person, who shall fail of his duty in this respect | next after their receiving it, immediately after towards them, a disturber of the peace of this divine service. colony, and deserving of exemplary punish

ment.

That piety and virtue, which alone can secure the freedom of any people, may be encouraged, and vice and immorality suppressed, the great and general court have thought fit to issue this proclamation, commanding and enjoining it upon the good people of this colony, that they lead sober, religious and peaceable lives, avoiding all blasphemies, contempt of the holy scriptures, and of the lord's day, and all other crimes and misdemeanors, all debauchery, profaneness, corruption, venality, all riotous and tumultuous proceedings, and all immoralities whatsoever; and that they decently and reverently attend the public worship of God, at all times acknowledging with gratitude his merciful interposition in their behalf, devoutly confiding in him, as the God of armies, by whose favor and protection alone they may hope for success, in their present conflict.

Sent down for concurrence.

PEREZ MORTON, Dep. Sec.

In the house of representatives, Fanuary 23, 1776.-Read and concurred.

to.

WILLIAM COOPER, speaker pro tem. consented
William Sever, Walter Spooner,
Caleb Cushing, John Winthrop, Thomas
Cushing, Moses Gill, Michael Farley,
Samuel Holten, Charles Chauncy, Joseph
Palmer, John Whetcomb, Jedediah Fos-
ter. Eldad Taylor, John Taylor, Ben-
jamin White, James Prescot.

By order of the General Court,

PEREZ MORTON, Dep. Sec.

GOD SAVE THE PEOPLE.

DECLARATION OF RESISTANCE

PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF MASSA-
CHUSETTS IN 1776.

And all judges, justices, sheriffs, grand jurors, tything-men, and all other civil officers TO THE AUTHORITY OF GREAT Britain, within this colony, are hereby strictly enjoined and commanded that they contribute all in their power, by their advice, exertions and examples, towards a general reformation of manners, and that they bring to condign punishment every person who shall commit any of the crimes or misdemeanors aforesaid, or that shall be guilty of any immoralities whatsoever; and that they use the utmost endeavors to have the resolves of the congress, and the good and wholesome laws of this colony, duly carried

into execution.

"We the subscribers do each of us severally for ourselves profess, testify and declare, before God and the world, that we verily believe that the war, resistance and opposition in which the United American Colonies are now engaged against the fleets and armies of Great Britain, is on the part of the said colonies, just and necessary; and we do hereby severally promise, covenant and engage to and with every person of this colony, who has or shall subscribe this declaration, or another of the same tenor and words, that we will not, during the said war, directly or indirectly, in any ways aid, abet, or assist any of the naval or land forces of the king of Great Britain, or any employed by him, or supply them with any kind of provisions, military or naval stores, or hold any correspondence with, or communicate any intelligence to any of the officers, soldiers or mariners belonging to the said army or navy, or enlist or procure any others to enlist into the land or sea service of Great Britain, or take up or bear arms against this or either of the United Colonies, or undertaking to pilot any of the vessels belonging to the said navy, or any other way aid or assist them but on the contrary, according to our best power and abilities, will defend by arms the United American Colonies, and every part thereof, against every hostile attempt of the fleets and armies in the service of Great Britain, or any

STATEMENT

of them, according to the requirements and | ument in Westminster Abbey to the memory directions of the laws of this colony, that now of his brother, whose urbane and gentlemanly or may hereafter be provided for the regulation deportment had gained the esteem and respect of the militia thereof." of the Massachusetts forces, and who was killed in a battle with the French and Indians in 1758. The mall was originally laid out with only two rows of trees, a third was added a few years before the war, which we found were all cut down for fuel, together with the entire fence which surrounded the common, as was also a large magnificent tree which stood on the town's land, near the school house, in Weststreet, of equal size with that which now stands in the middle of the common, both of which I suppose to be aboriginal.

RELATIVE TO THE EVACUATION OF BOSTON,
MARCH 17, 1776.

RECOLLECTIONS OF A BOSTONIAN.

The British army evacuated Boston on the forenoon of Sunday, the 17th March, 1776. On the afternoon of that day I landed (in company with a surgeon who was ordered in by general Washington) at the bottom of the common, near the high bluff, which was taken away a few years ago to make Charles-street. The first object that I observed on landing was a thirteen-inch iron mortar on the beach of extraordinary dimensions and weight, which the British had thrown down from a battery they had erected on the height above. I was told that another of the same size was sunk at the long-wharf, which was afterwards raised. One of them is now at the navy-yard in Charleston, and the other was a few years since on the grand battery at New-York, where it was carried in the same year.

In the latter end of the year 1821 and early in 1822, a series of papers were published in the "Boston Centinel," under the head of "Recollections of a Bostonian "-in which the On passing into the town, it presented an public were presented with many curious indescribable scene of desolation and gloomfacts in relation to the condition of, and pro-iness, for notwithstanding the joyous occasion ceedings in, that town many years ago, from of having driven our enemies from our land, which we select the following as suited to our minds were impressed with an awful sadthe design of this work: ness at the sight of the ruins of many houses which had been taken down for fuel-the dirtiness of the streets-the wretched appearance of the very few inhabitants who remained during the siege the contrast between the Sunday we then beheld, compared with those we formerly witnessed, when well dressed people, with cheerful countenances, were going to, and returning from church, on which occasion, Boston exhibits so beautiful a scene-but more especially when we entered the Old South church, and had ocular demonstration that it had been turned into a RIDING SCHOOL, for the use of general Burgoyne's regiment of cavalry, which formed a part of the garrison, but which had never ventured to pass the barriers of the town. The pulpit and all the pews were taken away and burnt for fuel, and many hundred loads of dirt and gravel were carted in, and spread upon the floor. The south door was closed, and a bar was fixed, over which the cavalry, were taught to leap their horses at full speed. A grog shop was erected in the gallery, where liquor was sold to the soldiery, and consequently produced scenes of riot and debauchery in that holy temple. All these circumstances conspired to fill the mind with sombre reflections. But amidst the sadness of the scene, there was a pleasing satisfaction in the hope that men capable of such atrocities, could not have the blessing of Heaven in their nefarious plan of subjugating our beloved country. The English soldiers were generally Episcopalians, and viewed this act with indifference, but the Scotch, who were mostly dissenters, and much more moral and pious, looked upon it with horror, and not without some feel

On crossing the common we found it very much disfigured with ditches and cellars, which had been dug by the British troops for their accommodation when in camp. To our great regret, we saw several large trees lying in the mall, which had been cut down that morning. We were informed that the tories were so exasperated at being obliged to leave the town, that they were determined to do all the mischief possible, and had commenced destroying that beautiful promenade; but it being told to some of the selectmen, they went in haste to general Howe and represented the circumstance, who kindly sent one of his aids to forbid the further destruction of the trees, and to reprimand the tories for their conduct. General Howe could not but feel some degree of grateful regard and sympathy for the people of Massachusetts, as they had erected a mon-ings of superstition.

Any non-commissioned officer or soldier or others under my command, who shall be guilty of robbing or plundering in the town, are to be immediately confined, and will be most rigidly punished. All officers are therefore ordered to be very vigilant in the discovery of such offenders, and report their names and crime to the commanding officer in the town as soon as may be.

I was told that a ludicrous scene took place | officer or soldier shall receive any insult from in the course of the preceding winter. A good any of the inhabitants, he is to seek redress in old woman that frequently passed the church, a legal way, and no other. was in the habit of stopping at the door, and with loud lamentations, (amidst the hootings of the soldiery), bewailed the desolation of the house of prayer. She denounced on them the vengeance of Heaven, and assured them that good old Dr. Sewall, the former parson of the church, would rise from his grave, and carry them off.-A Scotch sentinel was one night alarmed by an appearance of what he thought was an apparition of the doctor. He screamed The inhabitants and others, are called upon violently, and alarmed the guard of grenadiers, to make known to the quarter-master-general, who were always stationed at the Province- or any of his deputies, all stores belonging to house, then occupied by general Howe. There the ministerial army, that may be remaining or was no pacifying him until some one asked secreted in the town: any person or persons how the doctor was dressed and he answered whatever, that shall be known to have concealed with a large wig and gown. One of the inhabi- any of the said stores, or to appropriate them tants who had been drawn there from curiosity to his or their own use, will be considered as assured him it could not have been doctor an enemy to America, and treated accordingly. Sewall, because he never wore a wig, which "The select men and other magistrates of the restored the poor fellow to his senses. It was town, are desired to return to the commandergenerally supposed to be a trick of one of the in-chief, the names of all or any person or English soldiers, who wished to frighten a super-persons, they may suspect of being employed stitious Scotchman; and for that purpose had dressed himself in the clerical habit of the Rev. Mr. Cooke, of the Menotomy, which he had plundered, on his retreat at the battle of Lexington.

"Whereas the ministerial army has abandoned the town of Boston, and the forces of the united colonies, under my command, are in possession of the same: I have therefore thought it necessary for the preservation of peace, good order and discipline, to publish the following orders, that no persons offending therein, may plead ignorance as an excuse for their misconduct.

“All officers and soldiers are hereby ordered. to live in the strictest amity with the inhabitants; and no inhabitant, or other person, employed in his lawful business in the town, is to be molested in his person or property, on any pretence whatever.

"If any officer or soldier shall presume to strike, imprison, or otherwise ill-treat any of the inhabitants, they may depend on being punished with the utmost severity; and if any

as spies upon the continental army, that they may be dealt with accordingly.

All officers of the continental army, are enjoined to assist the civil magistrates in the execution of their duty, and to promote peace and good order. They are to prevent, as much as possible, the soldiers from frequenting tippling-houses, and strolling from their posts. Particular notice will be taken of such officers as are inattentive and remiss in their duty; and on the contrary, such only as are active and vigilant will be entitled to future favor and promotion.

Given under my hand, at head-quarters, in
Cambridge, the 21st day of March, one
thousand seven hundred and seventy-six.
GEORGE WASHINGTON."

spread havoc and destruction around it; when our virtuous sons were murdered, and our houses destroyed by the troops of Britain, the inhabitants of this and the other American colonies, impelled by self-preservation and the love of freedom, forgetting their domestic concerns, determined resolutely and unitedly to oppose the sons of tyranny.

Convinced of the vast importance of having a gentleman of great military accomplishments to discipline, lead, and conduct the forces of the colonies, it gave us the greatest satisfaction to hear that the honorable congress of the united colonies had made choice of a gentleman thus qualified; who, leaving the pleasure of domestic and rural life was ready to undertake the arduous task. And your nobly declining to accept the pecuniary emoluments annexed to this high office, fully evidenced to us that a warm regard to the sacred rights of humanity, and sincere love to your country, solely influenced you in the acceptance of this important trust.

a

generations in the peaceful enjoyment of that freedom, the exercise of which your sword shall establish, raise the richest and most lasting monuments to the name of a Washington."

GEN'L WASHINGTON'S REPLY THERETO.

"Gentlemen-I return you my most sincere and hearty thanks for your polite address; and feel myself called upon, by every principle of gratitude, to acknowledge the honor you have done me in this testimonial of your approbation of my appointment to the exalted station I now fill; and what is more pleasing, of my conduct in discharging its important duties.

When the councils of the British nation had formed a plan for enslaving America, and depriving her sons of their most sacred and invaluable privileges, against the clearest remonstrances of the constitution, of justice and truth; and to execute their schemes, had appealed to the sword, I esteemed it my duty to take a part in the contest, and more espccially, on account of my being called thereto by the unsolicited suffrages of the representatives of a free people; wishing for no other reward than that arising from a conscientious discharge of the important trust, and that my services might contribute to the establishment of freedom and peace, upon a permanent foundation, and merit the applause of my country

From your acknowledged abilities as soldier, and your virtues in public and private life, we had the most pleasing hopes; but the fortitude and equanimity so conspicuous in your conduct; the wisdom of your counsels; the mild, yet strict government of the army; your attention to the civil constitution of this colony; the regard you have at all times shewn for the lives and health of those under your command; the fatigues you have with cheer-men, and every virtuous citizen. fulness endured; the regard you have shewn for the preservation of our metropolis, and the great address with which our military operations have been conducted, have exceeded our most sanguine expectations, and demand the warmest returns of gratitude.

The Supreme Ruler of the universe having smiled on our arms, and crowned your labors with remarkable success, we are now, without that effusion of blood we so much wished to avoid, again in the quiet possession of our capital; the wisdom and prudence of those movements, which have obliged the enemy to abandon our metropolis, will ever be remembered by the inhabitants of this colony.

May you still go on approved by Heaven, revered by all good men, and dreaded by those tyrants who claim their fellow men as their property. May the united colonies be defended from slavery by your victorious arms. May they still see their enemies flying before you: and (the deliverance of your country being effected) may you, in retirement, enjoy that peace and satisfaction of mind, which always attends the good and great: and may future

Your professions of my attention to the civil constitution of this colony, whilst acting in the line of my department, also demands my grateful thanks. A regard to every provincial institution, where not incompatible with the common interest, I hold a principle of duty, and of policy, and shall ever form a part of my conduct. Had I not learnt this before, the happy experience of the advantages resulting from a friendly intercourse with your honorable body, their ready and willing concurrence to aid and to counsel, whenever called upon in cases of difficulty and emergency, would have taught me the useful lesson.

That the metropolis of your colony is now relieved from the cruel and oppressive invasions of those who were sent to erect the standard of lawless domination, and to trample on the rights of humanity, and is again open and free for its rightful possessors, must give pleasure to every virtuous and sympathetic heart, and being effected without the blood of our soldiers and fellow-citizens, must be ascribed to the interposition of that Providence, which has manifestly appeared in our behalf through the

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