With such views of the day, it is easy to see how its proceedings might be perverted.  They were represented to the Ministry by Governor Bernard as signs of a rebellious spirit; and were made the ground by the Commissioners of a direct application to Commodore Hood, at Halifax, for the protection of a naval force,—­he being advised that the conduct and temper of the people, the adverse aspect of things in general, the security of the revenue, the safety of its officers, and the honor of Government required immediate aid; and the hope being expressed that he would find it consistent with the King’s other service to afford such assistance.  The Commodore ordered the Romney to be fitted out with all possible despatch, and, accompanied by two armed schooners, she sailed for Boston.  As they came into the harbor, being short of men, a press-gang landed from them, who impressed on board Massachusetts citizens.  Ever since the revival of the aggressions on Colonial rights, “Hyperion” (Josiah Quincy, Jr.) says, the Loyalists publicly threatened the defenders of the rights of America with halters, fire, and fagots; but there was nothing more serious than threats, or more authentic than rumors, until this appearance of the Romney and her two tenders.

This show of naval force, though no troops came, was irritating, and multiplied the sayings of the violent, which appear to have been reported to the Governor, who advised the Ministry that he was “well assured that it was the intention of the faction in Boston to cause an insurrection against the crown officers.”  At this time he favored Lord Hillsborough with a lucid explanation of a paradox,—­how a few leaders of bankrupt reputation ruled with a rod of iron the most virtuous town in the world.  “It has been a subject of wonder,” are the Governor’s words, (May 19,1768,) “how the faction which harasses this town, and through it the whole continent, which is known to consist of very few of the lowest kind of gentry, and is directed by three or four persons, bankrupts in reputation as well as in property, should be able to keep in subjection the inhabitants of such a town as this, who possess a hundred times the credit and property (I might say much more) of those who rule them with a rod of iron.  This paradox is at once solved by showing that this town is governed by the lowest of the people, and from the time of the Stamp Act to this hour has been and is in the hands of the mob.”  He represented the friends of the Government as very desponding, on seeing, unchecked, the imperial power treated with a contempt not only indecent, but almost treasonable.  Of such cast were letters read to George III. in his closet, and made the basis of royal instructions which it was claimed had the force of law.