American Theatre from May 21, 1775, to September 2, 1775

Summary

Wishful thinking that differences between the Mother Country and her recalcitrant Colonies might find amicable settlement ended with the gunfire on the Lexington Common. While New Englanders were closing in upon Boston, ringing it with redoubts and fortified lines from the Mystic River to Dorchester, the second Continental Congress forgathered in Philadelphia, and resolved itself, day after day, into a committee of the whole "to take into consideration the state of America." That it was critical, every delegate from each of the twelve colonies represented fully realized.

Advice was received on the second day of the session (May 11, 1775) that the British Ministry had declared its intention to enforce obedience to each and every act of the Parliament, objectionable, coercive, restrictive as they were. The army in America was to be reinforced by at least three infantry regiments and some six hundred marines. More vessels of war had been ordered into commission to augment the squadron already based upon Boston. Some of the new troops were to be landed in New York, posing the urgent question; how should they be re­ceived? Within a week the Congress heard, in stunned surprise, that a handful of irregulars had taken the fortresses of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, with their numerous military stores.

By May 21 only a few of the problems had found partial solutions. New York should not oppose the troops as long as they proved peaceable, and did not attempt to erect fortifications. The cannon and all other military stores from Ticonderoga and Crown Point should be inventoried and removed to the south end of Lake George, where a strong defensive post should be established. The Continental Association's restrictions upon exportation should be expanded to embrace Quebec, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, the two Floridas, and that part of Georgia, which had not yet sent delegates to the Congress.

Meanwhile, the depositions and affidavits proving the British had fired first at Lexington had sped by express through the Colonies. Their contents spread dismay among the merchants, whose fondest hopes had been built upon reconcilia­tion and an abandonment of all restrictions on trade; and among the Tories, who, in many cases, had suffered from the severity of overzealous Committees of of Inspection and Correspondence. But they sparked renewed military ardor from Pennsylvania to South Carolina, in every cross-road, hamlet, town or city where the momentous tidings were proclaimed.

In Boston, the British still reeled from the disastrous retreat from Concord. All supplies, except by sea, had been cut off, and many inhabitants had pled for permission to remove themselves and their effects from the beleaguered town. General Gage, seeing fewer mouths to feed, had considered approval of their desires, if firearms would be delivered up. But a great clamor arose from those loyal to the Crown. Only the disaffected would leave, and then Boston would be set on fire by the Rebels.

Rumors were rife of attacks to be made upon the town, upon Castle William, upon the shipping, before reinforcements could arrive. Armed boats from the British squadron were patrolling the rivers and the harbor, day and night, and the troops literally slept on their arms as the May days passed along.


 

The Admiral wrote Letters to the captains of the Fowey Tamer & Cruizer informing them that the Rebellion being almost general throughout the Provinces it behooved them to be very circumspect and attentive to his Majesty's Interest; to support the Kings Governors and civil Power established by Law as long as they could and to assist and protect all other his Majesty's faithful Subjects and... Continue Reading
Date: 21 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
The Bearer of this Letter is Mr [Alexander] Brymer Agent to the Contractors for supplying his Majs Ships with Provisions; he has at Salem a Quantity of Bread and other Articles for the use of the Squadron. If the Town of Salem mean to approve themselves good Subjects, quiet and peaceably disposed, they have now an Opportunity to shew it. Let Mr Brymer ship off his Provisions, and let me have... Continue Reading
Date: 21 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
May 1775 Sunday 21 Off Castle William Island [Boston Bay] at 8 A M Set the Rigging up fore & aft. Arrived two Transports from England with Soldiers. Employed clearing the Ship for Sea [P M] Variable Weather Saw three hundred Rebels marching round Dorchester Bay.
Date: 21 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
Colo. [Ethan] Allen & his Party is Just Arived from St. Johns, where they are Attacked the next Morning after I came away, the 19th Inst. by About Two hundred, Regulars, with Six Field Pieces, & were obliged to make a precipitate Retreat with the loss of three Men Missing ー They have returned without Provision, & much Fatigued. Pray Send On all the Provision you have imediately &... Continue Reading
Date: 21 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
A Letter was received from the Committee of Safety, enclosing a communication from Colonel Benedict Arnold, giving information of the surrender of Ticonderoga. Ordered, That the following Letter to Colonel Arnold, reported by a Committee, be accepted, signed by the Secretary, and forwarded in the name and behalf of this Congress, as soon as may be.
Date: 22 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
Whereas in the present Exigency of his Majesty's Service it is necessary to facilitate as much as possible the bringing to Boston, Provisions, Lumber and Firewood for the use of the Army and Navy, You are hereby required and directed notwithstanding any former Orders to allow all Ships and Vessels laden with Provisions, Grain, Hay, Straw, Lumber, Firewood, and Spars, and which shall be properly... Continue Reading
Date: 22 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
May 1775 Tuesdy 22d In Tarpolean Cove A M at 7 fird two Swivels & two Six Pounders Shotted and Brot too a Brigg from Dominica2 . . . P M Deserted two Marines and the Pursuers Steward.
Date: 22 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
The week before last Capt. [John] Linzee, of the Falcon sloop of war, took two sloops on the coast between this place and the Vineyard, without the least reasonable pretence that we can learn; upon which the people at the eastward manned out two other vessels, retook the sloops, and carried them into Fair Haven, in Dartmouth last Saturday se'nnight [May 13] with 14 of Capt. Linzee's men, three of... Continue Reading
Date: 22 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
I take the liberty to advise you that on the 13th inst. having proceeded from this place to St. Johns, with a party of my regiment of 35 men, I surprised and took prisoners, a sergeant and his party of 12 men, the King's sloop of 70 tons, and seven men, mounted with two brass six pounders; and in two hours after weighed anchor with the sloop, &c. and proceeded for this place . . . I am now... Continue Reading
Date: 22 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
I am now to inform you, that an express arrived here this day from Ticonderago, which brings an account that Major [Philip] Skene's snow on Lake Champlain was taken last Tuesday [May 16] by forces from Virginia, who have joined our militia and that of Connecticut. She is an armed vessel, and of some consequence on the lake. The New England people have timber ready, and are building fourteen sail... Continue Reading
Date: 22 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
I am directed by the General Commitee of Association for this City and County to transmit to your Honor the enclosed Authentic Copy of a Resolution of the Continental Congress, received by express,2 and to inform your Honor that in consequence thereof we immediately shipped to Albany One Hundred Barrels Pork, and that a select commitee has been appointed to purchase and forward without... Continue Reading
Date: 22 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
Friday Night last [May 19] Captain Reynolds arrived here from Portsmouth, in New-Hampshire: Last Monday [May 15], off Cape Anne, he was boarded by Capt. Greeves, in a Tender,1 who had come out of Boston the Day before, and informed him that three Transports arrived there the 6th Instant from England, with Troops, and that many more were hourly expected; that several Vessels were then... Continue Reading
Date: 22 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
On Wednesday evening last [May 17] arrived here, John Brown, Esq.; from Ticonderoga, express to the General Congress, from whom we learn, that on the beginning of this instant, a company of about fifty men, from Connecticut, and the western part of Massachusetts, and joined by upwards of one hundred from Bennington, in New-York government, and the adjacent towns, proceeded to the eastern side of... Continue Reading
Date: 22 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
the Connecticut People have sent a detachment of men & taken Possession of Ticonderoga & Crown point to Prevent General [Guy] Carletons Joining the troops with some Indians & Cannadiens, so you may be assured if the Ministry do not alter their measures there will be warm work, & well I am Convinced those people to the Northward die rather than give up, besides I think if... Continue Reading
Date: 22 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
Ordered that the following Oaths be taken by the Owners Consignees or Super Cargoes of all Vessels and by the Masters and Officers of the same that shall load in Patapsco Riverー You A B Owner Supercargo or Consignee of the Ship or Vessel called the [blank] whereof [blank] is Master do make Oath that you will not order or direct, nor bid any Person for you to direct the Cargo now laden or intended... Continue Reading
Date: 22 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
You think that no Man in England would be better pleased to See a Speedy conclusion of the Subsisting Contest without bloodShed than Lord North ー if his Lordship had ever expressed Such Sentiments I Should have thought him a Shallow politician ー his actions militated against his wishes ー Send out the most arbitrary & cruel Mandates that ever were imposed upon Freemen, Send Fleets & Armies... Continue Reading
Date: 22 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
Whereas, our enemies make frequent excursions to the Islands and SeaCoasts, from whence they plunder Hay, Cattle and Sheep, which not only greatly injures many individuals, but also the publick, and strengthens the hands of our enemies: Therefore, Resolved, That it be recommended to the Honourable [Provincial] Congress to take some effectual measure to secure the stock on the Islands and Sea-... Continue Reading
Date: 23 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
As I understand there is a considerable Quantity of Match at the Castle2 I beg your Excellency will be so good to order Half a Ton to be supplied to the Gunner of his Majesty's Ship Preston for the Use of the Squadron under my Command who are in very great want of that Article which cannot be purchased here nor is there any in Store at Halifax. I have the Honor to be Sir [&c.]
Date: 23 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
Two Ships arrived with Officers and Recruits; and the Merlin Sloop of War arrived in the evening: one or two others arrived a day or two ago. The remainder of the Marines landed and encamped.
Date: 23 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
May 1775 Tuesday 23 Off Long Island [Boston Harbor] At 9 A M weighed & dropt down to long Island at 12 Brot too with the Bt Bower in eight fathom Water off the N E end of Long Island Variable weather Arrived from England his Majesty's Sloop Merlin and a Ship with three General Officers' horse & Baggage after Six Weeks passage.2
Date: 23 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1

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