Pitts, another member, wrote to Samuel Adams, "In your absence, there have been, as usual, the improvement of the ready pens of a Warren and Church, the criticism of a Greenleaf, the vigilance and industry of a Molineux, and the united wisdom of those who commonly compose the committee." The following letter shows the state of things at the time of the assembling of the Provincial Congress:

Joseph Warren to Samuel Adams.

BOSTON, September 29, 1774.

DEAR SIR, - My last letter of the 26th instant you will doubtless have received by the post before this reached you. Since then, there have been arrivals from England, by which we learn that the ministry are still inflexible and obstinate. The consequence then is, that, if America sees better days, it must be the result of her own conduct. The fortifications on Boston Neck are carried on without intermission. The troops are availing themselves of every opportunity to make themselves more formidable, and render the people less able to oppose them. They keep a constant search for every thing which will be serviceable in battle; and whenever they espy any instruments which may serve or disserve them, whether they are the property of individuals or the public is immaterial, — they are seized, and carried into the camp or on board the ships of war. Mr. Joseph Scott, of this town, has sold them a number of shells, cow horns, chain shot, &c., to the amount of £500 sterling; and yesterday, about noon, they were carried on board one of the ships. The people are enraged against Mr. Scott, and he keeps incog. About two hundred carpenters were employed the last week in providing barracks for the troops. This week the works are entirely forsaken, a few hands, indeed, are raised from the regiments, but by no means enough to carry on the buildings with expedition.

The employment was profitable to the tradesmen, and drew cash from the king to circulate in this impoverished town; but, in consequence of the proceedings of the committee, they desisted, and discovered a great aversion to do any thing displeasing [to] their brethren in the country, or that could possibly be injurious to the cause of American freedom.

The treatment which the inhabitants receive from the soldiery makes us think that they regard us as enemies rather than as fellow subjects.

Some of our warm advocates can hardly brook the many private insults we receive; and, were it not that your august body had cautioned us against any engagement with them, I fear bloodshed would have ensued before this.

When they carried the machines from Mr. Scott's, it made us "tremblingly alive all o'er;" and it is as much as our grave, serious people can effect to keep people from action at some particular times. The determination of the congress is waited with much impatience: that, we expect, will be decisive.

In your letter from England were enclosed two pamphlets; but as I knew you had one of them at Philadelphia, some time ago, and that Dr. Winthrop had sent you the other, I did not think it worth while to burden the carrier with them.

Mr. Samuel Phillips, jun., of Andover, was this day carrying about a dozen fire-arms over Charlestown ferry. The sloop-of-war lying in the river dispatched a boat, and seized them. A load of straw, said to be the property of Major Goldthwait, was this day bringing to town for the use of the soldiers; but the high sons of Roxbury gave it to the flames.

Your worthy family are all well, and would have you informed that they think of you, though they are not with you.

Josiah Quincy, Esq., sailed for London last Monday.

People were so rapacious for the intelligence brought from the congress by Mr. Revere, that I thought myself bound to publish an extract from your letter; and, although it was done without your permission, I know you will forgive it.

Please let Mr. Cushing know, that I should not have published his letter but at the earnest request of a number of our most valuable friends. These publications, I think, you would approve, if you were sensible of the animation they give to our dejected friends.

The inconnection and want of form in this hasty production pleads for its excuse, that Mr. Revere waits for it.

I am, dear sir, with the utmost sincerity, your friend and humble servant, JOSEPH WARREN.1

MR. ADAMS.

1 This letter is printed from the original in the possession of Mr. Bancroft. Only the last paragraph, commencing "I am," &c., and the signature, are in Warren's handwriting.

The action of the committee of correspondence, referred to in this letter, related to work in building barracks for the army. The committees of thirteen towns met in Faneuil Hall, agreed upon a systematic plan in relation to a refusal of supplies, and declared all to be inveterate enemies to their country who furnished any materials whatever that would enable the troops to distress the inhabitants. The journals also contain a particular account of an interview which Warren now had with Governor Gage, in relation to the new fortification, and the purchase of stores. General Gage, in his official letters, dwelt on the difficulties he encountered in consequence of the action relative to labor and supplies.

The governor now had to meet the more serious movement of a Provincial Congress. He issued a precept, on the 1st of September, for a return of representatives to the general court, to be convened on the 5th of October, at Salem; but, he says, when he saw the resolves passed by some of the counties, and "the instructions given by the town of Boston and some other towns to their representatives," he issued a proclamation, on the 28th of September, declaring a general court inexpedient, discharging all persons elected from giving their attendance, and announcing his intention not to be present at the time and place he had named. Agreeably to the plan agreed upon, ninety of the representatives elect met, on the 5th of October, at Salem. After waiting a day for the appearance of the constitutional governor, they resolved themselves into a Provincial Congress, elected John Hancock their chairman and Benjamin Lincoln their secretary, passed a series of resolves, and ad

journed to meet at Concord.

The action of the

governor, as it was neither a dissolution nor a prorogation of the legislature, was declared by the patriots to be without the warrant of law.

The Provincial Congress assembled, on the 11th of October, at Concord. Many towns that did not choose representatives elected delegates to this congress. There were two hundred and eighty-eight1 members, — all but twenty present, — who were sent by two hundred and twelve towns.2 John Hancock was elected their president, and Benjamin Lincoln their secretary. The congress met first in the Court House, but adjourned to the Meeting-house.

Many of the delegates had taken part in the county conventions, and subsequently were distinguished in civil or military life. There were returned from the towns in Suffolk county, besides Cushing, Samuel Adams, Hancock, and Warren, William Heath and Benjamin Lincoln, generals throughout the Revolutionary war: from Essex were John Pickering, Azor Orne, Jonathan Greenleaf, and Elbridge Gerry, who were distinguished in political life: from Middlesex were Nathaniel Gorham, a prominent member of the convention that formed the Federal Constitution; William Prescott, and Thomas Gardner, colonels in the Bunker-hill battle; Richard Devens, an active member of the committee of safety; James Barrett, the commander of the militia at Concord on the 19th of April; James Prescott, subsequently a judge, and Henry Gardner, soon to be the treasurer: Hampshire returned Seth Pomeroy, a veteran of Louisburg fame; and Joseph Hawley, a patriot of decidedly the largest

1 Shattuck's History of Concord. 2 Journals of the Provincial Congress.

influence in the western part of the province: Plymouth sent James Warren, a pioneer patriot, who became president of the Provincial Congress; Bristol, Robert Treat Paine, the poet and jurist; and York sent James Sullivan, the scholar, statesman, and future governor: from Worcester came Artemas Ward, the first commander of the colonial army; and Moses Gill and Timothy Bigelow, distinguished in political life. The memories of many other delegates are cherished for their character and intelligent public service. The congress was a fine representation of the great interests of the province as well as of its patriotism.

The proceedings of this body show that Warren shared largely in its confidence and in its labors. His letters indicate that he felt the responsibility of the hour, and meant to act with caution. He and his associates from Boston had before them a difficult rôle for they found themselves "by far the most moderate men" of the congress, the members in general being in favor of forming a new government; and it was a duty not to fall in with what was popular, but to do what was right. The shallow declaimers of the day were rash; but the thinkers said, "These are great and profound questions. We are grieved to find ourselves reduced to the necessity of entering into the discussion of them."2

The last letter of Warren shows his feeling on the vital question of "taking up" a, new local government, or of proceeding, without outside advice or authority, as a separate, independent, sovereign State.

1 Letter of John Pitts, Oct. 16, 1774.

2 Address of Middlesex-county Convention.