PART VII CONDITIONS OF THE REVOLUTION CHAPTER XXVI-THE PATRIOTS 159. "Liberty Tree" (1775) BY THOMAS PAINE Paine was the son of a staymaker in England, and emigrated to America in the midst of the political excitement of 1774. His various pamphlets had a wide and powerful influence. - Bibliography: Tyler, Literary History of the Revolution, I, 452471. For the Liberty Tree, see Winsor, Memorial History of Boston, III, 159. N a chariot of light from the regions of day, IN The Goddess of Liberty came ; Ten thousand celestials directed the way, And hither conducted the dame. A fair budding branch from the gardens above, She brought in her hand, as a pledge of her love, II. The celestial exotic struck deep in the ground, The fame of its fruit drew the nations around, With one spirit endued, they one friendship pursued, III. Beneath this fair tree, like the patriarchs of old, Unvex'd with the troubles of silver and gold, With timber and tar they Old England supply'd, Her battles they fought, without getting a groat, IV. But hear, O ye swains, ('tis a tale most profane,) King, Commons, and Lords, are uniting amain, From the east to the west, blow the trumpet to arms, Let the far and the near, all unite with a cheer, In defence of our Liberty tree. ATLANTICUS. Thomas Paine, editor, The Pennsylvania Magazine, July, 1775 (Philadelphia, 1775), 1, 328-329. 160. A Troublous Year in a Country Village (1776) BY REVEREND STEPHEN WILLIAMS Williams was the first minister at Longmeadow, Massachusetts. His diary gives a picture of the life of a small village in the tumultuous Revolutionary times. Bibliography of civil life during the Revolution: Winsor, Narrative and Critical History, VI, ch. i, and bibliographical notes. J ANUARY 1, 1776-Grant us help in this day of trouble; a very remarkable year past; the most that I ever saw unnatural war, great sickness, and remarkable drought. 100 years ago we were in a struggle with the Indians, who rose up in rebellion and designed the ruin of the country, but God preserved us. In the year past the leaders of our nation have sent troops to subdue and bring us under in this country, to submit to their arbitrary and tyrannical measures. Much blood has been shed — towns destroyed. I do humbly pray that God would humble and reform us, and heal our backslidings, and yet regard us in our low estate, and relieve us in this calamity, and grant that real religion may yet revive and flourish, and that we may know God and turn to Him and accept the punishment of our sins, and answer the ends of it. 5- By post we have the king's speech to Parliament and observe that he seems resolutely set to bring the Americans under. O Lord, be pleased to restrain the wrath of man and cause it to praise thee. I 2 Report that the great mortar and some cannon are brought through the woods from Ticonderoga. What the design is I do not know. The Lord mercifully regard and help; otherwise all these schemes and pains and labors and expenses will be to no purpose. March 28- This day our military company was called together and chose their officers. I prayed with them at the meeting house. April 9 — I hear of tumults and disorderly practices, stupidity, hardness of heart, atheism, and unbelief prevail. The British ministry breathe out cruelty against the colonies still. Things look darker and darker. 21 - Sabbath, and a quiet Sabbath. No alarm or tumult, praised be God. May 1. A report of 20,000 troops at Halifax from England, not yet confirmed. July 24. A number of people gathered together, some dressed like Indians with blankets, and manifested uneasiness with those that trade in rum, molasses, sugar, etc. I understand that a number went to Merchant Colton's and have again taken away his goods. I don't see the justice or equity of it. Many don't approve of it, but have not resolution enough to interpose and endeavour redress. I am fearful of special troubles in this place, not only on account of Samuel Colton's goods, but also because several of our people are going into service in Connecticut, and so our quota will be deficient, and possibly men may be drafted. August 11. This day I read publickly, being required thereto by the Provincial Council, the Declaration of the Continental Congress for Independency. 21. Joseph Bumstead (a trusty man servant of the family) and grandson Stephen set out for Roxbury to join the army. 14-Sabbath. This day a number of soldiers came from town on their march to the southward and breakfasted eastward of Dea. Ely's. Not so much interruption as we feared. The men behaved with moderation. They are under the conduct of Gen. Lee, who is gone down the other side. 16 Report, probably true, that our forces at Quebec have met with a great rebuff. Gen. Montgomery killed, Col. Arnold wounded, 70 men killed, 300 taken. Sept. 4 - Awful work; our troops driven from Long Island; reports more affecting and distressing; thousands destroyed, especially Connecticut people. 6-A gentleman of intelligence came from New York and gave me a more favorable account. 12- Report of regulars and Indians coming down the Mohawk river towards Albany; likely to divide our forces and distress us on every side. Report that the General Court has voted that every fifth man of our militia be ready at a minute's warning. 14- In the evening an order came to have the militia ready at a minute's warning. Sabbath disturbed. Oct. I Several persons inimical to American liberty brought to town some confined in the jail; others carried to Worcester, brought from the Westward, near Hudson river. Nov. 16- This day a number of men called tories were escorted by a party of armed men and came to Dea. Ely's and breakfasted, from Long Island, who have showed themselves unfriendly to the liberties of America. Lord grant moderation and kindness. 25- Dark weather, dark things, stupidity, and obstinacy; disregard of the business of the house of God. 30- Military Co. called together at a minute's warning to go wherever called. People don't appear forward. December 4- Our soldiers begin to return that enlisted for a stated time, and people seem engaged to get money, and I fear by oppression and unjust measure. 6- Reported a large fleet appears before New London. People are in a fright and the Connecticut militia flocking down to New London. 31 The last day of the year. It has been one of the most remarkable in the history of America. The people, by their Congress, have declared Independency, and the king's troops and fleets are come against us. Battles have been fought; forts and towns taken; much blood shed; many taken captive and wounded; many sick, and many have died in our army. Sickness has everywhere prevailed; deaths have been many; a day of darkness indeed. [R. S. Storrs and others, editors], Proceedings at the Centennial Celebration of the Incorporation of the Town of Longmeadow ([Hartford], 1884), 210– 212 passim. 161. Reign of King Mob (1775) BY "PLAIN ENGLISH' This piece sums up the view of the loyalists as to the process by which the Revolution was brought about. Such violence undoubtedly checked the opposition to the - Bibliography as in No. 166 below. movement. YOUR YOUR assuming the government of Massachusetts Bay, makes it unnecessary for me to make any apology for addressing you in this public manner, further, than by acquainting you that it is to represent to you the distresses of some of those people, who, from a sense of their duty to the king, and a reverence for his laws, have behaved quietly and peaceably; and for which reason they have been deprived of their liberty, abused in their persons, and suffered such barbarous cruelties, insults, and indignities, besides the loss of their property, by the hands of lawless mobs and riots, as would have been disgraceful even for savages to have committed. The courts of justice being shut up in most parts of the province, and the justices of those courts compelled by armed force, headed by some who are members of your Congress, to refrain from doing their duties, at present it is rendered impracticable for those sufferers to obtain redress, unless it be by your interposition, or the aid of military force, which will be applied for in case this application fails. A particular enumeration of all the instances referred to, is apprehended unnecessary, as many of your members are personally knowing to them, and for the information of any of you who may pretend ignorance of them, the following instances are here mentioned. In August last, a mob in Berkshire forced the justices of the court of Common Pleas from their seats, and shut up the court-house. They also drove David Ingersoll from his house, and damaged the same, and he was obliged to leave his estate; after which his enclosures were laid waste. At Taunton, Daniel Leonard was driven from his house, and bullets fired into it by the mob, and he obliged to take refuge in Boston, for the supposed crime of obeying his Majesty's requisition as one of his council for this province. Colonel Gilbert, of Freetown, a firm friend to government, in August last being at Dartmouth, was attacked at midnight by a mob of about an hundred, but by his bravery, with the assistance of the family where he lodged, they were beaten off. The same night Brigadier Ruggles was also attacked by another party, who were routed after having painted and cut the hair off of one of his horse's mane and tail. Afterwards he had his arms taken from his |