USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Cambridge > History of Massachusetts from July 1775, when general Washington took command of the American Army at Cambridge, to the year 1789, (inclusive) when federal government was established under the present constitution, Vol 2 > Part 4
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
Although Congress were resolved on vigorous measures of defence, they had not yet determined to separate from the parent country. The follow- ing is part of their address to the king, in August 1775.
" Attached to your majesty's person, family and government, with all the devotion which principle
53
and affection can inspire, connected with Great Britain by the strongest ties which can unite so- cieties and deploring every event which tends in any degree to weaken them-we solemnly assure your majesty, that we not only most ardently de- sire the former harmony between her and these colonies may be restored; but that a concord may be established between them, upon so firm a basis as to perpetuate its blessings uninterrupted by any future dissensions, to succeeding generations in both countries ; and to transmit your majesty's name to posterity, adorned with that signal and lasting glory, which has attended the memory of those il- lustrious personages whose virtues and abilities have extricated states from dangerous convulsions, and, by securing happiness to others, have erected the most noble and durable monuments to their own fame. We beg further to assure your majes- ty, that, notwithstanding the sufferings of your loy- al colonists, during the course of the present con- troversy, our breasts retain too tender a regard for the kingdom from which we derive our origin, to request such a reconciliation, as might in any man- ner be inconsistent with her dignity or her welfare. These, related as we are to her, honour and duty as well as inclination induce us to support and ad- vance : and the apprehensions, which now oppress our hearts with unspeakable grief, being once re- moved, your majesty will find your faithful sub- jects on this continent ready and willing at all times, as they have ever been, with their lives and fortunes, to assert and maintain the rights and in- terests of your majesty, and of our parent country."
General Gage continued to treat the people of Boston, and particularly some persons of distinc-
54
tion,* who were favourable to the liberties of the
* James Lovell, Esq. was among them. He was kept in close confinement till March following, and then carried to Halifax.
Letter of James Lovell to general Washington, dated
BOSTON, PROVOST'S PRISON, NOV. 19, 1775.
"May it please your Excellency, I wish, at this time, to waive the expression of my veneration of your character, in a still lively hope, that Providence will bless me with an op- portunity of attempting it by the united sincere language of my eyes and lips, though even that too must prove inadequate.
" Personally a stranger to you, my sufferings have yet af- fected your benevolent mind, and your exertions in my fa- vour have made so deep an impression upon my grateful heart, as will remain to the period of my latest breath.
" Your excellency is already informed that the powers of the military government established in this town have been wan- tonly and cruelly exercised against me from the 29th of June last. I have, in vain, repeatedly solicited to be brought to some kind of trial for my pretended crimes. In answer to a petition of that sort presented on the 16th of October, I am directed by captain Belfour, aid-de-camp to general Howe, to seek the release of colonel Skeene and his son, as the sole means of my own enlargement.
" This proposition appears to me extremely disgraceful to the party from which it comes, and a compliance with it preg- nant with dangerous consequences to my fellow citizens. But while my own spirit prompts me to reject it directly with the keenest disdain, the importunity of my distressed wife and the advice of some whom I esteem have checked me down to a consent to give your excellency this information. I have the fullest confidence in your wisdom; and I shall be perfectly resigned to your determination, whatever it may be. I must not, however, omit to say, that should you condescend to stigmatize this proceeding of my enemies by letter, the cor- rection might work some change in favour of myself, or at least of my family, which must, I think, perish through want of fuel and provisions in the approaching winter, if they continue to be deprived of my assistance.
I have the honour to be, &c.
JAMES LOVELL."
After this, general Washington requested the exchange of Mr. Lovell, but without effect.
55
country, with great cruelty. Several were con- fined in the common jail, in company with the most vile and abandoned characters. General Wash- ington wrote him on the subject, and assured him, that he should feel himself obliged to subject some prisoners in his custody to similar treatment, unless the American citizens in confinement in Boston should be released. Gage was not easily dissuad- ed from this dishonourable conduct : but finding that Washington was decided in his purpose, after some time, he treated his prisoners with less se- verity .*
* Extract from a letter of general Washington to governor Gage, dated head-quarters,
CAMBRIDGE, AUGUST 11, 1775.
" I understand that the officers engaged in the cause of liber- ty and their country, who by the fortune of war have fallen into your hands, have been thrown indiscriminately, into a common jail, appropriated for felons ; that no consideration has been had for those of the most respectable rank, when languishing with wounds and sickness ; and that some of them have been amputated in this situation.
Let your opinion, sir, of the principle which actuates them be what it may, they suppose they act from the noblest of all principles, a love of freedom and their country. But politi- cal opinions, I conceive, are foreign to this point. The ob- ligations arising from humanity and claims of rank are uni- versally binding and extensive, except in case of retaliation. These, I should have hoped, would have dictated a more tender treatment of those individuals, whom chance or war had put in your power. Nor can I forbear suggesting its fatal tendency, to render that unhappy breach, which you and those ministers under whom you act, have repeatedly declar- ed you wish to see forever closed.
My duty now makes it necessary to apprize you, that for the future I shall regulate my conduct towards those gentle- men, who are or may be in our possession, exactly by the rule you shall observe towards those of ours now in your custody.
If severity and hardship mark the line of your conduct,
56
In October, general Gage embarked for En- gland; and sir William Howe succeeded to the
painful as it will be to me, your prisoners will feel its effects ; but if kindness and humanity are shewn to ours, I shall, with pleasure, consider those in our hands only as unfortunate, and they shall receive from me that treatment to which the unfortunate are ever entitled.
I beg to be favoured with an answer as soon as possible ; and am, sir, your very humble servant,
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL GAGE."
The following is the answer of general Gage,
BOSTON, AUGUST 13.
"Sir,-To the glory of civilized nations, humanity and war have ever been compatible : and compassion to the subdued is come almost a general system.
Britons, ever preeminent in mercy, have outgone common examples, and overlooked the criminal in the captive. Upon these principles, your prisoners, whose lives by the laws of the land are destined to the cord, have hitherto been treated with care and kindness, and more comfortably lodged than the king's troops in the hospitals; indiscriminately, it is true ; for I acknowledge no rank that is not derived from the king.
My intelligence from your army would justify severe re- crimination. I understand there are of the king's faithful subjects, taken sometime since by the rebels, labouring like negro slaves to gain their daily subsistence, or reduced to the wretched alternative to perish by famine, or take arms against their king. Those who have made the treatment of the prisoners in my hands, or of your other friends in Boston a pretence for such measures, found barbarity upon falsehood.
I would willingly hope, sir, that the sentiments of liberali- ty, which I have always believed you to possess, will be ex- erted to correct these misdoings. Be temperate in political discussion, give free operation to truth, and punish those who deceive and misrepresent ; and not only the effects, but the causes of this unhappy conflict will be removed.
Should those, under whose usurped authority you act, con- troul such a disposition and dare to call severity retaliation, to God who knows all hearts be the appeal for the dreadful consequences, I trust, that British soldiers, asserting the
57
chief command of the British troops in Bos- ton. In his conduct towards the citizens of Bos- ton, he was as arbitrary and severe as his prede-
rights of the state, and the laws of the constitution, will meet all events with becoming fortitude. They will court victory with the spirit their cause inspires; and from the same mo- tive, will find the patience of martyrs under misfortune.
Till I read your insinuations in regard to ministers, I con- ceived that I had acted under the king, whose wishes, it is true, as well as those of his ministers, and of every honest man, have been to see this unhappy breach forever closed : but unfortunately for both countries, those who long since projected the present crisis, and influence the councils of America, have views very distant from accommodation.
I am, sir, your most obedient humble servant,
THOMAS GAGE.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, ESQ."
On the 19th general Washington addressed a second note to general Gage, which follows-
HEAD QUARTERS, CAMBRIDGE, AUGUST 19th.
" Sir,-I addressed you on the 11th instant, in terms which gave the fairest scope for the exercise of that humanity and politeness, which were supposed to form a part of your char- acter. I remonstrated against the unworthy treatment shewn to the officers and citizens of America, whom the fortune of war, chance or a mistaken confidence, had thrown into your hands.
Whether British or American mercy, fortitude and patience are the most preeminent; whether our virtuous citizens, whom the hand of tyranny has forced into arms, to defend their wives, children and property, or the mercenary instru- ments of lawless domination, avarice and revenge, best deserve the appellation of rebels, and the punishment of the cord, which your affected clemency has forborne to inflict; wheth- er the authority under which I act is usurped, or founded upon the genuine principles of liberty, were altogether for- eign to the subject. I purposely avoided all political disquisi- tion ; nor shall I now avail myself of those advantages, which the sacred cause of my country, of liberty and human nature give me over you ; much less shall I stoop to retort an invec- VOL. II. 8
58
cessor had been. He refused them the liberty of leaving Boston ; and obliged them to form into companies and to procure arms, for the purpose of
tive. But the intelligence you say you have received from our army requires a reply. I have taken time to make a short inquiry, and find it has not the least foundation in truth. Not only your officers and soldiers have been treated with a tenderness due to fellow citizens and brethren, but even those execrable parricides, whose councils and aid have deluged their country with blood, have been protected from the fury of a justly enraged people. You advise me to give free operation to truth, to punish misrepresentation and falsehood. If ex- perience stamps value upon council, yours must have a weight which few can claim. You best can tell how far the convulsion, which has brought such ruin upon both countries and shaken the mighty empire of Britain to its foundations, may be traced to these malignant causes.
You affect, sir, to despise all rank not derived from the same source with your own. I cannot conceive one more honourable than that which flows from the uncorrupted choice of a brave and free people, the purest source and ori- ginal fountain of all power. Far from making it a plea for cruelty, a mind of true magnanimity and enlarged views would comprehend and respect it.
What may have been the ministerial views, which have precipitated the present crisis, Lexington, Concord and Charlestown can best declare. May that God, to whom you there appealed, judge between America and you. Under his providence, those who influence the councils of America and all the other inhabitants of the united colonies, at the hazard of their lives are determined to hand down to posterity those just and invaluable privileges which they received from their ancestors.
I shall now, sir, close my correspondence with you, per- haps forever. If your officers, our prisoners, receive a treat- ment from me different from what I wished to shew them, they and you will remember the occasion of it. -
I am, sir, your very humble servant.
GEORGE WASHINGTON."
59
assisting the British in opposing the American troops, if they should make an attack on Bos- ton .*
* Letter of general Washington to general How.
CAMBRIDGE, DECEMBER 18th, 1775.
" Sir,-We have just been informed of a circumstance, which, were it not so well authenticated, I should scarcely think credible. It is, that colonel Allen, who, with his small party, was defeated and taken prisoner near Montreal, has been treated without regard to decency, humanity or the rules of war. That he has been thrown into irons and suf- fers all the hardships inflicted upon common felons. I think it my duty to demand, and do expect from you an eclaircisse- ment on this subject. At the same time, I flatter myself, from the character which Mr. How bears, as a man of hon- our, a gentleman and a soldier, that my demand will meet with his approbation. I must take the liberty also of inform- ing you, that I shall consider your silence as a confirmation of the truth of the report; and further assuring you, that, whatever treatment colonel Allen receives, whatever fate he undergoes, such exactly shall be the treatment and fate of brigadier general Prescott, now in our hands.
The law of retaliation is not only justifiable in the sight of God and man, but absolutely a duty, which, in our present circumstances, we owe to our relations, friends and fellow citizens.
Permit me to add, sir, that we have all the highest re- gard for your great personal qualities and attainments, and that the Americans in general esteem it not as the least of their misfortunes, that the name of How, a name so dear to them, should appear at the head of the catalogue of the in- struments employed by a wicked ministry for their destruc- tion.
With due respect, &c. GEORGE WASHINGTON."
The following is the answer of general How, to the foregoing. BOSTON, DECEMBER 21, 1775.
" Sir,-In answer to your letter of the 18th instant, I am to acquaint you, that my command does not extend to Canada, nor, having received no accounts wherein the name of Allen is mentioned, can I give you the smallest satisfaction on the
60
It was considered an object of importance, by the legislature of Massachusetts, as well as of New York and Connecticut, that a treaty should be at- tempted with the Mohawk and the other Six na- tions of Indians. An agent for this purpose was appointed in Massachusetts, Joseph Hawley, Esq. who was to join with those designated from the other two colonies. They met at Albany, and suc- ceeded in conciliating the friendship of many of these savages of the wilderness, who, if united to the British, would be able to do much injury to the Americans in the western settlements. Some of them continued friendly. But many afterwards proved treacherous ; and, instigated by the British generals, and by individuals disaffected to the cause of liberty, they often fell upon our defenceless borders and murdered the people in cold blood.
In the month of August, a large American ship, with a valuable cargo, arrived off the harbour of Gloucester, and several of the inhabitants went to her in boats, to assist in bringing her into the port, as a British frigate was known to be in the bay, at no great distance ; and it was apprehended she might take possession of the merchant vessel and carry her to Boston. On perceiving the Ameri-
subject of your letter. But trusting major general Carleton's conduct will never incur censure upon any occasion, I am to conclude, in the instance of your inquiry, that he has not forfeited his past pretensions to decency and humanity.
It is with regret, considering the character you have al- ways maintained among your friends, as a gentleman of the strictest honour and delicacy, that I find cause to resent a sentence in the conclusion of your letter, big with invective against my superiors and insulting to myself, which should obstruct any further intercourse between us.
I am, sir, with due respect, &c.
WILLIAM HOW."
61
can ship going for the harbour of Gloucester, the captain of the frigate sent his boats with thirty men and took her. But the merchant ship was grounded near the entrance of the port, where the frigate could not safely approach. The inhabi- tants made a vigorous attack upon her, and soon obliged the enemy to surrender. The vessel was then conducted safely into port, and the British marines lodged in Ipswich jail. The captain of the British frigate was greatly mortified and en- raged ; and bombarded the town of Gloucester for several hours, but without effecting any material injury to the place.
Although no affair of great moment took place between the American and British troops during the autumn of 1775, constant vigilance was neces- sary in each ; and several slight skirmishes hap- pened near the lines and in the vicinity of the two armies. Soon after the works were erected at Ploughed hill, a small advanced party of the pro- vincials were attacked by the British near Charles- town neck ; several of the enemy were killed and taken; and one of the Americans was shot by a cannon ball from Bunker's hill, from which place the British fired on the occasion. Some time in the month of August, a party from the Roxbury division also advanced to the extreme southern fort of the enemy on the peninsula leading from Boston to the former place, drove the guard with- in the lines and burnt their guard house .* When the American troops were discovered, a heavy fire commenced against them; but none were killed or wounded. About the same period, some armed men went down the harbour of Boston, under
* Formerly the house of Mr. Brown.
62
command of major, afterwards colonel, Vose; who cut and carried off all the barley and grain at Nan- tasket, amounting to upwards of a thousand bush- els. They proceeded to the lighthouse near Nan- tasket, placed at the entrance of Boston harbour, and destroyed the lanterns. Those of Plymouth and Cape Ann were taken away or destroyed, about the same time, in pursuance of orders from the legislature of Massachusetts. The British at- tempted to repair the Boston lighthouse and lan- terns soon after ; when a party of the Americans, of about two hundred, from the army at Rox- bury, under major Tupper, were ordered to dis-
possess them. They went down the harbour in light boats, in the evening ; and after a short re- sistance from the men employed in making repairs, they overpowered them and brought them to the camp at Roxbury. Several of the British were wounded and killed in this affair, before the party surrendered.
In the month of October, two floating batteries were prepared at Cambridge, and dropped down Charles river, whence they fired on the town of Boston; which occasioned great alarm, and injured several buildings. Liberty tree, so called, growing in the southerly part of Boston, was cut down, about this period, by the British, or some of the tory inhabitants, with great parade and exultation. But it was observed by some of the patriotic citi- zens, " that the American tree of liberty was too strongly rooted in our soil to be destroyed by all the power of Great Britain."
A British frigate and several transports with troops, were dispatched from Boston, in the month of October, to compel the inhabitants of Falmouth,
63
in Maine,* to furnish spars for the fleet at the former place, and other articles which could be obtained in that quarter, if desired by the Bri- tish ; with directions, on a refusal, to destroy the town. The captain of the frigate, on arriving in that harbour, sent word to the inhabitants to fur- nish the articles, and to submit quietly to all his requisitions, or to expect an immediate cannonade from his ship, and the landing of marines from the transports, for the threatened work of destruction. A meeting of the people was called forthwith. who requested leave to remove their families and furniture, and desired the suspension of the intend- ed attack until the following morning. They re- solved not to comply with the requisition, and only desired a few hours to save their families from ruin. The haughty Briton so far yielded, as to allow them until the next morning to retire from the town. A heavy bombardment immedi- ately after took place, and almost the whole of this flourishing seaport was destroyed by the Bri- tish troops. About 140 dwelling houses and 250 stores were burnt ; besides much wanton destruc- tion of other property.
About this time, Bristol, in the State of Rhode Island, but formerly within the colony of Plymouth, was invaded by a British naval force from New- port, consisting of three large ships of war, and several tenders and transports. Some of the prin- cipal citizens were ordered to come on board the commodore's ship ; but they declined, and a heavy cannonade immediately ensued against the town. The meeting house, court house, and many dwell-
* Since called Portland,
64
ing houses were much injured. The people were in great jeopardy and attempted to make some terms with the British. Sheep and cattle were offered, which were supposed to be their object ; these were accepted, and other articles of provi- sions taken away by force. The conduct of the British commodore was severely censured ; and it was certainly a deviation from that of an honour- able enemy.
The inhabitants of Boston, who had left the town, were authorised by the legislature to meet at Watertown, in September of this year, and chose a representative in the place of S. Adams,* who was then attending the continental Congress at Philadelphia. The other delegates from Mas- sachusetts this year, were John Hancock, John Adams, and Robert T. Paine. Congress was in session the greater part of the year, after April. The last of July they adjourned for a few weeks, but assembled again the first of September. Mr. Hancock was elected president of that patriotic and truly respectable assembly, in October, in the room of Peyton Randolph of Virginia, who died suddenly in Philadelphia, while attending on the public service.
The general congress provided for the establish- ment of a continental Post Office at this period, and placed Dr. Franklin at the head of the de- partment. The plan was soon put into operation from Georgia to Maine, and greatly facilitated the early communication of important intelligence from one end of the colonies to the other.
The legislative assembly of Massachusetts,
* Mr. Adams was chosen Secretary of Massachusetts in July, and Perez Morton deputy Secretary.
65
which met and organized on the 19th of July, had various important duties to perform, and many serious difficulties to meet, in establishing civil authority through the Province, and drawing forth its resources for the protection of the country. They had to provide for the regular administra- tion of the laws, for paying a large body of troops, who were in the service of the colony nearly four months, previously to the day they were taken into the pay of the continent. New recruits were to be collected in a few months, and clothing and fire arms would be necessary for immediate use. The persons selected for the Executive Council were justly entitled to the confidence of their fellow citizens. They were known to be patriotic, intelligent, firm and prudent. Great harmony subsisted between the Council and the House of Representatives. One instance only is mentioned of the contrary. The Council supposed they had the sole right to appoint to civil and military office ; but the House claimed a voice in the selec- tion. The Council yielded to the wishes of the Representatives, " for the sake of peace ;" and it was possible, that, in some cases, the members of the House had a knowledge of characters, which the Council did not possess. But it clearly belong- ed to the executive part of government to make the appointment of civil and judicial officers. The military officers were at this time generally de- signated by a committee of the Assembly, though the council signed their commissions. Afterward the officers of the army were appointed by the commander in chief. All the commissions of per- sons who had been appointed by the Governor and former council, were by law declared to be VOL. II.
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.