Captain Whipple, as they proceeded, observed to Mr. Brown, that he might lose his life, and that he had a family, and therefore he required that care should be taken of them in case of his death. Mr. Brown engaged to do it should that happen. [June 10.] About two o’clock in the morning, they boarded and carried the schooner, as she lay a-ground about seven miles below Providence. Mr. Brown himself was the first on board. The lieutenant was wounded. He and the crew were put on shore, and every thing valuable belonging to him was taken out and saved for him; after which the Gaspee, with all her stores, was burned. Though a reward of five hundred pounds, together with a pardon, if claimed by an accomplice, has been offered by proclamation for discovering and apprehending any of the persons concerned: yet the commissioners appointed to try the matter, have transmitted accounts to ministry, that _they can obtain no evidence_. If any one had wished to give evidence, that he might get the reward, yet the thought that he should risk his life, or be obliged to fly the country and become a perpetual exile, would naturally have overcome such propensity. It was too hazardous to turn informer. Some who were secured, in expectation that they would give intelligence, were assisted by the populace in making their escape, before any thing material could be learnt from them by the commissioners. Governor _Hutchinson_ and his adherents having been used to represent the party in opposition, as only an uneasy factious few in Boston, while the body of the people were quite contented; Mr. _Samuel Adams_ was thereby induced to visit Mr. _James Warren_ of _Plymouth_. After conversing upon the subject, the latter proposed to originate and establish committees of correspondence in the several towns of the colony, in order to learn the strength of the friends to the rights of the continent, and to unite and increase their force. Mr. Samuel Adams returned to Boston, pleased with the proposal, and communicated the same to his confidents. Some doubted whether the measure would prosper, and dreaded a disappointment, which might injure the cause of liberty. But it was concluded to proceed. The prime managers were about six in number; each of whom when separate, headed a division; the several individuals of which, collected and led distinct subdivisions. In this manner the political engine has been constructed. The different parts are not equally good and operative. Like other bodies, its composition includes numbers who act mechanically, as they are pressed this or that way by those who judge for them; and divers of the wicked, fitted for evil practices when the adoption of them is thought necessary to particular purposes, and a part of whose creed it is, that in political matters the public good is above every other consideration, and that all rules of morality when in competition with it, may be safely dispensed with.