On this day 250 years ago two ships from England arrive at Marblehead, Massachusetts carrying newpapers reporting that orders had been issued to General Gage to take offensive action against the Patriots. They also reported that the King had insisted that all laws be enforced in America, that a bill had been introduced to prevent New England fishermen from fishing off Canada, that Parliament had declared the colonies in rebellion and that large numbers of troops and ships had been ordered to America. The news is immediately dispatched to Boston so that Samuel Adams and the other Patriot leaders can leave Boston and evade arrest.

Source: Fischer, Paul Revere’s Ride at 75; Norton at 336.