The Secret Letters of 75

by C. Fennessy

  “And a talented artist in his own right,” added Mr. Roberts.

  Jamie looked down at his tea, hiding a bashful smile.

  “Is that so?” cried Mrs. Gates, “I shall look forward to seeing his art work. Will he be assisting you for this mural?”

  “Oh, yes. He’s quite capable of contributing a great deal to it.”

  Jamie looked up and Mrs. Gates smiled at him warmly, “Then you shall need to have your strength, Jamie. Please finish these pastries and the tea. I'll leave you two to do your work. I must see the General now.”

  After she left, the door to the General’s office across the hall was left partially open. Jamie could hear the mumbled voices of two officers in discussion.

  “Jamie,” Mr. Roberts said, “Why don’t you stand back there…near the door, and tell me where you think the horizon line should be on this mural? I’ve no doubt your young eyes are better than mine.”

  Jamie nodded and walked back.

  “A bit farther, please,” Mr. Roberts said, pointing to the open door across the hall. Jamie paused, and then nodded in understanding. He wanted Jamie to listen to the conversation from the General’s office. While Jamie stood directly across from the open door, Mr. Roberts lightly drew a penciled line on the wall. He looked back and asked, “Here?”

  Jamie squinted as he listened to the men’s voices coming from the office.

  “Perhaps a bit higher, sir,” Jamie said. Mr. Roberts nodded and erased his pencil line.

  Jamie didn’t dare look at the open door. The General’s voice grew louder as he walked around the room, moving closer to the doorway.

  “And now this!” Gates shouted, “How did they get inside the battery with four guards on duty? Tell me that! All those cannon ruined! Gunpowder completely gone! And having the bloody nerve to write Sons of Liberty on the wall during their damned attack on the fort! I’ve been given orders to round up those damn rebels and send them all to London for trial, and by God, I shall! I want those orders delivered into the hands of Major Pitcairn today! Is that understood?”

  “Yes, sir!”

  Alarmed about what he had just heard, Jamie hurried to Mr. Roberts and whispered,

  “I heard him say-“

  Mr. Roberts clapped a hand over Jamie’s mouth, and shook his head urgently.

  They heard the front door opening again and Mr. Roberts put a finger to his lips. Jamie nodded in understanding, sighing impatiently. He wanted to run out of the house and go to Paul Revere with the news. All of the Sons of Liberty were at risk, including himself, and Sarah’s father. But he trusted Mr. Roberts.

  Jamie tried to eavesdrop at the General’s office door to find out more, but the mumbling voices behind it were engaged in secret plans. For the rest of the afternoon, thoughts kept buzzing in his head like a swarm of angry bees, stinging him with questions. Did they know who was in the Sons of Liberty? Would they come to arrest him? What would happen to Sarah’s father, Jonathan? And if he and Jamie were both arrested and brought to trial, would they be hanged?

  He remembered seeing a hanging on board the H.M.S. Vengeance when he had been in the Navy. They had only been at sea a month when a man tried to jump overboard and swim to another passing ship headed for home. He was caught and charged with desertion, and immediately hanged from a yard arm. Jamie recalled with horror how the man had “danced” on the end of the rope, kicking his legs and writhing like a worm on a hook while the sailors and officers watched in chilling silence until the man was dead. It was not a merciful death. The thought of facing the noose made him shiver, and he knew he had to do everything in his power to escape it.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 3: The Green Dragon

  The Green Dragon, a tavern much like many others in the middle of Boston, was a smoke-filled place with a warm fire, crowded with wooden tables and chairs bearing the dents and scratches from lively customers. A portly bartender served local beer and ale, cider, and other favorites, like rum and molasses. He could also manage a hot meat pie or some stew if anyone wanted to eat.

  But tonight, eating and drinking was the last thing on anyone’s mind as they sat around the two tables they had pushed together near the fireplace. Candles flickered as tallow spilled down onto the tables. The smell of wood smoke and ale mingled in the air. The men lit up their clay pipes and huddled around the table.

  Sarah and Jamie sat beside Jonathan on one side of the table. Paul Revere sat on their right, and next to him, Dr. Church, Isaiah Thomas- the printer, Mr. Holbrook- their schoolmaster, and Dr. Warren. The only two ‘regulars’ missing were Sam Adams and John Hancock, who were away at the Provincial Congress in Concord.

  “We’ve received some important news,” Paul Revere began, “And I think it’s best if you hear it directly from the man who heard it himself.”

  He turned to Jamie and gave him a nod. Jamie cleared his throat. He looked around at the anxious faces, waiting for his words. Sarah gave him an encouraging smile. Before speaking, he glanced over both shoulders to make sure that no one else was listening. Lowering his voice, he said, “I overheard General Gates saying that he’s been ordered to find all the rebels in the Sons of Liberty and arrest them. They’re to be sent to London for trial.”

  “What!” they gasped in astonishment, “On what charges?” asked Dr. Church.

  “I didn’t hear him say any more than that,” Jamie replied.

  “How did you hear this?” asked Mr. Holbrook, looking concerned.

  Jamie replied, “I’m an apprentice to Mr. Roberts, an artist, and we’re painting a mural in the Governor’s house. I overheard him giving the orders to an officer."

  Revere spoke, “I think we can pretty well guess what the charges will be: high treason against the King of England. And you all know what that means.”

  “Hanging,” replied Isaiah Thomas, “We’ll all swing if they catch us!”

  “On what evidence would they convict us?” asked Dr. Warren, “Because we spoke out against the King’s taxes? If that’s all they have on us, they’ll have to arrest nearly every man and woman in the Colonies!”

  Paul Revere shook his head, “Oh, they’ll have more than that if they get their hands on certain…papers.”

  Dr. Church leaned forward, asking, “What papers?”

  Revere looked intently at each person. He lowered his voice and everyone leaned in closer as he spoke.

  “Sam Adams and John Hancock have been writing letters to other colonies about gaining independence from Britain. There’s proof enough in those papers that would prove treason in any court of law, and certainly one back in London!”

  Isaiah Thomas spoke quickly, “My God! If the British get their hands on those letters-“

  “I know. It would be a death sentence for all of us,” Revere added.

  “What should we do?” asked Dr. Warren, a man who demanded action instead of words.

  “We must warn the others to hide the letters and any other papers relating to our plans,” answered Revere.

  Dr. Church asked, “Where are those letters now?”

  “With Sam and John.”

  “In Concord?” asked Dr. Church.

  “No. In Lexington, where John’s staying with his cousin, Lydia Clark, and her family.”

  “Well, I don’t know about the rest of you,” Isaiah Thomas spoke, sitting up straight. His long face and sad brown eyes looked worried as he said, “But I’m packing up and leaving first thing tomorrow. I’m not taking any chances after my printing shop was burned to the ground last year by the British. This has been a hard year for me and the family, just trying to get back on our feet again.”

  Jonathan spoke, “We understand, Isaiah. Each one of us must do what’s right for himself and his family.”

  Dr. Warren reached into his coat and drew out two beautifully carved pistols. He laid them on the table carefully and spoke fiercely.

  “I’m ready for whatever happens. I plan on staying here until
the bitter end! Nothing will stop me from fighting for our freedom!”

  Jonathan turned to Revere. “You should consider leaving town, too. You would be one of the first to be arrested, Paul.”

  Revere gazed at him with a heavy brow.

  “I hate to leave. There’s my silversmith shop here and my family to think of…”

  Jamie spoke up, “Perhaps you should leave town for a few days, sir. Someone’s got to go to Lexington and warn the others to hide the papers.”

  Revere frowned in thought, stroking his chin.

  Jonathan said, “He’s right, Paul. It isn’t safe for you here in town. They could come at any time to arrest you. Go to Lexington and tell Sam and John to hide the papers and weapons in Concord.”

  Revere looked around the table as each one awaited his reply.

  “Right. I’ll go. I’ll put my son in charge of my shop until I return. Perhaps a week from now things will change for the better.”

  “You can take my horse,” Dr. Warren said, “He’s not big, but he’s fast, in case you need to outrun some Redcoats.”

  Revere smiled, “Thanks.”

  Dr. Church asked, “What about the weapons? Where will you hide them?”

  “We’ll find places, don’t you worry,” Revere said with a cunning smile.

  “Including the cannon?” asked Mr. Holbrook.

  “Necessity will demand it,” answered Revere.

  “Then let’s all drink to your safe journey,” smiled Dr. Warren, raising his tankard of ale. All the others raised their drinks and touched tankards before drinking.

  Jamie looked around at the small group. He wondered how a few men such as these could hope to defeat the British army, with its thousands of troops and its stockpile of weapons. But he knew their determination to be free, and that they would rather die than continue to live as they did now at the mercy of the King and his government.

  Paul Revere drank his toast, saying, “I think another toast is due to the young man who brought us this information. To our youngest Son of Liberty, Jamie Quayle!”

  “Here! Here!” everyone cheered. Jamie grinned and touched his tankard to the others and to Sarah’s. His heart glowed with pride that he was counted among these brave and devout patriots.

  Paul Revere turned to Jamie, asking, “How much longer will you be working in the Governor’s house?”

  Jamie shrugged, “A few weeks at least. We haven’t even begun the painting yet.”

  Jamie searched Paul’s face. From the look in his eyes, Paul seemed to be weighing his thoughts carefully. Finally, he said,

  “You’re a smart lad, Jamie, and a brave one, too. I don’t want you to take any great risks, but if there’s any way that you could get into that office when the Governor is out, and have a look through his things carefully, his letters… papers…anything that might tell us what the British are up to, it would be a tremendous help.”

  Jamie looked at him and nodded, “I will, sir.”

  “If you’re caught, it could be very bad for you. Who knows what they might do to get the truth from a man.”

  “I promise I’ll be very careful,” Jamie assured him, “But as soon as I get the chance, I’ll do it.”

  Paul grinned and slapped him on the back, crying, “Good lad!”

  Dr. Church raised his tankard. “Another toast: to liberty!”

  “To Liberty!” they all cried and clashed their tankards, careless of the ale that spilled over onto the table.

  Jamie smiled at Sarah, whose eyes were wide with excitement. He knew she would be in on this somehow. She was unlike any young lady he had ever met. Jamie had moved in with Sarah and her father on their farm nearly a year ago after leaving the British Naval ship, the H.M.S. Vengeance. They had nursed him back to health after he'd been nearly killed in battle, and had given him a home.

  He had come to admire Sarah's strength and independence. She was not afraid to help the rebels’ cause, risking her own life fearlessly. Because of his admiration for her and her father, Jamie realized that even though he was British, he believed in their dream to live in a free country, independent from Britain. He intended to get into the General's office to spy on his affairs just as soon as he could. But how would be do it?

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 4: The Perfect Plan

  After school the next day, Jamie returned to the Governor’s house with Mr. Roberts to sketch the mural. The General’s office was busy all day and he had no opportunity to look around inside, and he heard nothing of any interest from the office door. When Mr. Roberts showed Jamie his sketches, Jamie was amazed.

  “That’s brilliant!” Jamie declared, “You’ve got the buildings of London and the rolling countryside Mrs. Gates wanted all together!”

  Mr. Roberts smiled with satisfaction.

  “I’ve taken the liberty of drawing a garden in front of the river, with the buildings in the background, among trees. This way, both General Gates and his wife are getting what they want. It’s a compromise, but one which they both appear to be satisfied with. I’ll need you to go to the kitchen and fetch some water. Here’s a bucket.”

  Jamie nodded and took the bucket out to a separate brick building away from the main house to prevent kitchen fires from spreading. As he was looking for the water pump, he heard a voice crying,

  “Ah, Tulip! Tu est mon cheval favori!”

  Jamie knew French when he heard it, for the last Frenchman he had met had tried to kill him. He left the bucket on the ground and hid around the side of the carriage house. He peeked around the corner. A tall, young dark-skinned youth in a red vest, white shirt, and breeches was brushing a reddish brown mare with white markings.

  Suddenly the youth stopped brushing when he noticed Jamie.

  Jamie asked, “Je suis Jamie Quayle. Parlez-vous Anglais?”

  The young man replied in English, “I’m Joshua LeBlanc."

  Jamie smiled and stepped forward, asking, “Where are you from?”

  “I grew up in the French colony of Martinique, but I learned English from my father.”

  Joshua had a handsome face with an easy smile, and a pleasant West Indies accent.

  “I’m the groom here. I look after the Governor’s horses.”

  Jamie nodded, “I see. So you’re a King’s man, then.”

  Joshua frowned, “I’m no man’s man! I'm free, not a slave! I get paid for my work!”

  Jamie was surprised because he had never met a free black man before other than those who were in the Royal Navy, and he hardly considered them free.

  “Oh, I see. I meant no offense-“

  Joshua shrugged carelessly, “None taken. Why are you here?”

  “I was just getting some water for my master. I’m apprenticed to Mr. Roberts, the painter.”

  Joshua frowned, “You’re a slave?”

  “No, not a slave, an apprentice. I get paid, too! Not much now, but I someday I will.”

  Joshua nodded in approval, “Good. It’s not right to work for nothing.”

  Jamie nodded, “I agree. I think everyone should be free.”

  “Right,” agreed Joshua. He held out his hand and Jamie shook it.

  “You can call me Josh.”

  “Call me Jamie,” he replied, “Well, I’d better get back to work now. It’s been nice meeting you.”

  Joshua LaBlanc

  For the next two days, Jamie was very busy going to school in the day, working after school with Mr. Roberts, and studying at night.

  After school, he told Sarah that he would not be coming home until late. Mr. Roberts wanted to work late and needed his help to get as much done as possible while the Governor and his lady were away.

  “Away? To where?” she asked.

  “Someplace in the countryside,” Jamie replied, “To visit one of her relatives. They’ll only be gone one night.”

  Sarah’s brown eyes grew wide, and her mouth dropped open.

  “Jamie! I’ve just had the most
brilliant idea!”

  Jamie looked at her doubtfully. Usually her ‘brilliant’ ideas were somewhat risky and nearly impossible.

  “What?” he asked dubiously.

  She looked around to make sure no one else was listening, but the other students had left.

  “Don’t you see?” she whispered hoarsely, “This would be our perfect chance to go into his office and snoop around!”

  Jamie blinked, “Oh, yeah… I see.”

  He was about to add that if he hadn’t been so tired, he might have thought of it first, but she went on.

  “Of course, you’ll need my help,” she added.

  “Help? Why would I-“

  “Because if one of the servants catches you inside the Governor’s office, you’ll be in very big trouble! That’s why you need me, and I have the perfect plan!”

  That night while Mr. Roberts and Jamie were completing the sky for the drawing room mural, there was a knock at the front door.

  Sarah stood on the top step, holding a basket. She smiled at the butler and gave a small curtsy.

  “Good evening, sir. I’ve come to deliver some food to Mr. Roberts and his apprentice. Are they still here?”

  The butler nodded, “Indeed they are, Miss. Come inside.”

  She smiled at him and he showed her into the drawing room. Sarah saw that several lanterns had been set up for extra lighting. On one wall of the room was a huge drawing with a cerulean blue sky and gossamer white clouds. She could see the outline of several tall and majestic buildings, towering over trees lining the riverfront in the foreground. Geese and swans graced the water, surrounded by lovely gardens on the river front.

  “Oh, my goodness!” she cried, “I’ve never seen anything so big! It’s huge!”

  Jamie smiled, “It’s London. Do you like it?”

  “It’s beautiful! Like something in a dream! Are there really buildings like that?”

  Mr. Roberts chuckled, “Oh, yes. In London they’re very real.”

  He pointed out the Tower of London, the Houses of Parliament and St. Paul’s Cathedral.

  “Here,” she said quietly, “you must be starved. I’ve brought you both something to eat and drink. Father has gone ahead to the Green Dragon to see if there is any news from Concord yet.”

  They thanked her and gratefully accepted. Sitting on the sofa, they spread out the meal of cheese, fresh bread, and two large slices of home-made apple pie. As they ate, she asked,