In 1710 the Spaniards made a descent on Turk’s Island, which had been settled by the Bermudians for the purpose of gathering salt, and took possession of the island, making prisoners of the people.  The Bermudians, at their own expense and own accord, dispatched a force under Captain Lewis Middleton to regain possession of the Bahama Cays.  The expedition was successful, and a victory gained over the Spaniards, and they were driven from the islands; they still, however, continued to make predatory attacks on the salt-rakers at the ponds, and on the vessels going for and carrying away salt.  To repel these aggressions and afford security to their trade, the Bermudians went to the expense of arming their vessels.

In 1775 the discontent in the American provinces had broken out into open opposition to the crown, and the people were forbidden to trade with their late fellow subjects.  Bermuda suffered great want in consequence, for at this period, instead of exporting provisions the island had become dependent on the continent for the means of subsistence.  This, together with the fact that many of the people possessed near relatives engaged in the struggle with the crown, tended to destroy good feelings towards the British government.  These circumstances must be considered in order to judge fairly of the following transaction, which has always been regarded to have cast a stain upon the patriotism and loyalty of the Bermudians.

At the outbreak of the American Revolution, two battles were fought in the vicinity of Boston—­Lexington and Bunker Hill, after which all intercourse with the surrounding country ceased, and Boston was reduced to a state of siege.  Civil war commenced in all its horrors; the sundering of social ties; the burning of peaceful homes; the butchery of kindred and friends.

Washington was appointed by the Continental Congress, Commander-in-Chief of the American forces, and on July 3, 1775, two weeks after the battle of Bunker Hill, he took formal command of the army at Cambridge.  In a letter to the President of Congress notifying him of his safe arrival there, he made the following statement.  “Upon the article of ammunition, I must re-echo the former complaints on this subject.  We are so exceedingly destitute that our artillery will be of little use without a supply both large and seasonable.  What we have must be reserved for the small arms, and that well managed with the utmost frugality.”  A few weeks later General Washington wrote the following letter on the same subject.[A]

[Footnote A:  Writings of George Washington, by J. Sparks, vol. iii, page 47.]

     TO GOVERNOR COOKE, OF RHODE ISLAND.

     Camp at Cambridge, 4 August, 1775.

     Sir,