USA > Massachusetts > History of Massachusetts, for two hundred years: from the year 1620 to 1820 > Part 28
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* General Washington was instructed, by the continental congress, to consult the civil authority of Massachusetts, and in his military operations, to conform, as far as possible, to their wishes and directions. His conduct, while in the province, was agreeable to his instructions. His own sense of right would suggest the same course to him. For, though a brave officer, he knew the importance of submitting to the civil authority.
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CHAPTER XVIII.
Representatives meet, 19th July, 1775, and elect an Executive Council- Population and state of the Province-Army at Cambridge and Roxbury -Destitute of equipments-Want of cannon, fire-arms, and powder- Falmouth burnt by the British-Powder Mills erected-Measures of de- fence adopted-Forts built-Privations-Courts organized-Public ex- penses-Invasion of Canada unsuccessful-Death of General Mont- gomery-Men enlisted for a year-Plan to attack Boston-Dorchester Heights fortified-British leave Boston.
ON the nineteenth of July, representatives having been elected, in conformity to the advice of the continental con- gress, a house of assembly was held at Watertown, consisting of two hundred and six members; the most of whom had been delegates to the provincial congress, which had been in session for some time, till the eighteenth. They proceeded to elect counsellors, who were to act as one branch of the legislature, and also as the executive of the province, or commonwealth. And the following named persons were chosen: James Bow- doin, John Hancock, Benjamin Greenleaf, Joseph Gerrish, Samuel Adams, William Sever, Jedediah Foster, Michael Farley, Joseph Palmer, Jabez Fisher, John Pitts, John Win- throp, John Adams, Thomas Cushing, Benjamin Lincoln, Caleb Cushing, James Prescott, Azor Orne, Walter Spooner, James Otis, Robert T. Paine, Benjamin Chadbourn, Enoch Freeman, Charles Chauncey, Moses Gill, Samuel Holten, E. Taylor, and J. Taylor. Samuel Adams was chosen secretary ; but, as he was a delegate to the continental congress, Perez Morton was appointed deputy secretary.
It was voted, by the representatives, that the council should exercise all the authority formerly in the hands of the governor and council ; and that their acts should be observed accord- ingly. The ordinary civil affairs of the state were conducted with remarkable order and quiet; there were no acts of vio- lence or irregularity committed, and no complaints of injustice or opposition. But the judicial courts were not duly organized till November.
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HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS.
In the month of August, the troops at Cambridge and vicinity were formed into a continental army, under General Washing- ton, whose commission was from the general congress. His quarters were in Cambridge. General Ward was put in com- mand of the right wing, at Roxbury, and General Lee, of the left wing, at Prospect Hill.
The whole number of American troops, at this time, was estimated at fifteen thousand; of which nine thousand were of Massachusetts,* and most of the remainder from Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. But several companies of riflemen soon after were added, from Pennsylvania, Mary- land, and Virginia.
In July, 1775, the continental congress published a statement of the causes of a resort to arms. They gave a view of their rights, and of the late measures of the British parliament and ministry, by which their rights were infringed and violated. They professed a desire that the union with England might be continued, by a change of policy under which they suffered. " The usurpations of power, and the restraints on their liberty, as recently made," they said, " they could not endure. We have remonstrated and petitioned, but all in vain. The terms proposed by the British ministry were as humiliating as could be dictated by remorseless victors to conquered enemies. In our condition, to accept them would be to deserve them. We are reduced to the alternative of unconditional submission to tyrannical rulers, or resistance by force. The latter is our choice. We have counted the cost, and find nothing so dread- ful as voluntary slavery. Honor, justice, and humanity, forbid us tamely to surrender that freedom, which we received from our gallant ancestors, and which our innocent posterity have a right to receive from us. We cannot endure the infamy and guilt of resigning future generations to that wretchedness which inevitably awaits them, if we basely entail hereditary bondage upon tliem. * * * Our cause is just ; our union is perfect ; our internal resources are great ; and we solemnly declare, before God and the world, that, exerting all the means and power which our Creator hath bestowed, we will employ the arms which our implacable enemies have compelled us to use, with unabating perseverance and at every hazard, for the
* The population of Massachusetts, at this time, was upwards of four hundred thousand, including Maine, which consisted of abont ninety-five thousand. The harbor of Boston, and most of the coast, were exposed to British armed ships ; and the fishing and coasting business, as well as for- eign navigation, were entirely suspended.
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preservation of our liberties ; being with one mind resolved to die freemen rather than to live slaves. But we have not raised an army with the ambitious design of separating from Great Britain, and establishing independent states. We fight not for glory or conquest. In our own native land, in defence of the freedom which is our birthright, and which we have ever enjoyed till the late violations of it, for the protection of our property, acquired by honest industry, against violence actually offered, we have taken up arms. We shall lay them down when hostilities shall cease on the part of our aggressors, and not before."
It required great attention and prudence to introduce the necessary discipline among the troops. They were the yeo- manry of the country, and had voluntarily engaged in military services, from purely patriotic motives. Most of them were unused to a military life, and insensible of the necessity of subordination and strict obedience to their officers. The insuf- ficiency of cannon, fire-arms, and powder, was another serious defect, requiring early attention. The towns were called upon by the congress of Massachusetts, at the request of General Washington, to send a portion of their common stock, which which was soon forwarded ; but there were very few cannon to be had in the country. Some were brought soon after from Ticonderoga and Crown Point, which had been captured in May, of that year, by volunteers from Connecticut, Vermont, and the county of Berkshire, in Massachusetts. The greater part taken at those places, however, was not transported until the winter following, when the conveyance was comparatively easy. General Washington also called for more of the militia of Massachusetts, as it was apprehended the British would make an attack on the American lines, and the number of. the militia assembled was not found to be so great as had been first reported.
A committee of the Massachusetts assembly was sent to Lake Champlain, in June, to see if the cannon and other military articles, lately taken in the forts there, could be removed to Cambridge, or secured for future use : and to take necessary measures for the defence of the northwestern frontiers, from depredations by the British and Indians. The committee continued at the lake several weeks, and ordered on some com- panies from Berkshire, to keep possession of the forts which had been captured. Some men also were soon after sent on from New York to that quarter. A statement was early made to the continental congress, by Massachusetts, of the importance
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of retaining these forts, as well as of taking possession of Cana- da. And an expedition was prepared, a few months after, under Generals Montgomery and Schuyler, for that purpose. Major Hawley was early in favor of such a measure; for he considered it highly important for the safety of the New Eng- land colonies, that an efficient military force should be sent to Lake Champlain, if it did not proceed any farther.
The British army remained quietly in Boston for the residue of the season. Governor Gage went to England in September, and General Howe took the chief command. Generals Bour- goyne and Clinton were then with the British troops in the capital. They arrived a short time before the battle of Bunker Hill in Charlestown. The British armed vessels, however, committed depredations in several places on the sea board. A large American ship, with a valuable cargo, going into the harbor of Gloucester, in August, was taken by boats from a frigate at a little distance. But the frigate did not approach very near her, for fear of grounding. The people of Gloucester recap- tured the ship with their boats, and carried her into the harbor in safety ; and the British marines, who had boarded her from the frigate, were lodged in the county jail. In October, Bris- tol, in Rhode Island, was bombarded by three British ships-of- war ; a good deal of damage was done, and most of the inhab- itants left their homes. About the same time, Falmouth, on Casco Bay, (Maine) was attacked and burnt by the British, who visited the place to obtain spars for the use of the ships in Boston harbor. The people refused to furnish the spars ; and after a few hours notice, and most of the inhabitants had time to depart, the town was bombarded, and most of the houses and stores were burnt.
The Americans were engaged in fortifying Prospect Hill and Lechmere's Point, in Cambridge ; and two eminences in Charlestown still nearer to the neck leading to Bunker Hill, where some of the British troops were stationed. Roxbury was also fortified, and other places between that town and Cam- bridge, near the bay, to check the enemy if they should attempt to land from Boston.
The provincial congress of Massachusetts had been very vigilant and prompt in providing for the public defence; but the general court, formed the latter part of July, had much to perform for the same purpose. It was a difficult task to furnish provisions for so many troops ; and yet more difficult to obtain the military stores which were wanted. Loans were solicited, and large sums were collected in that way ; but not sufficient
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HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS.
for the calls and expenses of the occasion. The continental congress, at this time, called for three million dollars ; and Massa- chusetts was assessed a sixth part of the sum. A tax of £40,000 was laid, and an emission of paper money voted, to the amount of £100,000. Two powder mills were erected, at the expense of Massachusetts; one at Andover, and one at Stoughton ; and afterwards, a third at Sutton. Privateers. were also fitted out by consent of the general court, which were very successful in taking British transports on the coast.
The inhabitants of Boston, who remained in the town, were subject to great privations and sufferings, and to harsh and severe treatment from the British. Contributions were made for their relief, by the people in all parts of the colonies, but it was diffi- cult to convey it to them.
The general court made a request to the continental congress, to hold its meetings in Massachusetts, near Boston. This was declined ; but a committee of that body was sent to Cambridge to confer with the executive of the state, and the commander- in-chief of the army. Dr. Franklin was one of the committee on the part of congress, and Bowdoin, Sever, Otis, and Spoon- er, on the part of Massachusetts. It was agreed to raise an army of twenty-four thousand men for the ensuing year, and to call on the several colonies for their respective proportions of money to meet the necessary expenses. Soon after, congress issued a large amount of paper money : they said, " they could not borrow, and the people were unable to pay great taxes ; and that they had no other resources but the worth of this fertile country. That on the credit of such a bank, they had emitted bills, and that the faith of the continent was pledged to redeem them."
In urging the people to enlist, the committee of the general court said, " Happy will he be who shall be able to boast, that he was one of those who assisted in the arduous but noble work of defending the liberties of his country." Washington said, " We have taken up arms in defence of the liberties of our country, and we are determined to maintain them, or die in the struggle." About this time, the liberty tree, so called, in . Boston, was cut down by the British ; which gave occasion to one of the patriotic citizens to say, " that the American tree of liberty was too firmly rooted to be destroyed by all the power of Britain."
Some small skirmishing took place in the month of Septem- ber, between the American and British outposts. One was at Charlestown neck, where several of the British were wounded?
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HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS.
One was on the neck between Boston and Roxbury, near the British fortifications, when some of their barracks were burnt. And one at the light-house, where some Americans attempted to injure the light, that it might be of no benefit to the British vessels. At this time, companies and parts of companies of militia, were stationed at Braintree, Scituate, the gurnet in Plymouth bay, and other places on the sea board.
Among the acts of the first general court, a law was passed for the appointment of justices of the courts of common pleas, justices of the peace, sheriffs, and other civil officers :. and the commissions of persons who had been appointed by the gov- ernor and former council were declared to be vacated and null Justices of the superior court were not appointed till Novem- ber. These were John Adams, William Cushing, N. P. Sar- geant, R. T. Paine, and William Reed. Sargeant, Paine, and Reed declined ; and Jedediah Foster and James Sullivan were appointed soon after.
Application was made in October to the continental congress for a reimbursement for expenses, in men's wages, provisions, and military stores. Massachusetts had then paid, for provis- ions and military articles, £10,000, from April to August ; £65,000 for wages, and for clothing, £16,000. Besides the army at and near Cambridge, those on the seaboard at different places amounted to nearly two thousand. The general congress advanced £133,000.
At this period, there was little expectation of being again united to Great Britain ; though all hope was not yet extinguished of such an event. If the councils of Pitt, and other British statesmen of his views could prevail, there would be cause to expect a reunion. It would have been more difficult, probably, to adjust the dispute than ten, and even five years before. But the spirit and measures of administration left little to hope ; and the British nation generally supported the ministry in its policy towards America. It was necessary, therefore, to continue preparations for the defence and welfare of the country. It was an object to have Canada on the side of the other colonies, or to prevent any injury from a union of the British and Indians in that territory. Massachusetts assisted in the expedition into that country, planned by congress under General Montgomery ; and General Washington sent twelve hundred troops from Cambridge, in September, by the way of Kennebec River, to assist in the reduction of Quebec. This enterprise proved unsuccessful. Montgomery was fortunate, indeed, in taking Montreal and some other places ; but when he proceeded to
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Quebec, he had but few troops ; the city was strongly fortified ; he made the attack without sufficient preparations ; and fell in the first onset.
It was soon perceived that armed vessels might be of great benefit, by taking British transports with provisions and military stores sent from England and Ireland for the army in Boston. Some private vessels had already captured several large ships with valuable cargoes. The general court voted £50,000 for this purpose; and several ships and brigs were fitted out in the latter part of 1775. The British small vessels sent out from Boston for plunder on the coasts, were by this means prevent- ed doing the injury which they intended to the inhabitants, or obtaining the supplies needed for the troops in the capital. Captain Manly, of Marblehead, was distinguished for his bravery and enterprise on this occasion.
Orders were issued in the fall, for enlisting men for one year to serve in the continental army. Though this order was agreeable to a vote or request of the general congress, each state was to furnish a particular number, according to its popu- lation. The term, for which the men then in camp had enlist- ed would expire with the present year : and it was requisite to have the new troops on the spot the first of January. The enlistment proceeded very slowly ; and at the latter part of December only a small portion required had engaged for the succeeding campaign. The general court immediately gave orders to reenlist those then in the camp for three months, and until men for the year could be procured. At this time, General Washington requested five thousand of the militia, and they were called in, at very short notice; and, on the first of January, 1776, he made a requisition for six regiments of mili- tia, which were also immediately put under his command. He was then meditating an attack on the enemy in Boston, and the other troops under him did not exceed nine thousand. For a great part of the winter, Massachusetts furnished between eleven and twelve thousand men of the American army.
It was the opinion of the people generally, at this time, and of many members of congress, and of the general court of Mas- sachusetts, that an attack on the British in Boston would be proper, and might be successful. The public feeling is often excited without good reasons, or a correct view of facts, accord- ing to which a just decision can be formed. The people judge according to their wishes, rather than mature reflection. They thought more might have been done for six or eight months, and with a number of troops much larger than the British.
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But they did not consider, that the American army was com- posed of undisciplined troops, and had a scanty portion of mili- tary articles. General Washington was sensible of the expec- tation and feelings of the people. He held a council of war on the subject, but the officers advised against an attack. But Colonel Knox, who was sent early in the winter to Albany, to provide means for transporting the remainder of cannon taken on the lake, returned in February. And the commander-in- chief again summoned a meeting of the officers, to consider the expediency of an expedition against the enemy in the capital. Many were still opposed; but he was anxious himself, that an attempt should be made, and he knew that he might be charged with inaction, if he did not make an effort on the occasion. It would be desperate to attempt to enter Boston by land over the neck, for the place was strongly fortified by the British, and the pass very narrow. The only way would be to pass on the ice to the west part of Boston, or to the common. The plan was settled, to pass over from Cambridge and Brookline, in two divisions, under Generals Sullivan and Greene, and General Putnam to command the whole expedition. After the arrival of the cannon, and this plan was matured, the: weather was so mild as to render its execution impracticable .*
When this plan failed, it was determined to take possession of the heights in the north part of Dorchester, the nearest spot to Boston not in possession of the British. A detachment was sent from the division at Roxbury, under General Thomas, on the night of the 4th of March. A heavy cannonade had been kept up from the American camp, for several days, to divert the attention of the enemy. By the morning a sufficient breast- work was thrown up, which surprised the British in Boston, as: much as that on Breed's Hill, in Charlestown, on the 17th of June. The enemy were fully aware of their exposure, both in Boston, and in the harbor, from this fortress; and concluded that they must drive the American troops from the heights, or leave their station. A plan was formed to attack the fort, but a storm prevented the enterprise: and on the 17th of March, the British troops and fleet departed from Massachusetts ; ex- cept that several of the armed vessels remained in the lower harbor of Boston for some weeks later. A great part of the
* " It is not in the pages of history," said Washington in a letter, at this time, " to furnish a case like this : to maintain a post for six months, within musket shot of the enemy, without ammunition ; and at the same time, to disband an army and recruit another, within that distance of twelve thou- sand disciplined and regular troops."
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HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS.
British navy had left Boston before this time, and proceeded to New York, and thence to South Carolina. Those who left Boston on the 17th of March, went to Halifax; and soon after to New York, with the regular troops, composing the army intended to subdue the colonies.
CHAPTER XIX.
General Washington, with the American army, proceeds to New York- Address of the General Court and people of Boston, to Washington- General Thomas ordered to Canada with several regiments-The expedi- tion unsuccessful-Death of General Thomas-Declaration of Indepen- dence-War in the Middle States-Tories-Militia discipline-Style of writs altered-Calls for the Militia-Great efforts to recruit the Army- Paper money depreciates-Laws for the relief of the people, and against monopolies-Military affairs at and near New York-Washington pro- ceeds to Delaware-Battle of Trenton and Princeton-Success of Ameri- cans under Washington-Enlistments for 1777-Difficulty of raising men for three years-Large bounties given-Massachusetts' Regiments-New emission of paper-High taxes-Attack on Rhode Island, and on St. Johns, in Nova Scotia.
GENERAL WASHINGTON left Cambridge soon after the de- parture of the British, with a great part of the American army, for New York, where it was supposed the enemy would make their next attack. The general court requested him to leave six regiments, for the defence of Boston and vicinity, in the apprehension that the British might return, after the American troops were withdrawn. He consented that three regiments should remain, which was as great a portion of the army as could well be spared. Some had already been ordered to Canada, under General Thomas; and the residue would be necessary to check the British at New York, if they should visit that place. The troops left for the defence of Boston and the seaboard, were put under command of General Ward. And three other regiments were soon after raised by the general court, to provide an adequate protection.
Before General Washington left Massachusetts, he was ad- dressed by the representatives, declaring their entire approba- tion of his conduct, and their admiration of his prudence and firmness in the arduous office he sustained. The inhabitants of Boston also addressed him, when he marched into the town, after the British had left it, and assured him of their confidence in his wisdom and patriotism.
The troops ordered to Canada, were chiefly from Massachu-
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HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS.
setts ; but before they reached Quebec, the British were reinforced, and the Americans were retreating. The men under General Thomas were worn down by the fatigue of a long march through an unsettled country; and the officers ad- vised to retire to Montreal. The whole number of American troops did not exceed two thousand, and scarcely three hundred were fit for active service. The time for which some of them had enlisted was expired. They therefore retired to Montreal, and thence to Crown Point. General . Thomas was seized with the small pox, and died before the troops reached the last named place. The retreat was conducted with good judgment ; and much caution and promptness were necessary to avoid the superior force of the British.
General Thomas was a native of Plymouth county, and of a very respectable family. He was in the campaigns of 1758-'60, when his conduct, both as an officer and a man, was highly honorable, and received the special commendation of Governor Shirley. General Thomas was succeeded by General Sullivan, for a few months, when General Schuyler, of New York, was appointed to the command in the northern department. But the British soon recaptured all the fortified places on the lake.
During the sitting of the general court, in May, 1776, they passed an order, calling on the people to express their opinion, as to the formal and entire separation from Great Britain, and requesting them to instruct the representatives, then about to be chosen, on the subject. The question of independence be- came a topic of very general discussion. A reconciliation with the government of England was at this time expected by very few. But it was thought most proper to have the sentiments of the people, expressed in their primary assemblies. The town of Boston, and many others in Massachusetts, declared them- selves in favor of the measure; referring the subject, however, to the continental congress, in whose patriotism and intelligence, they said, they had perfect confidence. Some of the leading characters wrote to the delegates in the general congress, and urged to a formal act of separation from Great Britain. It was believed, that such a measure had become necessary. The condition of the colonies was such as to expose them to the heavy charge of rebellion; and a civil war was odious to the minds of many. There was no hope of a restoration of former rights and privileges; and it was said, that the people would act with more decision if they were wholly separate from Eng- land, and a distinct nation. They were ready for a revolution; and a formal declaration of independence would place them in
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