ABSTRACT
In March 1774 it approved of the closing of the port of Boston until the tea had been paid for, the appointment of General Gage as governor of the province with powers amounting to martial law, the sending of so many soldiers that there was one to every five citizens in Boston. Bad as things were, America still had English friends to speak for her. In 1774 and 1775, Burke made two of the finest speeches of his career. Oppression had always had bad results, conciliation good ones. Parliament should learn by experience. It must not make the costly mistake of standing on its dignity. Very soon after that Chatham heard that his wife was dead, and in March 1775 he sailed for America, He had a long interview just before he left with Burke, who was about to make the second great speech on conciliation.
