 | Letters of Mrs. Adams, |  |
Five weeks have passed and not one line have I received.
I would rather give a dollar for a letter by
the post, though the consequence should be, that I
ate but one meal a day these three weeks to come.
Every one I see is inquiring after you.—When did
I hear?—All my intelligence is collected from the
newspaper, and I can only reply that I saw by that,
you arrived such a day. I know your fondness for
writing, and your inclination to let me hear from you
by the first safe conveyance, which makes me suspect
that some letter or other has miscarried,—but
I hope, now you have arrived at Philadelphia, you
will find means to convey me some intelligence.
We are all well here. I think I enjoy better health
than I have done these two years. I have not been
to town since I parted with you there. The Governor
is making all kinds of warlike preparations,
such as mounting cannon upon Beacon Hill, digging
intrenchments upon the Neck, placing cannon there,
encamping a regiment there, throwing up breastworks,
&c. The people are much alarmed, and the
it. The County Congress have also sent a committee;
all which proceedings you will have a more
particular account of, than I am able to give you,
from the public papers. But, as to the movements
of this town, perhaps you may not hear them from
any other person.
In consequence of the powder being taken from
Charlestown, a general alarm spread through many
towns and was caught pretty soon here. The report
took here on Friday, and on Sunday a soldier was seen
lurking about the Common, supposed to be a spy,
but most likely a deserter. However, intelligence
of it was communicated to the other parishes, and
about eight o'clock, Sunday evening, there passed
by here about two hundred men, preceded by a
horsecart, and marched down to the powder house,
from whence they took the powder, and carried it
into the other parish and there secreted it. I opened
the window upon their return. They passed without
any noise, not a word among them till they came
against this house, when some of them perceiving
me, asked me if I wanted any powder. I replied,
No, since it was in so good hands.—The reason
they gave for taking it was, that we had so many
Tories here, they dared not trust us with it; they had
taken Vinton in their train, and upon their return
they stopped between Cleverly's and Etter's and
called upon him to deliver two warrants.[1]
Upon his
should burn them, and it passed in the affirmative.
They then made a circle and burnt them. They
then called a vote whether they should huzza, but, it
being Sunday evening, it passed in the negative.
They called upon Vinton to swear, that he would
never be instrumental in carrying into execution any
of these new acts. They were not satisfied with his
answers; however, they let him rest. A few days
afterwards, upon his making some foolish speeches,
they assembled to the amount of two or three hundred,
and swore vengeance upon him unless he took a solemn
oath. Accordingly, they chose a committee and sent
it with him to Major Miller's to see that he complied;
and they waited his return, which proving satisfactory,
they dispersed. This town appears as high as
you can well imagine, and, if necessary, would soon
be in arms. Not a Tory but hides his head. The
Church parson thought they were coming after him,
and ran up garret; they say another jumped out of
his window and hid among the corn, whilst a third
crept under his board fence and told his beads.
| Letters of Mrs. Adams, | |