| Citation |
BNL.768.041
29 Sep 1768:22 (3391 Postscript)
Petersham, Sept. 20, 1768. After chusing a Committee Man
yesterday to attend the convention at Boston, the Sons of
Liberty here appointed this 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
were cast thereon and consum'd, while the well known Song of
Liberty was sung; and having scatter'd the ashes towards the
four winds of heaven, they gave three cheers, and then
walk'd 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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