CHAPTER XIX.

Battle of Lexington.--News arrives at Amoskeag.--Volunteers from Derryfield and Bedford.--Capt. John Moor and his men.--Stark le[]ves for Lexington.--Convention at Exeter.--Send a Committee to Cambridge.--Raise supp[]ies.--Legislature meets.--Adjourns.--Reason of adjournment.--Difficulty with Scarborough's Boats.--Convention called for May 17th.--Meeting in Derryfield.--Refuse to send a Delegate.--Congress at Amherst.--Send a Delegate to the Congress.--Business of the Congress.--Take measures to cooperate with Massachusetts.--Convention meets at Exeter.--Raise and organize troops.--Appoint Folsom to command.--Poor and Reid made Colonels.--Approve of the attack on the Fort.--Recommend the expulsion of the new members from the House.--Legislature meets.--Expel the new members.--Col. Fenton ca[]ried to Exeter Jail.--G[]v. Wentworth adjourns the Legislature.--Retires to the Fort.--Again adjourns Legislature.--Leaves for England.--Ap[]ointed Lt. Governor of Nova Scotia.--Cre[]ted a Baronet.--His death.--Stark, Reid and Sargent commissioned as Colonels by Massachuse[]ts.--Stark's regiment.--He refuses to []eport to Gen. Folsom.--Considers himself superseded.--Repairs to Exeter.--Put in command of the First Regiment.--Battle of Bunker Hill.--Sta[]k derails 300 of his men.--Follows with the remainder.--Throw up a stone wall.--Capt. Moor and the Derryfield men posted at the wall.--Great laughter in front of the wall.--Stark []eglects to report to Gen. Folsom.--Reports to Committee of Safety.--Difficulty with Hobart.--Court Martial.--Blodget is Suttler.--Return from Derryfield.--Rev. Mr. Houston.--Col. Wm. Sta[]k.--Test Act.--Signers in Derryfield.--Col. Stark goes into Canada.--Ordered to join Washington in Pennsylvania.--Battle of Trenton.--Fought by the N. E. Brigade.--Stark leads the van.--Feats of Sergeant Stevens of Derryfield.--Battle of Princeton.--This gained by N. E. Brigade.--Stark thinks himself superseded and resigns.--Resignation.--An advantage to him and the country.

At length an untoward event brought matters to a crisis. This was the Battle of Lexington, which took place on the 19th of April, 1775.

The British General in Boston, detailed a force of Grenadiers and Infantry, to seize the stores deposited by the patriots at Concord. This force under the command of Lt. Colonel Smith, and Major Pitcairn, crossed the Charles River in the evening of the 18th of April, and early on the morning of the 19th, was on its march for Concord, 18 miles distant. Though the march and destination of the troops had been kept with the utmost secrecy, yet the country was alarmed, and the "minute men" were rushing to their appointed posts. When the British force arrived at Lexington, a town some few miles below Concord, they found a company of some 70 minute men drawn up on the common near the meeting house. Major Pitcairn who led the British vanguard, immediately rode forward in hot haste, and cried out to the Provincials, "Disperse you rebels, d--n you throw down your arms, and disperse." Upon this, pistols were discharged upon the Provincials, from one or two of the officers, which example was followed by two or three of the soldiers, and then the discharge became general, with fatal effect. The Provincials immediately dispersed, some firing upon the enemy as they retired. In the encounter eight of the Americans were killed, and ten wounded. The British immediately marched for Concord, where they succeeded in part, in accomplishing the object of the expedition. They stove in the heads of some sixty barrels of flour, knocked off the trunnions of three twenty-four pound cannon, burnt sixteen carriage wheels, a lot of camp plates and spoons, and set fire to the Court House, which was happily extinguished. Meantime the Provincials had not been dilatory. Some three or four companies already on the ground, prudently retired at the approach of the British force, and took up a position across the North Bridge. By the time the British troops had completed their partial work of destruction, the Provincial force numbered 450 men and was continually increasing. Seeing the operations of the enemy, and fires arising in various parts of the village Major Butrick, with some 300 minute men advanced upon the North Bridge, to dislodge the guard of about 100 men, who had it in command. Upon their approach, the British fired upon them, k[]ling and wounding several. Their fire was returned by the Provincials and several of the enemy fell. The British then retreated in much confusion, and the Provincials crossed the bridge, but did not follow up the attack. About 12 o'clock M. the British troops commenced their march from Concord to Boston. By this time the minute men were collecting from all quarters, and a continuous and galling fire was poured in upon the retreating enemy from every hillock, wall, bush or rock, upon the wayside. Soon the retreat became an utter rout, and when the British troops arrived at Lexington, and met a reinforcement under Lord Percy, what with the harrassing [sic] pursuit and the heat of the day, the exhausted soldiers threw themselves upon the ground, their parched tongues extending from their mouths like so many beeves [sic]! Stopping some two hours to refresh the exhausted troops, Percy commenced his line of march for Boston. But although at the head of a force of 1800 men with two pieces of artillery. Lord Percy thought of nothing but retreat from an increasing and harrassing foe. As on the retreat from Concord to Lexington, so now, every hillock, wall, bush and rock, was a covert for a sharp-shooter. And this galling fire was not confined to one place, it was kept up and with increasing effect along the whole line of march, till at length, at the foot of Prospect Hill, and just before sun set, such was the galling effect of the Provincial fire, the gallant Percy's troops rushed towards Charlestown neck to get under the guns of the Somerset, with a haste amounting almost to a rout! In the eagerness of pursuit, the Provincials followed the retreating enemy till they reached Charlestown Common, when they reluctantly gave over the pursuit. Revenge gave edge to their courage, for the British troops committed the most atrocious acts whenever opportunity offer on the retreat. Houses were pillaged and burned, and not content with shooting down the unarmed, aged and infirm, they disregarded the cries of the wounded, killing them without mercy, and mangling their bodies in the most shocking manner."! An invalid, and non-combatant, was butchered at his own hearth-stone! Another driven from her home to the rocks, was shot as she was nursing her child!

The news of this attack spread through the country like wild-fire. The people of New Hampshire were in the greatest excitement, as reports were rife in every direction, that the British troops were marching into the country. The news of the battle arrived at Amoskeag, the same night. Judge Patten on the occasion made the following entry in his Diary;

   "April 20th, I received the melancholy news in the morning that General Gage's troops had fired upon our countrymen at Concord yesterday, and had killed a large number of them. Our town, (Bedford) was notified last night. We generally met at the meeting house, about 9 o'clock and the number of twenty or more went Directly off from the meeting house to assist them."

Upon the first alarm, near two thousand troops rushed to Lexington and Cambridge from New Hampshire.

The Committee for calling a Congress, immediately sent runners to most of the towns in the Province, to send delegates to a Convention to be holden at Exeter, on the 21st instant, to consult for the general safety. Most of the towns sent delegates, but Derryfield did not, and for good and sufficient reasons. Circulars were sent in due form; but in Bedford, the Selectmen were gone to Lexington, and there was no one to call a town meeting! As appears from Judge Patten's Diary, in which is entered under date of April,

   "22d, I was awakened in the morning, by Mrs. Chandlers coming with a letter from the Committee of the Provincial Congress, for calling another Congress for the Province immediately, and I went with it as fast as I could to John Bell's, but he was gone to our army, and both the others (Selectmen) also." The letter was as follows;

"April 20, 1775.

TO THE SELECTMEN OF BEDFORD.
   Gentlemen,--This moment, the melancholy inteligence [sic] has been received of hostilities being commenced between the troops, under Gen. Gage, and our brethren of Massachusetts Bay. The importance of exerting ourselves at this critical moment has caused the Provincial Committee to meet at Exeter, and you are requested, instantly, to choose and hasten forward, there, a Delegate or Delegates, to join in the Committee and aid them in consulting measures for our safety
   In great haste, and by order of the Committee,
          Your Humble Servant,
J. WENTWORTH."

However, the people had an informal meeting at the meeting house, on the 25th inst. and chose James Martain Delegate to the Congress. They also authorized Judge Patten to see that no tories crossed the Merrimack at the ferries. This duty was attended to, and Col. Goffe, Mr. Merrill and Mr. McGregor, at the several ferries were instructed, "to take special care of strangers and persons suspected of being Torys crossing the river, and to examine and search (them) if they thought needful." Goffstown sent Mr. Moses Kelley as their Delegate, but he was chosen in a manner so informal that his election was not entered upon the town record.

In Derryfield however, had they desired to send a delegate, it was hardly in their power so to do, as not only the Selectmen, but thirty-four out of thirty-six men capable of bearing arms "had gone to our army,"! Leaving but two able bodied men at home, with the old and infirm, to have organized a meeting. The names of the men of Derryfield who thus so gallantly volunteered to oppose the oppressor, have not all transpired, but the fact comes to us by tradition, and in a more tangible form as Judge Patten remarks in Diary, under date of April,

   "21st, Our John, and John Dobbin, and my brother Samuel's two oldest sons, set off and joined Derryfield men, and about six from Goffestown, and two or three more from this town, (Bedford) under command of Capt. John Moor, of Derryfield.

They amounted in number 45 in all." This gives 33 men from Derryfield besides Capt. John Stark, who left Immediately for Lexington, upon hearing the news of the battle. As before suggested, the names of these men have not been preserved, but we subjoin the Tax list of Derryfield, for 1775. from which it will be seen, that a large majority of the tax papers were of the volunteers.

[If you would prefer the text version of the 1775 tax list]

This list also shows one or two interesting facts; either that the tax-payers of 1775 were men of small means, or that their taxes were very small, the highest tax in town being nineteen shillings. The whole tax list amounted to but �22-7s-0d-2qr, while eighty years after, in 1855, the tax list of Manchester amounted to $76000.

Stark was at work in his saw-mill, at the head of the Amoskeag Falls, when he heard this news and without a moments delay, he shut down the gate of his mill, repaired to his house, took his gun and ammunition, mounted his horse in his shirt sleeves, as he came from the mill, and rode on to meet the enemy. As he journeyed on, he left word for volunteers to meet him at Medford and without delay, made the best of his way to Lexington. On his entire route, his force continually increased, so that the following morning, when he arrived at Lexington, he had at his command a large force of "backwoodsmen."

On the 21st of April the Convention met at Exeter, sixty-eight members being in attendance.

Hon. John Wentworth of Somersworth, was chosen President of the Convention, and Ebenezer Thompson, Esq., Clerk. The Convention, "voted unanimously that Col. Nathaniel Folsom, Esq., be desired immediately to the chief command of the troops who have gone or may go from this Government to assist our suffering brethren in the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, who are now opposing the hostile violence of the Regular Troops there, and to order for the troops that may be under his command from time to time, all necessary supplies, and to transmit to us the earliest accounts thereof, and what may be thought further necessary for support of the common cause." They also appointed Josiah Bartlett and Theophilus Gilman, Esqrs., a Committee to proceed "immediately to Concord, or where the Congress of Massachusetts Province may be sitting, to consult with them what quota of men will be necessary for this province to provide, and such measures as may be thought expedient at this critical juncture, and make report to this convention as soon as may be."

The convention then adjourned to the 25th instant, to wait the report of their committee, and the accession of members.

When the Convention met on the 25th inst. the number of members was increased to one hundred and nine. The Hon. John Wentworth being absent by reason of sickness, Hon. Meshech Weare, was chosen President pro tempore. A letter having been received from the Congress of Massachusetts, the following answer was sent to that body by a special committee appointed for that purpose.

   "Upon the receipt of your letter, intelligence of the tragical scene which hath lately been acted in your Colony by the Regular Troops, had pierced the ears of the inhabitants of this, upon which many of our men fired with zeal in the common cause, and resentment at the inhumane cruelty and savage barbarity of the action, instantly flew to your assistance, and vast numbers more on their march were stopt [sic], upon hearing they ewer [sic] not needed.
   The Provincial Committee upon the alarm, immediately called a special Convention of Delegates from the nearest towns, to consult with the Committee what was then absolutely necessary to be done upon that pressing occasion. In consequence of which the convention met.
   Previous to this our Provincial Committee upon application to them from a Committee of your body, had notified the respective towns in this province to choose and empower delegates to meet at Exeter, on the 17th of May next, to deliberate upon the important and momentous objects proposed by your Congress, for the consideration and concurrence of ours. At which the important matters recommended will naturally come under mature deliberation of our Congress, and no doubt they will readily concur and co-operate with their brethren in New England, in all such measures as shall be thought best for the common safety. But this body though heartily willing to contribute in every advisable method to your aid, and for the common safety, judge it not expedient now to determine upon the establishment of any army of observation, as the towns in this Government are not generally represented.
   But it is recommended in the mean time to the towns in this Colony, to supply the men gone from it with provissions [sic] and other necessaries if their continuance shall be thought necessary; from the spirit of the inhabitants you may expect their aid, should any emergency require it.
   We most fervently wish you the blessing and direction of Heaven in all your deliberations, and God Almighty who protected our pious Ancestors, amid ten thousand dangers, preserve New England from the horrors and desolations of a civil war.

By order of the Convention."

After voting to recommend to the several towns in the Province "to provide their proportion of �500 L. M. worth of biscuit, flour and pork," * * * * * "for the public use upon urgent necessity," and that they "engage as many men in each town as they think fit, to be properly equipt [sic] and ready to march at a minute's warning on any emergency." this convention adjourned to the 2d day of May when having met, and received a favorable report from the Committee which had visited the Congress of Massachusetts, they voted not to discourage persons from being enlisted in this province, "in the Massachusetts service in the present emergency," raised a Committe [sic] of correspondence to correspond with the Committees of other Colonies' "as to matters concerning the public safety," raising forces, &c., and soon after adjourned, sine die.

Governor Wentworth was no idle spectator of these open movements, and saw at once the rising of a power above the royal prerogatives. In fact the royal power of the Province had passed from the Royal Assembly, to the Convention of the people. And although the Convention at Exeter was called upon the spur of the moment, it was evident from their proceedings, that the people had taken the power into their own hands, and would use it.

Such being the state of things, the Governor thought only of conciliatory measures, and in his speech to the Assembly on the 5th of May, made use of the following language;

   "We cannot but view with inexpressible concern, the alarming pitch to which the unfortunate dispute between Great Britain and her Co'onies [sic] is daily advancing; a matter of such momentous nature fills every human mind with the greatest anxiety and affliction, and wherein this Province is unhappily involved, cannot, I presume, fail of engaging your most serious attention; it is therefore my duty in such a critical and important moment to call, in the most earnest and solemn manner upon you, gentlemen, who are the only constitutional and legal representatives of the people, to direct your counsels to such measures as may tend to secure their peace and safety. On the wisdom, candor, and moderation of your deliberations, it will greatly depend to avert the calam [sic] ties that must naturally attend a continuance of this unhappy contest, and I trust your conduct will be guided by such principles as shall effectually lead to the restoration of the public tranquility, and a perfect re-establishment of an affectionate reconciliation with our Mother Country, upon a solid, equitable, and permanent foundation."

To the House appointed a committee to wait upon the Governor and request an adjournment.

   "On Saturday the 6th, his Excellency sent the following message to the house of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker and gentlemen of the Assembly.
   The Speaker, Mr. Giddinge and Mr. Langdon, three of your members, came to me last evening as a committee from the House, desiring a short adjournment. I am always disposed to show every indulgent regard in my power to the wishes of the House, but when I consider what uneasiness prevails at present among your constituents, of which I dare say you are not insensible, and that they must look to your Councils for relief, from their fears and jealousies, I think it is my duty to recommend to you to consider the matter, and if you should be of opinion that you will better consult the interest of your constituents by continuing to sit, I doubt not but your own private concerns will give way to the public welfare.

J. WENTWORTH.

"HIS EXCELLENCY'S ANSWER.

Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the Assembly.

   In consequence of your representation to me in your answer to my message of this day's date, that it will be expedient for you, as well for the accommodation of your own private affairs, as to give you an opportunity of consulting your constituents, on the matters necessary to be considered by you in the present Session, that the House should be adjourned for a short time.
   I have thought fit to adjourn the General Assembly, and they are accordingly adjourned to Monday the 12th day of June next, at ten o'clock in the morning; then to meet at the State House in Portsmouth, for the dispatch of the public business.

J. WENTWORTH.

   Council Chamber, May, 6th, 1775."

The members of the House, asked this adjournment from motives of policy, rather than from a desire to attend to their private affairs, of this the Governor was doubtless well aware, and hence his disinclination to comply with their wishes. But as he had determined upon conciliation, he yielded to their request with the best grace he could assume.

The reason for asking for an adjournment on the part of the members, was that a convention was to be holden at Exeter on the 17th instant, in which the people of all sections of the State, were to be represented, and the House wished to learn the action of this Convention, and to receive its instructions, upon certain subjects most likely to come before them.

Meantime, the excitement in the public mind was kept up by the injudicious conduct of Capt. Barclay, who commanded the ship of war Scarborough, which had been sent down from Boston to dismantle Fort William and Mary, and which still remained in Piscataqua Harbor.

He seized upon two vessels coming into the harbor laden with provissions [sic], and sent them to Boston for the use of the British troops.

The people remonstrated, and Governor Wentworth advised their return, but in vain. By way of retaliation, a body of armed citizens went upon Great Island, and dismantled a battery at Jerry's Point, bringing off twenty eight peices [sic] of cannon of large calibre.

Capt. Barclay continued his seizures, and would not permit boats to pass up the river with fresh fish to supply the market. Upon this it was determined to stop the boats of the Scarborough from passing up the river. Accordingly, Capt. Thomas Pickering, (he who led the attack upon Fort William and Mary and afterwards perished on board the Hampden, in the hour of victory,) with a party, stationed themselves upon Union Wharf, and fired upon the barge of the Scarborough, as it passed up the river, wounding some of the soldiers on board. Barclay was loud in his threats of retaliation, and the people in town meeting voted a disapproval of the act. A few days afterwards the same barge was found near the "Mill Dam Bridge," upon Pickering's premises, and in company with a party of "sons of liberty," he fastened a team of horses to it, and drew it through the streets of Portsmohth [sic] followed by throngs of people, filling the air with shouts. The Barge was thus drawn through the streets until its keel was worn off, when it was put in the town pound for safe keeping! Such open contempt of British power appalled the loyalists, while the Patriots became still more sanguine and elated.

The Convention called at Exeter on the 17th of May, was looked forward to with the greatest interest, as it in reality was to take the place of the Provincial Assembly. Much pains had been taken to have a full representation of the towns in the Province. For this purpose circulars had been sent to all the towns, of which the following is a copy,

          Gentlemen, as we are appointed by the late Provintial [sic] Convention a committee to call another whenever the Exegency [sic] of public affairs might require it, the late intelligence of the alarming measures propounded to be pursued against the American Colonies, in our opinion render it necessary that there should be a Convention of Deputies from the several towns in this Government held at Exeter the 17th day of May next, at 10 o'clock, A. M. which when met, should be fully impowered [sic] and authorized to adopt and pursue such measures as may be judged most expedient to preserve and restore the rights of this and the other Colonies, and that such Deputies should be impowered to act in behalf of themselves and their Constituents for six months, if they should judge the same necessary, and adjourn as occasion may require.

By order of the Committee,

On the 4th of May, 1775, the warrant of the Selectmen of Derryfield was issued calling a town meeting on the 15th instant to act upon the following articles;

   "1ly to Choose a Moderator to Regulate said meeting."

   "2ly to see if the town will Choose a Delegate or Delegates to join the Delegates from the several towns in this Government, held at Exeter the 17th of May Enstant."

   "3ly to see if the town will provide a Stock of Ammunition."

   "4ly to see if the town will Consult on measures for our Safety."

At the meeting on the 15th instant it was,

   "Voted on the 2 article not to send a man to Exeter on ye 17th day of May."

   "Voted to dismiss the third article."

   "Voted Capt. Alexander McMurphy, Lieut. James McCally, Ensign Samuel Moors, Ebenezer Stevens, John Pirham, a Committee in Behalf of us."

This Committee was a kind of "Committee of Safety" for the town, and was the first one chosen.

It is probable that the vote on the 2d article, was dictated by the same policy of that of the 16th of January preceding, fear of incurring expense and the proximity of a County Congress. For on the same day a Committee issued a call for a County Congress to be held at Amherst on the 24th of May. A mere fragment of a circ[ ]lar of this Committee has been preesrved [sic], but this is sufficient to show the object of the Congress, and is as follows;

   "God forbid. Let every Brest [sic] swell with disdain at the Impious thought.
   The British Troops have invaded every sacred Right of Nature. Then let us defend them as long a we have life: And we believe the great God that Gave them to us will look down with gracious Approbation and Cause us and our Posterity to Rejoice in his Salvation. And while we are vigorously Defending ourselves against the Attacks of the British Troops, it is expedient and equally necessary to give due attention to our internal Policy in this country.
   Stimulated by these reflections, we have Thought proper by and with the Advice of a Number of respectable Men in Amherst to appoint a County Congress. Accordingly Wednesday the Twenty-fourth day of this instant May at eleven of the clock in the forenoon at the Cort [sic] House in said Amherst, is appointed for that purpose to consider and determine upon the following Particulars; (viz.)

   FIRST. To see if the Congress will appoint a Committee of Corrispondence [sic] to wait upon or join with the Congress in the Province of Massachuseets [sic] Bay.

   SECONDLY. To go into some measures for the better Security of the internal Polity of this County to prevent declining into a state of Nature.

   THIRDLY. To enforce a strict Adherence to the Association of the late Continental Congress.

   It is Desired that you send your Delegates and with them a certificate of their appointment.

Gentlemen we are your

hble Servt's.

DAN'L CAMPBELL, -- JON'A MARTIN, --

Committee for calling         a Congress. May 13th A. D. 17751

The Congress met on the 24th of May at Amherst and proceeded to take measures for the "better security of the internal polity [sic] of the country." Among other measures, a Committee was chosen to take possession of the Jail, and the Congress adjourned to the 4th day July.

Capt. John Stark had been chosen to the Congress from this town, but being absent at Cambridge, the town was not represented. It was thought neccesary [sic], that the town should be represented either in the Provincial or Country Congress and accordingly, on the 27th day of June, 1775, the selectmen issued their warrant notifying the inhabitants to meet in town-meeting the same day, and among other things,

   "2ly to See if they will Vote to send a delegate or delegates to the Provincial or County Congress, or Either of them.

   3ly to see if the town will provide any Amunition.

   6ly to Act and doe any other thing that Releates to ouer present Safety In Defence of our Liberteys."

And on the same day, June, 27, it was

   "Voted to send one delegate to the County Congress,--John Harve.

   "Voted to dismiss the third article.

   Voted to Chuese five Men a Committee of Seafety In [ ]ehalf of the town agreabeal to the order of the Provincial Congress."

   Voted, John Harve, Levt. James Mc Caley, Samuel Boyd, Esign Samuel Moors, and John Hall, Countrymen."

This was the first Committee of Safety in the town under the authority of the Provincial Congress.

On the 4th day of July, the County Congress met at Amherst according to their adjournment. Mr. John Harvey doubtless was in attendence [sic] from this town. The keys of the Jail were duly given into the care of the Congress by the committee.

They then chose various Committees,--one consisting of men in each town to "judge the tories," and another to exercise the powers of Justices of the Peace within the County. They also established a Court of Justice to be held at Amherst at stated periods. Of this Court Hon. Timothy Farrar was a Justice and "held Court" at Amherst during the summer of 1775 by virtue of authority of this Congress. After making the neccessary [sic] arrangements for "securing the internal polity [sic] of the County," the Congres [sic] adjourned.

Thus the County of Hillsborough took the initiative in forming a government for the protection of its people. This system was kept in operation till the formation of the State government in January following.

It is highly probable that at this Congress, and at a similar one held at Keene for the County of Cheshire, about the same time, that some proposition was made for co-operating with the people of Massachusetts, in the struggle already commenced at Lexington. And hence it was, that upon the arrival of Capt. John Stark from Hillsborough County and Capt. Reid from Cheshire County, at Cambridge on the 21st of April, with volunteers from their Counties, that both of those gentlemen were commissioned as Colonels in the Massachusetts line, thus to continue unless they were adopted by New Hampshire. They were adopted and commissioned by New Hampshire; but the fact that they had taken commissions under Massachusetts, was a source of trouble to them through their military career.

On the 17th of May, the Convention assembled at Exeter. One hundred and thirty-three delegates were present, a more full and equal representation of the Province, than had ever assembled, many of the leading members being members of the Assembly. Hon. John Wentworth, Speaker of the House, was chosen President of the Convention, and Ebenezer Thompson, Secretary.

The greatest enthusiasm and unanimity prevailed in the Convention. They forthwith adopted the most effective measures. On the 20th of May, they voted to raise a force of 2000 men, and to adopt those already in the field. On the 23d they organized this force into a Brigade to consist of three Regiments; appointed Capt. Nathaniel Folsom to its command, as Brigadier General, and appointed James Reed and Enoch Poor, Colonels of two of the Regiments. They also appointed a Committee of supplies for the army, and a "Committee of Safety" which was the supreme executive of the Province. Various other matters were transacted; but the most important in their bearing as being in the very face and eyes of the existing government, were the passing a vote of thanks to those engaged in attacking and dismantling the Forts on the Piscataqua, and the instructing by resolution the members of the House of Representatives, to expel the new members from Lyme, Orford, and Plymouth.

These were bold measures, and were dictated and carried out by a spirit that would not brook British oppression, and dared to defy British power.

The loyalists became alarmed, associated for their defence, and the Governor made arrangements with Capt. Barclay, and the officer of the Fort, for the assistance of a detachment of marines from the Scarborough, and of soldiers from Fort William and Mary.

Such measures did not intimidate the patriots in the least; they were strong in numbers, and had as leaders, men wise in council, and who had seen service at Louisburg and Lake George; beside by provident acts, they were well supplied with powder, muskets ond [sic] cannon.

In this posture of affairs, the Assembly commenced its adjourned session, and Governor Wentworth pressed upon their attention, "Lord North's conciliatory proposition." But they would attend to no public business, until in obedience to the instructions of the Convention, they had purged the House. Accordingly their first act was to expel the members from Lyme, Orford, and Plymouth. Their expulsion produced the greatest excitement. The loyalists boasted of what the troops from the Fort and the Scarborough would do, and the patriots returned the boast by telling them that the Indian fighters of the back woods were in town, and ready to repel the attacks of any forces the Governor could bring against them.

Footnotes

¹The original is in the hands of Charles Richardson, Esq. of this city and was found among the papers of John Bell, Esq, of Bedford, deceased, who was one of the Selectmen of that town in that year. Return

                       

ALHN Hillsborough County

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Chapter 19
History of Manchester
Hillsborough County
ALHN-New Hampshire
Created March 5, 2001
Copyright 2000, 2001