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bour being continually annoyed by firing from the Rebels, out of that part of the town next the water, rendered it necessary to destroy if, and dislodge them from the houses they occupied, directly under the muzzles of the ship's guns. Accordingly, previous notice being given to the inhabitants, in order that the women, children, and innocent persons, might have time to remove out of danger, on the 1st instant, about four o'clock in the afternoon, the Liverpool, frigate, the Otter and Kingfisher, sloops-of-war, with the Governour's ship, Dunmore, began to cannonade the town, and, in the mean time, a few men were landed in boats, who set fire to the houses next the water.
As the wind was moderate, and from the shore, it was judged with certainty that the destruction would end with that part of the town next the water, which the King's ships meant only should be fired; but the Rebels cruelly and unnecessarily completed the destruction of the whole town, by setting fire to the houses in the streets back, which were before safe from the flames.
The ill-judged and misapplied fury, discharged upon the weak and the innocent, was not confined to the town. The country around, for several days, was illuminated with the fires of the houses they burnt, amongst which is the distillery, about three miles from the town, a work of great value and publick utility, with a large stock of rum and molasses.
The ships continued firing, with intervals, till about ten o'clock next morning, during which the ardour of the men could not be repressed; and, notwithstanding all possible pare taken to prevent them, a few boats went on shore, where they exchanged some shot with the enemy's parties, and had three or four men slightly, and one mortally, wounded. Several accounts concur, that the enemy had eighteen killed, and about forty men wounded.
SAMUEL ADAMS TO ELBRIDGE GERRY.
Philadelphia, January 2, 1776.
My DEAR SIR: Your very acceptable letter of the 13th of December is now before me. Our opinions of the necessity of keeping the military power under the direction and control of the legislative, I always thought were alike. It was far from my intention, in my letter to you on the subject, to attempt the correcting any imagined error in your judgment, but rather, shortly to express my own apprehensions at this time, when it is become necessary to tolerate that power, which is always formidable, and has so often proved fatal to the liberties of mankind.
It gives me great satisfaction to be informed, that the members of the House of Representatives are possessed of so warm a spirit of patriotism, as that "an enemy to America may as well attempt to scale the regions of bliss, as to insinuate himself into their favour." Whatever kind of men may be denominated enemies to their country, certainly he is a very injudicious friend to it, who gives his suffrage for any man to fill a publick office, merely because he is rich; and yet, you tell me, there are recent instances of this in our Government. I confess, it mortifies me greatly. The giving such a preference to riches, is both dishonourable and dangerous to a Government. It is, indeed, equally dangerous, to promote a man to a place of publick trust, only because he wants bread; but I think it is not so dishonourable, for men maybe influenced to the latter from the feelings of humanity; but the other argues a base, degenerate, servile temper of mind. I hope our country will never see the time, when either riches, or the want of them, will be the leading considerations in the choice of publick officers. Whenever riches shall be deemed a necessary qualification, ambition, as well as avarice, will prompt men most ardently to thirst for them; and, it will be commonly said, as in ancient times of degeneracy,
Quærenda pecunia primam est,
Virtus post nummos.
"Get money, money still,
And then let Virtue follow, if she will."
I am greatly honoured, if my late letter has been acceptable to the House. I hope the Militia Bill, to which that letter referred, is completed to the satisfaction of both Houses of the Assembly.
The account you give me of the success our people met with in the manufacture of saltpetre, is highly pleasing to me. I procured, of a gentleman in the Colony of New-York, the plan of a powder-mill, which I lately sent to Mr. Revere. I hope it may be of some use.
I have time, at present, only to request you to write to me by the post, and to assure you that I am your affectionate friend,
SAMUEL ADAMS.
To Elbridge Gerry, Esq.
PROCLAMATION BY GOVERNOUR TRYON.
By his Excellency WILLIAM TRYON, Esq., Captain-General, and Governour-in-chief, in and over the Province of NEW-YORK, and the Territories thereon depending, in AMERICA, Chancellor, and Vice-Admiral of the same.
A PROCLAMATION.*
Whereas, the General Assembly of this Province stands prorogued to the first day of February, now next ensuing, I have thought fit for His Majesty's service, and I do, with the advice of His Majesty's Council, and by virtue of the powers and authority unto me granted by His Majesty, dissolve the said General Assembly; and the said General Assembly are hereby dissolved, accordingly.
Given under my hand, and seal at arms, in the City of New-York, the second day of January, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-six, in the sixteenth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord, George the Third, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, and so forth.
WILLIAM TRYON.
By his Excellency's command:
SAMUEL BAYARD, Jun., Dep. Secretary.
GOD save the King.
GENERAL SCHUYLER TO COLONELWYNKOOP
Albany, January 2, 1776.
SIR: Captain Billings will deliver you the officers that were made prisoners in Canada, I do not hesitate a, moment to apply to you, on this occasion, as I have had experience of your attention to promote the service. You will be so good as to forward the officers and their baggage to Trenton, together with the baggage of the St. John's garrison, the officers' servants, and four or five men to take care of the baggage; all the other men, women, and children, you will please to desire the Committee to canton, agreeable to my request of the 13th ultimo.
Should the snow fall when you arrive at Delaware, and the river not be navigable, and no possibility of going down on the ice, you will leave the baggage, and proceed with the officers and their servants, to Trenton, from whence you will please to repair to Congress, and report what you have done in prosecution of this request.
The officers are now on their parole of honour; but, when you take them in charge, you will request them to renew their parole, agreeable to my former orders.
The expenses run so high, that the greatest economy is to be used in conveying these troops.
I am, sir, your humble servant,
PHILIP SCHUYLER.
To Colonel Wynkoop.
[GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL WARD.
Cambridge, January 2, 1776.
SIR: In answer to yours of this date, by Mr. Pope, I am to inform you, by his Excellency's command, that he desires you to send a captain, two subalterns, and fifty men, to take charge of the military stores, provisions, &.c, at Squantum, and to remain there till further orders.
I am, sir, &c.
To Major-General Ward.
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