USA > Massachusetts > History of Massachusetts, for two hundred years: from the year 1620 to 1820 > Part 26
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At this time, some zealous individuals in Massachusetts and the other colonies, made an arrangement for stated and fre- quent communications between different parts of the country. This was attended with great advantage, in a political view ; for concert of action and of opinion was seen to be essential ; and it was important to give and receive the earliest intelli- gence, as to the measures adopted by every colony, respectively, at this alarming and critical period. There had been a post- office establishment in the British colonies before this time, and Dr. Franklin, was deputy post-master-general. But he was removed from the office, early in 1774, on account of his political principles, and his open and warm support of the con- duct of Massachusetts, whose agent he then was in England.
On the election of counsellors, at the beginning of the ses- sion, in May, 1774, Governor Gage rejected thirteen of those who received the votes of the general court, and who enjoyed the highest confidence of the people, as well for discretion as
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firmness .* This was a larger number than Bernard or Hutch- inson had ever negatived at any one time. And this measure, which discovered a disposition to offend rather than to con- ciliate, was followed by others, manifesting a similar temper. In his speech, at the opening of the session, he informed the court, that he should adjourn them to Salem, on the first of June: and when the committee of the council were reading their answer to his speech, he abruptly forbid their proceeding, because there was an intimation in it, that his two immediate predecessors had been inimical to the liberties of the province. He said, "he considered such a suggestion an insult to the king and an affront to himself." The removal of the court from Boston, lie well knew would be exceedingly disagreeable to the members of it, and to the people at large ; for he was not ignorant of the great discontents, and the objections arising from a similar measure by Governor Hutchinson, a few years before. The act could only be dictated either by a wish to censure the people of Boston, or to show how little he thought of the right claimed by the general court, to have a voice in deciding where its meetings should be held. The court was adjourned to Salem, the first of June, by proclamation of the governor, as he had signified the first day of the session. And when he found that they were nothing intimidated by his conduct, but were preparing measures for the safety of the province, without consulting his pleasure, on the 17th he issued another procla- mation, to dissolve them. Before the proclamation was pub- lished, the secretary was sent to dissolve the court, by orders of the governor ; but he was denied admittance, and the mes- senger was directed to keep the door closed. The subject then under consideration in the house, was the appointment of delegates, to meet others from the several colonies, in a general congress, during the year, to propose and unite in measures for a redress of their grievances, and for the restoration and security of the political rights of all. After this measure was adopted, and the delegates chosen for Massachusetts,t and directions given to communicate the fact to the other colonies, the mem- bers of the court separated.}
* This rejection by the governor, of the counsellors elected, could be for no other cause than their opposition to arbitrary measures, and to their zealous advocacy of the rights and liberties of the people. They were the following : James Bowdoin, John Winthrop, Timothy Danielson, Benja- min Austin, William Phillips, Michael Farley, James Prescott, John Adams, Norton Quincy, Jerathmeel Bowers, Jedediah Foster, and Enoch Freeman.
t These delegates were, Thomas Cushing, Samuel Adams, Robert T. Paine, James Bowdoin, and John Adams.
# A citizen of New York, in a letter, of June, 1774, says, " I am highly
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During this sessson of the legislature, resolutions were adopt- ed, advising the citizens of Boston to be firm and patient, and the people through the province to assist the inhabitants of the capital, and all to persevere in the disuse of British goods, and other foreign articles, which were subject to impost; in the hope, as they said, "that it might be seen they were not alarmed by poverty or adversity, and that the British ministry would relent, as to the continuance of measures so injurious and oppressive." They also desired the governor to appoint a day for public fasting and prayer; but he declined. And they then recommended a particular day for the purpose, in imitation, as they said, of their pious ancestors, who, "on all occasions of common danger and distress, devoutly looked to God for direction and favor."
The conduct of Governor Gage, in the short space of two months, fully proved, that arbitrary measures were still to be pursued, and that the voice of the representatives of the people was not to be regarded. A large military force had been ordered from England, and was daily expected. The pros- pect was as hopeless as in the days of the hated Andross, to whose tyrannical administration the conduct of Governor Gage was frequently likened. The general court was dissolved, as in his time ; and the council was to consist of such persons as the British ministry should designate. The people, however, did not despond ; and they felt it a duty to wait the result of the deliberations of the general congress, which was expected to assemble in the course of the year. Yet, in Massachusetts, the people were not altogether inactive. Meetings were holden, in most of the counties, composed of delegates from the towns within their respective limits, at which resolutions were adopted, declaring their opinion, that the recent measures of the British government were unjust and oppressive, and their determination to maintain their liberties, at every hazard. They referred to the conduct of the governor, "which they considered indicative of a purpose to rule the province by force ;" and they declared themselves in favor of a provincial congress, as the general court had been dissolved.
The spirit and ultimate views of the people of Massachusetts were manifested, also, during the year, by the voluntary form- ation of independent companies of militia, which elected their own officers, and met frequently for military discipline. No doubt this measure was recommended or suggested by some
pleased with the spirit of your assembly. It is composed of patriots, well fitted to be entrusted with the liberties of the people. Their resolution and. good sense would do them honor in any country under heaven."
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of the more discerning polititians, and yet without any settled plan of independence, or of a resort to force, except for de- fence. As early as this period, there were frequent evidences, that their ancient rights and liberties would not be yielded without a struggle, and even an appeal to arms. There were then many in the province, only in the meridian of life, who had served as officers in the wars between England and France, from 1755 to 1763 .*
* A dispute which had been some time kept up, as to the boundary line between Massachusetts and New York, was settled, in the spring of 1773, to mutual satisfaction. There had been several meetings of commissioners to adjust the dispute, but without effect. Major Hawley was chairman of the commissioners from Massachusetts. The commissioners from New York insisted, that those from Massachusetts should relinquish their claims west of Hudson River. But they would not consent; and Mr. Hutchin- son says, it was at his suggestion that they refused.
CHAPTER XVI.
Objections to the Judges-Jurors refuse to act-Colonel Hancock dismissed from command of the Cadets-Governor Gage erects fortifications in and near Boston, and collects military stores-Conventions in Suffolk and Essex-Governor forbids meetings of the people-Resolutions of Con- vention-Provincial Congress-Its proceedings-Measures of the Con- tinental Congress-Committee of Safety-Delegates to second General Congress-Clergy-New Provincial Congress, 1775-General Warren Chairman of Committee of Safety-British troops sent to Salem to seize military stores.
The regular course of justice was again impeded during the fall of this year, from objections to the chief justice, as before mentioned. Another objection was now made against the court. Three of the justices were among the counsellors late- ly appointed in England. To sanction their doings, and not to disapprove even of their having seats on the bench, would be an acknowledgment of a right in the British government to appoint the council, and to change the charter of the prov- ince ; and an assent to the union of the judicial and executive powers. The jurors, for Suffolk county, both grand and petit, refused to take the usual oaths. Yet it does not appear that any fine was imposed on the jurors ; but the court proceeded to business, the following day, to the great surprise and dissat- isfaction of the people .*
At this time, the governor probably anticipated some forci- ble opposition to his measures, and he appeared resolved to pursue them, even by force, if necessary, whatever might be the opinions or complaints of the people. He ordered military
* Governor Gage dismissed Mr. Hancock from the command of the independent company of cadets, at this time, without giving any reasons for the removal, except that Mr. Hancock had not treated him with due respect. The company presented an address to Mr. Hancock, expressive of their high sense of his patriotism, and of their personal regard for him. The other officers gave up their commissions, and declared they would not remain in the company, after their commander had been thus unjustly treated. The want of respect charged against Mr. Hancock, by the gover- nor was not specified. It was probably a want of such servile submission as the despotic temper of General Gage required.
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stores and ordnances from New York to Boston ; and by his directions large quantities of gunpowder, which belonged to the province, were removed into the metropolis, from Cam- bridge and Charlestown, and placed in the keeping of British regular troops, then lately arrived. Individuals were in the habit of depositing gunpowder in the public houses, for safe keeping ; this he seized also, and refused to deliver it to the owners. And soon after, in the fall of 1774, he caused forti- fications to be erected on the neck, at the only entrance by land into the town.
The highly excited feelings of the people, under these cir- cumstances, broke out in some acts of menace and riot, which no friend of law and order could fully justify. Some of the counsellors appointed by the king resided in Cambridge, and the people assembled from that and neighboring towns, pro- ceeded to their houses, and insisted on their tendering a resig- nation of their offices. No acts of personal violence, however, were committed. The act was evidence of the indignation of the people against the counsellors ; and the influence of the more prudent prevailed to prevent further mischief, than a temporary alarm and fear of bloodshed.
The convention of delegates for Suffolk, at this time, was highly respectable, and the resolutions adopted very spirited, Dr. Joseph Warren was chairman of the committee, which reported them. He was esteemed as one of the most ardent and fearless of the friends of civil liberty. He was a good scholar, of very popular talents, and animated by the spirit of a martyr. In the report, it was declared, " that the mea- sures of the British government were dictated, not by justice or wisdom, but by mere power and a spirit of vengeance, exerted to extinguish civil liberty. On the wisdom, fortitude, and exertions of the present day depends the fate of this new world, and of the unborn millions of future time. If we tamely submit to the will of licentious rulers, and basely yield to arbitrary power, future generations will load our memories with incessant execrations. But if we arrest the hand which would grasp our honest gains, if we nobly defeat the fatal edict which claims a right to bind us in all cases whatever, if we manfully resist the unconstitutional usurpations of power put forth to enslave us, posterity will acknowledge the virtue which pre- served them free and happy. *
* * We are determined on the defensive, so long as such conduct may be justified by rea- son and the principles of self-preservation, and no longer. We earnestly recommend to the people to avoid all riots and licentious attacks on persons and property ; but, by a steady
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and manly opposition, to convince our enemies that in a con- test so important, a cause so solemn, our conduct shall be such as'to merit the approbation of the wise, and the admiration of the brave and free, in every age and country."
A committee was appointed by this convention to wait on the governor and request him to discontinue the fortifications on the neck at the south part of Boston, as it was matter of alarm to the country, and the soldiers were insolent and abu- sive to the people as they passed. But he declined ; and re- ferred to the military preparations making in various parts of the province.
The convention in Essex, at the same time, (September) was equally respectable, firm, and spirited. "Civil war," they said, " was to be deprecated, as a great calamity, but they were resolved to maintain their liberties at every hazard, even at the risk of life itself; as those could not die too early who laid down their lives in support of the laws and liberties of their country." Governor Gage forbid the town meeting called to choose delegates to attend the convention. But the committee, who conferred with him on the subject, expressed their opinion that the meeting was perfectly lawful and proper. He replied, " that he should not discuss the matter with them ; he came not to argue, but to execute the laws of parliament, and was determined they should be executed." He added, " that if the citizens should assemble, he would send the sheriff to disperse them ; and if the sheriff needed support, he would
himself support him with his troops." The troops were, in fact, ordered to be in readiness ; but before they received fur- ther orders, the people had chosen their delegates and separa- ted. Warrants were made out to arrest the persons chosen, and some of them were arrested ; but they found bail, and no further prosecution was had against them.
In compliance with the opinion and wishes of the people through the province, delegates were chosen in September, to meet in October, to attend to the publicinterests and safety, at that most critical period, when there was no general court, and the arm of power was stretched out to crush them. They met in Salem, to the number of 288, and chose John Hancock, President, and Benjamin Lincoln, Secretary ; and adjourned to meet forthwith, at Concord. This body was called a pro- vincial congress ; and a large committee was appointed to consider the state of the province. They prepared an address to the governor, which was presented to him by a committee of twenty-one of the convention .* The purport of the address
* This committee was composed of Col. Lee, Col. Ward, Col. Oine, 30
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was, that they had met to consult for the public welfare, and they now hoped that the measures, of which the people had complained, which were oppressive in their effects, and deem- ed to be infringements on their rights and liberties, would be pursued no longer, that the troops would be withdrawn, and all hostile preparations be discontinued. They professed their loyalty to the king, and expressed a desire for the restoration of harmony with the parent government. The governor replied, that he felt himself justified in his conduct, and that there was no design to enslave or oppress the people ; and he would have them reflect whether their meeting was not a vio- lation of their charter, which they admitted to be their guide. The congress adjourned to meet at Cambridge the following week ; when another committee was chosen to take measures for the defence of the province.
There was now a large military force in Boston, under the command of the governor, ready to obey him in the execution of any orders he might give. And he had already declared, that it was not his duty to justify the acts of the British minis- try, but to enforce them. Great firmness and prudence were necessary in the provincial, as well as in the general congress. The object they had in view was most just and praiseworthy ; it was the preservation of civil liberty, long enjoyed in the colonies. It was necessary that the means adopted to secure the blessing, should be wise and proper. Rash councils and violent proceedings might essentially injure the cause in which they were engaged. It was their policy to act merely on the defensive ; or to adopt measures of precaution, and be prepared for any exigency which should occur. They had, indeed, already often petitioned and remonstrated, but it had been en- tirely in vain. The general congress had then recently adopt- ed the same course Massachusetts had before pursued. Peti- tions were forwarded from that august body to the king, and to parliament; to the people of England; and to the people in the colonies. And the congress adjourned, to wait the event of their appeals and memorials to the British government.
Many of the committee of the provincial congress were military officers ; and they were directed to ascertain the quantity of arms, cannon, and gunpowder, in the province; and to encourage military discipline among the citizens. The
Capt. Thomas Gardner, Henry Gardner, Esq., N. Gorham, Esq., Mr. De- vens, Col. Pomeroy, Hon. Col. Prescott, Col. Thayer, Mr. Williams, Capt. Heath, Capt. Upham, Mr. Barnes, Capt. Doolittle, Mr. Lothrop, Major Thompson, Mr. Pickering, Mr. Palmer, Mr. Brown, and Mr. Thomp- SOI.
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collectors of taxes were also directed not to pay the money in their hands, or to be received, to the treasurer of the province, who was then under the influence of the governor; but to retain it subject to the orders of the congress. And soon after another treasurer was chosen to receive it. A committee was then appointed, of an executive character, and called "the committee of safety,"* to continue to act after the adjourn- ment: and three general officers were chosen to command the military of the province.t
The provincial congress met again the last of November, and continued in session fourteen days. Most of the coun- sellors, elected in May preceding, attended, as they had been requested. The delegates to the general congress from the province, having returned, and being members of this body also, appeared at this time ; and communicated the proceedings of the congress, which had been held in Philadelphia ; which were fully approved. Several of the counsellors appointed by the king, gave notice to the meeting, that they had declined the appointment. Five delegates were elected to attend an- other general congress, to meet at Philadelphia, in May fol- lowing, unless business should require their meeting at an earlier day. They were the same persons who were delegates in the former congress, except Mr. Hancock was chosen instead of Mr. Bowdoin, who declined. An address was also made to the clergy in the province, requesting their influence in favor of a compliance, by the people, with the resolves for the disuse of British goods, and for the encouragement of manufactures among themselves. The clergy were the firm friends of civil liberty ; and, during the whole controversy with England, and the struggle which followed, supported the patriots in their measures for maintaining the rights of the people.
When this provincial congress separated, on the 10th of December, it recommended to the people to choose delegates for another, to meet in February following, and published an address to their constituents ; in which they observed, that they had adopted or proposed such measures as they believed proper, in the situation of the province; that it was necessary
* This committee consisted of Hon. John Hancock, Dr. Joseph Warren, Dr. B. Church, Mr. Devens, of Charlestown, Capt. B. White, Mr. J. Palmer, and Norton Quincy, of Braintree, Capt. A. Watson, of Cambridge, and Col. Orne, of Marblehead. And others were added to the committee afterwards.
t These were Col. Ward, of Worcester, Col. Thomas, of Plymouth, and Col. Pomeroy, of Hampshire, who had been field officers in the war of 1756-'60 ; who were esteemed for their intelligence, patriotism and bravery ; and who were afterwards appointed general officers.
.
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for the people to be preparing to defend their liberties and rights ; and yet that they had hope in the wisdom and clemency of the king, and in the justice of parliament, if they could have a true representation of the sentiments and designs of the colonists. The people were exhorted, " to consider their dan- ger, and to be prepared to meet and avert it, by their love of liberty and of their country, by respect for the memories of their ancestors, and by a regard for posterity ; and to remem- ber that they must stand or fall with the liberties of America."
The men who made this address were not innovators, nor were they ambitious, nor enemies of regular government and whole- some laws; they were moral, religious, discreet, intelligent, and desirous of enjoying themselves and handing down to their children that degree of civil liberty, which the people of the colony had possessed, and which the whigs, of 1688, in Eng- land, contended for and acquired. But the ministerial agents in the province were of opinion, that the people were not to judge what portion of freedom they must have; and should be thankful for what was granted them, as a privilege. It was, indeed, expressly declared, that the people in the colonies could not justly expect so much liberty, as those who were in England ; and as they had chosen to settle and live at the dis- tance of three thousand miles, they must be content with such a measure of freedom, as the British government might think sufficient for them .*
The new congress of Massachusetts met in February, 1775, as had been proposed. The committee of safety was contin- ued, and its powers enlarged. They were clothed with author- ity to call out the militia, if necessary, and to oppose all attempts to enforce the obnoxious laws of parliament. They were also directed to take charge of the military stores and implements in the province. And the militia were desired to conform to their commands. A return of arms, ammunition, and of men, was ordered to be made, at an early day. Concord and Worcester were designated as suitable places to deposit the military stores. Two more general officers were appointed ; and the people were urged to manufacture saltpetre as a material for gunpow- der. Another address was also sent out to the people, appeal- ing to their patriotic feelings, and exhorting them to prudence, firmness, and resolution, in the event of an attack on their lib- erties by force. A new committee was chosen to correspond with the other colonies ; and the members from Boston were authorized to call a meeting at any time they might think neces-
See Hutchinson, Vol. III. 409. London ed. 1828.
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sary. On the first of February, the provincial congress adjourn- ed to the 22d of March. Mr. Hancock was chairman of the committee of safety, at this time; but when he went to Phila- delphia, early in the spring, to attend the continental congress, Dr. Joseph Warren was appointed in his place.
Governor Gage was not ignorant of the proceedings of either the continental or provincial congress; and he was disposed to take possession of such military stores as were in the vicinity of Boston, where were his head quarters. He was informed that there was a quantity at Salem or Danvers ; and he sent a de- tachment of 150 men, by way of Marblehead, whither they were transported by water, to seize them. When the troops reached Salem, it was said the stores were at Danvers. In proceeding to that village, it was necessary to pass a bridge, on the way from Salem. When the British troops arrived at the bridge, they found about fifty of the militia posted there under Colonel Pickering. They had taken up the bridge, and appeared determined not to permit the British detachment to pass. The commander of the corps ordered, that the planks of the bridge be replaced. But his orders were disregarded. The British officer was much excited, and declared lie would proceed. Some of the citizens of Salem endeavored to prevail with him to return; intimating that if he attempted to pass by force, or should offer any violence, he would be opposed at every hazard, by the militia on the other side, who were then much increased in number, and were determined to oppose force to force. A compromise was effected .* The planks of the bridge were replaced ; the British officer and some of his men were suffered to pass over, and then immediately returned. The affair was brought to an issue, without bloodshed. But it served to shew the British general, that the Americans had spirit and resolution to defend their rights ; and to convince the latter, that there must be a resort to force, unless the peo- ple submitted to the arbitrary acts of the British parliament.
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