peculiarly interesting, because few similar records of his mind remain, and as it evidences that the life he sacrificed on Bunker Hill was offered, not under the excitement of the moment, but with a fixed and deliberate purpose. No language can be more decisive of the spirit which predominated in his bosom: 'It is the united voice of America to preserve their freedom, or lose their lives in defence of it."" The passages I have put in italics are placed by Bancroft at the beginning of one of the chapters of his History: 2

To Josiah Quincy, jun.

BOSTON, November 21, 1774.

DEAR SIR, As nothing interesting which I am at liberty to communicate has taken place since your departure from home, except such matters as you could not fail of being informed of by the public papers, I have deferred writing to you, knowing that, upon your first arrival in London, you would be greatly engaged in forming your connections with the friends of this country, to whom you have been recommended. Our friends who have been at the Continental Congress are in high spirits on account of the union which prevails throughout the colonies. It is the united voice of America to preserve their freedom, or lose their lives in defence of it. Their resolutions are not the effect of inconsiderate rashness, but the sound result of sober inquiry and deliberation. I am convinced, that the true spirit of liberty was never so universally diffused through all ranks and orders of people, in any country on the face of the earth, as it now is through all North America. The Provincial Congress met at Concord at the time appointed. About two hundred and sixty members were present. You would have thought yourself in an assembly of Spartans or ancient Romans, had you been a witness to the ardor which inspired those who spoke upon the important business they were transacting. An injunction of secrecy prevents my giving any particulars of their transactions, except such as by their express order were published in the papers; but, in general, you may be assured that they approved themselves the true representatives of a wise and brave people, deter2 Vol. vii. chap. 16.

1 Life of Josiah Quincy, jun., 181.

mined at all events to be free. I know I might be indulged in giving you an account of our transactions, were I sure this would get safe to you; but I dare not, as the times are, risk so important intelligence.

Next Wednesday, the 23d instant, we shall meet again according to adjournment. All that I can safely communicate to you shall be speedily transmitted. I am of opinion, that the dissolution of the British Parliament, which we were acquainted with last week, together with some favorable letters received from England, will induce us to bear the inconvenience of living without government until we have some farther intelligence of what may be expected from England. It will require, however, a very masterly policy to keep the province, for any considerable time longer, in its present state. The town of Boston is by far the most moderate part of the province: they are silent and inflexible. They hope for relief; but they have found from experience that they can bear to suffer more than their oppressors or themselves thought possible. They feel the injuries they receive; they are the frequent subject of conversation: but they take an honest pride in being singled out by a tyrannical Administration as the most determined enemies to arbitrary power. They know that their merits, not their crimes, have made them the objects of ministerial vengeance. We endeavor to live as peaceably as possible with the soldiery; but disputes and quarrels often arise between the troops and the inhabitants.

General Gage has made very few new manœuvres since you left us. He has indeed rendered the intrenchments, at the entrance of the town, as formidable as he possibly could. I have frequently been sent to him on committees, and have several times had private conversations with him. I have thought him a man of honest, upright principles, and one desirous of accommodating the difference between Great Britain and her colonies in a just and honorable way. He did not appear to be desirous of continuing the quarrel in order to make himself necessary, which is too often the case with persons employed in public affairs; but a copy of a letter via Philadelphia, said to be written from him to Lord North, gives a very different cast to his character. His answer to the Provincial Congress, which was certainly ill judged, I suppose was the work of some of that malicious group of harpies, whose disappointments make them desirous to urge the governor to drive every thing to extremes; but, in this letter (if it be genuine), he seems to court the office of a destroyer of the liberties, and murderer of the people, of this province. But you have doubtless read the paper, and thought with indignation on its contents.

I wish to know of you how affairs stand in Great Britain, and what was the principal motive of the dissolution of parliament. If the late Acts of Parliament are not to be repealed, the wisest step for both countries is fairly to separate, and not spend their blood and treasure in destroying each other. It is barely possible that Britain may depopulate North America; but I trust in God she can never conquer the inhabitants: and, if the cruel experiment is made, I am sure, whatever fortunes may attend America, that Britain will curse the wretch, who, to stop the mouths of his ravenous pack of dependants, bartered away the wealth and glory of her empire.

I have not time to say more at present than to assure you, that from this time you may expect to hear from me, news or no news, by every vessel; and that my earnest wish is, that your abilities and integrity may be of eminent service to your country.

I am,

dear sir, your most obedient servant,

JOSEPH WARREN.

General Gage's letters now show, that he realized the import of the political unity which had been reached by the patriots. On informing Lord Dartmouth, on the 15th, that he had issued a proclamation declaring the Provincial Congress an unlawful body, and tending to riot and rebellion, he said that it had been encouraged to go to the lengths it had gone by the general union, and the readiness of the NewEngland provinces to appear in arms; and that the proceedings of the Continental Congress astonished and terrified all considerate men.

A few days after Gage had issued his proclamation, and when, according to his representation, "all considerate men" were in terror, the Provincial Congress, on the 23d of November, renewed its session. It invited John Adams and Robert Treat Paine to attend the meetings; the other delegates to the General Congress, Cushing and Samuel Adams, being members. It is not necessary to relate here in detail the proceedings of this body. The political centre

was now "the grand American Congress;" and the chief committee of the session was the one appointed to consider its doings. Joseph Hawley was the chairman; and the other members were Samuel Dexter, Joseph Warren, Jeremiah Lee, James Warren, Elbridge Gerry, and Benjamin Church. Their report was a grateful indorsement of the proceedings of the General Congress, and an adoption of the "Association," and recommending the people to observe it. This body continued the preparatory work of defence, but went no farther. On the last day of the session (Dec. 10), a report which had been made on the question of "assuming civil government," was taken up, considered, and ordered to lie on the table. This congress issued an address to the inhabitants, briefly explaining and urging the measures that had been adopted. It presented the general intelligence from England, together with the increase of the army and navy, as exciting the strongest jealousy, that the system of colony administration, destructive to American liberty, was to be pursued, and to be attempted with force to be carried into execution. In a tone alike solemn and elevated, it is said, "You are placed by Providence in the post of honor because it is the post of danger; and, while struggling for the noblest objects, -the liberties of your country, the happiness of posterity, and the rights of human nature, eyes, not only of North America and the whole British Empire, but of all Europe, are upon you." It is added, "Let us be, therefore, altogether solicitous, that no disorderly behavior, nothing unbecoming our characters as Americans, as citizens, as Christians, be justly chargeable to us."

the

Warren was now serving in the committee of correspondence, which continued its vigilant watch of passing events. The following note is copied from the original in his handwriting, dated two days after the adjournment of congress:

BOSTON, December 12, 1774.

GENTLEMEN, We think it our duty to inform you, that one of the transports sailed from this port yesterday, in the afternoon, with several hundred soldiers on board. There are various conjectures concerning her destination; but it is generally believed she is designed for Newport, and that the troops are to take possession of the fortress there. The vigilance of our enemies is well known. They doubt not the bravery of our countrymen; but, if they can get our fortresses, our arms, and ammunition into their custody, they will despise all our attempts to shake off their fetters. We are convinced, that you will do what prudence directs upon this important occasion, and are, with great esteem, your friends and humble servants.

Several town-meetings were held in December, in Boston, on political affairs. Warren was placed on the inspection committee, created to carry into effect the "Association" of the Continental Congress; on a committee to prepare a vote of thanks to the colonies for the contributions made for the poor of the town, and on another to frame an answer to General Gage. On the 30th of December, he was chosen a delegate to the second Provincial Congress. In the records of the committee of safety, he is named on a committee to inspect the commissary stores in Boston.

Warren was now engaged in the various duties town, provincial, and national-by which the patriots, as a party, were carrying on their work. Though there was, strictly speaking, neither local nor general government, yet the majority of the people, in most of the colonies, was so decisively arrayed in support