The Virginia Gazette

We have the following authentick Intelligence from Boston, dated the 27th of September.

A few Days ago General Gage paid for, and deposited in his Majesty's Magazine, a Quantity of military Stores, which had been provided, many Years since, at the Desire of Colonel Bradstreet, and had lain from that Time on the Hands of Mr. Scott. The Selectmen, and the Committee of Correspondence, sent for Mr. Scott, and told him he deserved immediate Death, for selling warlike Stores to the Enemy; and a Number of People instantly assembled to put this Sentence in Execution, but Mr. Scott was so fortunate as to make his Escape. His House, however, suffered very much before the People separated, at the Desire of the Selectmen.

Doctor Warren, the President of the Committee of Correspondence, came about 9 at Night to the General, acquainting him that he was to write to the Congress immediately, and he desired, for their Information, that the General would answer the following Questions, viz. What is the Meaning of the Fortifications? What is the Meaning that the General buys military Stores? Are the People at Boston to be made Hostages, in Order to compel the People of the Country to comply with the new Laws?

Dr. Warren received for Answer, that as the Country People were all armed, and collecting Cannon and military Stores from all Quarters, which, as they were not Soldiers by Profession, or under the least Apprehension of any Invasion, could indicate nothing but their Intention of attacking his Majesty's Forces in that Town, it became therefore the General, and it would be inexcusable in him to neglect, to provide for their Defence, and to enable them effectually to resist the Attempts which it is no longer doubtful that the People meditate against them. That the very Construction of the Fortifications shews them to be defensive; and every Body might easily discern that they are not calculated, in any Respect, to annoy the Town or disturb the Inhabitants, or even to lay them under the least Restraint. That it is notorious that many Cannon have been conveyed, notwithstanding the Works, from thence; and Arms are carried out openly, by every Man that goes out of Boston, without Molestation. That though the General, to ease the Town of the Burthen of furnishing Quarters for the Troops, and to keep the Troops from every Possibility of giving Offence to the Inhabitants, hath ordered Barracks to be erected for them, which he conceives to be of equal Utility to the Town as to the Troops; nevertheless, the Selectmen and the Committee have ordered all the Workmen to quit this Employ, though they were paid by the King. That Orders are given to prevent all Supplies for English Troops, Straw purchased for their Use is daily burnt, Vessels with Bricks sunk, Carts with Wood overturned, and thus even the Property of the King is destroyed in every Manner in which it can be effected. Yet such is the General's Desire to preserve, to the last, as far as is in his Power, the Peace and Quiet of the People, that all these Disorders, though not the Effect of rash Tumult, but of evident System, are endured with Patience. There can therefore be no Reality in the Apprehensions which it would appear the People conceive of dangerous Designs entertained by the Troops against them, when these very People are not afraid to provoke the Troops by every wanton Insult they can devise.