2022-01 Raynors HCA Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/28/2022
A complete and authenticate issue of The Boston Chronicle, September 12-September 19, 1768, 8pp., disbound, VG. From pg 4 we find the excellent "Extract of a letter from Boston, June 20." This letter reports the Liberty Riot. In large part, "A few days ago a shallop laden with wine arrived in this port; it was never properly entered at the custom-house ... The captain in vain tampered with the tide-waiter ... locked him up. .. In the mean time he unloaded the shallop without opposition. The captain, over-heating himself in the exploit died in a few hours. ... The vessel was therefore seized by Mr. Harrison the collector, and Mr. Hollwell the comptroller ..was put alongside the Romney man of war ... a mob assembled, beat Mr. Harrison and his son, and Mr. Hollwell, so that they narrowly escaped with their lives. ... the mob seized a very fine pleasure boat of Mr. Harrison's, dragged it through the streets and at last burnt it before Mr. Hancock's door. ... In short, we seem to be on the eve of a general insurrection, all owing to the turbulent spirit of popularity in some principal men in the town, who lead on the implicit mob, bawling LIBERTY ... unless something be speedily done to enforce law, universal anarchy and confusion will ensue." As a result of this and other Patriotic acts, the British reinforced their presence in Boston, as reported in the newspaper. From the interior pages is a strongly worded Petition opposing the increase in the Military Presence of the British Army. In large part: "The Honourable JAMES OTIS, Esq; was unanimously chosen MODERATOR. The Petition of a considerable Number of the respectable Inhabitants to the Select-men, dated the 8th Instant, praying that the Town might be forthwith legally convened, to enquire of his Excellency the Governor the Grounds and Reasons of sundry Declarations made by him, that three Regiments may be daily expected, two of them to be quartered in this Town, and one at Castle William; as also to consider of the most wise, constitutional, loyal, and salutary Measures to be adopted on such an Occasion, was read, whereupon the following Vote was passed. WHEREAS it has been reported in this Town Meeting; that his Excellency the Governor has intimated his Apprehensions that one or more Regiments of his Majesty's Troops are daily to be expected here: VOTED, That the Honourable Thomas Cushing, Esq; Mr. Samuel Adams, Richard Dana, Esq; Benjamin Kenc, Efq; and Dr. Joseph Warren, be a Committee to wait upon his Excellency, if in Town, humbling requesting that he would be pleased to communicate to the Town the Grounds and Assurances he may have thereof. No. III. Upon Upon a Motion made and seconded, VOTED, That the following Petition be presented to his Excellency the Governor, and a Committee was appointed for that purpose, who were directed humbly to request his Excellency to favour the Town with an immediate Answer. ..." The Committee appointed Yesterday to wait upon his Excellency with the Petition and Request of the Town, reported from his Excellency the following Answer in Writing : " GENTLEMEN, " MY Apprehensions that some of his Majesty's Troops are to be expected in Boston, arise from Information of a private Nature. I have received no public Letters, notifying to me the coming of such Troops, and requiring Quarters for them: Whenever I do, I shall communicate them to his Majesty's Council. The Business of calling another Assembly for this Year, is now before the King, and I can do nothing in it until I receive his Majesty's Commands. FRA. BERNARD."
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