| Title: | Extract of a Letter from Boston Dated April 6, 1774 |
|---|---|
| ID | 3868 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | 1771-80/15 |
| Year | 1774 |
| Sender | unknown |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | unknown |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Boston, Mass., USA |
| Destination | unknown |
| Recipient | unknown |
| Recipient Gender | unknown |
| Relationship | re colonists in North America |
| Source | The Belfast News-letter, Tuesday 17 to Friday 20 May 1774. |
| Archive | The Central Library, Belfast |
| Doc. No. | 1200309 |
| Date | 17/05/1774 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 19:12:00. |
| Word Count | 251 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Extract of a Letter from Boston, dated April 6, 1774; written by a gentleman who arrived there from Ireland a few days before. "...Since I arrived here I have taken some pains to learn the strength and disposition of our colonists; and had I not the most convincing proofs of the truth of what I here transmit you, I should be silent on the subject. There is not a man here but what allots some part of the day for military exercise; and lads of thirteen, fourteen, and fifteen years of age, can use a gun with such dexterity, that it would surprise you; any of them can shoot a small bird flying with the greatest ease. Every man is also provided with a musket, sword, and bayonet; and as to their number, it is almost incredible. In every town and province they betray the same sentiments, that if the mother country treats them with severity, or sends soldiers over to annoy them, they will resist to the last drop of their blood. I own I cannot applaud them for these kinds of resolutions, nor can I think that government will suffer them to proceed in this manner long. Certain it is that these people are arrived at such a pitch, that they will never submit to any regulations, unless force be administered. I heartily wish they were capable of reflection, that they might avoid the ruin they are not only rushing into themselves, but involving Old England in. The Ministry I am sure ought to be pitied, for they never had such unreasonable creatures to deal with as the people here undoubtedly are...." |
