that the Britishers believed it best
to keep secret the fact that a prisoner could escape so readily, and
since Archie was no great catch, having been taken into custody only
because found prowling around the streets at night, they were fairly
willing to let go their grip of him.

During this time, however, General Gage had not been idle. It will be
remembered that I have set down the substance of an agreement between
the selectmen of the town and the king's representative, to the effect
that any person so disposed might leave the town, after having deposited
his weapons at Faneuil Hall.

I have also stated what Master Nelson and Master Landers had discussed,
and it seemed that the Tories of Boston exerted considerable influence
over General Gage, for after having allowed a few of the people to go
out with their household belongings under the protection of a pass
signed by himself, the governor put his foot down against any women or
children leaving. It was much the same as if he had said he would not
keep his pledged word.

We, who were shut up in Boston, learned that the people of Charlestown,
who formerly numbered nearly three thousand, had become so alarmed that
they left their homes, believing the Americans in Cambridge could afford
them better protection than might be had from the king's hirelings. So
thoroughly panic stricken were the inhabitants, that it was said no more
than two hundred now remained in the village.

We heard now and then of this colony or of that sending troops or money
to our aid, although how the news came I cannot say, and it was
whispered among the people who were true to the Cause, that Rhode Island
had sent as many as fifteen hundred men under Brigadier Nathaniel
Greene.

Connecticut voted to raise six thousand soldiers, and the Provincial
Congress passed an act authorizing the enrollment of two thousand troops
in addition to those who were already in the field.

Nor did the Britishers content themselves with the large force already
in Boston. The Cerberus man-of-war came into the harbor having on board,
in addition to the troops, three generals: Howe, Clinton and Burgoyne.

It was as if General Gage had until this time considered his army too
small to cope with our people, but now that new troops were arrived,
increasing his force to at least ten thousand men, he gathered courage
to impose yet further upon us, and issued a proclamation which declared
the town under martial law,