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Colonel Isaac Royal.
As one of the wealthiest citizens of Medford was frightened into Toryism, in 1775, it maybe fit to give a short notice of the facts, especially as they illustrate, by contrast, the deep devotion of the rest of our people to the cause of independence. Abundant evidence exists that Medford took an early and decisive stand against the oppressions of the Crown, and, when called upon, paid taxes, raised soldiers, and shed blood in defence of American liberty. Strong and steady opposers of independence there certainly were in the Colonies; and it therefore required superior wisdom and courage to meet such domestic forces. The patriots were baptized by the royal government with the name of “rebels,” and their doings called “the faction.” A trial-question was brought before the Whigs and Tories in a town-meeting held at Boston in June, when a Tory moved to censure, and then annihilate, the “Committee of Correspondence.” The Tory speaker said of the Committee:--It is the foulest, subtlest, and most venomous serpent that ever issued from the eggs of sedition. It is the source of the rebellion. I saw the small seed when it was implanted; it was as a grain of mustard. I have watched the plant until it has become a great tree; the vilest reptiles that crawl upon the earth are concealed at the root; the foulest birds of the air rest upon its branches. I now would induce you to go to work immediately, with axes and hatchets, and cut it down, for a two-fold reason: because it is a pest to society, and lest it be felled suddenly by a stronger arm, and crush its thousands in the fall.This called forth Samuel Adams, the author and right arm of the Committee; and, with his upright intent, his manly voice, his profound good sense, his irresistible logic, and his
