Warren in relation to the Fifth-of-March Massacre and the Battle of Bunker Hill, by a Lady of Boston," printed in 1835; and the "Life of Joseph Warren by Alexander H. Everett,” printed in 1845, incorporated into Sparks's "American Biography," the most of which will be found in an oration delivered in 1836. This "Life" contains ninety pages, fifty-five being devoted to a description of the Battle of Bunker Hill. These publications do not contain one of Warren's letters.

In 1849, I began to frame a narrative of Warren's career, and my collections soon became large. In 1852, fresh material was supplied in the valuable historical contribution of "The Hundred Boston Orators," by James S. Loring, who devotes to Warren twenty-six pages. In 1854, additional matter relative to him was printed in Mr. Bancroft's fourth volume of the "History of the United States," in which Warren is assigned a just position in our revolutionary story. That year, Dr. John C. Warren issued the elegant volume of the genealogy of the family, which contains several of the letters of Warren, and Dr. John Warren's Journal. In 1855, Samuel G. Drake printed his elaborate "History of Boston," which, however, does not come down later than 1770. In 1857, there appeared a pamphlet entitled "Biography of General Joseph Warren by a Bostonian," which consists of eighty-five pages, forty of them being taken up with three orations.

None of these publications contain a description of the proceedings of the patriots of Boston from 1767 to 1775. I have attempted in this volume to supply a deficiency in American history, by describing those scenes which had a direct bearing on momentous political events. From the date of 1774, the material for biography is abundant; and I have given Warren's letters in full, and have dwelt on his personal action.

I am indebted to JARED SPARKS for the free use of the collection, in folio volumes, of the "Letters and Papers" of Francis Bernard; to GEORGE BANCROFT for the use of a manuscript life of Samuel Adams by Samuel Adams Wells, the Journals of the Boston Committee of Correspondence, and the papers of Samuel Adams, in which were preserved the letters addressed by Warren to Samuel Adams, now carefully bound in a separate volume, none of which have been printed; to the librarians of the Boston Athenæum, Harvard College, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Antiquarian Society, and the NewYork Historical Society, for every facility in making researches ; to the courteous City Clerk of Boston, SAMUEL F. M'CLEARY, for access to the files of papers and records in his office; to the successive Secretaries of State for facilities in consulting the Massachusetts archives; and to Dr. J. MASON WARREN for the use of the plate from which is printed the portrait of the General. I am indebted for favors to Dr. NATHANIEL B. SHURTLEFF. I am under special obligations to Dr. JOHN APPLETON, Assistant Librarian of the Massachusetts Historical Society, for the drawing of the fac-simile of Warren's last letter, and for critical service in revising the proof-sheets.

In all cases where it was possible, I have resorted to original authorities. I have spent much time in examining the letterbooks and papers of Thomas Hutchinson, which are among the rich collection of Massachusetts archives at the State House; ; and I have copied much from them. This material and the papers of Francis Bernard contain authentic revelations of the principles and objects of two confidential agents of the British Administration, who exerted an important influence in bringing about the events that were the proximate cause of the Revolution.

I will only add, that I have aimed to be precise and accurate, not only in the construction of the narrative, but in the statement of opinion. The history contained in this volume has a general bearing. There will be found in it much to show the beginnings of that Union which the Fathers of the Republic recognized to be a manifestation of the Providence of God; and much to illustrate the way in which the thirteen English colonies passed from the sovereignty of Great Britain to become an American nationality.

CHARLESTOWN, MASS., October 2, 1865.

CHAPTER III.

CONNECTION WITH THE PRESS. -1767 TO MARCH, 1768.

CONNECTION WITH PUBLIC MEETINGS.-1768. MARCH TO JUNE.