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 7
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At an early day, after the British army left Bos- ton and Charlestown, the body of general Joseph Warren was discovered near the fort on Breed's hill, where it had been buried, the day following the memorable battle of 17th of June 1775. The legislature gave directions for a public funeral to be attended in Boston .* An immense concourse of the inhabitants were present, on the solemn occa-
They have demolished most of the pictures in the Court house and Faneuil hall. The latter place hath undergone a strange metamorphosis, was changed into a play-house, and is now in a very disordered state. The distresses of the in- habitants last winter were very great, being without fuel, and provisions very scarce and dear.
The tories were sanguine that the British troops would beat the rebels, until they returned from their design against Dorchester hills. Their countenances then gathered pale- ness ; in their distress they applied to those whom they had just before affected to despise. Their distractions and distor- tions could be described only by the pencil of Hogarth. They are charged with being the instigators of all the mischiefs. which happened."
* Perez Morton, Esq. pronounced an eulogy on his charac- ter, on the occasion.
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sion, as well as a committee of the council and re- presentatives then in session at Watertown, and many other public characters, both civil and mili- tary. His memory was cherished with great re- spect and gratitude : for he was one of the most illustrious patriots of Massachusetts, as well as one of the earliest victims which were offered on the altar of freedom.
A few days after the British troops left Boston, general Washington, having dispatched several regiments of the continental forces for New York, for which place he supposed general Howe was destined, visited the metropolis, and there remain- ed for a few days, giving directions respecting the military stores left by the enemy and making ar- rangements for the defence of the town, when he should leave the colony for New York .* A commit- tee of the inhabitants delivered him an address, con- gratulating him on the departure of the British army from the province, and expressive of their high sense of his patriotic and judicious conduct while commanding the American army in the vi- cinity. An address was also made to him by the General Assembly of Massachusetts, at this time ; which was as follows.
" When the liberties of America were attacked by the violent hand of oppression, when troops hostile to the right of humanity invaded this colo-
On the 28th, the public Thursday lecture "was again at- tended in Boston and Dr. Eliot preached from Isaiah xxxiii, 20. General Washington and several other military officers of high rank were present on the occasion, with the members of the council, committee of the House of representatives, se- lectmen of Boston and others. A public dinner was also given to the commander in chief, this day, in the Capital.
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ny, seized our capital, and spread havoc and de- struction around it; when our virtuous sons were murdered and our houses destroyed by the troops of Britain; the inhabitants of this and of the other American colonies, impelled by self-preser- vation and the love of freedom, forgetting their domestic concerns, determined resolutely and unit- edly to oppose the agents of tyranny. Convinced of the vast importance of having a gentleman of great military accomplishments to discipline, to lead and conduct the forces of the colonies, it gave us the greatest satisfaction to hear that the Con- gress of the United Colonies had made choice of one thus qualified ; who, leaving the pleasures of domestic and rural life, was ready to undertake the arduous task. And your nobly declining to accept the pecuniary emoluments annexed to this high of- fice fully satisfied us, that a warm regard to the sacred rights of humanity and sincere love to your country solely influenced you in the acceptance of this important trust.
" From your acknowledged abilities as a soldier, and your virtues in public and private life, we had the most pleasing hope; but the fortitude and equanimity so conspicuous in your conduct ; the wisdom of your councils; the mild yet strict go- vernment of the army ; your attention to the civil constitution of this colony ; the regard you have at all times shewn for the lives and health of those under your command ; the fatigues you have with cheerfulness endured ; the regard you have mani- fested for the preservation of our metropolis ; and the great address with which our military opera- tions have been conducted ; have exceeded our most sanguine expectations, and demand the warm- est returns of gratitude.
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" The Supreme ruler of the Universe having smiled on our arms and crowned your labours with remarkable success, we are now, without that effu- sion of blood we so much wished to avoid, again in quiet possession of our capital : the wisdom and prudence of those movements, which have obliged the enemy to abandon our metropolis will ever be remembered by the inhabitants of this colony.
" May you still go on approved of heaven, re- vered by all good men, and dreaded by those ty- rants who claim their fellow men as their property. May the United Colonies be defended from slavery by your victorious arms. May they still see their
enemies flying before you. And the deliverance of your country being effected, may you, in retire- ment, enjoy that peace and satisfaction of mind, which always attend the great and good. And may future generations, in the peaceable enjoy- ment of that freedom, the exercise of which your sword shall have established, raise the highest and most lasting monument to the name of WASHING- TON."*
To this address, general Washington made the following reply-" Gentlemen, I return you my most sincere and hearty thanks for your polite ad- dress; and feel myself called upon by every prin- ciple of gratitude, to acknowledge the honour you have done me in this testimonial of your approba- tion of my appointment to the exalted station I now fill, and what is more pleasing, of my conduct in discharging its important duties.
* Sever, Hawley, Spooner, Cushing and Sullivan, were the committee of the Council and House of Representatives, to prepare and present the address to general Washington on this occasion.
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" When the councils of the British nation had formed a plan for enslaving America and depriving her sons of their most sacred and invaluable privile- ges, against the clearest provisions of the constitu- tion, against justice and truth; and, to execute their schemes, had appealed to the sword, I esteemed it my duty to take a part in the contest; and espe- cially when called thereto by the unsolicited suf- frages of the representatives of a free people ; wishing for no other reward, than that arising from the conscientious discharge of the important trust, and that my services might contribute to the es- tablishment of freedom and peace upon a perma- nent foundation, and merit the applause of my countrymen and of every virtuous citizen.
" Your acknowledgments of my attention to the civil constitution of this colony, while acting in the line of my department, also demand my grateful notice. A regard to every provincial institution, when not incompatible with the common interest, I hold a principle of duty and of policy, and shall ever form a part of my conduct. Had I not learned this before, the happy experience of the advanta- ges resulting from a friendly intercourse with your honourable body, their ready concurrence to aid and counsel whenever called upon in cases of diffi- culty and danger, would have taught me the use- ful lesson.
" That the metropolis of your colony is now re- lieved from the cruel and oppressive invasion of those who were sent to erect the standard of law- less domination and to trample on the sacred rights of humanity, and is again open and free for its rightful possessions, must give pleasure to every virtuous and sympathetic heart; and being effect-
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ed without the blood of our fellow citizens, must be ascribed to the interposition of that Providence, which has manifestly appeared in our behalf through the whole of this important struggle, as well as to the measures pursued for bringing about the happy event.
"May that Being who is powerful to save, and in whose hands is the fate of nations, look down with an eye of compassion upon the whole of these united colonies ; may he continue to smile upon their councils and arms, and crown them with suc- cess, while employed in the cause of virtue and of mankind. May this distressed colony and its capi- tal and every part of this wide extended continent, through his divine favour, be restored to more than their former lustre and once happy state, and have peace, liberty and safety secured upon a solid, permanent and lasting foundation."
The corporation and overseers of Harvard Col- lege conferred on general Washington, the third of April, when he was preparing to leave the co- lony and to join the army near New York, the ho- norary degree of Doctor of Laws, not only on ac- count of his great intelligence and sound judgment, but in consideration also of his civic virtues, and his patriotic, disinterested services in the cause of liber- ty. During the whole period of nine months, which he passed in the colony, at the head of the conti- nental forces, arduous and difficult as were the va- rious duties which devolved on him, his conduct received the applause and admiration of all classes of people.
General Washington left Massachusetts for New York, where it was believed the British intended to make an attack, early in the month of April.
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The greater portion of the continental troops who had composed the army at Cambridge and vicinity, were sent on to that colony, at the time the British embarked from Boston, under the command of gene- rals Sullivan and Heath; and major general Putnam followed, in a few days after, to resume the chief command, until Washington should arrive. Three regiments were left at Boston, under major general Ward, for the protection of that place and vicinity ; to whom Washington gave particular instructions to consult the civil authority of the colony in all his movements within their territory. The General Assembly requested that six of the continental regiments might be permitted to remain for some time ; as a part of the British fleet was still in the lower harbour, and they feared an attack, unless they could command a formidable force. And it was found necessary, soon after, to raise three additional regiments for the protection of the coast, at the expense of the province.
A part of the American troops at Cambridge and Roxbury were also ordered to Canada, imme- diately on the departure of the British from the metropolis of Massachusetts. Though general Arnold remained in the neighbourhood of Quebec through the winter, and some fresh troops from Massachusetts and New York had been sent on to reinforce him, the Americans were not sufficiently strong to effect any great object : but it was still considered highly important, if not to take posses- sion of that whole province, to prevent the British from recovering the forts on lake Champlain, by which any future plans of attack on the western and northern parts of New England would be more easily accomplished. Major general Tho-
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mas, of Massachusetts, was entrusted with the command in that department; and many of the continental forces which marched into that quar- ter belonged to the province. These troops en- dured great privations and sufferings in travelling through a new country, partly covered with snow, and almost destitute of provisions. The Bri- tish were reinforced by fresh troops from Eng- land early in May, and the Americans near Que- bec were obliged to retreat soon after general Thomas arrived there. The men were so worn down by sickness and fatigue, that no offensive operations were attempted. A council of war gave an opinion for retiring from that place. The whole number of American troops was less than 2000 ; and not more than 300 were fit for active service. The time for which a large part of them had enlisted, had then also expired. Indeed, it was not without great judgment and unremitting effort, that the Americans were prevented from falling into the hands of the British, who opened the campaign with great force, consisting of re- gulars, Canadians and Indians.
On their return to Montreal and Crown Point, the Americans were subjected to the severest suf- ferings, from sickness and a want of suitable pro- visions. At the latter place they made a stand ; but general Thomas died before they reached that station. His conduct was approved as able and judicious, under the many difficulties he had to encounter. He was attacked by the small pox, which prevailed among his troops, and survived only a few days; and general Sullivan succeeded him for a short time in the command of the troops in that quarter, when general Schuyler of New York was ordered to that department.
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The death of general Thomas was deplored as a great public calamity. He was distinguished by great prudence and judgment, as well as resolution and intrepidity. He was appointed a major gene- ral on the continental establishment in March ; but had been second in command in the provincial army in the summer of 1775, till general Washing- ton arrived at Cambridge. He had also served with reputation as a field officer, in the war of 1756, between England and France, and was de- scended from one of the most ancient and respect- able families in the county of Plymouth.
While the General Assembly was in session, on the 10th of May, they passed an order, which was published, by which the people of the several towns in the province were advised to give in- structions to their respective representatives, to be chosen for the following political year, com- mencing the last of the month, on the subject of Independence ; which, at that time, was more generally contemplated, than it had been at any former period. A reconciliation with Great Britain was now expected by very few of the intelligent patriots of America. The British ministry had not moderated their claims, nor relaxed in their measures of coercion. On the contrary, they breath- ed a more threatening spirit, and had resolved to
prosecute the war with new vigour. r. The people of Massachusetts had now also experienced too much of the vindictive disposition of the ministerial party, to expect any thing at their hands but cruel oppression and utter subjugation. Even the re- cent pretended conciliatory plan of lord North was too flimsy to deceive the most ignorant. It required absolute submission, upon a specious pro-
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vince of mercy, to be shewn in such way as the crown might see fit to grant. They spurned the proposed pardon, when they had committed no fault, unless it was one to defend their charter rights ; and they rejected the offer of peace, upon terms degrading to them as freemen, and dishon- ourable to them as patriots. It was the prudent suggestion of the assembly, however, that the people, in their primary meetings should give their opinions upon this most important subject. The citizens of Boston and of some other towns express- ed themselves in favour of such a measure; de- claring, however, their perfect confidence in the patriotism and wisdom of Congress, in whose de- cision they were determined to acquiesce.
Some of those citizens of Massachusetts, who disapproved of the opposition made to the mea- sures of the British ministry, and who had repair- ed to governor Gage for protection after the bat- tle at Lexington, remained in Boston when the English troops left that place in March; and some, who went to Halifax with the fleet, were dissatisfied with their reception there; and, re- turning to the province soon after, threw them- selves upon the mercy of the government. They were immediately taken into custody; and most of them were kept in confinement several months. Those who had rendered themselves most obnoxi- ous did not return. The conduct of the others, after they came back, was closely watched; and it was a long time before they gained the confi- dence of the people.
In April, the General Court voted to erect a pow- der mill at Sutton. There were already two in the province, built under the patronage of the VOL. II. 14
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legislature. A bounty was offered for manufac- turing salt-petre ;* and a committee appointed to superintend the casting of cannon and making of fire arms. Beacons were ordered to be erected in Boston, Cape Ann, Marblehead, and on the Blue-hills in Milton; for the purpose of giving an alarm to the people whenever the British should attempt to land near those places. An additional number of armed vessels, in the service of the province, were fitted out ; and an offer was made to aid in completing a continental frigate, then building at Portsmouth, as a British ship of war · was making havock near the coast. Hulks were also ordered to be sunk in the harbour of Boston : and two vessels were employed to keep a watch in the bay and give seasonable notice of the ap- proach of the enemy. The assembly of Massa- chusetts, at the request of general Knox, provided for conveying a large quantity of cannon and mili- tary stores to New York by land ; where the main body of the American army was now stationed.
It was during the session in April, that they passed a resolve to alter the style of writs and other legal processes; substituting " the people and government of Massachusetts" for George the Third : and, in dating official papers, the par- ticular year of the king was omitted, and only the year of our Lord mentioned.
The General Court, at this session, ordered the militia to make use of a system of exercise pre- pared by Timothy Pickering, Jr. Esq. This was an improved edition of a book published by him
* In one week, in the month of May, 37,000 pounds were deposited with the public agent, at Watertown; and large quantities besides carried directly to the powder mills.
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in May 1775, and then recommended, by the Pro- vincial Congress, to be observed by the minute companies and others.
The new General Assembly for 1776 was or- ganized at Watertown, on the last Wednesday in May; and the same gentlemen were elected to compose the executive council, who were mem- bers the preceding year, with the exception of six, who declined the trust .* That body then consisted of twenty eight members. The town of Boston elected twelve representatives for this year. The year before, the number was only five. The small pox, then raging in Boston, probably pre -. vented the court from sitting there, at this time.
Although the enemy had quitted the town of Boston, and the greater portion of them had left the province of Massachusetts, neither the citizens nor the General Court could promise themselves much intermission in arduous service for the public welfare. They had not only much to restore and to repair, after a siege of more than ten months, when their constant attention had been given to measures for preventing the utter conquest and desolation of the province ; but some of the enemy were still within the harbour of the metropolis, intercepting the scanty commerce which remained to them. There was also reason to fear, that the British might soon return with additional force ; and New York at the south, and the settlements at the north west were so much exposed as to in- duce Congress to call on Massachusetts, struggling
* Mr. Bowdoin was again president of the council. Those who declined, were J. Otis, the elder, John Adams, Jedidiah Foster, &c. Mr. Adams was a member of Congress, and Mr. Foster a judge of the Superior Court.
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as she was with her own wants and dangers, for aid in the common cause. General Washington thought it consistent with his duty, as commander of the continental army, to leave but few regular troops for the defence of Boston. Before he left the province, he gave directions for repairing the works on fort hill, so called, in Boston; and soon after his departure, the General Assembly order- ed fortifications to be erected on Noddle's island, and the cannon left by the British in an injured state on Castle island, to be fitted for use. They also made immediate provision for raising two regiments, to be stationed within and near the harbour of Boston; and, in May, another was called for, together with six companies of artille- ry ; all at the immediate expense of the province.
These were soon organized, and placed some of them at the castle, some at Nantasket, and some at Noddle's island. General Lincoln was chairman of the committee appointed to direct in the accom- plishment of these objects : and, under his judici- ous management, the forts were built, and the vessels of the enemy driven from their position at the mouth of the harbour. The General Court, at this time also, provided for fortifications at Salem, Marblehead, Cape Ann, Plymouth, and Falmouth on Casco bay. Cannon and other mili- tary stores were furnished, and men were station- ed at these places, for the greater part of the summer following. These towns were exposed to the British ships, which were hovering on the coasts for a great distance. Some of these were large sloops of war and frigates, which rendered the coasting business extremely hazardous. The private armed vessels and those in commission of
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the province and of the continent, were of essen- tial benefit to the country at this period. They were numerous, and constantly on the watch for the enemy. Scarcely a week past, but they cap- tured a valuable prize ; while only one of them was taken by the British for a long period. This was an armed brig called the Yankee Hero, be- longing to N. Tracy of Newburyport. She was captured near the coast by an English sloop of war, which had greatly annoyed the commerce and coasting trade of the province. But the American brig did not surrender, until she had made an obstinate resistance of nearly two hours and lost about half her men.
Captain Mugford of Marblehead, in a continen- tal schooner, called the Franklin, achieved a bril- liant exploit (April 17th,) but eventually became a victim of British vengeance. The Franklin had twenty men, and she engaged a large ship from Ireland with eighteen men, mounting six guns, and loaded with provisions, cannon and other valuable military articles. This was just at the entrance of Boston harbour, and in full view of the British ships then lying in Nantasket roads : and he car- ried her up to the town of Boston, through the northern passage. Three days after, captain Mug- ford went down the harbour, intending to put to sea on a cruise. His vessel run aground in the gut. The British were informed of his situation, and they sent ten boats filled with men, in number about two hundred, to attack him. They ap- proached the Franklin in the evening, and when they were hailed, pretended to be from Boston. But he suspected they were enemies, and ordered them to keep off. They did not regard him; and
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perceiving them pulling for his vessel, he fired into the boats with great spirit. Two boats were sunk, and the others were soon obliged to sheer off. But the brave commander was shot dead in the contest. Several of the enemy were slain in the boats ; among whom was the first lieutenant of the British ship of war. About this period three large transport ships from England and Scotland were captured by privateers from Marblehead; each having about one hundred highlanders and thirty marines for the British fleet. One of these ships engaged the privateers some hours before she sur- rendered, and lost seventeen men, besides major M. an officer in the British service. A colonel Campbell was on board one of the captured ves- sels.
There were frequent alarms in the months of May and June, and fears were entertained of ano- ther visit from the British, which gave much un- easiness to the inhabitants ; although there were some continental troops at Boston, and several re- giments had been called into the colonial service in the vicinity. It was not believed, that the British fleet would remain long at Halifax; and whether Massachusetts or some southern colony would be attacked, was very uncertain. It was, therefore, determined by the General Court, early in June, to throw up fortifications at Nantasket, and on se- veral islands in the harbour of Boston, and, if possi- ble, to drive all the enemy's vessels from its waters. There was already some provincial troops at Nan- tasket, at the Castle, and at Noddle's island ; but they had hitherto acted only on the defensive. On the 14th of June, two years from the time of the odious "Boston port bill," a large party of
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men went down the harbour, consisting of two provincial regiments, a battalion of artillery and some continental troops; and took post, at Nan- tasket, Long island, Pettick's and Moon Islands, where they threw up entrenchments, and immedi- ately began a heavy cannonade upon the British vessels lying in the channel. These were then about twenty in number. Their situation was found to be too hazardous to remain; and they soon got under way and left the harbour, except- ing two or three which were taken by the Ameri- . cans. They suffered some from the forts before they departed ; and on leaving the outer harbour, they blew up the lighthouse, the only injury which was in their power to commit.
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