"our Oldest Fortress."

- Underthri tille, Oíd and New, tor September, i v t b a minuto uhronological history of Foi t Iiidepeudence (now so calhd) n Boston Qarbor, origina iy built ou Caatlo Island ii 1G34. Tho following extract reoalls one of tho instances wheu tliis fort was of historio impórtanos : In 1705, "the Castle" Ix'gins to appcar as tbc one place (vliire the Engl s i Crowo was suru of its autbority. The ttamps, by willen a rceuuo was atended to ba ruiüed froin tbe Jír t sli oolonieg, ariived in the harbor of Boston in September, 17G5, and wero lodgod for security at tbs castle. The vigorous oppo8Ïlion in América lo tbis staonp-art, having prever.ted its being in any ii ■tance earried ioto execution, soon pre - cu.ed its repeal. In tbejeourso of tlie following suiiiincr all tbe stomps were rotuined to Englaod Th seeds of disuuion wcre first sown in 17G4, by the stamp-act : aod, from 1768 to 1770, were from like causis advanciiii; to maturitv. In tbe contcat between ]?ritain and Airerica, tbo molhercountry could not ühow more obs!in;icy in forcing an illenal revenue than the colonii's persiveianco in nrging and dofeadiog tlieir riglits. Massucburctts stood first iu the arduous conflict. ]3oaton wns the een' e;' oí attack nnd resistancp, and Castle Wiliiam a key to be grasped by the strongest band. Whilc the public mind was agitated by the mis understanding of Gov. Bimard wiib the legisluture of the province over wbich he presided, a veasel belonging to Mr. John Hancock was seizod, and placed uiider an armcd guard, by tbe oflicers of the Custom Hou.co. The commiscionera of ihe revenue, Messrs. llcnry Ilutton, John Temple, Wiliinm Bui eh, Charles Paxtonand Jobn Robinsoo, wh se ruif was vory ciïcnsivu lo the peo] 1 . and who, in the recent irritatioa of tbc ir hübitauts, had been ineulted by the pnpulace, retircd wito moot of thcir si:b rdinates on board of "The Roiroey" m mof-war, and tben tonk sl'ell r at tbc C it!e. An aoaranoi af orw rlsgivon from Boston, tliat tbey were ia do pcisomil daager, did not aileviaie thcir appreliengions. They assembled all th king's vesscls nround the island, and causcd thera to be nloored in siuiations to resist a regular att;.ck : tlicy represented to tho roinistry iu England tlieir uncomfortabla residence, and the iuteiruption of thcir ciuty; and, wbeo thev had obtained the protection of the militury arm, ihcy ventured io town. Bcforo the oxpiration of the year, severa! men-of-war arvivcd froiu Salifax, and !etween four and five regiment of regular troopa look post in Boston. Of these the (35th was i[u:irtered on Casilc Ialand. From tbis pcriod we may dute tLe Britiisb relianoe ou forco.