_Roxbury, April 26, 1775._
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:
“SIR,
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.