Imagine his surprise and indignation
at what followed!
As soon as General Gage ordered that the Massachusetts Assembly should
hold no more meetings, the colonists made up their minds they would not be
put down in this manner. They said: "The King has broken up the assembly.
Very well. We will form a new governing body and give it a new name, the
Provincial Congress."
[Illustration: John Hancock.]
And what do you suppose the chief business of this Congress was? To make
ready for war! An army was called for, and provision made that a certain
number of the men enlisted should be prepared to leave their homes at a
minute's notice. These men were called "minute-men."
Even while the patriots, for so the rebellious subjects of King George
called themselves, were making these preparations, General Gage, who was
in command of the British troops in Boston, had received orders from
England to seize as traitors Samuel Adams and John Hancock, who were the
most active leaders.
[Illustration: John Hancock's Home, Boston.]
Of Samuel Adams you already know. John Hancock was president of the newly
made Provincial Congress.
General Gage knew that Adams and Hancock were staying for a while with a
friend in Lexington.
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