Colonel Thomas Gilbert to his Sons

v2:508

Boston, May 4, 1775.

On the 27th of April, I left the Ship, took passage on board a packet sloop on the first instant, in health arrived here, where I expect to stay till the Rebels are subdued, which I believe will not be long first, as the Ships and Troops are daily expected. My greatest fears are, you will be seduced or compelled to take arms with those deluded people. Dear sons, if those wicked sinners, the Rebels, entice you believe them not, but die by the sword rather than be hanged as Rebels, which will certainly be your fate sooner or later if you join them, or be killed in battle, and will be no more than you deserve. I wish you in Boston, and all the friends to Government. The Rebels have proclaimed that those friends may have liberty, and come in; but as all their declarations have hitherto proved, I fear, false, this may be so. Let Ruggles know his father wants him here. You may come by water from Newport. If here the King will give you provisions and pay you wages; but by experience you know neither your persons nor estates are safe in the country, for as soon as you have raised any thing, they will rob you of it, as they are more savage and cruel than heathens, or any other creatures, and, it is generally thought, than devils. You will put yourselves out of their power as soon as possible. This is from your affectionate father,

THOS˙ GILBERT.