250 years ago today was the last day the British Government “owned” the Thirteen Colonies.

After the Boston Tea Party, the British government (understandably) retaliated. General Thomas Gage was sent to Boston with four regiments of troops. Martial law was enacted and the troops were immune from local prosecution for any crimes committed. The port was closed with the intent of hamstringing the economy and starving the Bostonians into repentance. The plan backfired. Boston was inundated with supplies from the other colonies and the local Sons of Liberty ramped up their rhetoric and rebellion. With the local government dissolved, an “illegal” one was formed outside of Boston. 

In March of 1775, General Gage sent spies out into the countryside. They returned to Boston with a report of weapons and ammunition being stockpiled by the militia in Concord. Gage began constructing a plan to seize the supplies.

Fortunately, the Sons of Liberty learned of the plans almost before General Gage’s officers did. Revere and other couriers spread the word, also warning John Hancock and Samuel Adams, important members of the “illegal” government, that the British might attempt to arrest them for treason and haul them to England. By April 18th, most of the supplies were taken out of Concord and hidden elsewhere. Hancock and Adams, however, stayed in Lexington.

Pictures from my Boston Trip:

The Hancock-Clark House, owned by John Hancock’s relatives, where John Hancock (the Declaration of Independence signature guy) and Samuel Adams (cousin of president John Adams) stayed.

General Gage’s orders to Lieutenant Smith sending him to seize the supplies at Concord