Braintree, 24 May, 1775.
I suppose you have had a formidable account of the alarm we had last
Sunday morning. When I rose, about six o'clock, I was told that the
drums had been some time beating, and that three alarm guns were fired;
that Weymouth bell had been ringing, and Mr. Weld's was then ringing. I
immediately sent off an express to know the occasion, and found the
whole town in confusion.[73] Three sloops and one cutter had come out
and dropped anchor just below Great Hill. It was difficult to tell their
designs; some supposed they were coming to Germantown, others to
Weymouth; people, women, children, from the iron-works, came flocking
down this way; every woman and child driven off from below my father's;
my father's family flying. The Dr.[74] is in great distress, as you may
well imagine, for my aunt had her bed thrown into a cart, into which she
got herself, and ordered the boy to drive her to Bridgewater, which he
did. The report was to them that three hundred had landed, and were upon
their march up into town. The alarm flew like lightning, and men from
all parts came flocking down, till two thousand were collected. But it
seems their expedition was to Grape Island for Levett's hay. There it
was impossible to reach them, for want of boats; but the sight of so
many persons, and the firing at them, prevented their getting more than
three tons of hay, though they had carted much more down to the water.
At last a lighter was mustered, and a sloop from Hingham, which had six
port-holes. Our men eagerly jumped on board, and put off for the island.
As soon as they perceived it, they decamped. Our people landed upon the
island, and in an instant set fire to the hay, which, with the barn, was
soon consumed,--about eighty tons, it is said. We expect soon to be in
continual alarms, till something decisive takes place.
We wait, with longing expectation, in hopes to hear the best accounts
from you, with regard to union and harmony, etc. We rejoice greatly on
the arrival of Dr. Franklin, as he must certainly be able to inform you
very particularly of the situation of affairs in England. I wish you
would, if you can get time, be as particular as you _may_, when you
write. Every one hereabouts comes to me, to hear what accounts I have. I
was so unlucky as not to get the letter you wrote at New York. Captain
Beale forgot it, and left it behind. We have a flying report here, with
regard to New York, but cannot give any credit to it, as yet, that they
had been engaged with the ships, which Gage sent there, and had taken
them, with great loss upon both sides.
Yesterday we had an account of three ships coming into Boston. I believe
it is true, as there was a salute from the other ships, though I have
not been able to learn from whence they come. I suppose you have had an
account of the fire, which did much damage to the warehouses, and added
greatly to the distresses of the inhabitants, whilst it continued. The
bad conduct of General Gage[75] was the means of its doing so much
damage.
Our house has been, upon this alarm, in the same scene of confusion that
it was upon the former. Soldiers coming in for a lodging, for breakfast,
for supper, for drink, etc. Sometimes refugees from Boston, tired and
fatigued, seek an asylum for a day, a night, a week. You can hardly
imagine how we live; yet,--
"To the houseless child of want,
Our doors are open still;
And though our portions are but scant,
We give them with good will."
My best wishes attend you, both for your health and happiness, and that
you may be directed into the wisest and best measures for our safety and
the security of our posterity. I wish you were nearer to us; we know not
what a day will bring forth, nor what distress one hour may throw us
into. Hitherto I have been able to maintain a calmness and presence of
mind, and hope I shall, let the exigency of the time be what it will.
Adieu, breakfast calls.
Your affectionate,