Braintree, 14 September, 1774.
Five weeks have passed and not one line have I received. I would rather
give a dollar for a letter by the post, though the consequence should be
that I ate but one meal a day these three weeks to come. Every one I see
is inquiring after you, when did I hear. All my intelligence is
collected from the newspaper, and I can only reply that I saw by that,
you arrived such a day. I know your fondness for writing, and your
inclination to let me hear from you by the first safe conveyance, which
makes me suspect that some letter or other has miscarried; but I hope,
now you have arrived at Philadelphia, you will find means to convey me
some intelligence.
We are all well here. I think I enjoy better health than I have done
these two years. I have not been to town since I parted with you there.
The Governor is making all kinds of warlike preparations, such as
mounting cannon upon Beacon Hill, digging intrenchments upon the Neck,
placing cannon there, encamping a regiment there, throwing up
breast-works, etc. The people are much alarmed, and the selectmen have
waited upon him in consequence of it. The County Congress[48] have also
sent a committee; all which proceedings you will have a more particular
account of than I am able to give you, from the public papers. But as to
the movements of this town, perhaps you may not hear them from any other
person.
In consequence of the powder being taken from Charlestown, a general
alarm spread through many towns and was caught pretty soon here. The
report took here on Friday, and on Sunday a soldier was seen lurking
about the Common, supposed to be a spy, but most likely a deserter.
However, intelligence of it was communicated to the other parishes, and
about eight o'clock Sunday evening there passed by here about two
hundred men, preceded by a horsecart, and marched down to the
powder-house, from whence they took the powder, and carried it into the
other parish and there secreted it. I opened the window upon their
return. They passed without any noise, not a word among them till they
came against this house, when some of them, perceiving me, asked me if I
wanted any powder. I replied, No, since it was in so good hands. The
reason they gave for taking it was that we had so many Tories here, they
dared not trust us with it; they had taken Vinton in their train, and
upon their return they stopped between Cleverly's and Etter's, and
called upon him to deliver two warrants. Upon his producing them, they
put it to vote whether they should burn them, and it passed in the
affirmative. They then made a circle and burnt them. They then called a
vote whether they should huzza, but, it being Sunday evening, it passed
in the negative. They called upon Vinton to swear that he would never be
instrumental in carrying into execution any of these new acts. They were
not satisfied with his answers; however, they let him rest. A few days
afterwards, upon his making some foolish speeches, they assembled to the
amount of two or three hundred, and swore vengeance upon him unless he
took a solemn oath. Accordingly, they chose a committee and sent it with
him to Major Miller's to see that he complied; and they waited his
return, which proving satisfactory, they dispersed. This town appears as
high as you can well imagine, and, if necessary, would soon be in arms.
Not a Tory but hides his head. The church parson thought they were
coming after him, and ran up garret; they say another jumped out of his
window and hid among the corn, whilst a third crept under his board
fence and told his beads.