Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-05-05
THE BOSTON BOYS AND GENERAL GAGE.

From the Ladies' Keepsake,J
The event represented in the engraving is ia
miar to every American reader Ii was wor-
thy too of being recorded by the artist as well
as by the historian. AS an indication Of the pop
uar feeling, it will be mentioned in connection
with our revolutionary annals to remotest time.
Some one has observed, that "the acts of the
boys of community have ever been, on the eve
of public commotions the true opponents of
the unexpressed feelings of men," The remark
Is perfectly just, for reasons that are obvious,
and its truth was proved in the instance seized
upon by the artist in the illustration before US.
The presence of the British sodery was be-
coming daily more and more distasteful to the
people of Boston, who had learned to look. upon
them as the agents for the enforcement OF the
unjust and oppressive enactments Of the British
parliament. Hence frequent quarrels occurred
between the citizens and the military, and in-
stances of wilful provocation on the part of the
latter became common. The Boston boys
were the subjects of one'of these gratuitous
provocations in the winter of l774.
The Boston lads-pupils of different schools
in the city-were staunch believers in the axi-
ON, Gall work and no play, makes Jack dull
boy;" and, showing their faith by their works,
entered with spirit into their outdoor amuse-
ments. In those days, winter had some charms.
The snow, if our sires speak truly, was neither
so sparing of its visits, nor so subject to "melt
ing moments" as in our day-and those heroes
of small growth made it pay large tribute to
their amusement. They built hills of snow up
on the "Common," for the purpose of sliding
down them into the pond. They had, too, their
snow encampments, fortresses and entrench-
ments. Sieges and battles were carried on and
20 clys hut
courage. OF course, the Americans were al
ways victorious indeed, there was no small diff
ficulty in keeping supplied the ranks of the sham
Britishers."
These sham fights cast no little ridicule upon
those red coated gentlemen who were for fight
ing trained, and whose dubious call was the
profession of arms" The privates and non
commissioned officers were especially annoyed
by these demonstrations from an inferior force,
and took their revenge by wantonly demolishing
the snow hills and other amusements of the no.
bic lads. They, however, as often as on coming
out of school they found their work destroyed, |
repaired the damages, and, in spite of the " enc
my's" presence, resolved on having their own |
The mischief nevertheless was |
as often perpetrated, until at length a council |
of war" was held among some of the older and |
larger boys; and it was finally resolved, that |
deputation should wait upon General Gage,com-
of the British forces, and from |
him in person demanded satisfaction" This |
was a serious undertaking, and the largest boys |
were selected for the enterprise.
They entered the Office of the commander-in-
chief, and having passed the sentinel, DOTTED their
hats, and for a moment paused, the younger
putting the bigger lads forward to carry on the
The General was seated, conversing
with one of his aids, and an orderly sat at the
table copying the instructions of his superiors
Juvenile as was the deputation, the General,
with the courtesy of the true gentleman, rose
on their entrance, and in kind tone enqured
the oldest and tallest of the boys, probably with
some asperity of tone and some flashing of the
eye, amounting almost to defiance, since the
General Immediately answered.
"And so, young gentlemen, your fathers have
been teaching you rebellion, have they land
this is the fruit of their teaching, | suppose?
They have sent you here"
No one has sent u.s." replied the youth, his
eye flashing with fire. awe know how to
speak for ourselves. We demand our rights,
md our freedom from the annoyance we have ]
complained Of"
"And you shall have it, my brave lads" repi- !
ID the General, adding aside to his ad-de-camp,
their fathers will demand their rights next, and {
assert their independence"
The General was right in his conjecture, and
he fathers" achieved their freedom, thanks to
! favoring Providence and valiant hearts.
MARSHAL NEY's DEATH ScENE-The VEN
,eance of the allied powers demanded some