| Citation |
BG.768.030
26 Sep 1768:22 (704 Supplement Extraordinary)
Petersham, Septem. 24, 1768. On the 19th instant, the Sons
of Liberty here (after chusing a Committee Man to attend the
convention at Boston) appointed the next day to meet and
dedicate a tree to that most amiable Goddess, at 45 minutes
past two o'clock, p.m. Accordingly they met at the time
appointed, and having made choice of a beautiful young elm,
they cut off 17 useless branches (leaving 92 thereon) and
one of them taking hold of the tree uttered the following
words, "O Liberty, thou divine Goddess! may those that love
thee flourish as the branches of this tree! but those that
hate thee be cut off and perish as these 17, which we are
now about to commit to the flames ? And a pile of condemn'd
shingles being instantly set on fire, the amputated
branches, together with the effigies of the 17 strong asses
[sic] were cast thereon and consum'd, while the well known
Song of Liberty was sung; and having scatter'd their ashes
towards the four winds of heaven, they gave three cheers,
and then walked back in procession, where a dish of barley
coffee was prepared for them: After which the following
constitutional toasts were drank. [13 toasts & 2 lines]
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