USA > Massachusetts > History of Massachusetts from 1764, to July 1775; when general Washington took command of the American Army. V. 1 > Part 28
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31
* The number of inhabitants, at this period, was about 400,000.
360
ardent neighbors, declined acting under the royal commissions, which they had received. The more youthful, however, manifested great spirit and zeal, and were prepared to make every sacrifice in de- fence of the liberties of their country. A degree of enthusiasm prevailed through the province, highly honorable to the Americans, as a brave and patriotic people; and gave favorable presages of the result, should a contest ensue. But the attachment to Bri- tain was not yet extinguished ; nor the hope of re- conciliation wholly abandoned.
The Provincial Congress met again at Cambridge on the 23d of November : And the gentlemen, who had been delegates from Massachusetts to the General Convention, being also members of this Body, attended ; and communicated the proceedings of the Continental Congress, which had met at Phila- delphia. Most of the Counsellors chosen in May preceding, also attended the present meeting, as they had been previously requested : And several of those who had been appointed by the King, gave notice of their declining to act as such .* An esti- mate was ordered to be made of the loss and damage occasioned by the Boston Port Bill, and the amount extorted from the province by acts of Parliament, subsequently to the year 1763. A grateful notice was taken by the Provincial Congress, of the liberal donations made by the other colonies, to the people of Boston. At this session, five delegates were ap- pointed to meet in another Continental Congress, in May following ; or at an earlier period, should the public situation require it. The distinguished citi- zens, who were the former delegates, were again elected, except Mr. BOWDOIN, who declined ; and Mr. HANCOCK was appointed in his place. And they were authorized "to concert and order such further measures as should appear best calculated
These were Danforth, Russell, Lee, Watson, Powell, Royall, Paine, Vassall, Worthington, Hooper and Palmer.
361
for the recovery and establishment of American rights and liberties, and for restoring harmony be- tween Great Britain and the colonies."
The resolutions and recommendations of the Gen- eral Congress, having been read, and very deliberate- ly considered, were unanimously approved : And the people in the province were most earnestly requested to adhere strictly to the agreement for the non-im- portation and disuse of all British goods. An address was also made to the Clergy of the province, request- ing their influence in favor of a faithful compliance with the advice of the late Continental Congress. The Clergy were very generally the friends of po- litical freedom ; and their efforts were directed, not without effect, to promote and secure the liberties of their country.
At the former session of the Provincial Congress, a committee was appointed to report what treatise on military exercise would be most proper for use ; who recommended that which was adopted in Eng- land in 1764. At this meeting, a plan of military discipline was presented by a citizen of Salem,* who was then an officer in the militia; and after being examined by a committee of Congress, was approved and accepted.
Congress, at this time, recommended to the people of the province to attend to the manufacture of vari- ous articles in ordinary use, and of which there would soon be need, in consequence of the agreement not to import them into the country from foreign places ; among them were particularly mentioned, powder, glass, salt, saltpetre, paper, nails, steel, tin plates, &c. And they were also advised to cultivate hemp and flax, and to attend to the raising of sheep more generally. On the 10th of December, this Conven- tion was dissolved; not, however, without urging on their constituents to elect delegates for another Congress, to meet in two months, and preparing a
* Timothy Pickering, Esq.
46
362
patriotic and animated address to the people of the province ; in which they observe,-That, having been chosen to consult for the common safety and defence, at a time when the people were suffering under cruel oppressions, when their commerce was almost annihilated, when deprived of law and the due administration of justice, when a standing army was stationed within the province, for the very pur- pose of enforcing submission to a system of tyranny, and when the General Court had been prohibited to assemble, they had, with much anxiety, and great caution and deliberation, adopted the measures which were recommended ; that they still had confidence in the wisdom, justice and goodness of their Sovereign, and in the good sense and humanity of the British nation, if a true statement of the conduct and views of the province could be fairly presented. But that they had great reason to fear the unjust and tyran- nical system would be continued through the influence of an arbitrary ministry, and from false and malicious reports circulated in England against the people of America. They, therefore, earnestly and solemnly entreated the citizens, to comply most faithfully with the proposal for preparing to act in defence of the country and its violated rights, and to attend to the arming and disciplining of the militia, as a resort to force might possibly be necessary. This appeal was addressed to their love of country and their love of liberty, to their respect for their ancestors and a re- gard to posterity. And the delegates assured their fellow citizens, "that they were themselves to stand or fall with the liberties of America."
A spirit of ardent patriotism very generally pre- vailed, at this period, among the people; and a desire was manifested to comply, as far as possible, with the recommendations of both the General and Provincial Congress. The agreement for the non- importation and non-consumption of British goods, was in general, strictly observed : And great atten-
3.63
tion was given to discipline the independent com- panies of militia, and to furnish the necessary arms for their use. In this, however, there was a lament- able deficiency, in many parts of the province.
It will readily be perceived, that the situation of America, especially of Massachusetts, was critical and embarrassing. It had become necessary, for the maintenance of their natural and charter rights, that a sober and orderly people, intelligent men who were convinced of the importance of a regular gov- ernment, and attached to the parent state, should submit to the appellation, and act the part of rebels. For, in truth, their opposition to the authority of the British government, under which they then lived, was, generally, in England, considered as rebellion : And had they not finally succeeded in their oppo- sition, however noble and patriotic was the struggle, this ignominious epithet would have been applied to them in the future pages of history. But, although the patriots of Massachusetts, and of the other Aine- rican colonies at this period, opposed firmly and openly, and prepared to resist forcibly, the arbitrary power of Great Britain, it was under the influence of feelings and views consistent with the most correct principles ; and for which, in all moral estimation, they are entitled to the highest praise. They did, however, feel the difficulty of their situation : And, while resolved to prepare for the, support of their rights and liberties, at every hazard, and with the greatest struggles, they were anxious to have it known, that it was only in self-defence they were induced to take up arms ; and that they should not resort to force, until it became absolutely necessary, and all efforts for reconciliation were ineffectual.
A second Provincial Congress met at Cambridge, the first of February, 1775, as had been recom- mended by the members of the first. J. HAN- COCK was again chosen President; and B. LINCOLN, Secretary : And a great majority of the delegates
364
were the same who composed the Congress in Oc- tober preceding.
On a representation, that several mechanics in Boston, and some other towns in the vicinity, were employed by governor GAGE in preparing articles to enable him to make an attack on the country in the spring,* it was strongly recommended to them to desist from such service ; and it was even declared, that all such persons would be considered enemies to the province. The commander of a regiment of militia in Suffolk county, was ordered to deliver " the four brass field pieces and the two brass mor- tars, belonging to the province," to the Committee of Safety : And they were also directed to take into their custody all the military arms to be found in any part of the colony. This committee was con- tinued, and its powers renewed and increased. They were instructed to take particular notice of any at- tempt to enforce the late obnoxious laws of Parlia- ment, and to call out the militia to prevent it. The militia officers were exhorted to obey the call, if made, and to observe the directions of the committee. A return of men and arms was ordered to be made, at an early day : The five General Officers, two of whom were chosen at this session, and three at a former meeting of Congress, were to take command of the minute men, and of the whole militia of the province, whenever assembled, or called into action by the Committee of Safety. Orders were also given by this committee for large quantities of provisions to be deposited at Concord and Worcester; and for collecting, at these places, and other towns in the interior, all the military stores which could be pro- cured ; even to an amount sufficient to furnish 15,000 men.
* Though this was the report out of Boston, the mechanics were, probably, not aware of such an intention in the Governor. But any assistance afforded him in his warlike preparations was improper, and justly subjected them to the censure of those who were the patriotic guardians of the public welfare.
365
This Congress, as did the former, made a public appeal to the patriotism of the people. They ac- knowledged that the crisis was alarming; but they entreated them not to despond, nor to relax in their preparations for defence. Great firmness and reso- lution, they said, were necessary; and all the ex- ertions to be made, of which the. resources of the country afforded the means and the power. They expressed their abhorrence of actual hostilities ; but declared their conviction, that they were bound to defend their civil rights, both as men and as Chris- tians. They referred to the claims of Parliament for taxing the people in America without their con- sent, and without any Representatives in the British Legislature ; to the late acts for altering the charter of Massachusetts, and introducing arbitrary measures and a military power, which tended directly to the entire misery and slavery of the people. And they expressed a firm belief, that all America would sup- port them, in their struggles for liberty.
On the 16th of February, this Congress was ad- journed to the 22d of March ; having first appointed a day to be observed for religious purposes, and to seek to heaven for guidance and favor; having also chosen a large committee to correspond with the other colonies ; and another, consisting of the mem- bers from Boston and its vicinity, to call a meeting at an earlier day, if circumstances should render it necessary.
During the month of February, an affair took place at Salem, which served to shew the intention of governor GAGE to obtain possession of the military stores belonging to the province, and to manifest also the resolution and spirit of the people. A detach- ment of British troops was sent from Boston, by the way of Marblehead, for the purpose of taking some military stores reported to be at Salem or Danvers. The troops, to the number of about 150, were con- veyed to Marblehead by water; and thence pro-
366
ceeded by land to Salem. The stores were not to be found here ; and it was supposed they had been removed to the adjoining town of Danvers. The officers, therefore, were resolved to march to the latter place, to obtain the object they had in view by this military excursion. But at the bridge, dividing Danvers from Salem, were found posted about fifty of the militia, under the command of Col. PICKER- ING. They had, indeed, taken up the bridge, and appeared determined to prevent the further progress of the King's troops. For when the British com- mander ordered them to replace the planks of the bridge, for his men to pass, the party under Col. PICKERING refused. It was late in the day, or pro- bably a skirmish would have ensued. The British officer would have been desirous of discharging the duty assigned him; and the militia, every moment increasing in number, would not have hesitated to oppose force to force. Some citizens of Salem, of pacific views, who were present, exerted themselves to prevent an encounter. The bridge was finally replaced by the people, and the British troops marched over a few rods ; but were glad to return, without attempting to take or search further for the military stores, which they had been ordered to secure. This incident, however trifling, was suffi- cient to alarm the people of the province respecting the hostile purposes of the British troops, then in the capital, under the command of governor GAGE ; and to induce the latter to estimate more highly the activity and resolution of the Americans.
There was an apprehension, that troops would be sent to other places where military stores were de- posited, to remove them to the capital. The Com- mittee of Safety, therefore, selected several persons to give notice of any movements of the British from Boston into the country ; and placed a watch at Con- cord and at Worcester, where provisions and military articles were chiefly collected, for the purpose of
367
giving an alarm to the surrounding country, on the report of any such expedition. Some of the cannon were ordered from Concord to Groton, and some was removed from Worcester to Leicester. The Com- mittee for Supplies, chosen some time before, was also engaged in procuring powder, fire-arms, bayonets and flints, as well as various articles of provisions ; to be in readiness for a large body of the militia, should it be necessary to call them out for the de- fence of the province.
On the 22d of March, the Provincial Congress met again at Concord, as had been proposed. From the conduct of governor GAGE, as well as from in. telligence received from Boston, there was reason to expect that attempts would soon be made to take away or destroy the stores which had been collected; and to prevent, as far as possible, the militia from arming in self-defence. It was the great object of Congress, therefore, at this meeting, to support the Committee of Safety in the measures they had adopt- ed for protection ; and to urge the people to prepare for a firm and united resistance, should the crisis require it. They particularly recommended to the companies of minute men to improve themselves in military discipline ; and ordered several companies of artillery to be immediately organized. A system of rules and regulations was adopted, to be observed by the constitutional army, if one should be raised and collected. And they earnestly solicited the Selectmen of the several towns to provide for the speedy collection of all public taxes, and to raise money by loans of any individuals able and disposed to furnish it. An order also was passed for publish- ing the names of the Mandamus Counsellors, who accepted the appointment, and "thus proved them- selves implacable enemies to the liberties of the country."" Those who had already declined, were DANFORTH, RUSSELL, LEE, WATSON, POWELL, ROYALL, PAINE, WILLIAMS, GREEN, VASSALL,
368
WORTHINGTON, WOODBRIDGE, HOOPER, and PAL- MER.
During this session of the Provincial Congress, more troops arrived in Boston from England; and intelligence was received, that ministers were de- termined not to relax in their plans of coercing the subjects in Massachusetts. There was, indeed, some opposition in the British House of Commons to these hostile measures. Lord CHATHAM, though enfeebled by disease, and seldom able to attend in Parliament, made an effort to be present, when the subject was under consideration for enforcing the late oppressive and arbitrary statutes : And, with some other states- men, vehemently opposed and censured the policy of administration. He considered the people of Mas- sachusetts as standing in defence of constitutional rights and of privileges belonging to all British sub- jects ; and denounced the conduct of ministers as un- just and tyrannical. He predicted united opposition, if further attempts were made to enforce submission ; and boldly expressed a wish, that success might at- tend the struggles of Americans for civil freedom. For a moment, ministers seemed to hesitate. But the public voice in England was in their favor; and yielding to injudicious counsels, and to a spirit of infatuation, which prevailed in the nation, they re- solved to persevere in the cruel policy of wresting every semblance of liberty from their fellow subjects in the colonies .*
The Ministers, indeed, about this time, proposed a conciliatory plan to all the colonial assemblies in America, with the pretence that if they would re- spectively tax themselves in such amount as might
* In February, a bill was passed in both Houses of Parliament, on the motion of Lord North, to restrain the trade of the New-England colo- nies, with Great Britain and the West Indies ; and to interdict the inhabitants from the fishery on the banks of Newfoundland, as well as near the coasts of their northern settlements on the continent of Ame- rica. This was justly considered a most wanton exercise of power, when no benefit could possibly accrue to the British nation from such a prohibition.
369
be required, the existing revenue system should be abandoned. But the proposition was too indefinite to be approved by intelligent men in the colonies : And the great object was, as afterwards avowed by lord NORTH, to divide the citizens of America, and to prevent that union of counsel and effort which was forming, so much to the apprehension of the British administration.
On the 8th of April, the Congress of Massachusetts being in session at Concord, it was voted to raise an army with all possible dispatch, for the defence of the province, against any attack which should be made by the British troops; which had, a short time before, been much augmented, and gave indications of hostile movements. Committees were also chosen, consisting of three members each, to visit the colonies of Connecticut, New Hampshire and Rhode Island, to communicate the plan proposed in Massachusetts, and to solicit them to furnish troops, if circumstances should make such aid necessary. The Committee of Safety was instructed to make enquiry who would be proper characters for Field Officers for the militia and minute men, when any vacancies existed ; and the delegates generally were enjoined to use their endeavors that the former orders for military train- ings and discipline be faithfully observed.
The Congress of Massachusetts provided for an- other Convention of Delegates from the several towns in the province on the last Wednesday of May, un- less governor GAGE should issue precepts for the choice of Representatives, conformably to the char- ter. If this should be done, the people were advised to elect them accordingly. But after the affair at Lexington, of the 19th of April, they were enjoined to pay no regard to such precepts. And on the 15th of April, this Congress was adjourned, after giving authority to some of its members to call another meeting, if the state of the province should render it necessary.
47
370
A few days before this adjournment, governor GAGE made application to some justices of the peace in Bristol county, to provide quarters for two hun- dred and fifty of the King's troops. Intelligence was immediately given to the Provincial Congress of this request ; and it was ordered, that no such provision should be made for them. Whether the object of the Governor in this application was to afford protection to some individuals in that county, attached to the ministerial cause, or to seize on any military stores to be found there, is not certain. A company of the King's troops was also stationed at Marshfield, in the county of Plymouth, for some weeks at this period. These, it was known, were sent to that place, at the request of one of the newly appointed Counsellors, who resided there. The day after the affair at Lexington and Concord, they returned to Boston, by water, just as the militia in the vicinity were collecting to attack them.
Although the conduct of general GAGE was such as to excite apprehensions of his marching the troops, under his command, into the country, for the pur- poses of plunder or to destroy the military stores which had been collected at different places, yet so unwilling was the Congress of Massachusetts to give any occasion for a formal attack from the Bri- tish, and so firm in their purpose to act merely on the defensive, that they had delayed calling out the militia or minute men. They had, indeed, given orders for their arming; and measures had also been taken to collect them together at short notice. The day before the troops sallied out from Boston, and made the attack on the citizens of Lexington and Concord, several British officers were scen in Cambridge, and on the road leading to the former places. Congress had adjourned two days before : But the Committee of Safety was convened at Menotomy, in the northwest part of Cambridge,
371
on the 18th, and gave orders to remove the stores from Concord to Sudbury, and other towns in the vicinity.
Dr. WARREN, who was then in Boston, and whose wakeful patriotism induced him to take measures of precaution, received intimation that an expedition was preparing by the British in Boston; and he employed persons to watch their motions, and give him the earliest notice. About midnight, between the 18th and 19th of April, a large body of the regular troops* was discovered landing at Lech- mere's Point, in Cambridge. WARREN had timely notice, and immediately dispatched expresses to Lexington and Concord, to assemble the militia in the vicinity, to remove or protect the military stores and provisions which had been there deposited. They were also directed to give notice of the ap- proach of the troops, to Messrs. HANCOCK and ADAMS, then at the house of the Clergyman in Lexington. One of these messengers, and some other citizens were detained by the British offi- cers, who met them, on the public highway, in the latter part of the night. But the alarm had been given ; and the report that the British troops had left Boston, and would probably proceed to Concord through Lexington, to take possession of the public stores, had collected a number of the militiat under arms, near the centre of this village. Soon after day light, the troops arrived at Lexington ; and the officer, perceiving some of the militia, and pro- bably fearing an attack, rode near them, at the head of his men, and calling them "damned rebels," ordered them to disperse. They did immediately retire. But at the instant, an officer fired his pis- tol ; which was probably considered sufficient notice to the soldiers; for they poured a volley of small
* Said to be about 1000, or 1200.
t Said to be between fifty and sixty.
372
arms upon the people ; eight of whom were killed on the spot, and several were wounded.
It was reported at the time, that the British were first attacked by the militia. But this was after- wards proved to be a mistake .* Nor was it scarcely possible, resolute as they were, that the inhabitants should be so desperate as to begin an assault with fifty or sixty in number, upon a full regiment of regular troops, completely armed.
The British troops proceeded, unmolested, to Concord, a distance of six miles beyond Lexington. Here also some militia were assembled, having re- ceived early intelligence of their approach. But perceiving the detachment to consist of many more troops than there were of the provincial militia then collected, they retired, to the distance of nearly two miles, and passed a bridge over Concord river ; for the purpose, probably, of present safety and with the expectation of augmenting their number. A part of the British troops followed them to the bridge and passed it also ; but the greater portion of them remained in the village of Concord, and were em- ployed in destroying such provisions and military stores as they discovered. Meantime, the militia re- ceived additions to their number, and were eager to return to the village for the protection of the inhabi- tants, and of the stores belonging to the province : but express orders were given by the commanding offi- cer, that they should not fire on the King's troops, unless first attacked. In pursuance of this plan, it was necessary they should repass the bridge. But a detachment of the British forces was remaining . near the spot, which immediately returned over the bridge towards the compact part of the town; and, by removing some planks, intended to obstruct the
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.