The New-Hampshire gazette and historical chronicle (Portsmouth, N.H.), 1775-05-19 00:00:00

May 19, 1775
PORTSMOUTH May 15, 1775
From Hand-Bills, News Papers printed at Cambridge and Worcester, we have made a collection of the following interesting Matters, in order and on purpose to oblige the Public.
COPY of a Letter to his Excellency Gen. GAGE, from the Hon. JONATHAN TRUMBULL, Esq; Governor of his Majesty's Colony of Connecticut, in Behalf of the General Assembly of said Colony.
Dated HARTFORD, April 28th, 1775.
SIR, T HE alarming Situation of public Affairs in this Country, and the late unfortunate Transactions in the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, have induced the General Assembly of this Colony, now sitting in this Place, to appoint a Committee of their Body to wait upon your Excellency, & to desire me in their Name, to write to you relative to these very interesting Matters.
The Inhabitants of this Colony are intimately connected with the People of your Province, & esteem themselves bound by the strongest Ties of Friendship, as well as of common Interest, to regard with Attention whatever concerns them. You will not therefore be surprised that your first Arrival at Boston, with a Body of his Majesty's Troops, for the declared Purpose of carrying into Execution certain Acts of Parliament, which in their Apprehension were unconstitutional and oppressive, should have given the good People of this Colony a very just and general Alarm; your subsequent Proceedings in fortifying the Town of Boston, and other military Preparations, greatly increased their Apprehensions for the Safety of their Friends and Brethren; they could not be unconcerned Spectators of their Sufferings in that which they esteemed the common Cause of this Country; but the late hostile and secret Inroads of some of the Troops under your Command into the Heart of the Country, and the Violences they have committed, have driven them almost to a State of Desperation. They feel now not only for their Friends, but for themselves, and their dearest Interests and Connections. We wish not to exaggerate, we are not sure of every Part of our Information; but, by the best Intelligence that we have yet been able to obtain, the late Transaction was a most unprovoked Attack upon the Lives and Property of his Majesty's Subjects; and it is represented to us, that such Outrages have been committed as would disgrace even Barbarians, and much more Britons so highly famed for Humanity as well as Bravery: It is feared therefore that we are devoted to Destruction, and that you have it in Command and Intention, to ravage and desolate the Country. If this is not the Case, permit us to ask, why have these Outrages been committed? Why is the Town of Boston now shut up? and to what End are all the hostile Preparations that are daily making, & why do we continually hear of fresh Destinations of Troops for this Country? The People of this Colony, you may rely upon it, abhor the Idea of taking Arms against the Troops of their Sovereign, and dread nothing so much as the Horrors of civil War; but at the same Time we beg Leave to assure your Excellency, that as they apprehend themselves justified by the Principle of self Defence, so they are most firmly resolved to defend their Rights & Privileges to the last Extremity; nor will they be restrained from giving Aid to their Brethren, if any unjustifiable Attack is made upon them. Be so good, therefore, as to explain yourself upon this most important Subject, as far as is consistent with your Duty to our common Sovereign,—Is there no way to prevent this unhappy Dispute from coming to Extremities? Is there no Alternative but absolute Submission, or the Desolations of War? By that Humanity which constitutes so amiable a Part of your Character, for the Honor of our Sovereign, and by the Glory of the British Empire, we intreat you to prevent it, if it be possible; surely it is to be hoped that the temperate Wisdom of the Empire might, even yet, find Expedients to restore Peace, that so all Parts of the Empire may enjoy their particular Rights, Honors, and Immunities; Certainly this is an Event most devoutly to be wished for; and will it not be consistent with your Duty, to suspend the Operations of War on your Part, and enable us on ours to quiet the Minds of the People, at least, till the Result of some further Deliberations may be known.
The Importance of the Occasion will, we doubt not, sufficiently apologize for the Earnestness with which we address you, and any seeming Impropriety which may attend it, as well as induce you to give us the most explicit and favourable Answer in your Power. I am, with great Esteem & Respect,
in Behalf of the General Assembly. Sir, &c.
(Signed) JONATHAN TRUMBULL, His Excellency Thomas Gage, Esq;
His Excellency Gen. Gage's Answer to the foregoing Letter.
Dated BOSTON, May 3d, 1775.
SIR, I AM to acknowledge the Receipt of your Letter of the 28th of April last, in Behalf of the General Assembly of your Colony, relative to the alarming Situation of public Affairs in this Country, and the late Transactions in this Province: That this Situation is greatly alarming, and that these Transactions are truly unfortunate, are Truths to be regretted by every Friend to America, and by every well Wisher for the Peace, prosperity and Happiness of this Province. The intimate Connection and strong Ties of Friendship between the Inhabitants of your Colony, and the deluded People of this Province, cannot fail of inducing the former, to interpose their good Offices, to convince the latter of the Impropriety of their past Conduct, and to persuade them to return to their Allegiance, and seek redress of any supposed Grievances in those decent and constitutional Methods in which alone they can hope to be successful.
That Troops should be employed for the Purpose of protecting the Magistrates in the Execution of their Duty, when opposed with Violence, is not a new Thing in the English or any other Government: That any Act of the British Parliament are unconstitutional or Oppressive, I am not to suppose; if any such there are, in the Apprehension of the People of this Province, it had been happy for them if they had sought Relief, only in the Way which the Constitution, their Reason, & their Interest pointed out.
You cannot Wonder at my fortifying the Town of Boston, or making any other military Preparations, when you are assured, that previous to my taking these Steps, such was the open Threats and such the warlike Preparations throughout this Province as rendered it my indispensable Duty to take every Precaution in my Power, for the Protection of his Majesty's Troops under my Command, against any hostile Attempts. The Intelligence you seem to have received, relative to a late Excursion of a Body of Troops into the Country, is altogether injurious and contrary to the true State of Facts; the Troops did not, with Indignation the barbarous Outrages of which they are accused, so contrary to their known Humanity. I have taken the greatest Pains to discover if any were committed, and have found Examples of their Tenderness both to the Young and the old, but no Vestige of Cruelty or Barbarity: It is very possible that in firing into Houses from whence they were fired upon, that old People, Women or Children, may have suffered, but if any such Thing has happened it was in their Defence, and undesigned. I have no Command to desolate the Country, and were it my Intention I have had Precedence to begin it, upon the Sea Ports who are at the Mercy of the Fleet. For your better Information, I inclose you a Narrative of that Affair, taken from Gentlemen of indisputable Honor and Veracity, who were Eye Witnesses of all the Transactions of that Day. The Leaders here have taken Pains to prevent any Account of this Affair getting abroad, but such as they have that's proper to publish themselves; and to that End the Post has been stopped, the Mails broke open, and Letters taken out; and by these Means the most injurious and inflammatory Accounts have been spread throughout the Continent, which has served to deceive and inflame the Minds of the People.
When the Resolves of the Provincial Congress breathed nothing but War, when those two great and essential Prerogatives of the King, the levying of Troops and disposing of the public Monies, were wrested from him; and when Magazines were forming by an Assembly of Men, unknown to the Constitution, for the declared Purpose of levying War against the King, you must acknowledge it was my Duty, as it was the Duty of Humanity, to prevent, if possible, the Calamities of civil War, by destroying such Magazines. This, & this alone I attempted. you ask "Why is the Town of Boston now shut up?" I can only refer you, for Answer, to those Bodies of armed Men, who now surround the Town, and prevent all access to it. The hostile Preparations you mention, are such as the Conduct of the People of this Province has rendered it prudent to make, for the Defence of those under my Command.
You assure me the People of your Colony abhor the Idea of taking Arms against the Troops of their Sovereign, I wish the People of this Province, for their own Sakes, could make the same Declaration. You enquire "Is there no Way to prevent this unhappy Dispute from coming to Extremities? Is there no Alternative, but absolute Submission, or the Desolations of War?" I answer, I hope there is; the King and Parliament seem to hold out Terms of Reconciliation, consistent with the Honor and Interest of Great-Britain, and the Rights and Privileges of the Colonies; they have mutually declared their Readiness to attend to any real Grievances of the Colonies, and to afford them every just and reasonable Indulgence, which shall, in a dutiful and constitutional Manner, be laid before them; and his Majesty adds, it is his ardent Wish that this Disposition may have a happy Effect, on the Temper and Conduct of his Subjects in America: I must add likewise the Resolution of the 27th of February, on the grand Dispute of Taxation and Revenue, leaving it to the Colonies to tax themselves, under certain Conditions; here is surely a Foundation for an Accommodation, to People who wish a Reconciliation rather than a destructive War, between Countries so nearly connected, by the Ties of Blood and Interest; but I fear that the Leaders of this Province have been, and still are, intent only on shedding Blood.
I am much obliged by your favourable Sentiments of my personal Character, and assure you, as it has been my constant Wish & Endeavour hitherto, so I shall continue to exert my utmost Efforts, to protect all his Majesty's liege Subjects under my Care, in their Persons and Property. You ask, "Whether it will not be consistent with my Duty to suspend the Operations of War on my Part?" I have commenced no Operations of War but defensive; such you cannot wish me to suspend, while I am surrounded by an armed Country, who have already begun, and threaten farther to prosecute an Offensive War, and are now violently depriving me, the King's Troops, and many others of the King's Subjects, under my immediate Protection, of all the Conveniences and necessities of Life, with which the Country abounds; but it must quiet the Minds of all reasonable People, when I assure you, that I have no Disposition to injure or molest quiet and peaceable Subjects; but on the contrary, shall esteem it my greatest Happiness to defend & protect them, against every Species of Violence and Oppression. I am, Sir, &c, (Signed) THO'S. GAGE. Hon. Governor Trumbull.
The following is the Account referr'd to by General Gage, in the above Letter, just come to Hand from Boston. A Circumstantial Account of an Attack that happened on the 19th of April 1775, on his Majesty's Troops, by a Number of the People of the Province of Massachusetts Bay.
ON Tuesday the 18th of April, about half past 10 at Night, Lieutenant Colonel Smith of the 10th Regiment, embarked from the Common at Boston, with the Grenadiers and Light Infantry of the Troops there, and landed on the opposite Side, from whence he began his March towards Concord, where he was ordered to destroy a Magazine of Military Stores, deposited there for the Use of an Army to be assembled, in Order to act against his Majesty, and his Government. The Colonel called his Officers together, and gave Orders, that the Troops should not fire, unless fired upon; and after marching a few Miles, detached six Companies of Light Infantry, under the Command of Major Pitcairn, to take Possession of two Bridges on the other Side of Concord: Soon after they heard many Signal Guns, & the ringing of Alarm Bells repeatedly, which convinced them that the Country was rising to oppose them, and that it was a preconceived Scheme to oppose the King's Troops, whenever there should be a favourable Opportunity for it. About 3 o'Clock the next Morning, the Troops being advanced within two Miles of Lexington, Intelli-
gence was received that about Five Hundred Men in Arms, were assembled, and determined to oppose the King's Troops; * and on Major Pitcairn's galloping up to the Head of the advanced Companies, two Officers informed him that a Man (advanced from those that were assembled) had presented his Musquet and attempted to shoot them, but the Piece flashed in the Pan: On this the Major gave directions to the Troops to move forward, but on no Account to fire, nor even to attempt it without Orders:— When they arrived at the End of the Village, they observed about 200 armed Men, drawn up on a Green, and when the Troop came within a Hundred Yards of them, they began to file off towards some Stone Walls, on their right Flank: The Light Infantry observing this, ran after them; the Major instantly called to the Soldiers not to fire, but to surround and disarm them; some of them who had jumped over a Wall, then fired four or five Shot at the Troops, wounded a Man of the 10th Regiment, and the Major's Horse in two Places, and at the same Time several Shots were fired from a Meeting-House on the left: Upon this, without any Order or Regularity, the Light Infantry began a scattered Fire and killed several of the Country People; but were silenced as soon as the Authority of their Officers could make them.
† After this, Colonel Smith marched up with the Remainder of the Detachment, and the whole Body proceeded to Concord, where they arrived about 9 o'Clock, without any Thing further happening; but vast Numbers of armed People were seen assembling on all the Heights! while Colonel Smith with the Grenadiers, and Part of the Light Infantry remained at Concord, to search for Cannon, &c, there; he detached Captain Parsons with six Light Companies to secure a Bridge at some Distance from Concord, and to proceed from thence to certain Houses, where it was supposed there was Cannon, and Ammunition; Capt. Parsons in Pursuance of these Orders, posted three Companies at the Bridge, and on some Heights near it, under the Command of Capt. Laurie of the 43d Regiment; and with the Remainder went and destroyed some Cannon Wheels, Powder, and Ball; the People still continued encresing on the Heights: and in about an Hour after, a large Body of them began to move towards the Bridge, the Light Companies of the 4th and 10th then descended, and joined Captain Laurie, the People continued to advance in great Numbers; and fired upon the Kings Troops, killed three Men, wounded four Officers, one Serjeant, and four private Men, upon which (after returning the fire) Capt. Laurie and his Officers, thought it prudent to retreat towards the Main Body at Concord, and were soon joined by two Companies of Grenadiers.
When Captain Parsons returned with the three Companies over the Bridge, they observed three Soldiers on the Ground one of them scalped, his Head much mangled, and his Ears cut off though not quite dead; a Sight which struck the Soldiers with Horror; Captain Parsons marched on and joined the main Body, who were only waiting for his coming up, to march back to Boston; Colonel Smith had executed his Orders, without Opposition, by destroying all the military Stores he could find; both the Colonel, and Major Pitcairn, having taken all possible Pains to convince the Inhabitants that no Injury was intended them, and that if they opened their Doors when required, to search for said Stores, not the slightest Mischief should be done; neither had any of the People, the least Occasion to complain, but they were sulky, and one of them even struck Major Pitcairn. Except upon Captain Laurie, at the Bridge, no Hostilities happened from the Affair at Lexington, until the Troops began their March back. As soon as the Troops had got out of the Town of Concord, they received a heavy Fire from all Sides, from Walls, Fences, Houses, Trees, Barns, &c, which continued without Intermission, till they met the first Brigade, with two Field Pieces, near Lexington; ordered out under the Command of Lord Percy to support them; (advice having been received about 7 o'clock next Morning, that Signals had been made, and Expresses gone out to alarm the Country, and that the People were rising to attack the Troops under Colonel Smith.)—Upon the Firing of the Field Pieces, the People's Fire was for a while silenced, but as they still continued to encresce greatly in Numbers, they fired again as before, from all Places where they could find Cover, upon the whole Body, and continued so doing for the Space of fifteen Miles: Notwithstanding their Numbers they did not attack openly the whole Day, but kept under Cover on all Occasions. The Troops were very much fatigued, the greater Part of them having been under Arms all Night, and made a March upwards of Forty Miles before they arrived at Charslestown, from whence they were ferried over to Boston.
The Troops had above fifty killed, and many more wounded: Reports are various about the Loss sustained by the Country People, some make it very considerable, others not so much.
Thus this unfortunate Affair has happened through the Rashness and Imprudence of a few People, who began firing on the Troops at Lexington.
* At this Time the advanced Light Companies loaded, but the Grenadiers were not loaded when they received their first Fire.
† Notwithstanding the Fire from the Meeting-House, Colonel Smith and Major Pitcairn, with the greatest Difficulty, kept the Soldiers from forcing into the Meeting House and putting all those in it to Death.
IN PROVINCIAL CONGRESS,
Watertown, Massachusetts Bay May 5 1775.
WHEREAS the Term for which the present Congress was chosen, expires on the Thirtieth Instant, and the Exigencies of our Public Affairs, render it absolutely necessary for the Safety of this Colony, that a new Congress be elected and convened, to consider of, and transact the Public Affair thereof: Therefore
RESOLVED, That it be and it is hereby recommended to the several Towns & Districts in this Colony, that they, each of them, do forthwith elect and depute as many Members, as to them shall seem necessary and expedient, to represent them in a Provincial Congress to be held at the Meeting House in Watertown, on the 31st Day of May Inst. to be chosen by such only as are qualified by Law to vote for Representatives in the General Assembly, and to be continued by Adjournment, as they shall see Cause, until the Expiration of six Months from their being first convened on the Thirty-first of this Instant May, and no longer; and to consult, deliberate, and resolve upon such further Measures as under GOD shall be effectual to save this People from impending Ruin, and to secure those inestimable Liberties, derived to us from our Ancestors, and which it is our Duty to preserve for Posterity.
JOSEPH WARREN, President P. T. Attest, SAMUEL FREEMAN, Sec'y P. T.
IN PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, Watertown, May 5, 1775. WHEREAS his Excellency General GAGE, since his Arrival into this Colony, hath conducted as an Instrument in the Hands of an arbitrary Ministry, to enslave this People; and a Detachment of the Troops under his Command, has of late been by him ordered to the Town of Concord to destroy the public Stores, deposited in that Place for Use of the Colony: And whereas by this clandestine and perfidious Measure, a Number of respectable Inhabitants of this Colony, without any Provocation given by them, have been illegally, wantonly, and inhumanely slaughtered by his Troops: Therefore RESOLVED,
THAT the said General Gage, hath by these and many other Means utterly disqualified himself to serve this Colony as a Governor, and in every other Capacity, and that no Obedience ought in future to be paid by the several Towns and Districts in this Colony to his Writs, for calling an Assembly, or to his Proclamations, or any other of his Acts or Doings; but that on the other Hand, he ought to be considered and guarded against, as an unnatural and inveterate Enemy to the Country.
JOSEPH WARREN, President, P. T. Attest, SAMUEL FREEMAN, Secretary P. T.
WILLIAMSBURG, April 21.
This Morning, between 3 and 4 o'Clock, all the Gunpowder in the Magazine, to the Amount, as we hear, of about 40 Barrels, was carried off in his Excellency the Governor's Wagon, escorted by a Detachment of Marines from the armed Schooner Magdalen, now lying at Burwell's Ferry and lodged on board that Vessel.

NEW-YORK, May 1.
The following is an Extract of a Letter from Boston, supposed to be from an Officer in the British Army to his Friend in this Place.
The Loss on the part of the Troops, from the best Information is about two hundred killed; among which there are no Officers though many wounded.---Lieut. Col. Barnard, of the Royal Welch, Lieut. Colonel Smith, of the Tenth, are slightly wounded;---Lieut. --- Gould, of the fourth Regiment, is also wounded.
Another Account mentions, that Capt. Parsons of the 10th, Mr. Baldwin of the 47th, Mr. Cox and Lieut. Hogshaw, of the 5th, Capt. Sutherland of the 30th, & Mr. MacNight of the 4th, were wounded; and that Mr. Gould was since dead.
Massachusetts-Bay.
WORCESTER, May 10.
We hear that the Senecas, one of the Six Nations of Indians, are determined to support the Americans, against the arbitrary Exactions of the British Parliament, and, if desired will lend their Help in this Day of general Distress, expecting if the Colonies are subjected, they shall also fall a Sacrifice to the relentless Fury of Great-Britain.
The Report of an Engagement between the New-Yorkers and an English Man of War, we are informed is without Foundation.
The Tories in Boston seem in general as desirous of quitting that Capital as the Whigs, many have embarked in a Ship, Capt. Callahan Master, for London, some have gone to Halifax, and others, among whom are a Number of Addressers to the late Gov. Hutchinson, chose rather to put Confidence in the People, and are retiring into the Country.
Some Gentlemen of opposite Principles in Politics, we are informed, are not permitted to come out of Boston; among whom, it is said, is the Hon. Mr. Pitts, a Friend to his Country, who is in a very poor State of Health, and Mr. Sheriff Greenleaf, on the opposite Side.
The Hon. James Bowdoin, Esq; well respected by his Country, we are told, lies dangerously ill with the Gout in his Stomach, at Boston.
It is confidently asserted, that several Houses in Boston belonging to Persons who had removed out of that distressed Town, have been plundered of Effects left therein, by the Soldiers. The Hon'ble John Hancock, Esq;'s House, we hear was entered by a Number of Soldiers, who began to pillage and brake down the Fences;---but upon Complaint being made by the Select Men to General Gage, he ordered the Fences to be repaired, and Earl Piercy to take Possession of the House.
Our Army have began an Entrenchment at Cambridge. General Gage is making Boston as secure from an Attack as he possibly can. However it is thought by some that the Bulwarks are not so strong as to be impregnable.
One Mansfield, a Breeches-Maker, in Boston, who went out with the Troops in the late Engagement, was in the Skirmish fired at by the Regulars through Mistake, they taking him to be one of our Men. The Ball entered his Neck and came out of his Mouth.---Wretches like him often meet their just Reward.
Some Officers in the King's Army, it is said, have sworn that the Americans fired first. Their Method of cheating the Devil, we are told, has been by some Means brought out. They procured three or four Traitors to their God and Country, born among us, and took with them, and they first fired upon their Countrymen, which was immediately followed by the Regulars. It is also said these Wretches were dressed in Soldiers Cloathing.
When the second Brigade marched out of Boston to reinforce the first, nothing was played by the Fife and Drums but Yankee Doodle, (which had become their favourite Tune ever since that notable Exploit, which did such Honour to the Troops of Britain's King, of Taring and Feathering a poor Countryman in Boston, and parading with him through the principal Streets, under Arms with their Bayonets fixed!) Upon their Return to Boston, one asked his Brother Officer how he liked the Tune now,---"D---m them, returned he, they made us dance it till we were tired."---Since which Yankee Doodle sounds less sweet to their Ears.
The Commanding Officer at Cambridge, has given Leave to the Regulars who were taken Prisoners, either to go to Boston and join their respective Regiments, or have Liberty to work in the Country for those who would employ. In Consequence of which those who were confined in this Town, fifteen in Number, heartily request to be employed by the People, not chusing to return to their Regiments to fight against their American Brethren, tho' some of them expressed their Willingness to spill their Blood in Defence of their King in a righteous Cause. They all sat out Yesterday for different Towns.
Since our last we have received the Names of three more of our Brethren who fell in Battle, viz. Mr. James Miller of Charles-town, Mr. Moses Richardson of Cambridge, and Mr. Nathaniel Coolidge of Watertown, which with those then mentioned are thought to be the whole of our People who were killed.
There were not above 400, at most, of our People who pursued and engaged the murdering Troops of Britain's King, from Concord to Charlestown.
The Hartford Post is dismissed by the Post-Master in Boston, N o withstanding which he intends Riding as usual.
NEW-YORK, May 4.
The following Letter came by the Earl of Dunmore, Captain Lawrence, arrived from London.
LONDON, January 30, 1775.
FROM unquestionable Authority I learn, that about a Fortnight ago, Dispatches were sent from hence by a Sloop of War to General Gage, containing among other Things, a Royal Proclamation, declaring the Inhabitants of Massachusetts Bay, and some others in the different Colonies, actual Rebels;---with a blank Commission to try, and execute such of them as he can get hold of;---with this is sent a List of Names to be inserted in the Commission as he may judge expedient. I do not know them all, but Messrs. Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Payne, and John Hancock, of Massachusetts Bay;---John Dickinson, of Philadelphia;---Peyton Randolph, of Virginia;---and Henry Middleton, of South-Carolina, are particularly named, with many others.---This black List, the General will, no doubt, keep to himself,---and unfold it gradually, as he finds it convenient."
Extract of a Letter from London, February 10, 1775.
MY DEAR FRIEND,
I HAVE waited in Hopes I could find something to write to encourage you: But to my great Grief, worse and worse; it is impossible, to describe the alarming Situation of our Affairs. While the Debate was in Parliament, I still had some small Hopes; but this Morning at 2 o'Clock, the Death Warrant was passed, & the Colonies declared Rebels. The Petitions & all attempts have failed. The great Lords Camden, Chatham, Richmond, and all the 32 Lords, could not prevent the fatal Infatuation from taking Place. An Address to the King has past both Houses, to give the King power to call you Rebels, and to proceed against you on the late Acts, and direct to put them in Force against the Congress, and to support the Colonies, with their Lives and Fortunes. Nothing on Earth can equal the Consternation of all who have heard of it, and in their usual Way now begin to see, when too late, the bad Effects of their Silence. The worthy Doctor Fothergill, Mr. Barclay, and Rachel Wilson, have written to the King: but no Answer. Two worthy Women of the Friends have desired to speak to the King; but he will not see them.---Oh! that the Lord would turn their Hearts! But now you are to be left to your own Prudence; your own Wisdom will tell you, no longer to depend on England to help you. I had twenty Gentlemen this Day called on me, and all say, pray write to your Friends to declare those Rebels who will not fight for their Country; 78000 Guns and Bayonets, are to be sent to America, to put into the Hands of the Roman Catholics and the Canadians; and all the wicked Means on Earth used to subdue the Colonies. I don't write this to alarm you, but you must not any longer be deceived. Orders have now gone out to take up Hancock, Adams, Williams, Otis, and six of the Head-Men in Boston. I have now
the Copy of the Proceedings before me. My Heart akes for Mr. Hancock. Send off Expresses immediately, that they intend to seize his Estate, and have his fine House for General ---. They have ordered five commanding Officers, Gen. Howe, Gen. Burgoyne, Gen. Clinton, Gen. M c Kay, Gen. Droghead, from Ireland, for the Dragoners or Horse. A Troop of Light Horse is now actually embarking, and will land before this comes to Hand.---You'll see by the News-Papers, and I know it to be so;---I saw the Generals and know of sending 1500 Chests of Arms, part of which are for New-York, and to be distributed among such of the Inhabitants who are willing to take up Arms against you.---A Proclamation is to be given out, that it is only the four Governments of New-England: But depend upon it, all the Colonies are to be treated in the same Manner. General Burgoyne says, that he will not let New-York know his Intentions; but Dance and sing with the Ladies, and coax the Inhabitants to submit, by giving Money, & Protection to those who will fight for the King, against the Country.---Warn your People of their Danger.---Put your Militia in Order.---Call the Delegates together, who will all be safe at Philadelphia.---Act wisely, and if possible, save old England.---Thirty-two Lords and Dukes, the richest and best Men in the Kingdom, are your Friends, and of Opinion that America must save England.
Tell the Printers immediately to advertise for young Men to go to Boston, and bring Hancock and his b v Men away, and if Gage refuses, seize him; such a Step as this will alarm England, and it is what they all wish you would do, and expect it. I pray you mind what I say.---A Bill of Attainder is to be passed against them, the King is determined to make you submit;---the People are determined you shall not;---the People are determined to break the Bank, and it will break before the first of April, so only hold out and exercise your Men, watch your Enemies, and all will be done for you;---let no Head Man be taken;---take Care of your Delegates;---encourage your Committee to do their Duty; it is hard for Men to stand forward for their Country, and then to be destroyed.---For Shame!---let it never be said in the House of Lords, that New-York will stand Neuter. The shameless Letters have disgraced the City;---but as there are only a few Rogues, you have not much to fear from them.---Shame and Cowardice will stop them, and the Goodness of the Cause make you act like Men. Arm yourselves and be ready at all Times, for well I know, that it will prevent Bloodshed;---but if you sit tamely and silent, you will not only be cut off, but despised by all Men.---What a Pleasure it is to see England roused! What a different Temper has this Week produced! Every Day nothing is talked of but Mobs;---they say, what I date not write;---guess what Alterations since Captain Lawrence and Falconer failed; indeed the People are not the same: Since yester day Morning thousands from the Country are coming up, and Letters sent down to Birmingham to rise & come up to stop the Address. but too late, and now you must trust to your own Prudence and the God of your Salvation to save you---with most Tender Love to all, and more particularly to those who are near and dear to you, remember me with Affection. Great Pains is taken to find out who writes to America, and informs them of the Proceedings of the Court. With the greatest Confidence, I am your old faithful Friend."
PORTSMOUTH, New-Hampshire,
May 16, 1775.
Extract of a Letter from a Gentleman, now at New-York, to the Committee of Correspondance in this Town, dated April 30, 1775.
GENTLEMEN,
AT this Time of general Confusion thro' the Colonies, nothing can give greater Pleasure to every Well-wisher to his Country, than the Unanimity that takes Place through the Continent, more especially at this City; as it's evident (from a Number of private Letters from London) that Administration have put the greatest Dependence on the Yorkers breaking with the other Colonies; but notwithstanding all the Endeavours of designing Men, I have the Pleasure to inform you, that by the notable Struggles of the Sons of Freedom, all Difficulties are surmounted, and nothing can equal the determined Spirit of the People here. Yesterday about six or seven Thousand Men were out on the Plain, among which were some Families who have been in the Opposition, one and all unanimously voted to defend their Liberties, &c. at all Hazards; they have stopt clearing at the Custom-House, have taken all the City Arms & Ammunition from the Hall and Magazine; every Preparation is making to compleatly arm the Inhabitants: Great Numbers of People are employed hawling the Cannon from the City to King's Bridge, about 14 Miles, where they will immediately entrench. All Denominations are under Arms, and in high Spirits.---It is the Opinion of every one in this Place (almost) that the Acts of Parliament would have been repealed, had it not been for the Encouragement given Administration by this Place, that the Colonies would break their Union. No People can be more despised, nor more frightened than those here, who have been inimical to their Country, particularly the eleven Members of the House. Mr. Rivington has made a Recantation: President Cooper has decamped, and it was with much Difficulty the People were prevented from taking the Lives of those who they have considered as Traitors to their Country. All Government seems to be laid aside; the City is now to be regulated by a Committee of Safety, consisting of one Hundred worthy Men.---Tho' there was a Number of large Vessels, loaded with Wheat and Flour, and clear'd out, and many partly loaded.---It was nobly done---Immediately stopt every vessel.---The New-England-Men are held in the highest Esteem for their Bravery, and People here are determined to supply Provisions, & march to their Assistance when call'd for. The Die is thrown, and every Man of us (whether we are hearty in the Cause or not) must abide by the Cast.---And as we are all consider'd as Rebels (not by the Nation) but by a Ministry; let us one and all (which they are determined on this Way) stand forth
boldly; which will most certainly (under God) insure us Success, and that soon.
I am, Gentlemen, &c.
From the Public Ledger, of February 24. GROUNDS of a RECONCILIATION with AMERICA.
I. LEGISLATION, founded on REPRESENTATION, is evidently the primary Object of Government in this free State; without which it will be impossible to enforce Laws, because they will want a LEGAL Support.
II. The CIVIL AUTHORITY, and Military Establishment, will follow next easily and naturally. THEY will necessarily establish that Subordination & good Order which is required by all Governments, for the tranquillity and Security of Society; and which is as necessary to the Body Politic, as the Soul or Breath is to the human Body.
III. TAXATION will then (not before) follow in its Turn, and become a legal, a regular, & a necessary Measure, to which every Individual will, on these constitutional Principles, cheerfully agree for the Security and Happiness of the Community at large.
Thus Legislation, Taxation, and every necessary Establishment of Government being fixed on natural Principles,
IV. Trade, Manufactures, & Commerce, will be promoted; the great Objects of Revenue will be advanced; the Dependency of America will be secured; and the supreme Authority of Great Britain preserved upon so judicious and solid a Basis that the Enemies to Government shall not be able to shake it.
From what I have observed, it manifestly appears, that all that the Ministry have to do in the present Dispute (which is misrepresented and misunderstood), is to make the British Colonies dependent on the Parent State, legislatively: When that Foundation is laid, little Difficulty will occur to raise a Superstructure. And until then to attempt to enforce Laws, or reconcile the Matter, will be exactly like building an Edifice without laying the Foundation: When, therefore the Americans are made dependent on the Mother Country Legislatively, upon natural and permanent Principles, every Thing else will follow of Course, and flow as rapidly as the Tide, as the natural Consequences or Effects of one great and good Cause. How that can easily be brought about compatible with the Ideas entertained by the Inhabitants on both Sides the Atlantic, I shall presume to point out in another Letter. In the mean Time I beg Leave to observe, that however necessary the Circumstances of the Times may have made the late American Measures, and how good soever the Tendency may be, yet there is evidently a Something wanting to make them have the most happy Effect.
We have planted Colonies, and made them great & flourishing without securing our own Interest or Share in the Advantages by a mode of Legislation suited to that Purpose; we now see our Error, and endeavour to secure their Dependency and our Interest by shackling the Americans. They complain of the unsuitableness of our Conduct, and declare they will break the Chains which their parent State has forged for them.---"We gratefully acknowledge, say the Colonies, that we owe our Birth & Existence to Great-Britain; we also acknowledge her Supremacy; we owe her Duty and Affection, and these Principles shall ever be dear and binding to us; however, as we are the natural, so we will be the free Subjects of the British Dominions, and not the abject Slaves of any State, liable to be punished with Restraints and Burthens, as often as we are misrepresented by artful & designing Villains, for the Gratification of their own Purposes."
Let us then follow the Poet's Advice; let us hear Truth and Reason; let Justice hold the Scale; let the Fetters which the Enemies to Peace and to both Countries have forged for America be destroyed, & leave a trading People as free as the Air, to promote their own Interest and the Wealth of the Mother Country. Under such a Mode of Legislation and Representation every political Advantage may be derived from the Colonies.
SEMPRONIUS.
CAMBRIDGE, in the Province of Massachusetts, May 12. The General Assembly of Connecticut have resolved "That an Embargo be laid upon the Exportation out of that Colony, by Water, of Wheat, Rye, Indian Corn, Peas, live Cattle, Peas, Beans, Bread, Flour, and every Kind of Meal; to continue to the 20th Day of May Instant. Governor Trumbull has issued a Proclamation, notifying the same, and requiring a Compliance therewith."
At the General Election of the Governor and Company of the Colony of Rhode-Island, held at Providence, last Wednesday Evening, the Hon. Joseph Wanton, Esq; was chosen Governor; the Hon. Nicholas Cooke Esq; Deputy Governor; Henry Ward, Esq; Secretary; Henry Marchant, Esq; Attorney-General; and Joseph Clarke, Esq; General Treasurer.

CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts Bay, May 12, 1775. The following is an exact Copy of a Letter which was intercepted at Roxbury last Week.
Dear Sons, Boston May 4th, 1775:
AFTER my affectionate Love to your Mother, Sisters &c: Inform you that on the 27th of April I left the Ship took Passage on Board a packet Sloop on the 28th Instant in Health arrived here, Where I expect to stay till the Rebels are Subdued, which I believe will not be long first as the Ships and troops are daily Expected, my Greatest fears are you will be Seduced or Compeld to take arms with these Deluded people. Dear Sons if those Wicked Siners the Rebels Intice you believe them not, but Die by the Sword Rather then be hanged, as Rebels, which will certainly be your fate Sooner or Later if you Joyn them or be Kild in Battel and will be no more than you Deserve. I wish you in Boston and all the friends to Government, the Rebels have proclaimed that those friends may have Liberty and Cum in, but as all these Declarations have hether too proved I fear false this may be so, Let Ruggles Know his Father wants him here, you may Cum by water from Newport; if here the King will Give you Provisions and pay you Wages, but by Expectance you Know your Persons nor Estates are not Safe in the Country for as Soon as you have Raised any thing they Rob you of it, as they are more Savage and cruell then Heathens or any other Creatures & it is General'y Tho't then Devils, you will put yourselves out of their power as Soon as possible—This is from your Affectionate Father
Thos Gilbert
To Thomas Percy Bradford Gilbert
P. S. Pagget, Green, and Jack are here, it will be well if these Lines Reach you as all my Letters are intercepted by these Rebels who want every one to be kept in Dark like them selves.
(Misery Loves Compy.)
Directed to Major Thomas Gilbert, in Berkley.
The following Extracts from several intercepted Letters of the Soldiers in Boston, may serve to show the Importance of the late Action, and the Pains taken by their Superiors to have it thought that the Provincials began the Fire, and behaved with savage Barbarity during the Action.
Boston April 28, 1775.
I AM well, all but a Wound I received through the Leg by a Ball from one of the Bostonians. At the Time I wrote you from Quebec, I had the strongest Assurance of going Home, but the laying the Tax on the New England Peop caused us to be ordered for Boston, where we remained in Peace with the Inhabitants till on the Night of the 18th of April, 21 Companies of Grenadiers and Light Infantry were ordered into the Country about 18 Miles; where, between 4 and 5 o'clock in the Morning, we met an incredible Number of People of the Country in Arms against us. Col. Smith of the 10th Regiment ordered us to rush on them with our Bayonets fixed; at which Time some of the Peasants fired on us, and our Men returning the Fire, the Engagement begun; they did not fight us like a regular Army, only like Savages, behind Trees and Stone Walls, and out of the Woods and Houses, where in the latter we killed Numbers of them as well as in the Woods and Fields. The Engagement began between 4 and 5 in the Morning, and lasted till 8 at Night. I can't be sure when you'll get another Letter from me, as this extensive Continent is all in Arms against us: These People are very numerous, & full as bad as the Indians for scalping and cutting the dead Men's Ears and Noses off, and those they get alive, that are wounded and can't get off the Ground.
April 28 1775.
The Grenadiers and Light Infantry marched for Concord, where were Powder and Ball, Arms, and Cannon mounted on Carriages; but before we could destroy them all, we were fired on by the Country People, who are not brought up in our military Way as ourselves, were surrounded always in the Woods; the Firing was very hot on both Sides; about 2 in the Afternoon the 2d Brigade came up, which was 4 Regiments and Part of the Artillery, which were of no Use to us, as the Enemy were in the Woods, and when we found they fired from Houses, we set them on Fire, and they ran to the Woods like Devils. We were obliged to retreat to Boston again, over Charles River, our Ammunition being all fired away. We had 150 wounded and killed, and some taken Prisoners; we were forced to leave some behind, who were wounded. We got back to Boston about 2 o'clock next Morning, and them that were able to walk were forced to mount Guard and lie in the Field. I never broke any Fast for 48 Hours, for we carried no Provisions, and thought to be back next Morning. I had my Hat shot off my Head 3 Times, 2 Balls through my Coat, and carried away my Bayonet by my Side, and near being killed. The People of Boston are in great Trouble, for G. Gage will not let the Town's People go out. Direct for me to Chatham's Division of Marines."
"Dear Parents, April 30, 1775.
Before this reaches you, you may hear that our Regiment has been engaged with the Provincials. The Grenadiers and Light Infantry marched about 9 at Night. At 6 next Morning 423 Soldiers and 47 Marines, in all 1500, marched to reinforce the Grenadiers and Light Infantry; joined about 1 o'clock, and found them not engaged, which they had been 8 Hours before; for we had two Pieces Cannon, which made us march very slow. As soon as we came up we fired the Cannon, which brought them from behind the Trees, for we did not fight as you did in Germany, for we could not see above ten in a Body, for they were behind Trees and Walls, and fired at us, and then faded on their Bellies. We had but 36 Rounds, which
obliged us to go Home that Night, and as we came along they got before us & fired at us out of the Houses and killed and wounded a great many of us, but we levelled their Houses as we came along. It was thought there were about 6000 at first, and at Night double that Number. The King's Troops lost in killed and wounded 150, and the Americans 500 Men, Women and Children, for there was a Number of Women and Children burnt in their Houses. Our Regiment has 5 killed, and 31 wounded, particularly Col. Bernard in the Thigh, which all the Regiment is sorry for. The Shot flew thick. I got a wounded Man's Gun, and killed two of them, as I am sure of. We have been busy in fortifying the Town ever since we engaged, and in a few Days we expect a good many more Troops from England, and then we shall surely burn the whole Country before us if they don't submit, which I don't imagine they will do, for they are an obstinate Set of People. Tell Bill if he will come to Boston he may have a Wife in every House he comes to, for the Women are left at Home while the Men goes to fight the Soldiers; they have formed an Army and keep Guard close to our Works, so that our Centries can talk together at Ease. Were engaged from 6 to 6. The whole Country is in Arms against us, and they are headed by two of the Generals that headed our Army last War; their Names are Black and Putnam. Have a great Deal of Shipping, but they are of little service, only to cover the Town, Cannon and Troops, except the small Schooners that goes up in Creeks and destroy them, which they have done many of them. There is no Market in Boston, the Inhabitants all starving, the Soldiers live on Salt Provisions, and the Officers are supplied by the Men of War Cutters, who goes up the Creeks and takes live Cattle & Sheep, wherever they find them. We vex the Americans very much, by cutting down their Liberty Poles and Alarm Bells. We have had a great many died in our Regiment last Winter, so that what with wounded Men and what has deserted, we have not 300 Men, and Duty is so hard, that we come off Guard in the Morning, and mount Pickets at Night."
"Honored Mother, April 25, 1775.
The Rebels, when we came to Concord, burnt their Stores, fired upon the King's Troops, & a smart Engagement ensued. About two o'clock our Brigade came up to them, where we engaged and continued fighting and retreating towards Boston. The Rebels were monstrous numerous, and surrounded us on every side, when they came up we gave them a smart Fire, but they never would engage us properly. We killed some hundreds and burnt some of their Houses. I received a Wound in my Head. The Troops are in Boston, and surrounded on the Land Side by the Rebels, who are very numerous, and fully determined to lose their Lives and Fortune, rather than be taxed by England. We had 34 killed and wounded. I suppose the King's Troops in all about 160. In case they should take Boston, the Troops will retire on board the Men of War, and then the Men of War will burn the Town, and remain till more Troops come from England, and then conquer them, so their Estates & Lives will be forfeited: There is only 4000 Soldiers, and about 50 or 60,000 of them."
"Loving Brothers and Sisters, May 2, 1775.
The 19th of April the Engagement happened, and my Husband was wounded and taken Prisoner, but they use him well, and I am striving to get to him, as he is very dangerous, but it is almost impossible to get out or in, or to get any Thing, for we are forced to live on Salt Provisions entirely, and they are building Batteries round the Town, and so are we, for we are expecting them to storm us. Are expecting more Troops every Day. My Husband is now lying in one of their Hospitals, at a Place called Cambridge, and there is now 40 or 50,000 of them gathered together, and we are not 4000 at most. It is very troublesome Times, for we are expecting the Town to be burnt down every Day, and I believe we are sold, and I hear my Husband's Leg is broke, and my Heart is almost broke."
HARTFORD. May 8.
Last Saturday the General Assembly of this Colony ended the Session. During the Session, an Act was passed for immediately raising and paying 6000 Men, for the Defence of the Colony, &c.
[Wakefield.]
Province of New Hampshire, Strafford, ss. THE Proprietors of Wakefield (formerly called East Town,) in said County, are hereby notified to meet at the Meeting House in said Wakefield on Tuesday the 13th Day of June next, at ten of the Clock forenoon. 1. To chuse a Moderator to regulate said Meeting. 2. To chuse a Proprietors Clerk, Treasurer, Assessors, Collectors and any other Proprietors Officers that may then be thought needful. 3d. To see if the Proprietors will vote a new Sale of the Lands in said Meeting House, provided the Purchasers are willing to give up their Purchases. 4. To see if the Proprietors will chuse a new Committee or add to the old Committee that were chosen to finish said Meeting House. 5. To chuse a Committee for laying out, making and repairing High Ways & any other Committee that may be thought needful. 6. To see what Money they will vote to raise for preaching this Season, and also to see what Money they will vote towards the Settlement of a Minister in said Wakefield. 7. To vote what Roads to lay out and clear this Season. 8. To see what Taxes they will vote to raise on each Right, for the defraying the Proprietors Charges. All concerned are desired to attend at Time and Place aforesaid, by Order of the Committee.
JOHN GAGE, Pro. Clerk.
Dover April 18th 1775.
PORTSMOUTH, Printed by I. FOWLE.
John Williams,
BEGS Leave to present his most respectful Compliments to the Publick, and to give Information, that he has opened a House of Entertainment in Greenland near the Meeting House, at the Sign of the SALUTATION, where he will do his utmost to wait on such Gentlemen & Ladies as will oblige him with their Favours and Custom, and as he has provided himself with the best of Liquors and every other Necessary for the Accommodation of Travellers and their Horses, and promises the best Attendance and Care of them, he humbly hopes to be indulg'd with a reasonable Share of their Favours.
N. B. Any Gentlemen Travellers inclining to have their Hair or Wigs dressed before they go to Town, may have it done by said WILLIAMS in the genteel and most fashionable Manner.
Greenland, May 9th, 1775.
Oliver Brewster,
RESPECTFULLY begs Leave to acquaint his Friends and the Publick, that he has taken the Shop, formerly occupied by Mr. WILLIAM APPLETON Bookfeller, in Queen-Street, directly opposite Mr. JACOB SHEAFE, jr. where he has for Sale, a great Variety of Summer Goods, at the lowest reduced Prices for Cash only.
West-India and English Goods, Sold by Henry Sherburne.
Likewise,
Parkhurst's Greek and English Lexicon to the New Testament; to which is prefixed, a plain and easy English Grammar 4to, printed in 1769.
Ladies Travels through Spain; Arabian Nights; Dictionary of Arts and Sciences, &c. &c.
Swift's Works, 22 Volumes, to be sold or let.
Stolen from the Subscriber, about 5 Yards of superfine Linnen. Whoever returns it, or discovers the Thief, shall receive two Dollars Reward. Henry Sherburne.
Man and Knight,
PERUKE MAKERS and HAIR DRESSERS, having agreed to dissolve the Partnership which was between them, hereby desire all Persons with whom they have Accounts open to close them as soon as possible. The Business is still carried on in the same Shop, on the Parade and constant Attendance given by PETER MAN.
Portsmouth May 10, 1775.
§ Chichester, §
THE Proprietors of the Township of Chichester, are hereby notified their March Meeting stands adjourned to the first Wednesday in June next. And Likewise the Vendue for the Sale of Lands for the Payment of Taxes, stands adjourned to the same Day, and as there is Business of importance, it's expected the Proprietors will attend.
Samuel Jenness Pro. Clerk.
[New-Durham.]
THE Proprietors of New Durham in the County of Strafford in the Province of New Hampshire are hereby notified that at a legal Meeting of said Proprietors held at New Durham the 6th Day of March last, voted a Tax of fifteen Shillings to be laid on each original Right in said Town, for the Purpose of paying Part of Mr. Porter's Salary, & helping the Inhabitants build the Minister's House, and the Subscriber was chosen Collector; these are therefore to notify said Proprietors to pay the above Tax of fifteen Shillings to me at my House in New Durham, by the 10th Day of June next, or their Lots will be advertised for Sale for Payment of the same, as the Law directs.
Jonathan Folsom, Collector.
New Durham April 6, 1775.
RANAWAY from me the Subscriber on Monday the 10th Instant, a Servant Boy named Ebenezer Tuttle, sixteen Years of Age, red Hair, bad on woin be went away Moose-Hide Breeches light coloured Coat and Waistcoat, wherever will take up and return Home said Runaway shall have one Shilling Reward by me Ebenezer Hille:
N. B. All Persons are hereby cautioned against trusting said Boy on my Account.
Kingstown April 29, 1775.
NOTICE is hereby given that six Months from the 28th Day of February last, is allowed the Commissioners to receive and examine the Claim against the Estate of Peter Abbot late of Kingstown deceased, represented insolvent, and that the Commissioners will attend that Service the last Monday of April Current, and the three following Months at the Deceased's Dwelling House in Kingstown, from two to seven of the Clock each Day, and those that don't bring in their Claims on or before the last Monday of August next, will be excluded.
Kingstown April 18th 1775.