USA > Massachusetts > The history of Massachusetts, the provincial period. 1692-1775 v. II > Part 38
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for 1775, 45.
408
FUNERAL OF SNIDER.
CHAP. was mortally wounded. The excitement became intense ; and XII. the murderer was seized and cast into prison.1
1770. Feb. 26.
The funeral of the lad was attended by " all the friends of liberty," and the coffin was covered with appropriate inscrip- tions.2 Five hundred children walked in couples in front of the bier ; six of his playmates held the pall ; his relatives fol- lowed ; after them came thirteen hundred inhabitants on foot ; and chaises and chariots closed the procession. A more impos- ing spectacle had seldom been witnessed; and, as the long cortege moved on from Liberty Tree to the " burying place," the impression which it made upon the minds of all was deep and lasting. The first blood had been shed ; the first victim had fallen. And the thoughtful asked, "Where will this end ? "
The murder of Snider - for such was the lad's name - was Mar. 2. the prelude to scenes of greater violence ; and, early in March, an affray occurred in which the soldiery were engaged. One of their number, a private in the twenty-ninth regiment, went to Gray's ropewalk, and demanded satisfaction for an insult he had received, but was repulsed. He then challenged any one to turn out and fight him ; his challenge was accepted, and he was beaten. Several of his companions joined him, but were driven off. A still larger number next entered the field, with clubs and cutlasses ; but they, too, were defeated. The pro- prictor of the works then interposed, and for that day further disturbance was prevented.3
1
The defeated soldiers, feeling that the honor of their regi- ment was involved, nourished their anger through Saturday
1 Hutchinson to Bernard, Feb. 28, 1770, to Hillsborough, Feb. 28, 1770, and Hist. iii. 269; Snow's Hist. Bos- ton, 278.
2 On the foot of the coffin were the words, " Latet anguis in herba ; " on the sides, " Hæret lateri lethalis arun- do ; " and on the head, " Innocentia nusquam tuta." Snow's Boston, 279.
3 Postscript to Boston News Letter for March 8, 1770; Testimony of Nicholas Ferriter, in Trial, &c. 23, and of Ferriter, Richardson, Fisher, and Hill, in Narr. of Boston Massa- cre, 39, 40. Gray's ropewalk was near Green's barracks, in Atkinson Street. Narr. Boston Massacre, 21, note, ed. 1849.
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THE BOSTON MASSACRE.
and Sunday, and on Monday were ready to revenge the affront CHAP. they had received. One of their number was heard to say, XII. some days before, "I will never miss an opportunity of firing 1770. Mar. 5.
upon the inhabitants. I have wanted such an opportunity ever since I landed." 1 And there can be little doubt that his companions cherished the same feelings. For had they not all been subjected for a long time to derision and contempt ? Had not their temper been soured by insults ? And had not their passions been imbittered by strife ?? True, such provocations, however great, could not justify them in assuming the offen- sive ; nor did they warrant a resort to violence for redress. Yet the conduct of those who fanned the embers of strife, and who sought to provoke a quarrel with the troops, was certainly culpable. "The cause of liberty," says Dickinson, in one of his letters, "is a cause of too much dignity to be sullied by turbulence and tumult. It ought to be maintained in a manner suitable to her nature. Those who engage in it should breathe a sedate, yet fervent spirit, animating them to actions, of pru -. dence, justice, modesty, bravery, humanity, and magnanimity." 3 There are always some, however, over whom such counsels, though well meant, have very little influence ; and a distinc- tion should be made between the conduct of the prudent, who deprecate violence, and of the headstrong, who can brook no restraint. It is generally the latter who, in all revolutions, have precipitated the struggle ; and to their rashness the effu- sion of blood must be attributed.
The narrative of the massacre of the fifth of March is a
1 Testimony of Hemmingway, in but flashed indignant fire." See also Trial, &c. 22, ed. 1807.
2 See Quincy's speech at their trial. "No room was left for cordiality and friendship. Discontent was seated on almost every brow. Instead of that hospitality that he thought himself entitled to, scorn, contempt, and silent murmurs were his reception. Almost every countenance lowered with a dis- contented gloom, and scarce an eye
J. Adams's Diary, in Works, ii. 229. "Endeavors had been systematically pursued for many months, by certain busy characters, to excite quarrels, rencounters, and combats, single or compound, in the night, between the inhabitants of the lower class and the soldiers, and at all risks to enkindle an immortal hatred between them."
3 Farmer's Letters.
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THE BOSTON MASSACRE.
CHAP. melancholy proof of the evils which spring from the wild XII. turbulence of human passions. The soldiers had prepared 1770. for an assault before the evening, by arming themselves Mar. 5. with bludgeons,1 and warning their friends to tarry at home.2 How far the officers were aware of these proceedings it is difficult to say. That they must have had some cognizance of what was passing can hardly be doubted, unless they were uncommonly devoid of intelligence. Nor do they seem to have taken the necessary precautions to prevent bloodshed by con- fining their men in the barracks at the earliest hour prescribed by military rule. A laxness of discipline prevailed ; and the . troops were left to do much as they pleased.
During the day there had been a fall of snow ; but as night drew on the weather cleared, and the moon, which was in its first quarter, shone brightly upon the earth.3 At an early hour " clusters of the inhabitants were observed in different quarters of the town," and " parties of soldiers were driving about the streets, as if the one and the other had something more than ordinary upon their minds." 4 A crowd of boys gathered ; and the soldiers, as they hurried along, struck at the inhabitants indiscriminately with sticks and cutlasses.5 A few minutes after nine o'clock, four young men came down Cornhill towards Dock Square ; 6 and, in passing the narrow alley leading to Murray's barracks,7 they were attacked by a soldier, who stood in the alley with a huge broadsword in his
1 Deposition of John Fisher, in Boston Narr. 40; S. Adams, in Bos- ton Gazette for Dec. 31, 1770; Post- script to Boston News Letter for March 8, 1770. " "Tis said many of the 29th regiment have armed them- selves with bludgeons of about two feet long, a round handle, and the body of the club three square."
2 S. Adams, in Boston Gazette for Dec. 24, 1770 ; Testimony of Mary Brailsford, Mary Thayer, Asa Cope- land, and Matthew Adams, in Narr. &c. 23, 42, 43, 46.
3 R. T. Paine, at the trial of the soldiers.
4 Hutchinson, iii. 271.
5 Narr. of Boston Massacre, and Trial, &c., Testimony of Bass.
6 Boston Evening Post for March 12, 1770. The names of these young men were Edward Archbald, Francis Archbald, William Merchant, and John Leech.
7 Known as Boylston's Alley. Snow's Boston, 279.
8
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THE BOSTON MASSACRE.
hand, which he was brandishing and striking against the walls CHAP. of the buildings. The youths returned the blow ; and an XII. Irishman, who was in company with the soldier, ran to the 1770. barracks for assistance. Two men came, armed with shovel and tongs ; but they were driven back. A moment after, ten or twelve soldiers, armed with clubs, cutlasses, and bayonets, tumultuously rushed out, and a fray ensued, in which blows were exchanged.1 Presently a voice cried, "Town born, turn out !" and the cry was repeated, until a large concourse filled the streets.2 The cry of "Fire!" was likewise raised, and the bells were rung. More of "the town's people " came from towards the market, and "there was a squabble and a noise between them and the officers." 3 The tumult increased ; and from every quarter citizens hurried to the scene of strife. The rage of the soldiers was fast becoming ungovernable ; and, as a lad came running along, with his hand to his head, crying that "he was killed," one of the officers " damned him for a little rascal," and a soldier hastened from the barrack gate with his musket, and kneeling on one knee, with his face towards the alley, shouted, " Damn your blood, I will make a lane through you all." A lieutenant interposed in season to prevent his firing, and pushed him towards the barrack ; and when he, or an associate, came forth and renewed his threats, he was a second time driven back, and his musket was taken from him.4
A few prominent citizens had by this time ventured into the streets ; and one of these requested the officers to confine the
1 Testimony of Coburn, Polley, At- wood, and Archbald, in Narr. &c. 53- 55,67.
2 Testimony of Dr. Hirons, in Tri- al, &c. 53.
3 Testimony of Dr. Hirons, in Tri- al, &c. 54.
4 Testimony of Dr. Hirons, Trial, &c. 54, and of Kirkwood, in Narr. &c. 56. Ensign Maul, according to the testimony of Kirkwood, is said to
have encouraged the soldiers to attack the people by shouting, "Turn out! and I will stand by you. Kill them! stick them ! knock them down! Run your bayonets through them !" There is, however, some discrepancy in the tes- timony relative to his conduct, and I have preferred not to bring the charge directly against him. Comp. Narr. &c. 56.
412
THE BOSTON MASSACRE.
CHAP. soldiers to the barracks. This they promised to do ; upon XII. which the person who had made the request advised the people
1770. to disperse, and the cry was circulated, "Home ! home!" But some shouted, " Hurrah for the main guard ! there is the nest !" and thither they hastened.1 The station of the main guard was at the head of King, now State, Street, opposite the door on the south side of the town house; and, as the crowd dis- persed, some ran up Cornhill, others up Crooked, now Wilson's, Lane, and others up Royal Exchange Lane, now Exchange Street.2 A sentinel was stationed at the door of the Custom House, which was at the corner of Exchange Lane ; and, as the crowd drew near, the boys in the street pelted the sentinel with snowballs.3 Immediately he loaded his musket, and, with bayonet fixed, pushed at the boys, and commanded them to stand off.4 Captain Goldfinch passed by ; and a barber's lad shouted, "There goes a mean fellow, who has not paid my mas- ter for dressing his hair ; " upon which the sentinel left his post and struck the lad, who staggered, and cried from the pain of the blow.5 Soon ten or twelve soldiers, armed with cutlasses, &c., came rushing through Silsby's Alley, or Crooked Lane, crying, "Where are your Sons of Liberty ? Where are the cowards ? Knock them down."6 "Do you intend to murder the people ?" was asked by Atwood. " Yes, by God ! - root and branch," was the reply ; and they struck at him, and at other citizens, in their doorways, as they passed, compelling them to retire.7 Nearly at the same time another party of soldiers, twelve or fifteen in number, came from the southward,
1 Testimony of Palmes, in Narr. &c. 70, and of Mitchelson and Hirons, in Trial, &c. 48, 53, 54.
2 Snow's Boston, 280.
3 Testimony of Usher, in Narr. &c. 86.
4 Testimony of Usher, in Narr. &c. 86.
5 Testimony of Tyler and Le Bar-
on, in Narr. &c. 48, 50, and of Cap- tain Goldfinch and Davis, in Trial, &c. 56.
6 Testimony of Tyler, Le Baron, Broaders, and Drowne, in Narr. &c. 48, 50, 58, 83.
7 Testimony of Atwood, in Narr. &c. 55.
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THE BOSTON MASSACRE.
into King Street, and passed through Cornhill towards Mur- CHAP. ray's barracks.1 XII.
Thirty or forty boys had by this time assembled in King 1770. Street ; and, more from bravado than from malice, it would seem, they commenced annoying the sentinel, and dared him to fire. Provoked by their conduct, he knocked at the door of the custom house, and asked for assistance. The boys pressed round him, shouting, "Fire, and be damned ! The lobster dares not fire." 2 " Stand off !" he cried ; and a servant ran to the guard house, which was near by, saying, " They are kill- ing the sentinel ; turn out the guard." 3 At the command of Preston, seven or eight soldiers were detached, and, headed by a corporal, and followed by Preston, sword in hand, they were hastily marched and posted in a semicircle between the custom house door and the west corner of the building, where the sentry box stood.4 No sooner were they thus placed than snowballs and even sticks were thrown from the crowd; and, as they pressed upon the soldiers, the latter pushed at them with their bayonets, and bade them "Stand off." 5 Finding the people still fractious, Captain Preston ordered his men to load and prime. They did so, and stood with their guns breast high and bayonets fixed. "You are not going to fire ?" que- ried several bystanders. "By no means," was the reply, " unless I am compelled to." " For God's sake," said Knox, grasping at Preston's coat, " take your men back again ; if they fire, your life must answer for the consequences." "I know what I am about," was the reply, while the agitation of his countenance belied his words.6
i Testimony of Appleton, in Narr. &c. 52.
2 Testimony of Tant, Cain, Knox, Payne, and Morton, in Narr. &c. 63, 64, 73, 74, 78.
3 Testimony of Cunningham, in Trial, &c. 65.
4 Testimony of Polley, Hill, Cain,
Cunningham, Condon, Wyat, Read, Goddard, and Whiston, in Narr. &c. 54, 62, 65, 66, 72, 77, 87, 89, and Wilkinson, in Trial, &c. 19.
5 Testimony of Cain, Usher, God- dard, and Hickling, in Narr. &c. 65, 86-88, and of Dodge, in Trial, &c. 9. -
6 Testimony of Palmes, Wyat,
414
THE BOSTON MASSACRE.
CHAP. XII.
When the soldiers had loaded, a party of ten or twelve, with sticks in their hands, gave three cheers, passed before 1770. them, and struck at their muskets, saying, " You are cowardly rascals for bringing arms against naked men. Lay aside your guns, and we are ready for you." Others shouted, " Come on, you rascals ! you bloody backs ! you lobster scoundrels ! Fire, if you dare ! You dare not fire !"1 The boys, who had sticks in their hands, joined in the cry, and huzzaed, and whistled, and pelted the soldiers with snowballs. At length a stick was thrown, and at the same time one Burdick struck at the musket of Montgomery. A voice cried, "Fire !" and, stepping a little aside, he discharged his gun. The shot took effect ; and Cris- pus Attucks, a negro, who had been active in the fray, fell.2 The order to "fire " was repeated ; and a voice - said to have been Preston's 3- shouted, "Damn you, fire! be the conse- quence what it will." 4 "Don't fire," said Langford to Kilroi. one of the soldiers who had been worsted in the affray at the ropewalk ; but he fired, and Samuel Gray fell.5 Other guns
Knox, Simpson, and Hickling, in and came to Boston, and let himself Narr. &c. 71, 73, 81, 88, and of as a servant. Communication of Charles H. Morse, Cambridgeport, Mass., May 27, 1856. Brewer and Simpson, in Trial, &c. 12, 20.
i Testimony of Tant and Green- wood, in Narr. &c. 64, 102, and of Bridgham, in Trial, &c. 7. There is a conflict of testimony on this point - some swearing positively that there was not the least provocation given to Preston or his soldiers, the backs of the people being towards them when they were attacked. See Testimony of Palmes, Frizel, &c.
2 Testimony of Hinckley, in Narr. &c. 67, and of Bailey, Palmes, Dan- brooke, Bass, and Simpson, in Trial, &c. 14, 16, 17, 20. Burdick, in Tri- al, &c. 24, swears that he personally struck Montgomery, who was pushing at him with his gun. Crispus Attucks was the slave of William Brown, of that part of Sutton which is now Mill- bury. He was freed previous to 1770,
3 Testimony of Hobby, Hooton, and Drowne, in Narr. &c. 63, 70, 84. Pres- ton himself was often heard to assert, at a later period, that he never ordered the soldiers to fire, but, on the con- trary, did all he could to prevent their firing - even hazarding his own life in so doing. There was a great uproar at the time, so that it was difficult to tell from whom the order came. Com- munication of Caleb Bates, of Hing- ham.
4 Testimony of Wyat, Simpson, Wilson, and Goddard, in Trial, &c. 72, 81, 82, 87, and of Wilkinson, in Narr. &c. 19. Hinckley says this voice came from an officer at a cham- ber window. Testimony, in Narr. &c. 16.
5 Boston Narr.
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THE BOSTON MASSACRE.
were discharged ; and one of the soldiers deliberately aimed CHAP at a boy, who was running to get clear of the crowd.1 In all, XII. three persons were killed, and eight were wounded.2 Some 1770. say guns were fired from the custom house.3
King Street was speedily thronged with people, and more than a thousand were gathered together.4 The soldiers were infuriated ; and, as some stooped to remove the dead, they pre- pared to fire again, but were checked by Preston.5 The twenty-ninth regiment turned out in a body, as if bent on a further massacre; and soldiers of the fourteenth, like dogs eager for their prey, cried, "This is our time !"6 Hutchinson, in the mean time, was informed of what was passing ; and, while the bells of all the churches were rung, and the town drums were beaten, the cry was raised, "To arms -to arms !" " Our hearts," says Warren, "beat to arms - almost resolved by one stroke to avenge the death of our slaughtered breth- ren." 7 But calm and collected the patriots stood ; and the advice which they gave was worthy the men. His honor was requested to order the soldiers to withdraw to their barracks. " It is not in my power," was his reply. "It lies with Colonel Dalrymple, and not with me. I will send for him, however ;" and he did so. But this did not satisfy ; and his attention was called to the position of the soldiers, drawn up in platoons ready to fire. After "much persuasion," he called for Colonel Carr ; and the troops were ordered to shoulder their guns, and were marched to the barracks.8 The body of the people then
1 Testimony of Bridgham, in Trial, &c. 8.
2 Testimony of Langford, in Trial, &c. 10. Most of the witnesses who testified at the trial say there were but six or seven shots fired.
3 Several affirmed that two or three shots were fired from the windows of the custom house. Testimony of Char- lotte Bourgate, Gillam Bass, Benjamin Frizel, Jeremiah Allen, George Costar, and Samuel Drowne, in Narr. &c. 75, 76, 79, 80, 83, 84.
4 Testimony of Palmes, in Narr &c. 71.
5 Preston's Narr. 6 Testimony of Mary Gardner and William Fallass, in Narr. &c. 96. Comp. Boston Gazette for Dec. 31, 1770.
7 Oration of March 5, 1772, in Lib. Mass. Hist. Soc. ; Bancroft, vi. 340.
Testimony of Palmes, Pierce, and 8 Dorr, in Narr. &c. 71, 93, 94; Hutch- inson, iii. 273.
1
416
THE BOSTON MASSACRE.
CHAP. retired, leaving about a hundred to keep watch on the exami- XII. nation, which was immediately commenced, and continued until
1770. after midnight.1 As the result, a warrant was issued for the arrest of Preston, and the soldiers whom he had called out were committed to prison.2
Mar. 6.
Early the next morning the selectmen of the town and the justices of the county waited upon Hutchinson at the council chamber, and assured him that a meeting of the inhabitants would shortly be held, and that nothing would satisfy them but positive orders for the removal of the troops. Quincy, of Braintree, especially warned him of the " terrible conse- quences " which a refusal might provoke ; but his honor re- plied, "I have no power to remove the troops, nor to direct where they shall be placed." He consented, however, to send for Dalrymple and Carr, the commanding officers, for their advice ; and they attended the Council, where the question was " largely discussed." 3
An hour before noon the town meeting convened, and was opened by prayer from the eloquent Cooper. A committee of fifteen, with Samuel Adams at their head, was appointed to proceed to the council chamber, and, in the name of the town, demand the removal of the troops. "It is our unanimous opinion " - such was their message - " that the inhabitants and soldiery can no longer live together in safety ; that noth- ing can rationally be expected to restore peace, and prevent blood and carnage, but the immediate removal of the troops; and we most fervently pray that your power and influence may be exerted for their instant removal." 4 The reply of Hutch- inson, after some parley, was much as before. He expressed regret at the "unhappy differences " which had arisen between
1 Hutchinson to Gage, March 6, 3 Postscript to Mass. Gazette for March 8, 1770; Hutchinson, iii. 273, 274.
and to Bernard, March 12, 1770; Preston's Narr. ; Bancroft, vi. 341.
2 Dalrymple's Narr. of the late Transactions in Boston ; Hutchinson, iii. 273.
4 Boston News Letter for March 15, 1770.
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THE BOSTON MASSACRE.
" the inhabitants and the troops," but added, "I have consulted CHAP. with the commanding officers. They have their orders from XII. the general, at New York. It is not in my power to counter- 1770. mand those orders. The Council have desired the regiments to be removed ; and Colonel Dalrymple has signified to me that the regiment of which he has the command shall, without delay, be placed in the barracks at the Castle, until he can send to the general and receive his orders for both regiments. The main guard, he also assures me, shall be removed ; and the fourteenth regiment shall be laid under such restraint that all occasion of future disturbances may be prevented." 1
The reply of his honor was brought before the adjourned meeting in the afternoon, which, from the greatness of the crowd, was held in the Old South Meeting House, instead of in Faneuil Hall. "Make way for the committee," was the shout of the multitude, that thronged the street from the State House to the church, as Samuel Adams and his associates made their appearance. They were ushered into the house, which was crowded in every part; their report was read ; and dis- satisfaction was painted on every face. A new committee was forthwith chosen, consisting of seven persons, who bore to the chief magistrate their final message. They found him in the council chamber, surrounded by the Council and by the highest officers of the army and of the navy. Samuel Adams acted as prolocutor, and, in the name of the town, renewed the demand for the removal of the troops - declaring that it was the irrevocable determination of the meeting, which consisted of nearly three thousand persons, to insist upon the withdrawal of all the forces, and that they would be satisfied with nothing short of an immediate compliance. "The troops are not subject to my authority ; I have no power to remove them," was . the reply. Adams, upon this, drew up to his full height ; and, while his " frame trembled at the energy of his
1 Boston News Letter for March 15, 1770.
VOL. II. 27
418
THE BOSTON MASSACRE.
CHAP. soul," 1 he stretched forth his hand, "as if upheld by the XII. strength of thousands," and in a dignified and resolute tone 1770. rejoined, " If you have power to remove one regiment, you have power to remove both. It is at your peril, if you refuse. The meeting is impatient. The country is in motion. Night is approaching ; and your answer is expected." 2 The officers were abashed in the presence of the patriot, and " the air was filled with the breathings of compressed indignation." Yet his gaze was steadfastly riveted upon the chief magistrate. Hutchinson trembled, and his face grew pale.3 His mind reverted to events which had occurred on the same spot in former days, when Andros, the arbitrary minion of James, was seized and imprisoned, and the people, in their majesty, assert- ed their rights.4 " It is not such a people as formerly pulled down your house who conduct the present measures," was re- marked by Tyler, one of the Council. "They are people of the best characters among us- men of estates, men of religion. Their plans are matured, and it is useless to resist them. The people will come in from the neighboring towns ; and there will be ten thousand men to effect the removal of the troops, be the consequence what it may." 5
Dalrymple, who stood by, repeated the assurance that it was " impossible to go any further lengths in this matter," and that the information which had been given of the intended rebellion was a sufficient reason against the removal of his majesty's forces.6 But Gray remarked to the lieutenant governor, "You have asked the advice of the Council; they have given it unanimously, and you are bound to conform to it." " Besides," added Irving, "if mischief should come by means of your not
1 John Adams to Jedediah Morse, and to Judge Tudor. Gordon, Am. Rev. i. 192, 2d ed., says Adams was " trembling under a nervous com- plaint."
2 Hutchinson to Bernard, March 18, 1770.
3 S. Adams to James Warren, March 25, 1771.
Hutchinson to Hillsborough, March 12, 1770.
5 Gordon's Am. Rev. i. 192.
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" Dalrymple's Narr. in Bancroft, vi. 346.
to
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FUNERAL OF THE SLAIN.
joining with us, the whole blame must fall upon you ; but if CHAP. you join with us, and the commanding officer, after that, should XII. refuse to remove the troops, the blame will then be at his 1770. door." 1 For some time Hutchinson stood irresolute. Oliver, at length, whispered in his ear, "You must either comply, or determine to leave the province ; " prudence constrained him to yield ; he signified his readiness to adopt the advice of the Council, and Dalrymple assured him that his commands should be obeyed. The committee, having received his decision, has- tened to communicate it to the waiting assembly ; the people listened with the highest satisfaction ; and the meeting broke up, after taking the precaution to provide for the appointment of a strong military watch until the regiments should leave the town.2
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