From John Trumbull, esq. to the same, dated Boston, In conclusion he says-"I do most heartily hope-gentlemen, says he, if it be your mind that I and desire, the body of representatives, of all the should leave the town and return to my regiment, colonies, may have eternity, for the glory of GOD, please to manifest it. Not a single hand appeare i and the happiness of the American world. This is in favor of the motion. He then desired that those the prayer of the faith of your and their most cor- who were contrary-minded should manifest it, dial brother and friend." which passed nem, con. The serjeant and his men, finding themselves in so small a minority, and seeing it in vain to oppose the general voice of the meeting, were about to return again in peace, when one or two of his men were desirous to have it put to vote whether they should not stay also. Patrick, as moderator, immediately put the question, which it was not difficult to carry in such an assembly, and the serjeant, knowing it vain to resist, returned with six men to his regiment. Aug. 20, 1774. [Extracts.] Richard Cranch, esq. to Mr. Adams, dated Boston; "I hear that a letter from one Ps, a clergy. man in Connecticut, has been intercepted, and that an attested copy of it is now before our congress. The contents of it are very extraordinary—he informs the person to whom it is addressed, that he has received advice that several regiments more from England, and a number of men of war, are expected, and that when they arrive, hanging work will begin,—and that those only will be safe whose lintels and door posts shall be sprinkled. Our minis. ters in this province put up their ardent petitions in public for the direction and blessing of heaven on your congress." "In the county of Worcester, the people, at a general meeting, have resolved that no court shall be held there, according to the new regulation of juries, and that judge Oliver shall not take his seat. Upon a report that a regiment would be sent to protect the court, they declared that they were ready to meet it. It is to be hoped, however, that no violent measures will be taken, till the sense of the whole continent is known; as the people have great dependence upon the determinations of congress, and expect them to chalk out the line for their conduct. As to the soldiers here, they are no more feared than if they were the troops of Lil. liput. Indeed, they are much more disposed to flight than combat, and have more inclination to desert to us than to fight us-above two hundred having already left them. To put a stop to these frequent desertions, the officers are obliged to treat them with great severity-death or 1000 lashes, is the only choice offered to those who are retaken. There is a humorous story told about town of one of the deserters, though I cannot say it is absolutely to be depended upon as fact: a soldier, whose name was Patrick, deserted sometime ago and settled in a country town at some distance, and there "Having just been informed that Mr. Tudor is undertook to instruct a company of about fifty men going to Philadelphia, I take this opportunity to in military exercises. A serjeant and eight men thank you for the obliging favor of your letter of were sent to apprehend deserters, got intelligence 29th September. The struggle, as you justly ob. of him, and agreed with a countryman, for a couple serve, between fleets and armies and commercial of guineas, to conduct them to him. Patrick, it regulations, must be very unequal: We hope, how. seems, was at that time exercising his company; ever, the congress will carry this mode of defence as however, being called by the serjeant and his men, far as it will go, and endeavor to render it as early he immediately came up to them. The serjeant effectual as it can be, since the operation of it must demanded what he did there, told him he was his necessarily be slow-were we at ease we would prisoner, and ordered him to return and join his wait-but being first seized and griped by the merregiment. Sir, said Patrick, I beg your pardon, ciless hand of power, we are "tortured even to but I don't think it possible for me to obey you at madness," and yet, perhaps, no people would give present. The serjeant repeated his orders in a a greater example of patience and firmness, could very peremptory stile. Patrick still assured him the people be sure of the approbation and counteof the great improbability of his being able to com-nance of the continent; in consolidating them selves ply with the command; but told him, as it was not in the best manner they are able, they should have, absolutely certain, he would see what could be they say, fresh spirits to sustain the conflict. The done about it. You must know, said he, that we report of an uncommon large quantity of British determine every thing here by a vote-and turning goods sent to New York and Philadelphia, natuto his company, which had by this time came up, rally carries our thoughts to a non-consumption. Dr. Samuel Cooper to Mr. Adams, dated 16th Oct. 1774. Nothing could more thoroughly embarrass these stitution or form of government enacted for us by the British parliament. It is evil against right— utterly intolerable to every man who has any idea or feeling of right or liberty. selfish importers, and none ever deserved more such a punishment. Our provincial congress is assembled; they adjourned from Concord to Cambridge. Among It is easy to demonstrate that the regulation act them and through the province the spirit is ar-will soon annihilate every thing of value in the dent. And I think the inhabitants of this town charter, introduce perfect despotism, and render are distracted to remain in it with such formidable the house of representatives a mere form and mifortifications at its entrance. Besides the regi nisterial engine. ments expected from the southward and Canada, we have several companies from Newfoundland, of It is now or never, that we must assert our liberwhich we had no apprehension until they arrived. ty. Twenty years will make the number of tories on The tories depend that the administration will this continent equal to the number of whigs. They push their point with all the force that they can who shall be born will not have any idea of a free spare, and this I think we ought to expect and take government. into our account. It will necessarily be a question, whether the new government of this province shall be suffered to take place at all,-or whether it shall be immediately withstood and resisted? mediately. Several of the volumes of the WEEKLY REGISTER are enriched by the correspondence of Mr. ADAMS. His letters to the editor, enclosing his communications to Mr. Wirt, (the elegant author A most important question this-I humbly conof the "Sketches" of the famous Patrick Henry, of ceive it not best forcibly or wholly to resist it, imVirginia) inserted in the 14th vol. page 257, et seq. are highly interesting. Mr. Wirt had claimed for Mr. Henry the declaration "WE MUST FIGHT," which Mr. Adams says was derived from a letter which he himself had shewn to Mr. Henry, written by major Hawley, of Northampton, Mass. in 1774. The following, as connected with this subject, cannot fail of exciting the most pleasant feelings in those who delight to trace the first dawnings of our glorious revolution. EDITOR. There is not heat enough yet for battle. Constant, and a sort of negative resistance of government, will increase the heat and blow the fire. There is not military skill enough. That is improving, and must be encouraged and improved, but will daily increase. Fight we must finally, unless Britain retreats. But it is of infinite consequence that victory be the end and issue of hostilities. If we get to fight Extract of a letter from president ADAMS to H. Niles, ing before necessary dispositions are made for it, we shall be conquered, and ail will be lost for dated Quincy, Feb. 5, 1819. "Dear sir,-I enclose you the "broken hints to be communicated to the committee of congress ever, A certain clear plan, for a constant, adequate and for the Massachusetts," by major Joseph Hawley, lasting supply of arms and military stores, must be of Northampton. This is the original paper that I read to Patrick Henry in the fall of the year 1774, which produced his rapturous burst of approbation, and solemn asseveration "I AM OF THAT MAN'S MIND." I pray you to send it back to me. I would not exchange this original for the show book of Harvard college, and printed it shall be at my own expense in a hand-bill." Broken hints to be communicated to the committee of congress for the Massachusetts. "We must fight, if we can't otherwise rid our selves of British taxation, all revenues, and the con*Sec Weekly Register, vol. XIV, page 258. devised and fully contemplated. This is the main thing. This, I think, ought to be a capital branch of the business of congress-to wit: to devise and settle such a plan; at least, clearly to investigate how such supplies can be extensively had in case of need. While this is effecting-to wit: while the continent is providing themselves with arms and military stores, and establishing a method for a sure and unfailing and constant supply, I conceive we had best to negociate with Britain. If she will çede our rights and restore our liberties, all is well-every good man will rejoice: if she will not agree to relinquish and abolish all Ameri. can revenues, under every pretence and name, and all pretensions to order and regulate our internal policy and constitution-then, if we have got any constant and sufficient supply of military stores, jand executive justice must go on in some form or it will be time to take to arms. I can't quit this other, and we may depend on it they will;--therehead-it ought to be immediately and most se-fore the new government will take effect until the riously attended to. It can't be any other than mad old is restored. ness to commence hostilities before we have established resources on a sure plan for certain and effectual military supplies. Men, in that case, will not be wanting. But what considerate man will ever consent to take arms and go to war, where he has no reasonable assurance but that all must be given over and he fall a prey to the enemy, for want of military stores and ammunition, in a few weeks? Either an effectual non-consumption agreement or resistance of the new government, will bring on hostilities very soon. The old cannot be restored until the council take on them the administration, call assemblies, constitute courts, make sheriffs, &c. The council will not attempt this without good assurance of protection. This protection can't be given without hostilities. Our salvation depends upon an established persevering union of the colonies. The tools of administration are using every device and effort to destroy that union, and they will certainly continue so to do Thereupon, all possible devices and endeavors must be used to establish, improve, brighten and maintain such union. 1. As to a non-consumption agreement-it ap. pears to me that it ought to be taken for certain truth, that no plan of importation or consumption of tea, British goods in general, or enumerated articles, which is to rest and depend on the virtue of all the individuals, will succeed; but must cer-ance to the whole. This will be a difficult matter tainly prove abortive. The ministry may justly call such a plan futilefutile it will turn out. A plan of that sort may safely rest and be founded on the virtue of the majority: but then the majority, by the plan, must be directed to control the minority, which implies force. The plan, therefore, must direct and prescribe how that force shall be exercised. Those, again, who exercise that force, under the direction and by order of the majority, must by that majority be defended and indemnified. Dispositions must therefore necessarily be made to resist or overcome that force which will be brought against you-which will directly produce war and bloodshed. From thence it follows, that any other non-con. sumption or non-importation plan, which is not perfectly futile and ridiculous, implies hostilities and war. Every grievance of any one colony must be held and considered by the whole as a grievance to the whole, and must operate on the whole as a griev to effect: but it must be done. Quere, therefore-whether is it not absolutely necessary that some plan be settled for a continuation of congresses?-But here we must be aware' that congresses will soon be declared and enacted by parliament to be high treason. Is the India company to be compensated or not? If to be compensated-each colony to pay the particular damage she has done, or is an average to be made on the continent? The destruction of the tea was not unjust-therefore to what good purpose is the tea to be paid for, unless we are assured that, by so doing, our rights will be restored and peace obtained? What future measures is the continent to preserve with regard to imported dutied tea, whether it comes as East India property or otherwise, under the pretence and lie that the tea is imported from Holland, and the goods imported before a certain given day? Dutied tea will be imported and con2. As to the resistance of the new government, sumed-goods continue to be imported-your nonthat also implies war: for, in order to resist and importation agreement eluded, rendered contemp. prevent the effect of the new government, it is in-tible and ridiculous-unless all teas used, and dispensably necessary that the charter government, all goods, are taken into some public custody which or some other, must be maintained-constitutional will be inviolably faithful." dy exercised and supported. The people will have some government or other -they will be drawn in by a seeming mild and just administration, which will last awhile; legislation [The foregoing is a literal copy of the venerable paper before me, except its frequent abbrevia. tions of the and that, with the addition only of a few commas, &c. to make it read.] BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. Billerica, Mass. 16th June, 1819. SIR-From having lately seen some notice in Dedham. Elias Haven. Lexington. Jonas Parker, Robert Monroe, Jedidiah Monroe, John Raymond, Samuel Hadley, Jo rington, Nathaniel Wyman, and John Brown* Lynn. Abednego Ramsdell, Daniel Townsend, William Flynt, and Thomas Hadley. Medford. Henry Putnam and William Polley. Needham. Lieut. John Bacon, Sergeant Elisha Mills, Amos Mills, Nathaniel Chamberlain, Jonathan Parker. Salem. Benjamin Pierce. the papers, of your wish to obtain the names of nathan Harrington, jun. Isaac Muzzy, Caleb Harthose who destroyed the tea in Boston harbor, in December, 1773, I was led to believe that the names of those patriotic citizens, who fell in the defence of their just privileges, on the nineteenth of April, 1775, might be also acceptable and as worthy of being perpetuated. As they were the first who fell in the revolutionary contest-as they fell not in the act of desolating an unoffending country and in multiplying the miseries of their fellow men to gain laurels-but in resisting the ravages of an invading enemy, they are entitled to grateful recollection, to honorable distinction. I have, therefore, enclosed you a list of the names of those who were killed on that memorable day. It has been principally collected from a narrative of the excursion and ravages of the king's troops, under the command of general Gage on the 19th April, 1775, to which I have added a few notes, which are de rived from other authentic sources. r With sentiments of respect, your most obedient servant, JOHN FARMER. To H. Niles. A list of the provincials who were killed in the action of the 19th April, 1775, and the towns to which they respectively belonged. Acton. Capt Isaac Davis, Abner Hosman, James Bedford. Capt. Jonathan Wilson. Brookline. Isaac Gardner,† esq. Cambridge. William Mercy, Moses Richardson, John Hicks, Jason Russell, Jabez Wyman and Jason Winship. Charlestown. James Miller, Edward Barber.]] Danvers. Henry Jacobs, Samuel Cook, Ebene. zer Goldthwait, George Southwick, Benjamin Daland, jun. Jotham Webb, and Perly Putnam. *See the letter of president ADAMS to H. Niles, May 10, 1819-WEEKLY REGISTER Vol. XV, p. 220. †He had volunteered his services, and was killed on the return of the troops to Boston. He was born at Brookline, 9th May, 1726, and graduated at Harvard college in 1747. "In his domestic, social, civil and religious capacity he was equally beloved and respected. The melancholy circum. stance of his death excited great public sensibility as well as private lainentation and regret." Rev. Mr. Pierce's Hist. Brookline. Sudbury. Josiah Haynes,† Asabel Reed. Woburn, Asa Parker and Daniel Thompson. All who were killed belonged to Massachusetts. 34 wounded 4 missing 87 Total. The British loss, in killed, wounded and missing was 273. With regard to the Indians who destroyed the three cargoes of tea in the harbor of Boston, I have met with a slight notice that confirms the remark of president Adams, that "they were no ordinary Mohawks." It is in the Historical Sketch of Charlestown, by the hon. Joseph Bartlett, M. D. in which he says, that E. N. (giving only the initials) a respectable inhabitant of that town, had repeatedly informed him that he was among the Indians who destroyed the tea. . J. F. Mr. Niles THE "MOHAWK INDIANS." SIR-Seeing a notice or a letter addressed to president Adams from you, I take the liberty of giving you the information, in part, you wish. My father, Anthony Morse, afterwards a lieutenant during the revolutionary war, but since deceased, and Mr. Joseph Roby, now of this town, were the most active in destroying the tea in Boston harbor. Mr. Roby thinks there is but one or two now surviving besides himself. I am, sir, yours with esteem, LEWIS R. M. MORSE. *A monument is erected in Lexington to the memory of the eight first, who fell on the morning +James Miller was 66 years of age. town. Mr. Haynes was an officer of the church. MR. ADAMS TO GOVERNOR BULLOCK. PHILADELPHIA, July 1, 1776. DEAR SIR-Two days ago I received your favor of May 1st.-I was greatly disappointed, sir, in the information you gave me, that you should be prevented from revisiting Philadelphia. I had flattered myself with hopes of your joining us soon, and not only affording us the additional strength of your abilities and fortitude, but enjoy ing the satisfaction of seeing a temper and conduct here, somewhat more agreeable to your wishes, than those which prevailed when you were here before. But I have since been informed, that your countrymen have done themselves the justice to place you at the head of their affairs, a station in which you may perhaps render more essential service to them, and to America, than you could here. There seems to have been a great change in the sentiments of the colonies since you left us, and I hope that a few months will bring us all to the same way of thinking. This morning is assigned for the greatest debate of all-A declaration, that these colonies are free and independent states, has been reported by a committee, appointed some weeks ago for that purpose, and this day, or to-morrow, is to determine its fate.-May Heaven prosper the new born republic, and make it more glorious than any former republics have been! The small-pox has ruined the American army in Canada, and of consequence the American cause. A series of disasters has happened there, partly owing I fear to the indecision at Philadelphia, and partly to the mistakes or misconduct of our officers in that department. But the small-pox, which in fected every man we sent there, completed our ruin, and compelled us to evacuate that important province. We must, however, regain it some time or other. there is nothing, on this side the new Jerusalem, of equal importance to mankind. It is a cruel reflection, that a little more wisdom, a little more activity, or a little more integrity, would have preserved us Canada, and enabled us to support this trying conflict, at a less expense of men and money. But irretrievable miscarriages ought to be lamented no further, than to enable and stimulate us to do better in future. Your colleagues, Hall and Gynn, are here in good health and spirits, and as firm as you yourself could wish them. Present my compliments to Mr. Houston. Tell him, the colonies will have republics for their governments, let us lawyers, and your* divine, say what we will. I have the honor to be, with great esteem and respect, sir, your sincere friend and most humble servant, His excellency JOHN ADAMS. Archibald Bullock, esq. of Georgia. MR. ADAMS TO MR. CHASE. PHILADELPHIA, July 1, 1776. DEAR SIR-Your favor by the post this morning gave me much pleasure, but the generous and unanimous vote of your convention gave me much more. It was brought into congress this morning, just as we were entering on the great debate.That debate took up most of the day, but it was an idle mispense of time, for nothing was said, but what had been repeated and hackneyed, in that room, before, an hundred times, for six months past. In the committee of the whole, the question was carried in the affirmative, and reported to the house.-A colony desired it to be postponed until to-morrow, when it will pass by a great majority, perhaps with almost unanimity; yet I cannot promise this, because one or two gentlemen may possibly be found, who will vote point blank against the known and declared sense of their constituents. Maryland, however, I have the pleasure to inform My countrymen have been more successful at sea, in driving away all the men of war completely out of Boston harbor, and in making prizes of a you, behaved well.—Paca, generously and nobly. great number of transports and other vessels. We are in daily expectation of an armament be. fore New-York, where, if it comes, the conflict must be bloody. The object is great which we have in view, and we must expect a great expense of blood to obtain it. But we should always remember, that a free constitution of civil government cannot be purchased at too dear a rate, as Alas, Canada! we have found misfortune and disgrace in that quarter-Evacuated at last-transports arrived at Sandy-Hook, from whence we may expect an attack in a short time, upon New-York or New-Jersey-and our army not so strong as we could wish. The militia of New-Jersey and New England, not so ready as they ought to be. Zubly. |