The British troops marched out to Lexington to capture them, but Paul
Revere was two hours ahead, and when the redcoats arrived the birds had
flown.

Then came the expulsion of the British, the closing of all courts, the
Admiralty included. The merchant-prince breathed easier, and that was the
last of the Crown versus John Hancock.

* * * * *

Throughout the months that had gone before, when the Hancock mansion was
gay with floral decorations, and servants in livery stood at the door with
silver trays, and the dancing-hall was bright with mirth and music, Samuel
Adams had quietly been working his Bureau of Correspondence to the end
that the thirteen Colonies of America should come together in convention.
Chief mover of the plan, and the one man in Massachusetts who was giving
all his time to it, he dictated whom Massachusetts should send as
delegates. This delegation, as we know, included John Hancock, John Adams
and Samuel Adams himself.

From the danger of Lexington, Hancock and Adams made their way to
Philadelphia to attend the Second Congress.

At that time the rich men of New England were hurriedly making their way
into the English fold. Some thought that the mother country had been
harsh, but still, England had only acted within her right, and she was
well able to back up this authority. She had regiment upon regiment of
trained fighting men, warships, and money to build more. The Colonies had
no army, no ships, no capital.