PREFACE TO THE NINTH EDITION.

The fourth of a century, and an entire generation have passed away since the first edition of this work was published by the Translator, at his own hazard and expense; and not only without the aid of book-sellers, but contrary to their most earnest dissuasions, and even to the remonstrances of literary friends. The Hon. John Quincy Adams alone encouraged him to the enterprise, and his encouragement alone decided its execution. The Book however was greeted with a cordial welcome; and with the most enthusiasm by the survivors, and principal actors in the great scenes it com

memorates.

The population of the United States was then about seven millions, and the number of copies printed but one thousand.

The wide circulation and growing demand for it since is well known; and the prediction of Mr. Jefferson appears to be accomplished, "that it would become the common manual of our Revolutionary History."

In addressing the present edition to a younger growth of his fellow citizens, who probably exceed twenty millions in number, it will perhaps require no apology for thus retracing the difficulties which were encountered in the effort to furnish them with a picture of the patriotic struggles of their forefathers, and an eternal monument to their glory.

GEORGE ALEXANDER OTIS.

Boston 1st March, 1845.

TRANSLATOR'S NOTICE TO THE SECOND EDITION.

THE translator of this history, in laying before his fellow-citizens a second edition of it, would offer them his sincere acknowledgments for their favorable reception of the first; a reception the more gratifying, as, notwithstanding his own high value of the work, it surpassed his most sanguine expectations. It evidently appeared that Botta, like all his great predecessors in the march of immortality, was greeted with the most enthusiasm and admiration by those who were, doubtless, the most conscious of being his fellow-travelers on the road to posterity. How warmly was he welcomed by the surviving patriots who had distinguished themselves the most eminently in the great scenes he describes! The venerable John Adams, on receiving the second volume of the translation, expressed himself in the words following: I unite with many other gentlemen in the opinion that the work has great merit, has raised a monument to your name, and performed a valuable service to your country. If it should not have a rapid sale at first, it will be, in the language of booksellers, good stock, and will be in demand as long as the American Revolution is an object of curiosity. It is indeed the most classical and methodical, the most particular and circumstantial, the most entertaining and interesting narration of the American War, that I have seen.' In like manner, the hand that penned the Declaration of American Independence, on receiving the first volume of the translation, having already for some years been possessed of the original, addressed the translator the words of encouragement which are here set down: I am glad to find that the excellent history of Botta is at length translated. The merit of this work has been too long unknown with us. He has had the faculty of sifting the truth of facts from our own histories with great judgment, of suppressing details which do not make part of the general history, and of enlivening the whole with the constant glow of his holy enthusiasm for the liberty and independence of nations. Neutral, as an historian should be, in the relation of facts, he is never neutral in his feelings, nor in the warm expression of them, on the triumphs and reverses of the conflicting parties, and of his honest sympathies with that engaged in the better cause. Another merit is in the accuracy of his narrative of those portions of the same war which passed in other quarters of the globe, and especially on the ocean.

We must thank him, too, for having brought within the compass of three volumes every thing we wish to know of that war, and in a style so engaging, that we cannot lay the book down. He had been so kind as to send me a copy of his work, of which I shall manifest my acknowledgment by sending him your volumes, as they come out. My original being lent out, I have no means of collating it with the translation; but see no cause to doubt correctness.' On receipt of the second volume of the translation, Mr. Jefferson renews his eulogies of the history, in the expressions which follow: I'join Mr. Adams, heartily, in good wishes for the success of your labors, and hope they will bring you both profit and fame. You have certainly rendered a good service to your country; and when the superiority of the work over every other on the same subject shall be more known, I think it will be the common manual of our Revolutionary History.' Mr. Madison is no less decisive in his approbation of the undertaking. He writes the translator on receiving his first volume: The literary reputation of this author, with the philosophic spirit and classic taste allowed to this historical work justly recommended the task in which you are engaged, of placing a translation of it before American readers; to whom the subject must always be deeply interesting, and who cannot but feel a curiosity to see the picture of it as presented to Europe by so able a hand. The author seems to have the merit of adding to his other qualifications much industry and care in his researches into the best sources of information, and it may readily be supposed that he did not fail to make the most of his access to those in France, not yet generally laid open.' &c. Thus cotemporary witnesses, and the most prominent actors in some of the principal events recorded in these volumes, have authorized and sanctioned the unexpected indulgence with which they were received by the American people. Grateful for such high approbation, and content with having been the first to present his countrymen, at his own peril, with however imperfect a copy of so inimitable an original, the translator will always be happy to congratulate them on the appearance of a better.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

BOOK FIRST.

SUMMARY- Opinions, manners, customs, and inclinations of the inhabitants of the
English colonies in America. Mildness of the British government towards its colonists.
Seeds of discontent between the two people. Plan of colonial government proposed
by the colonists. Other motives of discontent in America. Justification of ministers.
Desigas and instigations of the French. All the states of Europe desire to reduce the
power of England. New subjects of complaint. Stamp duty projected by the minis-
ters and proposed to parliament. The Americans are alarmed at it, and make remon-
strances. Long and violent debates between the advocates of the stamp act and the
opposition. The stamp act passes in parliament.

BOOK SECOND

SUMMARY.-Troubles in America on account of the stamp duty. Violent tumult at
Boston. Movements in other parts of America. League of citizens desirous of a new
order of things. New doctrines relative to political authority. American associations
against English commerce. Admirable constancy of the colonists. General congress
of New York and its operations. Effects produced in England by the news of the tu-
mults in America. Change of ministers. The new ministry favorable to the Amer-
icans. They propose to parliament the repeal of the stamp act. Doctor Franklin is
interrogated by the parliament. Discourse of George Grenville in favor of the tax.
Answer of William Pitt. The stamp act is revoked. Joy manifested in England on
this occasion. The news is transmitted with all dispatch to America.

BOOK THIRD.

SUMMARY.-Extreme joy of the colonists on hearing of the repeal of the stamp act.
Causes of new discontents. Deliberations of the government on the subject of the
opposition of the Americans. Change of ministry. The new ministers propose to
parliament, and carry, a bill imposing a duty upon tea, paper, glass, and painters' col-
ors. This duty is accompanied by other measures, which sow distrust in the colonies.
New disturbances and new associations in America. The royal troops enter Boston.
Tumult, with effusion of blood, in Boston. Admirable judicial decision in the midst
of so great commotion. Condescendence of the English government; it suppresses
the taxes, with the exception of that on tea. The Americans manifest no greater sub-
mission in consequence. The government adopts measures of rigor. The Americans
break out on their part; they form leagues of resistance. The Bostonians throw tea
overboard. The ministers adopt rigorous counsels. Violent agitations in America.
Events which result from them. New confederations. All the provinces determine to
hold a general congress at Philadelphia.

BOOK FOURTH

SUMMARY.-Confidence of the Americans in the general congress. Dispositions of
minds in Europe, and particularly in France, towards the Americans. Deliberations
of congress. Approved by the provinces. Indifference of minds in England relative
to the quarrel with America. Parliament convoked. The ministers will have the in-
habitants of Massachusetts declared rebels. Oration of Wilkes against this proposi-
tion. Oration of Harvey in support of it. The ministers carry it. They send troops
to America. They accompany the measures of rigor with a proposition of arrango-
ment, and a promise of amnesty. Edmund Burke proposes to the parliament another
plan of reconciliation; which does not obtain. Principal reason why the ministers will
hearken to no proposition of accommodation. Fury of the Americans on learning that
the inhabitants of Massachusetts have been declared rebels. Every thing, in America
takes the direction of war. Battle of Lexington. Siege of Boston. Unanimous reso
lution of the Americans to take arms and enter the field.