| Citation |
BEP(F.766.024
26 May 1766:11,12 (1602)
Friday se'nnight to the inexpressible joy of all were
received by Capt Coffin, the important new of the repeal of
the Stamp Act,. . . upon which the bells in the town were
set a ringing, the ships in the harbour displayed their
colours, guns were discharged in different parts of the
town, and in the evening were several bonfires. . . the
selectmen. . . appointed Monday last for a day of general
rejoicings on that happy occasion. The morning was ushered
in with musick, ringing of bells, and the discharge of
cannon. . . [11 lines up from bottom of para.:] --On the
Common the Sons of Liberty erected a magnificent pyramid,
illuminated with 280 lamps: The four upper stories of which
were ornamented with the figures of their Majesties, and
fourteen of the worthy patriots who have distinguished
themselves by their love of liberty. The following lines
were on the four sides of the next apartment, which referred
to the emblematical figures on the lower story, the whole
supported by a large base of the doric order,
O thou whom next to heav'n we most revere,
Fair liberty! thou lovely Goddess hear!
Have we not woo'd thee, won thee, held thee long,
Lain in the lap and melted on thy tongue:
. . . [37 more lines]
On top of the pyramid was fix'd a round box of fireworks
horizontally. About one hundred yards from the pyramid the
Sons of Liberty erected a stage for the exhibition of their
fireworks, hear the workhouse, in the lower room of which
they entertained the gentlemen of the town. John Hancock,
esq; who gave a grand and elegant entertainment to the
genteel part of the town, and treated the populace with a
pipe of madeira wine, erected at the front of his house,
which was magnificently illuminated, a stage for the
exhibition of his fireworks, which was in answer those of
the Sons of Liberty:. . .
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