Benjamin Cutter, William R. Cutter, History of the town of Arlington, Massachusetts, ormerly the second precinct in Cambridge, or District of Menotomy, afterward the town of West Cambridge. 1635-1879 with a genealogical register of the inhabitants of the precinct.

[99] worthy Governor Hancock, and others, who were active leaders in measures for our safety. These were obliged to withdraw, to save themselves from the hand of violence. * * * *

We had then no powerful Ally to help us; nor did we seek or desire one, while there was any hope of an accommodation with the cruel parent state. * * * * They were led to consider and treat Americans with the utmost contempt, and that the terror of a few British ships and armed regular forces, would easily force us to submit to slavery and even death. They were made to believe that the body of the people were on their side; and they had nothing to do, but to march forth, glittering in military pomp, seize a few of our leaders, destroy our small military stores, and then triumph and revel in the spoils of the country.

Accordingly in pursuance of this plan, on that black and fatal day, April 19, 1775, they sallied forth in the dark, like thieves and murderers. A day, indeed, of horror and thick darkness to us!

The remembrance of the innocent blood of our worthy friends and neighbors, shed on that woful day, still draws forth our tears.

But the earth did not long cover their blood. From this boasted excursion, our cruel enemies soon returned with loss and shame. And though this alarm was unforeseen and sudden, yet through favor of Divine Providence, our Militia here and through the State were formed into Minute companies, and upon the shortest notice appeared to withstand the foe.

Our Committees of Correspondence * * * * greatly contributed to our strength and union among ourselves, and to lay a foundation for it with the Neighbor States. This was greatly strengthened by this act of barbarity to this State, which the others considered as what they might soon expect if we were vanquished * * * * Our implacable foes now sensible that they were unable to gain a speedy conquest by force of arms, like their brethren, the savages of the wilderness, had recourse to destructive cruelties, to terrify us to submission. Witness our neighbor, Charlestown, still in ruins [burnt during Bunker Hill Battle, 1775], by which so many respectable persons and families were wantonly and barbarously driven from their pleasant homes. The greater part, no more to return. Contrary to the enemy's expectation, this cruel deed, instead of sinking, roused the spirits of the States to action. And by the favor of God, Washington now generously steps forth, to take the command of our forces-one raised up by Heaven for this arduous trust. One whose piety, humanity, calmness and undaunted courage, render him glorious in action, respected and beloved in the camp. This distinguished hero, the admiration of the present, and will be the wonder of all future ages, soon flew with a chosen band to our assistance, and confined the enemy to their strongholds, and by well concerted measures drove them from our Capital, with many of our countrymen who were active in their iniquitous cause. * * * * Having by the help of God, left this State in a good degree of quiet, the undaunted hero marched intrepid, to the aid of the Southern States.