Page:Letters of John Andrews.djvu/40

 3-4 LETTERS OF JOHN ANDREWS.

when they halted, and march'd hack again immediately: which gave occasion to a shrewd fellow to repeal the old adage — "the king of France, &c'a.", when the surgeon of the regiment made a stop, and said he could not bul acknowledge it a just similarity — for here I am, says he, with my mates, provided with every apparatus for dressing wounds, performing amputations, &c'a. Since which, the committee of correspondence there were summoned before his Excellency and question'd in regard t<> the meeting, whether they were call'd by their authority or not. They readily acknowledg'd it was call'd and m'anag'd by their direction. He then observed to 'em, that they must abide by the consequences ; for he should issue ou1 writs to seize their persons and. if necessary, the Sheriff should be supported by the troops and he would bear 'em harmless for whatever they might do. Accordingly, two of 'em were taken up the >ame afternoon, when they gave bail and were dismiss'd. The other five were taken this morning, when they refus'd to give bail, and said they would rather be committed; when the magistrate thought proper to release Vm upon their parole of honor. The town was greatly alarm'd, and had they been committed the consequences must have been fatal: for the last accounts from England have rather encourag'd the sons of freedom to persevere than otherways, and confirmed the hike-warm that were staggering, as well as cool'd down the opposite party.

August 26<A. The affair at Salem is the only topic of speculation this day. The latest accounts we have had from there was at ten o'clock P.M., when there was upwards of three thousand men assem- bled there from the adjacent town-, with full determination to rescue the Committee if they should be sent to prison, even if they were oblig'd to repel force by force, being sufficiently provided for such a purpose; as indeed they are all through the country — vxwy male above the age of If' possessing a firelock with double the quantity of powder and hall enjoin'd by law. The Marblehead people sent them word that they were ready to come in at a minute's warning sufficiently provided to lend assistance. George William-. Captain Derby, &c, of the Committee told the Governor if the ninetieth part of a farthing would he taken as hail, they would not give it. and very pertinently retorted upon him '-if he committed them /><■ must abide by the conse- quences" — for they would not be answerable for what might take place. lie told them that 1 o'clock P.M. was the Utmost extent of time he would give them to consider of it. and earnestly recommended their giving hail to appeal- at the next Superior Court to answer to a

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