LETTER XII.
While the Massachusetts had no provincial congress, the active friends of government had an opportunity to try their strength in a few places, and to attempt resisting the general current, by refusing a compliance with the resolutions of the colony congress; but the dissentients were overwhelmed by numbers, and their attempts proved abortive.
The royal proclamation prohibiting the exportation of military stores from Britain, his majesty’s speech, and the addresses of the new parliament, in the opinion of many, cut off all hopes of reconciliation, more especially in New-England.
[Feb. 1.] The new Massachusetts congress met at Cambridge, and Mr. Hancock was unanimously chosen president. They adjourned to Concord in about a fortnight, that the distance might afford them greater personal security, and render them less liable to interruption by any measures of the governor, That the colony might be somewhat prepared for the sorest trial, they urged in the strongest terms, the militia in general, and the minute-men in particular, to spare neither time, pains, nor expence, at so critical a juncture, for perfecting themselves forthwith in the military discipline. They passed resolutions for the providing and making of fire-arms and bayonets, and renewed the prohibition of their predecessors, against supplying the troops at Boston, with any of those necessaries peculiarly requisite for the military service. The committee of safety had directed in the beginning of January, that all the cannon, mortars, cannon-balls and shells, should be deposited at Worcester and Concord, in the same proportion as was done by the provision; and while the congress was sitting, [Feb. 13, 21.] voted, “that the committee of supplies do purchase all the powder they can, and also all kinds of warlike stores, sufficient for an army of fifteen thousand men to take the field.”
The propriety of the precautions taken to guard against a surprise, was manifest from the following event.
[Feb. 26.] General Gage receiving intelligence that cannon and carriages were deposited in the neighborhood of Salem, sent a corps of troops from the castle, under lieutenant colonel Leslie, on board a transport, to seize and bring them away. They landed at Marblehead, proceeded to Salem, found nothing there, and passed on to the draw-bridge leading to Danvers, where a number of people assembled, and those of the opposite side took up the bridge to prevent their crossing. The officer ordered it to be let down; the people peremptorily refused, saying, “It is a private road, and you have no authority to demand a passage this way.” On this refulal he determined to make use of the boats which were at hand; his intention was perceived, and the owners jumped into their own boats, and with their axes scuttled them, to make them useless for the present; during the transaction there was some scuffle between them and the soldiers. Things were apparently tending to an extremity. The reverend Mr. Bernard, a congregational clergymen of Salem, and other gentlemen, urged the letting down of the draw-bridge; but it was not done, till much time had been spent in altercation, during which period the articles that colonel Leslie was after, were conveyed away. When the opportunity of crossing offered, he marched about thirty rods, to the spot where the artificers had been employed in making carriages, &c. but finding nothing, and it being now late in the evening, returned and went on board the transport without meeting with any molestation. This expedition took place on the Lord’s day, which might contribute to its ending happily without mischief. On any other day when the people were not attending public worship, but dispersed about and following their secular business, the landing of the troops would have been discovered, and some quarrel might have ensued while they were making it good, or afterward upon their march. The governor probably pitched upon the Lord’s day, in hopes that it would prevent every painful catastrophe; but the expedition spread an alarm.
The Massachusetts congress were displeased with the proceedings of the New-York general assembly; who renounced all concern with the late continental congress, declined choosing delegates for the proposed new one, and in their own single capacity sent a petition to the king, a memorial to the lords and a remonstrance to the house of commons. In the remonstrance they represented the grievances under which they labored, by the innovations that had been made in the constitutional mode of government since the close of the last war. They renounced the most distant desire of independence, acknowledged the supreme government of the British parliament over the whole empire, and their authority to regulate the trade of the colonies: remonstrated in the behalf of their brethren in the Massachusetts, for whose distresses they could not help feeling; but at the same time expressed their disapprobation of the violent measures pursued in some of the colonies. They claimed a restoration of those rights which they enjoyed before the close of the war; but without entertaining an idea of diminishing the power of the mother country, or lessening the dignity of parliament. Should the ministry embrace the offering thus given by the general assembly of New-York, they may possibly separate this central province from the others, and break the communication between the northern and the southern. But the apprehension of such an event is abated by the intelligence which the Massachusetts congress have received from the city of New-York. The whig citizens, whose hearts were set upon having delegates for the new continental congress, upon the assembly’s declining to appoint them, contrived to collect their fellow-citizens [Mar. 5.] together in order to obtain their opinion. When assembled in a body, there was a confused cry of “Congress, or no Congress?” After much altercation the tories had a recourse to compulsive reasoning and began dealing about their blows.—The whigs were in the worst situation, not being provided with similar arguments, till two of their party repaired to an adjoining cooper’s yard, from whence they drew forth to the assistance of their friends a number of hoop-sticks, which they reduced to a proper length, and forwarded to the combatants. The whigs, being thus supplied, soon carried the day by club-law, and beat their opponents off the ground. The tories, being worsted, and not a little terrified lest the fury of captain (whom they term in a way of reproach king) Sears, should lead him to head a mob, and do them some capital injury, promoted a provincial convention, which otherwise would not have existed. The battle royal at New-York, will prove the turning point as to that colony.
The Massachusetts congress continued their session, and recommended the sixteenth of March to be observed as the annual day for fasting and prayer, which was kept accordingly by the inhabitants of Boston, no less than of the country. But they did not presume to rely upon religious exercises in the neglect of those civil means which prudence prescribed. The people, both within and without, used every device for conveying safely from Boston into the country, all kinds of military articles, which might be wanted in case of a rupture. Cannon balls, and such like heavy stores, were put into carts, and carried out over the Neck, under the appearance of loads of dung. Half barrels of gun-powder were put into butchers peds, or the hampers of the market people, and brought out under some slight, negligent, and unsuspected cover, as they returned home in the evening. Cartridges were packed up in candle boxes, and sent off under that deception; but some were at length discovered. The soldiers on the Neck did not make many prizes; however, one day [Mar. 18.] they seized 13,425 musket cartridges, with 3000lb. weight of ball, which, though private property, the general was warranted in refusing to restore, on the application of the owner.
That general Gage might not succeed in seizing any military stores in the country, should he send out troops upon that errand, the committee of safety had voted four days before, “that members from this committee belonging to Charlestown, Cambridge, and Roxbury, be desired to procure at least two men, for a watch every night, to be placed in each of these towns, and that said members be in readiness to send couriers forward to the towns where the magazines are placed, when sallies are made from the army at night.”
[April 23.] The select men of the town of Billerica presented a most spirited remonstrance to general Gage, on account of an inhabitant of that town’s being tarred and feathered, and much abused on the 8th of the month, by a party of his majesty’s 47th regiment, under the command of lieutenant-colonel Nesbit. The firmness, resolution, and freedom, with which the people both of town and country have conducted, when their business called them to an intercourse with the governor, have often embarrassed and convinced him, that they were not wholly destitute of sterling courage. There might be some ground for punishing the person whose case produced the remonstrance; but the punishment should have been under the direction of a civil, and not a military officer, and of another kind; for, though it may be deemed a retaliation, upon the country, it has tended greatly to irritate.
The Massachusetts congress were solicitous to keep their proceedings from coming to the knowledge of general Gage; but from several circumstances which occurred, they entertained a strong suspicion that they had some one among them, who betrayed their counsels. A gentleman, who is not a stranger to many considerable defects in the moral and political character of Dr. Church, is apprehensive that he is the person; but is exceedingly cautious of mentioning his suspicion, considering the high reputation in which the doctor is among the sons of liberty.
[Mar. 30.] General Gage marched out about eleven hundred men into the country; who doing much damage by throwing down the stone fences, occasioned a committee’s waiting upon the Massachusetts congress on the Saturday, when upon the point of adjourning, which kept them sitting till they received, on the Monday following, accounts by a vessel from Falmouth, of what parliament had done and was doing in relation to their colony.
It was a providential circumstance that they had so early intelligence, and obtained it before general Gage had received his dispatches: they were careful to improve it. The intelligence spread fast, and induced more of the inhabitants of Boston to remove out of the town. A number had been for some time withdrawing themselves. The town was liable to be converted instantly, at the discretion of the governor, into a secure prison; and the people of it might be held as hostages for the conduct of the province at large, or be kidnapped and sent to England, to stand trial for supposed offences. Continuance in it was hazardous to many, who had distinguished themselves by taking an active part against the measures of government. But the dauntless courage of some such inclined them to remain, though there was no knowing what private orders might be sent to general Gage, who was not inattentive to the service in which he was employed, while he evidenced a prevailing desire after a peaceable accommodation. He sent private orders to the commanding officer at New-York, to purchase up all the duck, blankets, pick-axes, pots, and other articles proper for camp service. Application was made by the officer to the Philadelphia merchants, who penetrated the design, and no less nobly than unanimously refused a compliance. Three of the New-York merchants had for some time been buying up, selling, and sending the several articles to Boston; but at length a stop was put to their proceedings by the influence of captain Sears, who, upon his return to Philadelphia, urged that they might want those things themselves, and made a considerable stir upon the occasion. But a great number were purchased at Portsmouth, before the discovery of the general’s intention.
The news of the parliamentary proceedings encouraged the soldiery to insult the people more than ever; their conduct seemingly intimated, that they meant to provoke the other to begin a quarrel; while these bore all with patience, as they were determined not to be the aggressors. Nothing was wanting but a spark to set the whole continent in a flame. The important moment, big with inconceivable consequences, was evidently approaching, when, through accident or design, it would be applied to those combustibles which had been long collecting.
The grenadier and light infantry companies were taken off duty, upon the plea of learning a new exercise, which made the Bostonians jealous that there was some scheme on foot. A daughter of liberty, unequally yoked in point of politics, sent word, by a trusty hand, to Mr. Samuel Adams, residing, in company with Mr. Hancock, at Lexington, about thirteen miles from Charlestown, that the troops were coming out in a few days. Upon this their friends at Boston were advised to move out their plate, &c. and the committee of fafety voted, “that all the ammunition be deposited in nine different towns; and that other articles be lodged, some in one place, some in another, so as to the 15 medicinal chests, 2000 iron pots, 2000 bowls, 15,000 canteens, and 1100 tents; and that the six companies of matrosses be stationed in different towns.”
Mr. Adams inferred from the number to be employed, that these were the objects, and not himself and Mr. Hancock, who might be more easily seized in a private way, by a few armed individuals, than by a large body of troops, that must march for miles together under the eye of the public.
The provincial stores had been hitherto deposited at Worcester and Concord. To the last of these places, but half the distance of the other from Boston, the general turned his attention; and, being continually pestered by the repeated solicitations of the American tories, with whom he was surrounded, and who persuaded him there was no danger of resistance, their whig countrymen being too cowardly, he determined, without the advice of the council, when and in what way to attempt the seizure of the many stores supposed to be in that place.
[April 18.] A number of officers dined together at Cambridge, and toward night scattered themselves upon the road leading to Concord; and took their station so as to be ready to intercept any expresses going from Boston to alarm and raise the country with intelligence of the troops being upon their march. When the corps was nearly ready to proceed upon the expedition, Dr. Warren, by a mere accident, had notice of it just in time to send messengers over the Neck and across the ferry, on to Lexington, before the orders for preventing every person’s quitting the town were executed. The officers intercepted several; but some, being well mounted, escaped their vigilance; and the alarm being once given, spread apace, by the ringing of bells and the firing of signal guns and vollies. By eleven at night, eight hundred grenadiers and light infantry, the flower of the army, embarked at the common, proceeded and landed at Phipps’s farm, from whence they marched for Concord, under the command of lieutenant-colonel Smith, aided by major Pitcairn, who led the advanced corps.
[April 19.] About two in the morning, the Lexington company of militia, to the amount of one hundred and thirty, repaired to the green, close in with the meeting-house. The air being chilly, and the intelligence respecting the regulars somewhat uncertain, the men, after the roll-call, were dismissed, with orders to appear again at beat of drum. Some went home, others to the adjoining public house. Word being brought between four and five, that the troops were not far off, they that were at hand collected, to the number of about seventy, by the time the regulars made their appearance. They were mostly in a confused state, and a few only were drawn up. There were present at the time about forty spectators without arms. The militia were too few to think of beginning an attack. But major Pitcairn rode round the meeting (as the meeting-house is generally called) and approaching them called out, “Disperse you rebels, throw down your arms and disperse.” An instant compliance not taking place, which he might construe into contempt, he rode a little further, fired his pistol, flourished his sword, and ordered the soldiers to fire, with which they complied, huzzaing upon the occasion. This produced an immediate dispersion; but the firing was continued. Individuals finding they were fired upon, though dispersing, had spirit enough to stop and return the fire. Three or four were killed upon the green; the rest, making the whole number of the slain eight, were shot on the other side of the walls and fences, over which they had fled in order to escape. During this interesting period, Messrs. S. Adams and Hancock, whose residence was near at hand, quitted and removed to a further distance. While walking alone, Mr. Adams exclaimed, “Oh! what a glorious morning is this!” in the belief that it would eventually liberate the colony from all subjection to Great-Britain. His companion did not penetrate his meaning, and thought the allusion was only to the aspect of the sky. Lest it should be said and believed, that the meeting was crowded with militia, before and during the fire, let me mention that there were only a man and a boy in it. The detachment marched on to Concord. The people of the town, having received the alarm, drew up in order for defence; but observing that the regulars were too numerous, retired over the north bridge and waited for reinforcements from the neighboring towns. A party of light infantry followed, and possessed themselves of the bridge, while the main body entered the town, and proceeded to execute their commission. They disabled two twenty-four pounders, and destroyed their carriages and seven wheels for the same, with their limbers beside sixteen wheels for brass three pounders, and two carriages with limber and wheels for two four pounders. They threw 500lb. of ball into the river, wells, and other places; and broke in pieces about sixty barrels of flour, half of which was saved. These were all the stores that they could discover and destroy, on the account of which a civil war has commenced between the colonies and the parent state. The inhabitants of Britain may see reason, for many ages, to curse the memory of the man or men, who has or have been at the foundation of this fatal catastrophe, should they ever be known. The militia being reinforced, Mr. John Butterick, of Concord, major of a minute regiment, and who commanded, ordered the men not to give the first fire, that so the provincials might not be the aggressors, for he was ignorant of what had passed at Lexington. Upon his advancing with them, the light infantry retired to the Concord side of the river, and began pulling up the bridge; and on his approaching nearer, immediately fired, and killed captain Isaac Davis of Acton (who with his company of minute-men made the front) and one of the privates. The fire was returned, a skirmish ensued, and the troops were forced to retreat, having several men killed and wounded, and lieutenant Gould (who would have been killed had not a minister present prevented) with some others taken. One of their wounded, who was left behind, attempting to get up, was assaulted by a young fellow going after the pursuers to join them, who, not being under the feelings of humanity, barbarously broke his skull with a small hatchet, and let out his brains, but neither scalped him nor cut off his ears. This event may give rise to some malevolent pen to write, that many of the killed and wounded at Lexington, were not only scalped, but had their eyes forced out of the sockets by the fanatics of New-England; not one was so treated either there or at Concord. You have the real fact. The poor object languished for an hour or two before he expired.
The party was joined by the main body; and the whole detachment retreated with the utmost expedition; for all the country was now up in arms, and attacked the troops on every quarter. In their march of six miles back to Lexington, they were exceedingly annoyed, not only by those who pressed upon their rear; but by others, who fired upon them from behind the stone walls and other coverts, which supplied the place of lines and redoubts to the provincials. At Lexington they were joined by a detachment under lord Percy.
The news of what had happened at Lexington, in their way to Concord, flew to Boston and the neighborhood. But the slaughter of the militia men was carefully concealed from general Gage, who was not made acquainted with it till late in the afternoon. He had however, early intelligence of the rising of the country, and therefore detached, about eight in the morning, lord Percy, with 16 companies of foot, and a number of marines, 900 men in the whole, and two pieces of cannon, to support colonel Smith. The brigade marched out, playing, by way of contempt, Yankee Doodle, a song composed in derision of the New-Englanders, scornfully called Yankees. A smart boy observing it as the troops passed through Roxbury, made himself extremely merry with the circumstance, jumping and laughing, so as to attract the notice of his lordship, who, it is said, asked him at what he was laughing so heartily; and was answered, “To think how you will dance by and by to Chevy Chace.” It is added, that the repartee stuck by his lordship the whole day.
You may wish to know the origin of the term Yankee. Take the best account of it which your friend can procure. It was a cant, favorite word with farmer Jonathan Hastings, of Cambridge, about 1713. Two aged ministers, who were at the college in that town, have told me, they remembered it to have been then in use among the students, but had no recollection of it before that period. The inventor used it to express excellency. A Yankee good horse, or Yankee cider, and the like, were an excellent good horse, and excellent cider. The students used to hire horses of him; their intercourse with him, and his use of the term upon all occasions, led them to adopt it, and they gave him the name of Yankee Jon. He was a worthy honest man, but no conjurer. This could not escape the notice of the collegiates. Yankee probably became a by-word among them, to express a weak, simple, aukward person; was carried from the college with them when they left it, and was in that way circulated and established through the country (as was the case in respect to Hobson’s choice,[115] by the students at Cambridge, in Old England) till, from its currency in New-England, it was at length taken up and unjustly applied to the New-Englanders in common, as a term of reproach.
The junction of the brigade under lord Percy, with the detachment under colonel Smith, gave the last a breathing time, especially as they now had cannon, which awed the provincials from pressing upon the rear in a direct line. But the whole force ventured not to halt long; for far and wide the minute-men and militia were collecting, in order to cut off their retreat to Boston. They soon renewed their march; constant skirmishing succeeded, and a continued fire, though often irregular and scattering on their side, as well as on the part of the provincials. The close firing from behind the walls, by good marksmen, for such were almost all the provincials, put the troops into no small confusion, and made it so dangerous for the officers, that they were more attentive to their safety than in common. Major Pitcairn quitted his horse, which was taken with the pistols in the holsters. The soldiers loaded and fired over the stone walls, when there was not a single man behind them. They were incommoded by the wind’s blowing the smoke directly back upon them all the time they were retreating; during which they burnt some houses, attempted others, and plundered many of every thing valuable, destroying what they could not carry off. They killed several innocent unarmed persons; and murdered two old men at Menotomy. Before they reached this place, a few Americans, headed by the Rev. Mr. Payson, of Chelsea, who till now had been extremely moderate, attacked a party of twelve soldiers, carrying stores to the retreating troops, killed one, wounded several, made the whole prisoners, and gained possession of their arms and stores, without any loss whatever to themselves. The regulars, when near Cambridge, were upon the point of taking a wrong road, which would have led them into the most imminent danger, but were prevented by the direction of a young gentleman residing at the college; by which mean they made good their retreat a little after sun-set over Charlestown Neck, to Bunker’s Hill, but spent and wore down by the excessive fatigues they had undergone, having marched that day between thirty and forty miles, here they remained secure till the next day, when they crossed at Charlestown ferry, and returned to Boston.
Lieutenant-colonel Smith was much displeased with the soldiers firing at Lexington; probably general Gage had given orders that they should not fire unless they were first fired upon. Major Pitcairn undoubtedly directed them to fire, from the mistaken apprehension he had entertained of American resolution, for he has the character of a good tempered officer. There were never more than about four hundred provincials together, attacking at one and the same time; and often scarce that number. But as some tired and gave out, others came up. They had very little appearance of discipline. Privates and officers fired away as they had opportunity of doing execution, without waiting for the word of command; and used their knowledge of the country to gain the opportunity, by crossing fields and fences, of acting as flanking parties against the regulars, while these proceeded along the road. Colonel Pickering, of Salem, had the command of a fine well exercised provincial regiment; had he pushed on with his men, so as to have headed the British before they had gained Charlestown Neck (and he was near enough) they must have clubbed their firelocks, for they were quite wearied out with the services of the day, and had but a round or two of ammunition remaining. No satisfactory reason has been assigned for the want of greater alertness in colonel Pickering’s regiment. The British officers are astonished, chagrined, and mortified beyond measure at what has happened. It’s death to all their glorying; their best troops have been obliged in this manner to flee before a number of Yankees, “when all the officers in general did every thing that men could do, and when the soldiers behaved with their usual intrepidity.”[116] They are sore at heart upon the occasion. They have had 1 lieutenant killed, 2 lieutenant-colonels wounded, Smith is one, 2 captains and 9 lieutenants wounded, 1 lieutenant missing, 2 ensigns wounded, 1 sergeant killed, 7 wounded, 2 missing, 1 drummer killed, 1 wounded, 62 rank and file killed, and 157 wounded; in all, 65 killed, 180 wounded, and 28 made prisoners; total, 273.
Of the provincials, 50 have been killed, 34 wounded, and 4 are missing; in all, 88. The following officers and gentlemen are of the number, viz. justice Isaac Gardner, of Brookline, capt. Isaac Davis, of Acton, capt. Jonathan Wilson, of Bedford, lieut. John Bacon, and sergeant Elisha Mills, of Needham, and deacon Josiah Haines, of Sudbury, killed; capt. Eleazer Kingsbury, of Needham, capt. Samuel Williams, of Cambridge, captains Charles Miles, Nathaniel Barret, and George Minot, of Concord, capt. Oliver Barnes, and deacon Aaron Chamberlain, of Chelmsford, wounded. The persons who have fallen, are regretted with the deepest concern, and are honored not only as patriots, but as martyrs, who have died bravely in the cause of their country.
Captains John Ford and Oliver Barron, and deacon Davis, all of Chelmsford, distinguished themselves in the course of the day. It can be fully proved that captain Ford killed five regulars. James Howard, a private in the Acton company, and a regular coming out of a house, caught sight of each other, and discharged their pieces at the same instant; both shots taking effect, the last dropt down dead, and the first expired a few hours after. A big boy joined in the chace of the retreating troops, and was very expert in firing at them; at length a ball from the enemy grazed his head, and produced a flesh wound; he soon recovered the shock, bound up his head with a handkerchief, and renewed his pursuit.
Two British officers who have been taken, and the privates who are wounded and prisoners, are treated with humanity by the provincials; and general Gage may, if he pleases, safely send his surgeons to dress and attend them.
If the contest is to become general between the colonies and the mother country, it may be deemed a happiness for them that it has commenced in the Massachusetts, where all the inhabitants are so connected with each other by descent, blood, uniformity of manners, similarity of civil and religious sentiments, mediocrity of circumstances, and a general equality, that the killing of a single individual interesteth the whole province in the event, and makes them consider it a common cause.
The inhabitants are now everywhere in arms; and collecting in such numbers about Boston, that they will not only invest the town effectually, but excite disagreeable apprehensions in general Gage. No one is suffered to go in or out at present. The provincials have for their commander in chief, a native of the Massachusetts, general Ward; the honorable Jedediah Pribble having, more than a month ago, declined, on account of his bad health. General Ward might have pleaded the like excuse; but he wishes to serve his country to the utmost of his abilities, and is ready to risk his life in the cause of American liberty. He is to be trusted, being a gentleman of great integrity. His commission as commander in chief of the Bay troops, was delivered to him on the 20th of April, by the provincial congress. Three days after, they chose general John Thomas, lieutenant-general.
The day general Ward received his commission, the committee of safety sent letters to New-Hampshire and Connecticut, with an account of the enemy’s proceedings the day before, and praying all the assistance in their power. The next day they agreed upon enlisting 8000 men out of the Massachusetts forces; but the provincial congress being adjourned from Concord to Watertown, resolved the succeeding day, “that an army of 30,000 men be immediately raised and established; that 13,600 be by this province; and that a letter and delegate be sent to the several colonies of Hampshire, Connecticut, and Rhode-Island.” Head-quarters are at Cambridge; and the students quit the college that the provincials may be accommodated. General Thomas commands at Roxbury. He is a cool, courageous, discerning and active officer, well qualified for guarding the important post he occupies, and preventing the enemy’s making a sally over the Neck into the country should they be inclined to attempt it; but for the present they are more afraid of being attacked.
General Gage, to secure the people within from taking up arms against the king’s troops, in case of an assault, has agreed with the committee of the town [April 22.] after a long conference, that upon the inhabitants in general lodging their arms in Faneuil-Hall, or any other convenient place, under the care of the select men, all such inhabitants as are inclined, may depart from the town with their families and effects; that those who remain may depend upon his protection; and that the arms aforesaid, at a suitable time, shall be returned to the owners. The town agreed to this proposal, and their vote upon it was read by the committee, upon their return to his excellency, who accepted it; and further agreed, that the inhabitants may remove from town by land and water with their effects, within the limits specified by the port act. He also informed the committee, that he would desire the admiral to lend his boats to facilitate the removal of the effects of the inhabitants; and that he would allow carriages to pass and repass for that purpose. He said likewise, that he would take care that the poor, who may remain in town, shall not suffer for want of provisions after their own stock is expended; and desired that a letter might be written to Dr. Warren, chairman of the committee of congress, that those persons in the country, who may incline to remove into Boston with, their effects may have liberty so to do without molestation.—An account of these proceedings was sent to Dr. Warren; who was further informed by the town committee [April 25.] “Permission will be given for 30 waggons to enter the town at once, to carry away the effects of the inhabitants; so soon as those have returned to the end of the causeway leading to Roxbury, then others will be permitted to come in. None will be permitted to enter till after sun-rise, nor remain after sun-set. If any vessel or boat now in the harbour, be employed to remove the inhabitants effects, security must be given that it be returned. It is expected that leave be obtained for some persons to go to the different parishes, to give notice to such persons who incline to come, with their effects, into Boston, that they may come without molestation; and it is desired, that the waggons and vessels employed to come to carry away the goods of the inhabitants of Boston, may bring the effects of those who are desirous to leave the country, they paying half the charge.
[April 26.] Doctor Warren has this day written to general Gage:
The unhappy situation into which this colony is thrown, gives the greatest uneasiness to every man who regards the welfare of the empire, or feels for the distresses of his fellow men; but even now much may be done to alleviate those misfortunes which cannot be entirely remedied; and I think it of the utmost importance to us, that our conduct be such, as that the contending parties may entirely rely upon the honor and integrity of each other, for the punctual performance of any agreement that shall be made between them. Your excellency, I believe, knows very well the part I have taken in public affairs. I ever scorned disguise. I think I have done my duty; some may think otherwise; but be assured, Sir, as far as my influence goes, every thing which reasonably can be required of us to do, shall be done; and every thing promised shall be religiously performed. I should now be very glad to know from you, Sir, how many days you desire may be allowed for such as desire to remove to Boston with their effects, and what time you will allow the people in Boston for their removal. When I have received the information, I will repair to congress, and hasten, as far as I am able, the issuing a proclamation. I beg leave to suggest, that the condition of admitting only thirty waggons at a time into the town, appears to me very inconvenient, and will prevent the good effects of a proclamation intended to be issued for encouraging all waggoners to assist in removing the effects from Boston with all possible speed. If your excellency will be pleased to take the matter into consideration, and favor me as soon as may be with an answer, it will lay me under a great obligation, as it so nearly concerns the welfare of my friends in Boston. I have many things which I wish to say to your excellency, and most sincerely wish I had broken through the formalities which I thought due to your rank, and freely told you all I knew or thought of public affairs; and I must ever confess, whatever may be the event, that you generously gave me such an opening as I now think I ought to have embraced; but the true cause of my not doing it, was the knowledge I had of the vileness and treachery of many persons around you, who I suppose had gained your entire confidence.
The committee of safety have sent letters to Rhode-Island and Connecticut, importuning immediate assistance; and that as large a number of troops as can be spared, may be immediately marched forward, well stocked with provisions and ammunition, and accompanied with as large a train of artillery as can be granted. They express their determination, at all events, to act their parts with firmness and intrepidity, knowing that slavery is far worse than death.
The committee appointed to examine into the damages done on the 19th, at Cambridge, Lexington, and Concord, have reported, that by fire, robbery, and destruction, the same are as follows: at Cambridge, £.901 16s. 5d. 1–4; at Lexington, £.1320 16s. 0d. 3–4; and at Concord, £.206 2s. 5d. 1–4; in all £.2428 14s. 11d. 1–4. sterling. The parties exhibited their accounts on oath, and the greatest care was taken that the state of the damages might be just.
My friend Quincy has sacrificed his life for the sake of his country. The ship in which he sailed, arrived at Cape Ann within these two days; but he lived not to get on shore, or to hear and triumph at the account of the success of the Lexington engagement. His remains will be honorably interred by his relations. Let him be numbered with the patriotic heroes who fall in the cause of liberty; and his memory be dear to posterity. Let his only surviving child, a son of about three years, live to possess his noble virtues, and to transmit his name down to future generations. You have my warmest acknowledgments for your last manuscript. See that you embrace every safe opportunity of continuing your correspondence; you will find me in that line of conduct.
The supreme power now extant in the Massachusetts, has given their first naval commission to captain John Derby, of Salem, who is entrusted by the provincial congress with dispatches for Dr. Franklin, containing an account of the Lexington fight, and an address to the inhabitants of Great-Britain. He sails without delay. In the address the congress profess to place much dependence on the honor, wisdom, and valor of Britons; from which they hope for their interference in preventing the prosecution of present measures. They make great professions of loyalty; but declare, that they will not tamely submit to the persecution and tyranny of a cruel ministry; and that they are determined to die or be free. They appeal to Heaven for the justice of their cause. Should not an accommodation take place, Heaven must grant them its special protection, or they will be crushed before the power of Britain, notwithstanding all that the other colonies can do for them; unless the officers who are employed against them, are not supplied with an adequate force, or are wretchedly defective in courage, inclination, activity, prudence, or other military abilities; or unless some foreign power for its own interest, and to injure the parent state, takes them by the hand. Their military stores are scarce worth mentioning. They reckon upon sixteen field pieces. It is well if six of them are calculated for much actual service. There are four brass ones, of a small size, that may answer a good purpose. They have a few large iron cannon, two or three mortars and howitzers, cannon ball, and shells; but they have only eighty-two half barrels of powder belonging to the public store; most towns have a small quantity, that however will be soon exhausted. Considering what ought to be the case to warrant a reasonable expectation of success in a military contest with a nation that abounds in all the apparatus of war, they may be pronounced destitute of every article but men; and, though these are not wanting in natural courage, it will take a considerable time to make them thorough good soldiers. They have neither money nor magazines.