NEXT to the acknowledgement of the exiſtence of a Deity, there is no one principle of greater importance in religion, than a realizing belief of the divine government and providence, as ſuperintending the affairs of the univerſe, and intimately concerned in whatever happens to mankind, both as nations and kingdoms, and as individuals.

Deeply to be impreſſed with a ſenſe of the divine providence, to realize that GOD is Govornor among the nations, that his government is wiſe and juſt, and that all our times and changes are in his hands, and at his diſpoſal, will have the happieſt tendency to excite the moſt grateful acknowledgements of his goodneſs in proſperity, the moſt cordial reſignation to his paternal diſcipline in adverſity, and the moſt placid compoſure and equanimity of mind in all the changing ſcenes of life. Inſpired with this divine principle, we ſhall contemplate, with grateful wonder and delight, the goodneſs of God in proſperous events, and devoutly acknowledge and adore his ſovereign hand in days of darkneſs and perplexity, and when the greateſt difficulties preſs. This will be a ſource of comfort and ſupport under private afflictions and trials, and this ſhall encourage our hope in God and truſt in his name, under public calamities and judgments.—Yea, however dark and myſterious the ways of providence may appear; yet nothing ſhall overwhelm the mind, or deſtroy the truſt and hope of thoſe, that realize the government of heaven,—that realize, that an alwiſe God is ſeated on the throne, and that all things are well appointed for his choſen people,—for them that fear him.

This principle and theſe ſentiments therefore, being of ſo great uſe and importance in religion, under the various diſpenſations of providence, one great deſign of the preſent diſcourſe, is to rouſe and excite us to a religious acknowledgment of the hand of God, in thoſe diſtreſſing ſcenes of MURDER, BLOODSHED and WAR, we are met to commemorate, upon this ſolemn occaſion.

The paſſage before us, it is humbly conceived, is well ſuited to confirm our faith, to excite our truſt, and encourage our hope, under ſuch awful diſpenſations, as it points out the method of God's government and the courſe of his providence towards the enemies and oppreſſors of his people, and the fate of thoſe that ſhed innocent blood; and at the ſame time, repreſents his peculiar care of his church and choſen, and the aſſurance they have, when under oppreſſion, of reſtoration and eſtabliſhment,—and that God himſelf will plead their cauſe and both cleanſe and avenge their innocent blood. "Egypt ſhall be a deſolation, and Edom ſhall be a deſolate wilderneſs, for the violence againſt the children of Judah, becauſe they have ſhed INNOCENT BLOOD in their land. But Judah ſhall dwell forever, and Jeruſalem from generation to generation. For I will cleanſe their blood, that I have not cleanſed; for the LORD dwelleth in Zion."

It is not neceſſary to enquire as to the immediate occaſion, or literal fulfilment of the prephecy before us, with reſpect to the particular nations, or kingdoms here mentioned. It is ſufficient to our preſent purpoſe to obſerve, that Egypt was early noted, in ſcripture hiſtory, for oppreſſing God's people, and cauſing them to ſerve with cruel bondage. Edom alſo is mentioned as guilty of violence towards them, and expreſſing a moſt imbittered hatred and revenge againſt them; and from the expreſſions in the text, it is natural to ſuppoſe, that there had been ſome, if not many inſtances of their ſhedding innocent blood in their land.Vid. Pſal. cxxxvii. 7. Iſrael, God's choſen people, had often ſuffered violence, from both theſe ſtates: So that we have good reaſon to ſuppoſe, that both Egypt and Edom, in the language of ſcripture prophecy, in the text and other paſſages, may intend not Egypt or Edom only, but (proverbially) in a more general ſenſe, enemies, perſecutors or oppreſſors of God's people, who violated their rights and liberties, religious and civil, and by the ſword of perſecution or oppreſſion, ſhed innocent blood in their land.

Prophecies, eſpecially thoſe that are, or may be, of general uſe to the people of God, are but ſeldom literal, either in prediction or fulfilment. They are rather of uſe to foreſhew great and intereſting events, as taking place in the world, in ſuch time and manner, and upon ſuch perſons, ſocieties, nations, or kingdoms, as ſhall diſplay the juſtice and equity of divine government, and the peculiar care which Heaven takes of the church and people of God, for their correction, inſtruction, preſervation or eſtabliſhment. Agreeably St. Peter ſpeaks ſtrongly for this method of explaining and improving ſcripture prophecies, where he ſays expreſsly, that "no prophecy of the ſcripture is of any private interpretation."2 Pet. i. 20. It is, therefore, rational to ſuppoſe, that though prophecies may have ſpecial or immediate reference to particular perſons, ſocieties, nations or kingdoms, and to events in which they may be immediately intereſted; yet they may be fitly conſidered as having a further and more important interpretation, which may be of general uſe for the direction and edification of God's church and people, in all ages, to the end. In this general ſenſe, therefore, you will permit me to conſider the prophecy in the paſſage before us: and thus underſtood, it is eaſy to ſee ſeveral things ſuggeſted in it, worthy our moſt ſerious attention and religious improvement, upon ſuch an occaſion as this.

In the firſt place, it is admitted, that for wiſe purpoſes, a juſt God may permit powerful enemies, or oppreſſors, to injure, do violence unto and diſtreſs his people, and to carry their meaſures of violence and oppreſſion to ſuch lengths among them, as to ſtrike at their life and "ſhed innocent blood in their land."

As God is the Sovereign of the world, and exerciſes his government for the glory of his name, in the good of the whole, ſo he hath a paternal concern for the ſpecial benefit and improvement of his church and people. All creatures are his ſervants: and God accompliſheth his deſigns and carries his counſels to effect, by what means and inſtruments he pleaſes. It is with him alone, 'who is wonderful in counſel and excellent in working," to bring good out of evil. When God deſigns the reproof and correction of hi • people, he can exerciſe this holy diſcipline in various ways and by various means, as ſhall beſt anſwer the purpoſes of his government. This holy diſcipline is accordingly exerciſed, ſometimes by the immediate hand of providence: as in waſting ſickneſs, parching drought, awful and deſolating earthquakes, or other judgments, which are immediately from God himſelf. Or this may be done more immediately, by the inſtrumentality of his creatures; and even the wicked, and thoſe that love the wages of unrighteouſneſs, that delight in oppreſſion, waſte and ſpoil, or thirſt for innocent blood, may be improved • s the rod in his hand to correct, or puniſh the ſins of his people. With this view the oppreſſor is permitted to injure, inſult, oppreſs and lay waſte in a land; and to carry his meaſures to the ſhedding of innocent blood. With the ſame deſign does a ſovereign God give the enemy a commiſſion, in war, with fire and ſword, to diſtreſs and deſtroy.

In ſuch public calamities, it is true, it often comes to paſs, that as individuals, the innocent are involved and ſuffer with the guilty; and ſometimes the innocent alone. But however unjuſt, or cruel the oppreſſor, and thoſe that thirſt for blood may be, in contriving and carrying into execution their wicked, opprſſieve, or bloody deſigns, they are no other than inſtruments in providence and the rod in the hand of the great Governor of the world, for the reproof and correction of his people. Theſe things happen not by accident, or chance, but by the direction, or permiſſion of that God, who is righteous in all his ways and holy in all his works. When Iſrael ſinned and did evil in the ſight of the LORD, it is ſaid, "the anger of the LORD was hot againſt Iſrael, and he delivered them into the hands of ſpoilers that ſpoiled them, and he ſold them into the hands of their enemies round about and they were greatly diſtreſſed."Judg. ii. 14, 15. Hence alſo the Aſſyrian King is expreſsly called "the rod of GOD'S anger," for the correction of his peopleIſai. x. 5. And thus Egyp • and Edom, in the prophecy before us, in committing violence upon the children of Judah and in ſhedding innocent blood in their land, are held up to view as the rod in GOD'S hand, for the correction, reproof and inſtruction of his people. Agreeably this is the language of a juſt and faithful GOD, in ſuch diſpenſations, "hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it. Mic. vi. 9.

It matters not, therefore, who are the immediate inſtruments of violence and oppreſſion, or by whoſe hands the blood of innocent perſons is ſhed, or their ſubſtance waſted and habitations deſtroyed; nor yet from what motives, or views ſuch acts of oppreſſion and cruelty are perpetrated, with reſpect to the religious improvement, that GOD expects us, or any people, to make of ſuch heavy diſpenſations. 'tis GOD, and his hand—'tis GOD and his providence, which we are firſt of all concerned to notice, acknowledge and improve. However unjuſt our ſufferings may be from man; yet, when we realize the hand of GOD, the great and wiſe Governor of the world, as concerned herein, ſilence and ſubmiſſion is our indiſpenſible duty, and no murmer, or complaint ought ever to be heard, but with reverence and humility it becomes us to bow before the LORD, and adoring his ſovereignty, aſcribe righteouſneſs to our GOD. Neither the inſults of oppreſſors, nor the flames of our once delightful habitations, nor even the innocent blood of our brethren ſlain, ſhould move to a murmuring word or an angry thought, againſt GOD, his government, or providence.—"Shall we receive good at the hand of GOD, and ſhall we not receive evil?"Job ii. 10.—And "ſhall not the Judge of all the earth do right!"Gen. xviii. 25. The more grievouſly we are ſmitten, the more deeply we are affected, the more carefully ſhould we endeavour to realize our dependence upon GOD, the more religiouſly acknowledge his hand, and the more earneſtly return to him that ſmites. This is the leſſon of inſtruction, which GOD expects we ſhould learnt by ſuch bitter diſpenſations, and this the improvement he looks for, in us and his people, in order to the reſtoration of his favour and our redemption from enemies and oppreſſors, who threaten to lay waſte and deſtroy. May theſe things, th • n, be deeply impreſſed on each of our hearts.—But I paſs

Secondly, To obſerve the fate of oppreſſors, and the ſentence of heaven againſt thoſe, that do violence to GOD'S people and ſhed innocent blood in their land. Egypt ſhall be a deſolation, and Edom ſhall be a deſolate wilderneſs, for the violence againſt the children of Judah, becauſe they have ſhed innocent blood in their land.

However juſt it may be in GOD to correct his people and whatever right is aſcribed to him of improving the wicked, as the rod in his hand to correct, or the ſword to puniſh them; yet this alters not the nature of their oppreſſive deſigns, neither does it abate their guilt, or alleviate their crime, in theſe meaſures of injuſtice, violence or cruelty, by which the people of GOD are diſtreſſed.

Thus GOD ſpeaks of the Aſſyrian king, a prince noted in hiſtory for his avarice and ambition, cruelty and oppreſſion, (and in him, of the Aſſyrian ſtate, whoſe character was included in that of its king) ſaying—"O Aſſyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the ſtaff in their hand is mine indignation. I will ſend him to an hypocritical nation; and againſt the people of my wrath will I give him a charge to take the ſpoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the ſtreets. Howbeit, he meaneth not ſo, neither doth his heart think ſo, but it is in his heart to deſtroy. Wherefore it ſhall come to paſs, that when the LORD hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion, and on Jeruſalem, I will puniſh the fruit of the ſtout heart of the king of Aſſyria, and the glory of his high looks."Iſai. x. 5.—12. And ſo it came to paſs: For this power, that with ſuch a mighty hand, and for ſo long a time, oppreſſed GOD'S people and other nations, in GOD'S due time, felt the • eight of the iron yoke, and received double for all the injuſtice, oppreſſion and cruelty it had exerciſed towards others.

In this, and many other circumſtances, with which hiſtory abounds, it is eaſy to ſee the fate of the enemies of GOD'S people and oppreſſors of mankind.—But we need not go from the text, for ſatisfaction in this matter. In the words of the prophecy before us, we have the ſentence of heaven againſt the oppreſſors of GOD'S people and the doom of thoſe common enemies of mankind, pronounced, and the reaſon thereof aſſigned, in the cleareſt terms. Egypt ſhall be a deſolation. Edom ſhall be a deſolate wilderneſs, for the violence againſt the children of Juda • , becauſe they have ſhed innocent blood in their land.

The LORD is a GOD, that loveth righteouſneſs and hateth iniquity, in whatever ſhape, or character it appears. Injuſtice, oppreſſion and violence (much leſs the ſhedding of innocent blood) ſhall not paſs unnoticed, by the juſt Governor of the world. Sooner, or later, a juſt recompence will be made upon ſuch workers of iniquity.—Yea, though hand join in hand, in meaſures of oppreſſion and violence, againſt GOD'S people; and though their avarice, ambition, and lawleſs thirſt for power and domination, may carry them on, 'till their ſteps ſhall be marked with innocent blood; yet, certain it is, they ſhall not, finally, go unpuniſhed. For a time, indeed, and but for a time, ſuch workers of unrighteouſneſs, ſuch deſtroyers of mankind may practiſe and proſper; but 'vengeance ſlow, is vengeance ſure.' Their ways are marked before GOD. Their puniſhment and deſtruction are ſealed in his preſence: And the time is haſtning, when deſtruction, without remedy, ſhall be their portion.

The truth of theſe ſentiments hath often been verified in providence, and the proud princes and the moſt powerful ſtates have been taught, by ſevere, by fatal experience, that deſolation from the LORD awaits the impiety of thoſe, that do violence to his people and 'ſhed innocent blood in their land.'

Here then we may ſee the light in which that people, or nation, are to be conſidered, that walk in the ways of oppreſſion, and that thirſt for and ſhed innocent blood. Here we may alſo ſee the ruin to which they are haſtning, the awful judgments that await them, and the great reaſon they have to fear the ſentence of heaven, denounced againſt them, in the prophecy before us, and its literal fulfilment upon them. Which naturally leads in the laſt place.

Thirdly, To obſerve, in the prophecy before us, the peculiar care GOD takes of his church and people, and the aſſurance they have, even when actually ſuffering violence and under the cruel hand of oppreſſion, of redemption, reſtoration and eſtabliſhment; and that GOD himſelf will plead their cauſe, and both cleanſe and avenge their innocent blood. Nothing can be more directly expreſſive of this ſentiment, or a firmer ground of aſſurance, for the confirmation of the faith and hope of God's choſen people in the belief of it, than the promiſe and prephecy, concerning Judah and Jeruſalem in the text. While Egypt and Edom, while the enemies and oppreſſiors of God's people, are doomed to that deſolation, they ſo juſtly deſerve, the ſtrongeſt aſſurances are given, "that Judah ſhall dwell forever, and Jeruſalem from generation to generation For I, ſaith God, will cleanſe their blood, that I have not cleanſed: For the Lord dwelleth in Zion." The words are plain, and need no comment. They ſpeak the language of ſcripture, fact and experience, for the confirmation of the faith and hope of God's church and choſen in days of perplexity and darkneſs and when actually under the injuſtice, violence and cruelty of inveterate enemies, or blood thirſty oppreſſors.

Here are two things, for the inducement and confirmation of the faith and hope of God's church and people, in ſuch times of darkneſs and diſtreſs, which are well worthy ſerious notice and attention.

Firſt, God's word and promiſe, in which he aſſures his people, that notwithſtanding the violence of their enemie againſt them, and the diſtreſs and ſorrow their oppreſſors may have cauſed them, by ſheddin innocent blood among them; yet they ſhall never avail to overthrow, or deſtroy them; but they ſhall aſſuredly be redeemed and delivered out of their hands, and reſtored and eſtabliſhed, as his church and people, in a flouriſhing ſtate.

And then, ſecondly, To leave no doubt upon their minds, as to the fulfilment of this bleſſed promiſe, a gracious God condeſcends to explain him • elf in the cleareſt terms poſſible, and to ſatisfy them, that nothing ſhould fail of all that he had promiſed, he aſſures them that he would take the work into his own hands, and ſee to the accompliſhment of it himſelf; that thus it might appear to them and to the world of mankind, that the Lord was with them and dwelt • n the midſt of them. "Judah ſhall dwell forever, and Jeruſalem from generation to generation: For I will cleanſe their blood, that I have not cleanſed; for the Lord dwelleth in Zion."—Words well ſuited to chear and comfort the ſinking ſpirits of God's afflicted, oppreſſed people: and words which might rouſe the faith, and give a ſpring to the hope of the moſt feeble and faint-hearted, among God's people, in the depths of diſtreſs. For 'God is not a man that he ſhould lie, nor the ſon of man that he ſhould repent.Vid. 1. Sam. 15. 29.—'Hath he promiſed, and ſhall he not perform?—Hath he ſpoken, and ſhall he not bring it to paſs?'—

Blood is ſaid to be cleanſed, or avenged, when juſtice hath taken place, and the murderer is puniſhed. God may be ſaid to cleanſe the innocent blood, which may have been ſhed among his people, by the ſword of oppreſſors, or enemies, when in providence he undertakes for them, avenges their blood upon them that ſlew them, and reduces them to reaſon or ruin.

The ſword is an appeal to heaven,—when therefore, the arms of a people are eventually ſucceſsful, or by the immedate interpoſition of providence, their enemies and oppreſſors are ſubdued or deſtroyed—When a people are reinſtated in peace, upon equitable terms, and eſtabliſhed in the enjoyment of all their juſt rights and liberties, both civil and ſacred: then may • t be ſaid, that the Lord hath cleanſed their innocent blood, and then will it be manifeſtly evident, that their God is with them and dwelleth in the midſt of them.

Now of this God hath given his people the ſtrongeſt aſſurances, in the prophecy before us: and theſe aſſurances are conformed by the word of God, to his people, throughout the ſacred ſcriptures. So that, though for their ſins and the multitude of their tranſgreſſions, a righteous God may juſtly afflict and correct his people, by the hand of oppreſſors, and permit their moſt important rights to be violated, their ſubſtance deſtroyed, their habitations to be laid waſte, or even the innocent blood of their brethren to be wantonly ſhed in their land; yet ſtill he is their God, in the midſt of them, and will readily appear for their help, when they return from their evil ways, acknowledge his hand and implore his mercy and aſſiſtance. This holy diſciple is no more than what God hath given his people to expect, as a reproof of their declenſions, and as a means of bringing them to a ſenſe of their dependence upon him. Such diſpenſations, are ſo far from being an evidence, that God hath forſaken his people, given them up, or forgotten to be gracious, that they are rather to be conſidered as demonſtrations of his paternal care and faithfulneſs towards them. Agreeably, in his covenant with his ſervant David and his houſe, this method of conduct is expreſsly ſtipulated, as a token of his ſpecial care and faithfulneſs, and of the remembrance of the covenant he had made. "If his children forſake my law, and walk not in my judgments:—Then will I viſit their tranſgreſſion with the rod and their iniquity with ſtripes. Nevertheleſs, my loving kindneſs will I not utterly take from him, nor ſuffer my faithfulneſs to fail. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips."Pſal. lxxxix. 30. 31. 32. and 33.

In ſuch viſitations, God evidently intends the beſt go • d of his people; not their deſtruction, but their reformation: and if they ſee his hand, humble themſelves under it and ſeek him aright, God will not fail to remember his covenant and his promiſes for them, and in his due time appear, in his power and glory, for their relief.—Yea the bowels of his mercy will be moved at their diſtreſſes, and his language will be the ſame as unto his people of old, when under the Egyptian yoke, they were cauſed to ſerve with cruel bondage—'I have ſeen, I have ſeen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them."Acts vii. 34. And to encourage his ſaints and people, to truſt on his name and hope in his mercy, a gracious God hath moſt explicitly promiſed them his preſence, direction and aſſiſtance, in all their diſtreſſes, be they ever ſo numerous, ever ſo great. His language is merciful, condeſcending and endearing—eſpecially when by the prophet Iſaiah, he ſays to his afflicted people—"When thou paſſeſt through the waters. I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they ſhall not overflow thee: When thou walkeſt through the fire, thou ſhalt not be burnt; neither ſhall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the holy One of Iſrael, thy Saviour."Iſai. xliii 2, 3. From theſe paſſages of ſacred writ, it appears, that as God in infinite wiſdom, ſees fit to exerciſe his people with trials and afflictions; and ſometimes to call them to paſs through the depths of adverſity: ſo he hath provided for their ſupport, and given them the greateſt reaſon to hope for his preſence and aſſiſtance, and the ſtrongeſt aſſurances, that they ſhall be carried through all, and in the end rejoice in God, as the holy One of Iſrael, their SAVIOUR—In ſhort, nothing can be more expreſſive of God's care of his people in diſtreſs, and of the ſolid ground they have to hope for redemption and ſalvation, in his way and time, which are always the beſt.

We may add, that further to confirm our faith and encourage our hope, in thoſe bleſſed aſſurances of God's preſence with his people, even in their heavieſt trials and greateſt perplexities, we might ſafely appeal to the experience of his choſen, in every age, from the beginning to the preſent time. This will ſhow how eaſy it is, with an infinitely wiſe God, to bring good out of evil, and by the over-ruling hand of Providence, to cauſe the councils and meaſures of perſecutors and oppreſſors, to haſten the redemption and eſtabliſhment of the injured and oppreſſed, as well as to bring upon themſelves, that confuſion and deſolation they ſo juſtly deſerve.—And this will alſo prove, how truly applicable the words of the prophet are, to God's choſen people in their diſtreſſes, in every age, when ſpeaking of the large experience Iſrael had had, of the tender love and faithful care of a merciful God exerciſed towards them, he ſays, that, "In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his preſence ſaved them: In his love and in his pity he redeemed them, and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.Iſai. vi. 3. 9."

Nothing is more evident from hiſtory and experience, than God's care of his people, and the wiſdom of his providence, in cauſing the violence and oppreſſion of their enemies, to operate for their advantage, and promote their more ſpeedy deliverance. This appears too plain, from various inſtances, to admit of diſpute.

The children of Iſrael would not have been, ſo early, perſuaded to have left the gardens of Egypt or the fertile fields of the land of Goſhen, and in the face of every danger, attempted to free themſelves from the Egyptian yoke, had not their burdens been increaſed to an unreaſonable degree, by the violence and cruelty of thoſe that oppreſſed them, in that houſe of bondage. And Pharoah and his armies would never have met with that diſgraceful defeat, and awful deſtruction, which overtook them in the red ſea, had they not been infatuated to purſue their meaſures of oppreſſion and violence, when after it was evident that their cauſe was deſperate, and that God was againſt them.

Chriſtendom would never have been rouſed, from that ſtate of ignorance, and darkneſs, and ſlavery it was in—the proteſtant league would never been entered into with ſuch firmneſs and reſol • tion, to ſhake off the papal yoke, and redeem both church and ſtate from the hierarchy of Rome, had not the enormities and violence of that power, by which they had been ſo long oppreſſed, roſe to an intolerable heighth, and put them upon the expedient.The event of this bold attempt was happy. A juſt and faithful God crowned the meaſures, of the confederate ſtates, with ſucceſs, beyond their moſt ſanguine expectations. The church was reſcued from the darkneſs and error, in which it had been involved for ſeveral hundred years before. A glorious reformation took place, which in a good meaſure, reſtored the chriſtian religion to its ancient purity and native ſimplicitly, in many principal ſtates and kingdoms in Europe. And a foundation was laid for reſcuing the civil liberties of individuals, ſocieties, ſtates and kingdoms, as well as the common rights of mankind, from the iron hand of tyranny, the good effects of which was felt, by the proteſtant ſtates and kingdoms, for ſeveral ages ſucceeding, and are not totally loſt as to ſome, even at the preſent day, though more than two centuries ſince. By this important confederacy of the proteſtant powers, in Europe, it is evident, that, under providence, the power of the beaſt and the falſe prophet received a ſhock which it hath never recovered,—the papal power, both in church and ſtate, having been upon the decline, from that time to this.

The united ſtates of Holland would not have been very eaſily induced, to have oppoſed the power of Spain, when at the meridian of its ſtrength and glory, much leſs to have attempted independence of that kingdom, had they not been effectually convinced, by a long ſeries of injuries and oppreſſion, and numberleſs violations of their moſt ſacred rights, that there was no other remedy.It is worthy of remark, that when the Spaniſh court undertook the ſubjugation of the Dutch provinces in the Netherlands, Spain was in the moſt reſpectable ſtate, it had been for a long time; having juſt concluded a victorious war, and being then at peace with all the world. At the ſame time, Spain had the beſt regulated army in Europe, commanded by the renowned Duke of Alva, the moſt experienced General then upon the ſtage. This wiſe, experienced and victorious General, with his veteran, victorious troops, was ſent by the Monarch and court of Spain (like Gage to Britain) upon the wholeſome and pacific buſineſs of ſupporting government in the Dutch provinces, and enforcing obedience to what were called the laws of the kingdom, or the mandates of their ſovereign. Accordingly, after renewed injuries and repeated inſults and cruelties, which rather invigorated than diſheartned the free and truly noble ſpirits of the Dutch, at laſt, it came to blood!—The conteſt was, as might be expected, long and bitter!—But, under every diſadvantage, but the righteouſneſs of their cauſe, they roſe ſuperior to their mighty and numerous oppreſſors; and heaven, at length, decided in their favour, crowned their endeavours with deſired ſucceſs, and gave and eſtabliſhed unto them that freedom and independence, for which they had ſo bravely ſought and ſo freely bled. This freedom and independence, ſo dearly purchaſed, they well knew how to prize and preſerve; and by the ſmiles of heaven, upon the wiſdom and policy of their government, they have now enjoyed the bleſſings thereof, with but little interruption from enemies abroad, or factions at home, for near two hundred years: And, in proportion to the extent of their territories and the number of inhabitants, they are, at this very time, juſtly eſteemed one of the richeſt and moſt flouriſhing ſtates in Europe. Thus hath a righteous God been pleaſed to plead their cauſe, and cleanſe and avenge their innocent blood; and ſet them free from the oppreſſors hand. Is not the cauſe of Americans equally juſt?—Is not their God the ſame?

Britons would never have reſiſted their kings, and flown to arms, in defenee of their invaluable rights and liberties, had they not felt the weight of the iron rod of oppreſſion and tyranny, and ſeen their danger and the abſolute neceſſity of ſuch reſiſtance, to prevent the total deprivation, of all they held dear and ſacred, as Freemen, Chriſtians and a free People.—Charles would not have loſt his kingdom, and finally his life upon the Scaffold, by the hand of the executioner; nor James been obliged, in diſgrace, to quit his throne and abdicate the government of the kingdom, had it not been for their own violent counſels and meaſures, to oppreſs and enſlave the people, whom they were called to govern and protect.

Our fathers would never have forſook their native land, delightſome habitations and fair poſſeſſions, and in the face of almoſt every danger and diſtreſs, ſought a ſafe retreat, for the enjoyment of religious and civil liberty, among ſavage beaſts and more ſavage men in the inhoſpitable wilds of America; had they not been drove from thence, by the violence and cruelty of perſecutors and oppreſſors, in church and ſtate. The hierarchy of the church, by which they looked upon the rights of conſcience infringed, and the arbitrary meaſures of the ſtate, by which they eſteemed their civil liberties abridged, if not groſsly violated, rather than any views of worldly gain (as hath been enviouſly hinted by ſome) were the principal cauſes of their emigration, and the hope and expectation of deliverance therefrom, gave the ſpring to the hazzardous undertaking.

And when heaven ſo far ſmiled upon their enterprize, as to give them footing in the land; and when, after numerous hardſhips and dangers, toils and diſtreſſes, they had ſecured a poſſeſſion for themſelves and poſterity, and obtained a confirmation of thoſe civil and religious liberties they had ſought; ſtill retaining a filial affection towards their native country, they ſeemed to have nothing more at heart than that Americans might be happy, in the enjoyment of their juſt rights and liberties, as men and chriſtians, under the protection of Britain; and that Britain might be flouriſhing and glorious, in receiving the profits of the labour, trade and induſtry of Americans: And that the connection of America with Britain, and her dependence, in this way, upon the Parent State, might have been preſerved inviolate to the end of time.—And it may be added, that there is no juſt ground to ſuppoſe, that it would have ever entered the heart of Americans, to have deſired a diſſolution of ſo happy a connection with the Mother-Country, or to have ſought independence of Britain, had they not been urged, and even forced upon ſuch an expedient, by meaſures of oppreſſion and violence, and the ſhedding of innocent blood.

But, alas!—Ill-judged counſels!—Ill-fated meaſures of Britain, and the Britiſh adminiſtration, with reſpect to America, have broken in upon the pleaſing ſcene, and fatally deſtroyed the happy proſpects of both Britain and America!

At the cloſe of the laſt war, we arrived at that happy period, to which our anceſtors looked with earneſt expectation as the utmoſt of their wiſhes, as the anſwer of their prayers, and the reward of all their toils and ſufferings. The ſavages were ſubdued, thoſe reſtleſs neighbours, the Frenc • were ſubjected, and this wide extended continent ſeemed to be given us for a poſſeſſion: And we were ready to ſay, 'there was none to make us afraid.'—But how uncertain the moſt blooming proſpects?—How vain—how diſappointing the moſt rational, as well as raiſed expectations, in this imperfect ſtate?—Scarcely emerged from the dangers and fatigues of a long and diſtreſſing war, we are unexpectedly involved in perplexities and anxieties of different kind, which by degrees have increaſed, 'till they are become more ſerious, dangerous and diſtreſſing, than any ever yet felt, by God's people, in this once happy land.

Through the crafty inſinuations, falſe repreſentations and diabolical counſels, of the enemies of God's people and the common rights of mankind, in America and Britain, acts of oppreſſion are made by the Parliament of England, in which we are not repreſented, which deeply affect our moſt valuable priviledges. In open violation of our chartered rights, theſe acts of unrighteouſneſs and oppreſſion, are attempted to be carried into execution, in theſe colonies. After various threats of coercive meaſures, a military force is ſent to inforce them. An innocent, loyal people are diſtreſſed, and every art, which wit or malice could invent, is uſed to flatter or fright, to divide or diſhearten, and finally ſubject us to the will • f a power, not known in our charters, or even in the Britiſh conſtitution itſelf. And as one of the natural conſequences of ſtanding armies being ſtationed in populous cities, for ſuch execrable purpoſes, many of the inhabitants of Boſton are inſulted. At length, under pretence of ill-treatment, the ſtreets of that once flouriſhing city, are ſtained with the innocent blood of a number of our brethren, wantonly or cruelly ſlain, by thoſe ſons of oppreſſion and violence!This refers to the horrid maſſacre, in Boſton, on the evening of the 5th of March, 1770, when the guards, under the command of Capt. Preſton, fired upon the inhabitants, in King ſtreet, killed 5 perſons upon the ſpot, and wounded a number of others, ſeveral of whom afterwards died of their wounds!

Upon the high reſentments of the people, in conſequence of this horrid outrage and violence, there was, for a ſhort time, a pauſe in their meaſures.— For a moment the oppreſſors themſelves ſeemed to be ſtruck with the horrid effects of their own iniquitous proceedings, and ſtand aghaſt at the ſight of the innocent blood they had ſhed! Perhaps they were not, at that time, ſo thoroughly hardened in ſin, as they have proved themſelves ſince!—But this pauſe ſeemed to be, not to repent of their evil deeds, but rather to collect themſelves, and deviſe ſome meaſures more effectual: For ſo far from giving over the execrable deſign, the plan of oppreſſion is renewed. New acts are paſſed to diſtreſs and inſlave us. The luſt of domination appears no longer in diſguiſe, but with open face.—The ſtarving Port-Bill comes forth—Gage arrives with his forces by ſea and land, to carry it into execution, with vigour and ſeverity.—And to compleat the ſcene, and at once, to make thorough work of oppreſſion and tyranny, immediately follow the Bills, that ſubvert the conſtitution, vacate our charter, abridge us of the right of trial by juries of the vicinity, in divers ſpecified capital caſes, and expoſe us to be ſeized, contrary to the laws of the land, and carried to England to be tried for our lives!—As alſo the Bill for eſtabliſhing the popiſh religion in Canada, contrary to the faith of the crown and the ſtatutes of the kingdom.

Add to theſe things, the people are treated, in various inſtances, with indignity, ſeverity and even cruelty And, notwithſtanding every poſſible expreſſion of a peaceful diſpoſition, in this people, conſiſtent with a determined reſolution and chriſtian firmneſs, in defence of their rights and liberties, which they held dearer than life, their property is frequently and violently ſeized, and even their perſons and lives are threatened. The inhabitants of Salem are threatened with the ſword, A detachment from the troops, then at Danvers, actually marched, by Gage's order, into the town of Salem, with ordern (as it was ſaid) to fire upon the inhabitants, if they refuſed to diſperſe.—But, as it happened, they had accompliſhed the affairs upon which they met, before the troops arrived, and even before they knew of their approach. This happily prevented the troops the opportunity of executing their orders, and of ſhedding of blood, for that time. for peacefully meeting to conſult upon matters of importance to themſelves and the public, as they had an undoubted right to do, by the ſtanding laws of the colony. A number of the moſt reſpectable inhabitants of that town, were arreſted and threatened with impriſonment, by General Gage's order, for calling the inhabitants together, at the meeting aforeſaid. The province ſtores of powder, which were depoſited at Medford, were alſo clandeſtinely ſeized, by a large detachment of the troops, and conveyed with all poſſible diſpatch, to Boſton; as were, at the ſame time, alſo, ſome field-pieces at Cambridge

This ſeizure of the ſtores, &c. rouſed the people more than any thing, that had happened before. Accordingly, the next day, viz. Sept. 2. 1774. ſeveral thouſands, not of the rubble, as miniſterial hirelings have been diſpoſed to ſpeak; but of the reſpectable freeholders and free men of the adjacent towns, collected a Cambridge; and to ſhew their reſentment at ſuch hoſtile meaſures, and their determined reſolution never to ſubmit to the oppreſſive acts, without tumult or outrage, called Lieut. Governor Oliver, and a number more of the mandamus councellors before them, and invited them to reſign their ſeats at the board, and to declare, in a very ſolemn manner, that they never would hold any office or poſt, by virtue of ſaid acts. The gentlemen applied to, complied with their propoſals, to general ſatisfaction.

Whether this ſtep, of the people, was prudent and juſtifiable, or not; it ſerved to diſcover their ſentiments of the acts, of which they complained, and their determined reſolution to oppoſe them: And this was the main thing aimed at, by the ſteps they took, upon this occaſion.

ON the evening of the eighteenth of April, 1775, we received two meſſages; the firſt verbal, the other by expreſs, in writing, from the committee of ſafety, who were then ſitting in the weſterly part of Cambridge, directed to the Honorable JOHN HANCOCK, Eſq; (who, with the Honorable SAMUEL ADAMS, Eſq; was then providentially with us) informing, "that eight or nine officers of the king's troops were ſeen, juſt before night, paſſing the road towards Lexington, in a muſing contemplative poſture; and it was ſuſpected they were out upon ſome evil deſign."

As both theſe gentlemen had been frequently and even publicly, threatened, by the enemies of this people, both in England and America, with the vengeance of the Britiſh adminiſtration:—And as Mr. Hancock in particular had been, more than once, perſonally inſulted, by ſome officers of the troops, in Boſton; it was not without ſome juſt grounds ſuppoſed that under cover of the darkneſs, ſudden arreſt, if not aſſaſſination might be attempted, by theſe inſtruments of tyranny!

To prevent any thing of this kind, ten or twelve men were immediately collected, in arms, to guard my houſe, through the night.

In the mean time, ſaid officers paſſed through this town, on the road towards Concord: It was therefore thought expedient to watch their motions, and if poſſible make ſome diſcovery of their intentions. Accordingly, about 10 o'clock in the evening, three men, on horſes, were diſpatched for this purpoſe. As they were peaceably paſſing the road towards Concord, in the borders of Lincoln, they were ſuddenly ſtopped by ſaid officers, who rode up to them, and putting piſtols to their breaſts and ſeizing their horſes bridles, ſwore, if they ſtirred another ſ • ep, they ſhould be all dead men!—The officers detained them ſeveral hours, as priſoners, examined, ſearched, abuſed and inſulted them; and in their haſty return (ſuppoſing themſelves diſcovered) they left them in Lexington.—Said officers alſo took into cuſtody, abuſed and threatened with their lives ſeveral other perſons; ſome of whom they met peaceably paſſing on the road, others even at the doors of their dwellings, without the leaſt provocation, on the part of the inhabitants, or ſo much as a queſtion aſked by them.

Between the hours of twelve and one, on the morning of the NINETEENTH OF APRIL, we received intelligence, by expreſs, from the Honorable JOSEPH WARREN, Eſq; at Boſton, "that a large body of the king's troops (ſuppoſed to be a brigade of about 12, or 1500) were embarked in boats from Boſton, and gone over to land on Lechmere's-Point (ſo called) in Cambridge: And that it was ſhrewdly ſuſpected, that they were ordered to ſeize and deſtroy the ſtores, belonging to the colony, then depoſited at Concord," in conſequence of General Gage's unjuſtifiable ſeizure of the provincial magazine of powder at Medford, and other colony ſtores in ſeveral other places.

Upon this intelligence, as alſo upon information of the conduct of the officers as above-mentioned, the militia of this town were alarmed, and ordered to meet on the uſual place of parade; not with any deſign of commencing hoſtilities upon the king's troops, but to conſult what might be done for our own and the people's ſafety: And alſo to be ready for whatever ſervice providence might call us out to, upon this alarming occaſion, in caſe overt acts of violence, or open hoſtilities ſhould be committed by this mercenary band of armed and blood-thirſty oppreſſors.

About the ſame time, two perſons were ſent expreſs to Cambridge, if poſſible, to gain intelligence of the motions of the troops, and what rout they took.

The militia met according to order; and waited the return of the meſſengers, that they might order their meaſures as occaſion ſhould require. Between 3 and 4 o'clock, one of the expreſſes returned, informing, that there was no appearance of the troops, on the roads, either from Cambridge or Charleſtown; and that it was ſuppoſed that the movements in the army the evening before, were only a feint to alarm the people. Upon this, therefore, the militia company were diſmiſſed for the preſent, but with orders to be within call of the drum,—waiting the return of the other meſſenger, who was expected in about an hour, or ſooner, if any diſcovery ſhould be made of the motions of the troops.—But he was prevented by their ſilent and ſudden arrival at the place where he was, waiting for intelligence. So that, after all this precaution, we had no notice of their approach, 'till the brigade was actually in the town, and upon a quick march within about a mile and a quarter of the meeting houſe and place of parade.

However, the commanding officer thought beſt to call the company together,—not with any deſign of oppoſing ſo ſuperior a force, much leſs of commencing hoſtilities; but only with a view to determine what to do, when and where to meet, and to diſmiſs and diſperſe.

Accordingly, about half an hour after four o'clock, alarm guns were fired, and the drums beat to arms; and the militia were collecting together.—Some, to the number of about 50, or 60, or poſſibly more, were on the parade, others were coming towards it.—In the mean time, the troops, having thus ſtolen a march upon us, and to prevent any intelligence of their approach, having ſeized and held priſoners ſeveral perſons whom they met unarmed upon the road, ſeemed to come determined for MURDER and BLOODSHED; and that whether provoked to it, or not!—When within about half a quarter of a mile of the meeting-houſe, they halted, and the command was given to prime and load; which being done, they marched on 'till they came up to the eaſt end of ſaid meeting-houſe, in ſight of our militia (collecting as aforeſaid) who were about 12, or 13 rods diſtant—Immediately upon their appearing ſo ſuddenly, and ſo nigh, Capt. Parker, who commanded the militia company, ordered the men to diſperſe, and take care of themſelves; and not to fire.—Upon this, our men diſperſed;—but, many of them, not ſo ſpeedily as they might have done, not having the moſt diſtant idea of ſuch brutal barbarity and more than ſavage CRUELTY, from the troops of a Britiſh KING, as they immediately experienced!—!—For, no ſooner did they come in fight of our company, but one of them, ſuppoſed to be an officer of rank, was heard to ſay to the troops, "Damn them; we will have them!"—Upon which the troops ſhouted aloud, huzza'd, and ruſhed furiouſly towards our men.—About the ſame time, three officers (ſuppoſed to be Col. Smith, Major Pitcairn and another officer) advanced, on horſe back, to the front of the body, and coming within 5 or 6 rods of the militia, one of them cried out, "ye villains, ye Rebels, diſperſe; Damn you, diſperſe!"—or words to this effect. One of them (whether the ſame, or not, is not eaſily determined) ſaid, "Lay down your arms; Damn you, why don't you lay down your arms!"—The ſecond of theſe officers, about this time, fired a piſtol towards the militia, as they were diſperſing—The foremoſt, who was within a few yards of our men, brandiſhing his ſword, and then pointing towards them, with a loud voice ſaid, to the troops, "Fire!—By God, fire!"—which was inſtantly followed by a diſcharge of arms from the ſaid troops, ſucceeded by a very heavy and cloſe fire upon our party, diſperſing, ſo long as any of them were within reach—Eight were left dead upon the ground! For the names of the killed and wounded, ſee Ser. page 28, note. Ten were wounded.—The reſt of the company, through divine goodneſs, were (to a miracle) preſerved unhurt in this murderous action!—

As to the queſtion, 'Who fired firſt?'—if it can be a queſtion with any; we may obſerve, that though General Gage hath been pleaſed to tell the world, in his account of this ſavage tranſaction, "that the troops were fired upon by the rebels out of the meeting-houſe, and the neighbouring houſes, as well as by thoſe that were were in the field; and that the troops only returned the fire, and paſſed on their way to Concord;"—yet nothing can be more certain than the contrary, and nothing more falſe, weak, or wicked, than ſuch a repreſentation.

To ſay nothing of the abſurdity of the ſuppoſition, 'that 50, 60, or even 70 men, ſhould, in the open field commence hoſtilities with 12, or 1500, of the beſt troops of Britain, 1200, or 1500, was the number we then ſuppoſed the brigade to conſiſt of: though afterwards, by the beſt accounts, it appeared, that there were but about • 00. nor of the known determination of this ſmall party of Americans, upon no conſideration whatever, to begin the ſcene of bloodFrom a moſt intimate acquaintance with the ſentiments of the inhabitants at this town, then collected in arms, I think I may boldly aſſert, that it was their know a determination not to commence hoſtilities, upon the king's troops, though they were equally determined to ſtand by their rights to the laſt. A cloud of witneſſes, whoſe veracity cannot be juſtly diſputed, upon oath have declared, in the moſt expreſs and poſitive terms, 'that the Britiſh troops fired firſt: See narrative and depoſitions, publiſhed by authority. And I think, we may ſafely add, without the leaſt reaſon or provocation.—Nor was there opportunity given, for our men to have ſaved themſelves, either by laying down their arms, or diſperſing, as directed, had they been diſpoſed to; as the command to fire upon them was given almoſt at the ſame inſtant, that they were ordered, by the Britiſh officers, to diſperſe, 〈◊〉 lay down their arms, &c.

In ſhort, ſo far from firing firſt upon the king's troops; upon the moſt careful enquiry, it appears, that but very few of our people fired at all; and even they did not fire till after being fired upon by the troops, they were wounded themſelves, or ſaw others killed, or wounded by them, and looked upon it next to impoſſible for them to eſcape.

As to any firing from the meeting-houſe, as Gage repreſents; it is certain, that there were but four men in the meeting-houſe, when the troops came up: and they were then getting ſome ammunition, from the town ſtock, and had not ſo much as loaded their guns (except one, who never diſcharged it) when the troops fired upon the militia. And as to the neighbouring houſes, it is equally certain, that there was no firing from them, unleſs, after the diſperſion of our men, ſome, who had fled to them for ſhelter, might fire from them upon the troops.

One circumſtance more, before the brigade quitted Lexington, I beg leave to mention, as what may give a further ſpecimen of the ſpirit and character, of the officers and men, of this body of troops.—After the militia company were diſperſed and the firing ceaſed, the troops drew up and formed, in a body on the common, fired a volley and gave three huzzas, by way of triumph, and as expreſſive of the joy of VICTORY and glory of CONQUEST!—!—Of this tranſaction, I was a witneſs, having, at that time, a fair view of their motions, and being at the diſtance of not more than 70 or 80 rods from them.

Whether this ſtep was honorary to the detachment, or agreeable to the rules of war—or how far it was expreſſive of bravery, heroiſm and true military glory, for 800 diſciplined troops of Great-Briain, without notice or provocation, to fall upon 60, or 70, undiſciplined Americans, who neither oppoſes nor moleſted them, and murder ſome and diſperſe the reſt, and then to give the ſhout and make the triumph of victory, is not for me to determine; but muſt be ſubmitted to the impartial world to judge.—That "there is a God with whom is the power, and the glory, and the victory," is certain: but whether he will ſet his ſeal to the triumph, made upon this moſt peculiar occaſion, by following it with further ſucceſſes, and finally giving up this people into the hands of thoſe, that have thus cruelly commenced hoſtilities againſt them, muſt be left to time to diſcover.—But to return from this digreſſion, if it may be called a diſgreſſion.

Having thus vanquiſhed the party in Lexington, the troops marched on for Concord, to execute their orders, in deſtroying the ſtores belonging to the colony, depoſited there—They met with no interruption in their march to Concord.—But by ſome means or other, the people of Concord had notice of their approach and deſigns, and were alarmed about break of day; and collecting as ſoon, and as many as poſſible, improved the time they had before the troops came upon them, to the beſt advantage, both for concealing and ſe u • ing as many of the public ſtores as they could, and in preparing for defence.—By the ſtop of the troops at Lexington, many thouſands were ſaved to the colony, and they were, in a great meaſure, fruſtrated in their deſign.

When the troops made their approach to the eaſterly part of the town, the provincials of Concord and ſome neighbouring towns, were collected and collecting in an advantageous poſt, on a hill, a little diſtance from the meeting-houſe, north of the road, to the number of about 150, or 200: but finding the troops to be more than three times as many, they wiſely retreated, firſt to a hill about 80 rods further north, and then over the northbridge (ſo called) about a mile from the town: and there they waited the coming of the militia of the towns adjacent, to their aſſiſtance.

In the mean time, the Britiſh detachment marched into the center of the town. A party of about 200, was ordered to take poſſeſſion of ſaid bridge, other parties were diſpatched to various parts of the town, in ſearch of public ſtores, while the remainder were employed in ſeizing and deſtroying, whatever they could find in the town-houſe, and other places, where ſtores had been lodged.—But before they had accompliſhed their deſign, they were interrupted by a diſcharge of arms, at ſaid bridge.

It ſeems, that of the party above-mentioned, as ordered to take poſſeſſion of the bridge, one half were marched on about two miles, in ſearch of ſtores, at Col. Barret's and that part of the town: while the other half, conſiſting of towards 100 men, under Capt. Lawrie, were left to guard the bridge. The provincials, who were in ſight of the bridge, obſerving the troops attempting to take up the planks of ſaid bridge, thought it neceſſary to diſlodge them, and gain poſſeſſion of the bridge.—They accordingly marched, but with expreſs orders not to fire, unleſs firſt fired upon by the king's troops. Upon their approach towards the bridge, Capt. Lawrie's party fired upon them, killed Capt. Davis and another man dead upon the ſpot, and wounded ſeveral others. Upon this our militia ruſhed on, with a ſpirit becoming free-born Americans, returned the fire upon the enemy, killed 2, wounded ſeveral and drove them from the bridge, and purſued them towards the town, 'till they were covered by a reinforcement from the main body. The provincials then took poſt on a hill, at ſome diſtance, north of the town: and as their numbers were continually increaſing, they were preparing to give the troops a proper diſcharge, on their departure from the town.

In the mean time, the king's troops collected; and having dreſſed their wounded, deſtroyed what ſtores they could find, and inſulted and plundered a number of the inhabitants, prepared for a retreat.

"While at Concord, the troops diſabled two 24 pounders; deſtroyed their 2 carriages, and ſeven wheels for the ſame, with their limbers. Sixteen wheels for braſs 3 pounders, and 2 carriages with limber and wheels for two 4 pounders. They threw into the river, wells, &c. about 500 weight of ball: and ſtove about 60 barrels of flour; but not having time to perfect their work, one half of the flour was afterwards ſaved."See Rev. Mr. Gordon's account.

The troops began a haſty retreat about the middle of the day: and were no ſooner out of the town, but they began to meet the effects of the juſt reſentments of this injured people. The provincials fired upon them from various quarters, and purſued them (though without any military order) with a firmneſs and intrepidity, beyond what could have been expected, on the firſt on ſet, and in ſuch a day of confuſion and diſtreſs!—The fire was returned, for a time, with great fury, by the troops as they retreated, though (through divine goodneſs) with but little execution—This ſcene continued, with but little intermiſſion, till they returned to Lexington; when it was evident, that, having l •• t numbers in killed, wounded, and priſoners that fell into our hands, they began to be, not only fatigued, but greatly diſheartened. And it is ſuppoſed they muſt have ſoon ſurrendered at diſcretion, had they not been reinforced.—But Lord Percy's arrival with another brigade, of about 1000 men, and 2 field pieces, about half a mile from Lexington meeting-houſe, towards Cambridge, gave them a ſeaſonable reſpite.

The coming of the reinforcement, with the cannon, (which our people were not ſo well acquainted with then, as they have been ſince) put the provincials alſo to a pauſe, for a time.—But no ſooner were the king's troops in motion, but our men renewed the purſuit with equal, and even greater ardor and intrepidity than before, and the firing on both ſides continued, with but little intermiſſion, to the cloſe of the day, when the troops entered Charleſtown, where the provincials could not follow them, without expoſing the worthy inhabitants of that truly patriotic town, to their rage and revenge.—That night and the next day, they were conveyed in boats, over Charles-River to B • ſton, glad to ſecure themſelves, under the cover of the ſhipping, and by ſtrengthning and perfecting the fortifications, at every part, againſt the further attacks of a juſtly incenſed people, who, upon intelligence of the murderous tranſactions of this fatal day, were collecting in arms, round the town, in great numbers, and from every quarter.

In the retreat of the king's troops from Concord to Lexington, they ravaged and plundered, as they had opportunity, more or leſs, in moſt of the houſes that were upon the road.—But after th • y were joined by Piercy's brigade, in Lexington, it ſeemed as if all the little remains of humanity had left them; and rage and revenge had taken the reins, and knew no bounds!—Cloathing, furniture, proviſions, goods, plundered, broken, carried off, or deſtroyed!—Buildings (eſpecially dwelling houſes) abuſed, defaced, battered, ſhattered and almoſt ruined!—And as if this had not been enough, numbers of them doomed to the flames!—Three dwelling houſes, two ſhops and a burn, were laid in aſhes, in Lexington Deacon Lo • ing's houſe and 〈◊〉 , Mrs. Lydia Mulliken's houſe, and her ſon's ſhop, and Mr. Joſhua Bund's houſe and ſhop.!—Many others were ſet on fire, in this town, in Cambridge, &c. and muſt have ſhared the ſame fate, had not the cloſe purſuit of the provincials prevented, and the flames been 〈◊〉 quenched!—Add to all this; the unarmed, the aged and infirm, who were unable to flee, are inhumanly ſtabbed and murdered • n their habitations!—Yea, even women in child-bed, with their helpleſs babes in their arms, do not eſcape the horrid alternative, of being either cruelly murdered in their beds, burnt in their habitations, or turned into the ſtreets to periſh with cold, nakedneſs and diſtreſs See dep. publiſhed by authority.!—But I forbear—words are too inſignificant to expreſs, the horrid barbarities of that diſtreſſing day!—!—! "Quorum parts magna fui!" VIR.

Our loſs, in the ſeveral actions of that day, was 49 killed, 34 wounded and 5 miſſing, who were taken priſoners, and have ſince been exchanged. The enemy's loſs, according to the beſt accounts, in killed, wounded and miſſing, about 300.

As the war was thus began with ſavage cruelty, in the aggreſſors; ſo it has been carried on with the ſame temper and ſpirit, by the enemy in but too many inſtances. Witneſs the wanton cruelty, diſcovered in burning Charleſtown, Norfolk, Falmouth, &c. But as events which have taken place ſince the ever memorable nineteenth of April, 1775, do not properly come within the compaſs of this narrative, they muſt be left for ſome abler pen to relate.