me of them lately Counsellors, and others
Assistants under the old Charter, signed a summons to Andros. "We judge
it necessary," they wrote, "you forthwith surrender and deliver up the
government and fortification, to be preserved and disposed according to
order and direction from the Crown of England, which suddenly is
expected may arrive, promising all security from violence to yourself or
any of your gentlemen or soldiers in person or estate. Otherwise we are
assured they will endeavor the taking of the fortification by storm, if
any opposition be made."

"The frigate, upon the news, put out all her flags and pendants, and
opened all her ports, and with all speed made ready for fight, under the
command of the lieutenant, he swearing that he would die before she
should be taken." He sent a boat to bring off Andros and his attendants;
but it had scarcely touched the beach when the crew were encountered and
overpowered by the party from the Town-House, which, under the command
of Mr. John Nelson, was bearing the summons to the Governor. The boat
was kept, with the sailors manning it, who were disarmed. Andros and his
friends withdrew again within the Port, from which they had come down to
go on board the frigate. Nelson disposed his party on two sides of the
Fort, and getting possession of some cannon in an outwork, pointed them
against the walls. The soldiers within were daunted. The Governor asked
a suspension of the attack till he should send West and another person
to confer with the Provisional Council at the Town-House. The reply,
whatever it was, decided him how to proceed, and he and his party "came
forth from the Fort, and went disarmed to the Town-House, and from
thence, some to the close gaol, and the Governor, under a guard, to Mr.
Usher's house."

So ended the first day of the insurrection. The Castle and the frigate
were still defiant in the harbor. The nineteenth of April is a
red-letter day in Massachusetts. On the nineteenth of April, 1861,
Massachusetts fought her way through Baltimore to the rescue of the
imperilled capital of the United States. On the nineteenth of April,
1775, she began at Lexington the war of American Independence. On the
nineteenth of April, 1689, King James's Governor was brought to yield
the Castle of Boston by a threat, that, "if he would not give it
presently, under his hand and seal, he would be exposed to the rage of
the people." A party of Colonial militia then "went down,