The New Era

YANKEE SHREWDNESS
At the Expense of England.—In looking over some old chronicles we find the following incidents, which took place in the Old Revolutionary War, while Boston was in the possession of the British:

1776, January 15th, Monday.—On the morning of this day, a British ship appeared off Newbury bar. As she lay off and on, several miles from the land, showing English colors, and tacking often, the wind being easterly, with appearance of a storm, it was conjectured by some persons who observed her from the town, that the captain had mistaken Ipswich bay for that of Boston, which was then in possession of the British. On this supposition, several individuals determined to proceed to sea, and make a closer examination.—Accordingly seventeen persons embarked in three whale boats, and, as they approached the ship, being satisfied, by their movement on board, that they were right in their conjecture, they determined to offer their services as pilots. For this purpose, they rowed within speaking distance; when Capt. Offin Boardman, who they had previously chosen as commodore of their little fleet, hailed the ship, inquiring whence she came and where bound.

The answer was from London, bound for Boston with the inquiry, where are you from, and what land is this? The reply was from Boston, do you want a pilot? Being answered in the affirmative, he told them to heave the ship to and he would come on board. This being immediately done, his boat was rowed to the ship's gangway, and he, passing up, unarmed, proceeded to the quarter deck, shook hands with the captain, inquiring his passage, the news from London, &c., by which time those in the boats had reached the deck, with their arms, and were paraded across the gangway, most of the crew being forward. Capt. Boardman then left the quarter deck, and, to the great surprise of the captain and his crew, ordered the ship's colors struck. This order the English captain told his mate he supposed he must obey. He then observed to his captors, that the ship and cargo were their own, but at the same time hoped that neither he nor his crew would receive any injury. Thus by a correct conjecture in regard to the ship's situation, and a well-managed finesse in making their approach, they found themselves in quiet possession of a ship, mounting four carriage guns, a crew of nearly their own number, and containing 52 chaldrons of coal, 86 butts and 30 hogsheads of porter, 20 hogsheads of vinegar, 16 hogsheads of sour crout, and 23 live hogs, intended for the use of the troops quartered in Boston. Having placed the officers and crew under safe keeping, and having a fair wind and tide, they arrived at the wharf, in Newburyport, in less than six hours from the commencement of their expedition. The ship was called the Friends, was owned in London, and commanded by Capt. Archibald Bowie.—Boston Times.