Читать книгу Revolution An Uncommon Chronicle of the American War for Independence - Kenneth JD Samcoe - Страница 8

Samuel Adams

New Jersey: Apr. 1775. Samuel Adams, a short, stocky, plain dressed (when not in Congress, Mr. Adams wears homespun clothing) gentleman in his mid-fifties, who until a short time ago practiced law in Boston, is credited with organizing the “Sons of Liberty,” a loose-knit association of radicals claiming thousands of members throughout the colonies.

A Harvard graduate and Massachusetts delegate to the rebel Continental Congress, Mr. Adams is considered a fugitive by English Parliament. He recently evaded capture when British troops invaded Lexington where he and John Hancock, another fugitive, were in hiding.

In the course of our conversation, when a subject came up that particularly excited Mr. Adams, his head would move back and forth and his hands seemingly trembled out of control. His general countenance and the calming tone of his voice, however, allayed any suspicion that Mr. Adams was not entirely in control of his faculties.

Mr. Adams, we’ve learned that General Gage is considering a pardon to all Americans taking part in the recent events at Lexington and Concord. You and John Hancock are specifically named as exceptions. Why do you think he excepted you and Hancock?

It seems to me, Thomas Gage considers us a threat because we’ve been more vocal in denouncing his acts. What he refuses to believe is that Mr. Hancock and I represent the outrage of most of the citizens of Massachusetts.

What acts of General Gage outraged you besides Lexington and Concord?

When Parliament named that man Governor of Massachusetts, they gave him absolute power over us. And he acknowledges Parliament by turning our city of Boston into an armed fortress. His ships have closed our port and he has provided himself with one professional killer for every five of Boston’s citizens; some have been forced to quarter his killers in their homes. I ask you, after what his people accomplished at Lexington and Concord, shouldn’t we be alarmed at the thought of what he might do next?

It’s been estimated that over 15,000 militiamen are surrounding Boston at this time. Is that an accurate count?

I believe the figure is around 15,000, at least.

Fifteen thousand armed men give the militia a three-to-one advantage over General Gage’s troops. Do you intend to attack Boston?

I’m not involved in military decisions. I have no idea what General Ward and his officers are planning at Cambridge.

Were you surprised at the turnout of men from the other colonies?

Gage’s men fired on colonial citizens and raided a colonial armory. That murderous act infringed on the rights of citizens in all 13 colonies. I asked a young friend from Woodburn why he ran to Lexington. He said, “Gage has no right to the cannon, they were made in New England foundries. Next, they’ll be taking my musket.”

Then you anticipate support from every colony?

As I said, sir, this is not a New England affair. Parliament is imposing its will on every colony.

When you say Parliament imposes its will on you, isn’t England simply presenting a bill for services rendered? That is, the cost in helping you rid yourselves of the French in the last war?

I believe just the opposite is true. England was in a war with France and Spain. The colonies happened to be one of the battlefields. Our militia rose to the occasion and fought side by side with the British. We suffered loss of life and property during those times and who, may I ask, is paying us? Still we might accept a reasonable share of England’s cost. We simply insist on the liberty of putting it to a vote among ourselves.

It’s been rumored that the Congress will vote to unite all militia under one Continental Army. Is this one of your proposals?

No, the delegate from Braintree proposed it. He feels a single army under one command is necessary in the event of an all out war.

And that delegate from Braintree would be your cousin, John Adams?

Yes.

Do you agree with him?

If Parliament is foolhardy enough to engage us in a full scale war, I would have to agree with him. It seems to me, the more serious issue is determining who should take command of our army. I am suspicious of that much power in the hands of one person.

Are you concerned about Loyalist sympathizers?

I believe there are families here who have been given privileges by the Crown and Parliament. Those who have sided with Thomas Gage in this conflict should be considered the enemies of liberty.

Do you expect any support in England now that blood has spilled between yourselves?

We’ve never been without the support of liberty loving citizens in England. The city of London petitioned Parliament against the Intolerable Act two years ago. And again in February of this year they protested the Fisheries Acts. The Mayor of London has said Parliament’s attempts to establish arbitrary power over us affects their liberties as well.

Yet there are many in England who condemn your rebellion.

This is not a rebellion, sir. English subjects are being oppressed with unjust laws imposed by a tyrannical Parliament that they have no representation in. This is a revolution.

Then you expect a war with England?

None of us wants a war. We’d much prefer our liberties without the loss of blood, but if Parliament insists in denying us we have the resolve to win them ourselves.

By “liberties,” you mean independence.

Yes, if reconciliation is impossible.

Some of your detractors accuse you of perpetuating the conflict over here in order to gain your independence. They claim you never wanted reconciliation.

That is not true. We had no quarrel with English rule until Parliament enacted the Townshend Act eight years ago. We asked for redress and they answered by taxing our tea, denying us fishing rights in Newfoundland and closing the port of Boston. Last year, many of us thought the elections over there would bring in a just government, one we could negotiate with. We were wrong. The same crowd of lackeys are in power.

Lackeys?

Lord North’s junta. The King’s hired guns that control Parliament.

Well thank your Mr. Adams for your candid comments.

You’re welcome.