The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

To the PUBLIC.

Boston Sept. 2, 1774.

I THINK it but Justice to myself, to give an Account of my Conduct, for which I am blamed: and to obviate some Mistakes which are believed. His Excellency Governor Gage wrote me in the Words following: Sir, as I am informed there are several Military Stores in your Charge at Cambridge; I beg the Favour of you to send me a Return of them, as soon as convenient, specifying the different Sorts of each. T. Gage. To Maj. General Brattle.---Which Order I obeyed; the like I did to Governors Pownal, Bernard, and Hutchinson: in doing of which every Soldier will say I did but my Duty, But it is affirmed I advised the Governor to remove the Powder; this I positively deny, because it is absolutely false.---It never so much entered into my Mind or Thought. After I had made my Return, I never heard one Word about the Affair, till the Night before last, when Sheriff Phipps came to my House, with the Governor's Order to deliver him the Powder and Guns; the Keys of the Powder-House I then delivered him, and wrote to Mr. Mason, who had the Care of the Guns under me, to deliver them, which I suppose he did; both I imagine were taken, but where transported I know not. I wrote to the Governor what is contained in the Hand-Bill lately printed; I did not write the Gov. the Grounds and Reasons of the Query therein contained; but I will now mention them: They proceeded from a real Regard both to the Commission-Officers & to the Province. First to the Commission Officers; I thought, and still think it was best for them; many of whom I thought would be unwilling to issue their Warrants, and if they did not, I apprehended they might meet with some Difficulty: and those that did, I was not convinced so great Good would result therefrom as if another Method was taken: Secondly, I thought, and still think, it would be much better for the Province; for supposing there was not one Commission Officer for the present in it, what Damage could the Province sustain? It may be answered Commission Officers are supposed to be the most understanding in military Affairs; I grant it: But supposing their Commissions were vacated, supposing the respective Companies in the Province were disposed and determined to do any one Matter or Thing, which they imagined to be for it's Safety; and proper Persons were to be employed to lead them, &c. doth their not having Commissions in the least unfit them from being employed in the particular Services they may be chosen to execute; and in this Way cannot any one conceive that some bad Consequences might be possibly prevented. Is it not easy to conceive that the Commission Officers, leading their respective Companies might in the Eyes of the Judicious be looked upon more blameable in doing such and such Things, than they would be if they were not Military Officers, and did not act under Commission? Might not the Difference with respect to the Province be looked upon very great both at Home and here. It was Suggested that General Gage demanded the Town Stocks of Powder; this certainly he did not, the above Order speaks for itself. As I would not have delivered the Provincial Powder to any one but to his Excellency or Order, so the Towns Stocks I would have delivered to none but the Select-Men or their Order.

Upon the whole, the Threatnings I have met with, my Banishment from my own Home, the Place of my Nativity, my House being searched, though I am informed it was without Damage, and the Sense of the People touching my conduct, &c. cannot but be grievous, yet this Grief is much lessened by the Pleasure arising in my Mind, from a Consciousness that I am a Friend to my Country; and, in the above Instances, that I really acted according to my best Judgment for it's true Interest. I am extremely sorry for what has taken Place; I hope I may be forgiven, and desire it of all that are offended, since I acted from an honest, friendly Principle, though it might be a mistaken one.

W. BRATTLE.