[124] The English contention is that the Americans fired first. See letter of W. S. Evelyn, who was with Percy; De Bernicre's Account, and Lieut.-Col. Smith's Report. It seems to me of but little moment as to who fired first. The council of war, convened by Gen. Gage, April 18, wherein it was determined to march out and destroy the public stores of Massachusetts was the first real hostile act and could only lead to war. Major Pitcairn has denied that he authorized that first shot. I believe him to have been gruff and profane, but honest, brave, and faithful to his King. He died from wounds received in the Battle of Bunker Hill.
[125] Depositions of William Draper; of William Munroe; of Simon Winship; of John Munroe; and of John Bateman, a British soldier.
[127] MSS. narrative of Levi Harrington, a youthful spectator.
[130] MSS. narrative of Levi Harrington, and Deposition of John Munroe.
[135] Phinney's History of the Battle of Lexington.
[139] Miss Mary Merriam, ninety years of age in 1887, reported to Edward P. Bliss, that she had heard her father say (and he was thirteen years old when the battle took place) that on that morning some who would not stand up for their country believed the British would not fire on _them_. They were at the Tavern. The British fired on them, however, and they promptly retreated to the cellar and attic. Edward P. Bliss in Lexington Hist. Society Proceedings, I, 71.
[140] Depositions of William Munroe, minute-man, and of Elijah Sanderson, spectator. Also statement of Rufus Merriam, spectator, then in his thirteenth year, to Rev. A. B. Muzzey. Young Merriam overheard Buckman's remonstrance. Muzzey's Battle of Lexington, page 6. MSS. Narrative of Levi Harrington.
[141] MSS. Narrative of Levi Harrington; Deposition of Abijah Harrington.
[142] MSS. Narrative of Levi Harrington, who, however, erroneously names them John Parker and Isaac Hadley.
[143] A British officer in Boston in 1775, De Bernicre's Account, Report of Lieut.-Col. Smith, Statement of a British Prisoner as recited in Ebenezer Munroe's Deposition.
[144] A British Officer in Boston in 1775.
[145] Rev. Jonas Clarke, an eye-witness of this incident.
[146] At 5.19 A. M. Astronomical Diary and Almanack for 1775, by Nathaniel Low.