James Otis Kaler

“ Master Lamb asked, and the silversmith replied bitterly;
"The Britishers couldn't have done this wickedness, for they need the town. It must have been the work of those whom we have met again and again as fellow citizens."
"They have performed the task too well, for while the fire is raging so fiercely it will be impossible for them to save their own dwellings. We yet have much to be thankful for, friend Dean. The flames are extending up Broad Way, and this building is like to escape destruction, unless other fires are kindled." ”

“ To kill a Tory would be the same as signing your own death warrant, whatever might be the provocation, for my lord Howe would not scruple to hang every Whig in the colony." Then, seeing that Master Dean was not to be dissuaded because of possible danger to himself, he tried another line of argument. "Think you that your wife and child are not in sore straits enough already, that you must prepare your neck for a British rope so they may be left without a protector? ”

“ In the first place it would have been dangerous, for the rough element of the city, knowing the American soldiers were powerless to prevent them, were already beginning to rob and ill-treat the better classes. Again, had Masters Dean and Lamb owned the most tempting goods to be found in all the colonies, they would have had no customers, since the greater majority of the Whigs had fled, and the Tories would not deal with them. ”

“ There were good reasons for fearing, not only the excesses of the British soldiers; but ill-treatment from the Tories, who would most likely wreak revenge for the abuse received while the Americans were in undisturbed possession of the city.
During the second night after the battle the women and children did not indulge in sleep, for the patriot soldiers were being ferried across the river, the first to arrive on the New York side receiving orders to bivouac in Hanover square. ”

“ He has been so bitter, even when it was dangerous to show hatred of Whigs, that I felt positive he would lose no time in paying off what he fancies are old scores."
"We have very much to be thankful for," Master Dean said devoutly. "Of a verity God has been good to us, and we should not neglect to give Him thanks."
Then the entire family, even including Scipio, knelt at prayer, and when the devotions had come to an end, and the children were in bed, Sarah said in a tone of relief:
"How good it seems not to be frightened all the time!" ”

“ But young Mistress Dean was happily mistaken, for stirring news came so thick and fast that the gentlemen could spend no time on two children, however much the latter were at fault.
First, one of the neighbors came in while the family and the guests were at breakfast, to say that the statue of King George which had been pulled down the evening previous, was at that moment being carried into Connecticut on an ox cart, and the citizens had decided it should be melted into bullets for the use of the American army. ”

“ Our only hope is that General Howe may use his efforts to preserve the city for the king, and to fire a building in this dry season would be highly dangerous."
"It is more likely that he will give his men permission to pillage the homes of the Whigs, in which case the Tories can take such part as will satisfy their desire for revenge. ”

“ Since we can do nothing to prevent it, save at the expense of leaving our families alone in this world, let it be done, and we will say to ourselves, even when all we own is in ashes, that God has been good because our dear ones are with us alive, and in health. ”