board, the Scarborough, and informed the Captain that the provisions were the property of some of the inhabitants, who had before contracted for the same; but the only answer he could obtain was, “that Admiral Graves and the General had forwarded orders to take every provision vessel that should be met with, on every station, and to send them forthwith to Boston for the supply of the Army and Navy.” Captain Barclay, the commander of the Scarborough, in formed two of the Committee at Fort William and Mary, that is orders were such that he must even take all vessels with salt or molasses, they being a species of provision, and send them to Boston.

TO GENERAL GAGE.

SIR: If you are not too busy in granting passes to the people of Boston, and in protecting the remains of your Army, I beg the favour of addressing you once more. You have lately risen above contempt. You have commenced hostilities between Great Britain and America, in the Province of Massachusetts-Bay. The heinousness and consequences of this crime would have raised even a sentinel into importance, and will serve, in spite of the natural insignificance of your character, to “damn” even General Gage “to everlasting fame.”

Your attempt to prove that the Militia of Massachusetts fired first in the late engagement at Lexington, if successful, would add nothing to your cause. You acknowledge that you sent your Troops out of Boston to destroy a magazine of provisions and military stores at Concord. The invasion of property, among all Nations, is justly deemed a declaration of war. But, Sir, however contrary to your intention, your account of the matter has served to entail double infamy upon the memories of those ministerial Troops that fell in the battle, for it proves that they suffered not only as murderers, but as thieves. Publick justice quickened its steps, and their punishment trod upon the heels of their crimes. We congratulate ourselves upon the history which you have sent of that transaction to the Ministry. It will certainly add weight to the depositions transmitted by the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts-Bay; for even treachery itself, when it reads your account of the battle, will be forced to acknowledge that it was begun by your Troops, and that the ravages they committed flowed less from provocations than from the natural barbarity of their dispositions.

The reign of George the Third seems intended by Providence to establish the belief of the most miraculous parts of the Scriptures. It requires less faith to believe the miracle of Joshua, than that freemen will not fight in defence of their liberty. It requires less faith to believe that an Egyptian Army perished in the Red Sea, in pursuit of a people who had brought the greatest calamities upon their Country, than to believe that a few Regiments of English soldiers, three thousand miles from resources of all kinds, can subdue a Continent eighteen hundred in extent, crowded with inhabitants, all united to each other by the closest ties of interest and affection. You, too, Sir, have contributed your share towards confirming a historical fact in the Bible. We cease now to wonder that the soldiers who guarded our Saviour’s sepulchre, swore that his disciples stole his body away while they slept. Your conduct shows that there is nothing repugnant to the folly of human nature in this story. Your letter to Governour Trumbull is a commentary upon that passage of Scripture, and serves to prove that soldiers are actuated by the same principles in all arbitrary Governments, and that their abilities do not equal their inclinations in contriving falsehoods.

Where now is the martial spirit of your Army? Where are those dogs of war who panted so eagerly for the blood of their countrymen? Alas! how are the mighty fallen! No wonder they trembled and fled at the sight of a few Companies of American Militia; for English courage can dwell only in the society of justice and humanity. The genius of Britain deserted her sons when she beheld them fighting under the banners of slavery. No successes against America can ever wipe away the stain they have brought upon the British arms; for should the Colonies at last be reduced, I will venture to predict that three hundred half disciplined British Troops will never chase two thousand well disciplined Americans twenty miles in six hours.

History is unfurnished with a character like yours. You are cruel without inhumanity, unjust without avarice, and artful without design. For Heaven’s sake let experience teach you wisdom, and lead you to truth. Let not your talent for dissimulation prove your ruin. You have exercised it hitherto in such a manner as to serve none but your enemies, and injure none but your friends. One candid acknowledgment of the strength and union of the Colonies, and of the weakness of your Troops, in your letters to the Ministry, will immediately restore peace and union to Britain and the Colonies.

JUNIUS AMERICANUS.

MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

April 5, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety, at the house of Mr. Taylor, of Concord, on Wednesday, the 5th of April, 1775. Present:

Honourable John Hancock, Esq., Colonel Palmer, Col. Heath, Capt. White, Mr. Watson, J. Pigeon, Mr. Devens.

Voted unanimously, That the Committee of Supplies do directly furnish this Committee with an exact account, in writing, of all the Provisions and Stores, arid the places of their disposition.

Voted, That one piece of Cannon be sent to Colonel Mitchell, of Bridgewater.

April 14, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committee of Safety, at Concord, at the house of Mr. Taylor, on Saturday, the 14th of April, 1775, Present:

The Honourable John Hancock, Esq., Colonel Heath, Captain. White, Mr. Devens, Colonel Gardner, Mr. Watson, Mr. Palmer.

Voted, That the Cannon now in the Town of Concord be immediately disposed of within said Town, as the Committee of Supplies may direct.

Voted, That the Cannon-powder, now at Leicester, be removed, one load at a time, to this Town, and made into cartridges, under the direction of the Committee of Supplies.

N. B. Mr. Devens acted as Clerk pro tempore. Colonel Gardner this day was chosen as one of the Committee of Safety, instead of Deacon Fisher, who resigned, in consequence of the distance he lives.

April 17, 1775.

At a meeting of the Committees of Safety and Supplies, at Mr. Taylor’s house, in Concord, on Monday, 17th April, 1775. Present:

COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.—Honourable John Hancock, Esq., Colonel Heath, Colonel Palmer, Captain White, Mr. Devens, Colonel Gardner, Mr. Watson, Colonel Orne, J. Pigeon.

COMMITTEE OF SUPPLIES.—Colonel. Lee, Mr. Gill, Mr. Cheever, Mr. Gerry, Colonel Lincoln.

Voted unanimously, That application be made to Captain Hatch, for captain of the Artillery Company for Boston; and if he refuses, to offer it to Mr. Crafts, and so on in order, as they stand in the Company. Also that Capt. Robinson, of Dorchester, be applied to as captain of the Company of Dorchester; and that Mr. Newall, of Charlestown, be applied to; that the Captain for the Marblehead Company be not appointed until the Members for Marblehead make inquiry and report. That Capt. Timothy Bigelow be applied to as captain of the Worcester Company, and that Mr. Thomas Wait Foster, of Hadley, be applied to as captain of the Company at Hadley.

Voted, That the two Four-Pounders now at Concord be mounted by the Committee of Supplies; and that Colonel Barrett be desired to raise an Artillery Company, to join the Army when raised, they to have no pay until they join the Army; and also that an Instructor, for the use of the cannon, be appointed, and to be put directly in pay.

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