“He assisted in getting the four Field Pieces”

Have I mentioned that the book launch for The Road to Concord: How Four Stolen Cannon Ignited the Revolutionary War is tonight?

Here’s a bit from another document that informed the book, a letter from Dr. Joseph Warren to Samuel Adams dated 10 Jan 1775:

One thing however I have upon my Mind which I think ought to be immediately attended to—the Resolution of the Congress published Yesterday greatly affects one [Obadiah] Whiston who has hitherto been thought firm in our Cause but is now making Carriages for the Army—

He assisted in getting the four Field Pieces to Colo. [Lemuel] Robinson’s at Dorchester, where they are now, He says the Discovery of this will make him,—and He threatens to make the Discovery, perhaps Resentment and the Hope of gain may together prevail with him to act the Traitor—

Dr. [Benjamin] Church and I are clear that it ought not to be one Minute in his Power to point out [to] the General [Thomas Gage] the Place in which they are kept but that they ought to be removed without

pray do not omit to obtain proper Orders concern’g them

Alerting Samuel Adams to have those cannon moved before the royal authorities could seize them? That was smart. Talking it over with Dr. Church first? In retrospect, not such a good idea.