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fjuireJ than the declaration of the clergyman* referred to in Draper's 

 j-iccount. These ai's his words — " Concerned for the welfare of my 

 townsmen, I addressed Col. Leslie, and desired the soldiers under his 

 command might be restrained from pushing their bayonets, lie told 

 me they were much insulted ; and intimated to me his determination 

 to pass over the bridge ; but concluded with saying, — if the inhabitants 

 Avould lower the brige he would give his word (and I am pretty certain) 

 his honor, that he would not march above fifty rods." For the sake of 

 those who are strangers to the clergyman we add, that he is a gentle- 

 man of unimpeached veracity, virtue and honor, and universally re- 

 spected by the inhabitants for his manly, prudent and judicious conduct 

 on the occasion. 



The declaration that " no half brother of a mandamus counsellor, or 

 any other person, in Salem, whispered or spoke to Col. Leslie while he 

 was in the town of Salem!' is very extraordinary. Even Draper admits 

 that the clergyman conversed with him. But we know that at least 

 Iwo other persons spoke to him ; tho' in a strain somewhat different 

 from that attributed to the half-brother. 'Tis a fact that the half bro- 

 ther was in the front of the regiment, whispering or talking with au 

 officer, who the inhabitants naturally concluded was the commanding 

 officer of the regiment ; for at that time Col. Leslie was known to very 

 few. This half brother afterwards walking with one of the inhabitants 

 (while the soldiers were on the bridge) they had some conversation to 

 this effect, — " 'Tis all over with them" — said the half-brother : What 

 is over, said his companion ? He replied "The bridge is drawn up :" 

 What then rejoined the other 1 The half brother then whispered 

 " They were going after the cannon." It must be granted that these 

 circumstances (especially when connected with others known to the 

 inhabitants) might very justly raise their suspicions that he was the 

 informer. If he is not in any measure guilty we wish his innocence 

 may appear. 



In Draper's account 'tis said the troops under Col. Leslie "landed at 

 Marblehead at 4 o'clock in the afternoon." This is a palpable false- 

 hood : They arrived in Salem soon after four ; and as the distance be- 

 tween Salem and Marblehead is about four miles and an half, they must 

 have been at least an hour in marching. 



It is said also that the commanding officer received intelligence "that 

 some trucks were seen going out of Salem that morning." This we 

 doubt : However the inhabitants saw none till he and his troops were 

 just entering the heart of the town. 



'Tis said also that the people, discovering Col. Leslie's intention to 

 ferry a few men over in a gondola as soon as it could be got afloat, 

 jumped into her, and with axes cut through her bottom. That " Col. 

 Leslie seeing this, ordered a party to drive them out of her, some of the 

 people however having obstinately refused to quit her, the soldiers 

 were obliged to use force." Strange language this^a gentleman ob- 

 stinately refused to quit his own gondola ! And notwithstanding the 

 hurry and bustle, the other gondola was not scuttled 'till leave was ex- 

 pressly given by the owner : Yet for doing it the blood of the inhabit- 

 ants must be drawn. We did not know 'till now who gave this violent 

 order ; and are sorry to find it was Col. Leslie. The people suspected 



f Kev. Mr. Barnard. 



