American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1827-09-18
Volume vi,

that from 1868, number of politicians met at cacis
others houses, to discuss public affairs, and settle
upon the best methods of serving the town and cnun
]try. MANY Of them filled public Offices, hut thc
meetings were private and had silent influence
on the public body In l772, they increased their
number to more than sixty, by the addition Of some
substantial mechanics. Their regulations we're
drawn up by DR.. Warren and another gentlena.s,
and they never did any thing Important Aithout.
consu.ting him and his particular friends By this
! body of men the most important matters were de-
cided They agreed who should be n town Offices
in the general court, in the provincial congress frons
Boston Here the committees of public safety were,
formed, the plan for military companies, and as
necessary means Of defence. they were guides
| b. tie prudence and shiltul management Of Dr.
Warren, who, with all his zeal and rritabity, was
man well calculated to carry on an, secret busi~
| ness and no man ever did manifest mUre vigilance
lcircumspecton and care.
| He twice delivered the annual Grafton commernc-
rative Of the massacre Of the 5th of March. l11Os
! viz in l.72 and 1775. About month before the
last, some Of general Cages officers declared iaey
would assassinate any who should dare to
speak CT the massacre on that day.-,s soon as
these threats reached the ears nf Or. Warren, lie
expressed desire to be again appointed, With
some diifidence however, Of deserving the honor q
second time. But as there not many equally
willing to brave the Indignation Of the military hls
desire was gratiiied. and he rc-chosen. The
lday was iine one, and the OH sou;l AlcetRg~
house was 50 crowded that the orator was obliged
to make his entrance by ladder at the pulpit vim
dow, He found the pulpit already occupied by
the British officers. Never theless, without any
sign Of trepdatlon, he delivered from the midst Of
them as warm nvectlye against British tsranny
land cruelty as any ever pronounced on the occa-
sion. To form an idea Of its effect, we must COM
slider the circumstances under which it was deliver
ed. In l7rO, two regiments had been arbitrarily
stationed in Boston, to support the authority OF
government. Their presence caused disgust that
igave rise to those disturbances which terminated
III the slaughter of several of the citizens The
domination excited by this event had obliged the
commanders at that time to withdraw the troops
But to keep alive the feelings of the occasion ANS
|cherish the hatred to military interference, this
annual celebration was instituted and the inhabi~
tants had till now regularly assembled to near the
stoty o hcir wrongs, and to conseerate the day by
resolutions Of renewed and more determines
spirit Of freedom. The troops had now returned
lin greater orce, Tor the express purpose q ovcaw~
ing the rebellious town; and the people we're daily
lirritated by the insulting display of their powere
BY the contentious constantly taking place, and by
the yexatiuus restraints necessarily arising ifoln
the presence Of a hostile soldiery. The leaders Of
that sollery, in the insolence Of power, had de-
cared that the usual celebration should not take
place But the people, upon whom threats haa
never had any other effect than so excite to more
vigorous opposition. had now assembled with the
determination not to resign Their privileges Withoue
a struggle. We may imagine the feelings with
which they saw the sanctuary of tleir religion and
liberty violated and the excitement vita which
they listened as their orator recalled to their me-
mores the bloody scene in State street, while they
saw before them the actors III that scene, threaten
ing repetition. The British officers warned by
the animation which they saw IN the ASSEMBLY,
prudently absained from putting their tsreats INTO
. ~. Al "a
fifth Of March would probably have been disn-
uuished for deeper tragedy than the first.
DR.. Warren uniformly maintained the opinion
that Americans were able to obtain and defend Their
rights lie did not h0wever think il was to De
: done by petitions and reinonstraltces lie nd not
believe that the British ministry were to De pre-.
vailed upon TO alter their measures D. prayers ahd
entreatles or that dearly chez sshed scHeme ot
revenue would be given up from mere conviction
of the Justice of the case lie believed that we
!. must 30 through an arduous struggle and that much
Ibleod must be shed before it wa, ended. but ne
had high opinion of the bravery OF his conn'ry-
men, anu never doubted that 1t would carry them
, successfully through the contest. He sometimes
EXPRESSED a belief that in that contest ms own
!. hlnol would be poured out; and seemed Wiling.
that such shouG be the event. it il would bchehc
F., his country. :,
In the year IVA, he succeeded Hancock. as
nresdent Of the provincial congress. On the eten-
IN. of the 18th Of April, l775, he discovered the
!, design Of General Gage to seize upon the al".es
at Concord. He immediately despatched NUN
Der Of expresses BY different routes 70 ton
some III then. were taken BY English officers. post
ei on tie roads, for tile purpose but othets eseaS
: mol mud reached Lexington IN time to .isc ihe
alarm. and prepare tie militia fur the arrangements
g .h;ch took mace the next day. He himself ha,en-
oil ~ inc scene Of astiun, and was engaged ~ the
hottest nart Of it. In the course OF it, ba'I graz
"a his hsir and took oft lock Close % his ear.
L., MINI Dr..