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Domestic News
January 7, 1775
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
Reports indicate General Gage has blockaded the entire town of Boston, exceeding Parliament's order to block only the harbor, signaling intent to subdue American colonists militarily and risking civil war over disputed taxation rights.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
November 7. By all accounts from America, it appears that General Gage hath actually blocked up the TOWN of Boston.
Is not such blockade going much beyond the directions of the late Act of Parliament, which only orders the HARBOUR of that Town to be blocked up? But the General hath private instructions for such proceedings. This measure carries a very hostile appearance, and will certainly be taken by our fellow subjects in America as a manifest intention of subduing and bringing them under a military power; and the consequences of it will very probably be a resistance, and produce the worst of all evils, a CIVIL WAR.
Whether right or force will in the end prevail, a civil war is the greatest misfortune that can happen to this or any other nation; it is certainly highly necessary to pause a little before we proceed to such extremity, and consider the occasion and rectitude of the quarrel. The cause of this contention is the right which the British Parliament assumes of TAXING the people in our American colonies, and which right our fellow subjects there do positively DENY.
Is not such blockade going much beyond the directions of the late Act of Parliament, which only orders the HARBOUR of that Town to be blocked up? But the General hath private instructions for such proceedings. This measure carries a very hostile appearance, and will certainly be taken by our fellow subjects in America as a manifest intention of subduing and bringing them under a military power; and the consequences of it will very probably be a resistance, and produce the worst of all evils, a CIVIL WAR.
Whether right or force will in the end prevail, a civil war is the greatest misfortune that can happen to this or any other nation; it is certainly highly necessary to pause a little before we proceed to such extremity, and consider the occasion and rectitude of the quarrel. The cause of this contention is the right which the British Parliament assumes of TAXING the people in our American colonies, and which right our fellow subjects there do positively DENY.
What sub-type of article is it?
Politics
Military
What keywords are associated?
Boston Blockade
General Gage
Civil War
Taxation
American Colonies
What entities or persons were involved?
General Gage
Where did it happen?
Boston
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Boston
Event Date
November 7
Key Persons
General Gage
Outcome
potential resistance and civil war
Event Details
General Gage has blockaded the town of Boston beyond Parliament's harbor blockade order, likely under private instructions, viewed as hostile intent to subdue colonists, stemming from disputed taxation rights.