1775: British ships off the coast of Gloucester

28 Jul 1775
Judith Sargent Stevens to John Murray 

 

Letter 20   To Mr Murray   Gloucester.  July 28th 1775 

You wish for some particulars relative to our publick affairs, and indeed they have somewhat varied since you left us — Upon the day of your departure, the arrival of a schooner belonging to his Britannick Majesty, threw our people into great alarm — Immediately the drums beat to arms, the [bells] sounded portentously, and the streets were filled with the goods of the terrified inhabitants — [Families] running up and down, throwing abroad their hands, the most heart affecting distress visible in their almost frantic gestures, when to heighten the misery of the scene, the Captain of the schooner dispatched a special messenger to the family of the Sargents, soliciting permission to visit them, and begging that some fresh provision may be sent on board, for which he will make ample payment, and disavowing at the same time all intention of hostility — 

 

"No, no, no" was the purport of the answer, worded in as strong terms as language could embody.  We continued in a state of distressing suspense, through the whole of friday, saturday and sunday — all our men bearing arms even to their place of worship, but Monday confirmed our direful apprehensions — ... maneuvers on board the schooner, it was believed the war was coming up to the landing, Words are inadequate to describe the panic which took possession of the bosoms of the more timid sex, while our Men bravely prepared for opposition — 

 

Captain Dawson, however, again dropt Anchor; this in some measure quieted the minds of the people, but toward the close of the day, an event took place which hath alarmed the most judicious among us, Some of our ill advised Townsmen have very indiscreetly fired on the schooner, as she lay in the road, and we have great reason to fear that the Town will fall a sacrifice to their imprudence, indeed it is not improbable, that we may be devoted to destruction — the innocent may too possibly be involved in one common ruin with the Guilty!!    

 

Since writing the above Captain Dawson hath addressed the Town as follows

 

            "Hope Schooner Cape An [sic] Harbour   June 29 — 1775

           "To the Committee of Safety in The Town of Gloucester"

 

"Gentlemen

 

"The reason of my sending you this, is to inform you that yesterday, after his Majesty's schooner,

under my command, anchored in this harbour, in the place where she now lies, she was fired at

from the shore, by some armed Men, which you must be sensible might have been attended with

the worst consequences, especially, when I heard and saw nothing but what gave the justest reason

to believe, that hostile intentions, were intended to his Majesty's schooner, from your Town, or why

did the people assemble in arms, which, I saw by my own eyes, and what did the meeting bell ring,

and the drums beat for? — I will leave you to judge, and to complete the scene properly, some of your armed Men fired at his Majesty's schooner without the least provocation, or cause for so doing — 

Surely I must conclude that the greatest part of these proceedings must be the [scare] of the Town — 

I am informed this morning that two of the Men, which fired at the schooner, are put in gaol, and are deserting from his majesty's service and from his majesty's schooner, that I now command, and I do

now demand them in his majesty's name of the Town, which I have a right to do, and it is your duty

to deliver them up — such proceedings would give the Admiral, and Governour, the most favourable opinion of the Town, you cannot suppose that I have orders to molest any person on shore, or any

where else, without I am fired at, or molested in doing my duty!  The Governour's proclamation

which I am informed the people here are acquainted with, __________ indicates the contrary — 

I am gentlemen your most obedient

                                   humble servant

                                  George Dawson

Captain Dawson's information deceived him, the offenders were never in his majesty's service — Neither were they under confinement.  I believe they are rather [applauded] than otherwise — Captain Dawson's requisition was peremptorily refused, he however revenged himself by capturing no less than 15 vessels, among which was one belonging to my Father, when, to the no small joy of the inhabitants of the place, he took his departure.