250 Years Ago News

(From the National Park Service's "Bicentennial Daybook," 1975)

Gunsmith at work

Oct. 7, 1775: The Pennsylvania Committee of Safety resolves that the master-of-arms "go to the different Smiths in and about this City who are capable of making Fire-Arms and Gun Locks, and desire them that are out of employe to attend this Board."

Quebec City

Oct. 7, 1775: The lieutenant governor of Canada, Hector de Cramahé, is told that American-born people of Quebec City are refusing to assist in the city's defense. They are "obliged either to take arms or be sent out of the place."

Power (died 1813)

"The Rescue of Don Ramón Power y Giralt", a 1790 painting by José Campeche

Oct. 7, 1775: Ramón Power y Giralt, a Spanish naval officer who became a hero of Puerto Rican self-rule, is born in San Juan. As Puerto Rican representative to the Cortes that ruled Spain during the Napoleonic Wars he had the absolute powers of the island's governor revoked.

Phillips was later sent to fight in America, and was captured at Saratoga

Oct. 7, 1775: "I see the American war full of horrors—[but] administration sees it quite otherwise," writes British Army Col. William Phillips in London to a friend in Boston. "To speak to you plainly, they do not see it at all."

(From the National Park Service's "Bicentennial Daybook," 1775)

The white Americans are seeking an agreement from the Indians to stay neutral in the war with Britain, while the native nations seek an economic pact to receive ammunition and other supplies from the colonies, and a promise that their lands be made safe from encroachment. 2/2

Oct. 7, 1775: After taking nearly a month to assemble, representatives from the Seneca, Wyandot, Delaware, and Mingo tribes meet delegates of Virginia and the Continental Congress at Fort Pitt (Pittsburgh). 1/2

Pennsylvania delegate George Ross seeks Congress' action in upholding Pennsylvania's integrity. Members agree that inter-colonies peace should be maintained as their effort focuses on winning the war with Britain, but after a long debate no decision is made. 2/2

Fort Wyoming, built by Connecticut settlers

Oct. 7, 1775: Open fighting has broken out in Pennsylvania's Wyoming Valley between local settlers and land claimants from Connecticut. The Pennsylvania's Assembly protests to Congress about "the intrusion of a number of people" to the "great annoyance of the good people of this province." 1/2

In exchange for the livestock the people of Bristol hold a new bitterness for the British and an understanding of them as a ruthless enemy. The shrieks of women as they ran from the bombardment, the writer claims, "would have extorted a tear from even the eye of a Nero." 8/8

After an hour and a half, a delegation of townspeople is ferried to the Rose to hear the captain's demands. He specifies that "200 sheep and 30 fat cattle" will satisfy him as provisions for the besieged British army in Boston. After some negotiation, he agrees to accept 40 sheep. 7/8

Two people are reported dead as they flee from the attack: the town's Congregational minister, who runs from his house and falls dead, "overcome with fear and fatigue," in a nearby field; and a child from exposure in the cold rain. No one is directly injured by cannon fire or bombs. 6/8

"A great number of dwelling houses &c. were shot through; but suffered very little damage," the observer notes. "A cannon ball entered a distill-house, then passed through three hogsheads and barrels of rum, and spilt their contents." 5/8

The captain considers this response an act of noncompliance. At 8 p.m., in a pouring rain, he gives the order to fire. A witness writes: "The whole fleet began a most heavy cannonading, and the bomb vessel to bombard, and heave shells and carcases [an incendiary] into the town." 4/8

Speaking to a British lieutenant, leading Bristol merchant William Bradford offers "that if Capt. Wallace would come to the head of the wharf the next morning, he should be treated as a gentleman, and the town would consider of his demands." 3/8

Bristol at the turn of the 19th century

The 16 ships sail into Bristol's harbor at about 6:30 p.m., with Capt. James Wallace in command aboard the 20-gun man-of-war Rose. The ships line up in battle formation. Wallace sends word that the townspeople must send a delegation to hear his demands in an hour; if not, he will open fire. 2/8

Oct. 7, 1775: British warships bombard the town of Bristol on the Rhode Island coast to punish it for refusing to hand over supplies. The flotilla had sailed from Boston a few days ago on a mission to intimidate towns of New England that have failed to support the king. 1/8

André (died 1842)

An André first edition of a Mozart catalog

Oct. 6, 1775: Johann Anton André, a German composer and music publisher who issued the first editions of many of Mozart's works, becoming known as the father of Mozart research, is born in Offenbach am Main.

Wieland

The German Mercury

Oct. 6, 1775: Writing in his newly founded Weimar journal, the German Mercury, the Enlightenment poet and thinker Christoph Wieland takes notes of the events in America: "The struggle deserves the most serious attention of our generation."

Fort St. Jean

Oct. 6, 1775: From the siege of Fort St. Jean in Quebec, Connecticut Col. Samuel Molt observes: "The Indians of all the Tribes, and the Cannadians who Joyn Us, have all Learn'd English Enough to say Liberty, & Bostonian, and All Call themselves Yankee's."

Oct. 6, 1775: The Massachusetts committee that governs Maine is directed to "fit out Privateers" and "procure Powder, and other necessary military stores." The Maine coast faces looming attack by a British fleet.

Oct. 6, 1775: "That a great Revolution, in the affairs of the World, is in the Womb of Providence, Seems to be intimated very Strongly, by many Circumstances: But it is no Pleasure to me to be employed in giving Birth to it. The Fatigue, and Anxiety, which attends it are too great." —John Adams

(From the National Park Service's "Bicentennial Daybook," 1975)

Oct. 6, 1775: Word that a British flotilla is sailing from Boston along the coast touches off alarm in Newport, R.I. George Burson writes that "nothing is done but removing the unhappy Women and Children to the internal part of the Island." They have "all the marks of Terror in their Countenances."

Delegates also step up their efforts to obtain war materiel. Congress' arms committee is directed to "export, agreeable to the continental Association, as much provisions or other produce of these colonies, as they shall judge expedient for the purchase of arms and ammunition." 2/2

Tarring and feathering a loyalist

Oct. 6, 1775: The Continental Congress urges sweeping action to crack down on loyalists. Provincial assemblies are told to "arrest and secure every person in their respective colonies, whose going at large may endanger the safety of the colony, or the liberties of America." 1/2

"...A tailor, a cabinet-maker, a wheelwright, a house painter, a calico printer, a dancing-master, and several others. There are also farmers, and other country labourers." A sale of their indentures will take place Oct. 18. 2/2

Purdie's Virginia Gazette, Williamsburg

Oct. 5, 1775: The ship Saltspring arrives in Leedstown, Va., "with about 120 healthy servants; men, women, and boys. Among them are many tradesmen, such as carpenters and joiners, black and white-smiths, brasiers and copper-smiths, shoemakers, weavers, barbers, schoolmasters... 1/2

Portland Press Herald, Oct. 5, 1875

Oct. 5, 1775: A post office in Falmouth, Mass. (now Portland, Maine) is created by a commission signed by Postmaster General Benjamin Franklin.