 | Letters of Mrs. Adams, |  |
TO JOHN ADAMS.
I suppose you have had a formidable account of the
alarm we had last Sunday morning. When I rose,
about six o'clock, I was told, that the drums had been
some time beating, and that three alarm guns were
fired; that Weyrnouth bell had been ringing, and
Mr. Weld's was then ringing. I immediately sent
off an express to know the occasion, and found the
cutter had come out and dropped anchor just below
Great Hill. It was difficult to tell their designs;
some supposed they were coming to Germantown,
others, to Weymouth; people, women, children,
from the iron-works, came flocking down this way;
every woman and child driven off from below my
father's; my father's family flying. The Doctor[1] is
in great distress, as you may well imagine, for my
aunt had her bed thrown into a cart into which she
got herself, and ordered the boy to drive her to
Bridgewater, which he did. The report was to them,
that three hundred had landed, and were upon their
march up into town. The alarm flew like lightning,
and men from all parts came flocking down, till two
thousand were collected. But, it seems, their expedition
was to Grape Island for Levett's hay. There
it was impossible to reach them, for want of boats;
but the sight of so many persons, and the firing at
them, prevented their getting more than three tons of
hay, though they had carted much more down to the
water. At last a lighter was mustered, and a sloop
from Hingham, which had six port holes. Our men
eagerly jumped on board, and put off for the island.
As soon as they perceived it, they decamped. Our
people landed upon the island, and in an instant set
fire to the hay, which, with the barn, was soon consumed;
soon to be in continual alarms, till something decisive
takes place. We wait, with longing expectation,
in hopes to hear the best accounts from you, with
regard to union and harmony, &c. We rejoice
greatly on the arrival of Dr. Franklin, as he must
certainly be able to inform you very particularly of
the situation of affairs in England. I wish you
would, if you can get time, be as particular as you
may, when you write. Every one hereabouts comes
to me, to hear what accounts I have. I was so unlucky,
as not to get the letter you wrote at New
York. Captain Beale forgot it, and left it behind.
We have a flying report here, with regard to New
York, but cannot give any credit to it, as yet, that
they had been engaged with the ships, which Gage
sent there, and had taken them, with great loss upon
both sides.
Yesterday we had an account of three ships coming
into Boston. I believe it is true, as there was a
salute from the other ships, though I have not been
able to learn from whence they come. I suppose you
have had an account of the fire, which did much
damage to the warehouses, and added greatly to the
distresses of the inhabitants, whilst it continued. The
bad conduct of General Gage[2]
was the means of its
doing so much damage.
Our house has been, upon this alarm, in the same
Soldiers coming in for a lodging, for breakfast, for
supper, for drink, &c. Sometimes refugees from
Boston, tired and fatigued, seek an asylum for a day,
a night, a week. You can hardly imagine how we
live; yet,
Our doors are open still,
And, though our portions are but scant,
We give them with good will."
My best wishes attend you, both for your health
and happiness, and that you may be directed into the
wisest and best measures for our safety, and the
security of our posterity. I wish you were nearer to
us; we know not what a day will bring forth, nor
what distress one hour may throw us into. Hitherto
I have been able to maintain a calmness and presence
of mind, and hope I shall, let the exigency of
the time be what it will. Adieu, breakfast calls.
| Letters of Mrs. Adams, | |