"March 23d.--I went to view the Old South church, a spacious brick building, near the centre of the town. It had been for more than a century consecrated to the service of religion, and many eminent divines have in its pulpit labored in teaching the ways of righteousness and truth. But, during the late siege, the inside of it was entirely destroyed by the British, and the sacred building occupied as a riding school for Burgoyne's regiment of dragoons. The pulpit and pews were removed, the floor covered with earth, and used for the purpose of training and exercising their horses. A beautiful pew, ornamented with carved work and silk furniture, was demolished; and by order of an officer, the carved work, it is said, was used as a fence for a hog-sty. The North church, a very valuable building, was entirely demolished, and consumed for fuel. Thus are our houses, devoted to religious worship, profaned and destroyed by the subjects of his royal majesty. His excellency, the commander-in-chief, has been received by the inhabitants with every mark of respect and gratitude; and a public dinner has been provided for him. He requested the Rev. Dr. Elliot, at the renewal of his customary Thursday lecture, to preach a thanksgiving sermon, adapted to the joyful occasion. Accordingly, on the 28th, this pious divine preached an appropriate discourse from Isaiah xxxiii. 20, in presence of his excellency and a respectable audience." The recovery of Boston was an important event, and as such was hailed with joyful triumph throughout the colonies. A golden medal, commemorative of the occasion, was struck by order of congress, and a vote of thanks was passed to Washington and the army "for their wise and spirited conduct in the siege and acquisition of Boston." [Illustration: DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE General Putnam reading the Declaration to the Connecticut Troops.] FOOTNOTES: [34] Hinton. [35] Botta's History of the American War. V. INDEPENDENCE DECLARED. INDEPENDENCE begun to be contemplated--Causes which increased a desire for such an event--Question of a Declaration of Independence enters the Colonial Assemblies--Introduced to Congress by Richard Henry Lee--Debated--State of Parties in respect to it--Measures adopted to secure a favorable vote--Question taken--Declaration adopted--Signed--The great Act of the Revolution--Influence of it immediately perceived--Character and merits of the Signers of that Instrument--The 4th of July, a time-honored and glorious day!--How it should be celebrated.