The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-13

l H..
| them Perhaps the Polly's captain was at
| Charlest0wn, and saw the bleeding haggard and
| ships Perhaps ne was IN Boston the next day
and saw the wounded and stark corpses OF the
/ slain taken out OF the boats IL was great news
10 hear and great news TO tell; let us believe he
- WHAT CAPTAIN JONES DID,
! 10 has been too much taken for granted by our
local historians that Captain Jones sided with the
tories IN the struggle for independence II he ala
IL is difficult TO understand why Judge Jones, his
! nephew, who tered Into all mis- counsels was
such jealous patriot and republican. He proba-
bly, felt as merchants generally 90 when war i'm
| pends, that interrupts all their commerce ana
| threatens destruction to all their fortunes The
difficulties with the nome government ne believed
and hoped would be settled. Besides ne was in
the enemy's power and had to make the best
family and household effects as wen as his ves-
sells, from Boston, and he could only do so by
military authorities were TO pay, there being then
no other market for II. Tnai ne stood well with
the promoters OF the Revolution s eylden5
Boston furnished INN with petition
q, ne people %, Of Maoeias desiring them
| seems to have proceeded with the prudence
characteristic OF hts calling; for before opening
acted from the people stipulation that they
on their part, would not modest him. He tried TO
BY which they were TO bind themselves to allow
MIN TO carry lumber to Boston and protect him
fused TO sign, and tnen, AZ his desire, town
meeting was called, which must have been some
u
obtained TO permit the vessels to load and sail,
and Jones began TO open his matches and retail
made discrimination, refusing credit to those
who had been prominent in obstructlng his
wishes, SO that ,s on the whole there was more ex
under such circumstances. But il. is prob
vote vote would 'N have bseD sarred out Ia
good faith hsd not the captain OF the
wrh inc inha6sants The Mac6ias people nad
received notice in some way through the proca-
nation the Provincial Congress that hostiiitles
had commenced by an invasion into the very
heart OF Massachusetts and BY the slaughter OF its
fellow citzens IN resisting the evident attempt OF
the British governments to deprive them OF the
liberty and right OF self-gevernment they had
joyed ever since their colonial charters
THE LIBERTY POLE.
They responded TO this invitation with zeal and
symbol OF their patriotism. Captain Moor, OF the
Margaretta, when he learned now the liberty
to be taken down, under the threat OF firing
upon the town. town meeting was held
pole should stand but even then Jones
induced Captain Moor TO withhold HOSTILE
he promised should held lat OF June, and
which should take final action IN the matter In
the town ' Would never yield the point looked
round to see what means they had for defence and
THE PATRIARCH OF THE SETTLEMENT
There was then living at East River sort OF
patriarch of the settlement, Benjamin Foster the
iatner OF numerous family and o man OF great
consideration through his long lie In both State
and Church Affairs. Tbe sixteen settlers OF 1853
had brought his brother, Wooden Foster with them
to be their blacksmitn-an artisan indispensable
In an isolated numbering community. he himself
enterprise, took up lot at East River aaa built
the nrst wmill there. AT the time OF the event
we are now celebrating he was about fifty years
OF age. and having been present as a soldier at
the capture OF Louisburg IN l745 aud having
served under General Abercrombie in the French
e
the man OF the largest military experience in the
whole settlement. As such ne was made heuten-
ant OF the nrst militia company, IN 1859, Judge
Jones being It's captain. Foster was the most
prominent man IN planning ana organizing tie
retta The sons OF Morris o'Brien-one OF them
Colonel jeremiah, tue eader-won the renown
OF the actual CAPTURE.
DIVIDED oouSsELs.
Their eounsels were divided. Foster WAS In
favor OF making prisoners or the officers and men
OF the cutter and taxing possession OF the now
pal thy laden sloops OF Captain Jones ana Of the
sMargareats' saSlT convoy fn more umid men must
sloops be loaded and depart, and II was only on
that condition tnat they hsd procured their sup
that they wouid expect 20 De kept from starvation
hereafter; B9s .as sSolness OF Foster aud the
caations OF prudence. Foster. weary Of the de-
pate, crossed brook near which they were
standing ana called out TO ali who favored
the capture Of the Margaretta ana the two sleeps
10 follow him, and ultimately every man stood
by his side. This was sunday, the iltn or June
Foster was a devout man, out no doubt he be-
heved himself 10 be engaged In the Lords bust
mss mss on that day. plan Of attack was mmedi-
at meeting mat morning. rude building,
twenty-five BY forty ieet, had been built on the
site OF your Town Han. lt had benches arranged
or each side OF . central aisle. IL was decided to
attempt to surround lhe church aud seize the ON
mained under Foster TO do this at the proper
Juncture and the rest dispersed, attending churcn
than usual 10 the services. Tney had brought
their guns and secretsd them OUTSIDE me bulld-
nnaer 'on1 ba1s s sna Sook ND his ms s1
on bench behind Captain Moor, ready
to seize him at the first alarm. Tue day was warm
and nne aHd the windows OF the little tabernacle
wide open. Now see the danger OF overlooking
the negro element In our late great war we SUI
not taking The negro into our counsels. Just SO
II happened 70 our fathers. | have no doubt
ocS were engaged in. FSere were rarike senui
ments IN the old familiar psalms he might have
select ed that morning without exciting the sns-
picion OF the English ofncers ia their gay uni
forms and decorous demeanor. But London Atus,
want OF Mr. Lyon, mad net been taken into the con-
ndencs OF the military leaders. In some perch OF
negro pew, win better outdoor view than Inside
audience, he got view o. armed men (FosteIis
bandl crossing foot bridge tHat connected two
ISLANDS on the fans and, giving an outcry, leaped
MS example, and by the time Fosters force had
reached the meeting house had reached their yes
sci aud Captain Jones had fed aud secreted Rim-
self IN the woods. Captain Moor weighed ancnOr
at once and proceeded down the river. Foster
ana Ofbrten then determined 10 seize Jones' slOOps
and pursue tue cutter One OF tnese-the Polly
could net have been In condition 70 De available
ON BOARD THE UNITY.
Perhaps she was already too heavily laden, bnt
the UBrlens took possession OF the Unity, aud aur-
ing the rest OF sunday mustered crew or volun.
tecrs numbering IN all ABOUT forty men and Fos-
ter went 10 the East River to ges schooner tnete
and volunteer crew 10 Join In the enterprise.
Early IN the next morning they proceeded down
tue river rom both villages. The East River
vessel got aground and hao no share in the battle.
on the party on board the Unity only half had
musKets and for these there we're only three
rounds OF ammunition. The rest armed tnem-
selves with pitchlorks ana narrow axes. so sud
den and impulsive had been the expedition that
up to this time IL had been an upOrganlzed mob.
But as, with favoring wind, they sailed down
the river they had leisure 10 complete their plaza.
Jeremiah O'Bricn, the Oldest Of the brothers,
was made captain and Edmund stevens Lieu ten-
ant and knowing they had no powder to waste In
long shots they determined TO bear down upon the
enemy, board her and decide the contest at once
upon her deck. We all know the beautiful aspect