Old Boston Days & Ways. Mary Caroline Crawford
three hundred barrells, belonging to the Province, which they are lodging in Temple's barn, for conveniency to be transported to the Castle, I suppose. . . . September 3, As a continuation of the other sheet must observe to you that between three and four thousand [of our men] remained upon the field in Cambridge till night, when they peaceably returned each one to his own house, but not till they had procured a written acknowledgement from Governor Oliver that he would give up his seat in Councill. . . .
They also procured a written obligation from Sheriff Phips . . . that he would not act officially in any case upon the principal of ye new establishment. It is worthy remark that Judge Lee observed to 'em, after he had made his resignation that he never saw so large a number of people together and preserve so peaceable order before in his life. . . . Sunday September the 4th The Commander in Chief asked the Lieutenant Governor how many the mob consisted of that were before his house.
He told him about four thousand, but they were not a mob by any means, but consisted of the leading men in the county and reputable substantial farmers."
Upon this incident, at the house which was afterwards the home of Elbridge Gerry and which is now a shrine for pilgrims because of its associations with James Russell Lowell, we may well pause for a moment. It is certainly one of the most remarkable chronicled by Andrews. For Thomas Oliver was a great deal of a person and by his marriage to Elizabeth Vassall he was intimately connected with all the leading Cambridge loyalists. Until 1774 Oliver had had little to do with politics and his appointment by the Crown to the post of lieutenant-governor, in that year, was at the suggestion of Hutchinson, who probably thought he would be unobjectionable to the people.
But, as lieutenant-governor, he was also presiding officer of the so-called "Mandamus Council," a body which was the special object of patriot resentment. The people were resolved Oliver should resign the post. He, accordingly, did so after the following form: "Cambridge, September 2, 1774.
"I, Thomas Oliver, being appointed by his majesty to a seat at the Council Board, upon and in conformity to the Act of Parliament, entitled An act for the better regulation of the Provinces of Massachusetts Bay, which, being a manifest infringement of the Charter rights and privileges of the people, I do hereby, in conformity to the commands of the body of the County now convened, most solemnly promise and engage, as a man of honor and a Christian that I never will hereafter upon any terms whatever accept a seat at said board on the present novel and oppressive plan of government. My house at Cambridge being surrounded by about four thousand people, in compliance with their command I sign my name "Thomas Oliver."
Governor Gage appears to have now decided that the time had come for him to move into Boston. On September 8 Andrews writes: "As the Governor, Commissioners, and indeed all the Governmental gentry have taken up their residence in town for the Winter, the 59th regiment is expected from Salem immediately.
They have fixed the colors and laid out the ground for their encampment at ye side of ye Neck near ye Windmill. Yesterday, between one and two o'clock p. m. the General, with a large Parade of attendants, took a survey of the skirts of the town; more particularly that part opposite the country shore. Tis supposed they intend to erect Batteries there to prevent any incursions of the country people from that quarter, having effectually secured the Neck by the disposition of the Field Pieces; and their caution extends so far as to have a guard patrole Roxbury streets at all hours of the night, as well as another posted at Charlestown ferry every night, after the evening gun fires."
A vivid picture of the treatment commonly meted out to the Tories is found in Andrews' letter of September 9.
"Colonel Frye of Salem . . . has resigned all his posts of honor and profit. Indeed necessity obliged him to as he and his family were in danger of starving; for the country people would not sell him any provisions, and the inhabitants, however well disposed any might be to him, dare not procure him any. . . . The present temper of the people throughout the Province is such that they won't suffer a tory to remain anywhere among 'em without making an ample recantation of his principles; and those who presume as to be so obstinate as not to comply, are obliged to take up residence in this city of refuge. . . ."
Petty attacks made upon citizens by groups of soldiers, and the great difficulty experienced by General Gage in finding workmen to build barracks for his men occupy Andrews' attention throughout the greater part of his September letters. Then, on the twenty-sixth, he writes: "Sometime this day the Governor had a conference with Col. Hancock, requesting him to use his influence with the committee to reconsider their vote respecting the barracks.
The Colonel observed to him that he had taken every possible measure to distress us: . . . He likewise told him that he had been threatened and apprehended his person was in danger, as it had been gave out that he deserved to be hanged: upon which the Governor told him that he might have a guard, if he chose it, to attend him night and day. You will naturally conclude that he declined accepting. . . .
"September 27th. At four o'clock yesterday afternoon, the workmen all packed up their tools and left the barracks, frames &c; so that I am apprehensive we in the town will feel ill effects of it, as it has been given out that the troops will force quarters next month, if barracks are not provided for 'em; neither should I blame them for so doing, as the nights are so cold already that it's impossible for 'em to sleep comfortable under their slight canvas tents. And as to empty houses, now since we have got so many refugees among us, there is not half sufficient to hold what troops we have got already here. After the carpenters had left off work, the General sent Col. Robinson and Major Sheaffe to Mr. Hancock to let him know [that] if they would proceed with the barracks, he [Gage] could suffer anything to be transported within the limits of the harbour, under the sanction of King's stores; but all would not avail, — as they very justly supposed, that after the work was compleated he would withdraw the indulgence, as he deems it"ill. A delightful snap-shot of Yankee character is given us by Andrews under the date of October first.
"It's common for the Soldiers to fire at a target fixed in the stream at the bottom of the Common. A countryman stood by a few days ago and laughed very heartily at the whole regiment's firing and not one being able to hit it. The officer observed him and asked why he laughed? Perhaps you'll be affronted if I tell you replied the countryman. No, he would not, he said. Why then says he, I laugh to see how awkward they fire. Why, I'll be bound I hit it ten times running. Ah! will you, reply'd the officer; come try: Soldiers, go and bring five of the best guns and load 'em for this honest man. Why, you need not bring so many: let me have any one that comes to hand reply'd the other but I choose to load myself. He accordingly loaded and asked the officer where he should fire? He replied to the right — when he pulled trigger and dropped the ball as near the right as possible. The officer was amazed and said he could not do it again, as that was only by chance. He loaded again. Where shall I fire? To the left — when he performed as well as before. Come! once more, says the officer.
— He prepared the third time, — where shall I fire naow? In the center. He took aim and the ball went as exact in the middle as possible.
The officers as well as soldiers stared, and tho't the Devil was in the man. Why, says the countryman, I'll tell you naow. I have got a boy at home that will toss up an apple and shoot out all the seeds as it's coming down! . . .
"One more anecdote, Bill, and I'll close this barren day. When the 59th regiment came from Salem and were drawn up on each side of the Neck a remarkable tall countryman, near eight feet high, strutted between 'em at the head of his waggon, looking very sly and contemptuously on one side and t'other; which attracted the notice of the whole regiment. — Ay, ay, says he, you don't know what boys we have got in the country. I am near nine feet high and one of the smallest among 'em."
Poor Gage was made miserable by such countrymen as that. Their resourcefulness and touchiness was amazing, and, of course, they took a wicked joy in harrying him. "They are continually sending Committees upon one errand or another," records John Andrews, "which has caused the Governor to say that he can do very well with the Boston Selectmen, but the damned country committees plague his soul out, as they are very obstinate and hard to be satisfied. This day (October 5, 1774) a deputation of twelve came to town with a very spirited remonstrance from the body of Worcester County, which consists of five and forty towns; where they