American watchman and Delaware advertiser., 1825-11-29
enry Wilson, No. 400, Market Street.
Volume W..

history OF the period, supposed them, perhaps,
mere traditions, and consequently apocryphal
while a third class English historians, either ex-
cluded them through ignorance, because to re.
Ipeat them would be TO publish and perpeluae the
disgrace of their own troops, government and ma
ton.
My present object will be 10 embody these dis.
tInct facts, and to lay them before my readers un-
aided by the charm of an eoquen, pen, and dest.
tnte OF all preensons to originality or skill in ac
complishing the assumed task
| The authority chiefly relied upon, and to whose
narrative reference is Intended whenever inverted
commas indicate quotation is that of the late pat
riotic Rev. JONAS CLARK. He was then minister
o Lexington, and witnessed, at few rods distance,
the scene which occurred by the meeting house.
On Ap' 10, 1776, he preached an able and elo-
quent discourse commemoiat ating the FIRST annversa-
ry ot the battle. This discourse, as its merits claim
ed, was published, and few copies are still in exs.
tence. To this was appended minute detail Of
the transacilons many of which the writer witness
sed and all well known TO him. For he was at his
house, but few rods from the meeting house.
when the alarm given, aud had sufficient opper-
tuny TO note the proceedings.
HISTORICAL SKETCH.
The people Of Lexington received on the morn
ing OF April l8, 1775, two messages, relative TO
the British troops. The first was re,bat, and of
course less regarded; the second in icriting, was
sent by express from the Committee of Sofety then
sitting in Cambridge. This written message was
directed to Hon. John Hancock, ESQ., who,
with the Hon Samuel Adams, was spending the
night at the house ofthe Rev. Jonas Clark 10 Lex
ngton. the message contained these warning
words" Fig hit or nine officers Of the kings tsotps
were seen Just before night, passing the road to-
wards Lexington, IN muSlpg, c0htpmptdtire pos
ture; and it was suspected they were out upon
some evil design" Whether this message con-
ained any other cautions or information, have nor
been able to ascertain.
AS the Hon. Samuel Adams had been long oh.
noxious to the British administration, and as the
Hon. John Hancock had beer more than once
personally ansuted by some officers of the troops
in Boston,, was feared that expedition was pre-
pairing to arrest and execute these leaders OF the
rebels" as our patriots were then branded.
"To prevent any thing OF this kind ten tmelre
men, armed themselves and guarded the Rev, Mr..
Clark's house through the night.
In the evening, the officers referred to in the
sage, passed through Lexington towards Concord.
AT ten O'Clock three men horseback were de-
spatched from Lexington, as corps Of observation,
10 follow them. In the borders OF Lincoln these
three men were made prisoners by the officers and
kept severahour examined and inbumanly abused.
This apparent discovery seemed to disconcert the
plans OF the officers, who then effected hasty re-
treat, aud left the prisoners in Lexington, on their
return. What the real object of these officers was,
has never been ascertained but the opinion was
then and still is that they were proceeding to Con-
cord, where Hancock and Adams we're supposed to
be attending the Provincial Congress, to and
convey them to Boston in the night. Their purpose,
however, would have been defeated even il they
had not been detected. For Hancock and Adams
had proyidentially retired to spend the night in
Lexington, with their fellow patriot and friend,
Rev MIR. Clark.
On the morning of April 10TH brwteen tie hours
of l2 and O'Clock. third message reached Lex
ington. 1t was by express from the Hon. Joseph
Warren, of Boston il stated that large body of
the Kings troops (supposed to be brigade
about IL or l5oo) were embarked in boats from
Boston, and gone over to land Leohemeres Point,
ESQ called j in Cambridge; and it was shrewdly
suspected, that they were ordered to seize and de-
stroy the stores, belonging to the colony, then de-
posted at Concord" II should be noted that The
colonial Government deposited these stores IN Con-
cord, because General Gage had seized the prov,n-
cial magazine of powder at Medord, and other
colony stores in several other places
This message spread alarm through the town.
and the militia were ordered to assemble forthwith
at the usual place of parade by The meeting house.
They did assemble Immediately, and ready TO
act as duty and prudence might require. Messen-
gers were sent to explore the route of the troops,
and, it possible, gain knowledge of their purpose.
Before four o'clock, messenger returned, ard
said that there was no appearance Of troops the
road either from Charestown or Camb idge; and the
common opinion was that the emepts mention
ed by the Hon Joseph Warren, were only feint
to alarm the people. Upon this intelligence, the
militia company was dismissed but ordered to re-
main within call OF drum. The object was to
await the return of the other messenger, who was
expected in an hour. But the troops were 100 wary
tor him, and reached the place where he was and
seized him. which the first intimaon he had
OF their approach. BY this accident the people of
Lexington had no notice of their approach till the
" brigade was actually in the town upon quick
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