English Earl Talks About Attack On Concord

Here are parts of an interview with the British Earl Hugh Percy who came to the rescue of the fleeing Redcoats who attacked Lexington and Concord on the Nineteenth of April instant!

Boston News Service: My Lord Percy what brought you out to the countryside on this last April 19, 1775

Earl Percy: In obedience to His Excellency Governor Gage's orders I marched out of Boston about 9:00 AM with the First Brigade and two field pieces in order to cover the retreat of the Grenadiers and Light Infantry on their return from the expedition to Concord.

BNS: Did you notice the people in the country stirred up on your march?

Earl Percy: No, it was quiet. All the houses were shut up and there was not an appearance of a single inhabitant. I could get no intelligence concerning them till I had passed Menotomy (present day Arlington). Then I was informed that the Rebels had attacked His majesty's troops, who were retiring, overpowered by numbers, greatly exhausted and fatigued, having expended almost all their ammunition.

BNS: When did you finally find the troops you were sent to rescue?

Earl Percy: At about 2 O'clock I met them retiring through the town of Lexington.

BNS: What was your first response when seeing them?

Earl Percy: I immediately ordered two field pieces to fire at the rebels and drew up a Brigade on a height. The shot from the cannon had the desired effect and stopped the rebels fro a little time, who immediately dispersed and endeavoured to surround us, being very numerous.

BNS: What happened next?

Earl Percy: As it began to grow pretty late and we had 15 miles to retire and only our 36 rounds, I ordered the Grenadiers and Light Infantry to move off first and covered them with my Brigade. sending out very strong flanking parties, which were absolutely necessary as there was not a stone wall or house, though before in appearance evacuated, from whence the rebels did not fire upon is!

BNS: Was the return hard from that point? Did the rebels fade away?

Earl Percy: No, as soon as they saw us retire, they pressed very much upon our rear guard, which for that reason I relieved every now and then. In this manner we retired for 15 miles under incessant fire all around us , till we reached Charlestown between 7 and 8 in the evening. We were very much fatigued with a march of above 30 miles, and having expended almost all of our ammunition.

BNS: Did you suffer many casualties at the end of the day?

Earl Percy: We had the misfortune of losing a good many men in the retreat, tho' nothing like the number which, from many circumstances, I have reason to believe were killed of the Rebels!

BNS: How did the men comport themselves that day? Were they honorable and brave?

Earl Percy: His Majesty's Troops during the whole of the affair,behaved with their usual intrepidity and spirit. Nor were they a little exasperated at the cruelty and barbarity of the Rebels who scalped and cut off the ears of some of the wounded men who fell into their hands.

BNS: Thank you for your time My Lord!

Interview With Patriot Messenger, Paul Revere

EG News

Cambridge April 23, 1775

The following is an interview with Paul Revere by Roger MacAlisdair of the Edes and Gill News Service. Revere who is a leader on the Boston Committee of Safety and led over two dozen who rode on horseback very hard through Middlesex County just a few nights ago to warn the Minutemen that the Regulars were out and headed into the countryside.

EG: Mr. Revere, what was your first indication that there was going to be trouble on the night of April 18, 1775?

PR: Well, I was only one of around 30, mostly mechanics [skilled craftsman] who formed ourselves a committee for the purpose of watching the movements of the British soldiers and gaining every intelligence of the movements of the Tories. We were taking our regular turns watching in teams of 2 and 2 all night when last Saturday, April 15, we began to notice that all of the transport boats were being launched and tied beneath the sterns of the men-of-war [British War Ships] after having been brought in for extensive repairs. Then on the evening of the 18th we were notified by our intelligence network that the Grenadiers and Light infantry had suddenly been taken off their regular duties.

EG: When were you sure that something big was really in the works?

PR: We knew the minute we saw those troop transports being floated but we were absolutely certain when we began to see many of the Grenadiers and Light Infantry begin to make their way down to the Commons as the evening wore on. What many may not know is that we had set several plans in place because we have expected something like this to happen. Last September they surprised us when they took our powder from the Cambridge storage on Powder Hill but since then we have been able to thwart them at every turn. In December we got word to Fort William and Mary up in New Hampshire in time to remove the stores there and then just this last February we were able to turn back Colonel Leslie from Salem on the same mission.

EG: What do you think was different about this action? Why do you think it erupted in such a long running battle?

PR: Two reasons. One, we have just had enough of these constant attacks on our English Liberties. Two, they were not just after stores this time. They meant to arrest John Hancock and Sam Adams. It has gone beyond just closing ports and trying to cut us off from all business. Now they are actually looking to do us bodily harm and to take our citizens unjustly into custody. We have to fight back or we will all end up slaves to the English Parliament.

EG: You mentioned plans that you had put in place. Can you share any of those with our readers?

PR: Well, for one we worked out a signal to let those outside of Boston know if troops were coming and bay what route. We were not at all sure that anyone would be able to get past the heavily guarded Boston Neck our across the Bay with those men-of-war patrolling the water. At about 10pm when Dr. Warren had received unassailable confirmation that the redcoats were coming out, he notified me and I notified John Pulling who put the notification plan into action. He was to hang a lantern in the Old North Church steeple if they were going out over the Neck or to hang two if they were going across the Bay. That is why we had to wait for confirmation. We knew they were going out and we were pretty sure because of the boats they were going across the water but we had to be sure.

EG: Weren't you concerned that the signal would be discovered? There are rarely lights lit up at night in church steeples!

PR: Yes Sir! We were. That is why we only had Pulling light the lanterns for a few minutes and then get out. We had observers posted in Charlestown and elsewhere with fixed eyes on that steeple.

EG: How did you manage to get across the bay to Charlestown with all of those ships out there?

PR: Well, between the direction of the tide, a little bit of a breeze, and the direction the light of the moon happened to be at just that time we were able, with muffled oars, to slide right beneath the bow of the HMS Somerset. Oh and it sounds so easy now but I can tell you that it was the longest hour 30 minutes of my life while a couple of my friends rowed me across.

EG: Did you encounter any other trouble as you road to Lexington?

PR: Yes, I had been warned that there were several patrols out and I very nearly got caught by a couple of Dragoons on the road to Cambridge. Fortunately I had a very swift horse (I lost Brown Beauty to another patrol later. She was a fine mare!) and I was able to outrun them and take the road through Medford instead. We didn't have anymore trouble until we left Lexington after warning Hancock and Adams. There I met William Dawes, who had made his way across the Neck with the same alarm as I, and we left to alarm Concord along with the young Dr. Samuel Prescott. About a third of the way there we were surprised by a much larger patrol and I was detained. Fortunately Dr. Prescott made away and got the word to Lincoln and Concord. Dawes took off the other direction but got thrown from his horse and walked in safety back to Lexington.

EG: How did you manage to escape your captors?

PR: I wasn't sure I would be able to. They took my horse and gave me one of their old nags and cut her tack. One of the redcoats shoved his pistol in my breast and said, "G d D mn you, stop! If yo go an inch further you are a dead man!" Then he proceeded to raise the gun to my head and told me that if I did not answer his questions truthfully that he would blow my brains out. Of course I had nothing to hide now, the alarm was going all over the country side by more than a couple dozen horseman and I felt it was to our advantage that those redcoats knew just exactly what they were in for. Then at just the right time it seems, the Minutemen gathered on the Lexington Green chose that fortuitous time to fire a volley. Almost immediately he patrol conferred among themselves and decided it would be safer for them to let us all go and ride hard to notify their superiors of the news I had just furnished them. Well, yo have printed the rest of the story about the battles at Lexington, North Bridge, Meriam's Corner and in Menotomy and I have some work the Dr. Warren wants me to get to so I will have to go.

EG: Thank you for your time Mr. Revere.

PR: Your Servant!

Who Is This New Commander In Chief of the Continental Army?

Boston, July 4, 1775 (EG)

George Washington is a man who is very passionate but tries not to let his passions show. He is seen as a quiet man. He is also very proud. The kind of pride we are talking about here is a sense of honor. This is shown in that he has a reputation for doing everything he says he will do. He showed a sense of humility on June 17th instant when he was appointed Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. He said that he did not feel that he was capable for the task but would take it on with all of his strength.

Some say that this was a false humility. In this writers opinion there is a sense that they are right ... but ... it wasn't meant to be disingenuous. It was a sincere attitude of gratefulness for the opportunity to serve. He was trying to convey the fact that he respected Congress's opinion and that he would do his best to live up to their expectations. His conviction about public service his whole life has been that if you "campaigned" for it or "tooted your own horn" to get the job then that in itself shows that you are not qualified. He subscribes to the old proverb "Let another man praise you and not your own lips."

George Washington is not cocky in an outward sense as he may have seemed to those who knew him in younger days. He does have a great deal of self confidence and may rashly commit himself to plans that are based on his own self-confidence in his abilities.

He is rarely loud but he has been reported to have a notorious temper that he works at keeping in check. He has been successful most of the time but in the heat of battle it can show up big time if someone has not followed orders.

Washington is NOT loud (except when his temper gets the best of him). Those who only have occasional contact think him to be cold and aloof. Insiders say that this is mostly due to his attempts to always exhibit self control.

When Washington is in a relaxed atmosphere he is a very charming man who loves to sit a talk for hours about farming and other things. He is also one of the best dancers of our day and he does not hesitate to dance with any lady who wishes (and most of them do). When he is in a situation where he can let loose and not have to worry about protocol he is very good company!

The Boston Tea Party

Mohawk Indians "Throw" a Tea Party

Boston Dec 16 1773 (EG) Three 20 ton teacups sailed into the Port of Boston with invitations to a distinctly British High Tea. The invitation was unceremoniously rejected by a group of British Citizens in Massachusetts. On this chilly December evening at Griffins Wharf, a group of "Mohawk Indians" showed up uninvited to "have tea" with the Great Father across the sea. The Patriots of New England rather conspicuously supported the way the "Mohawks" crashed the King's soirée. They were very neighborly, though. They lent the King a very large teapot to brew the East India Co. tea ... Boston Harbor.

King George III might have considered sending the invitation by less impersonal means but he did not feel the need to patronize the organizers of this resistance whom he called "dangerous and ill designing men". The King of Britain and Parliament has chosen to set a tax on tea for two very self-serving reasons. The first is to establish the authority of Parliament to tax the colonies without their consent. Secondarily, the measure supported the Government-subsidized East India Co. (Stock Symbol: EIC) It is effectively a stop-gap effort to help EIC avoid bankruptcy caused by a bureaucratically induced cash drain that threatens to undo the company.

Samuel Adams, de facto leader of the Sons of Liberty, a colonial grass roots political action committee, is having no part of it. He will do anything to prevent the tea from being sold. When these partisans were unable to convince the ship owners or the Royal Governor, Thomas Hutchinson, to send the tea back where it came from, they conspired to dump the offending tea overboard. This evening "disguised" Mohawk Indians with tomahawks, clubs and painted faces descended on Griffins Wharf. These "Indians" moved about very much like the stevedore's they are on their day job. In three hours they dumped the entire 45 tons of tea from the three East India Company ships into the harbor. They were cheered on by hundreds of Boston's sympathetic citizens.

In London, the King is clearly infuriated with his subject's behavior. Three thousand miles away, in his outrage at the vandalism, he and Parliament are now considering new legislation which they are calling the Boston Port Act. It is being reported that it will declare an embargo, close the Port of Boston, and even revoke the Massachusetts Bay Colony Charter. These new laws being considered are already being touted as the "Intolerable Acts" by Great Britain's subjects in New England and, in fact, all of North America. They are to remain in effect until the cost of the tea is reimbursed by the Bay Colony. If Adams and his group have any say, King George will wait for a very long time.

The other twelve colonies have decided, in a show of unity to support their neighbors in the beleaguered colony. They are sending herds of sheep, cattle and pigs overland along with food and clothing to New England. There is also a swelling movement to send the Minute Men companies or even the militia if the authorities decide to use any force to bring the colony into subjection.

The Son's of Liberty are privately saying that King George may wish he had withdrawn his earlier invitation to tea!

Illegal Search and Seizure Lambasted

Boston Feb 15 1761 (EG News)

In a stirring speech delivered to the Superior Court, Boston’s own James Otis Esq. opposed the Writs of Assistance which were ordered by the court at the request of the Royal Governor, Sir Francis Bernard. These court orders authorized customs officers or whoever bore them to conduct searches anywhere they pleased for whatever motive possessed them. Their original purpose according to Crown authorities was to stop the illegal trade and smuggling that is depriving the customs officials of their rightful tariffs. While Otis did not contend that smugglers should go free he made a passionate plea against the violation of British Liberties that these writs allow.

He began by saying that,

“I take this opportunity to declare that, whether under a fee or not (for in such a cause as this I despise a fee), I will to my dying day oppose with all the powers and faculties God has given me all such instruments of slavery on the one hand, and villainy on the other, as this writ of assistance is.”

He went on to say that these writs were, “the worst instrument of arbitrary power, the most destructive of English liberty and the fundamental principles of law, that ever was found in an English law book.”

Otis actually tendered his resignation as advocate-general because he could not in good conscience defend these writes as he had originally been asked to do. He said,

“I renounced that office, and I argue this cause from the same principle; and I argue it with the greater pleasure, as it is in favor of British liberty, at a time when we hear the greatest monarch upon earth declaring from his throne that he glories in the name of Briton, and that the privileges of his people are dearer to him than the most valuable prerogatives of his crown; and as it is in opposition to a kind of power, the exercise of which, in former periods of history, cost one king of England his head and another his throne. … Let the consequences by what they will … The only principles of public conduct that are worthy of a gentleman or a man are to sacrifice estate, ease, health, and applause, and even life, to the sacred calls of his country.”

Otis’s arguments against these writs include these very specific reasons.

1) They are too general and allows too much latitude on the part of the government.

2) They are perpetual, that is it does not have any limit on the time it can be carried out.

3) They allow too much latitude as to the place. They apply to any home or business.

4) They are transferable to anyone to whom the customs official may give it.

Otis then made one of the most impassioned pleas ever heard on behalf of British Liberties.

“Now one of the most essential branches of English liberty is the freedom of one's house. A man's house is his castle; and while he is quiet, he is as well guarded as a prince in his castle. This writ, if it should be declared legal, would totally annihilate this privilege. Custom-house officers may enter our houses when they please; we are commanded to permit their entry. Their menial servants may enter, may break locks, bars, and everything in their way; and whether they break through malice or revenge, no man, no court can inquire. Bare suspicion without oath is sufficient. This wanton exercise of this power is not a chimerical suggestion of a heated brain.”

He went on to share several horror stories about how many innocent people have been brutalized by these writs. After the session drew to a close we were able to catch that up and coming young attorney John Adams (who never fails us for a good quote) to give us his analysis of the speech.

Adams said that Otis “asserted that every man, merely natural, was an independent sovereign, subject to no law but the law written on his heart and revealed to him by his Maker, in the constitution of his nature, and the inspiration of his understanding and his conscience. His right to his life, his liberty, no created being could rightfully contest. Nor was his right to his property less incontestable. The club that he had snapped from a tree, for a staff or for defense, was his own. His bow and arrow were his own; if by a pebble he had killed a partridge or a squirrel, it was his own. No creature, man or beats, had a right to take it from him. If he had taken an eel, or a smelt, or a sculpin, it was his property. In short, he sported upon this topic with so much wit and humor, and at the same time with so much indisputable truth and reason, that he was not less entertaining than instructive. He asserted that these rights were inherent and inalienable; that they never could be surrendered or alienated, but by idiots or madmen.”

Today Otis set those justices back a hundred years or so and even regaled them with 100 years of history proving that these acts along with most of the navigation acts were diametrically opposed to the English Constitution.

The justices did not listen. They rejected his arguments out of hand and made sure he knew that he had better watch his step and not to repeat this foolishness again. He took it all in stride as his pride was attacked. Today the Superior court did not listen to a word James Otis had to say but I dare say that any British Citizens in that courtroom today listened and it will not be the last we hear on this matter from James Otis Esq.

Tea Party News Dispatched to London

Samuel Adams Report to Arthur Lee,
MA Colonial Representative

BOSTON Dec 31, 1773

My DEAR SIR

I am now to inform you of as remarkable an event as has yet happened since the commencement of our struggle for American liberty. The meeting of the town of Boston an account of which I enclosed in my last was succeeded by the arrival of the ship Falmouth Captain Hall with 114 chests of the East India Company's tea on the 28th of November last. The next day the people met in Faneuil hall without observing the rules prescribed by law for calling them together and although that hall is capable of holding i 200 or 1300 men they were soon obliged for the want of room to adjourn to the Old South meeting house where were assembled upon this important occasion 5000 some say 6ooo men consisting of the respectable inhabitants of this and the adjacent towns.

The business of the meeting was conducted with decency unanimity and spirit. Their resolutions you will observe in an enclosed printed paper. It naturally fell upon the correspondence for the town of Boston to see that these resolutions were carried into effect. This committee finding that the owner was cargo except the tea was by no means disposed to take the necessary steps for her sailing back to London thought it best to call in the committees of Charlestown, Cambridge, Brookline, Roxbury and Dorchester all of which towns are in the neighbourhood of this for their advice and assistance. After a free conference and due consideration they dispersed. The next day being the 4th inst the people met again at the Old South church and having ascertained the owner they compelled him to apply at the custom house for a clearance for his ship to London with the tea on board and appointed ten gentlemen to see it performed after which they adjourned till Thursday the 16th. The people then met and Mr Rotch informed them that he had according to their injunction applied to the collector of the customs for a clearance and received in answer from the collector that he could not consistently with his duty grant him a clearance until the ship should be discharged of the dutiable article on board. It must be here observed that Mr Rotch had before made a tender of the tea to the consignees being told by them that it was not practicable for them at that time to receive the tea by reason of a constant guard kept upon it by armed men but that when it might be practicable they would receive it. He demanded the captain's bill of lading and the freight both which they refused him against which he entered a regular protest. The people then required Mr Rotch to protest the refusal of the collector to grant him a clearance under these circumstances and thereupon to wait upon the governor for a permit to pass the castle in her voyage to London and then adjourned till the afternoon. They then met and after waiting till sun setting Mr Rotch returned and acquainted them that the governor had refused to grant him a passport thinking it inconsistent with the laws and his duty to the king to do it until the ship should be qualified notwithstanding. Mr Rotch had acquainted him with the circumstances above mentioned. You will observe by the printed tea should not be landed but sent back to London in the same bottom and the property should be safe & guarded while in port which they punctually performed formed. It cannot therefore be fairly said that the destruction of the property was in their contemplation. It is proved that the consignees together with the collector of the customs and the governor of the province prevented the safe return of the East India Company's property the danger of the sea only excepted to London. The people finding all their endeavours for this purpose thus totally frustrated dissolved the meeting which had consisted by common estimation of at least seven thousand men many of whom had come from towns at the distance of twenty miles. In less than four hours every chest of tea on board three ships which had by this time arrived three hundred and forty two chests or rather the contents of them was thrown into the sea without the least injury to the vessels or any other property. The only remaining vessel which was expected with this detested article is by the act of righteous heaven cast on shore on the back of Cape Cod which has often been the sad fate of many a more valuable cargo. For a more particular detail of facts I refer you to our worthy friend Dr Hugh Williamson who kindly takes the charge of this letter. We have had great pleasure in his company for a few weeks past and he favoured the meeting with his presence.

You cannot imagine the height of joy that sparkles in the eyes and animates the countenances as well as the hearts of all we meet on this occasion excepting the disappointed, disconcerted Hutchinson and his tools. I repeat what I wrote you in my last if lord Dartmouth has prepared his plan let him produce it speedily but his lordship must know that it must be such a plan as will not barely amuse much less farther irritate but conciliate the affection of the inhabitants.

I had forgot to tell you that before the arrival of either of these ships that the tea commissioners had preferred a petition to the governor and council praying to resign themselves and the property in their care to his excellency and the board as guardians and protectors of the people and that measures may be directed for the landing and securing the tea &c. I have enclosed you the result of the council on that petition. He, the governor, is, now I am told, consulting his lawyers and books to make out that the resolves of the meeting are treasonable. I duly received your favours of the 23d June of the 21st July and 13th October and shall make the best use I can of the important contents.

Believe me to be affectionately your friend,

Samuel Adams

Committee of Correspondence News Flash

THE COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE OF BOSTON TO OTHER COMMITTEES OF CORRESPONDENCE

BOSTON 17th Dec 1773

GENTLEMEN

Yesterday we had a greater meeting of the Body than ever the Country coming in from twenty miles round & every step was taken that was practicable for returning the Teas The moment it was known out of doors that Mr Rotch could not obtain a pass for his Ship by the Castle a number of people huzza'd in the Street and in a very little time every ounce of the Teas on board of the Cap Hall Bruce & Coffin was immersed in the Bay without the least injury to private property The Spirit of the People on this occasion surpris'd all parties who view d the Scene We conceived it our duty to afford you the most early advice of this interesting event by express which departing immediately obliges us to conclude.

In the Name of the Committee

Samuel Adams

Boston Tea Party - Inside report

Boston Dec 19 1773 (EG News)

The following is a report from George Hewes, a Boston Shoemaker, who claims to have participated in this protest. We can only applaud his bravery at coming forward to give us this first hand account! We pray the Lord's protection for this courageous man and his family from the tyrannical ministerial forces that threaten all of our British Liberties!

"The tea destroyed was contained in three ships, lying near each other at what was called at that time Griffin's wharf, and were surrounded by armed ships of war, the commanders of which had publicly declared that if the rebels, as they were pleased to style the Bostonians, should not withdraw their opposition to the landing of the tea before a certain day, the 17th day of December, they should on that day force it on shore, under the cover of their cannon's mouth.

On the day preceding the seventeenth, there was a meeting of the citizens of the county of Suffolk, convened at one of the churches in Boston, for the purpose of consulting on what measures might be considered expedient to prevent the landing of the tea, or secure the people from the collection of the duty. At that meeting a committee was appointed to wait on Governor Hutchinson, and request him to inform them whether he would take any measures to satisfy the people on the object of the meeting.

To the first application of this committee, the Governor told them he would give them a definite answer by five o'clock in the afternoon. At the hour appointed, the committee again repaired to the Governor's house, and on inquiry found he had gone to his country seat at Milton, a distance of about six miles. When the committee returned and informed the meeting of the absence of the Governor, there was a confused murmur among the members, and the meeting was immediately dissolved, many of them crying out, "Let every man do his duty, and be true to his country"; and there was a general huzza for Griffin's wharf.

It was now evening, and I immediately dressed myself in the costume of an Indian, equipped with a small hatchet, which I and my associates denominated the tomahawk, with which, and a club, after having painted my face and hands with coal dust in the shop of a blacksmith, I repaired to Griffin's wharf, where the ships lay that contained the tea. When I first appeared in the street after being thus disguised, I fell in with many who were dressed, equipped and painted as I was, and who fell in with me and marched in order to the place of our destination.

When we arrived at the wharf, there were three of our number who assumed an authority to direct our operations, to which we readily submitted. They divided us into three parties, for the purpose of boarding the three ships which contained the tea at the same time. The name of him who commanded the division to which I was assigned was Leonard Pitt. The names of the other commanders I never knew.

We were immediately ordered by the respective commanders to board all the ships at the same time, which we promptly obeyed. The commander of the division to which I belonged, as soon as we were on board the ship appointed me boatswain, and ordered me to go to the captain and demand of him the keys to the hatches and a dozen candles. I made the demand accordingly, and the captain promptly replied, and delivered the articles; but requested me at the same time to do no damage to the ship or rigging.

We then were ordered by our commander to open the hatches and take out all the chests of tea and throw them overboard, and we immediately proceeded to execute his orders, first cutting and splitting the chests with our tomahawks, so as thoroughly to expose them to the effects of the water.

In about three hours from the time we went on board, we had thus broken and thrown overboard every tea chest to be found in the ship, while those in the other ships were disposing of the tea in the same way, at the same time. We were surrounded by British armed ships, but no attempt was made to resist us.

We then quietly retired to our several places of residence, without having any conversation with each other, or taking any measures to discover who were our associates; nor do I recollect of our having had the knowledge of the name of a single individual concerned in that affair, except that of Leonard Pitt, the commander of my division, whom I have mentioned. There appeared to be an understanding that each individual should volunteer his services, keep his own secret, and risk the consequence for himself. No disorder took place during that transaction, and it was observed at that time that the stillest night ensued that Boston had enjoyed for many months.

During the time we were throwing the tea overboard, there were several attempts made by some of the citizens of Boston and its vicinity to carry off small quantities of it for their family use. To effect that object, they would watch their opportunity to snatch up a handful from the deck, where it became plentifully scattered, and put it into their pockets.

One Captain O'Connor, whom I well knew, came on board for that purpose, and when he supposed he was not noticed, filled his pockets, and also the lining of his coat. But I had detected him and gave information to the captain of what he was doing. We were ordered to take him into custody, and just as he was stepping from the vessel, I seized him by the skirt of his coat, and in attempting to pull him back, I tore it off; but, springing forward, by a rapid effort he made his escape. He had, however, to run a gauntlet through the crowd upon the wharf nine each one, as he passed, giving him a kick or a stroke.

Another attempt was made to save a little tea from the ruins of the cargo by a tall, aged man who wore a large cocked hat and white wig, which was fashionable at that time. He had sleightly slipped a little into his pocket, but being detected, they seized him and, taking his hat and wig from his head, threw them, together with the tea, of which they had emptied his pockets, into the water. In consideration of his advanced age, he was permitted to escape, with now and then a slight kick.

The next morning, after we had cleared the ships of the tea, it was discovered that very considerable quantities of it were floating upon the surface of the water; and to prevent the possibility of any of its being saved for use, a number of small boats were manned by sailors and citizens, who rowed them into those parts of the harbor wherever the tea was visible, and by beating it with oars and paddles so thoroughly drenched it as to render its entire destruction inevitable."

- George Hewes, shoemaker, Boston, Massechusetts Bay Colony

The First Civil War between British Cousins (a reprise may be in store)

Editorial (EG) by Ian Innes

With all of the fuss over the rights of Englishmen and the increasing sound of fury over the tyranny of the crown we thought it might be constructive to take a look at what occurred on the Isle of Britain just over 100 years ago. It may shock you to see that the issues we are dealing with today in the 18^th century may not be too fresh after all.

King Charles, the second son of King James the 6th of Scotland and the 1st of England, was raised in a very religious home and had taken on some of his father's conservative views about the Divine Right of Kings to rule by God's appointment. Even though, in most cases it would seem that his father looked upon God's Appointment more as a responsibility than a right, Charles took it to the extreme. He ignored the last 600 years of constitutional history in England and decided he could rule without the people's representation.

Three times he dissolved Parliament and the third time was the straw that broke the camel's back. In 1629 he made political prisoners of several of the leaders of the opposition and declared that he would rule alone. This was the beginning of eleven years of what the supporters of the king called "personal rule". His opponents called it the "eleven year tyranny". In 1632 he appointed Tom Wentworth a supporter from Parliament, and a member of the Privy Council, as Lord-Deputy of Ireland. Wentworth made himself odious to the predominantly Catholic Aristocracy of Ireland and that was just the beginning of his troubles. The tyranny of the King was transferred through him to the Irish people and was indirectly at least the cause of an Irish uprising in 1641.

He not only made patriotic enemies of his political opponents but made religious enemies as well. Charles embraced the "High" Anglican form of worship and appointed William Laud as Archbishop of Canterbury. Laud militantly opposed the Puritan movement as well as any other religious inkling that differed from his own. This meant that our Puritan forebears, who had gained a considerable following in the last century, could not hope to be happy. He also tried to force his form of worship on his Presbyterians neighbors to the north as well. In 1633 the King married the French Catholic Princess, Henrietta Maria. This meant that the only people he did not offend in religion or politics were those of a decided minority of the Popish persuasion who enjoyed freedom of worship with their Queen.

In 1639, the Scottish Presbyterians decided that enough was enough. Staunch Covenanters, Lords Argyll, Montrose, Rothes and Balmerino along with others, met in Edinburgh and began to raise an army. Alexander Leslie was named General of the Scottish forces and began training in earnest. King Charles also attempted to raise an Army but public sentiment, lack of funds and religious support among the Puritans stymied his efforts. An abortive attempt to subdue the Scots led to the King making vague concessions to Scots demands. By 1640 he had again decided to check the Covenanters by force.

He now needed more funds than he could ever hope to raise on his own ... so he recalled Parliament. This proved to be futile as the people's representatives refused to authorize funding of the war. A time when the check of the people was shown to abort tyranny, yet it was only possible because there was a representation in the first place. Wentworth was recalled from Ireland to assist his sovereign. This he did capably, if not popularly, by forcing the Irish Parliament to finance the war, again subverting the English ideal of representative government. Scotland decided to invade rather than wait for the English to take the initiative. The war was a disaster for the King. In the end he was forced to concede to all of the Scottish demands and his two most loyal ministers, Laud and Wentworth were impeached and ultimately put to death as traitors.

Then in 1641, the Irish revolted. This was in large part due to the strong handed tactics of Wentworth. It resulted in a struggle between Parliament and the King as to who would control the military. Charles tried to arrest the five leading members of the opposition as they were sitting in Parliament. This caused the King of England to lose his moral authority. The Royal family was forced out of London. England's first civil war was underway. Are we the only ones who see a parallel to our present struggle. As was done in the last century, republican virtue must rise again to check tyranny and the eventual enslavement of a whole continent of people.

Paul Revere’s Mid Day Ride

Portsmouth December 15, 1774 (EG) Two days ago on a particularly icy ride up the Boston Post road to Portsmouth, NH in the dead of winter, Paul Revere rode into town with a dispatch for that town's Committee of Correspondence. Basically, it outlined the King George's decision to disarm the colonists and to make sure they had no gunpowder or artillery. It has become known to the Boston Committee that General Thomas Gage has been instructed to confiscate any weapon or powder that any colonist's have either stored or to which they could conceivably gain access.

Yesterday, John Langdon, along with several other's attempted to divert the powder and weaponry from the local armory at Fort William and Mary by guile. It soon became evident that Captain John Cochran, who was in charge of the Fort, along with 5 or 6 disabled soldiers, would not be easily fooled. In fact, he declared that he would defend the Fort "to the last extremity". At this point a prearranged signal was sounded and about one hundred New Hampshire farmers, artisans and politicos stormed the fort.

It was not a moment too soon. Captain Cochran fired an artillery blast from the walls of the fort, which thankfully went right over the heads militia who stormed the Kings fortification amid a hail of lead and cannon ball fire. Amazingly, while several shots were fired no one was reported to have been hit. Just as astounding is that the tiny band of invalid soldiers, who were outnumbered 20-1, did not go quietly. Even Captain Cochran's wife, Sarah, grabbed a bayonet and joined her husband's defense of the fort. Happily, they were subdued quickly and almost all of the powder was removed.

A rumor was reported and still persisted that there was a regiment of Regulars on the way to subdue the rebellion. This caused the somewhat hurriedly banded together militia to be anxious to be on their way. No sooner was the Union Jack been lowered and ultimate control of the fort achieved, when these men, who were are in danger of being tried for treason, quietly faded away into the night. Captain Cochran and his band of invalids regained control. Last night Cochran slept better than he had a right to because he still retained about 100 Royal muskets and 16 Royal Cannon.

He should never have trusted in this unwise assessment of his new enemy's tactical capacity! This evening, just moments ago, at about 10 pm, John Sullivan led another band of men to liberate the stock of muskets and cannon. This group had been raised from all of the surrounding towns. An unexpectedly large group of over 1000 New Hampshire citizens has risen up. When Cochran had just fallen asleep, they came marching in to finish the job. We saw not only militia along with many ordinary citizens, but even the local Minister joined has put himself in harms way.

Captain Cochran heard the rabble before he saw them and it seems he decided to use an intimidating command to hold them off. We saw the written message he sent threatening to again fire on them if they did not turn back. Due to the tremendous martial spirit of the troops (or maybe just because they had taken all of the Captain's powder the night before) they did not slow down a bit. Captain Cochran then decided to try some subterfuge of his own. He called for negotiations. Militia Major John Sullivan decided to humor the man. Relying on these citizens’s respect for His Majesty's authority, Captain Cochran agreed to give the townspeople everything that was rightfully theirs. This included about 50 old and useless muskets and some other small pieces. We heard him loudly proclaiming that anything with the King's mark on it could not be taken.

Major Sullivan sent Major Thomas Tash to the gate with a group of men to retrieve the stores they had negotiated for. Major Sullivan assured Captain Cochran that these men would behave themselves and do their business quickly and then leave the fort. Cochran again shouted warnings in his most earnest impersonation of a minister of the Gospel. He railed that they should not "meddle with or take away anything belonging to the King". We were a bit taken back when we observed Tash's men assuring him that they understood his discourse. We resumed our faith in our own estimation of the man as soon as he and his men entered the fort. In a rowdy riot of noise just minutes ago all 1000 militia men followed them in and proceeded to take everything they could see. There is literally nothing of value left.

To top off Captain Cochran's embarrassment, his father picked this inopportune moment to visit him. The father apparently shares his son's bravery under fire. This brave old man walked right up to Major Sullivan and bellowed that he and his men "was a bunch of lying, cowardly traitors." He claimed that he and his son could fight them all (two at a time, of course, the man did retain a small part of his mind) and put them all to death. His son readily agreed to support his father’s challenge but they were chagrined when not one of the men stepped forward to accept the challenge.

This seems to be the first confrontation of this sort where shots were fired. It is also the first time in all of the trouble over the last ten years of struggle with the authority of parliament that prisoners were taken and the Kings colors were hauled down. If this is any indication of things to come we are apt to see many charges of treason and just as likely to see an entire rising against the King. In fact if those regulars in Boston weren't so weighed down by their concern about the winter temperatures here in New England, today may have seen the start of a civil war!