There was a spy among the inner circle of Boston’s Patriot leaders (Dr. Benjemin Church) and Massachusetts military governor General Thomas Gage was fully aware that Warren had a position of leadership in the destruction of the tea; was an outspoken member of the “illegal” MA Provincial Congress; authored the Suffolk Resolves which called for preparation for conflict; and was the one who united – though was not present – the First Continental Congress. Because of this unification, the sister colonies declared their military support of Massachusetts, but ONLY IF the British drew first blood.
Warren went about his business in Boston as usual seeing his patients; training apprentices; attending resistance gatherings; attending Lodge meetings; and visiting his four, young children who had been in the care of his mother and younger brothers in a neighboring town since his wife had died. He met frequently with General Gage to discuss ways to keep peace between the British troops and townspeople in an attempt to keep the townspeople from starting physical conflict.
In early March 1775, Warren fearlessly volunteered – with 4,000 British troops in Boston – to give the yearly oration at the Old South Meetinghouse to commemorate the 1770 “Boston Massacre.” (This was the second oration Warren delivered – in 1772, John Adams refused. Warren dauntlessly accepted the honor, responsibility, and potential danger.) For the 1775 oration, British officers filled the front pews and stairs leading up to the pulpit. Old South was filled beyond its capacity of 6,000. People stood in the aisles and gathered outside. Unable to get through the throng, Warren had to climb through the large window behind the pulpit to gain entry (picture attached).
Warren appeared, draped in a Roman style toga – not because he was “flamboyant” or trying to bring attention to himself as was portrayed in the book Bunker Hill (Philbrick), but because the image of the toga was worth a thousand words! Boston’s Patriot leaders had made known through their writings and orations that they desired to establish an enduring republic and looked to the former Republic of Rome (and Greece) for inspiration and knowledge.
Warren’s words were bold but not reckless. He had the ability through his words to incite his audience but used wise restraint. They were impassioned by his words but not frenzied. As he spoke a British soldier sitting on the pulpit stairs stood and extended his fisted hand, palm upwards, near to Warren’s face. Without pausing in his words, Warren glanced at the now open hand which held musket balls. Warren ignored this silent threat. Nor did the sound of British troops marching toward Old South – and stopping just outside – distract him. With no indication of concern, he determinedly finished his oration.
In the weeks to follow preparations were being made for the Second Continental Congress to convene. Because John Hancock would join the delegates from Massachusetts, he had to be replaced as president of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress. Warren was elected to replace Hancock.
Intelligence reached the Patriot leaders of Boston – King George III had ordered three general officers with 2,000 troops to reinforce General Gage and the 4,000 troops already in Boston. It seemed likely to those in Boston that action was to be implemented to subdue the rebellion. Families fled to the safety of the countryside before the reinforcements arrived. Patriot leaders escaped before it was too late. Samuel Adams and John Hancock secretly moved in with Hancock’s relatives in Lexington.
Joseph Warren remained in Boston.
(Next: Why did Warren remain; what did he accomplish; and why wasn’t he arrested?)
(Picture: Old South Meeting House, Boston, MA)
(In early April 1775, Dr. Warren placed an unwed pregnant patient named Sally Edwards, most likely the victim of rape by a British soldier, into the care of a colleague Dr. Nathaniel Ames who lived twenty miles from Boston and specialized in obstetrics. Ames and his wife seemingly provided a safe and private haven for unwed mothers, as his medical ledger indicates that other physicians sent such patients to him as well.)
