Page:Letters of John Andrews.djvu/46

 40 LETTERS OF JOHN ANDREWS.

one retir'd to Watertown, where they had left their arms, and return'd to the Common fully equipp'd and well dispos'd to make a tryal of skill. They had the presence ol mind to gel matters in readiness to take up the bridge, to prevent their bringing the artillery to bear upon 'em, least the Combat should be too unequal. An express came down and rode full speed up to the fortification, and upon being inform'd that matters were not as had been represented, hastily returned over the ferry and quieted their minds again. Pray excuse incorrectness, as I am neither historian nor Scholar.

s ember 3rd. — Asa continuation to the other sheet, must ob- serve i" you that between three and four thousand remain'd upon the held in Cambridge till night, when they peaceably return'd, each one to his own house, but not till they had procur'd a written acknowl- edgment from Governor Oliver, that he would give up his seat in Councill, and verbally offer'd to renounce the Commission of Lienien- antcy if they desir'd it : but they told him to retain it by all mean-, thai they did not wish for a better man to hold the second office in the Government than him. They also procur'd a written obligation from Sheriff Phips, that he would not return jurors, serve writs, &ca., nor even act officially in any case upon the principal of y* new establishment. It is worthy remark that Judge Lee observ'd to "cm. alter he had made his resignation, that he never saw so large a num- ber of people together and preserve so peaceable order before in his life.

Though they had an account at Marlborough of the powder'- 1 ic- ing remov'd, last Thursday night, yet they were down to Cambridge (which is thirty miles) by eight o'clock Fryday morning, with a troop of h »rse and another of foot, both under the command of Gib. Speakman, a young fellow who serv'd his time with John Rowe.

One day this week they had a County meeting at Concord, con- sisting of 158 delagates (not one town or district failing to send one or more) when they pass'd a number of spirited resolves, not leaving any subject or circumstance under their cognizance unnoticed. They were drawn up by a sub-committee of nine, and after being reported, it was resolved that every member should answer yea or nay. lor the question, when there was 154 yeas, one absolute nay, and the other three apologiz'd, that as they were not permitted to qualifie their an- swer, they must say nay, though they excepted against only two or three paragraphs.

They have also hail a rendevouz at Springfield this week, and

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