163 



mob. They seemed to me to be disposed to confound the distinction, 

 between a lawless attack upon property in a case where if there had 

 been right there was remedy, and the people's rising in the necessary 

 defence of their liberties, and deliberately, and I may add rationally, 

 destroying property, after trying every method to preserve it, and 

 when the men in power had rendered the destruction of that property 

 the only means of securing the property of all. 



It is prol)able that such improvement may have been made of the 

 disorders in Marblehead, to prejudice or discredit our manly opposi- 

 tion to the efforts of tyranny; but I hope the friends of liberty will 

 prevent any injury thereby to the common cause : and yet, I cannot but 

 express some fears, that parties and animosities have arisen among 

 the brethren ; because I have just now heard from a gentleman of 

 your town, that your committee of correspondence have resolved no 

 more to act ! I am loth to believe, nay, I cannot yet believe, that 

 tlie gentlemen of Marblehead, who have borne so early and so noble 

 a testimony to the cause of American freedom, will desert that cause, 

 only from a difference of sentiments among themselves concerning a 

 matter which has no relation to it. If my fears are groundless, pray 

 be so kind as to relieve them, by writing to me as soon as you have an 

 opportunity. I shall take it as the greatest act of friendship you can 

 do me. Indeed, the matter will soon be put to the trial ; for our com- 

 mittee, wltliout the least jealousy, have written a letter to yours, by 

 Mr. Goddard, who is the bearer of this. The contents we think of 

 great importance, and therefore I hope they will have the serious con- 

 sideration of the gentlemen of your committee. 



I am, with strict truth, 

 Your's affectionately, 



Samukl Adams. 



Elbridge Geuiiy, Esq. 



[committee of correspondence to MR. GERRY AND OTHERS.] 



Boston, April 2, 1774. 



Gentlemen : 



Yesterday we received your letter dated the 22nd 

 of March, wherein we have the disagreeable intelligence of your 

 " having resigned the several offices in which you have acted for the 

 town of Marblehead," and that you shall "accept them no more — 

 without material alteration in the conduct of the inhabitants." 



When we heard of the unhappy circumstances of that town, the 

 contest that had arisen to so great a degree of violence on account of 

 the hospital lately erected there, it gave us great concern and anxiety, 

 lest it might issue to the prejudice of the common cause of American 



