Letter to a Genleman in New-York, Dated Boston, March 22, 1775

Page v2:211

We are still without any of your favours, we suppose for the same reason as was mentioned in our last. Since the Army have found that the season is past for nature' s forming a bridge from hence, they become abusive and insulting: They are now finishing their fortifications on the Neck, by picketing on each side. We propose to give you an account of the manoeuvres of our adversaries as they may occur.

The 16th instant, (being recommended by the Provincial Congress to be observed as a day of fasting and prayer;) on the morning of this day the society at the west end of Boston were greatly disturbed by a party of Officers and Soldiers of the Fourth, or King' s own Regiment. When the people were assembling, they brought two marquee tents, and pitched them within about ten yards of the meeting-house; then, sent for three drums and three fifes, and kept them beating and playing till service was over; Colonel Maddison was present part of the time.

17th. In the evening Colonel Hancock' s elegant seat, situate near the Common, was attacked by a number of Officers, who, with their swords, cut and hacked the fence before his house in a most scandalous manner, and behaved very abusively, by breaking people' s windows, and insulting almost every person they met.

18th. The Neck Guard seized 13,425 musket cartridges with ball, (we suppose through the information of some dirty scoundrel, of which we now have many among us,) and about three hundred pounds of ball, which they were carrying into the country; this was private property. The owner applied to the General first, but he absolutely refused to deliver it. They abused the teamster very much, and run a bayonet into his neck. The same evening a number of Officers, heated with liquor, (as is said,) with drawn swords, ran through the streets, like what they really were, madmen, cutting every one they met; the stage coach just arrived from Providence passing by, they attacked it, broke the glass, and abused the passengers; the driver, being a smart fellow, jumped off his seat, caught one of them, (Captain Gore, of the Fifth,) and some blows passed; when the Officer retired, not much to his credit.

19th. Colonel Hancock was again much insulted by a number of inferiour Officers and Privates, who entered his enclosures, and refused to retire after his requesting them, so to do, telling him that his house, stables, &c., would soon be theirs, and then they would da as they pleased. However, on his application to the General, he immediately sent one of his Aids-de-Camp to the Officer of the Guard, at the bottom of the Common, to seize any Officer or Private who should molest Colonel Hancock or any inhabitant in their lawful calling. Yours, &c.

Letter from Boston to a Gentleman in New-York. Outrages of the British Officers and Soldiers in Boston. [1775-03-22] Anonymous. [S4-V2-p0211] [Document Details][Complete Volume]