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��THE BOSTON PORT BILL.
��cries of the oppressed, in answer to the incessant prayers of his people, defend our just cause, turn the counsels of our enemies into foolishness and deliver us from the hands of our oppressors, and make those very measures by which they are endeavoring to compass our destruc- tion the means of fixing our invaluable rights and privileges upon a more firm and lasting basis. It seems to us that it may prove to the ultimate advantage of this good cause in America, that the at- tacks of our enemies are made to that quarter where the virtue and firmness of the inhabitants could brave the shafts of the military tyrants and set at defiance the threats of an exasperated and des- potic minister.
We are pleased to find that the meth- ods sought to divide, have happily united us, and by every new act of oppression our union has been more and more strengthened; and we can with truth as- sure you. gentlemen, that in this quarter we are engaged to a man in your de- fence, and of the common cause.
We are ready to communicate of our substance largely, as your necessities shall require, and with our estates to give also our lives, and mingle our blood with yours in the common sacrifice to liberty. We renewedly assure you we will not submit to wear the chains of slavery which a profligate and arbitrary ministry are preparing for all of us. That Heaven may support you under your distressing circumstances, and send you a speedy and happy deliverance from your pres- ent troubles, is the earnest prayer of your cordial friends, and very humble servants. (Signed)
John Adams, I committee John Sullivan. / ^ ommittee -
This letter was published in the Bos- ton Chronicle at the time. Its deter- mined zeal and fervor naturally tended to influence the public mind, and to pre- pare the friends of liberty to strike for the common cause.
The patriots of Boston, amid all their severe trials, were encouraged by salu- tary advice and substantial aid to perse- vere to the end by the lovers of freedom everywhere. They were doomed to en- counter the perils and privations of two sieges. The first, commencing with the 14th of June, 1774, continued about one year, until open hostilities commenced, and was prosecuted to gratify the ven-
��geance of a spiteful British Ministry. During this year the town lost nearly one-third of her population, who felt compelled to remove in order to obtain the means of living. Many of those who remained, who had been in comfortable circumstances, were reduced to abject poverty. All classes of people were made poorer ; none were enriched. After the engagement at Bunker Hill, the be- siegers found themselves besieged by land, and for the next nine months the Ameri- can army held the avenues to the town, and the hopes of the patriots were revived and their condition somewhat improved by a friendly intercourse with the troops without. During these nine months the British troops were obliged to depend upon their shipping for provisions. The patriots within the town derived much consola- tion from the fact that the British troops were involved with them in a common suffering for a supply of necessary food and fuel. In March, 1776, Washington was prepared to bombard the town.
This resort was expected by the patri- ots, and the owners of property feared the results. Gen. Howe threatened to fire the town if Washington persisted in his purpose. Finally Howe proposed to evacuate the town if no attack were made. This arrangement was concurred in, and on the 18th of March Howe with- drew his army, giving relief and great joy to the inhabitants of the town.
In the afternoon of the next Sunday after the evacuation, in presence of the American army. Rev. Mr. Bridge, Chap- lain in his brother's regiment, preached an appropriate discourse from II. Kings, 7th chap., 7th verse — ' k Wherefore, they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life." The application of the text was as follows: " The text describes the flight of our enemies, as they left their tents, and their horses, and quite a number of Tories for asses.
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