AN AMERICAN MERCHANT AND PRIVATEER OWNER WRITES OF THE RETREAT FROM LEXINGTON AND CONCORD
JOSEPH BARREL (1739 - 1804) American merchant and patriot from Boston, and an owner of vessels commissioned as privateers, such as the "Vengeance". Barrel was also a member of the Sons of Liberty, aided in distribution of arms to militiamen and served with John Hancock on a committee to protect Boston from free-roaming British prisoners. Superb content A.L.S. "Jo B", 6pp. 9 1/2" x 15", Salem, May 24, 1775 describing the retreat of the British from the opening engagements of the Revolution, at Lexington and Concord, the previous month. Barrel opens his letter to his overseas friend mentioning that he had been on the verge of sailing when a fire had broken out "...destroying 30 stores amoungst which I suffered a loss of 1,000 Pounds Sterling...". He then describes recent events, apparently adding to an earlier account he had sent the same correspondent. In part: "...The account I sent you by Mr. Mead of the running fight of the Redcoats I think is at least as true as any I've since heard...the number lost on their side is nearly 300 Kil'd & Wounded & on our own 40 Kil'd & 20 wounded; since then our People have been forming Regiments & have now 12000 Inlisted men at Cambridge & Roxbury wh'ch are adding to daily...30,000...is the number we propose from the New England Governments...when the Alarm is given almost every man turns out...they are as Resolute & Determined as any men on Earth. We are daily expecting the troops will attempt to go into the country again, and we do most ardently wish it...Tis said by the president they will attempt the town which if they should carry...[would] be attended with very great loss on our side...let Lord North, Bute, Mansfield or the Devil ruin the British Nation by hiring foreign troops {Hessians]...the people of this country will not give up, we are ready to die free, but determined not to live Slaves. We ardently wish the people of England...would arouse before tis too late; if they approve of the oppression of their rulers and are determined in the name of Satan the friend of Tyranny, to risk their ruin to enslave us...tis the Continent of America joined in the opposition...There is not a moment to lose between the Colonies and Great Britain. Every day makes the matter worse...I wish for a reconciliation...but I prefer death to beggary...The Yankees will fight, they are averse to begin, but when they Draw the Sword they throw away the Scabbard...after the famous Retreat of the Invincible Red Coats the Gov. stopped all the Passages to the town...extremely disagreeable to the inhabitants...they nevertheless indured with fortitude...". Barrel continues with insults aimed at Loyalist sympathizers, calling them "block heads...Ignoble Multitude of Despicables..." rails against searches of vessels and complains of the theft of personal property. He closes advising his friend, apparently a banker, that he would no longer instruct that funds be remitted to England. Last page weak at folds with some splits archivally repaired, else very good. One of the most ardent and angry patriot letters we've seen.