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[115] Cambridge, armed only with sticks, and led by cap-
Chap. X.} 1774. Sept.
tains of the towns, representatives, and committee men. Warren, hearing that the roads from Sudbury to Cambridge were lined by men in arms, took with him as many of the Boston committee as came in his way, crossed to Charlestown, and with the committee of that town hastened to meet the committee of Cambridge. On their arrival, they found Danforth, a county judge and mandamus councillor, addressing four thousand people who stood in the open air round the court house steps; and such order prevailed, that the low voice of the feeble old man was heard by the whole multitude. He finished by giving a written promise, never ‘to be any way concerned as a member of the council.’ Lee, in like manner, confirmed his former resignation. The turn of Phipps, the high sheriff, came next, and he signed an agreement not to execute any precept under the new act of parliament.

Oliver, the lieutenant governor, who resided at Cambridge, repaired to Boston in the ‘greatest distress.’ ‘It is not a mad mob,’ said he to the British admiral; and he warned Gage that ‘sending out troops would be attended with the most fatal consequences.’ Had they marched only five miles into the country, Warren was of opinion that not a man of them would have been saved. Gage decided to remain inactive; writing, as his justification to the ministry, ‘the people are numerous, waked up to a fury, and not a Boston rabble, but the freeholders and farmers of the county. A check would be fatal, and the first stroke will decide a great deal. We should, therefore, be strong, and proceed on a good ’

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