Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1829-02-12

4
rested upon him. The nsmorv ~ :.
OF them, characterized BY ths mos,
msgnanimeus and generous sentiment,
"pressrvsd by DR. Ramsay. in bis ale
CANT History ot the American Rsvolu.
ton"
Whsnin I774,the British Parliament
oy an act usually called the Bssfsa Pert
pau, shut up the capital of Massachu
setis from thssea, thereby prostra,ing
It's active and extensive aommerce. the
seal OF toe provincial govsrnme.t va,
removed from Boston TO Salem. sym.
path'zing with the sufferers of R..,on.
the Inhabitants of Salem, in full town
meeting, voted al address to the nav
governor. General Gage, the great oh
jset Of which was 50 far as an exnys,
sion OF their sentiments would go. 10
procure relief for their brethren in 10,
ton That address eas writisn Sy Cal
Pickering. It's conclusion DIR RAMSAY
justly thought wsrth iranscrihipg on the
page OF history. II here follow, with
his Introductory observation
The inhabitants OF Salem, in an ad
dress to Governor Gage, concluded
with these remarkable words BY shut
ting up the port of Boston, some ina
glne that the course oil trade might be
turned hithsr, and to our benefit: But
nature, in the formation If our harbor.
forbid our becoming rivals in commsrce
with that convenient mart: and were il
otherwise. We must be dead TO every
idea ofJus,ics, LOST to all feelings of hui
manly, could we indulge one thou sbt
to seize on wealth, aud raise our for.
tunes on the ruins Of our suffering neigh.
bers."
Wolfe the seat Of government re-.
maiDed at Salem. Col. p received a
note from ths secretary Of the province,
Informing him that the governor wished
to see him AZ the secretary's house lie
went, and wac iDtf odueed to Gen Gage
Taking Col P. into another room. the
general entered into conversation on
the state Of things, the solemn league
and covenant. and the non importation
agreement. In the conclusion. the ge
neral said--"Weli, there are merchants
who, notwithstanding all ycur agree.
mants, will import British goads.' Col.
z. answered --''Thsy may import them
but the people will use their liberty to
buy them ~ to let them alone,'
These incidents are mentioned as e.
yidences Of the confidence he had &C
CURED smeng bis fellow citizens. from
an early period of ourpoliticsi disputes
wifi Great Britain.
o. the is.h If April IT'S, was tina
battle Of Lexington. About n,ne o'clock
10 the 'poraing, Col Pickering being in
his Office the registry OF deeds for the
county OF Essex captain Of militia
from the adjacent town Of Danyers,
came in aud informed him that q man
bad ridden into that tewa. and reported
thatshe British troops had marc bed from
Boston to Lexington, and attacked the
militia. This officer, whose company
belonged TO Col P's regiment, asked
for orders, aud received q verbal an !.
swer, that the Dspvers companies should
march without waiting fog those OF sa-
len.
immediately Col Pickering went 10
the centre Of the town. and a,et few Of
the priacipal inhabitants. A short con
suitaticn snsued. Those who knew the
distance of Lexington from Salem. and
It's relative situation to Boston, observed,
that the British troops would certainly
have returned to Boston long before the
Salem militia could reach the scene of
the repaired action; and that to march
would therefore be useless II was
nevertheless concluded to assemble the
militia, and commence the march; and
for this sole reason, That il wsuld be
an evideAce 10 their brethren 10 the
country, Of their disposition 10 CO. oper-
ate in every measure which the common
safety required The idea, however, of
the fruiiiessness OF their march, was so
predominant, that they halted short
time. when about two miles from the
tswn; expecting every moment inielli-
gence thatihe British troops had return
ed But receiving none. they resumed
theis march, and proceeded to Mediord,
which was about five miles from Boston
Here Col z 6rst received certain infor
nation that the British troops we're still
on their march. and on route which
rendered il possible to meet them. He
FASTENED the march of the militia on
the direct road to Charleston and Bos
ton; until on an elevated part Of the