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Page 40
[Illustration: SEIZURE OF THE BETTYS.]
"Did this affair happen before that of Andr�'s?" enquired Hand. "If so,
these men only imitated the noble example of Paulding, Williams and Van
Wert."
"It did occur after the capture of Andr�," replied Davenport. "But that
takes nothing from the danger of the attempt, or the amount of the
temptation resisted."
"That's true," replied Hand; "but the capture of Andr�, and the favour
with which our countrymen regarded his captors, may have stimulated many
to patriotic exertions, and thereby have made such deeds so common as
not to receive special notice. I've no doubt the researches of
historians will yet bring to light many such deeds."
"How the conduct of such men as Arnold and Bettys contrasts with that of
Samuel Adams and his fellow-patriots!" remarked Warner. "When the first
resistance was made to quartering the British troops in Boston, Samuel
Adams was the leader and mouth-piece of the patriots, and the royal
rulers of Massachusetts tried every way to induce him to abandon the
cause he had espoused. In the first place, they threatened him with
severe punishment. But they couldn't scare him from his chosen course.
Then they flattered and caressed him, but it was of no effect. At last,
Governor Gage resolved to try whether bribes wouldn't work a change. So,
he sent Col. Fenton to him, as a confidential messenger. The Colonel
visited Adams, and stated his business at length, concluding with a
representation that by complying, Adams would make his peace with the
king. The stern patriot heard him through, and then asked him if he
would deliver his reply to Governor Gage as it should be given. The
Colonel said he would. Then Adams assumed a determined manner, and
replied, 'I trust I have long since made my peace with the King of
kings. No personal consideration shall induce me to abandon the
righteous cause of my country. Tell Governor Gage, it is the advice of
Samuel Adams to him, no longer to insult the feelings of an exasperated
people.' There was the highest reach of patriotic resolution."
"Aye, Samuel Adams was whole-souled and high-souled," said Davenport.
"No one will dispute that, who knows any thing of his history."
"New England had a host of patriots at the same period," observed
Kinnison. "Many of them did not possess the talents and energy of Samuel
Adams, but the heart was all right."
THE BATTLE OF BUNKER'S HILL.
"Well, gentlemen," said Mr. Hand, "there is a most important matter,
which you have omitted. You have told us nothing of Bunker Hill's
memorable fight, in which, as Bostonians and friends of liberty, we feel
the deepest interest. Which of you can oblige us by giving us your
recollections of our first great struggle?"
"Mr. Warner was one of Col. Starke's men. He can tell you all about it,"
said Colson.
"Aye, if memory serves me yet," said Warner, "I can tell you much of
that day's struggle. I joined Col. Starke's regiment shortly before the
battle. I always admired Starke, and preferred to serve under him. I
suppose you are acquainted with the general features of the battle, and
therefore I will not detain you long, with reciting them.
"On the sixteenth of June, 1775, it was determined that a fortified post
should be established at or near Bunker's Hill.
"A detachment of the army was ordered to advance early in the evening
of that day, and commence the erection of a strong work on the heights
in the rear of Charlestown, at that time called Breed's Hill, but from
its proximity to Bunker Hill, the battle has taken its name from the
latter eminence, which overlooks it.
"The work was commenced and carried on under the direction of such
engineers as we were able to procure at that time. It was a square
redoubt, the curtains of which were about sixty or seventy feet in
extent, with an entrenchment, or breast-work, extending fifty or sixty
feet from the northern angle, towards Mystic river.
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