"I am but governor in name"

Francis Bernard to the Board of Trade in London, Castle William, Boston Harbor

[Part of: “Let Those Flatter Who Fear”: American Independence in Verse.]

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August 15, 1765

My Lords,

I used to doubt that Boston would oppose
The Stamp Act. But Virginia’s Resolutions
Have been a siren to the disaffected. 
Every week, papers called for acts of opposition.
I did not think that they would start so soon,
Or go so far.

Yesterday was found, hanging from a tree,
An effigy of Andrew Oliver
With label reading: In Praise of Liberty.
He was to be the Stamp Act Officer.
I ordered that the Sheriff take it down,
But he reported that his men 
Could not do it without danger to
Their lives. It then grew dark. The Mob
Went down to Mr Oliver’s shop,
Called it the Stamp Office, 
And pulled it to the ground;