| Citation |
NHG-P.768.033
26 Aug 1768:22 (620)
Boston, August 22. On Monday the 15th instant, the
anniversary of the ever-memorable Fourteenth of August, was
celebrated by the Sons of Liberty in this town, with
extraordinary festivity. At the dawn, the British flag was
displayed on the Tree of Liberty, and a discharge of
fourteen cannon, ranged under the venerable elm, saluted the
joyous day. At eleven o'clock, a very large company of the
principal gentlemen and respectable inhabitants of the town,
met at the hall under the tree, while the streets were
crouded with a concourse of people of all ranks, public
notice having been given of the intended celebration. The
music began at high noon, performed on various instruments,
joined with voices; and concluded with the universally
admired American Song of Liberty, the grandeur of its
sentiment, and the easy flow of its numbers, together with
an exquisite harmony of sound, afforded a sublime
entertainment to a numerous audience, fraught with a noble
ardour in the cause of freedom: The song was clos'd with
the discharge of cannon and a shout of joy; at the same time
the windows of the neighbouring houses, were adorned with a
brilliant appearance of the Fair Daughters of Liberty, who
testified their approbation by smiles of satisfaction.
--The following toasts succeeded, viz.
. . . [7 lines, 17 lines, in which 14 toasts are listed]
Which being finished, the French horns sounded and after
another discharge of the cannon, completing the number
ninety two, the gentlemen in their carriages, repair'd to
the Greyhound Tavern in Roxbury, where a frugal and elegant
entertainment was provided. The musick played during the
repast: After which the following toasts were given out and
the repeated discharge of cannon spoke the general assent.
. . . [79 lines, in which 45 toasts are listed; 8 more lines
describing the conclusion of the day]
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