University of Virginia Library

CHAPTER IV.

November 1.—Colonel Allen's misfortune happened by
reason of his not being joined by four hundred men, which,

undoubtedly, would have enabled him to have
withstood the party that attacked him, they being
only three hundred strong. Colonel Allen withstood them an
hour and a quarter, with only about forty men, exclusive of
seventy Canadians. When the party from Montreal was
marching down to give Colonel Allen battle, he retreated to an
advantageous spot of ground, where he made a stand, and soon
saw a party of men filing off to surround him, whereupon he
sent off about half his men, under the command of Captain
Youngs, to annoy them; but neither Youngs nor any of his
party ever fired a gun, for reasons best known to themselves,
and Allen was left with about thirty-five men, as most of the
Canadians left him on the first fire from the enemy. Allen
had but one man killed in the skirmish—seventeen of the enemy
were killed; among whom are Major Carden, who commanded
the party, and several principal Tory merchants of
Montreal. Several Canadians were taken prisoners with Colonel
Allen, whom the regular officers said they would put to
death; on which Allen stepped up, opened his breast, and said
the Canadians were not to blame; that he brought them there,
and if anybody must be murdered, let it be him. This got
him great credit with all the officers at Montreal, and Carleton
himself said it was a pity a man of Allen's spirit should be
engaged in so bad a cause, as he calls it. Colonel Allen is
prisoner on board the Gaspee brig, before Montreal. General
Schuyler has offered to give up any officer he has, in exchange
for him, but has not yet received an answer.[2]

Nearly all the people belonging to Cape Ann, in Massachusetts,
have evacuated the town, and have proceeded so far
in removing their effects, as to take away the

glass windows from the meeting-house and many
of the dwelling-houses. Lieutenant-colonel Mason, of the artillery,
has been down from Cambridge to give directions in fortifying
the harbor, where two batteries are already erected, and
other measures taken for giving the enemy a proper reception.

We hear that Mr. Samuel Hodgdon, within a month past,
had a child baptized in Boston, by the Rev. Dr. Mather, by
the name of Samuel Adams; and last Sabbath was baptized,
by the Rev. Mr. French, at Andover, a child of Nathanael
Appleton, Esq., by the name of George Washington.[4]

November 7.—The province of New Hampshire has asked
advice of the Congress relative to assuming government. The
Congress advised the Provincial Convention to

grant warrants for a free and full election of representatives
of the colony, who, if they think it necessary, are
to choose such a form of government as they, in their judgment,
shall think will best promote the happiness of the people,
and preserve peace and good order during the present
dispute with Great Britain. The same advice was given to
South Carolina, and in a few months we hope every colony
will be perfectly free.[6]

This day Lord Dunmore[7] issued the following proclamation,

from his retreat on board the war-ship William, now at anchor
off Norfolk, Virginia. It at once shows the
baseness of his heart, his malice and treachery
against the people who were once under his government, and
his officious violation of all law, justice, and humanity; not to
mention his arrogating to himself a power which neither he
can assume, nor any power upon earth invest him with.

"A Proclamation:—As I have ever entertained hopes that
an accommodation might have taken place between Great
Britain and this colony, without being compelled, by my duty,
to this most disagreeable, but now absolutely necessary step;
rendered so by a body of armed men, unlawfully assembled,
firing upon his Majesty's tenders; and the formation of an
army, and that army now on their way to attack his Majesty's
troops and destroy the well-disposed subjects of this country.
To defeat such treasonable purposes, and that all such traitors
and their abettors may be brought to justice, and that the
peace and good order of this colony may be again restored,
which the ordinary course of the civil law is unable to effect;
I have thought fit to issue this, my proclamation, hereby declaring,
that until the aforesaid good purposes can be obtained,
I do, in virtue of the power and authority to me given by his
Majesty, determine to execute martial law, and cause the same
to be executed throughout this colony; and to the end that
peace and good order may the sooner be restored, I do require
every person capable of bearing arms to resort to his Majesty's
Standard, or be looked upon as a traitor to his crown and
government, and thereby become liable to the penalty the law
inflicts upon such offences, such as forfeiture of life, confiscation
of lands, etc., etc. And I do hereby further declare all
indentured servants, negroes, or others, appertaining to rebels,
FREE, that are willing and able to bear arms; they joining his
Majesty's troops, as soon as may be, for the purpose of reducing

this colony to a proper sense of their duty to his Majesty's
crown and dignity. I do further order and require, all
his Majesty's liege subjects to retain their quit rents, or any other
taxes due, or that may become due, in their own custody, till
such time as peace be again restored to this at present most unhappy
country, or demanded of them, for their former salutary
purposes, by officers properly authorized to receive the same."[9]

It is necessary, for the welfare of two sorts of people, that
the appearance of this proclamation should be attended with
some comment. Such as have mixed much in so-

ciety, and have had opportunities of hearing the
subject of the present unnatural contest discussed, will be but
little startled at the appellation of rebel, because they will know
it is not merited. But others there may be, whose circumstances
may, in a great measure, have excluded them from the
knowledge of public matters, who may be sincerely attached
to the interest of their country, and who may yet be frightened
to act against it, from the dread of incurring a guilt which,
by all good men, is justly abhorred. To these, it may be
proper to address a few remarks upon this proclamation; and, as
a part of it respects the negroes, and seems to offer something
very flattering and desirable to them, it may be doing them,
as well as the country, a service, to give them a just view of
what they are to expect, should they be so weak and wicked
as to comply with what Lord Dunmore requires. Those, then,
who are afraid of being styled rebels, we would beg to consider,
that although Lord Dunmore, in this proclamation, insidiously
mentions his having till now entertained hopes of an
accommodation, yet the whole tenor of his conduct, for many
months past, has had the most direct and strongest tendency to
widen the unhappy breach, and render a reconciliation more
difficult. For what other purpose did he write his false and
inflammatory letters to the ministers of state? Why did he,
under cover of the night, take from us our powder, and render
useless the arms of our public magazine? Why did he secretly
and treacherously lay snares for the lives of our unwary
brethren; snares that had likely to have proved but too effectual?[11]
Why did he, under idle pretences, withdraw himself
from the seat of government, where alone he could, had he
been willing, have done essential service to our country?
Why, by his authority, have continual depredations been since
made upon such of our countrymen as are situated within the
reach of ships-of-war and tenders? Why have our towns been
attacked, and houses destroyed? Why have the persons of
many of our most respectable brethren been seized upon, torn
from all their connections, and confined on board of ships?
Was all this to bring about a reconciliation? Judge for yourselves,
whether the injuring of our persons and properties be
the readiest way to gain our affections. After insulting our
persons, he now presumes to insult our understandings also.
Do not believe his words, when his actions so directly contradict
them. If he wished for an accommodation; if he had a
desire to restore peace and order, as he professes, it was to be
upon terms that would have been disgraceful, and, in the end,
destructive of every thing dear and valuable.

Consider, again, the many attempts that have been made
to enslave us. Nature gave us equal privileges with the people
of Great Britain: we are equally, with them, entitled to
the disposal of our own property; and we have never resigned
to them those rights, which we derived from nature. But they
have endeavored, unjustly, to rob us of them. They have
made acts of parliament, in which we in no manner concurred,
which dispose of our property; acts which abridge us of liberties
we once enjoyed, and which impose burdens and restraints
upon us too heavy to be borne. Had we immediately taken

up arms to assert our rights, and to prevent the exercise of unlawful
power, though our cause would have been just, yet our
conduct would have been precipitate, and, so far, blamable.
We might then, with some shadow of justice, have been
charged with rebellion, or a disposition to rebel. But this was
not the way we behaved. We petitioned once and again, in
the most dutiful manner; we hoped the righteousness of
our cause would appear, that our complaints would be heard
and attended to; we wished to avoid the horrors of a civil
war, and so long proceeded in this fruitless track, that our not
adopting a more vigorous opposition seemed rather to proceed
from a spirit of meanness and fear than of peace and loyalty;
and all that we gained was, to be more grievously oppressed.
At length we resolved to withhold our commerce from Great
Britain, and, by thus affecting her interest, oblige her to redress
our grievances. But in this also we have been disappointed.
Our associations have been deemed unlawful combinations,
and opposition to government. We have been entirely
deprived of our trade to foreign countries, and even amongst
ourselves, and fleets and armies have been sent to reduce us to
a compliance with the unjust and arbitrary demands of the
British minister and corrupt parliament. Reduced to such
circumstances, to what could we have recourse but to arms?
Every other expedient having been tried and found ineffectual,
this alone was left, and this we have, at last, unwillingly
adopted. If it be rebellion to take up arms in such a cause as
this, rebellion, then, is not only justifiable, but an honorable
thing.

But let us not be deceived with empty sounds. They who
call us rebels cannot make us so. Rebellion is open, and
avows opposition to lawful authority; but it is usurped and
arbitrary power which we have determined to oppose. Societies
are formed and magistrates appointed, that men may the better
enjoy the blessings of life. Some of the rights which they
have derived from nature they part with, that they may the
more peaceably and safely possess the rest. To preserve the
rights they have reserved, is the duty of every member of society;
and to deprive a people of these is treason, is rebellion

against the state. If this doctrine, then, be right, which no
one, we believe, will venture to deny, we are dutiful members
of society; and the persons who endeavor to rob us of our
rights, they are the rebels,—rebels to their country and to the
rights of human nature. We are acting the part of loyal subjects,
of faithful members of the community, when we stand
forth in opposition to the arbitrary and oppressive acts of any
man, or set of men. Resort not, then, to the standard which
Lord Dunmore has set up; and, if any of you have been so
mistaken in your duty as to join him, fly from his camp as an
infected place, and speedily rejoin your virtuous, suffering
countrymen; for be you well assured, that the time will come
when these invaders of the rights of human kind will suffer
the punishment due to their crimes; and when the insulted
and oppressed Americans will, if they preserve their virtue,
triumph over all their enemies.

The second class of people, for whose sake a few remarks
upon this proclamation seem necessary, is the negroes. They

have been flattered with their freedom, if they be
able to bear arms, and will speedily join Lord Dunmore's
troops. To none, then, is freedom promised, but to such
as are able to do Lord Dunmore service. The aged, the infirm,
the women and children, are still to remain the property of
their masters; masters who will be provoked to severity, should
part of their slaves desert them. Lord Dunmore's declaration,
therefore, is a cruel declaration to the negroes. He does not
even pretend to make it out of any tenderness for them, but
solely on his own account; and, should it meet with success,
it leaves by far the greater number at the mercy of an enraged
and injured people. But should there be any among the negroes
weak enough to believe that Dunmore intends to do
them a kindness, and wicked enough to provoke the fury of
the Americans against their defenceless fathers and mothers,
their wives, their women and children, let them only consider
the difficulties of effecting their escape, and what they must
expect to suffer if they fall into the hands of the Americans.
Let them farther consider what must be their fate, should the
English prove conquerors in this dispute. If we can judge of
the future from the past, it will not be much mended. Long
have the Americans, moved by compassion, and actuated by
sound policy, endeavored to stop the progress of slavery. Our
assemblies have repeatedly passed acts laying heavy duties upon
imported negroes, by which they meant altogether to prevent
the horrid traffic; but their humane intentions have been as
often frustrated by the cruelty and covetousness of a set of
English merchants, who prevailed upon the king to repeal our
kind and merciful acts, little indeed to the credit of his humanity.
Can it then be supposed that the negroes will be better
used by the English, who have always encouraged and upheld
this slavery, than by their present masters, who pity their condition,
who wish, in general, to make it as easy and comfortable
as possible, and who would willingly, were it in their
power, or were they permitted, not only prevent any more negroes
from losing their freedom, but restore it to such as have
already unhappily lost it?

No; these ends of Lord Dunmore and his party being answered,
they will either give up the offending negroes to the
rigor of the laws they have broken, or sell them in the West
Indies, where every year they sell many thousands of their
miserable brethren, to perish either by the inclemency of the
weather, or the cruelty of barbarous masters. Be not then, ye
negroes, tempted by this proclamation to ruin yourselves.
We have given you a faithful view of what you are to expect;
and declare, before God, in doing it, we have considered your
welfare as well as that of the country. Whether you will profit
by the advice, we cannot tell; but this we know, that whether
we suffer or not, if you desert us, you most certainly will.[13]

November 9.—In South Carolina they have two thousand
men in actual pay, and five hundred horse on the frontiers.
Colonel Gadsden, commander-in-chief, and Colo-

nel Isaac Huger, second colonel, first regiment.
Second regiment, Colonel Moultrie, Isaac Mott, lieutenant-colonel,
late of the Royal Americans. Fort Johnson fortified, and
garrisoned with four hundred and fifty men. Mount Pleasant
fortified with four cannon, two hundred men stationed to prevent
the shipping taking water. No provisions allowed the
king's ships. Two schooners fitted out, mounting fourteen and
twelve guns, and full manned as cruisers. The three forts in
Charleston and the first bastion, fortified with cannon. An
intrenchment, about four miles from town, laid out; tools
made and men ready to begin the intrenchment when the express
came away. Women and children almost all moved out
of town, and barracks built for them in the country. They
have twenty tons of powder, and the quantity daily increasing.
Two thousand men in uniforms, blue faced with red. Light
horse, five hundred, blue faced with white, and well furnished.
The militia in the country in fine order; drill sergeants having
been sent among them many months past. The regulators in
the back country, who were under oath, have entered into a
treaty to remain neuter; Thomas Fletcher and Patrick Cunningham,
their chiefs, are now in Charleston. The people are
under no apprehensions from their negroes. The Honorable
William Henry Drayton, the worthy judge of the superior
court, has made a treaty with the Cherokees to assist the inhabitants
in case of necessity.[15]

November 10.—Yesterday a party of regulars from Boston,
amounting to four or five hundred men, embarked in a num-

ber of barges from Charlestown Point, about one
o'clock, P. M., when the tide was at a high flood,
and landed upon Lechmere's Point, under cover of a man-of-war
and a floating battery, where they seized a sentinel who
was drunk and asleep upon his post. The other sentinels fired
upon them, and then gave the alarm to the camp upon Prospect
Hill. Lechmere's Point is a piece of high land surrounded
by marsh, and when the tide is up is entirely an island.
This circumstance the regulars knew, and intended to take advantage
of it. Their purpose was to steal the sheep and cattle
that were feeding there. They effected a landing without opposition
(as indeed there were none at that time on the ground
to oppose them), and began to drive the cattle to their boats.
His excellency[17] ordered Colonel Thompson and his regiment
of Pennsylvania riflemen to turn out immediately, and they
obeyed with cheerfulness. Colonel Thompson and Colonel
Mifflin[18] headed them, and passed the morass up to their
breasts in water. When they were all over and formed under
cover of a hill, they marched forward. Colonel Thompson
gave the Indian yell, which was re-echoed back from the
whole regiment, who immediately rushed out from their ambuscade,
and poured in whole volleys upon the regulars, who
returned the fire in great confusion, and retreated with the
greatest precipitation on board their boats, firing at random
upon our men, who kept up a heavy fire upon them, notwithstanding
the constant blaze from the man-of-war, floating battery,
and boats, which latter mounted six patteraroes, or swivels,
each. The event of the skirmish is yet uncertain: doubtless
they must have lost a number of men, as our shot were
well planted. We fired a few shot at them from Prospect Hill,
and a field-piece, we had planted for the purpose, in the valley
below. Some of our men are badly wounded, but we hear of
none of them who were killed. When the enemy saw they
were likely to be prevented in accomplishing their purpose,
with a villanous malice, characteristic of the tools of despotism,
they stabbed the poor dumb cattle. During the engagement
twenty-two large ships hove in sight, with troops from
England and Ireland.[19]

This day three dead bodies have floated along shore, supposed
to be drowned by the sinking of a barge, which our
field-pieces stove. The enemy had cannon placed at the
water's edge, along Charlestown Point, which, together with
the large artillery from Bunker Hill, made an incessant roar,
with grape-shot, chain-shot, &c., but to no purpose. The riflemen
drove them like a herd of swine down a steep place,
where some of them were killed, drowned, or scared to death,

in sight of their brethren in iniquity, who covered the tops of
Fort Beacon and Bunker Hill to view the noble exploit of cow-stealing.
The general has since ordered all the stock to be
driven off the peninsula of Dorchester.

Captain Adams, of Beverly, Mass., in a privateer, has
taken two prize schooners, and a sloop, laden with fish and oil
from Halifax, for the besieged army in Boston; and has also
retaken a sloop, off Marblehead, with two officers, six seamen,
and two marines, prisoners, who were put on board to pilot her
into Boston.

Captain Coit, in a privateer from Plymouth in Massachusetts,
has taken two prizes laden with fish, flour, hogs, sheep,

cattle, potatoes, cheese, and all kinds of poultry,
from Halifax, for the use of the hungry crew in
Boston. The vessels were brought safe into Plymouth, where
Captain Coit (a humorous genius) made the prisoners land
upon the same rock our ancestors first trod when they landed
in America, where they gave three cheers, and wished success
to American arms.[21]

November 13.—A gentleman who lately came out of Boston
assures, that the rebels in Boston, by order of their gene-

ral, Howe, have taken down the pulpit, and all
the pews in the Old South meeting-house, and are
using it for a riding school. This he saw. Thus we see the
house once set apart for true worship and service of God,
turned into a den for thieves![24]

November 17.—A letter from England by the last packet,
says:—The prevailing toast in every company of true Englishmen,
is, "Victory to America! and re-establishment to the
British Constitution."

Can any one read with a grave face the high sounding
additions newly granted to General Gage, (vide the public
prints.) To appoint a man governor over a country as large
as China, whilst he remains "in durance vile," in a little nook,
scarce a mile and a half in diameter, and cannot obtain a pig
from Hog Island, nor a truss of hay from Noddle Island,
though both within three miles of him, puts him much in the
condition of a Moorfield's monarch, who, with a crown and
sceptre, pretends to give laws to mighty nations.—The renowned
governor of Barataria was forbidden by his physicians
to taste any delicate food. The viceroy in North America is
compelled to a similar diet. In vain he wishes for venison,
poultry, and even fresh meat; salt beef and rusty bacon are
pronounced to be fittest for him, by those who are empowered
to prescribe; he must take them or fast. Decide, ye casuists,
if ye can, which is the greatest object of pity, the faithful
squire of the English Don, or the trusty arms bearer of English
Quixotry.[26]

Colonel Henry [27] received an express yesterday morning, at
Williamsburg, Virginia, with the following intelligence, viz.:

that Lord Dunmore having received advice that
about two hundred of the militia[29] were on their
march to join the troops destined for the protection of the
lower parts of the country, marched from Norfolk last Tuesday,
about one o'clock in the afternoon, with about three hundred
and fifty men, consisting of regular soldiers, sailors, runaway
negroes, and Tories, to intercept them; who, not having
the last intelligence of his lordship's approach, were obliged
to engage under every disadvantage, both as to the enemy's
superiority in point of numbers, and the situation of the
ground, being hemmed in by a fence. Our people fought a
considerable time, and it is thought did great execution; but
were at last overpowered, and forced to retreat, with the loss
of Mr. John Ackiss, in the minute service, killed on the spot;
and Colonel Joseph Hutchings, and one Mr. Williams wounded,
who were taken prisoners with seven others. The public,
no doubt, will be exceedingly incensed, on finding that Lord
Dunmore has taken into his service the very scum of the country,
to assist him in his diabolical schemes, against the good
people of this government, all well attached to his Majesty,
but mortal enemies to his infamous ministry and their subordinate
tools; but it is to be hoped his sphere of mischief will
soon be circumscribed within narrow bounds, as Colonel Woodford,
with about eight hundred as brave troops as the world
can produce, are now on their march to Norfolk; and, should
his lordship incline to give them battle, we have not the
smallest doubt they will give a very satisfactory account of him.[30]

November 21.—This morning the following address to
the worthy officers and soldiers in the American army, was
distributed in the camp at Cambridge, Roxbury, and elsewhere:[31]

Honor will Crown every Defender of Liberty.

Your exertions in the cause of freedom, guided by wisdom
and animated by zeal and courage, have gained you the love
and confidence of your grateful countrymen; and

they look to you, who are EXPERIENCED VETERANS,
and trust that you will still be the Guardians of America.
As I have the honor to be an American, and one among the
Free Millions, who are defended by your valor, I would pay
the tribute of thanks, and express my gratitude, while I solicit
you to continue in your present honorable and important station.
I doubt not America will always find enough of her
sons ready to flock to her standard, and support her freedom;
but experience proves that experienced soldiers are more capable
of performing the duties of the camp, and better qualified
to face the enemy, than others; and therefore every friend of
America will be desirous that most of the gentlemen who
compose the present army may continue in the service of their
country until "Liberty, Peace, and Safety" are established.
Although your private concerns may call for your assistance
at home, yet the voice of your country is still louder, and it is
painful to heroic minds to quit the field when Liberty calls,
and the voice of injured millions cries "To arms! to arms!"
Never was a cause more important or glorious than that
which you are engaged in; not only your wives, your children,
and distant posterity, but humanity at large, the world of
mankind, are interested in it; for if tyranny should prevail in
this great country, we may expect Liberty will expire throughout
the world. Therefore, more human glory and happiness
may depend upon your exertions than ever yet depended
upon any of the sons of men. He that is a soldier in defence
of such a cause, needs no title; his post is a post of honor,
and although not an emperor, yet he shall wear a crown—of
glory—and blessed will be his memory!

The savage and brutal barbarity of our enemies in burning
Falmouth,[33] is a full demonstration that there is not the least

remains of virtue, wisdom, or humanity, in the
British court; and that they are fully determined
with fire and sword, to butcher and destroy, beggar and enslave
the whole American people. Therefore we expect soon
to break off all kind of connection with Britain, and form into
a Grand Republic of the American United Colonies, which
will, by the blessing of heaven, soon work out our salvation,
and perpetuate the liberties, increase the wealth, the power and
the glory of this Western world.

Notwithstanding the many difficulties we have to encounter,
and the rage of our merciless enemies, we have a
glorious prospect before us, big with every thing good and
great. The further we enter into the field of independence,
our prospects will expand and brighten, and a complete Republic
will soon complete our happiness. "Blindness seems
to have happened to Britain, that the fulness of America
might come in;" and we have every encouragement to "stand

fast in the liberties wherewith heaven hath made us free."
Persevere, ye guardians of Liberty! May success be your
constant attendant, until the enemies of freedom are no more,
and all future generations, as they successively tread the stage
of time, and taste the JOYS OF LIBERTY, will rise up and call
YOU blessed.[35]

We hear the Earl of Dunmore has composed a most elaborate
and profound treatise on the Art of Government, with
which his lordship intends soon to favor the pub-

lic; and that is the true reason of the printing
press in Virginia being carried on shipboard. In twenty-two
years will be published, dedicated (without permission) to his
Excellency Governor Martin, in fifty volumes, folio, a narcotic
work, entitled "The Yawnings of Tautology," or "The
Gapings of Prolixity," with this motto "Brevis esse laboro.
Hor.," with a soporific but friendly admonition to "Messrs.
Caswell, Ashe, Howes, alias Howe," &c., by the Lady Dowager
Threadbare Spintext, of Drowsy Hall, in the county of
Laudanum.[37]

November 29.—On the twentieth of this month, sixteen
respectable inhabitants of New Haven, Connecticut, in company
with Captain Sears, set out from that place

to East and West Chester, in the province of
New York, to disarm the principal Tories there, and secure the
persons of Parson Seabury,[39] Judge Fowler, and Lord Underhill.[40] On their way thither they were joined by Captains
Richards, Sillick, and Mead, with about eighty men. At
Mamaroneck they burnt a small sloop, which was purchased by
government, for the purpose of carrying provisions on board
the "Asia." At East Chester they seized Judge Fowler, then
repaired to West Chester and secured Seabury and Underhill.
Having possessed themselves of these three caitiffs, they
sent them to Connecticut under a strong guard. The main
body, consisting of seventy-five, then proceeded to New York,
where they entered at noonday on horseback, bayonets fixed,
in the greatest regularity, went down the main street, and
drew up in close order before the printing office of the infamous
James Rivington. A small detachment entered it, and
in about three-quarters of an hour brought off the principal
part of his types, for which they offered to give an order on
Lord Dunmore.[41] They then faced and wheeled to the left,
and marched out of town to the tune of Yankee Doodle. A
vast concourse of people assembled at the Coffee House, on
their leaving the ground, and gave them three very hearty
cheers.

On their way home they disarmed all the Tories that
lay on their route, and yesterday arrived at New Haven, escorted
by a great number of gentlemen from the westward,
the whole making a very grand procession. Upon their entrance
into town they were saluted with the discharge of two
cannon, and received by the inhabitants with every mark of
approbation and respect. The company divided into two
parts, and concluded the day in festivity and innocent mirth.
Captain Sears returned in company with the other gentlemen,
and proposes to spend the winter at New Haven, unless public
business should require his presence at New York. Seabury,
Underhill, and Fowler, three of the dastardly protesters
against the proceedings of the Continental Congress, and who
it is believed had concerted a plan for kidnapping Captain
Sears, and conveying him on board the Asia man-of-war,

are (with the types and arms) safely lodged in New Haven,
where it is expected Lord Underhill will have leisure to form
the scheme of a lucrative lottery, the tickets of which cannot
be counterfeited; and Parson Seabury sufficient time to compose
sermons for the next Continental fast.[42]

December 1.—A writer in England says:—The blood of
the unfortunate Stuarts, some of which crept into Brunswick
veins, and fouled the purer sources of that illus-

trious family, received a grand addition to its own
original stain, from an intermarriage with the House of Tudor.
Tyranny could never be more completely inoculated. A political
contagion ensued, which neither the petition nor the bill
of rights have been effectual to purge. Horrid tumors of uncontrollable
authority, have for ages swelled the mind political
of some of our sovereigns. Tumors, these, incurable by the
English physic of Magna Charta. The King's Evil is justly
esteemed a dreadful disease, but the people's evil is a disorder
of much higher importance. Brutus and Hampden were the
only state chirurgeons who, in former times, attempted a cure.
Hancock and Adams are the persons from whom, in our times,
the Americans expect relief. Neither alteratives nor palliatives
will avail. It is from surgery, not physic, we must call
for aid. The lancet, not the phial, can relieve us.[44]

General Gage, on his arrival in England, is to be created
Lord Lexington Baron of Bunker's Hill. This honor will

prove but a poor counterbalance for the disgrace
which is sure to be thrown on him by the people,
as well as for the hardships he has endured in the town of
Boston, when being cooped up to fatten on salt provisions and
peas, he has had the mortification to reflect that his troops
never once sallied out on a successful expedition. It is to be
hoped that General Burgoyne will have better luck, for should
he be either shot, or chance to die of the scurvy, how can the
ministry expect forgiveness of the literary world, which was so
highly entertained last year by that truly classical performance
—The Maid of the Oaks. [46]

December 6.—At Quibbletown, New Jersey, Thomas Randolph,
cooper, who had publicly proved himself an enemy to

his country, by reviling and using his utmost
endeavors to oppose the proceedings of the continental
and provincial conventions, in defence of their rights
and liberties; and being judged a person not of consequence
enough for a severer punishment, was ordered to be stripped
naked, well coated with tar and feathers, and carried in a
wagon publicly around the town—which punishment was accordingly
inflicted. As soon as he became duly sensible of
his offence, for which he earnestly begged pardon, and promised
to atone, as far as he was able, by a contrary behavior for
the future, he was released and suffered to return to his house,
in less than half an hour. The whole was conducted with
that regularity and decorum that ought to be observed in all
public punishments.[54]

Some time ago some boys in the Queen's County, Long Island,
having caught several cats, went to the plain, with their

dogs, to have the pleasure of hunting them. A
cat being let out of the bag was pursued by the
dogs; and the lads, who were on horseback, followed in full
chase. The cat led them towards Hempstead, and just at
that instant they were seen by an assembly man, whose imagination
converted them into Yankees. He set off immediately
post haste to alarm the people, who had for some time
dreaded a visit from their friends in New England, and a great
part of the country were thrown into the utmost consternation.
Some betook themselves to flight for safety; others
thought to shelter in recluse and solitary places, and waiting
trembling in retirement, until they found their property remained
unhurt, when they returned home, and were informed
that all the confusion was occasioned by a few boys hunting
some cats. A justice of the peace was absent from home
three days on this occasion.[56]

December 9.—This morning, after reveille beating, two or
three great guns and some muskets were discharged from the
enemy's fort near Great Bridge,[57] which, as it was

not an unusual thing, was little regarded by Colonel
Woodford.[59] However, soon after he heard a call to the
soldiers to stand to their arms; upon which, with all expedition,
he made the proper disposition to receive the enemy. In
the mean time the enemy had crossed the bridge, fired the remaining
houses on the island, and some large piles of shingles,
and attacked our guard in the breastwork. Our men returned
the fire, and threw them into some confusion, but they were
instantly rallied by Captain Fordyce, and advanced along the
causeway with great resolution, keeping up a constant and
heavy fire as they approached. Two field-pieces, which had
been brought across the bridge and planted on the edge of
the island, facing the left of our breastwork, played briskly at
the same time upon us. Lieut. Travis, who commanded in the
breastwork, ordered his men to reserve their fire till the enemy
came within the distance of fifty yards, and then they
gave it to them with terrible execution. The brave Fordyce
exerted himself to keep up their spirits, reminded them of
their ancient glory, and, waving his hat over his head, encouragingly
told them the day was their own. Thus pressing
forward he fell within fifteen steps of the breastwork.[60] His
wounds were many, and his death would have been that of a
hero, had he met it in a better cause. The progress of the
enemy was now at an end; they retreated over the causeway
with precipitation, and were dreadfully galled in the rear.
Hitherto on our side only the guard, consisting of twenty-five,
and some others, upon the whole not amounting to more than
ninety, had been engaged. Only the regulars of the 14th
regiment, in number one hundred and twenty, had advanced
upon the causeway, and about two hundred and thirty Tories
and negroes had, after crossing the bridge, continued upon the
island. The regulars, after retreating along the causeway,
were again rallied by Captain Leslie, and the two field-pieces
continued to play upon our men. It was at this time that Colonel
Woodford was advancing down the street to the breastwork
with the main body, and against him was now directed
the whole fire of the enemy. Never were cannon better
served; but yet, in the face of them and the musketry which
kept up a continual blaze, our men marched on with the utmost
intrepidity. Colonel Stevens, of the Culpeper battalion,
was sent around to the left to flank the enemy, which was
done with such activity and spirit that a rout immediately ensued.
The enemy fled into their fort, leaving behind them
the two field-pieces, which, however, they took care to spike
up with nails. Many were killed and wounded in the flight,
but Colonel Woodford very prudently restrained his troops
from urging their pursuit too far. From the beginning of the
attack till the repulse from the breastwork might be about
fourteen or fifteen minutes; till the total defeat, upwards of
half an hour. It is said that some of the enemy preferred
death to captivity, from a fear of being scalped, which Lord
Dunmore inhumanly told them would be their fate should
they be taken alive. Thirty-one killed and wounded fell into
our hands, and the number borne off was much greater.
Through the whole of the engagement every officer and soldier
behaved with the greatest courage and calmness. The
conduct of our sentinels we cannot pass over in silence. Before
they quited their stations, they fired at least three rounds
as the enemy were crossing the bridge, and one of them, who
was posted behind some shingles, kept his ground till he had
fired eight times; and after receiving a whole platoon, made
his escape over the causeway into our breastwork. The scene
was closed with as much humanity as it had been conducted
with bravery. The work of death being over, every one's attention
was directed to the succor of the unhappy sufferers,
and it is an undoubted fact that Captain Leslie was so affected
with the tenderness of our troops towards those who were yet
capable of assistance, that he gave signs from the fort of his
thankfulness for it.[61] What is not to be paralleled in history,
and will scarcely appear credible, except to such as acknowledge
a Providence over human affairs, this victory was gained
at the expense of no more than a slight wound in a soldier's
hand; and one circumstance which renders it still more amazing
is, that the field-pieces raked the whole length of the
street, and absolutely threw double-headed shot as far as the
church; and afterwards, as our troops approached, cannonaded
them heavily with grape-shot.[62]

Last week General Howe gave orders for taking down the
Old North meeting-house, the first, and, for some time, the only

place of worship in Boston, and one hundred
wooden houses, for firewood; another meetinghouse
is turned into barracks; and a third into a riding
school. What they will do with it now, the horses being sent
away, we cannot tell; but the regulars, alias ministerialists,
have a particular spite against meeting-houses. The wooden
houses were taken down to supply some vessels with fuel, that
are gone to England with about eight hundred invalids.

General Gage, in one of his letters to the ministry, falsely
accuses the troops of the Continental Congress of fighting like
savages; but like what do the regular troops of a Christian
prince fight, who wantonly destroy inoffensive towns by fire,
and invade the rights of religious worship, contrary to the
practice of all civilized nations? Even infidels have held
churches sacred; nor will history afford an example of an
enemy perverting them to unworthy uses. Let Britain blush
for the degeneracy of her sons![64]

December 26.—This morning, about four hundred of the
militia of Sussex County, New Jersey, under the command of
Colonel Ephraim Martin and Marsh Thompson, assembled at
Newtown, and from thence proceeded in good order and regularity,
in quest of Tories, a considerable number of whom, inhabitants

of that county, had entered into a combination and
agreement not to comply with any Congress measures. We
hear about forty are taken, most of whom have recanted,
signed the association, and profess themselves true sons of
liberty, being fully convinced of their error. Two or three,
who remain incorrigible, are to be sent to the Congress to be
dealt with.[65]

Last Monday, General Lee arrived from Cambridge, at
Newport, Rhode Island, attended by his guard, a party of
riflemen, and the cadet company of Providence.

While there he called before him a number of
obnoxious persons, to whom he tendered an oath of fidelity to
the country, which was taken by all of them excepting Colonel
Joseph Warton, Jr., Nicholas Lechmere, and Richard Beale,
the two last custom-house officers, who refused taking it; upon
which, they were put under guard and sent to Providence.[67]

The following copy of the oath imposed by General Lee,
is submitted to the public, who will judge how far it is consistent
with that liberty, independence, and right of private
judgment, which the Americans pretend they are contending
for:[68]

"I, —, here, in the presence of Almighty God, as I
hope for ease, honor, and comfort in this world, and happiness
in the world to come, most earnestly, devoutly, and religiously
do swear, that I will neither directly nor indirectly assist the
wicked instruments of ministerial tyranny and villany, commonly
called the king's troops and navy, by furnishing them
with provisions and refreshments of any kind, unless authorized
by the Continental Congress or Legislature, at present established
in this particular colony of Rhode Island. I do also
swear, by the tremendous and Almighty God, that I will
neither directly nor indirectly convey any intelligence, nor
give any advice to the aforesaid enemies described; and that I
pledge myself, if I should by any accident get knowledge of

such treasons, to inform immediately the committee of safety.
And, as it is justly allowed that when the rights and sacred liberties
of a nation or community are invaded, neutrality is not
less base and criminal than open and avowed hostility, I do
further swear and pledge myself, as I hope for eternal salvation,
that I will, whenever called upon by the voice of the
Continental Congress, or by the Legislature of this particular
colony under their direction, take up arms, and subject myself
to military discipline in defence of the common rights and liberties
of America. So help me God."[69]

The great Queen Elizabeth acquired more true glory by
her piety than by her victories, of which there is a strong in-

stance in the universal admiration of her motto
on the medal, struck on the occasion of the destruction
of the Spanish Armada: "He blew with his winds, and they were scattered."

If the hand of heaven was only seen and to be acknowledged
in these great events which concern kings and princes,
kings and princes would only have to acknowledge the protection
of a Divine Providence. But we see in matters of less

Eng by A.H.Ritchie

QUEBEC IN 1775.

importance, such as concern the people, the care of heaven is
displayed, of which I beg leave to mention the following instance:
"It was agreed to fit out a number of ships-of-war
for our defence; a particular kind of lanthorns, called Muscovy
lights, was necessary for the powder rooms, to prevent
the danger arising from the common lanthorns. They were
not to be had, nor could one be made, on this extensive continent;
perhaps one of the kind had never been before imported
into America. At the very juncture in which they were
wanted, a transport is taken by one of our cruisers, and in
her there is found, not only the kind of lanthorns which we so
much wanted, but the exact number we wanted, and not one
more or less. Surely we may, without being charged with
superstition, be permitted to say, "The Lord hath done this,
and it is marvellous in our eyes."[71]

December 31.—The Americans have made an unsuccessful
attack upon the town of Quebec. General Montgomery finding
his cannon too light to effect a breach, and

that the enemy would not hearken to terms of
capitulation, formed a design of carrying the town by escalade.
In this he was encouraged by the extensiveness of the
works, and the weakness of the garrison. When every thing
was prepared, while he was awaiting the opportunity of a
snow-storm to carry his design into execution, several of his
men deserted to the enemy. His plan, at first, was to have
attacked the upper and lower town at the same time, depending
principally for success upon the upper town. But discovering,
from the motions of the enemy, that they were apprised
of his design, he altered his plan, and, having divided his small
army into four detachments, ordered two feints to be made
against the upper town, one by Colonel Livingston[73] at the head
of the Canadians, against St. John's gate, the other by Captain
Brown, at the head of a small detachment, against Cape
Diamond, reserving to himself and Colonel Arnold, the two
principal attacks against the lower town.

At five o'clock this morning, the hour appointed for the
attack, the general, at the head of the New York troops,
advanced against the lower town. Being obliged to take a
circuit, the signal for the attack was given and the garrison
alarmed before he reached the place. However, pressing on,
he passed the first barrier, and was just opening the at-

tempt on the second, when, by the first fire
from the enemy, he was unfortunately killed,[75]
together with his aide-de-camp, Captain J. McPherson, Captain
Cheesman, and two or three more. This so dispirited
the men, that Colonel Campbell, on whom the command devolved,
found himself under the disagreeable necessity of
drawing them off.

In the meanwhile Colonel Arnold, at the head of about
three hundred and fifty of those brave troops, (who with unparalleled
fatigue had penetrated Canada under his command,)
and Captain Lamb's company of artillery, had passed through
St. Roques' gate, and approached near a two-gun battery, picketed
in, without being discovered. This he attacked, and

though it was well defended for about an hour,
carried it, with the loss of a number of men. In
this attack, Colonel Arnold had the misfortune to have his
leg splintered by a shot, and was obliged to be carried to
the hospital. After gaining the battery, his detachment passed
on to a second barrier, which they took possession of. By this
time the enemy, relieved from the other attack, by our troops
being drawn off, directed their whole force against this detachment,
and a party sallying out from Palace gate, attacked
them in the rear. These brave men sustained the whole force
of the garrison for three hours, but finding themselves hemmed
in, and no hopes of relief, they were obliged to yield to numbers,
and the advantageous situation the garrison had over
them.

After this unfortunate repulse, the remainder of the army
retired about eight miles from the city, where they have posted
themselves advantageously, and are continuing the blockade,
waiting for the reinforcements which are now on their march
to join them.[78]