the confederated party of the Opposition -- the Government and those who favored it having no part in that matter of division among those who were opposing its policy -- were evidently seniil)le, however, as has been .said, that that unseemly confederation of radically antagonistic elements, entirely for the promotion of the interests of one of those elements without securing a corresponding advantage to the other, was unnatural, and could not be lasting; and it was evident, also, to every one, that an open conflict between the conservative aristocratic and the revolutionary democratic elements of the' population, without reference to matters of governmental policy, and only for the control of the political power, within the City and Colony, was likely to be commenced, at any moment.

Just at thut critical period, in May, 1774, advices were received from Europe,' of the Government's proposal to close the Port of Boston, with a possibility that that of Xew York would shortly share the same fate ; and it was also said that the Home Government also intended to remove the principal offenders against Ihe Laws, within the Colonies, that they might be tried and punished in England.' With great tact and )>lausibility and a greater pretension to patriotism, the confederated "Merchants and Traders" and those who possessed their confidence promptly seized that much desired opportunity, for the accomplishment of their sinister purposes; and, with that end in view, they boldly and promptly occupied the place of leaders of the entire City and Colony, in protesting against those measures of the Home Government, and in jirovidiug for a systematic opposition to those measures, under their own particular direction, without, however, having recognized the existence or inviteil the co-operation of the respectable popular element, within the City, nor those of the very few who really represented and controlled that more unruly element of which mobs were comjjosed, both of which omissions, the meaning of which was very evident, subse<juently produced serious, if not unexpected and unwelcome, consequences.