ld
block-houses. It was reported that he was to cut a ditch across the
Neck, and confine traffic to a narrow bridge; but at the objection of
the selectmen such an idea, if he had considered it, was given up.
Protest against the new earthworks was also lodged. The selectmen of the
town, and a committee from the convention for Suffolk County which then
happened to sit, came to Gage with remonstrances. Warren, from the
convention, twice urged his demands. "Good God, gentlemen," responded
the harried governor, "make yourselves easy, and I will be so."[48]

There was no more ease of mind for Governor Gage. Within the limits of
Boston and Charlestown were several cannon belonging to the militia
organizations of the town. When the general tried to secure the
Charlestown guns from secretion by the provincials, they disappeared.
"Ever since," wrote Andrews a fortnight later, "the General has ordered
a double guard to y^e new and old gun houses, where y^e brass field
pieces belonging to our militia are lodged: notwithstanding which ...
We'n'sday evening, or rather night, our people took these from the Old
house (by opening the side of the house) and carried away through Frank
Johonnot's Garden. Upon which he gave it in orders the next day to the
officer on guard to remove those from the New house (which stands
directly opposite the encampment of the 4th Regiment and in the middle
of the street near the large Elm tree), sometime the next night into the
camp; and to place a guard at each end, or rather at both doors, till
then. At the fixed hour the Officer went with a number of Mattrosses to
execute his orders, but behold, the guns were gone!" Lest the guns in
the North Battery should similarly be spirited away, the bewildered
general ordered them to be spiked.

His state of mind was not improved when he received, as he did early in
September, the resolutions passed by the Suffolk convention. The Suffolk
Resolves, as they are called, covered the whole of the existing
situation. Repudiating the king's claim to unconditional obedience,
they declared the Regulating Act unconstitutional, and called on all
officers under it to resign their places. They advised that all taxes
should be withheld from the king's treasury, and suggested a provincial
congress to deal with the affairs of Massachusetts. The resolves further
declared that the Americans had no intention of aggression, advised
peaceful measures, but threatened to seize all crow