detention went off and left all his Passengers behind. This has turn'd out very lucky, as advices have just arrived that Newyork and Philad. are in almost as much trouble and Confusion as we are and there is an armed force going there. This with the other disapointm't at Charlestow[n] Ferry have fully taught me that present disapointment

[You] will doubtless be surprised to find this transmitted to London by my dear Sister, who sails in Capt. Callahan1 tomorrow with her little Family. the perticulars she will give you. the times are such as must preclude all thots of your return'g.

Henry Pelham to John Singleton

DEAR AND HON'D UNCLE,

BOSTON, May 16, 1775.

To give you a short account of the situation of your Friends here, and to remove from your minds and that of my other dear Relations in your part of the World, Aprenhensions which must arrise for our safety in this time of Distress and difficulty, is the motive for my addressing you now. It will be needless for me to give a detail of the Causes leading to the unhappy event, which has recently thrown us into the greatest Confusion, and has involved this Country in all the Horrors of a Civil War. You must be fully acquainted with [the] Contest which for some year[s] past has subsisted between this Continent and Great Britain. I shall therefore pass it without any Remark, saving that it has been productive of mutual je[a]lo[u]sy and

1 Erased: "tomorrow or next. In a few days." Callahan, captain of the Minerva, did not sail until May 27, and then went from Marblehead. On April 27, the British general had given leave for all persons who should choose to do so to leave Boston with their effects, and large numbers seized the opportunity. A year earlier, June 1, 1774, Governor Hutchinson had left America in the same vessel, then also commanded by Callahan.

mistrust, unnatural heartburn'g, hatred and Malice, among those whose Duty and interest it was to dwell together in Peace, mutually love'g and Cherishing each other. A Conduct which would be infinitely more agreable to the design of Providenc[e] in forming us Social Beings, and mak❜g us dependant on those around us more consonant to the dictates of that boasted Reason which so eminently destinguishes Man from all the other Works of Creation, and unquestionably more agreable to the express Commands of that Prince of Peace, whose Holy Religion we all profess to make the Rule of our Lives and Conduct. But alas! The last ten years is but an additional Confirmation of that Mallencholly truth taught us by the experienc[e] of ages that neither the light of Natural Religion, the dictates of Reason, the positive Commands of Christianity, nor even a Regard to present Happyness are effectual to curb the licentious Ambition, the Pride and Averice of Man, or smoth those aspiraties of the Mind which too frequently break the ties of benevolence and Virtue, and render Man his own greatest Enemy. Whatever disagrement there may be respecting a parlimentary Right to tax us, or about American opposition, we must all agree in this that a Civill War is the most dreadfull Evill that can befall a People, as it is subversive of that friendly intercourse that can so greatly heighten our Joys, gives such a cha[r]m to our innocent pleasu[res], and aleviates the Sorrows of Life.

Among other preperations of defence which the People of this provinc[e] have for some months past been very industriously making they had formed some Magazines of Provisions and Milatary Stores, one perticula[r]ly at Concord 18 Miles from Boston. The Granodiers and light Infantry Companies belonging to the Kings Troop in this town, making about 600

Men, were ordered to destroy this Magazine (they began their March from town about 12 o Clock in the night of the 18 of April), which after a small Skirmish they effected. By daybreak there was a very general Rising in the Country. all were in motion, alarm Guns having been fired and expresses sent to every town. About 10 o Clock the 19 of April Gen'l G[age], having rec❜d advice that the troops were attack'd as they were going to Concord, ordered out a Reinforcement of 4 Regiments under the command of L[ord] P[ercy], with 2 field Peices, the whole with the first party Makeing 1800 Men. This reinforc[e]ment joined the others just time eno to prevent their being entirely cut to peices, they having nearly expended all their amunition. By this time a great Number of People were assembled fully equipp'd, who lined the Woods and Houses along the Road thro which the troops mu[s]t pass in returning to Boston. A general Battle ensued, whi[c]h was supported by an almost incessant fire on both sides for 7 Hours, when the troops made good their retreat with the loss of 57 Killed, above 100 Wounded, amongst whom were two Off[i]cers who have since died and severall Missing. It is impossable to ascertain the loss on the part of the Country People. they acknowledge the loss of 40 Killed on the spot, but this I apprehend must fall vastly short of the true number. A Fr[i]end of mine says he saw between 70 and 80, and the Gentlemen who were spectators of the Scene universally agree that there could not be less than 150 or 200. they lost three of their Captans. Thus you have the most perticular account of this unhappy affair that I am capable of give❜g you. Words are wanting to discribe the Misery this affair has produced among the Inhabitants of this Town. Thousands are reduced to absolute Poverty who before lived in Credit. Buisness of any kind is entirely Stop'd. The Town

invested by 8000 or 10,000 Men, who prevent all supplies of fresh Provision from coming in, so that we are now reduced to have recource to the stores which those of us who were provident foreseeing a political Storm had lain in. We find it disagreable living entirely upon salt Meat. it is especially so to my honord Mother, whose ill state of Health renders her less able to bear it. My Brother Jack has been near a year past making the Tour of France and Italy. My Sister Copley is just embarking with her little Family for London, where she expects soon to meet him. She is the bearer of this to England. As for myself I dont know what to say. this last Maneuvour has entierly stopp'd all my buisness, and annialated all my Property, the fruits of 4 or 5 years Labor. I find it impossable to collect any Monies that are due to me, so that I am forced to find out some other place where I may at least make a living. my present purposed plan is to remove to Great Britain where I shall be able to look about me, and where I shall have an Opertunity of consulting my Friends respecting my future pursuits. Should I be able to purswade my hon'd Mamma to undertake this Voyage, Which I sometimes flatter myself I shall, I would leave this place in 6 or 8 Weeks. With her love and sincer[e]st affections I beg leave to tender you and my Aunt Singleton my most dutifull Respects and beg your blessing. Be kind eno to present my duty to my Uncle and aunt Cooper, and Love to all my Cousins. I am, Dear Sir, with the sincer[e]st affection and Respect your most dutifull Nephew,

H. P.

PS. I should take it as a great kindness if you would favour me with a line as often as Conven[ien]t. Please to dir[e]ct to the Car[e] of Mrs. Copley in London, who will forward them to me.1 1 This letter was sent to Anthony King, of Dublin, Pelham's cousin.

Henry Pelham to Copley

MY DEAR BROTHER,

BOSTON, May 16, 1775.

Before you rec. this you will doubtless have heard alarming Reports of a late most unhappy Event which has taken place here. I have hitherto declined giving you any account of the State of Politicks since you left us, thinking it a theme which could afford you no amusement. I now reluctantly find my self obliged to give you a detail of one of the most extraordinary and unhappy transactions which can possably disgrace the Records of Mankind. Alass! My dear Brother where shall I find Words sufficiently expressive of the Distractions and Distresses of this once flourish'g and Happy People. The Disorders of which we were lately such anxious Spectators have produced those effects which every dispas[s]ionate Mind foresaw, and every humane and feeling Heart wished to avoid: My hand trembles while I inform you that [the] Sword of Civil War is now unsheathd. For some months past the People of this Province, impelled by the most surprizing Enthusi[as]m which ever seized the mind of Man, have been industriou[s]ly making every preperation for Carrying on a War and had formed some considerable Magazines. Gen'l Gage to embarrass them and Retard their Plans, determind to break up a Magazine of Provision[s] and Milatary Stores they had collected at Concord, 18 Miles from Town. To effect this about 600 Men embarked from the Bottom of the Common in Longboats and landed at Phipps farm about I o Clock in the Morn'g of the 19 of April: from thence proceeded to Concord, where they destroy a quantity of Provision, a Number of Harness and some Guns. At 10 0 Clock, 4 Regiments, making with the first Party 1800