Page:Letters of John Andrews.djvu/88

82 among us when I consider what an additional number of inhabitants we have got, together with the quantities that are barrell'd up in every town in the country to serve as a supply for any future exigencies no town having less than a hundred barrels and some a thousand; that partridges are sold in our market for half a dollar a pair which us'd formerly to be bought for eight pence, and eggs at the reasonable price of 1/6 lawful money per dozen.

January 18th. Either yesterday or Monday, Justice [-] fin'd a poor oysterman five pounds sterling, together with 5/ for his writ, for buying or rather letting a Soldier have a few coppers upon a pair of drawers which the Soldier was to have redeemed again this being the third instance of the kind that has been transacted; advantages taken of the ignorant country people by necessitous Justices, that would not stick at any thing to put such a fine in their own pockets. Have eras'd out his name as I would not have it mention'd.

January 19th. Yesterday was celebrated the Queen's birth day by the Army, and in the afternoon a large Company of Officers assembled at the Coffee house, with a band of Musick in the balcony, and the King's own Grenadiers upon the opposite side of the street; when upon ev'ry toast they gave three chears, after which, one of their number came out to the balcony and announced it to the Commander of the Granadiers, who thereupon order'd a volley to be fir'd, when the Musick struck up and after that succeeded the drums. This they continued till near nine o'clock.—Among their toasts was the 16th April, '46—a similar chastisement to all Rebels-Confusion to the American Army—Lord North—with a number of such exasperating toasts—which the populace, that were gather'd upon the occasion, took no notice of, savethe last, when they gave a general hiss and exclaim'd damn him, upon which the announcer of the toast cry'd bless him, which was retorted upon him by frequent curses and execrations, that the Grenadiers were order'd to clear the street with their bayonets, which did not do other than to push the length of their muskets.

January 21st. Last evening a number of drunken Officers attacked the town house watch between eleven and 12 o'clock, when the assistance of the New Boston watch was call'd, and a general battle ensued; some wounded on both sides. A party from the main guard was brought up with their Captain together with another party from the