New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-16


the town of Boston. TheProyincial Congress issued
circular letter TO tho towns urging them to enlist
men and TO forward them 10 headquarters at Cam
bridge Within day or two after the fight Boston
was beleaguered by o considerable though irregular
army Massachusetts alone voted to raise $4,000
men in 81 regiments. The quota of the other New
England colonies was fxedat 900. A regimcntof
artillery was organized, and the issue Of paper money
20 the amount Of 100000 authorized
Mr.. John Adams records that he took pains TO go
over the ground of the skymish and pursuit, talking
freely 10 doubt with the inhabitants His inference
was that the Rubicon was crossed. and from that
time forth no logic could avail other than that COM
ing from tho oannons mouth" Soon after he left
the State on his way to the Congress. From Hart
ford no wrote that she had now no doubts of the
Union" In New-Yorz he found :" tho militia all IN
arms" STILL with characteristic good sense, he
added that ho was anxious, because there was al
ways moro smoke than fire." But the instruments
of warfare now changed " from pens to swords
of that there could be no doubt Putnam who was
one hundred miles distant from tho scene of the hos
tilties rode all the way TO Cambridge, asccrtaned
the state of things and returned TO Connecticut to
raise o regiment. Burr OF whose better days it is
peasantest for the charitable to speak. thon law
student in Litchicld He wrote to his friend
Ogden, begging him to go with him ut once to the
army. There was some delay, but Burr joined in
July, 1775 q few days after Washington had taken
command.
Elkanah Watson, in his MomOirs gives glowing
account Of the enthusiasm with which the news from
Lexington and Concord was received in Providence
1t travelled fast for it on tho evening of tho
eventful day. "The whole population says Wat
son, was convulsed with the most vehement OK
element" Wanton tho Royal Governor, issued .
proclamation interdieting armed men from passing
tho colony lines; but ono Capt. Greene OF
Warwick" aftcrward heard OF az Major-Gcn.
Greene, cared about rs little possible for Wanton
or his proclamatons. lie advanced with his mon
some six miles into Massachusetts, when intelli-
genco came that his aid was not Immediately
wanted, and for the present he returned.
The rapidity with which the good nows Travelled
was remarkable. 1t was soon heard in Maine, in
New-IIampshire, in Canada As tho summons
hurried SOUTH" says Bancroft, Z" it ono day at
Now York in one moro at Philadalphia tho next 1T
| lighted u watch-ire at Baltimore; thence it walked
an answer at Annapolis. Crossing the Potomac near
| Mount Vernon, it was sent forward without halt
| TO Williamsburg" AtNewburn, Wilmington, Charles
| ton, among tho New-England settlements beyond
the Savannah from end to the other of Virginia.
among the first settlers of Kontucly the inspiring
Intelligence was forwarded with tbs speed of light
ming. Great Pennsylvania in city and in country,
was awakened and litto Delaware "was behind no
one in public spirit" The glorious capture of Tcon-
doroga soon followed; and the great war of American
Independence was at last fairly begun.
THE NEWS ABROAD
Abroad the feeling was hardly less British
officers of distinction refused to against Amer
lea and threw down thor commissions. The corpo-
ration of London addressed the King, begging him 10
consider the situation of the English people, "whO
had nothing 10 expect from America but gazettcs Of
blood and mutual lists of Their slaughtered fellow
citizens. The Constitutional Society sent GlO0 to
tho "widOws orphans and aged parents OF their be-
loved American felow-Subjecls' The condemnation
of the cOAduGt Of Gen. Cage was universal and bit
SER "Tho attempts at Concord Of Con. Gage arc
fatal" said Dartmouth aud even he gave up al
hope of Cancellation. hngiand girdel herself for the
unnatural combat or rather her King and Ministry
would learn nothing. yield nothing, forget nothing
while America, with an enthusiasm which hal in it
no fear of failure, and no Thought OF surrender,
awaited tho onset.
This is not the time to repeat the story of tho
strugge-omongh 20 rcfer to it's glorious conclusion.
Just eight years after tina affair of Lexington and
Concord, there was an excitement near the door OF
tho American Congress Tho 18th Of April had re-
turned and the representatives, Of the desp5cd poor
and yet au laCOus Colonies were aJOut to proclaim
the cessation of hOsiticS. the citzons gathered 10
listen the glad titings, aud aft0r thor oxtation
had been som wlIb allayol thanks w5ro offered to
Almighty God for the mercy of victory and tno boon
of liberty. In the camp at NewOurg the war-wOTn
veterans heard the Intelligence which restored them
to peaceful labOrs and tho pleasures of home; and
shortly after in Gon. GreenO's camp an army which
for several days had b,on wGhOut broad or rice,
found ia the tidings u compensation for all their suf
ferings. Tho Revolutionary War gorousy
concluded; and thoIyh diIli5ultos and dangers still
threatened tho Republic honcefjrth sIe to meet
them as u frco and independent State.