USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > History of the town of Plymouth, from its first settlement in 1620, to the present time : with a concise history of the aborigines of New England, and their wars with the English, &c. > Part 21
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James Warren,
Elkanah Watson,
John Torrey,
William Watson,
Stephen Sampson,
Thomas Lothrop,
Samuel Cole.
Nathaniel Torrey,
Ephraim Cobb,
Thomas Mayhew,
Dr. William Thomas, Thomas Jackson,
Isaac Lothrop.
The petition above mentioned enumerated, among their grievances, the violation of our rights and the repeated attacks made on our constitution, in taxation without our consent, ex- tension of admiralty jurisdiction, with the quartering of sol- diers in the town of Boston, the lawless insolence and murders they have committed, * with the contemptuous and unconstitu- tional treatment of our General Court from time to time, mak- ing the Governor independent of the people, and many other illegal acts, from the memorable era of the stamp act.
1773 .- December .- Parliament having passed an act ena- bling the East India Company in London to export their teas to America, subject to an unconstitutional tax or tribute, the town resolved, that the dangerous nature and tendency of importing teas as proposed, subject to a tax upon us without our consent, is alarming, and ought to be opposed. And further, that the persons to whom the said India company have consigned their
* Alluding to the massacre of 5th of March, 1770. 17 *
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tea which they propose to send to Boston, have, by their endeav- oring to accept of and execute their commission, forfeited that protection every good citizen is entitled to, and exposed them- selves and their abettors to the indignation and resentment of all good citizens. That it is an affront to the common sense of mankind, and to the majesty of the people, who are, under God, the source from which is derived all power and majesty in every community, to assert, that any meeting of the people to concert measures for their common security and happiness on every ex- traordinary and alarming occasion, is either unlawful or irregu- lar, since no legislature could be supposed to establish rules of conduct in such cases as no man could ever suppose would take place in a free and good government. That the late meetings
of a very large and respectable body of the inhabitants of Boston and other towns, and their determination at said meetings relative to the importation and reshipping of any teas that have or may be sent here subject to a duty on importation, were both trecessary and laudable, and highly deserving the gratitude of all who are interested in, or wish the prosperity of, America.
It was voted that we are in duty and gratitude bound not on- lv to acknowledge our obligations to the body who composed that meeting, for that noble, generous, and spirited conduct in the common cause, but also to aid and support them in carrying their votes and resolves into execution; and we will, at the hazard of our lives and fortunes, exert our whole force to defend them against the violence and wickedness of all our common enemies.
It appeared to be the firm determination of the inhabitants of this town, that so long as a compulsory tone was assumed by the parent country, so long the tone of defiance ought to be main- tained by the patriotic people of the Provinces. ' For oppression will make a wise man mad.'
On Monday, 13th December, at the adjournment of the town meeting, Edward Winslow and others presented a protest against the resolves and proceedings of the last meeting, but the town voted net to have it read.
1774 .- The inhabitants of the town, animated by the glorious spirit of liberty which pervaded the Province, and mindful of the precious relic of our forefathers, resolved to consecrate the rock on which they landed to the shrine of liberty. Col. The- ophilus Cotton, and a large number of the inhabitants assembled, with about 20 voke of oxen, for the purpose of its removal. The rock was elevated from its bed by means of large screws; and in attempting to mount it on the carriage, it split asunder, without any violence. As no one had observed a flaw, the cir- cumstance occasioned some surprise. It is not strange that
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some of the patriots of the day should be disposed to indulge a little in superstition, when in favor of their good cause. The separation of the rock was construed to be ominous of a divi- sion of the British Empire. The question was now to be decided whether both parts should be removed, and being decided in the negative, the bottom part was dropped again into its original bed, where it still remains, a few inches above the surface of the earth, at the head of the wharf. The upper portion, weigh- ing many tons, was conveyed to the liberty pole square, front of the meeting-house, where, we believe, waved over it a flag with the far-famed motto, 'Liberty or death.' This part of the rock was, on the 4th of July, 1834, removed to Pilgrim Hall, and placed in front of that edifice under the charge of the Pilgrim Society. A procession was formed on this occasion, and passed over Cole's hill, where lie the ashes of those who died the first winter.
A miniature representation of the Mayflower followed in the procession, placed in a car decorated with flowers, and drawn by six boys. The procession was preceded by the children of both sexes of the several schools in town. On depositing the rock in front of the hall, a volley of small arms was fired over it by the Standish Guards, after which, an appropriate address was delivered by Dr. Charles Cotton, and the services were closed by a prayer by Rev. Dr. Kendall.
It affords the highest satisfaction to announce that the long desired protection of the Forefathers' rock is at length com- pleted; and it may be pronounced a noble structure, serving the double purpose of security to the rock, and a monument to the Pilgrims. The fabric was erected in June of the present year, (1835,) and consists of a perfect ellipse forty-one feet in pe- rimeter, formed of wrought iron bars, five feet high, resting on a base of hammered granite. The heads of the perpendicular bars are harpoons and boat-hooks alternately. The whole is embellished with emblematic figures of cast iron. The base of the railing is studded with emblems of marine shells, placed al- ternately reversed, having a striking effect. The upper part of the railing is encircled with a wreath of iron castings in imita- tion of heraldry curtains, fringed with festoons; of these are forty-one; bearing the names in bass-relief of the forty-one puri- tan fathers who signed the memorable compact while in the cabin of the Mayflower at Cape Cod, in 1620. This valuable and in- teresting acquisition, reflects honor on all who have taken an interest in the undertaking. In the original design by George WV. Brimmer, Esq., ingenuity and correct taste are displayed; and in all its parts, the work is executed with much judgment
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and skill. The castings are executed in the most improved style of the art. This appropriate memorial will last for ages, and the names and story of the great founders of our nation will be made familiar to the latest generation.
THE MONUMENT AROUND FOREFATHER'S ROCK .- This monu- ment cost four hundred dollars. The fund was obtained by subscription; Lieut. Gov. Armstrong heading the paper, and Samuel T. Tisdale, Esq. of New York, contributing one hun- dred dollars. The author of this work had the honor and satis- faction of being the active agent in its execution.
At a town meeting, March 24th. As the committee of corres- pondence had not been altogether successful in preventing the sale of tea, it was resolved that whoever continues to sell, or shall for the future expose to sale, in this town, any India tea, is, and ought to be considered as an enemy to the rights of America and the constitution of the country. And we will have no intercourse or dealings with such persons, till there be a change in the circumstances of the country, which will justify such conduct, and that we will consider as inimical to this coun- try, all those who shall have any dealings with them.
August 15th, voted to return our sincere and hearty thanks to the town of Boston, for their patience and virtue under their present sufferings in the common cause of America, and also voted to choose a committee to collect all such sums of money, or articles that any persons will give in the town, for the sup- port of the suffering poor of said town of Boston, to enable them still to persevere with firmness and fortitude under their sufferings. Goods and provisions to a considerable amount were contributed in this town for the poor in Boston on this serious occasion.
Then voted, that whereas a certain publication in the Massa- chusetts Gazette, of July 14th last, purporting to be the cordial congratulations of the Justices of the Court of General Ses- sions of the Peace and Inferior Court of Common Pleas for the county of Plymouth, to his excellency Thomas Gage, Esq. on his appointment to the high office of first magistrate of this Province, &c. contains injurious reflections on, and illiberal in- sinuations concerning the body of the clergy, and the committees
of correspondence in the several towns in this Province, as if the said commissioners had assumed a title and business with- out the appointment of their several towns, and had been en- couraged and supported by the clergy in an unjustifiable influ- ence on the people,-We, the inhabitants of the town of Ply- mouth, the shire town of said county, conceive it our duty to bear our testimony against such publication, its aiders and abet- tors, and therefore vote and resolve :
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1. That we ourselves, and we conceive by far the greater part of the country, have a great respect for the clergy in this province, and the conduct of a majority of them relative to the political circumstances of the country. 2. That the committee of correspondence of this town, and we conceive those of the other towns where they subsist, were regularly appointed by their several towns for very valuable purposes, and have answered the expectations of their constituents, and are there- fore entitled to countenance and respect from all men and bodies of men. 3. That the solemn league and covenants entering into, appear to us calculated to increase the honor and dignity of the sovereign, to promote the true interest of our parent country, and to restore the harmony of society.
Sept. 19th .- Chose a committee of nine to watch and make discovery of any one importing or selling tea, and report to the committee of correspondence. Afterwards added ten more to the committee, and enjoined the strictest vigilance. Chose James Warren, Esq. and Isaac Lothrop, Esq. representatives, and the following instructions were given :- ' Being apprehen- sive that the chief design of convening the general assembly at this unusual season of the year, is to make trial whether we will, in whole or in part, submit to the late acts of parliament respecting this Province, and it being our fixed sentiment that said acts are cruel, unjust and oppressive, subversive of our most sacred rights, we cannot in conscience advise to the least submission, but on the contrary, expect and desire our said representatives to oppose them to the utmost, in all proper ways and methods strictly adhering to our charter rights and priv- ileges: more particularly we enjoin them by no means to co-op- erate or act in concert with the new set of mandamus counsel- lors, whose appointment is founded on the destruction of our charter which we hold sacred and inviolable in all its parts; and no power on earth has a right to disannul it, and God forbid that we should give up the inheritance of our fathers, or tamely submit to the efforts of despotism and the loss of freedom .- And gentlemen, if in consequence of such opposition from you and others, the general assembly should be dissolved, or other- wise hindered from acting, we expect a Provincial Congress will be immediately formed, and that you will act as members of it; concerting such measures with our brethren of other towns, as will have the most effectual tendency to shake off the yoke of oppression, and prevent the operation of those acts of which we so justly complain.' A company of minutemen was raised and provided for by the town, about this time.
1775 .- January. . The awful crisis was evidently approach-
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ing, which should decide the momentous question whether the colonies were to be subjected to abject slavery, or their un- alienable rights and liberties secured upon a substantial foun- dation.
The magnanimity with which the inhabitants of this town encountered the hazardous contest, was not surpassed by any in the province, and few towns in New England were subjected to greater sacrifices. The cod fishery was almost the sole support of the town; seventy-five schooners were employed in that ser- vice in 1774, and it was well known that not a sail could pass from the harbor after the commencement of hostilities. The wealthiest merchants could anticipate nothing but the most mortifying embarrassments, and the poor could have no better prospect than starvation. July 20th, was appointed by the con- tinental Congress, to be observed by the inhabitants of all the colonies as a day of public humiliation, fasting and prayer.
James Warren, Esq. and Isaac Lothrop, Esq. were chosen to represent the town in provincial congress, and the following were their instructions :-
' Gentlemen: You are chosen to represent us in provincial congress, at a time when we not only suffer in common with our sister colonies, the evil effects of the tyranny of the British government, but when we have to strugle with additional diffi- culties and embarrassments peculiar to our situation here. Op- pression has taken her principal residence, and is exerting her most strenuous efforts, aided and supported by mandamus coun- sellors, commissioners of the customs with all their tools and dependents, as perhaps are not to be paralelled in any other country under heaven, and these backed by a large naval and land force from Great Britain, for the purpose of effectually subduing this province, and reducing us to a state of vassalage and abject slavery,-while we, embarrassed with difficulties arising from a want of the exercise of the power of government, and by a suspension of executive justice, are unable to make any vigorous opposition. We are sensible of the many diffi- culties the congress have to encounter, and the important busi- ness they have to transact, and, among the rest, that very im- portant one of assuming the exercise and administration of civil government; this we presume to be a part of their business, because important, and, as we think, absolutely necessary to be done, and therefore, instruct you to use your endeavors to effect it. We admire the prudence, the patience, and, in short, the remarkable virtue of the people of this province, which alone for many months has supported that justice, peace, and good order, which has so generally prevailed; but we dare not haz-
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ard the remaining any longer in such a situation: feeble must be our efforts and precarious our happiness, while the first rests only on recommendations, without the sanction and penalties of laws to enforce them, and the last is exposed to the interested malice and collective strength of our enemies, encouraged by the weakness and temerity of some of our friends: we there- fore, have thought it our duty, under these many and peculiar difficult circumstances, to aid and assist you by our advice and instructions, and we do repeatedly enjoin it upon you, that, (unless you meet certain and undoubted intelligence that our grievances are or will immediately be redressed) you without delay unite your votes and influence for establishing a form of government as free, as stable, and vigorous, and in all respects as advantageous to the good people of this province as possible. That we may be able to defeat the designs of our enemies, and again sit down in peace and safety under our own vine and fig tree: leaving it nevertheless, to your prudence and discretion, if any unforeseen circumstance should take place, to act in such a way and manner as you shall think most beneficial to the interest of this province.'
Then voted, to choose a committee of vigilance to watch the conduct of tories, &c. It was voted to érect a fort on Cole's Hill, and great exertions were made to procure powder for the use of the town. Voted, that any person who shall fire at birds, contrary to the vote of the town, shall have their guns taken from them, and their names entered on the list of offend- ers. The whole community was divided into two opposing po- litical parties, designated by the epithets of whig and tory .- The whigs forming an immense majority, were the ruling party. The operation of the laws was suspended; there was no effi- cient legal government, no legal tribunals in existence ; the selectmen of towns and committees of safety were voluntarily acknowledged as the paramount authority. Although every individual claimed unrestrained liberty, few enormities were committed. But the poor tories, however honest in their views, were subjected to peculiar hardships; free liberty was not al- lowed to them. The modes of disciplining the tories were va- rious and singular. The public authorities required a full recantation, and a declaration to that effect was published with their signatures in the newspapers. Some of the papers were crowded with these tory acknowledgments. When the popu- lace assumed mob authority, the offenders were subjected to the greatest indignity. In some places they adopted a novel mode, which they called smoking the tories, which was done by confining them in a room with a fire and the top of the chimney
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covered. Sometimes a coat of tar and feathers was applied. It was not uncommon to transfer the punishment to the man's horse, by cropping his ears and shaving his tail. This town was not encumbered with an over proportion of disaffected peo- ple. Some, indeed, there were, who for years had enjoyed the emoluments and benefits of the royal government, and were not yet convinced that the fountain had become corrupt, and that meandering streams, impregnated with the foulest ingredi- ents, were undermining the blessed heritage of their fathers .- They were not prepared to absolve their consciences from the duties enjoined by the holy axiom, 'Fear God, and honor the king.' Another portion of this class of people, stood aloof from the duties and proceedings which the great crisis required, not so much from unworthy or sinister motives, as from a timid and pusillanimous spirit, viewing the project of a warfare with so potent an antagonist as an herculean labor, far exceeding the abilities of those champions who had undertaken the tremen- dous experiment. They conceived that a single campaign would annihilate our army and resources, and all who appeared under the colonial standard would fall a sacrifice, as traitors and rebels. About ten or twelve inhabitants of this town were accused of being enemies to their country, and were taken by warrants and arraigned before the town for examination, but, on rendering satisfactory assurance of peaceable behavior, were liberated.
A few of the obnoxious royalists abandoned their native town, but those who remained became peaceable citizens, and submit- ted to the general laws and proceedings. There were, how- ever, a few instances of the turbulent and incorrigible being brought to the the liberty pole, and compelled to subscribe to a recantation of sentiment. The town authority was not known to stain its reputation by any unjustifiable severities, or riotous proceedings. In one instance, however, an individual received some severe discipline from indiscreet persons. A man by the name of Dunbar, brought to the market a beef ox, which it was discovered had been slaughtered by a tory in town, who being a notorious offender against the ruling party, a number of persons assembled, enclosed Dunbar in the carcass, and tied the tripe round his neck, and he was, in that condition carted out of town. Subsequently to this catastrophe, Dunbar had the imprudence to appear again, on horseback. He was or- dered to quit the town without delay, but with a turbulent and obstinate air, he refused to obey. He was then tied on his horse, and escorted to some distance, during which he was so extremely outrageous as to suffer considerable injury, and at
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length a cart was procured, in which he was conveyed beyond the limits of the town.
In one instance, the tories in Barnstable availed themselves of liberty-pole discipline. Mr. C. and sons had rendered them- selves odious to the people by their active zeal in the royal cause, and a vindictive temper towards the whig party; a widow woman frequently indulged herself in applying to them the epithet tory, and even intimated a liberty-pole exhibition. This indiscretion was not to be passed with impunity; a number of men in disguise entered her chamber in the night, took her from her bed, and after the application of tar and feathers, she was, by a rope round her body, hoisted almost to the top of the pole which had been erected by the whigs. Her dreadful shrieks soon collected a throng of people, but the poor woman could obtain no other redress than that bestowed by her friends, who kindly shaved her head, and cleansed it of tar and feathers.
An innocent trick was devised by some persons in this town, which occasioned at that time a general surprise and agitation. An egg was produced with the following words imprinted on the shell by the artifice of some tories. ' O America, America, Howe shall be thy conqueror.' The egg being taken from the hen roost of Mr. H. and exhibited to a concourse of people as- sembled for public worship excited the greatest agitation, and the meeting was for some time suspended. The tories affected to believe that the phenomenon was supernatural, and a revela- tion from heaven favoring their cause and predictions; and some whigs were ready to fall into the delusion, when one less credulous, observed that it was absurd to suppose that the Al- mighty would reveal his decrees to man through the medium of an old hen. Thus ended the farce; but the story of the egg was the subject of newspaper speculation in various parts of the country, and the alarm which it occasioned in the minds of some people here was truly astonishing.
In the year 1775, General Gage ordered a company of king's troops, called the ' Queen's guards,' commanded by captain Balfour, to be stationed at Marshfield, for the protection of some royalists. Captain Balfour, and his officers soon made them- selves acquainted with the friends of the royal cause in this town. Their visits here were not pleasing to the tories, as the whig party was known to be in a state of such ferment, that a small spark might kindle a blaze, and create a fatal collision. They were, however, invited to dine with Edward Winslow, Esq., in company with a number of respectable gentlemen of their party in town. Captain Balfour desired to have the opin- ion of the company present, on the expediency of marching
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his company of guards into Plymouth. In discussing the sub- ject, one of the gentlemen, Mr. John Watson, was observed to be silent. Captain Balfour took him aside, and said, ' Mr. Watson, I observed that you gave no opinion respecting my proposal, I should be glad to have your opinion and advice on the subject.' Mr. Watson replied, 'It is my opinion that it will not be prudent to bring your company here, for the people are in a state of great excitement and alarm.' ' Will they fight?' says Balfour. 'Yes,' replied Watson, ' like devils.' On further consideration, the plan was wisely abandoned, from an appre- hension of the consequences. Had the company marched into town, they would have found a large majority of its inhabitants proud of the seat and character of their ancestors, and deter- mined to transmit them to posterity, that they may inhale with their earliest breath a love of liberty and the people's rights. Under such circumstances, it is highly probable that a collision would have taken place, and the first battle been fought at Ply- mouth instead of Lexington. While stationed at Marshfield, Captain Balfour and his officers frequently visited their friends at Plymouth. On one of these visits, umbrage was taken by some of the watchful sons of liberty, one of whom asserted that an officer had menaced, with a drawn sword, an individual in the street : a numerous collection of people soon were prepared to avenge in a spirited manner the insult, whether real or pre- tended. The officer was obliged to retreat and enter an apothe- cary's shop occupied by Dr. Hicks, a tory, for safety. * The shop was soon surrounded, and the officer's sword peremptorily demanded. So resolute were the assailants that the sword was forced from the officer, and instantly cut into several pieces. These particulars have recently been related to the author by captain W. Weston, who was standing by at the time, and who preserved a piece of the sword, and thinks it may still be found. This account is essentially confirmed by R. Cotton, Esq. and others who were present.
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