1775. Procedings of the American Colonists. 467 very few will pafs, except minifterial aggravations, a company of volunteers, ones, There is reafon to believe that General Carlton is preparing not only to retake Crown Point and Ticonderoga, but to continue his march to New-England, to the affiftance of General Gage. Two officers of the 26th regiment, now in Canada, had prevailed on two Indian Chiefs to go out with them on a hunting party to the Eaft and South of the rivers St. Lawrence and Sorrel; that preffing them to go farther and farther, the Indians infifted on knowing their defign, who told them, it was to reconnoitre the woods, to find a paffage for an army to march to the affittance of the King's friends at Boston. This, however, is doubted by fome, and judged a fineffe to difunite the ColoDies, and to raise jealoufies amongst them one of another. To defeat this infamous purpose, the Provincial Congrefs of NewYork have voted all thofe enemies to their country, who infinuate that the Northern Colonies have hoftile intentions against the Canadians, and declare to the world that every step of that kind is highly inimical to all the Colonies. The affair mentioned in our laft (fee P. 428) of an infurrection in Virginia requires farther explanation. Governor Dunmore, observing the fpirit of the people inclining to mifchief, to prevent as far as in him lay the ill confequences of a rupture, ordered Capt. Collins, with a party of marines belonging to the Magdalen, to remove privately in the night, from the magazine at Williamfburgh, about 20 barrels of gun-powder belonging to the Colony. The inhabitants being informed of this tranfaction, immediately took the alarm, af fembled at their town-hall the next morning, drew up a remonitance, and prefented it to the Governor, reprefenting the danger, as well as injuftice, of fuch a proceeding, at a time when they had but too much reafon to apprehend that fome wicked and defigning perfons had inftilled the moft diabolical notions into the minds of their flaves; and that, therefore, the utmost attention to their internal fecurity was become neceffary; they at the fame time earneftly requefted that the powder may be inftantly replaced. To which his Excellency returned for anfwer, That, whenever in was wanted for any fuch purpofe, it fhould be returned in half an hour. This anfwer not being thought fatisfactory, and the rumour of it having fpread rapidly over the province, with feveral fevere to the number of 150 fuddenly armed themselves, and with Patrick Henry, Efq; (one of the Delegates elect to the general Continental Congrefs at Philadelphia) at their head, made forced marches, and unexpectedly encamped in the neighbourhood of Williamsburgh, before the Governor had notice of their approach: from whence they difpatched Col. Braxton, with orders to infift, that either the gun-powder fhould be immediately re placed, or a fum equal to its value paid down. Next day Col. Braxton returned with the Hon. Richard Corbin's bill of exchange for 350l. but in the mean time the Governor, having fecured his Lady and family on board the Fowey man of war, got together about 40 marines from the fhips, fortified his palace, and threatened destruction to the town, if any infult was offered either to his perfon or property. By this firm and refolute conduct peace was restored, the volunteers returned every man to his own home, the Governor brought home his Lady and family, and the magazine and public treasury were put under a proper guard. The Governor foon after this iffued two Proclamations; one for calling the General Affembly together, the other for apprehending the ringleaders of the Rebellion (as it is called), among whom Pa trick Henry, Efq; is particularly named. In confequence of the firft Proclamation, the General Affembly being met, it was judged expedient to require the attendance of their Speaker, the Hon. Peyton Randolph, Efq; who, being one of the Delegates to the Continental Congrefs, had previously repaired to Philadelphia. But it being fufpected that the malevolent damons from whom the evils in America had originated had combined in treachery to enfrare his Honour's life and Safety, a troop of the Williamsburgh volunteers met him at Ruffin's Ferry, and escorted him to town, where he was met by the whole body, and complimented the next day by a congratulatory addrefs, in which they intreat him in a particular manner to be attentive to his fafety, and at the fame time tender their fervice, to be exerted at the expence of every thing dear to freemen, in defence of his perfon and Conftitutional Liberty. They conclude with praying Heaven to lengthen the life of the Father of their Country. To this Addrefs his Honour returned a. very polite answer; hoped their apprehenfions on his account had taken rife from reports that were ill founded; concluding, that fuch unjust and arbitrary proceedin 468 Proceedings of the American Colonists. proceedings would bring on the authors A committee of freeholders of Meck His Lordinip, however, on the meeting of the Aflembly at Williamsburgh on the ift of May, made a very conciliating fpeech, in which he enlarged on the gracious declarations of the King and Parliament to redrefs the well founded grievances of the Colonies; to extend their protection to the well-affected; to reflore all those who had been deprived of the free exercise of their rights and privileges to the full enjoyment of their conftitutional freedom; and to require nothing in return for these invaluable advantages but to contribute on their part that proportion towards the burthens neceffary for the fupport of their civil government, and for their common defence, which the fubjects of the fame ftate cannot confiftent with their own welfare refufe to grant. He added, that no specific fum was demanded of them; that their gift, if they offered any, might be in the compleate it manner free; and affured them that it was never intended to require them to tax themselves, without Parliament's taxing the fubjects of Great Britain on the fame occafion in a far greater proportion; intimating, that no caution to fecure the Colonies in this particular would be difapproved of. His Excellency went fill farther in his affurances, by declaring, that he was author:fed to fay, that, if they fhould think fit to adopt the principle, and imitate the example of juftice, equity, and moderation, in their propofal, which actuated the Houfe of Commons in their Refolu tion; declaring at once what was ultimately expected of them, fuch a compliance on their part would be confidered by his Majesty, not only as a teftimony of their reverence to Parliament, but alfo as a mark of duty and attachment to their Sovereign, who has no object nearer his heart than the peace and profperity of his fubjects in every part of his domi rions. To this fpeech, than which a more Aug. humiliating could not well be spoken on the part of a Governor, the Council returned an Address, in which they thank their willingness to concur with the other his Excellency for his fpeech; declare branch of the legislature in fuch proportion as they shall be willing to contribute towards the burthens of the ftate: and exprefs their defire to open the courts of judicature, that the laws may again have their due courfe. however, were fo far from confenting to The other branch of the legislature, make an offer of contributing their prothat they treat with abhorrence the very portion towards the burthen of the state, equally the fhackles of proportion when idea of fuch a requifition, difdaining called, in times of public danger, to their free flation in the general system of the empire," and the tyranny of coercion when no public exigencies require their aid. published the following proclamation: On the 12th of June, General Gage General Gage's Proclamation to the Americans. Publifhed at Bofion on June 12, 1775 tudes, who have long fuffered themselves WHEREAS the infatuated multiincendiaries and traitors, in a fatal proto be conducted, by certain well-known greffion of crimes against the conftitutional authority of the flate, have at length proceeded to avowed rebellion, and the good effects which were expected to arife from the patience and lenity of the King's Government have been often fruftrated, and now rendered hopeless, by the influence of the fame evil councils; it only remains for those who are entrusted ment of the guilty as the protection of with fupreme rule, as well for the punishthe well-affected, to prove they do not bear the fword in vain. committed upon the most facred rights of The infringements which have been the Crown and People of Great-Britain, are too many to enumerate on one fide, and are all too atrocious to be palliated on the other. All unprejudiced people who have been witneffes of the late tranfactions in this and the neighbouring Provinces, will find, upon a tranfient review, marks of premeditation and confpiracy that would justify the fuinefs of chailifement; and even thofe who are leaft acquainted with facts cannot fail to receive a juft impreffion of their enormity, in proportion as they discover the arts and alliduity by which they have been falfided or concealed. The authors of the prefent unnatural revolt, never dar ing to trust their caufe or their actions to the judgment of an impartial Public, or even to the difpaffionate reflection of their followers, have uniformly placed their chief confidence in the fuppreffion of truth. And while indefatigable and fhameless pains have been taken to obfruct every appeal to the real intereft of the people of America, the groffeft forgeries, calumnies, and abfurdities, that ever infulted human understanding, have been impofed upon their credulity. The Preis, that diftinguished appendage of Public Liberty, and, when fairly and impartially employed, its beft fupport, has been unvariably prostituted to the moft contrary purposes. The animated language of ancient and virtuous times, calculated to vindicate and promote the jult rights and interests of mankind, has been applied to countenance the most abandoned violation of those facred bleffings and not only from the flagitious prints, but from the popular harangues of the times, men have been taught to depend upon activity in treafon for the fecurity of their perfons and properties; till, to complete the horrid profanation of terms and of ideas, the name of God has been introduced in the pulpits, to excite and justify devastation and maffa cre. The minds of men having been thus gradually prepared for the worft extremities, a number of armed perfons, to the amount of many thousands, affembled on the 19th of April laft, and, from behind walls and lurking holes, attacked a "detachment of the King's troops, who not expecting fo confummate an act of phrenzy, unprepared for vengeance, and willing to decline it, made ufe of their arms only in their own defence. Since that period the rebels, deriving confidence from impunity, have added infult to outrage; have repeatedly fired upon the King's fhips and fubjects with cannon and fmall arms; have poffeffed the roads and other communications, by which the town of Bofton was fupplied with provilions; and, with a preposterous parade of military arrangement, they affect to hold the army befieged; while part of their body make daily and indifcriminate invafions upon private property, and, with a wantonnels of cruelty ever incident to lawless tumult, carry depredation and diftrefs wherever they turn their fteps. The actions of the 19th of April are of fuch notoriety as mult battle all attempts to contradict them; and the flames of buildings and other property from the inlands and adjacent country, for fome weeks paft, fpread a melancholy. confirmation of the fubfequent affertions. In this exigency of complicated calamities, I avail myfelf of the last effort within the bounds of my duty to spare the effusion of blood; to offer, and I do hereby in his Majesty's name offer and promife, his mott gracious pardon to all perfons who shall forthwith lay down their arms and return to the duties of peaceable fubjects, excepting only from the benefit of fuch pardon Samuel Adams and John Hancock, whofe offences are of too flagitious a nature to admit of any other confideration than that of condign punishment. And to the end that no perfon within the limits of this proffered mercy may plead ignorance of the confequence of refufing it, I by thefe prefents proclaim not only the perfons above named and excepted, but also all their adherents, affociates, and abettors, meaning to comprehend in those terms all and every perfon and perfons of what clafs, denomination, or defcription foever, who have appeared in arms against the King's Government, and fhall not lay down the fame as afore-mentioned; and likewife all fuch as thall fo take arms after the date hereof, or who fhall in any-wife protect or conceal fuch offenders, or affilt them with money, provifion, cattle, arms, ammunition, carriages, or any other neceffaries for fubfiftence or offence, or fhall hold fecret correfpondence with them by letter, meffage, fignal, or otherwife, to be rebels and traitors, and as fuch to be treated. And whereas, during the continuation of the prefent unnatural rebellion, justice cannot be adminiftered by the common law of the land, the courfe whereof has, for a long time patt, been violently impeded and wholly interrupted, from whence refults a neceffity for ufing and exercifing the Law Martial; I have therefore thought fit, by the authority invested in me by the Royal Charter of this Province, to publifh, and I do hereby publish, proclaim, and order the ufe and exercife of the Law Martial within and throughout this province, for fo long time as the prefent unhappy occafion fhall neceffarily require; whereof all perfons are hereby required to take notice, and govern themfelves, as well to maintain order and regularity among the peaceable inhabitants of the Province, as to refift, encounter, and fubdue the rebels and traitors above defcribed, by fuch as fhall be called upon for thefe purposes. To thofe inevitable, but I truft falutary meafures, meafures, it is a far more pleasing part of my duty to add the affurances of protection and fupport to all who, in fo trying a crifis, fhall manifeft their allegiance to the King and affection to the Parent State: fo that fuch perfons as may have been intimidated to quit their habitations in the course of this alarm, may return to their respective callings and profeffions, and ftand diftinct and feparate from the parricides of the conftitution, till God in his mercy fhall reftore to his creatures, in this diftracted land, that fyftem of happiness from which they have been feduced, the Religion of Peace and Liberty founded upon Law. Given at Boston the 12th day of June, in the fifteenth year of the Reign of His Majefty GEORGE the Third, by the Grace of God, of Great-Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. A. D. 1775. THOMAS GAGE. By his Excellency's command, THOMAS FLUCKER, Sec. GOD Save the KING! Since the above an action has happened between the King's troops and the Provincials, of which General Gage, in his letter to Lord Dartmouth, gives the following account : General Gage's Account of the Engagement, on June 17, between the King's Troops, and Provincials, near Charles-Town. -In a Letter to Lord Dartmouth. My Lord, Bofton, June, 25, 1775. I AM to acquaint your Lordship with an action that happened on the 17th inftant between his Majefty's troops and a large body of the rebel forces. An alarm was given at break of day, on the 17th inftant, by a firing from the Lively ship of war; and advice was foon afterwards received that the rebels had broke ground, and were raifing a battery on the heights of the peninfula of Charles Town, against the Town of Bolton. They were plainly feen at work, and, in a few hours, a battery of fix guns played upon their works. Preparations were inflantly made for landing a body of men to drive them off, and ten companies of the grenadiers, ten of light infantry, with the 5th, 38th, 43d, and 52d battalions, with a proportion of field artillery, under the command of Major-General Howe and Brigadier-General Pigot, were embarked with great expedition, and lamled on the peninfula without oppofition, under the protection of fome thips of war, armed veffels, and boats, by whofe fire the rebels were kept within "heir works. The troops formed as foon as landed; the light infantry pofted on the right, and the grenadiers on the left. The 5th and 38th battalions drew up in the rear of thofe corps, and the 43d and 52d battalions made a third line. The Rebels upon the Heights were perceived to be in great force, and ftrongly pofted. A redoubt, thrown up on the 16th at night, with other works, full of men, defended with cannon, and a large body posted in the houfes in Charles-Town, covered the right flank; and their center and left were covered by a breaft- work, part of it cannon proof, which reached from the left of the redoubt to the Mystick or Medford river. This appearance of the Rebels ftrength, and the large columns feen pouring in to their affiflance, occafioned an application for the troops to be reinforced with fome companies of light infantry and grenadiers, the 47th battalion, and the ft battalion of marines; the whole, when in conjunction, making a body of fomething above 2000 men. Thefe troops advanced, formed in two lines, and the attack began by a fharp cannonade from our field-pieces and howitzers, the lines advancing flowly, and frequently halting, to give time for the directed to force the left point of the artillery to fire. The light-infantry was breaft-work, to take the rebel-line in flank, and the grenadiers to attack in front, fupported by the 5th and 52d battalions. Thefe orders were executed with perfeverance, under a heavy fire from the vast numbers of the rebels; and notwithstanding various impediments before the troops could reach the work, and though the left under Brigadier general Pigot was engaged alfo with the rebels at Charles-Town, which at a critical moment was fet on fire, the Brigadier pursued his point, and carried the redoubt. The Rebels were then forced from other ftrong holds, and pursued till they were drove clear off the peninfula, leaving five pieces of cannon behind them. The lofs the rebels fuftained must have been confiderable from the great numbers they carried off during the time of action, and buried in holes, fince difcovered, exclufive of what they fuffered by the fhipping and boats; near one hundred were buried the day after, and thirty found wounded in the field, three of which are fince dead. I inclofe your Lordship a return of the killed and wounded of his Majefty's troops. This This action has fhewn the fuperiority of the King's troops, who, under every difadvantage, attacked and defeated above three times their own number, ftrongly posted and covered by breastworks. The conduct of Major-General Howe was confpicuous on this occafion, and his example fpirited the troops, in which Major General Clinton affifted, who followed the reinforcement. And in juftice to Brigadier-General Pigot, I am to add, that the fuccefs of the day muit in great measure be attributed to his firmnefs and gallantry. Lieutenant Colonels Nefbit, Abercrombie, and Clarke; Majors Butler, Williams, Bruce, Spendlove, Smelt, Mitchell, Pitcairne, and Short, exerted themselves remarkably; and the valour of the British officers and foldiers in general was at no time more confpicuous than in this action. I have the honour to be, &c. THO. GAGE. Return of the Officers, Non-Commiffion Of ficers, and Privates, Killed and Wouded, of his Majefty's Troops, at the Attack of the Redoubts and Intrenchments on the Heights of Charles-Town, June 17, 1775. Royal Regiment, Artillery. Capt. Huddleton, Capt. Lemoin, Lieut. Shuttleworth, Serjeant, 8 rank and tile, wounded. 4th. Foot. Capt. Balfour, Capt. Weft, Lieut. Barron, Lieut. Brown, wounded. 1 Serjeant, 13 rank and file, killed. 1 Serjeant, drummer and fifer, 29 rank and file, wounded. 5th. Capt. Harris, Capt. Jackfon, Capt. Downes, Capt. Mariden, Lieut. McClintock, Lieut. Croker, Enfign Charleton, Enfign Ballaguire, wounded. 22 rank and file, killed. 10 Serjeants, 2 drummers and fifers, 110 rank and file, wounded. 35th. Lieut. Baird, killed. Capt Drew, Capt. Lyon, Lieut. Maffay, Lieut. Campbell, wounded. 18 rank and file, killed. 3 ferjeants, 2 drummers, 41 rank and file, wounded. 38th, Lieut. Dutton, killed. Capt. Coker, Capt. Boyd, Lieut. Chriftie, Lieut. Houfe, Lieut. Myres, Enf. Sergeant, Enfign Sweney, Quarter-Master Mitchell, wounded. z ferjeants, 23 rank and file, killed. 4 Serjeants, drummer and fifer, 69 rank and file, wounded. 43d. Major Spendlove, Capt. M'Ken. zie, Lieut. Robinson, Lieut. Dalrymple, wounded. 2 Serjeants, 20 rank and file, killed. Serjeants, 2 drummers and fifers, 77 rank and file, wounded. 47th. Major Smelt, Capt. Craig, Capt. England, Capt. Alcock, Lieut. England, wounded. Lieut. Hilliard, Lieut. Gould, wounded, fince dead. ■ Serjeant, 15 rank and file, killed. 3 Serjeants, 47 rank and file, wounded, 52d. Major Williams, wounded, fince dead. Capt. Addifon, Capt. Smith, Capt. Davidfon, killed. Capt. Nelfon, Lieut. Higgins, Lieut. Thompson, Lieut. Crawford, Enfign Chetwynd, Enfign Græme, wounded. 1 Serjeant, 20 rank and file, kilied. 7 Serjeants, 73 rank and file, wounded. 59th Lieut. Hayn's, wounded. 6 rank and tile, killed. 25 rank and file wounded. I 63. L'eut, Dalrymple, killed. Capt. Folliott, Capt. Stopford, wounded. Serjeant, 7 rank and file, killed. 2 Serjeants, 1 drummer, 25 rank and file, wounded. 65th. Capt. Hudfon, killed. Major Butler, Capt. Sinclair, Lieut. Paxton, Lieut. Hales, Lieut. Smith, wounded. I Serj ant, 8 rank and file, killed. 1 Serjeant, 1 drummer, 25 rank and file, wounded. If battalion marines. Major Pitcairn, wounded, fince dead. Capt. Ellis, Lient. Shea, Leut. Finnie, killed. Capt, Averne, Capt. Chudleigh, Capt. Johnson, Lieut. Ragg, wounded. 2 Serjeants, 15 ank and file, killed. 2 Serjeants, 55 rank and file, wounded. 2d battalion marines. Capt. Campbell, Lieut. Gardiner, killed. Capt. Logan, Lieut. Dyer, Lieut. Brifbane, wounded. 5 rank and file killed. 1 Serjeant, 29 rank and file, wounded. Officers attending on General Howe. 67th. Capt. Sherwin, aid de camp, killed. 14th. Lieut: Bruce, killed. Enfign Hefketh, wounded. Roval Navy. Lieut. Jordan, wounded. Engineer Licut. Page, wounded. PPP Volunteers, |