Letter from New-York to a Gentleman in Philadelphia, Dated April 24, 1775

v2:364

This City was alarmed yesterday by a report from the Eastward, that the King' s Troops had attacked the Massachusetts-Bay people; the report was confirmed in a few hours after by the arrival of St˙ Croix, from Rhode-Island, and an express from near Boston. The Committee was soon called, and an express sent off to your City; as you will have particulars by him before this reaches you, I need say no more.

There were two Sloops here loaded with Flour for the Soldiers at Boston, by Mr˙ Watts. The people went, Sunday as it was, and unloaded them in a hurry. Towards evening they went and secured about half the City Arms; a guard of about one hundred men, I am told, was then placed at the City-Hall, to secure the rest of the Arms, and another hundred at the Powder-House; this was not done by the Magistrates, but by the people.