Final answer:
General Gage did not want any colonist to leave Boston the night of April 18, 1775 in order to prevent the spread of information about British intentions and to locate the rebel leaders. However, his actions confirmed the colonists' fears and by that time, Samuel Adams and John Hancock had already left Boston and the militia stores in Concord had been moved to other towns.
Step-by-step explanation:
General Gage did not want any colonist to leave Boston the night of April 18, 1775 because he was aware that the colonists had received alarming information about British intentions. They knew that Gage was ordered to seize the munitions and leaders of the rebellion. By preventing anyone from leaving Boston, Gage hoped to prevent the spread of information and locate the rebel leaders. However, his actions confirmed the colonists' fears and by that time, Samuel Adams and John Hancock had already left Boston and the militia stores in Concord had been moved to other towns.