerable Acts. The Boston Port Act has shut down our port preventing us from shipping anything in or out of the colony. The Massachusetts Government Act has forbidden us from town meetings and revoked our colony's charter. The Quartering Act has forced us to house British troops against our own will, making us provide them with food and drink for free. The Administration of Justice Act removed British jurisdiction of Massachusetts courts. These acts are unlawful and require a boycott of all things British by subjects under the Empire's colonial rule in North America.

Adams: All For Independence 

Local colonist Samuel Adams, born in Boston on September 27, 1722, raised here is now helping with our fight against Great Britain. Adams was educated at Harvard College. He left college in 1740. In 1756, he was elected tax collector of Boston, he held that position for eight years. Adams is a very outspoken man. In 1765, he drafted the instructions to Boston representatives in the General Court. That same year he was elected to the lower house of General Court. The following year he was elected clerk by the lower house, which he held until 1774. He has gradually assumed leadership of our movement to advocate independence from Great Britain. Adams has become a large influence on aspects of our struggle against British rule. He has also promoted the formation of the Sons Of Liberty and has sponsored the Committee of Correspondence, groups which until now have remained secret due to their illegal nature.

Adams has led the fight against the Townshend Act. He headed the demonstration that led to the Boston Massacre, and he directed the attack on unlawful tea importation, now being dubbed "the Boston Tea Party." So we feel certain that Adams will continue in the fight against these "intolerable" Acts that have been put forth by Parliament.

Adams has contributed to the Gazette many lucid and forceful articles, which have inveighed against reconciliation with Great Britain. We feel that Massachusetts is in good hands.