owed itself--that of
Massachusets Bay. The aversion which General Gage had shown to the
adoption of violent measures and the forbearance of the troops had
rather tended to increase than to allay hostile feelings in that
province, and at length the proceedings of the people became so
alarming, that the general was compelled to adopt measures to put it out
of their power to effect mischief.

EXPEDITION TO SEIZE STORES AT SALEM.

Having received intelligence that a _depot_ of arms had been collected
at Salem, on the 26th of February, General Gage ordered a small
detachment of troops thither for the purpose of securing it. It was on
the Sabbath when this order was given, and the detachment proceeded by
water to Marble Head, whence they marched to Salem. Before they could
arrive at the town, however, the artillery was removed into the country.
On discovering this, the field-officer in command of the detachment,
hoping to overtake it, marched on, up the country, till he was stopped
by a river. There was a drawbridge over this river, but upon his
approach it was hauled up by a number of people on the opposite bank.
The officer desired them to let this bridge down, which was refused,
and perceiving a boat in the river he was about to make use of it for
transporting his troops across the river. Seeing this, some country
people who were nearer to it, jumped into the boat, and began to cut
holes in her bottom with axes. A scuffle ensued between them and some
soldiers, which would have ended in loss of life, had not a clergyman
judiciously interposed to prevent such a catastrophe. By his
interference the Americans were induced to let down the drawbridge, and
the officer and his men then passed over. The day, however, was now far
spent, and the artillery had been carried too great a distance for him
to overtake it, and the officer deemed it expedient to march his men
back to Marble Head, whence they re-embarked for Boston-neck. They were
not molested on their retreat, but the country people considered this as
a triumph and victory over them, and it materially assisted in raising
the courage of the colonists.

AFFAIR AT LEXINGTON, ETC.

The next attempt to seize the military stores of the Americans, was
attended with more serious consequences. Having heard that a quantity
was deposited at the town of Concord, about eighteen miles from Boston,
in the night between the 18th and 19th of April, General Gage detached
the