| Citation |
NYJ-N.768.137
1 Sep 1768:22 (1339 Supplement 2)
Boston, August 22. On Monday the 15th instant, the
anniversary of the ever-memorable fourteenth of August,
(when the first opposition was made to the Stamp-Act) 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
crowded with a concourse of people of all ranks, public
notice having been given of the intended celebration. The
musick began at high noon, performed on various instruments,
joined with voices; and concluding with the universally
admired Anmerican Song of Liberty, the grandeur of its
sentiment, and the easy flow of its numbers, together with
an exquisite harmony of sound, afforded sublime
entertainment to a numerous audience, fraught with a noble
ardour in the cause of freedom:
The song was closed 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. Then followed several patriotic
toasts. Then followed several patriotic toasts. 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 music played during the repast; after
which 45 toasts were given out, and the repeated discharge
of cannon spoke the general assent. Upon this happy
occasion, the whole company, with the approbation of their
brethren in Roxbury, consecrated a tree in the vicinity;
under the shade of which, on some future anniversary, they
may commemorate the day, which shall liberate America from
her present oppression! Then making an agreeable excursion
round Jamaica Pond, in which excursion they receiv'd the
kind salutation of a friend to the cause, by the discharge
of cannon, at six o'clock they returned to town; and passing
in slow and orderly procession thro' the principal streets,
and round the State-House, they retired to their respective
dwellings.-- It is allowed that this cavalcade surpass'd all
that have ever been seen in America.---The joy of the day
was manly, and an uninterrupted regularity presided thro'
the whole.
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