109 



after llie guns, tucMe up your team "with all speed, and help 

 carry them be^'-ond their reach." 



The vanguard of the troops had now arrived at the bridge, 

 at the southern entrance of the town, where their further pro- 

 gress was somewhat impeded, a portion of the plank of the 

 bridge having been removed. This however they soon repaired, 

 and having marched over, took the direction of Long Wharf, 

 marching through what is now Front, Fish and Water streets, 

 with a view the better to conceal their real design, while the 

 main body which arrived soon afterwards, marched directly to 

 the Court House, with loaded muskets, fixed bayonets, colors 

 flying, and drums beating, with all the insolent bearing of a 

 victorious army entering a conquered city. Here they halted 

 for a short time. Mason who had been superintending the 

 arrangements for the removal of the cannon, now rode into 

 town to watch the movements of the troops. Here he found 

 Colonel Leslie in conversation with a "young tory lawyer." 

 These two Avere soon joined by Colonel Sargent,* the half 

 brother of Colonel William Browne,f a mandamus counsellor, 



* John Sargent was a merchant of Salem. His name is at the head 

 of those who addressed Governor Gage on his arrival in Salem, in June, 

 1774 ; in v\"hich address they acknowledge they ' ' are deeply sensible of 

 His Majesty's paternal care and affection to this Province in the appoint- 

 ment of a person of His Excellency's experience, wisdom, and moderation 

 in these troublesome and difficult times." This was pronounced a most 

 contemptible " tory production," which disgraced the public prints. 

 Sargent was a notorious tory, and was proscribed in the banishment act 

 of 177S. Went to England. 



f Colonel Browne was one of the most prominent inhabitants of Salem, 

 and previous to the troubles which led to the Eevolution, enjoyed 

 great popularity ; but by espousing the cause of the mother country he 

 forfeited all claim to the favorable consideration of the people. He was 

 one of the "infamous seventeen" rescinders in 1768,— signed the 

 address to Governor Hutchinson in 1774, — accepted office under Gov- 

 ernor Gage. Upon the breaking out of the Revolution, he became a 

 refugee, and was included in the act of banishment of 1778, and the 

 conspiracy act of 1779. His landed estates which were numerous and 

 valuable, were all confiscated to the use of the government ; and in 1779 

 his homestead, in Salem, was sold to the late Elias Hasket Derby, 

 senior, where, iu 1799 he erected his princely mansion at an expense of 

 eighty thousand dollars, which was taken down in 1815, and near its 

 site now stands our City Market House. Colonel Browne, after leaving 

 the country, was appointed Governor of Bermuda, and died in England 

 in 1802, aged sixty-five. He was a graduate of Harvard Collep-o, of the 

 elass 01 1/00. 



