Here is an interesting article w with a newspaper clip from The London Chronicle of 15 June 1775. It reports that the aim of the Redcoat expedition to Concord included apprehending "Mss. Hancock and Adams". The article quotes a letter from a British Army officer dated 23 April 1775.
https://wallbuilders.com/attempted-capture-john-hancock-samuel-adams/
This account differs from some I have read, which only specified an order to Lt. Col. Smith for the seizing of military stores. As I recall, the letter from England to Gage did advise the capture of rebel leaders. It is apparent that this eye-witness understood that their capture was part of the mission.
Earl of Dartmouth correspondence to capture Rebel leaders
https://allthingsliberty.com/2019/01/the-earl-of-dartmouth-secretary-of-state-for-the-colonies-third-year-august-1774-november-1775/
Interesting. That does differ from the accounts I had read. :pop:
Most historical accounts depend on the eye of the beholder AND where that eye is actually located. You can't see the valley from the far side of the mountain. This is why we need to continue to study American Revolutionary history.