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Chapter 15 Part 1 - Sixty Days of Service - From the 19th of April to the 17th of June · Life and Times of Joseph Warren

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Chapter fifteen, Part one of Life and Times of Joseph warm by Richard Rodingham.
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This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Sixty Days of Service,
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the Committee of Safety, the Provincial Congress, Organization of the Army, Letters
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of Warren, the Third Provincial Congress. Warren elected President, elected Major General
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seventeen seventy five. From the nineteenth of April to the seventeenth of June.
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Warren had reason to be proud of the bearing of his countrymen. On the
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nineteenth of April. They made good every confident word which he had uttered on
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their bravery. The allegation of cowardice would no longer answer, even in England
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as an explanation of the forebearons that have been so persistently exercised. All the
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organizations of the Popular Party, the local Committees, the Provincial and Continental Congresses,
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had urged the necessity of keeping purely on the defensive. It had been
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adhered to under the most trying circumstances, even up to the moment of the
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appearance of the British troops on Lexington Green. But after the fire of their
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musketry, forbearance was no longer a virtue. The question who fired the first
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gun was considered to be of great importance. The simple statement which flew through
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the land that a British brigade had fired on a provincial company seemed the vindication
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of the severe handling which the minutemen gave to the regulars. It was like
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the sounding of a tocsin. No patriots made the plea that a portion of
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the party had madly rushed upon war, But the judgment was as spontaneous as
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it was righteous. That the firing was the crowning act of a series of
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aggressions on a loyal and unoffending people, and that the hour had come in
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which to redeem their pledges of union by moving to the support of their brethren.
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The army of citizen soldiers who hastened to the point of danger and shut
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up the British army in Boston was a magic demonstration of the life and power
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of American nationality. Warren was called upon for service when the great event of
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the day of Lexington and Conquered, like the destruction of the Tea, wrests
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the affairs from the control of men and cast them upon the current of ideas.
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But I do not feel called upon to trace the effect of the event
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on the nationality of England, or only incidentally on that of America. But
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propose, as an act of justice to Warren's memory, to give an idea
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of his varied labours as he moved on towards the Mount of Sacrifice. There
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is no recording of the proceedings of the Committee of Safety on the nineteenth of
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April. They were in session the whole day of the twentieth and the night,
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but only the circulars they issued are recorded. I copy the following letter,
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addressed to the towns from the original in Warren's handwriting, which contains much
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interludiation, it seems to glow with the fire of battle. Gentlemen, the
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barbarous murders committed on our innocent brethren on Wednesday, the nineteenth Instant have made
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it absolutely necessary that we immediately raise an army to defend our wives and our
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children from the butchering hands of an inhuman soldiery, who, incensed that the
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obstacles they met with in their bloody progress, and enraged at being repulsed from
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the field of slaughter, will, without the least doubt, take the first
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opportunity in their power to ravage this devoted country with fire and sword. We
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conjure you, therefore, by all that is dear, by all that is
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sacred, that you give all assistance possible in forming an army. Are all
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is at stake. Death and devastation are the instant consequences of delay. Every
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moment is infinitely precious, and our loss may deluge your huntry in blood and
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entail perpetual slavery upon the few of your posterity who may survive the carnage.
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We beg and entreat as you will answer to your country, to your own
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consciences, and above all, as you will answer to God himself, that
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you will hasten and encourage, by all possible beings the enlistment of men to
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form the army and send them forward to headquarters at Cambridge, with that expedition
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which the vast importance and instant urgency of the affair demands. On this day
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of keen anguish, Warren addressed the following letter to General Gage, Cambridge,
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April twentieth, seventeen seventy five. Sir, the unhappy situation into which this
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colony is throne gives the greatest uneasiness to every man who regards the welfare of
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the empire, or feels for the distresses of his fellow men. But even
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now much may be done to alleviate those misfortunes which cannot be entirely remedied.
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And I think of the utmost importance to us that our conduct be such as
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that the contending parties may entirely rely upon the honor and integrity of each other
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for the punctual performance of any agreement that shall be made between them. Your
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excellency, I believe knows very well the part I have taken in public affairs
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I have ever scorned disguise. I think I have done my duty. Some
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may think otherwise, But be assured, Sir, as far as my influence
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goes, everything which can be reasonably be required of us to do shall be
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done, and everything promised shall be religiously performed. I should now be very
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glad to know from you, Sir, how many days you desire may be
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allowed for such as desire to remove to Boston with their effects, and what
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time you will allow the people in Boston for their removal. When I have
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received that information, I will repair to Congress and hasten as far as I
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am able, the issuing a proclamation, I beg leave to suggest that the
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condition of admitting only thirty wagons at a time into the town appears to me
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to be very inconvenient and will prevent the good effects of a proclamation intended to
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be issued for encouraging all wagoners to assisted removing the effects from Boston with all
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possible speed. If your Excellency will be pleased to take the matter into consideration
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and favor me as soon as may be with an answer, it will lay
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me under a great obligation, as it so nearly concerns the welfare of my
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friends in Boston. I have many things which I wish to say to your
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excellency, and most sincerely wish I had broken through the formalities which I thought
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due your rank, and freely have told you all I knew or thought of
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public affairs. And I must ever confess, whatever may be the event that
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you generously gave me such opening as I now think I ought to have embraced.
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But the true cause of my not doing it was the knowledge I had
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of the vileness and treachery of many persons around you, who I supposed had
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gained your entire confidence. I am etc. Joseph Warren, his excellency,
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General Gage. On the twenty first, the Committee of Safety resolved to enlist
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out of the Massachusetts forces eight thousand effective men. Adopted the forms of the
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enlisting papers to meet the emergency, and resolved to propose an establishment at an
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early day after the meeting of Congress. The labours of the Committee of Safety
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were uncommonly arduous. Doctor Eliot says nothing could be in a more confused state
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than the army which first assembled at Cambridge. This undisciplined body of men were
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kept together by a few who deserved well of their country. Doctor Warren was
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perhaps the man who had the most influence, and in whom the people in
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the environs of Boston and Cambridge placed their highest confidence. He did wonders in
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preserving order among the troops. On the twenty second, the Provincial Congress,
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which had been summoned on the eighteenth, assembled at Conquered When a letter addressed
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by Hosia Quincy Junior to Samuel Adams was presented, opened, read, and
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ordered to be sent to Warren, to be used at his discretion when in
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order to be nearer the army, the Congress adjourned to meet in the afternoon
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at Watertown. On reassembling here, the Congress, after notifying officially the Committee
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of Safety of its meeting, adjourned until the next day. On the twenty
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third Sunday, Congress held an important session. Instead of the usual stillness of
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the Sabbath, there was now the hurry of war. The militia of the
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neighboring colonies were approaching the scene of action by hasty marches. Families in great
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distress were hurrying from the seaport towns into the country, while a large number
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of the minutemen so suddenly summoned to the field were returning to their homes.
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On this day, Warren read in Congress a letter from a Connecticut committee of
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correspondence, well calculated to nerve the desponding and to cheer on the brave.
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Every preparation, the letter said, is making to support your province. The
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ardor of our people is such that they cannot be kept back. The colonels
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are to forward a part of the best men, and most ready as fast
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as possible. The remainder to be ready at a moment's warning. On this
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day, it was voted to raise an army of thirteen thousand, six hundred
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men as the quota of Massachusetts in the Army of thirty thousand, which it
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was resolved, ought to be raised in the afternoon. Hancock, the regular
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President, being absent, it was voted to choose a president pro temporary.
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When a committee reported that the vote was full for doctor Warren. Papers bearing
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his signature while acting in this capacity occur, henceforward to the day of his
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death. He said today to doctor Belknapp, the town must be cleared and
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would be soon. On the twenty fourth, the following commission, which has
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Warren's autograph, was given to Captain Ebenezer Winship and dated in Committee of Safety.
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Sir, you are to enlist the company of Rangers, whereof Jonathan Brewer
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is Colonel. You are hereby empowered immediately to enlist the company to consist of
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fifty nine able bodied and effective men, including sergeants, as soldiers in the
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Massachusetts Service, for the preservation of American liberty, and cause them to muster
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as soon as possible. Joseph Warren, Chairman. The signature is in his
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large handwriting. On the twenty fifth, the following resolve was passed, which
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is in Warren's handwriting in Committee of Safety, resolve that be ordered with the
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troops of horse under his command, to proceed forward as an escort to the
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honorable members of the Continent Congress on their way to Philadelphia, until they are
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met by an escort from the Colony of Connecticut, Joseph Warren Chairman. One
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of the delegates was Samuel Adams, and the friends parted for the last time.
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On the twenty sixth Warren's intimate Friendjsiah Quincy Junior, died as he reached
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his native land. His biographer says he repeatedly said to the seamen on whose
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attentions he was chiefly dependent, that he had but one desire and prayer,
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which was that he might live long enough to have an interview with Samuel Adams
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or Joseph Warren. That granted he should die content this wish of the patriot's
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heart, Heaven, in its inscrutable wisdom, did not grant. On this
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day, Warren penned the following letter in relation to the New Hampshire Forces,
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copied from the original in his handwriting, seventeen seventy five, Cambridge, April
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twenty sixth, Sir, our friends from New Hampshire have shown their readiness to
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assist us on this day of distress. Therefore thought it best to give orders
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for enlisting such as were present in the service of this colony. As many
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desired, something might be done to hold them together until the resolve of your
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Congress is known. When we are ready and desirous, they should be discharged
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from us and put under such command as you shall direct. Colonel Sergeant has
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been so kind as to afford his utmost assistance in conducting this matter. On
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the twenty seventh Warren addressed the following letter to Arthur Lee, which shows the
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views with which he was now acting as the head of the popular cause.
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Cambridge, April twenty seventh, seventeen seventy five. My dear Sir, our
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friend Quincy just lived to come on shore to die in his own country.
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He expired yesterday morning. His virtues rendered him dear and his ability useful to
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his country. The wicked measures of administration have at length brought matters to a
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crisis. I think it probable that the rage of the people, excited by
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the most clear view of the cursed designs of administration and the barbarous effusion of
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the blood of their countrymen will lead them to attack General Gauge and burn the
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ships in the harbor. Lord Chatham and our friends must make up the breach
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immediately or never. If anything terrible takes place, it will not now do
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to talk of calling the colonies to account for it, but must be attributed
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to the true cause, the unheard of provocations given to this people. They
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never will talk of accommodation until the present ministry are entirely removed. You may
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depend the colonies will sooner suffer depopulation than come into any measures with them.
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The next news from England must be conciliatory, or the connection between us ends,
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however or fatal the consequences may be. Prudence may yet alleviate the misfortunes
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and calm the convulsions into which the Empire is throne by the madness of the
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president administration. May Almighty God direct you if anything is proposed that may be
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for the honor and safety of Great Britain and these colonies. My utmost efforts
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shall not be wanting. I am in the utmost haste, surrounded by fifteen
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or twenty thousand men, Your most obedient servant, Joseph Warren ps the narrative
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sent to doctor Franklin contains a true state of facts, but it was difficult
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to make the people willing that any notice should be taken of the matter by
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way of narrative until the Army and Navy were taken or driven away. JW.
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On the twenty eighth Warren was appointed by the Committee of Safety to express
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its sentiments relative to Lord Dartmouth's circular letter to the governors of the calls.
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This circular, with other declarations, says that his Majesty was determined to resist
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every attempt to encourage in the colony's ideas of independence. Warren's letter shows that
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he was of opinion that the next news from England must be conciliatory or the
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connection between the two countries would end. On this day he was placed on
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a committee to consider the condition of the inhabitants of Boston, and he was
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the chairman of a committee appointed by the Provincial Congress to confer with a delegation
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from New Hampshire. In a letter addressed to the patriots of that colony,
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Congress said that the conviction was general in Massachusetts and the other colonies that by
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their immediate and most vigorous exertions. There was the greatest prospect of establishing these
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liberties and saving the country. On the twenty ninth the Provincial Congress and the
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Committee of Safety were in session. I select from the very business of that
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day the following report, which has Warren's autograph. In Committee of Safety,
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Cambridge, April twenty ninth, seventeen seventy five. Agreeably to the order of
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the Provincial Congress, this Committee have inquired into the state and situation of the
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cannon and ordnance stores with the provision made for the companies of artillery, and
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beg leave to report as follows viz. In Cambridge six three pounders complete with
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ammunition, and one six pounder. In Watertown sixteen pieces of artillery of different
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sizes. The said six pounder and sixteen pieces will be taken out of the
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way, and the first mentioned six pieces will be used in the proper way
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of defense. Captain Forster is appointed to command one of the companies of artillery
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and ordered to enlist said company. Captain William Lee of Marblehead is sent for
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to take the command of another, and several other persons are sent for to
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take command for other companies, Joseph Warren, Chairman. On the thirtieth Sunday,
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Warren kept mostly with the Committee of Safety, which met in Cambridge,
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and he passed an uncommonly anxious and busy day. The Tories in Boston were
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alarmed at the exodus of the inhabitants, and were desirous to retain them as
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hostages for the safety of the town. On their remonstrance against the departure of
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so many general gage on various pretexts forbade their going out. Warren received a
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letter on this subject from the Selectmen, and the Committee on this day were
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occupied in considering it. Meantime, the Provincial Congress, which was also in
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session at Watertown, directed a letter to be sent in the afternoon to Warren,
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in which, after expressing the anxiety of the members on account of the
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distress of the people of Boston, it said this body sat in almost impatient
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expectation by several adjournments since seven o'clock this morning. The Committee of Safety reported
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to Congress, probably through Warren, a resolve providing for a system of permits
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to facilitate ingress and egress from the town, which was printed with his name
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attached. To it this subject occasion the following letter to the Selectman, which
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I copy from the original in his handwriting, which expresses his feeling for his
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everydear town of Boston. Joseph Warren to the Selectmen of Boston, Cambridge,
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April thirtieth, seventeen seventy five. Gentlemen, Enclosed, you have a resolve
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of Congress which we hope will remove every obstacle to the removal of our friends
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from Boston, the necessity of going from this town to Watertown in order to
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lay the proposals of this committee before the Provincial Congress. We hope will suggest
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to you an apology for any supposed day. But be assured that no person
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now in Boston is more deeply sensible of the distress, nor more desirous of
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relieving our brethren there than the members of this committee. Encouragement will be given
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tomorrow to the wagoners in the country to repair to Boston to give all possible
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assistance to our friends in the removal of their effects. I wrote yesterday to
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General Gage upon the subject, and requested him to take into consideration the expediency
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of restraining the country from sending in more than thirty wagons at one time,
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but I have received no answer. If I should receive any the contents,
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so far as they respect my ever dear town of Boston, shall be communicated
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to you. I am, gentlemen, with the sincerest respect and warmest affection,
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your most obedient servant. Colonel Benedict Arnold had just arrived in the camp
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from Connecticut, and he proposed to lead an expedition to capture Tykwonderoga. Warren
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was appointed on a committee on this subject and took great interest in it.
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I have space, however, for only the following letter, in which he
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expresses consideration of the rights of a sister colony, Cambridge, April thirtieth,
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seventeen seventy five. It has been proposed to us to take possession of the
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fortress of Ticonderoga. We have a just sense of the importance of that fortification
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and the usefulness of those fine cannons, mortars, and field pieces which are
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there. But we would not, even upon this emergency, infringe upon the
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rights of our sister colony, New York. But we have desired the gentleman
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who carries this letter to represent the matter to you, that you may give
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such orders as are agreeable to you. We are, with the greatest respect,
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your most obedient servants, Joseph Warren, Chairman to Alexander McDougall. On
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the first of May, Warren received a reply to his letter of the preceding
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day, signed by five of the selectmen, who said that General Gage thought
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he could not officially correspond with Warren, but desired them to reply to his
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letter. The plan of granting permits was substantially satisfactory, but on various pretexts,
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the people continued to be retained in the town. On the second,
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the Provincial Congress appointed a committee to wait on Warren to know whether he could
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serve them as their president. When he replied by the following note written on
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the blank leaf of the Letter of Selectmen of Boston, Doctor Warren presents his
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respects to the honorable Provincial Congress, informs them that he will obey their order
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and attend his duty in Congress. In the afternoon. He was a good
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deal disturbed at the action of Connecticut, which had sent an embassy to General
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Gage, and he addressed the following remarkable letter to the government of that colony,
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which I copied from the original. In Warren's handwriting, Cambridge, seventeen
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seventy five. We yesterday had a conference with doctor Johnson and Colonel Wolcott,
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who were appointed by your Assembly to deliver a letter to and hold a conference
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with General Gage. We feel the warmest gratitude to you for those generous and
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affectionate sentiments which you entertained towards us, But you will allow us to express
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our uneasiness on the account of one paragraph in your letter, in which a
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cessation of hostilities is proposed. We fear that our brethren in Connecticut are not
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even yet convinced of the cruel designs of administration against America, nor thoroughly sensible
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of the miseries to which General Gage's army have reduced this wretched colony. We
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have lost the town, and we greatly fear the inhabitants of Boston, as
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we find the General is perpetually making new conditions and forming the most unreasonable pretenses
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for retarding their removal from that garrison. Our seaports on the eastern Ghosts are
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mostly deserted. Our people have been barbarously murdered by an insidious enemy, who,
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under cover of the night, have marched into the heart of the country,
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spreading destruction with fire and sword. No business but that of war is
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either done or thought of in this colony. No agreement or compact with General
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Gauge will in the least alleviate our distress, as no confidence can possibly be
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placed in any assurances he can give to a people whom he has first deceived
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in the matter taking possession of and fortifying the town of Boston, and whom
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he has suffered his army to attack in the most inhuman and treacherous manner.
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Our relief now must arise from driving General Gauge with his troops out of the
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country, which, by the blessing of God, we are determined to accomplish
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or perish in the attempt, as we think an honorable death far better to
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meet in the field whilst fighting for the liberties of all America, far to
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be preferable to being butchered in our own houses, or to being reduced to
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an ignominious slavery. We must entreat that our sister colony Connecticut, will afford
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immediately all possible aid, as at this time delay will be attended with all
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that fatal train of events which would follow from an absolute desertion of the cause
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of American liberty. Excuse our earnestness upon this subject, as we know that
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upon the success of our present depend the lives and liberties of our country and
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of succeeding generations. We are, etc. Warren attended the session of Congress
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in the afternoon, for his name occurs on two committees, one relating to
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the inhabitants of Boston, and the other on the subject of making a communication
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to the Continental Congress. On the third Warren was appointed by the Provincial Congress
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one of three persons to procure a copper plate on which to pray the colony
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notes which had been authorized, and to countersign them. On this day,
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the Congress sent to the Continental Congress a brief summary of what the Colony had
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done, and, with the most respectful submission, whilst acting in support of
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the cause of America, requested its direction and assistance. It terms the British
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troops the Ministerial Army. Having stated the steps taken to raise an army and
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the application that had been made to Rhode Island, Connecticut and New Hampshire,
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Congress said that the sudden exigency precluded the possibility of waiting for the direction of
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the Continental Congress. It expressed the greatest confidence in the wisdom and ability of
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the Continent and their determination to sustain Massachusetts, so far as it should appear
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to be necessary for supporting the common cause of the American colonies. On the
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fourth Governor Trumbull wrote a reply to the letter of Warren, which is superscribed
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Honorable Joseph Warren, Esq. Chairman of the Committee of Safety, that dispelled
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all uneasiness relative to the course of Connecticut. On this day, the Committee
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of Safety, in view of the extreme exigency of public affairs, resolved as
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the opinion of this Committee that the public good of this colony requires that government
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in full form ought to be taken up immediately, and that a copy of
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this resolution be transmitted to the Congress, now sitting at Watertown. On this
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day, Warren was appointed chairman of a committee to hold a conference with the
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Embassy from Connecticut, who had come out of Boston after an interview with General
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Gage, and he was appointed the chairman of a committee, the other members
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being Jerry and Colonel James Warren, to prepare a letter to the Assembly of
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Connecticut on the subject of its application. On the fifth, on the complaint
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that one of General Ward's officers, by insolent behavior, had obstructed the removal
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of the Bostonians, Vincial Congress ordered a sharp letter to be sent by one
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of its members to the General. The first draft of this letter, as
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reported in Congress, contained the name of the individual and related to the single
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case. This was stricken out and the following inserted, which appear in Warren's
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handwriting. Therefore, Sir, you are directed to examine into the matter and
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give such orders as shall be effectual for the future, strictly to execute,
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et cetera. And also that you give directions to your officers carefully to execute
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the resolves of Congress in all matters in which they are to act, without
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any levity or indecency of expression or behavior. On this day, Congress resolved
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that General Gage had utterly disqualified himself to serve this colony as governor and in
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every other capacity, and it issued a precept for a new provincial Congress.
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On the sixth, Warren was appointed by the Provincial Congress the chairman of a
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committee to consider a letter which had been received from the Speaker of the Connecticut
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Assembly. Reports were current in the camp, now that the regulars were about
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to make an attack. Somewhere about six o'clock PM, the army paraded and
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portions were ordered to lie on their arms all night. On Sunday the seventh,
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the Provincial Congress held three sessions, meeting first at eight o'clock, then
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at twelve, and at four, and the urgency of the hour is indicated
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in the resolve it passed directing the Committee on Supplies to procure arms and bayonets
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of any colony on the continent. On the eighth, Warren, as President
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of the Provincial Congress in Watertown, signed a letter addressed to the Honorable Artemis
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Ward, Esquire General of the Massachusetts Forces, Cambridge, directing him to apprehend
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certain persons giving their names, who, on the pretext of searching for firearms,
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were charged with committing robbery, and to hand them over to the Committee
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of Six Safety, in order that, if guilty, they might meet with
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condigned punishment. Warren was this day appointed the chairman of a committee to examine
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such persons as were recommended for surgeons in the Army. On the ninth,
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Warren was appointed on a committee to prepare a spirited application to General Gage respecting
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his treatment of the inhabitants of Boston, also on a committee to see what
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provision could be made to supply enlisted soldiers with effective firearm. On the tenth,
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the session of the Congress was long, and the business that was transacted
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was important. So direct was the intelligence from Boston that the regulars would soon
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take the field that a committee considering the expediency of removing the cannon and stores
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at Cambridge further back into the country. On this day, the Committee on
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Remonstrating with Gage, of which Warren was a member, reported a letter which
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averred that Congress had endeavored to carry into effect the Treaty d which he made
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with the Selectmen on the removal of the People, and closed with expressing the
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hope that his Excellency would no longer permit a treaty with the distressed people to
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be violated. On the eleventh, the Congress held three sessions at this time.
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The official papers addressed to Warren or having his autograph, are numerous.
30:22
The Committee of Safety passed the following vote that mister William Cooper Junior b and
30:27
he hereby is appointed a clerk to Doctor Warren, President of the Congress,
30:33
on the twelfth Congress was occupied with the vital subject of assuming a civil government
30:37
from Massachusetts, Warren being in the chair, and this question being the order
30:44
of the day. After the absent members had been called in, it was
30:48
moved that the sense of the Congress be taken on this question, viz.
30:52
Whether there is now existing in this colony a necessity of taking up and exercising
30:57
civil government in all its parts. Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the
31:03
Whole for the consideration of this question, which placed the President on the floor.
31:08
It is only said in the journals that the committee considered the question.
31:12
It is not said that Warren spoke so provokingly. Barren are the official details,
31:18
but there is the following record. The President, on a motion made,
31:23
resumed the chair the committee, then by the Honorable Joseph Warren Esquire.
31:29
Their chairman, reported that a committee be raised for the purpose of reporting to
31:33
the Congress and application to the Continental Congress for obtaining their recommendation for this colony
31:41
to take up and exercise civil government as soon as may be, and that
31:45
the committee be directed to ground the application on the necessity of the case.
31:51
The report was accepted by a large majority, and Warren was appointed to the
31:55
chairman of this committee. Thus great as the emergency was, the Patriots were
32:00
not prepared to take so important a step as creating a new government without the
32:06
sanction of the Continental Congress or of the American Union. On this day,
32:10
Warren wrote the following note here copied from the original end his handwriting, Watertown,
32:17
May twelfth, seventeen seventy five, to the Honorable the Safety of Committee.
32:23
Gentlemen, mister Pigeon is now sick. His business must be attended to.
32:29
He requests that mister Charles Miller, the bearer hereof, may be appointed
32:34
his assistant, and immediately directed to go upon business. Pray desire the young
32:38
gentleman you were pleased to appoint to be my clerk to attend here, as
32:43
I have much writing to do and want a number of papers copied for the
32:47
use of Congress. I am, gentlemen, your most obedient servant, Jay
32:52
Warren. On the fourteenth Sunday, Warren signed his name as chairman of the
32:59
Committee of Safety. The meeting of this body on this day was uncommonly important.
33:05
It resolved that all the livestock be taken from Naudles Island Hog Island,
33:08
Snake Island, and that part of Chelsea near the sea coast. Warren sent
33:14
the following note to mister Gill of the Committee of Supplies, Cambridge, fourteenth
33:20
May seventeen seventy five. Mister Moses Gill, Sir, the Committee of Safety
33:27
are informed that the iron pots provided for the Army are immediately under your care,
33:31
and by your letter are advised that fifteen hundred were prepared and five hundred
33:37
making by the account from the Commissary, there has been but eight hundred received.
33:43
We would inform you the operations of the Army are on this account obstructed,
33:47
and this occasion's considerable uneasiness. You'll critically examine into this matter, and
33:53
forthwith order said pots into the camp at Cambridge in such quantities as to complete
34:00
the above number. Joseph Warren, Chairman PS, should be glad to be
34:06
informed if the plots are disposed of agreeable to the enclosed vote of eighteenth of
34:10
April. On this day Warren was communing with Samuel Adams on the great subject
34:16
of taking up government. In the following letter, Cambridge, May fourteenth,
34:22
seventeen seventy five. Dear Sir, we are here waiting for advice from the
34:29
Continental Congress respecting our taking up government. We cannot think, after what we
34:35
have suffered for a number of years, that you will advise us to take
34:38
up that form established by the Last Charter, as it contains in it the
34:43
seeds of despotism, and would in a few years bring us again into the
34:47
same unhappy situation in which we now are. For my part, after the
34:52
termination of the present struggle, I hope never more to be obliged to enter
34:58
into a political war. I would therefore wish that the government here might be
35:02
so happily molded that the only road to promotion may be through the affection of
35:07
the people. This being the case, the interest of the governor and the
35:13
governed will be the same, and we shall no longer be plagued by a
35:16
group of unprincipled villains who have acted as though they thought they had a right
35:22
to plunder and destroy their countrymen as soon as they could obtain permission from Great
35:25
Britain for doing it. We have some very striking instances of the perfidy of
35:31
one man who has been raised by the people to power and trust in the
35:36
letters of Hutchinson, many of which I have now in my possession. When
35:40
he had obtained all the people could bestow, it is probable he would have
35:45
remained firm in their interest, because it would have been for his advantage to
35:50
have remained so had there not been a higher station to which his ambitious mind
35:54
aspired, which was not in the gift of the people. In order to
35:59
obtain this, he judged it necessary to sacrifice the people, which he has
36:02
endeavored to do in the most vile and treacherous manner. I send some extracts
36:08
from his letters, and intend speedily to have many of them published. General
36:14
Gage, I fear has trepanned the inhabitants of Boston. He has persuaded them
36:20
to lay down their arms, promising to let them remove with their effects.
36:23
But he suffers them to come out, but very slowly, contriving every day
36:28
new excuses for delay. It appears to me that a spirited remonstrance from your
36:34
Congress, and a recommendation forthwith to seize all crown officers on the continent would
36:39
be the most effectual method of liberating our friends in Boston. I pray you
36:45
would first consult our delegates upon this subject, and then, if you think
36:49
proper mention it to others. Not a moment of time is to be lost.
36:53
The distress of that town is not to be expressed by words. I
36:59
have hitherto kept the surgeon's placed in the army for your son, but I
37:02
fear it cannot be kept any longer, as the regiment has a number sick
37:07
and must have one appointed. And I have here no reason to expect your
37:10
son out at present, as he has tried every way to obtain a pass,
37:15
but to no purpose, and is, as I am informed, entered
37:20
upon the list with those whom they are determined to detain. He has attempted
37:24
to come out under a factitious name, but hitherto without success. However,
37:30
I hear the people are all treated with much more decency than they used to
37:35
be. And I doubt not but the spirited measure I have proposed to you,
37:38
together with what we are doing here, will procure the enlargement of our
37:44
distressed brethren. We have an army of about seven thousand strong already. If
37:49
the proposed army of thirty thousand men can be quickly got together, I believe
37:53
this summer will bring our disputes with Great Britain to a happy issue. It
37:59
has been seen suggested to me that an application from your Congress to the six
38:02
Nations, accompanied with some presence, might have a very good effect. It
38:07
appears to me to be worthy of your attention, as they may be of
38:13
very great use to us in case of any disturbances in the back settlements.
38:16
We must now prepare for everything, as we are certain that nothing but success
38:22
in our warlike enterprises can possibly save us from destruction. If a number of
38:28
large battery cannon with proper ammunition could be procured, I believe we should soon
38:32
settle to business with mister Gage. But it was too long before we could
38:37
be convinced that the madness of our invaders would compel us to make use of
38:40
such things. If power could be sent from the other colonies to us,
38:45
it might be of eminent service. Now. If it be possible to subdue
38:50
the army here, I believe we may make our own terms, for we
38:54
shall have much to offer for the benefit of Great Britain, even after she
38:59
has lost the power of providing for a set of pimps and traitors amongst us,
39:04
which is the most she could reasonably have expected. And the ministers succeeded
39:07
in their plan of enslaving the colonies. I send you a number of printed
39:13
papers which contain our public proceedings. I keep this letter open until an opportunity
39:19
of sending it presents. May seventeen yesterday, Doctor Church was appointed to wait
39:24
on the Continental Congress with the address from this Congress, which renders it unnecessary
39:30
for me to write so particularly to you as I intended, as you will
39:34
have from him an exact state of affairs visa voce. I would just observe
39:39
that the application made to you respecting the taking the regulation of this army into
39:45
your hands by appointing a Committee of war or taking the command of it by
39:49
appointing a Generalissimo, is a matter I think must be managed with much delicacy.
39:54
I am a little suspicious unless great care is taken, some dissension may
40:00
arise in the army, as our soldiers, I find, will not yet
40:04
be brought to obey any person of whom they do not themselves entertain a high
40:07
opinion. Subordination is absolutely necessary in an army, but the strings must not
40:14
be drawn too tight at first. The bands of love and esteem must be
40:19
principally relied on amongst men who know not of any distinction, but what arises
40:24
from some superior merit. I know your prudence and thorough knowledge of our countrymen,
40:30
their many virtues, and their few faults. The matter of taking up
40:35
government, I think cannot occasion much debate. If the southern colonies have any
40:39
apprehensions from the northern colonies, they surely must now be for an establishment of
40:45
civil government here. For as an army is now necessary or is taking the
40:52
field, it is obvious to everyone if they are without control, the military
40:57
government must certainly take place. And I think I cannot see a question with
41:00
them to determine which is most to be feared, a military or a civil
41:06
government. I am, dear sir, with great esteem, your most obedient
41:10
servant, Joseph Warren. On the fifteenth, the Congress instructed the committee who
41:16
were preparing the application to the Continental Congress on the subject of the formation of
41:22
a local government, to insert in it a clause desiring that body to take
41:27
some measures for directing and regulating the American forces. On this day, Warren,
41:32
in the name of the Committee of Donations, addressed the following letter to
41:37
Joseph Reed of Philadelphia. Joseph Warren to Joseph ried Cambridge, May fifteenth,
41:45
seventeen seventy five. Dear Sir, I received your very kind letter in closing
41:52
a bill of exchange of four hundred and twenty dollars in favor of the distressed
41:57
poor of Boston upon mister Roch, which which I shall take the first opportunity
42:01
of sending to him, not doubting, but it will be duly honored.
42:06
The sympathy which you discovered to have, both in our sufferings and successes in
42:10
opposing the enemies of the country is a fresh proof of that benevolence in public
42:15
spirit which I ever found in you. I rejoice that our friends in Philadelphia
42:21
are united, and that all are at last brought to see the barbarous scheme
42:24
of oppression which administration has formed. We are all embarked in one bottom.
42:30
If one colony is enslaved, she will be immediately improved as an engine to
42:36
subdue the others. This our enemies know, and for this cause they have
42:40
used every art to divide us one from the other, to encourage every groundless
42:45
prejudice which they could hope to separate us. Our arch traitor Hutchinson has labored
42:52
hard in this service, he seems to have fully adopted Old Juno's maxim flictedte
42:59
sign superos acaranto moveabo. I send you a few extracts from some of his
43:05
letters, which have fortunately fallen in my hands. I likewise send you a
43:09
pamphlet containing the regulations for the army. You are kind enough to say that
43:15
our friends in Philadelphia will assist with whatever they can when they know our wants,
43:21
which fills us with a lively sense of the generosity of your colony.
43:25
To say the truth, we are in want of almost everything, but nothing
43:30
so much as arms and ammunition. For although much time has been spent in
43:35
procuring these articles, yet the people never seemed in earnest about the matter until
43:39
after the engagement of the nineteenth alt And I verily believe that the night preceding
43:45
the barbarous outrages committed by the soldiery at Lexington Conquered, et cetera, there
43:51
were not fifty people in the whole colony that ever expected any blood would be
43:54
shed in the contest between Us and Great Britain. Repeated intelligence I received from
44:01
the best authority of the sanguinary, malicious temper of the present administration together with
44:08
a perfect knowledge of the inhumanity and wickedness of the villains at Boston, who
44:14
had the ear of General Gage, compelled me to believe that matters would be
44:19
urged to the last extremity. Any assistance of what kind soever that can be
44:24
afforded us by our sister Colony in this all important struggle for the freedom of
44:30
America will be received with the warmest gratitude. I am, dear sir,
44:36
with much regard and esteem, your most humble servant, Joseph Warren. On
44:42
the sixteenth Warren, as President of the Provincial Congress, was directed to send
44:47
by one of the members, doctor Church, an application to the Continental Congress
44:52
on the questions of a civil government and the disposition of the Army. The
44:58
original of this document is inn a fair round handwriting, but its main thought
45:02
is the same that Warren urged in his private letters on the question of local
45:07
government. It said that the Colony, though urged by the most pressing necessity,
45:13
had declined to assume the reigns of civil government without the advice and consent
45:17
of the Continental Congress. And it now asked the favor of the most explicit
45:22
advice respecting the taking up and exercising the power of civil government, which was
45:28
thought to be absolutely necessary for the salvation of the country. It pledged Massachusetts
45:34
to a ready submission to such a general plan as it the Continental Congress might
45:39
direct for the colonies, and promised to make it a duty to establish such
45:45
a form of local government as should not only most promote the advantage of the
45:50
colony, but the union and interest of all America. This admirable and statesmanlike
45:55
paper closed by suggesting that the Continental Congress should take the regulation and general direction
46:01
of the army. It is simple justice to say that this paper dealt with
46:07
the vast question of local and general government in the national spirit that characterize the
46:13
whole course of the Massachusetts patriots on this day. Warren addressed the following letter
46:19
to Arthur Lee Cambridge, May sixteenth, seventeen seventy five. My dear sir,
46:27
everything here continues as at the period of my writing to you a short
46:30
time ago. Our military operations go on in a very spirited manner. General
46:37
Gage had a reinforcement of about six hundred marines the day before yesterday, But
46:42
this gives very little concern here. It is not expected that he will sally
46:47
out of Boston at present, and if he does, he will but gratify
46:52
thousands who impatiently wait to avenge the blood of their murdered countrymen. The attempt
46:57
he is made to throw the odium of the first commencement of hostilities on the
47:00
people here has operated very much to his disadvantage, as so many credible people
47:07
were eye witnesses of the whole affair, whose testimonies are justly supposed of infinitely
47:12
greater weight than anything he has or can bring in support of his assertion.
47:17
My private opinion is that he is really deceived in this matter, and has
47:22
led by his officers and some other of the most abandoned villains on earth,
47:27
who are natives of this country and who are now shut up with him in
47:30
Boston, to believe that our people actually began the firing. But my opinion
47:36
is only for myself. Most people are satisfied not only that he knows that
47:39
the regulars began the fire, but also that he gave his orders to the
47:45
commanding officer to do it. Thus, by attempting to clear the troops from
47:49
what everyone is sure they were guilty of, he has brought on strong suspicion
47:53
that he himself is guilty of having preconcerted the mischief done by them. Indeed,
48:00
his very unmanly conduct relative to the people of Boston, in detaining many
48:05
of them, and contriving new excuses for delaying their removal after they had given
48:08
up their firearms upon her promise of being suffered to leave town and carry with
48:15
them their effects, has much lessened his character and confirmed former suspicions. The
48:21
Continental Congress is now sitting, I suppose, before I hear from you again,
48:25
a new form of government will be established in this colony. Great Britain
48:30
must now make the best she can of America. The folly of her ministers
48:35
have brought her into this situation. If she has sufficient strength even to depopulate
48:39
the colonies, she has not strength sufficient to subjugate them. However, we
48:45
can, yet, without injuring ourselves, offer much to her. The great
48:50
national advantages derived from the colonies may I hope yet be reaped by her from
48:55
us. The plan for enslaving us, if it had succeeded, would only
49:00
have put it in the power of administration to have provided for a number of
49:05
their worthless dependents, whilst the nation was deprived of the most essential benefits which
49:09
might have arisen from Us by commerce, and the taxes raised that America would,
49:15
instead of easing the mother country of her burdens, only would have been
49:19
employed to bring her into bondage. I cannot precisely tell you what will become
49:24
of General Gauge. I imagine he will at least be kept closely shut up
49:29
in Boston. Perhaps you will very soon hear something further. One thing I
49:35
can assure you he has very great weight with us. We fear if we
49:38
push this matter as far as we think we are able, to the destruction
49:43
of the troops and ships of war, we shall expose Great Britain to those
49:46
invasions from foreign powers which we suppose will be difficult for her to repel.
49:52
In fact, you must have a change of men and measures, or be
49:57
ruined. The truly noble Ritch, Richmond, Rockingham, Chatham, Shelburne,
50:02
with other lords, and the virtuous and sensible majority in the House of Commons,
50:07
must take the lead. The confidence we have in them will go a
50:10
great way. But I must tell you that those terms which would readily have
50:15
been accepted before our countrymen were murdered, and we, in consequence thereof compelled
50:20
to take arms, will not now do everything in my power to serve the
50:25
united interest of Great Britain and her colonies. Shall be done. And I
50:29
pray that you, your brother and mister Sayer, to whom I beg you
50:34
would make my most respectful compliments, would write fully, freely and speedily to
50:38
me, and let me know likewise what our great and good friends in the
50:43
House of Lords and Commons think expedient and practicable to be done. God forbid
50:49
that the nation should be so infatuated as to do anything further to irritate the
50:53
colonies. If they should, the colonies will sooner throw themselves into the arms
50:59
of any other power on Earth than ever consent to an accommodation with Great Britain.
51:05
That patience, which I have frequently told you would be at last exhausted,
51:08
is no longer to be expected from us. Danger and war are become
51:13
pleasing and injured. Virtue is now armed to avenge herself. I am,
51:19
my dear Sir, your most obedient, humble servant, Joseph Warren PS.
51:24
Please to let mister Sayer and Sheriff Lee know that I shall write to them
51:30
by the first opportunity. This will be handed to you by my good friend
51:34
mister Burrell, who will give you a more particular account of the situation of
51:37
our public affairs. End of Chapter fifteen, Part one,