[115] "General Gage's Confession" was printed in pamphlet form in 1775. As far as I can ascertain, there exists but a single copy of this publication, that in the possession of the Library Company of Philadelphia. A manuscript note upon this copy, unquestionably the handwriting of Freneau, is as follows: "By Gaine. Published October 25, 1775." The poem was manifestly written after Gage's recall. The poet never reprinted it. [116] On July 28, 1775, George III. wrote to Lord North: "I have desired Lord Dartmouth to acquaint Lt. G. Gage that as he thinks nothing further can be done this campaign in the province of Massachusetts Bay that he is desired instantly to come over, that he may explain the various wants for carrying on the next campaign." "It was a kindly pretext devised to spare the feelings of an unprofitable but a faithful and a brave servant."--_Trevelyan._ General Gage embarked at Boston for England, Oct. 12, 1775. [117] The scarcity of provisions in the British camp during the siege of Boston has been already alluded to. "When marauding expeditions," says Bancroft, "returned with sheep and hogs and cattle captured from islands, the bells were rung as for victory." [118] Alluding to the proclamation of June 12, five days before Bunker Hill, which established martial law throughout Massachusetts and proscribed Hancock and Samuel Adams. By this proclamation, all who were in arms about Boston, every member of the State Government and of the Continental Congress, were threatened with condign punishment as rebels and traitors. [119] Washington had written to Gage, remonstrating against the cruel treatment of certain American officers, who were denied the privileges and immunities due their rank. Almost the last official act of Gage was to reply through Burgoyne in a letter addressed to "George Washington, Esqr.," that "Britons, ever pre-eminent in mercy, have overlooked the criminal in the captive. Your prisoners, whose lives by the law of the land are destined to the cord, have hitherto been treated with care and kindness;--indiscriminately, it is true, for I acknowledge no rank that is not derived from the King." THE DISTREST SHEPHERDESS[120] or, Mariana's Complaint for the Death of Damon Written 1775 What madness compell'd my dear shepherd to go To the siege of Quebec, and distract me with woe! My heart is so full, it would kill me to tell How he died on the banks of the river Sorel. O river Sorel! Thou didst hear him complain, When dying he languish'd, and called me in vain! When, pierc'd by the Briton he went to repel, He sunk on the shores of the river Sorel. O cruel misfortune, my hopes to destroy: He has left me alone with my Colin, his boy; With sorrow I see him, with tears my eyes swell; Shall we go, my sweet babe, to the river Sorel?