USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Celebration of the centennial anniversary of the evacuation of Boston by the British Army, March 17th, 1776 > Part 1
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Gc 974.402 B65bog 1786204
M. E.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01105 9745
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/march17th1876cel1876bost
MARCH IZTH, ISIS.
CELEBRATION
OF THE
CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
OF THE --
EVACUATION OF BOSTON
1876
BRITISH ARMY,
MARCH 17th, 1776.
RECEPTION OF THE WASHINGTON MEDAL.
ORATION DELIVERED IN MUSIC HALL AND .L. CHRONICLESOF THE SIEGE OF BOSTON. BY GEORGE E. ELLIS.
BOSTOXIN
1020.
Boston : PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL .. MDOCCLXXVI.
563
£
1786201
1:
F 8441 .0995
BOSTON. City council.
Celebration of the centennial anniversary of the evacuation of Boston by the British army, March 17th, 1776. Reception of the Washington medal .. Oration delivered in Music Hall, and a chronicle of the siege of Boston, by G. E. Ellis. Boston, 1876.
199p. 27cm.
This copy missing all illustrative matter. Autograph presentation copy from J. Q. A. Brackett, president of the Boston City Council, At head of ti- - tle: March 17th, 1876. PC (Sh/ A ASh Gr GrCh MSh wsh C3h C WICN /1/rev 325538 -
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Dress of ROCKWELL AND CHURCHILL, CITY PRINTERS, 39 ARCH STREET, BOSTON.
CITY OF BOSTON.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, March 20, 1876.
Resolved, That the thanks of the City Council are due, and they are hereby tendered, to GEORGE E. ELLIS, D. D., for the very interesting historical oration delivered before the municipal authorities of this city on the 17th in-t., that being the Centennial Anniversary of the Evacuation of the town of Boston by the British Army; and that he be requested to furnish a copy of -aid oration for publication, together with such historical facts connected with the Siege of Boston as may be deemed worthy of preservation.
Ordered. That fifteen hundred copies of the oration of George E. Ellis, D.D., delivered before the municipal authorities of this city on the 17th inst., be printed, together with an account of the proceedings connected with the observance of the Centennial Anniversary of the Evacuation of Boston by the British Army ; and that the expense thereof be charged to the appropriation for Printing.
Passed ; sent down for concurrence.
JOHN T. CLARK, Chairman.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, March 23, 1876.
Passed in concurrence.
J. Q. A. BRACKETT, President.
Approved March 24, 1876.
SAMUEL C. COBB, Mayor.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
PRELIMINARY ARRANGEMENTS
9
DECORATIONS
12
ILLUMINATIONS . 20 .
RECEPTION OF THE WASHINGTON MEDAL. 23
SERVICES IN MUSIC HALL 33
Prayer by Rev. Dr. Manning, Pastor of Old South Church 34
Introductory Remarks of Mayor Cobb 36
Address by George E. Ellis, D.D. . 39
CHRONICLE OF THE SIEGE ( By George E. Ellis, D. D.)
The Provincial Forces Summoned . 109
Commencement of the Siege of Boston 110
The Poor in Boston . 112
General Burgoyne on the Situation . 112
Intercourse between Town and Country .
114
Covenant between General Gage and the Inhabitants
115
Proclamation by General Gage
119
" The Friends of Government " 123
Tories in Town and Country 124
Lady Frankland 126
Benjamin Thompson, Count Rumford
129
Fire in Boston . 130
Care for a Civil Government 131
Harvard College and Cambridge 135
The Provincial Fortifications 138
Raids on the Harbor Islands 142
Incidents in the Provincial Camp 145
Correspondence of Generals Lee and Burgoyne 146
A Preliminary to the Declaration of Independence . 149
Dr. Benj. Chinreh charged with Treachery 151
A Visitor to the Camp 151
A Characteristic Order by Washington 153
Winter in the Camp 154
Treatment of Prisoners 156
vi
CONTENTS.
CHRONICLE OF THE SIEGE - Continued. PAGE
Burgoyne on the Situation in Boston 158
Destruction of " Liberty-Tree " 160
The Besieged in Boston 164
Commission by General Gage . 164
Crean Brush 165
Printing in Boston 166
Proclamations by General Gage 167
Burgoyne's Theatricals in Boston . 168
General Howe in Command in Boston 170
170
The Contract for the Evacuation and Safety of Boston
178
The Leave-Taking and Embarkation
175
Boston Harbor Reopened
180
Report of the Evacuation in England 180
182
Diary of Ezekiel Price
18 4
Letters to Gardiner Greene
187
Dr. Andrew Eliot
188
Diary of Timothy Newell
192
The Boston Ministers during the Siege
195
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
PELHAM'S MAP OF BOSTON.
PROVINCE HOUSE
1
OLD STATE HOUSE .
LONG WHARF
18 25
WASHINGTON MEDAL. .
HANcock House 99
FANEUIL HALL . 115
VICINITY OF BOSTON, FORTS
138
PROSPECT TILL AND BUNKER HILL - FLY LEAF
139
THEATRICAL PROGRAMME .
169
[The Engravings of the Washington Medal, and of the Fortifications around Boston, were pre- pared for Dr. Sparks' Life and Writings of Washington. Mrs Sparks has kindly granted the use of the plates for this volume.]
Proclamations by General Howe .
Diaries and Letters in Boston during the Siege
PRELIMINARY ARRANGEMENTS.
DECORATIONS AND ILLUMINATIONS.
PRELIMINARY ARRANGEMENTS.
Ix his Inaugural Address to the City Council of Boston, on the Sd of January, 1876, the Mayor, Hon. Samuel C. Cobb, referred to the Centennial Anniversaries of the last and the present year in the following words : -
" In June last we had our centennial celebration of the Anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill. I believe it is regarded on all hands as a gratifying success. It was a memorable day for Boston, as being the first public occasion on which the antagonists in the fields and the commeils of the civil war met together in considerable numbers and in organized bodies, to exchange pledges of renewed amity and fraternal fellowship and of a future cordial co-operation in the duties of patriotism. It ap- peared to awaken the hospitable feelings and the patriotic ardors of our own people, and we have had many testi- monies that our welcome visitors from all sections of the country were pleased with their reception and entertain- ment. This year Philadelphia will be the seat of a more imposing observance, in celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of the Declaration of the National Independ- ence. Our warmest sympathies will be with her on this grand occasion of national and international interest. Under the auspices of the State Commission, our people will contribute to the exposition the products of their
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CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE
industry and art, and, I presume, a large personal repre- sentation.
"It does not appear at present that any formal action on the subject is called for on the part of this municipal government.
"On the Seventeenth of March next will occur the centennial anniversary of the Evacuation of Boston by the British troops. The City Council will consider what observance of the day, if any, will be appropriate in itself and acceptable to the people. And on the Fourth of July I presume the City Government will not omit the celebra- tion to which the people have been accustomed from the earliest times."
At the meeting of the Board of Aldermen, January 6th, 1876, the following order was adopted : -
Ordered, That the Chairman and four members of the Board of Aldermen, with such as the Common Council may join, be a committee to consider and report in what way it will be expedient to celebrate, on the Seventeenth of March next, the Centennial anniversary of the Evacu- tion of Boston by the British army, and on the Fourth of July next, the Centennial anniversary of the Declaration of American Independence.
And Aldermen John T. Clark, Chairman, Alvah A. Burrage, Hugh O'Brien, Choate Burnham, and Francis Thompson, were appointed as such committee.
At the meeting of the Common Council, January 13, the order was passed in concurrence, and Councilmen J. Q. A. Brackett, President, Curtis Guild, Edwin Sibley, John Sweetser, William G. Train, Otis HI. Pierce, Frederick G. Walbridge, and William Blanchard were joined.
The order was approved by the Mayor, January 15, 1876.
On the 17th of January the committee reported in part, rec-
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EVACUATION OF BOSTON.
ommending that the Mayor and the Chairman of the Board of Aldermen be authorized to engage an orafor for the Seventeenth of March, and an order to that effect was passed by the City Commeil.
On the 21th of January, the committee again reported, recom- mending that, in addition to the oration already provided for, the Seventeenth of March be observed as follows : -
By firing salutes at sunrise and sunset, and by ringing the church bells at sunrise, noon. and sunset ; that the ocenpants of the stores and dwelling's on Washington street be requested to decorate their buildings ; that the locations of the fortifications on Boston Neck, and other places of historie interest in the city, be decorated ; that Bunker Hill Monu- ment, Dorchester Heights, and the principal public buildings, be illu- minated ; and that the General Government be requested to fire salutes from the Navy Yard and the forts in the harbor; and that the State authorities be requested to illuminate the State-House. Citizens resi- dent on the principal squares and thoroughfares were requested to illuminate their dwellings on the evening of the Seventeenth.
The committee appended to their report the following order, which was adopted by the City Council, and approved by the Mayor on the 5th of February : -
Ordered, That the Joint Special Committee who were appointed to consider and report in what way the centennial anniversary of the evac- nation of Boston by the British army should be celebrated, be anthor- ized to make arrangements for the proper celebration of that occasion, at an expense not exceeding five thousand dollars, to be charged to the appropriation for Incidentals.
In accordance with the order passed by the City Council, his Honor the Mayor invited George E. Ellis, D. D., to deliver the oration, and the Reverend Jacob M. Manning, D. D., to act as chaplain, on the occasion, and both gentlemen accepted the invitation.
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CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE
DECORATIONS.
The season of the year being unfavorable for out-door decora- tions, the sub-committee having the matter in charge, deemed it advisable to designate such places ouly as were situated upon the lines of march of the advancing and retreating armies, beginning at the advanced line of the American fortifications in Roxbury, and terminating at the point of embarkation of the British troops on Long Wharf.
The following places were thus designated : -
AMERICAN FORTIFICATIONS.
The original line of American fortifications crossed what is now Washington street on the line of division between Boston and Roxbury, near the present Clifton place. On the 23d of August, 1775, the work of fortifying Lamb's Dam was begun, and upon the completion of that work the line of fortification was advanced to a point a little south of the present Northampton street.
Lamb's Dam extended from about the junction of Hampden and Al- bany streets to a point near the present Walnut place. It was orig- inally built to keep the tide from overflowing the marshes, and followed very nearly the present line of Northampton street, diverging slightly to the southward as it neared the highway. At the termination of the Dam, on the upland, a strong breastwork was constructed, and from that the intrenchments extended across the highway.
The works were completed September 10, 1775, without opposition from the British, although within musket-shot of their advanced posts.
LOCATION OF BROWN'S HOUSE.
The house and barn of Mr. Brown stood on the west side of the high- way, near the present location of Franklin square, and about twenty rods in advance of the British line.
13
EVACUATION OF BOSTON.
The buildings were occupied by the British troops, and served as a post from which to annoy the Americans.
On the 8th of July, 1775, a party of volunteers from the American army, under command of Majors Tupper and Crane, attacked the post, drove in the guard, and set fire to the buildings.
This was the only armed conflict between the opposing armies which took place within the original limits of Boston.
It was at Brown's house that General Burgoyne proposed to meet General Lee, to discuss the differences existing between the colonies and the mother-country.
BRITISH FORTIFICATIONS ON THE NECK.
The main line of the British fortifications crossed the Neck between Dedham and Canton streets. The works were considered very strong, mounting twenty guns of heavy calibre, together with six howitzers and a mortar battery.
The road passed directly through the centre of the work and was closed by gates.
The fortification nearest the town was known as the "Green Store Battery," and was situated just south of the present Williams Market. Its name was taken from the warehouse of Deacon Brown, which stood on the site of Williams Market, and was painted green.
A barrier was erected at this point, prior to 1610, as a protection against the Indians, and, in 1710, by vote of the town, a strong work was constructed there. In September, 1774, General Gage caused the remains of the old works to be strengthened. The road passed through the centre of the works, and was closed by a gate and a drawbridge.
A person who entered the town soon after it was evacuated, describing these fortifications, says, " We found the works upon the Neck entire, the canon spiked up, the shells chiefly split, and many of the cannon carriages cut to pieces ; these lines upon the Neck were handsomely built, and so amazingly strong that it would have been impracticable for us to have forced them."
The works were, by Washington's order, rendered useless after the continental army moved to New York, so that the enemy could not make them available in case they should regain the town.
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CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE
LIBERTY-TREE BUILDING.
The Liberty-tree, so named from its being used on the first occasion of public resistance to the Stamp Act, stood near the present corner of Essex and Washington streets. It was one of a number of magnificent elms which grew in that locality.
On the 14th of August, 1765, an effigy of Mr. Oliver, the stamp of- ficer, together with a boot with a devil peeping out of it, - an allusion to Lord Bute, - were discovered hanging on the tree, and soon after the same Mr. Oliver, much against his will, was compelled to meet the Sons of Liberty at the tree, and make a public recantation of his sentiments in favor of the Stamp Act. In November, 1765, two of the king's advisers were hung in effigy upon the tree.
From 1765 until the British troops took possession of the town, the tree was famous as the place of meeting of the Sons of Liberty, and the ground around it was popularly known as Liberty Hall. In 1767 a flag- staff was erected, which extended through and above the branches of the tree, and a flag displayed from this staff was a signal for the assembling of the Sons of Liberty. Under the branches of the tree matters of public concern were discussed during the stirring times which preceded the actual commencement of hostilities, and many of the prominent actors in the revolutionary conflict took a lively part in the proceedings.
The tree was cut down in August, 1775, by the Tories and the British troops, much to the vexation of the patriots who remained in the town during the siege. While the tree was being ent down, a soldier, in attempting to remove a limb, fell and was killed.
Alluding to the event, the " Essex Gazette," of August 31st, 1775, says. .. Armed with axes, they made a furious attack upon it. After a long spell of langhing and grinning, sweating, swearing, and foaming, with malice diabolical, they cut down a tree because it bore the name of liberty."
freestone bas-relief, set in the front of the building on the corner of Essex and Washington streets, marks the spot where the tree stood.
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EVACUATION OF BOSTON.
THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
The present building was erected in 1729; when built it was situated in what was then considered the south part of the town, and was known as the South Meeting-house. The name " Old South" was given it after the erection of the " New South " in Summer street. The building is especially rich in historic associations. Here the orations on the ani- versaries of the Boston Massacre were delivered, and its walls resounded with the eloquence of many who afterwards exemplified their patriotism by deeds as well as words. Here was held the meeting which cuhninated in the destruction of the tea in Boston Harbor. The meeting was adjourned from Faneuil Hall, that building not being large enough to contain the crowd. The Old South Church was looked upon with especial disfavor by the British, on account of the meetings of the patri- ots which were held there, and in 1775 it was taken possession of, at the instance of General Burgoyne, and converted into a riding-school for the use of the Queen's Light Dragoons.
The cast galleries were allotted to spectators, and a refreshment-room was fitted up in the first gallery ; the pulpit and pews were removed and used for fuel, and the floor was covered with dirt and gravel.
After the town was evacuated by the British the Old South Society worshipped in King's Chapel, which had been abandoned by its rector and congregation.
THE OLD STATE-HOUSE.
The present building was erected in 1718 for a town-house. The meetings of the Colonial Courts, the Provincial Council, and the General Court of the Colony were held in it. The representatives met iu a chamber situated at the west end of the building, and here, according to John Adams, " Independence was born."
The news of the accession of George III., the last crowned head pro- claimed in the colonies, was read from the balcony, and on the 18th of July, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was read from the same place, by the Sheriff, William Greenleaf.
When the British troops were quartered in the town, it was used as a barrack, and in it Generals Gage, Howe, and Clinton held a Council of War, before the Battle of Bunker Hill.
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CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE
In 1789 a temporary balcony was erected at the west end of the build- ing, from which General Washington reviewed the procession which had escorted him into the town.
After the organization of the State Government, the General Court met there until the completion of the present State-House, in 1798. The convention to ratify the Constitution of the United States began its sessions there, and in it the Constitution of Massachusetts was framed.
In 1830 the building was dedicated as a City Hall, and continued to be occupied for that purpose until the Court House, which stood on the site of the present City Hall, was remodelled, and the City Goverment re- moved there. In 1838 the post-office was located there, at which time a force of fifteen clerks was sufficient to transact the business of the depart- ment.
FANEUIL HALL.
The hall erected and presented to the town by Peter Faneuil was completed in 1742, and at a town meeting on the 13th of September of that year, the building was accepted, and a vote of thanks passed to the donor. The action of the town was as follows : -
"IN TOWN MEETING, BOSTON, September 13, 1712.
" Whereas information was given to this town, at their meeting in July, 1740, that Peter Faneuil, Esq., had been generously pleased to offer, at his own proper cost and charge, to ereet and build a noble and compleat structure or edifice, to be improved for a market, for the sole use, benefit, and advantage of the town ; provided the town of Boston would pass a vote for that purpose, and lay the same under such proper regulations as shall be thought necessary, and constantly support it for the said nse ;
" And whereas at the said meeting it was determined to accept of tr offer or proposal aforesaid ; and also voted that the selectmen should be desired to wait upon Peter Faneuil, Esq .. and to present the thanks of this town to him, and also to acquaint him that the town have, by their vote, come to a resolution to accept of his generous offer of erecting a market-house on Dock square, according to his proposal ; And whereas Peter Fanenil, Esq., has, in pursuance thereof. at a very great expense, erected a noble structure, far exceeding his first proposal, inasmuch as it contains not only a large and sufficient accommodation for a market- place, but has also superadded a spacious and most beautiful town hall over it, and several other convenient rooms, which may prove very ben-
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EVACUATION OF BOSTON.
oficial to the town for offices, or otherwise; and the said building be- ing now finished, has delivered possession thereof to the selectmen, for the use of the town ; it is therefore
.. Voted. That the town do, with the utmost gratitude, receive and accept this most generous and noble benefaction, for the uses and inten- tions they are designed for, and do appoint the Honorable Thomas Cushing, Esq .. the Moderator of this meeting, the Hon. Adion Winthrop, Edward Hutchinson, Ezekiel Lewis, and Samuel Waldo, Esqrs., Thomas Hutch- inson. Exq. the Selectmen and representatives of the town of Boston, the Hon. Jacob Wendell, Esq., James Bowdoin. Esq., Andrew Oliver, Esq. Capt. Nathaniel Cunningham, Peter Chardon, Esq .; and Mr. Charles Apthorp. to wait upon Peter Faneuil, Esqe, and, in the name of the town. to render him their most hearty thanks for so bountiful a gift, with then prayers that this, and other expressions of his bounty and charity. may be abundantly recompenced with the divine blessing."
Another vote was passed, that in testimony of the town's gratitude to Peter Faneuil, and to perpetuate his memory. " the hall over the market- place be named Faneuil Hall. and at all times hereafter be called and known by that name." As a further testimony of respect, the selectmen were instructed to procare a portrait of Mr. Faneuil, at the town's expense and place it in the hall.
Thi- building was one hundred by forty feet, and the hall would con- tain one thousand persons. It was burnt in 1761, and rebuilt, by order of the town. in 1763. a lottery being anthorized by the State to aid in the design. In 1806, the width of the building was increased to eighty feet. and a third story was added.
The first oration delivered in the hall was'a enlogy on the death of Peter Famenil, pronounced by John Lovell, A. M., the master of the Latin School.
During the siege of Boston the hall was fitted up into a theatre, where plays, derisive of the patriots, were performed.
" In this hall was first heard the eloquence of a Hancock, the two Adam-es, a Bowdoin, a Molineux, and a Warren. In this hall was first kindled that divine spark of liberty, which, like an unconquerable lune, has pervaded the continent -- a flame, which, while it proved a cloud of darkness to the enemies of America, has appeared like a pillar of fire to the votaries of freedom, and happily lighted them to empire and independence." - Massachusetts Magazine. 3
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CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE
MAIN GUARD-HOUSE OF THE BRITISH TROOPS.
When the British troops landed in Boston, Governor Bernard gave up the State-House to them, much to the annoyance of the courts which sat there, and to the merchants and citizens who used the lower part of the building for an exchange; after an unsucessful attempt to obtain possession of the Manufactory building for a barrack, other buildings were procured, in various parts of the town, in which the troops were quartered.
The main guard was posted in a building on King street, directly opposite the south door of the State-House. and two field-pieces were pointed directly towards it.
This was looked upon as a menace to the liberty of the people, and an attempt to overawe the legislative and judicial bodies which met in the State-House, and much indignation was expressed thereat. When the Superior Court met in November, 1769, James Otis moved, "That the court adjourn to Faneuil Hall, not only as the stench occasioned by the regulars in the representatives' chamber might prove infectious, but as it was derogatory to the honor of the court to administer justice at the mouths of cannon and the points of bayonets."
It was a detachment of the main guard, stationed in this building, which fired upon the people in King street, on the 5th of March, 1770.
LONG WHARF.
In 1709, Oliver Noyes, and others, proposed to the town to build and maintain a wharf with a sufficient common sewer, from the end of King (now State) street to low-water mark, " leaving a way three feet wide on one of the sides thereof, as a highway for the use of the inhabitants of said town and others, and to extend from one end of the same unto the other forever ; and leaving a gap of sixteen feet wide, covered over, for lighters and boats to pass and repass, about the middle of said wharf, or where the Selectmen shall direct, as also a passage-way on the new wharves, on each side, for carts, etc. ; leaving the end of said wharf free for the town, when they shall see reason, to plant guns for the defence of said town." The proposition was referred to the Selectmen, who, in 1710, reported in favor of accepting it, and they were authorized to execute the proper instruments, which they did on the 13th of May. The
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