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.