 | CHAPTER III.
THE TRUCE. Neal Nelson |  |
3. CHAPTER III.
THE TRUCE.
The persons whose footsteps were
heard by Lady Isabella Nelson ascending
to the door of the mansion, were two in
number, and dressed, as the hall lamp
showed when they came in front of the
door, in the plain garb of civilians. One
of them was tall, grave and classical
looking, though his occupation was that
of a tradesman; but being a deacon
also, he deemed it proper to assume as
nearly as possible, without infringing too
closely upon the privileges of `the cloth,'
the costume of a man of God. His
countenance was strongly marked and
beamed with shrewdness and benevolence.
He wore a long queus bound with black
silk ribbon and carried a cane with a
gold head to which appended a tassel.
a Deacon of the church and a selectman
of the town of Boston.
His companion was a man of less
stature and more abdomen; a smooth,
oily personage in visage, and one who
laughed more than became the gravity
of a dignitary and ruler of the town. He
carried, as was always his custom in fair
weather and foul, a green umbrella which
be used as a staff. His knee buckles
were of silver and shone brightly in
rivalry of his shoe buckles which were of
polished steel, with settings of glass cut
in the representation of diamonds. He
carried visibly in the pocket of his brown
cloth coat, a blue spotted silk handkerchief
and held in his hand a tortoise
shell snuff-box, out of which he every two
minutes and a half, charged his nose with
rappee, each of which charges was duly
followed by a sneezing explosion.
`Ah, gentlemen, I am happy to see
you,' said the English General, advancing
into the ball to receive his expected
guests! `You are prompt in complying
with my wishes.'
Thus speaking the accomplished English-commander
extended his hand to
each.
`We are always happy to wait upon
your excellency,' said the portly, dignitary
bowing with suavity. `Will your
excellency accept a pinch of rappee.'
And the open box after being tapped by
a peculiar movement of the fore finger,
known only to the initiated, was extended
towards the English officer.
`Thank you, Mr. Buzzel, I do not indulge!
Walk in gentlemen! Your
friends and coadjutors I expect momently!
Be seated Deacon Farrington.'
`You seem to be quite at your ease,
Sir William,' responded Deacon Farrington,
after looking at the composed
countenance of the British chief! `I
suppose you know that General Washington
is drawing his lines every day
closer about the town.'
`Yes, I am quite well aware of it,' answered
Sir William Howe quietly. `You
prefer Burgundy I believe, Mr. Buzzel!'
he added, placing a decanter before this
gentleman.
`Yes, Burgundy is my favorite, Sir
William!'
Deacon! Gentlemen help yourselves!.
In a few moments your friends will be
here and then we will proceed to business.'
The two guests each helped himself
to his favorite wine, (for temperance
was not then a law of the land; and
`where there is no law there is no sin')
and the English General gave as a sentiment.
`An amicable termination to the disagreement
between the mother country
and her colonies!'
`I will drink the toast, Sir William,'
said Mr. Buzzel, pointedly; `but with
the explanation that by amicable I am to
understand honorable to us!'
`With the acknowledgment of our independence
I trust also,' said Deacon
Farrington very positively.
`As you please gentlemen! I but
place a mirror before you, in my toast,
and I expect each man when he looks
into it will see his own face and not my
own!'
`That is very fairly said, Sir William,'
remarked Mr. Buzzel.
`Very,' echoed the Deacon formally.
The glasses were emptied and General Howe entered into conversation with the
two rulers of the town, in which he insiduously
forced the way for his purposes.
At length the remainder of the
selectmen arrived, and then closing his
door, the English General opened to
them as follows the object of the interview
he sought of them:
`You are aware, gentlemen,' he said,
addressing himself particularly to Mr.
Greene the chief of the Board, a man of
intelligence and wisdom, `you are aware
that a crisis in the state of the garrison
occupying your town has been reached.
I need not inform you of what you already
know, that Boston is no longer a
safe position for the British troops. Washington
is acquainted with the distresses
that prevail here among us, and is now
active in taking advantage of them. In
a word, gentlemen, it must be as clear to
your minds as to my own, that I can no
longer hold the post in safety or with
honor.'
`We are quite as well convinced of
your inability, Sir William Howe, as you
seem to be yourself, to maintain the town
prepared to capitulate upon terms—'
`Capitulate, sirs!' repeated the British
general haughtily! `The word I am ignorant
of while I command in his majesty's
name!'
`Then for what purpose have you called
us together by a special and urgent
message?'
`You shall learn, gentlemen, that is
not to sue to you or throw myself upon
your mercy!' he answered haughtily.
`This high language, Sir William
Howe, is well enough to cover your weakness
but it cannot deceive us,' answered
Mr. Greene with decision. `We are fully
informed, and through us, General
Washington is, also, of your actual position.
We know that you have not seven
thousand troops out of a nominal force of
ten thousand, fit for service. We know
that a thousand of your people are lying
ill in your military hospitals, and that
those who are well are weak and discontented
from the privations in food and
warmth to which they have been subjected.
We know that disaffection and bitterness
pervades your garrison, and that
only a spark is needed to kindle a flame
of revolt throughout the length and
breadth of your barracks. We know that
the American Commander in Chief,
aware of your situation, proposes to bring
the siege to a close by a decisive blow.
The truth of this you have evidence of,
in the redoubts that are being nightly
thrown up on every side of you and almost
within gun-shot of your own sentries
and out-posts! We know that you have
not provisions to sustain your men twenty
days longer, and that you look for no
reinforcements; for we are not ignorant
that you have of late been bitter in your
invectives against the ministry for neglecting
you and forgetting you as you
have termed their silence. Knowing all
this we are prepared to hear from you
proposals for terms that we may transmit
them to General Washington in your behalf!'
Sir William Howe listened with surprise
and an angry frown to this bold
address from one of the rebel rulers of
the town, whom in his pleasure he had
permitted to hold office and power. But
he could not but feel the full force of his
the Selectmen had represented them.—
But the more critical his situation was
the more needful it was for him to put a
bold front upon it.
`If you think I am to be a suppliant
to you, Mr. Selectman, you are in great
error,' he said firmly. `I am as fully advised
of my position as you can be. To
sue to you, or through you to Washington,
was not my object in sending for
you here to-night. I know not only the
difficulties that environ me, but I have
confidence as well in my ability to cope
with them. A British general with eight
thousand regular troops under his command
has victory in his hand whenever
he chooses to go to battle. We do not
count Washington's twenty thousand rabble
as a force at which to be intimidated.'
`Then why have you not taken possession
of the Heights of Dorchester, Sir
William?' asked Mr. Buzzel, who had
been trying for some time to get a word
in.
`Because, sir, it is no object for me to
hold them. Neither, gentlemen,' he
continued, addressing them all in a bold
manner, `neither is it an object for the
crown longer to hold Boston! It is of
no further use to his Majesty! In a
word I would let you see the policy of
the ministry at which you accuse me of
murmuring. My instructions were to
huld Boston until I had concentrated the
body of the American forces in the
neighborhood and drawn upon this single
point the attention and armed power
of the whole country. When I had done
so my intentions were to withdraw on
board the fleet which for this purpose I
have, as you have seen, detained in port,
and embark for some other point of your
shores unguarded and there take possession,
and from it as a centre subdue
the adjacent region. Having, therefore,
fulfilled my instructions, I have sent for
you to inform you that it is my intention
tomorrow or the next day to evacuate
the town and retire on board the
shipping. It is possible to maintain the
town, and I would maintain it at all odds
were the advantages commensurate with
the trouble. But the experience of the
last few months has shown me that the
port of Boston is far from being conveniently
situated to accommodate the fu
desire to concentrate at this point all the
American forces has hitherto prevented
me from withdrawing from the town.—
This motive of delay no longer exists,
for in whatever direction I level my spy-glass
around the peninsula I behold the
armies of the rebels gathering and settling
themselves like flights of locusts.'
When the British General had ended
this subtle address, the selectmen looked
at one another with blank faces. Surprise
was manifest on each countenance.
Even Mr. Greene appeared amazed at
the high position taken by the general
who seemed already in their power; he
was, as well as his colleagues, confounded
by the new arguments he had advanced.
Mr. Buzzel took snuff very rapidly, and
looked from one to another as if uncertain
how to take the affair, until he had
guessed at the sentiments of the rest.
`You have given us, Sir William, a
fair display of that diplomacy for which
you are said to be famed,' said Mr.
Greene. `It may be true that you have
had instructions such as you mention.—
I do not wish to question the veracity of
any gentleman though he be my country's
foe and invader. But whether or no your
experience has proved to you that Boston
Port is not perfectly accommodated to the
future operations of the army, yet it needs
no proof that you are in no condition to
remain in possession of the place should
to-night arrive from Lord Dartmouth instructions
ordering you to hold it, to use
your own expression, `at all odds!' Let us
perfectly understand each other, Sir William!
Your words have not changed
my mind from the first conviction which
it received when your young aid-de-camp,
Mr. Nelson, brought me your request to
see me in my official capacity!'
`And pray, sir, what was this conviction?'
asked the English general appearing
slightly confused.
`That you saw the strait in which your
garrison was placed, and desired to arrange
terms of capitulation for the safety
of all. For you are well aware that our
cannon already commands, or will do so
before you could embark, the passage of
the harbor, and that it is impossible for
you to escape without the consent of your
enemies!'
deeply at this assertion. He well knew
the fact. He was perfectly aware that in
twenty-four hours more the Americans
would interdict the passage to sea; and
that he could, in less time, scarcely hope
with the greatest haste of departure, to
embark his numerous forces. For a few
moments he remained silent. He saw
that it was useless to attempt longer to
trifle with the body of men he had called
before him, or to endeavor to make them
believe, to save the credit of the royal
arms, that he was voluntarily leaving the
town. He, therefore, resolved to enter
at once upon the matter in a frank, business
manner.
`Whatever be the immediate causes of
the act, gentlemen, is not material to our
purpose,' he said in a grave manner; `let
it suffice for you to know that I have resolved
to abandon the town of Boston and
retire on board the fleet. It is my intention
to withdraw peaceably, if your countrymen
are disposed, on their part, to act
in the same manner. I have sent for you
to make known to you this my purpose,
that you may wait upon General Washington
and report to him what I say to
you and to him through you.'
`You are no doubt willing enough to
retire unmolested, sir,' said Mr. Farrington
standing up and stretching his tall,
gaunt form to its loftiest dimensions;
`but it is a question whether our outraged
and indignant country will be so willing
as to let you retire in this manner.
You have no choice! Retire you must!
Your situation admits neither of hesitation
or delay! Therefore you cannot
say, you will not withdraw if we will not
give our promise to let you go quietly,
you with your goods, your arms, your
camp, furniture and your spoils; for you
must go, whatever we do, or remain and
give yourselves up prisoners of war!'
`Sir,' said Mr. Buzzel, looking very
red in the cheeks and rapping his snuff-box
cover with an emphasis that made a
report like that of a pocket pistol, `Sir,
do you suppose, sir, that, Sir William,
sir, that we are agoing to let you go in
peace with your wives and little ones,
flocks and herds, gods and goddesses, as
my friend the Deacon just re—'
`I said nothing about gods and goddesses,
squire,' interrupted the Deacon
`True, deacon, but its no matter, sir!
I did! Do you think, Sir William, sir,
that we who have been sixteen months
shut up here, starving, freezing, dying
with the plague for want of food and fire
wood, and innumerable other evils too
numerous to enumerate—do you suppose
sir—! No sir! I would buckle on my
sword, sir, first sir, and stand at the head
of Long Wharf, sir, with it drawn in my
hand sir, and would singly stay your departure,
if I had to lay down the last drop
of blood I had in my body, sir! Yes sir!'
Here Mr. Buzzel took a huge pinch
of snuff, and drank a glass of Sir William's
Burgundy, it being the eighth bumper
he had taken, which will account for
his very extraordinary speech; for between
snuff, wine and patriotism, Mr.
Buzzel was very tipsy.
`Mr. Buzzel,' said deacon Farrington,
laying his large hand upon the little
man's shoulder, `you have this day
brought discredit upon the good name of
the rulers of the town. You have drank
wine beyond sobriety. Be silent sir, for
when the wine is in the wit is out!'
`I cannot see, General Howe, on what
grounds you can ask leave of us, to be
suffered to retire in peace,' said Mr.
Greene. `You have brought by your
presence a blight upon the land, and vengeance
and justice cry for retribution!'
`On the ground of your own interest
and safety! Although compelled to retire,
I am not impotent! I have caused
to be prepared, several tons of combustible
materials to set fire to the dwellings
of the city, should the provincials molest
me in my departure in any shape. One
word from me and your fair town would
be laid in ashes! Further, I invite you,
gentlemen, to reflect upon the dangers
which must inevitably result, for you and
your habitations and those of the numerous
families friendly to your side of the
quarrel now in the city of a battle should
be fought between the garrison and the
American forces under Washington, in
your streets. For the distress and misery
of such a deplorable event, fall upon
your own heads, not on mine. I have
offered to retire peaceably. I will do so
if I am unmolested. But if in case I
commense embarking my troops, they
are molested, I will fire and sack the city
ere I leave it!'
`Such a proceedure would recoil on
yourselves,' said Mr. Greene firmly.
`Not a transport would ever quit the
harbor—not a British soldier would
escape alive.'
`That may be. But is not forbearance
with your city whole and your
citizens secure better than these alternatives
to either of us. If, therefore,
you have the interest of your town and
the happiness of your fellow-citizens at
heart, I would exhort you to see General
Washington early in the morning. Repeat
to him what you have heard from
me, and say to him that I demand the
following conditions; that I have fifty
hours to embark my troops in from the
time he grants the terms of truce: that
I depart with all the munitions of war in
my possession: that I shall be permitted
to take with me as many of the loyalist
families with their effects as desire to
abandon the country; and that those
which remain shall have their personal
liberty secured to them; that I shall be
permitted to remain anchored in the harbor
until the wind, now unfavorable,
shall permit the fleet to depart!'
`We will wait upon General Washington,
sir,' said Mr. Greene, after he
and his colleagues had conversed apart
for a little while; `but I do not think he
will consent to all the conditions you
demand!'
`General Washington is a wise man
and will not let a temporary advantage
present the accomplishment of so desirable
a result on my departure from Boston.'
The selectmen waited upon the American
commander-in-chief on the ensuing
morning. They laid before him the
propositions of Sir William Howe. At
first he rejected them; but finally on
their making a very affecting representation
of the situation of the city he consented
to all the conditions demanded
save the removal of the munitions. The
English General yielded this exception
and prepared gladly to withdraw from a
position which he could no longer hold
in safety.
| CHAPTER III.
THE TRUCE. Neal Nelson | |