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YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

ORIGINAL NARRATIVE

OF THE

BOSTON lASSACEE

BOSTON MASSACRE. MARCH ¦">. 1770.

A SHORT

N ARRATIVE

OF THE

HOEEID lASSACEE II BOSTON.

PERPETRATED IN THE

EVENING OF THE FIFTH DAY OF MARCH, 1770,

BY
SOLDIERS OF THE 29th REGIMENT,
WHICH
WITH THE 14th REGIMENT WERE THEN QUARTERED THERE ;
WITH SOME
OBSERVATIONS ON THE STATE OF THINGS PRIOR
TO THAT CATASTROPHE.

PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE TOWN OF BOSTON,
AND SOLD BY EDES & GILL, IN QUEEN STREET, AND T. & J. FLEET,
IN CORNHILL, 1770.

NEW YORK : RE-PUBLISHED WITH NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS,
» BY JOHN DOGGETT, JR.
1849.

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1849,
By JOHN DOGGETT, Jr.,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the
' Southern District of New York.

S. W. BENEDICT,
Stereo, and Print., 10 Spruce St.

NOTE.

The following pages contain the original official account of the
Boston Massacre of the 5th of March, ll'JO. It was drawn up
by a committee appointed by the town, consisting of the Honorable
James Bowdoin, Dr. Joseph Warren, and Samuel Pemberton, Esq.
The report was submitted to a town meeting held at Faneuil Hall, by
adjournment, on the 19th of March, and was ordered to be printed.
It was intended principally for circulation in England, and a vessel
was chartered by the town to take out copies to London. To the
copies circulated in America, were added a Circular Letter, addressed
by the Committee to the Duke of Richmond, and other distinguished
personages in England.
The frontispiece representing the massacre, is a fac-simile of an
original engraving in the library of the New York Historical Society,
engraved and published in Boston immediately after the event, by
Paul Revere. It is supposed to give a somewhat exaggerated
idea, however, of the scene it purports to represent. The sign of
" Butcher's Hall," affixed to the custom-house, is, of course, a fancy
title. The plan of the town of Boston, copied from one published in the
" Gentleman's and London Magazine," for 1774, may be useful to
those unacquainted with the changes in the streets, their names, &c,
since that period.
The present edition, with the exception of the subjoined " Addi
tional Observations," which are obtained from a copy of this work in
the library of Harvard College, is an exact reprint from an original
in the Ubrary of the New York Historical Society, containing the full
appendix, certificates, and circular of the Committee. To which is
prefixed an account of the events of the few days preceding the mas
sacre, drawn up by the late Hon. Alden Bradford ; and the Report

4 NOTE.
made by John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Joseph Warren, and
others, presented at the meeting of the citizens on the 12th of March.
The whole presenting, it is believed, the most complete and authentio
account which has been published of the massacre.
Such additional explanatory notes as have been deemed necessary
for the convenience of the reader, are distinguished from the original
notes by the initial — D.

EVENTS

OF THE

FEW DAYS PRECEDING THE MASSACRE.
[From Bradford's History of Massachusetts.]

The conduct of the citizens of Boston, notwithstanding some state
ments of a different import, it is believed, may be well vindicated
from the charge of having rashly occasioned the awful catastrophe
of the 5th of March, 17 70. It is true, that the minds of the people
were greatly irritated, and that some individuals were abusive in their
language towards the military. But whenever examination was care
fully made, it appeared that the soldiers were the first to assault, to
threaten, and to apply contemptuous epithets to the inhabitants.
Every circumstance connected with this wanton and sanguinary
event is important to be noticed. The people were provoked be
yond endurance ; and they can be justly accused only of resisting a
fierce and vindictive soldiery, at the hazard of life. On the 22d of
February, a few boys appeared in one of the streets, bearing some
coarse paper paintings, with the figures of the importers of British
goods. They were met by one R  , who was known to be an in
former to the custom-house officers, against the citizens suspected of
attempts to evade the laws. Hfe endeavored to prevail with a coun
tryman, then passing, to destroy the pageantry. But the man de
clined ; and he attempted himself to mutilate and deface them. This
occasioned a collection of people who were in the vicinity of the spot.
R  was very abusive in his language, and charged some of the
citizens who had. assembled, with perjury, and threatened to prose
cute them. But they seemed to have considered him too insignificant
to be noticed. The boys, however, who were quite young, and who
had brought the pictures into the street, followed the man to his
house, and gave him some opprobrious and reproachful language,
which were the only means of redress in their power, for his attack.
The moment he entered his dwelling, he seized a gun ; this rather

6 EVENTS PRECEDING THE MASSACRE.
irritated than terrified the lads, and they began to pelt the house with
snow-balls and stones. He fired from one of the windows, and killed
a boy of eleven years of age. A great excitement was produced
among the people, by this unnecessary and most wanton conduct.
The funeral of the lad was attended by an immense concourse of the
inhabitants ; and he was considered a martyr in the cause of liberty.
The soldiers, when they left their barracks and strolled about the
town, frequently carried large clubs, for the purpose, no doubt, of
assaulting the people, though with a pretence for their own safety.
On the second of March, two of them rudely insulted and assaulted
a workman at a ropewalk, not far from their barracks ; being bravely
resisted and beaten off, they soon made another attack, in greater
numbers, probably ten or twelve. They were again overpowered by
the people at the ropewalk : and a third time came, with about fifty
of their fellows, to renew the assault. But they were still vanquished,
and received some wounds and bruises in the affray which they had
thus wantonly provoked. They appeared yet again with large re
cruits, and threatened vengeance on the defenceless workmen. But
the owner or conductor of the ropewalk met them, and prevailed on
them to retire, without making the meditated assault. Perhaps the
more discreet among them were satisfied of the impropriety of their
conduct, or were fearful of the consequences of another attack. On
the third, in the afternoon, several of the soldiers, armed with large
clubs, went again to the ropewalk ; and after much insolent and
threatening language, struck Some of the workmen.
In consequence of these various quarrels, and of the violent threats
of the soldiers, that they would be avenged, when in truth they had
been the rude aggressors, the minds of the citizens were greatly
alarmed on the fourth and fifth ; and so apprehensive were many of
an attack from the military, as threatened, that in some instances
they required their children and the female part of their families to
remain at home during the evening. [The subsequent events are de
tailed in the Report and Narrative, which follow.]

REPORT

OF THE

COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF BOSTON.

The town of Boston now legally convened at Faneuil Hall, have di
rected us, their committee, to acquaint you of their present miserable
situation,, occasioned by the exorbitancy of the military power, which,
in consequence of the intrigues of wicked and designing men to bring
us into a state of bondage and ruin, in direct repugnance to those
rights which belong to us as men, and as British subjects, have long
since been stationed among us.
The soldiers, ever since the fatal day of their arrival, have treated
us with an insolence which discovered in them an early prejudice
against us, as being that rebellious people which our implacable ene
mies had mahciously represented us to be. They landed in the town
with all the appearance of hostility ! They marched through the
town with all the ensigns of triumph ! and evidently designed to sub
ject the inhabitants to the severe discipline of a garrison ! They have
been continuing their enormities by abusing the people, rescuing
prisoners out of the hands of justice, and even firing upon the inha
bitants in the street, when in the peace of God and the King ; and
when we have applied for redress in the course of the law of the land,
our magistrates and courts of justice have appeared to be overawed
by them ; and such a degree of mean submission has been shewn to
them, as has given the greatest disgust, even to the coolest and most
judicious persons in the community. Such has been the general state
of the town.
On Friday the 2d instant, a quarrel arose between some soldiers of
the 29th, and the rope-makers' journeymen and apprentices, which
was carried to that length, as to become dangerous to the Hves of
each party, many of them being much wounded. This contentious
disposition continued until the Monday evening following, when a
party of seven or eight soldiers were detached from the main guard,
under the command of Captain Preston, and by his orders fired upon
the inhabitants promiscuously in King street, without the least warn
ing of their intention, and killed three on the spot ; another has since

8 EVENTS PRECEDING THE MASSACRE.
died of his wounds, and others are dangerously, some it is feared
mortally, wounded. Captain Preston and his party now are in jail.
An inquiry is now making into this unhappy affair ; and by some of
the evidence, there is reason to apprehend that the soldiers have been
made use of by others as instruments in executing a settled plot to
massacre the inhabitants. There had been but a little time before a
murder committed in the street by two persons of infamous charac
ters, who had been employed by the commissioners and custom
house officers. In the present instance there are witnesses who swear
that when the soldiers fired, several muskets were discharged from the
house, where the commissioners' board is kept, before which this
shocking tragedy was acted ; and a boy, servant of one Manwaring,
a petty officer in the customs, has upon oath accused his master of
firing a gun upon the people out of a window of the same house, a
number of persons being at the same time in the room ; and confesses
that himself, being threatened with death if he refused, discharged a
gun twice by the orders of that company. But as it has been impos
sible for any person to collect a state of facts hitherto, we are directed
by the town to give you this short intimation of the matter for the
present, and to entreat your friendship to prevent any ill impressions
from being made upon the minds of his Majesty's ministers, and others
against the town, by the accounts which the commissioners of the cus
toms and our other enemies may send, until the town shall be able to
make a full representation of it, which will be addressed to you by the
next conveyance.
This horrid transaction has occasioned the greatest anxiety and dis
tress in the minds of the inhabitants, who have ever since been neces
sitated to keep their Own military watch ; and his Majesty's council
were so convinced of the imminent danger of the troops being any
longer in town, that upon apphcation made by the inhabitants, they
immediately and unanimously advised the lieutenant-governor to effect
their removal ; and Lieutenant-Colonel Dalrymple, the present com
manding officer, is now removing all the troops to Castle William.
We are, with strict truth, Sir,
Your most faithful and obedient servants,
JOHN HANCOCK, WM. PHILLIPS,
SAM. ADAMS, JOS. WARREN,
W. MOLINEUX, SAM. PEMBERTON,
JOSHUA HENSHAW,
Committee of the Town of Boston.
To Thomas Pownall, Esq.
Boston, March 12, 1770.

Boston, ss. At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other In
habitants of the Town of Boston, duly qualified and
legally warned, in public Town-Meeting assembled at
Faneuil Hall, on Monday the 12th day of March,
Anno Domini, 1770, —
That article in the warrant, for calling this meeting, viz. :
" What steps may be further necessary for obtaining a par
ticular account of all proceedings relative to the massacre in
King-street on Monday night last, that a full and just repre
sentation may be made thereof ?" was read,
Whereupon,
Voted, That the Honorable James Bowdoin, Esq., Doctor
Joseph Warren, and Samuel Pemberton, Esq., be a committee
for this important business ; and they aVe desired to report as
soon as may be.
Attest. William Cooper, Town-Clerk.

The following Report, containing a narrative of the late
Massacre, is submitted to the Town.
In the name of the Committee,
James Bowdoin.

At the Town Meeting held on the \9th of March, 1770, by
adjournment,
The aforementioned Report was read and considered, where
upon voted unanimously, that the same be accepted, and that
it be immediately printed, and the Committee are desired to
transmit copies thereof, as soon as possible, to the following
gentlemen, viz. : the Right Honorable Isaac Barr6, Esq., one
of his Majesty's most Honorable Privy Council, Thomas Pow
nall, Esq., late Governor of the Massachusetts, William Bol-
lan, Esq., Agent for hjs Majesty's Council, Dennys DeBerdt,
Esq., Agent for the House of Representatives, Benjamin
Franklin, Esq., LL.D., and Barlow Trecothick, Esq., a mem
ber of Parliament for the city of London.
Attest. William Coopee, Town-Clerk.

SHORT NARRATIVE

OP THE

HORRID MASSACRE IN BOSTON,

Perpetrated in the evening of the fifth day of March, 1770,
by soldiers of the Twenty-ninth Regiment, which with the
Fourteenth Regiment were then quartered there ; with some
observations on the state of things prior to that catastrophe.

It may be a proper introduction to this narrative, briefly to
represent the state of things for some time previous to the
said Massacre ; and this seems necessary in order to the form
ing a just idea of the causes of it.
At the end of the late war, in which this province bore so
distinguished a part, a happy union subsisted between Great
Britain and the colonies. This was unfortunately interrupted
by the Stamp Act ; but it was in some measure restored by
the repeal of it.* It was again interrupted by other acts of
parliament for taxing America ; and by the appointment of a
Board of Commissioners, in pursuance of an act, which by the
face of it was made for the relief and encouragement of com
merce, but which in its operation, it was apprehended, would
have, and it has in fact had, a contrary effect. By the said act
the said Commissioners were " to be resident in some conve
nient part of his Majesty's dominions in America." This must
be understood to be in some part convenient for the whole. But
* The stamp act was passed 22d of March, 1765 ; and repealed 18th ol
March, 1766.— D.

14 NARRATIVE OF THE BOSTON MASSACRE.
it does not appear that, in fixing the place of their residence,
the convenience of the whole was at all consulted, for Boston,
being very far from the centre of the colonies, could not be
the place most convenient for the whole. Judging by the act,
it may seem this town was intended to be favored, by the
Commissioners being appointed to reside here ; and that the
consequence of that residence would be the relief and en
couragement of commerce ; but the reverse has been the con
stant and uniform effect of it ; so that the commerce of the
town, from the embarrassments in which it has been lately
involved, is greatly reduced. For the particulars on this
head, see the state of the trade not long since drawn up and
transmitted to England by a committee of the merchants of
Boston.* *• The residence of the Commisssioners here has been detri
mental, not only to the commerce, but to the political interests
of the town and province ; and not only so, but we can trace
from it the causes of the late horrid massacre, f Soon after
their arrival here in November, 1767, instead of confining
themselves to the proper business of their office, they became
partizans of Governor Bernard in his political schemes ; and
had the weakness and temerity to infringe upon one of the
most essential rights of the house of commons of this province
— that of giving their votes with freedom, and not being ac
countable therefor but to their constituents. One of the
members of that, house, Capt. Timothy Folgier, having voted
in some affair contrary to the mind of the said Commissioners,
was for so doing dismissed from the office he held under them.''
These proceedings of theirs, the difficulty of access to them
on office-business, and a supercilious behavior, rendered them
disgustful to people in general, who in consequence thereof
treated them with neglect. This probably stimulated them to
resent it ; and to make their resentment felt, they and their
coadjutor, Governor Bernard, made such representations to his
* See Bradford's Mass. State Papers, 124-156.— D.
t This act was passed in June, 1767 ; Charles Paxton, William Biiroh,
Henry Hulton, John Temple, and John Robinson, were the Commis
sioners. — D.

NARRATIVE OF THE BOSTON MASSACRE. 15
Majesty's ministers as they thought best calculated to bring
the displeasure of the nation upon the town and province ;
and in order that those representations might have the more
weight, they are said to have contrived and executed plans
for exciting disturbances and tumults, which otherwise would
probably never have existed ; and, when excited, to have
transmitted to the ministry the most exaggerated accounts of
them. These particulars of their conduct his Majesty's Council of
this province have fully laid open in their proceeding in coun
cil, and in their address to General Gage, in July and October,
1768 ; and in their letter to Lord Hillsborough of the 15th of
April, 1769.* Unfortunately for us, they have been too suc
cessful in their said representations, which, in conjunction
with Governor Bernard's, have occasioned his Majesty's faith
ful subjects of this town and province to be treated as enemies
and rebels, by an invasion of the town by sea and land ; to
which the approaches were made with all the circumspection
usual where a vigorous opposition is expected. f While the
town was surrounded by a considerable number of his Ma
jesty's ships of war, two regiments landed and took posses
sion of it ; and to support these, two other regiments arrived
some time after from Ireland ; one of which landed at Castle
Island,J and the other in the town.
Thus were we, in aggravation of our other embarrassments,
embarrassed with troops, forced upon us contrary to our in
clination — contrary to the spirit of Magna Charta — contrary
* See Bradford's Mass. State Papers, 158-166.— D.
f Gordon remarks, that the British commander in this instance expected
resistance from the people, and accordingly the vessels of war in the harbor
were lying with springs on their cables, and their guns ready for firing in
stantly upon the town, in case of the least opposition. The troops began to
land at about noon of the 1st of October, 1768, under cover of the cannon of
their ships, and having effected their landing without molestation, marched
on to the common, with muskets charged, bayonets fixed, drums beating, &c,
as if taking possession of a conquered town. — Gordon, i. 207. — D.
{ This fortress, then called Castle William, was on Castle Island, nearly
three miles S. E. from Boston. In 1798, the fortress was ceded to the United
States, and in the following year was named by Pres. Adams, Fort Inde
pendence. — D.

16 NARRATIVE OF THE BOSTON MASSACRE.
to the very letter of the Bill of Rights, in which it is declared,
that the raising or keeping a standing army within the king
dom in time of peace, unless it be with the consent of parlia
ment, is against law, and without the desire' of the civil ma
gistrates, to aid whom was the pretence for sending the troops
hither ;. who were quartered in the town in direct violation of
an act of parliament" for quartering troops in America ; and
all this in consequence of the representations of the said Com
missioners and the said Governor, as appears by their memo
rials and letters lately published.
As they were the procuring cause of troops being sent
hither, they must therefore be the remote and a blameable
cause of all the disturbances and bloodshed that have taken
place in consequence of that measure.
But we shall leave them to their own reflections, after ob
serving, that as they had some months before the arrival
of the troops, under pretence of safety to their persons, re
tired from town to the Castle, so after the arrival of the
troops, and their being quartered in the town, they thought
proper to return ; having answered, as they doubtless thought,
the purpose of their voluntary flight.
We shall next attend to the conduct of the troops, and to
some circumstances relative to them. Governor Bernard
without consulting the Council, having given up the State
House* to the troops at their landing, they took possession of
the chambers, where the representatives of the province and
the courts of law held their meetings ; and (except the council-
chamber) of all other parts of that house ; in which tfley con
tinued a considerable time, to the great annoyance of those
courts while they sat, and of the merchants and gentlemen of
the town, who had always made the lower floor of it their ex
change. They had a right so to do, as the property of it was
in the town ; but they were deprived of that right by mere
power. The said Governor soon after, by every stratao-em
and by every method but a forcibly entry, endeavored to get
possession of the manufactory-house,t to make a barrack of it
* In State street, now standing. — D.
t The manufactory -house was an old building out of repair, belonging to

NARRATIVE OF THE BOSTON MASSACRE. 17
for the troops ; and for that purpose caused it to be besieged
by the troops, and the people in it to be used very cruelly ;
which extraordinary proceedings created universal uneasi
ness, arising from the apprehension that the troops under the
influence of such a man would be employed to effect the most
dangerous purposes ; but failing of that, other houses were
procured, in which, contrary to act of parliament, he caused
the troops to be quartered. After their quarters were settled,
the main guard was posted at one of the said houses, directly
opposite to, and not twelve yards from, the State House,
(where the General Court, and all the law courts for the
county were held), with two field pieces pointed to the State
House. This situation of the main guard and field pieces
seemed to indicate an attack upon the constitution, and a de
fiance of law ; and to be intended to affront the legislative
and executive authority of the province.
The General Court, at the first session after the arrival of
the troops, viewed it in this light, and applied to Governor
Bernard to cause such a nuisance to be removed ; but to no
purpose. Disgusted at such an indignity, and at the appear
ance of being under duresse, they refused to do business in
such circumstances ; and in consequence thereof were ad
journed to Cambridge, to the great inconvenience of the
members. Besides this, the challenging the inhabitants by sentinels
posted in all parts of the town before the lodgings of officers,
which (for about six months, while it lasted), occasioned
many quarrels and uneasiness.*
Capt. Wilson, of the 59th, exciting the negroes of the town
to take away their masters' lives and property, and repair to
the army for protection, which was fully proved against him.
The attack of a party of soldiers on some of the magistrates
the province. It occupied the site of Hamilton Place. The Council refusing
to allow it to be used as » barrack, Governor Bernard directed a British
officer to take possession of it. The keeper resisted, with so much resolution,
that the attempt was abandoned. — D.
* "While the British troops were in Boston, the citizens, whenever it was
necessary to be out in the evening, generally went armed with walking-
sticks, clubs, &c, to protect themselves from insult. — D.
2

18 NARRATIVE OF THE BOSTON MASSACRE.
of the town — the repeated rescues of soldiers from peace offi
cers — the firing of a loaded musket in a public street, to the
endangering a great number of peaceable inhabitants — the
frequent wounding of persons by their bayonets and cutlasses,
and the numerous instances of bad behavior in the soldiery,
made us early sensible that the troops were not sent here for
any benefit to the town or province, and that we had no good
to expect from such conservators of the peace.*
It was not expected, however, that such an outrage and
massacre, as happened here on the evening of the fifth instant,
would have been perpetrated. There were then killed and
wounded, by a discharge of musketry, eleven of his Majesty's
subjects, viz. :
Mr. Samuel Gray, killed on the spot by a ball entering his
nead.f Crispus Attucks, a mulatto, killed on the spot, two balls en
tering his breast.
Mr. James Caldwell, killed on the spot, by two balls enter
ing his back. ,
Mr. Samuel Maverick, a youth of seventeen years of age,
mortally wounded ; he died the next morning.
Mr. Patrick Carr mortally wounded ; he died the 14th in
stant. Christopher Monk and John Clark, youths about seventeen
years of age, dangerously wounded. It is apprehended they
will die.
Mr. Edward Payne, merchant, standing at his door ;
wounded. Messrs. John Green, Robert Patterson, and David Parker ;
all dangerously wounded. J
* The inhabitants instead of making application to the military officers on
these occasions, chose rather to oppose the civil authority and the laws of the
land to such oft"enders ; and had not the soldiery found means to evade legal
punishments, it is more than probable their insolence would have received a
check, and some of the most melancholy effects of it been prevented".
t Samuel Gray was a young man, and worked in the rope-walks of John
Gray. " After Mr. Gray had been shot through the body, and had fallen
upon the ground, a bayonet was pushed through his skull, and his brains
scattered upon the pavement." — Warren's Address, March 6, 1775. — D.
| Tho funeral of the victims of the massacre was attended on Thursday,

NARRATIVE OF THE BOSTON MASSACRE. 19
The actors in this dreadful tragedy were a party of soldiers
commanded by Capt. Preston of the 29th regiment. This
party, including the Captain, consisted of eight, who are all
committed to jail.
There are depositions in this affair which mention, that
several guns were fired at the same time from the Custom
house ;* before which this shocking scene was exhibited.
Into this matter inquisition is now making. In the meantime
it may be proper to insert here the substance of some of those
depositions. Benjamin Frizell, on the evening of the 5th of March, hav
ing taken his station near the west corner of the Custom-house
in King street, before and at the time of the soldiers firing
their guns, declares (among other things) that the first dis
charge was only of one gun, the next of two guns, upon which
he the deponent thinks he saw a man stumble ; the third dis
charge was of three guns, upon which he thinks he saw two
men fall; and immediately after were discharged five guns,
two of which were by soldiers on his right hand ; the other
three, as" appeared to the deponent, were discharged from the
balcony, or the chamber window of the Custom-house, the
flashes appearing on the left hand, and higher than the right
hand flashes appeared to be, and of which the deponent was
very sensible, although his eyes were much turned to the sol
diers, who were all on his right hand.
Gill am Bass, being in King street at the same time, declares
that they (the party of soldiers from the main guard) posted
the 8th of March. On this occasion the shops of the town were closed, and
all the bells were ordered to be tolled, as were'those of the neighboring towns.
The procession began to move between 4 and 5 o'clock P.M. ; the bodies of the
two strangers, Caldwell and Attacks, being borne from Faneuil Hall, and those
of the other victims, from the residences of their families — the hearses meet
ing in King street, near the scene of the tragedy, and passing through the
main street, attended by an immense throng, to the burial-ground, where the
bodies were all deposited in one vault. Patrick Carr, who died of his wounds
on the 14th, was buried on the 17th, in the same vault with his murdered
associates. — D.
* The Custom-house stood at the corner of King street and Wilson's Lane,
the present site of the Merchants' Bank. On the opposite corner stood the
Royal Exchange Tavern. — D.

20 NARRATIVE OF THE BOSTON MASSACRE.
themselves between the Custom-house door and the west
corner of it ; and in a few minutes began to fire upon the
people : two or three of the flashes so high above the rest,
that he the deponent verily believes they must have come
from the Custom-house windows.
Jeremiah Allen declares, that in the evening of the 5th day
of March current, being at about nine o'clock in the front
chamber in the house occupied by Col. Ingersoll in King
street, he heard some guns fired, which occasioned his going
into the balcony of the said house. That when he was in
the said balcony in company with Mr. William Molineux,
jun., and John Simpson, he heard the discharge of four or
five guns, the flashes of which appeared to be to the westward
of the sentry-box, and immediately after, he the deponent
heard two or three more guns and saw the flashes thereof
from out of the house, now called the Custom-house, as they
evidently appeared to him, and which he the said deponent at
the same time declared to the aforesaid Molineux and Simpson,
being then near him, saying to them, (at the same time point
ing his hand towards the Custom-house), " there they are out
of the Custom-house."
George Coster, being in King street at the time above-men
tioned, declares that in five or six minutes after he stopped,
he heard the word of command given to the soldiers, fire; upon
which one gun was fired, which did no execution, as the de
ponent observed ; about half a minute after two guns, one of
which killed one Samuel Gray, a ropemaker, the other a mu
latto man, between which two men the deponent stood, after
this the deponent heard the discharge of four or five guns
more, by the soldiers ; immediately after which the deponent
heard the discharge of two guns or pistols, from an open win
dow of the middle story of the Custom-house, near to the
place where the sentry-box is placed, and being but a small
distance from the window, he heard the people from within
speak and laugh, and soon after saw the casement lowered
down ; after which the deponent assisted others in carrying
off one of the corpses.
Cato, a negro man, servant to Tuthill Hubbart„Esq., de-

NARRATIVE OF THE BOSTON MASSACRE. 21
clares that on Monday evening the 5th of March current, on
hearing the cry of fire, he ran into King street, where he saw
a number of people assembled before the Custom-house ; that
he stood near the sentry-box and saw the soldiers fire on the
people, who stood in the middle of said street ; directly after
which he saw two flashes of guns, one quick upon the other,
from the chamber-window of the Custom-house ; and that
after the firing was all over, while the people were carrying
away the dead and wounded, he saw the Custom-house door
opened, and several soldiers (one of whom had a cutlass), go
into the Custom-house and shut the door after them.
Benjamin Andrews declares, that being desired by the com
mittee of inquiry to take the ranges of the holes made by mus
ket balls, in two houses nearly opposite to the Custom-house,
he finds the bullet hole in the entry-door post of Mr. Payne's
house (and which grazed the edge of the door, before it en
tered the post, where it lodged, two and a half .inches deep),
ranges just under the stool of the westernmost lower chamber
window of the Custom-house.
Samuel Drowne, towards the end of his deposition (which
contains a pretty full account of the proceedings of the sol
diers on the evening of the 5th instant), declares, that he
saw the flashes of two guns fired from the Custom-house, one
of which was out of a window of the chamber westward of '
the balcony, and the other from the balcony ; the gun (which
he clearly discerned), being pointed through the ballisters, and
the person who held the gun, in a stooping posture withdrew
himself into the house, having a handkerchief or some kind
of cloth over his face.
These depositions show clearly that a number of guns were
fired from the Custom-house. As this affair is now inquiring
into, all the notice we shall take- of it is, that it distinguishes
the actors in it into street-actors and house-actors ; which is
necessary to be observed.
What gave occasion to the melancholy event of that eve
ning seems to have been this. A difference having happened
near Mr. Gray's ropewalk,* between a soldier and a man be-
* Gray's ropewalk was near Green's barracks in Atkinson street. — D.

22 NARRATIVE OF THE BOSTON MASSACRE.
longing to it, the soldier challenged the ropemakers to a box
ing match. The challenge was accepted by one of them, and
the soldier worsted. He ran to the barrack in the neighbor
hood, and returned with several of his companions. The fray
was renewed, and the soldiers were driven off. They soon
returned with recruits and were again worsted. This hap
pened several times, till at length a considerable body of sol
diers was collected, and they also were driven off, the rope-
makers having been joined by their brethren of the contiguous
ropewalks. By this time Mr. Gray being alarmed interposed,
and with the assistance of some gentlemen prevented any fur
ther disturbance. To satisfy the soldiers and punish the man
who had been the occasion of the first difference, and as an
example to the rest, he turned him out of his service ; and
waited on Col. Dalrymple, the commanding officer of the
troops, and with him concerted measures for preventing fur- .
ther mischief. Though this affair ended thus, it made a strong
impression on the minds of the soldiers in general, who thought
the honor of the regiment concerned to revenge those repeated
repulses. For this purpose they seem to have formed a com
bination to commit some outrage upon the inhabitants of the
town indiscriminately ; and this was to be done on the eve
ning of the 5th instant or soon after; as appears by the depo
sitions of the following persons, viz. :
William Newhall declares, that on Thursday night the 1st
of March instant, he met four soldiers of the 29th regiment,
and that he heard them say, " there were a great many that
would eat their dinners on Monday next, that should not eat
any on Tuesday."
Daniel Calfe declares, that on Saturday evening the 3d of
March, a camp-woman, wife to James McDeed, a grenadier
of the 29th, came into his father's shop, and the people talking
about the affrays at the ropewalks, and blaming the soldiers
for the part they had acted in it, the woman said, " the sol
diers were in me right ;" adding, " that before Tuesday or
Wednesday night they would wet their swords or bayonets in
New England people's blood."
Mary Brailsford declares, that on Sabbath evening the 4th

NARRATIVE OF THE BOSTON MASSACRE. 23
of March instant, a soldier came to the house of Mr. Amos
Thayer, where she then was. He desiring to speak with Mr.
Thayer, was told by Mrs. Pvtary Thayer, that her brother was
engaged, and could not be spoke with. He said, " your bro
ther as you call him, is a man I have a great regard for; and I
came on purpose to tell him to keep in his house, for before
Tuesday night next at twelve o'clock, there will be a great
deal of bloodshed, and a great many lives lost ;" and added,
"that he came out of a particular regard to her brother to
advise him to keep in his house, for then he would be out of
harm's way." He said, " your brother knows me very well ;
my name is Charles Malone." He then went away. Of the
same import, and in confirmation of this declaration, are the
depositions of Mary Thayer and Asa Copeland, who both live
with the said Mr. Thayer, and heard what the soldier said as
above-mentioned. "It is also confirmed by the deposition of
Nicholas Ferriter.
Jane Usher declares, that about 9 o'clock on Monday morn
ing the 5th of March current, from a window she saw two
persons in the habit of soldiers, one of whom being on horse
back appeared to be an officer's servant. The person on the
horse first spoke to the other, but what he said, she is not able
to say, though the window was open, and she not more than
twenty feet distant; the other replied, "he hoped he should
see blood enough spilt before morning."
Matthew Adams declares, that on Monday evening the 5th
of March instant, between the hours of 7 and 8 o'clock, he
went to the house of Corporal Pershall of the 29th regiment,
near Quaker Lane,* where he saw the Corporal and his wife,
with one of the fifers of said regiment. When he had got
what.he went for, and was coming away, the corporal called
him back, and desired him with great earnestness to go home
to his master's house as soon as business was over, and not to
be abroad on any account that night in particular, for " the
soldiers were determined to be revenged on the ropewalk
people ; and that much mischief would be done." Upon
which the fifer (about eighteen or nineteen years of age), said,
* Congress street.

24 NARRATIVE OF THE BOSTON MASSACRE.
" he hoped in God they would burn the town down." On
this he left the house, and the said Corporal called after him
again, and begged he would mind what he said to him.
Caleb Swan declares, that on Monday night, the 5th of
March instant, at the time of the bells ringing for fire, he
heard a woman's voice, whom he knew to be the supposed
wife of one Montgomery, a grenadier of the 29th regiment,
standing at her door, and heard her say, " it was not fire ; the
town was too haughty and too proud ; and that many of their
arses would be laid low before the morning."
Margaret Swansborough declares, that a free woman named
Black Peg, who has kept much with the soldiers, on hearing
the disturbance on Monday evening the 5th instant, said, " the
soldiers were not to be trod upon by the inhabitants, but would
know before morning, whether they or the inhabitants were
to be masters."
Joseph Hooton, jun., declares, that coming from the South
end of Boston on Monday evening the 5th of March instant,
against Dr. Sewall's meeting he heard a great noise and tu
mult, with the cry of murder often repeated. Proceeding to
wards the town-house he was passed by several soldiers run
ning that way, with naked cutlasses and bayonets in their
hands. He asked one of them what was the matter, and was
answered by him, " by God you shall all know what is the
matter soon." Between 9 and 10 o'clock he went into King
street, and was present at the tragical scene exhibited near
the Custom-house ; as particularly set forth in his deposition.
Mrs. Mary Russell declares, that John Brailsford a private
soldier of the fourteenth regiment, who had frequently been
employed by her (when he was ordered with his company to
the Castle, in consequence of the murders committed by the
soldiers on the evening of the 5th of March), coming to the
deponent's house declared, that their regiment were ordered
to hold themselves in readiness, and accordingly was ready
that evening, upon the inhabitants firing on the soldiery, to
come to the assistance of the soldiery. On which she asked
him, if he would have fired upon any of the inhabitants of this
town. To which he replied, " yes, if he had orders ; but that

NARRATIVE OF THE BOSTON MASSACRE. 25
if he saw Mr. Russell, he would have fired wide of him." He
also said, " It's well there was no gun fired by the inhabitants,
for had there been, we should have come to the soldiers' as
sistance."
^*"By the foregoing depositions it appears very clearly, there
was a general combination among the soldiers of the 29th re
giment at least, to commit some extraordinary act of violence
upon the town ; that if the inhabitants attempted to repel it by
firing even one gun upon those soldiers, the 14th regiment were
ordered to be in readiness to assist them ; and that on the late
butchery in King street they actually were ready for that pur
pose, had a single gun been fired on the perpetrators of it.
It appears by a variety of depositions, that on the same eve
ning between the hours of six and half after nine (at which
time the firing began), many persons, without the least provo
cation, were in various parts of the town insulted and abused
by parties of armed soldiers partrolling the streets ; particu
larly :
\ Mr. Robert Pierpont declares, that between the hours of 7
and 8 in the same evening, three armed soldiers passing him,
one of them who had a bayonet gave him a back-handed
stroke with it. On complaint of this treatment, he said the
deponent should soon hear more of it, and threatened him
very hard.
Mr. Henry Bass declares, that at 9 o'clock, a party of sol
diers came out of Draper's alley, leading to and from Mur
ray's barracks,* and they being armed with large naked cut
lasses, made at every body coming in their way, cutting and
slashing, and that he himself very narrowly escaped receiving
a cut from the foremost of them, who pursued him.
Samuel Atwood declares, that ten or twelve soldiers armed
with drawn cutlasses bolted out of the alley leading from
Murray's barracks into Dock-square, and met the deponent,
* Murray's barracks were in Brattle street, in the building directly op
posite the little alley (formerly called Boylstone's alley), which leads from
the bottom of Cornhill. The City Tavern now occupies the site. The 14th
royal regiment was here quartered. The 29th was quartered in "Water and
Atkinson streets. — D.

26 NARRATIVE OF THE BOSTON MASSACRE.
who asked them if they intended to murder people ? They an
swered, " Yes, by God, root and branch ;" saying, " here is one
of them ;" with that one of them struck the deponent with a
club, which was repeated by another. The deponent being un
armed turned to go off, and he received a wound on the left
shoulder, which reached the bone, disabled him, and gave him
much pain. Having gone a few steps the- deponent met two
officers, and asked them, " Gentlemen, what is the matter ?"
they answered, " You will see by and by ;" and as he passed
by Col. Jackson's he heard the cry, turn out the guards.
Capt. James Kirkwood declares, that about 9 of the clock
in the evening of the 5th day of March current, he was going
by Murray's barracks : hearing a noise he stopped at Mr.
Rhoads's door, opposite the said barracks, where said Rhoads
was standing, and stood some time, and saw the soldiers com
ing out of the yard from the barracks, armed with cutlasses
and bayonets, and rushing through Boylstone's alley* into
Cornhill, two officers, namely, Lieuts. Minchin and Dickson,
came out of the mess-house, and said to the soldiers, " My lads,
come into the barracks and don'tnurt the inhabitants," and then
retired into the mess-house. Soon after they came to the door.
again, and found the soldiers in the yard ; and directly upon
it, Ensign Mall came to the gate of the barrack-yard and said
to the soldiers, " Turn out, and I will stand by you ;" this he
repeated frequently, adding, " Kill them ! stick them ! knock
them down ; run your bayonets through them ;" with a great
deal of language of like import. Upon which a great number
of soldiers came out of the -barracks with naked cutlasses,
headed by said Mall, and went through the aforesaid alley ;
that some officers came and got the soldiers into their barracks,
and that Mall, with his sword or cutlass drawn in his hand, as
often had them out again, but were at last drove into their
barracks by the aforesaid Minchin and Dickson.
Mr. Henry Rhoads's declaration agrees with Captain Kirk-
wood's. Mr. Matthias King, of Halifax, in Nova Scotia, declares, that
* The arch-way through the block from Brattle street to Cornhill. — D.

NARRATIVE OF THE BOSTON MASSACRE. 27
in the evening of the fifth day of March instant, about nine
o'clock, he was at his lodgings at Mrs. Torrey's, near the town
pump, and heard the bells ring and the cry of " Fire ;" upon
which he went to the door and saw several soldiers come
round the south side of the town-nouse, armed with bayonets,
and something which he took to be broadswords ; that one of
those people came up almost to him and Mr. Bartholomew
Kneeland ; and that they had but just time to shut the door
upon him ; otherwise he is well assured they must have fell
victims to their boundless cruelty. He afterwards went into
the upper chamber of the said house, and was looking out of
the window when the drum and the guard went to the bar
rack, and he saw one of the guards kneel and present his piece,
with a bayonet fixed, and heard him swear he would fire upon
a parcel of boys who were then in the street, but he did not.
He further declares that when the body of troops was drawn
up before the guard house (which was presently after the
massacre), he heard an officer say to another, that this was
fine work, and just what he wanted ; but in the hurry he could
not see him, so as to know him again.
Robert Policy declares, that on Monday evening, the 5th
instant, as he was going home, he observed about ten persons
-standing near Mr. Taylor's door; after standing there a small
space of time, he went with them towards Boylston's alley, op
posite to Murray's barracks ; we met in the alley about eight
or nine armed soldiers ; they assaulted us, and gave us a great
deal of abusive language ; we then drove them back to the
barracks with sticks only ; we looked for stones or bricks, but
could find none, the ground being covered with snow. Some
of the lads dispersed, and he, the said Polley, with a few
others, were returning peaceably home, when we met about
nine or ten other soldiers armed : one of them said, " Where
are the sons of bitches ?" They struck at several persons in
the street, and went towards the head of the alley. Two offi
cers came and endeavored to get them into their barracks ;
one of the lads proposed to ring the bell ; the soldiers went
through the alley, and the boys huzzaed, and said they were
gone through Royal Exchange lane into King street.

28 NARRATIVE OF THE BOSTON MASSACRE.
Samuel Drowne declares that, about nine o'clock of the even
ing of the fifth of March current, standing at his own door in
Cornhill, he saw about fourteen or fifteen soldiers of the 29th
regiment, who came from Murray's barracks, armed with naked
cutlasses, swords, &c, and came upon the inhabitants of the
town, then standing or walking in Cornhill, and abused some,
and violently assaulted others as they met them ; most of
whom were without so much as a stick in their hand to defend
themselves, as he very clearly could discern, it being moon
light, and himself being one of the assaulted persons. All or
most of the said soldiers he saw go into King street (some of
them through Royal Exchange lane),* and there followed
them, and soon discovered them to be quarrelling and fighting
with the people whom they saw there, which he thinks were
not more than a dozen, when the soldiers came first, armed as
aforesaid. Of those dozen people, the most of them were gen
tlemen, standing together a little below the Town House, upon
the Exchange. At the appearance of those soldiers so armed,
the most of the twelve persons went off, some of them being
first assaulted.
The violent proceedings of this party, and their going into
King street, " quarrelling and fighting with the people whom
they saw there" (mentioned in Mr. Drowne's- deposition), was
immediately introductory to the grand catastrophe.
These assailants, who issued from Murray's barracks (so
called), after attacking and wounding divers persons in Cornhill,
as above-mentioned, being armed, proceeded (most of them) up
the Royal Exchange lane into King street ; where, making a
short stop, and after assaulting and driving away the few they
met there, they brandished their arms and cried out, " Where
are the boogers ! where are the cowards !" At this time there
were very few persons in the street beside themselves. This
party in proceeding from Exchange lane into King street,
must pass the sentry posted at the westerly corner of the
Custom House, which butts on that lane and fronts on that
street. This is needful to be mentioned, as near that spot and
* Exchange street.

NARRATIVE OF THE BOSTON MASSACRE. 29
in that street the bloody tragedy was acted, and the
street actors in it were stationed : their station being but
a few feet from the .front side of the said Custom House.
The outrageous behavior and the threats of the said party oc
casioned the ringing of the meeting-house bell near the head
of King street, which bell ringing quick, as for fire, it presently
brought out a number of the inhabitants, who being soon sen
sible of the occasion of it, were naturally led to King street,
where the said party had made a stop but a little while before,
and where their stopping had drawn together a number of
boys, round the sentry at the Custom House. Whether the
boys mistook the sentry for one of the said party, and thence
took occasion to differ with him, or whether he first affronted
them, which is affirmed in several depositions, — however that
may be, there was much foul language between them, and
some of them, in consequence of his pushing at them with his
bayonet, threw snowballs at him,* which occasioned him to
knock hastily at the door of the Custom House. From hence
two persons thereupon proceeded immediately to the main-
guard, which was posted opposite to the State House, at a
small distance, near the head of the said street. The officer
on guard was Capt. Preston, who with seven or eight soldiers,
with fire-arms and charged bayonets, issued from the guard
house, and in great haste posted himself and his soldiers in
front of the Custom House, near the corner aforesaid. In
passing to this station the soldiers pushed several persons with
* Since writing this narrative, several depositions have appeared, which
make it clear that the sentry was first in fault. He overheard a barber's
boy saying, that a captain of the 14th (who had just passed by) was so mean
a fellow as not to pay his barber for shaving him. Upon this the sentry left
his post and followed the boy into the middle of the street, where he told him
to show his face. The boy pertly replied, " I am not ashamed to show my face
to any man." Upon this the sentry gave him a sweeping stroke on the head
with his musket, which made him reel and stagger, and cry much. A fellow-
apprentice asked the sentry what he meant by this abuse ? He replied,
" Damn your blood, if you do not get out of the way I will give you some
thing ;" and then fixed his bayonet and pushed at the lads, who both ran out
of his way. This dispute collected a few persons about the boy, near the
Custom House. Presently after this, the party above-mentioned came into
King street, which was a further occasion of drawing people thither, as above
related. — See deposition of Benjamin Broaders and others.

30 NARRATIVE OF THE BOSTON MASSACRE.
their bayonets, driving through the people in so rough a man
ner that it appeared they intended to create a disturbance.
This occasioned some snowballs to be thrown at them, which
seems to have been the only provocation that was given. Mr.
Knox (between whom and Capt. Preston there was some con
versation on the spot) declares, that while he was talking with
Capt. Preston, the soldiers of his detachment had attacked the
people with their bayonets ; and that there was not the least
provocation given to Capt. Preston or his party ; the backs of
the people being toward them when the people were attacked.
He also declares, that Capt. Preston seemed to be in great
haste and much agitated, and that, according to his opinion,
there were not then present in King street above seventy or
eighty persons at the extent.
The said party was formed into a half circle ; and within a
short time after they had been posted at the Custom House,
began to fire upon' the people.
Captain Preston is said to have ordered them to fire, and to
have repeated that order. One gun was fired first; then
others in succession, and with deliberation, till ten or a dozen
guns were fired ; or till that number of discharges were made
from the guns that were fired. By which means eleven per
sons were killed and wounded, as above represented.
These facts, with divers circumstances attending them, are
supported by the depositions of a considerable number of per
sons, and among others of the following, viz. : — Messrs. Henry
Bass, Samuel Atwood, Samuel Drowne, James Kirkwood,
Robert Polley, Samuel Condon, Daniel Usher, Josiah Simp
son, Henry Knox, Gillam Bass, John Hickling, Richard
Palmes, Benjamin Frizzel, and others, whose depositions are
in the Appendix.
Soon after the firing, a party from the main guard went
with a drum to Murray's and the other barracks, beating an
alarm as they went, which, with the firing, had the effect of
a signal for action. Whereupon all the soldiers of the 29th
regiment, or the main body of them, appeared in King street
under arms, and seemed bent on a further massacre of°the in
habitants, which was with great difficulty prevented. They

NARRATIVE OF THE BOSTON MASSACRE. 31
were drawn up between the State House and main guard,
their lines extending across the street and facing down King
street, where the town- people were assembled. The first line
kneeled, and the whole of the first platoon presented their
guns ready to fire, as soon as the word should be given. They
continued in that posture a considerable time ; but by the good
providence of God they were restrained from firing. That
they then went into King street with such a disposition will
appear probable by the two following depositions.
Mrs. Mary Gardner, living in Atkinson street, declares, that
on Monday evening the 5th of March current, and before the
guns fired in King street, there were a number of soldiers as
sembled from Green's barracks towards the street, and oppo
site to her gate ; that they stood very still until the guns were
fired in King street ; then they clapped their hands and gave a
cheer, saying, " This is all that we want." They ran to their
barrack, and came out again in a few minutes, all with their
arms, and ran towards King street.
William Fallass declares, that (after the murder in King
street) on the evening of the 5th instant, upon his return home,
he had occasion to stop opposite to the lane leading to Green's
barracks,* and while he stood there, the soldiers rushed by
him with their arms, towards King street, saying, " This is our
time or chance :" and that he never saw men or dogs so
greedy for their prey as those soldiers seemed to be, and the
sergeants could hardly keep them in their ranks.
These circumstances, with those already mentioned, amount
to a clear proof of a combination among them to commit some
outrage upon the town on that evening ; and that after the
enormous one committed in King street, they intended to add
to the horrors of that night by making a further slaughter.
At the time Capt. Preston's party issued from the main
guard, there were in King street about two hundred persons,
and those were collected there by the ringing of the bell in
consequence of the violences of another party, that had been
there a very little while before. When Captain Preston had
got to the Custom-house, so great a part of the people dispersed
* In Atkinson street. — D.

32 ' NARRATIVE OF THE BOSTON MASSACRE.
at sight of the soldiers, that not more than twenty or thirty
then remained in King street, as Mr. Drowne declares,* and
at the time of the firing not seventy, as Mr. Palmes thinks. f
But after the firing, and when the slaughter was known,
which occasioned the ringing of all the bells of the town, a
large body of the inhabitants soon assembled in King street,
and continued there the whole time the 29th regiment was
there under arms, and would not retire till that regiment, and
all the soldiers that appeared, were ordered, and actually went,
to their barracks : after which, having been assured by the
Lieutenant-Governor, and a number of the civil magistrates
present, that every legal step should be taken to bring the
criminals to justice, they gradually dispersed. For some time
the appearance of things were dismal. The soldiers outrage
ous on t the one hand, and the inhabitants justly incensed
against them on the other : both parties seemed disposed to
come to action. In this case the consequences would have
been terrible. But by the interposition of his Honor, some of
his Majesty's council, a number of civil magistrates, and other
gentlemen of weight and influence, who all endeavored to
calm and pacify the people, and by the two principal officers
interposing their authority with regard to the soldiers, there
was happily no further bloodshed ensued ; and by two o'clock
the town was restored to a tolerable state of quiet. About
that time, Capt. Preston, and a few hours after, the party that
had fired, were committed to safe custody.
One happy effect has arisen from this melancholy affair,
and it is the general voice of the town and province it may
be a lasting one — all the troops are removed from the town.
They are quartered for the present in the barracks at Castle-
Island ; from whence it is hoped they will have a speedy order
to remove entirely out of the province, together with those
persons who were the occasion of their coming hither.
In what manner this was effected, it is not foreign from the
subject of this narrative to relate.
The morning after the massacre, a town-meeting was held ;
at which attended a very great number of the freeholders and
* See his Deposition. f See his Deposition.

NARRATIVE OF THE BOSTON MASSACRE. 33
other inhabitants of the town. They were deeply impressed
and affected by the tragedy of the preceding night, and were
unanimously of opinion, it was incompatible with their safety
that the troops should remain any longer in the town. In
consequence thereof they chose a committee of fifteen gentle
men to wait upon his Honor the Lieutenant-Governor in
Council, to request of him to issue his orders for the immediate
removal of the troops.
The message was in these words :
" That it is the unanimous opinion of this meeting that the
inhabitants and soldiery can no longer live together in safety ;
that nothing can rationally be expected to restore the peace of
the town and prevent further blood and carnage, but the im
mediate removal of the troops; and that we therefore most
fervently pray his Honor, that his power and influence may be
everted for their instant removal."
His Honor's reply, which was laid before the town then
adjourned to the old south meeting-house, was as follows :
" Gentlemen,
" I am extremely sorry for the unhappy differences between
the inhabitants and troops, and especially for the action of the
last evening, and I have exerted myself upon that occasion,
that a due inquiry may be made, and that the law may have
its course. I have in council consulted with the commanding
officers of the two regiments who are now in the town. They
have their orders .from the General at New York. It is not
in my power to countermand those orders. The Council have
desired that the two regiments may be removed to the Castle.
From the particular concern which the 29th regiment has had
in your differences, Col. Dalrymple, who is the commanding
officer of the troops, has signified that that regiment shall with
out delay be placed in the barracks at the castle, until he can
send to the General and receive his further orders concerning
both the regiments, and that the main-guard shall be removed,
and the 14th regiment so disposed, and laid under such re-

34 NARRATIVE OF THE BOSTON MASSACRE.
straint, that all occasion of future disturbances may be pre
vented." The foregoing reply having been read and fully considered
— the question was put, Whether the report be satisfactory ?
Passed in the negative (only one dissentient) out of upwards
of 4,000 voters.
A respectable committee was then appointed to wait on his
Honor the Lieutenant-Governor, and inform him, that it is
the unanimous opinion of this meeting, that the reply made to
a vote of the inhabitants presented his Honor in the morning,
is by no means satisfactory ; and that nothing less will satisfy
than a total and immediate removal of all the troops.
The committee having waited upon the Lieutenant-Gover
nor, agreeable to the foregoing vote, laid before the inhabit
ants the following vote of Council received from his Honor.
His Honor the Lieutenant-Governor laid before the Board
a vote of the town of Boston, passed this afternoon, and then
addressed the Board as follows :
" Gentlemen of the Council,
" I lay before you a vote of the town of Boston, which I
have just now received from them, and I now ask your advice
what you judge necessary to be done upon it."
The Council thereupon expressed themselves to be unani
mously of opinion, " that it was absolutely necessary for his
Majesty's service, the good order of the town, and the peace
of the province, that the troops should be immediately removed
out of the town of Boston, and thereupon advised his Honor;
to communicate this advice of the Council to Col. Dalrymple,
and to pray that he would order the troops down to Castle
William." The committee ajso informed the town, that Col.
Dalrymple, after having seen the vote of Council, said to the
committee, " That he now gave his word of honor that he would begin
his preparations in the morning, and that there should be no
unnecessary delay until the whole of the two regiments were
removed to the Castle."

NARRATIVE OF THE BOSTON MASSACRE. 35
Upon the above report being read, the inhabitants could not
avoid expressing the high satisfaction it afforded them.*
After measures were taken for the security of the town in
the night by a strong military watch, the meeting was dis
solved.

In the concluding paragraph of the foregoing narrative it is said,
that the town-meeting was dissolved after the measures were taken
for the security of the town in the night, by a strong military watch.
Our implacable enemies, in pursuance of their plan of misrepresent
ation, have taken pains to misrepresent this most necessary measure,
by declaring it to have been contrary to the mind of the Commander-
in-Chief, and against law.
This matter will be judged of, by stating the fact, and producing
the law.
When the Committee, who had waited oil the Lieutenant-Governor,
had reported to the town that the troops would be removed to Castle
Island (at which time it was near night), it was thought necessary for
the safety of the town, and for preventing a rescue of the persons
committed to jail for firing upon and killing a number of his Majes
ty's subjects, that there should be a military watch ; and divers gen
tlemen were desired to take the needful steps for that purpose. It
being then night, it was impossible a regular notification should issue
from the officers of the militia ; a considerable number of respectable
persons therefore offered themselves volunteers, and did the duty of
a military watch under the direction of the Lieut-Colonel, who attend
ed that service with the approbation of the chief Colonel of the Bos-
* The town of Boston afterwards determined to celebrate the anniversary
of the fifth of March, to the end that there might be an annual development
of the "fatal effects of the policy of standing armies, and the natural ten
dency of quartering regular troops in populous cities in times of peace."
The first anniversary was observed at the Manufactory House, that being the
place where the first opposition to the soldiery was made, in October, 1768.
The anniversary was observed every year until 1784, when the celebration
was superseded by that of the 4th July. The names of the orators in their
order were — James Loyell, Dr. Joseph Warren, Dr. Benjamin Church,
John Hancock, Dr. Joseph Warren, Rev. Peter Thacher, Benjamin Hichborn,
Jonathan W. Aus'tin, William Tudor, Jonathan Mason, Jun., Thomas Dawes,
Jun., George Richards Minot, Dr. Thomas Welch. The " Boston Orations,"
so called, were published in a volume in 1785, by Peter Edes.— D.

36 NARRATIVE OF THE BOSTON MASSACRE.
ton regiment. The next day, with two of the select men of the town
the chief Colonel went to the Lieutenant-Governor, and they informed
him it was apprehended absolutely necessary for the safety of the
town there should be a military watch kept ; and that the Colonel then
waited upon him to receive his orders. The Lieutenant-Governor
declined giving any orders concerning it, but said the law was clear,
that the Colonel, as chief officer of the regiment, might order a mili
tary watch ; and that he might do about it as he thought fit. In
consequence of this, and knowing the law gave him such a power, the
Colonel issued his orders for that purpose, and a regular watch was
kept the following night. The next day the Lieutenant-Governor
sent for the Colonel, and let him know, that he was in doubt about
the legality of the appointment of the military watch ; and recom
mended to the Colonel to take good advice, whether he had a right
by law to order such a watch.
* This being quite unexpected, occasioned the Colonel to express
himself with some fervor. He also said, he had already taken advice,
and had no doubt of his own power ; but had the preceding day
waited upon his Honor as Commander-in-Chief to receive his orders ;
which, as his Honor had declined giving, and left the matter with
himself, he had appointed a military watch ; and judged it a neces
sary measure to quiet the fears and apprehensions of the town. The
interview ended with the Lieut.-Govemor's recommending again, that
the Colonel would take care to proceed according to law ; and with
out his forbidding a military watch.
This military watch was continued every night, till Colonel Dal
rymple had caused the two regiments under his command to be re
moved to the barracks at Castle Island. During the continuance of
the watch, the Justices of the Peace in their turns attended every
night ; and the utmost order and regularity took place through the
whole of it.
This is the state of the fact, upon which every one is left to make
his own observations.
Now for the law ; with respect to which nothing is more necessary
than just to recite it. It runs thus, " That there be military watches
appointed and kept in every town, at such times, in such places, and iii
such numbers, aind under such regulation, as the chief military officers
of each town shall appoint, or as they may receive orders from the
chief officer of the regiment."* This needs no comment. It clearly
authorizes the chief officer of the regiment to appoint military watches.
The late military watch in Boston being founded on such an appoint
ment was therefore according to law.
* See a Law of the Province for regulating the Militia, made in the 5th
year of William and Mary, Chap. 7., Sec. 10.

APPENDIX;
CONTAINING
THE SEVERAL DEPOSITIONS REFERRED TO IN THE PRECEDING
NARRATIVE ; AND ALSO OTHER DEPOSITIONS RE
LATIVE TO THE SUBJECT OF IT.

(No. 1.)
I, John Wilme, of lawful age, testify that about ten days before the
late massacre, Christopher Rumbly of the 14th regiment, was at my
house at the north part of the town, with sundry other soldiers ; and
he, the said Rumbly, did talk very much against the town, and said
if there should be any interruption, that the grenadiers' company was
to march up King-street ; and that if any of the inhabitants would
join with them, the women should be sent to the castle, or some other
place ; and that he had been in many a battle ; and that he did not
know but he might be soon in one here ; and that if he was, he would
level his piece so as not to miss ; and said that the blood would soon
run in the streets of Boston ; and that one Sumner of the same regi
ment did say that he came here to make his fortune ; and that he
would as soon fight for one King as another ; and that the two gaps
would be stopped, said one of the soldiers ; and that they would soon
sweep the streets of Boston.
And further saith, that he heard a soldier's wife, named Eleanor
Park, say, that if there should be any disturbance in the town of Bos
ton, and that if any of the people were wounded, she would take a
stone in her handkerchief and beat their brains out, and plunder the
rebels. — And further I say not. John Wilme.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 21, 1770. John Wilme, above named,
after due examination, made oath to the truth of the afore
said affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remembrance of the
thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Just. Peace and of the Quorum,
And, John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 2.)
I, Sarah Wilme, of lawful age, testify that about ten days before
the late massacre, Christopher Rumbly, of the 14th regiment, was at
our house at the north part of the town, with sundry other soldiers ;
and he, the said Rumbly, did talk very much against the town, and

38

APPENDIX

said, if there should be any interruption, that the grenadiers' com
pany was to march up King-street ; and that if any of the inhabitants
would join with them, the women should be sent to the castle or
some other place ; and that he had been in many a battle ; and that
he did not know but he might • be soon in one here ; and that if he
was, he would level his piece so as not to- miss ; and said that the
blood would soon run in the streets of Boston ; and that one Sumner,
of the same regiment, did say, that he came here to make his fortune,
and that he would as soon fight for one King as another ; and that
the two gaps would be stopped, said one of the soldiers ; and that
they would soon sweep the streets of Boston. — And further saith not.
Sarah Wilme.
Suffolk, ss.. Boston, March 21, 1770. Sarah Wilme, above named,
after due examination, made oath to the truth of the afore
said affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remembrance of the
thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Just. Peace and of the Quorum,
And, John Tudor, Justice Peace.

(No. 3.)
I, David Cockran, of lawful age, testify, that I went to the house of
Mr. John Wilme, to pay him a visit in the evening, about ten days
before the late massacre, and there I found four or five soldiers, and
after some -time the said Wilme told me not to be out in the night of
such a day (though I cannot positively say what day) ; whereupon I
asked him what he meant, and he told me that there would be dis
turbances, or words to that effect ; and that one of said soldiers took
me by the arm, and said, the blood would soon run in the streets of
Boston. — And further saith not. His
Attest. Elisha Story, David ^ Cockran.
, Mark.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 21, 1770. David Cockran, above named,
after due examination, made oath to the truth of the afore
said affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remembrance of the
thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Just. Peace and of the Quorum,
And, John Hill, Justice Peace.

(No. 4.)
William Newhall, living in Fish- street, of lawful age, testifies and
says, that on Thursday night, being the first of March instant, between
the market and Justice Quincy's, he met four soldiers of the 29th
regiment, all unarmed, and that he heard them say, " there was a
great many that would eat their dinners on Monday next, that should
not eat any on Tuesday."
William Newhall.

APPENDIX. 39
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 21, 1770. William Newhall, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the aforesaid affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remembrance
of the thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Just. Peace and of the Quorum,
And, John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 5.)
I, Nicholas Feriter, of lawful age, testify that on Friday the se
cond instant, about half past 11 o'clock, A.M., a soldier of the
29th Regiment came to Mr. John Gray's ropewalks, and looking
into one of the windows said, by God I'll have satisfaction ! with
many other oaths ; at the last he said he was not afraid of any one
in the ropewalks. I stept out of the window and speedily knock'd
up his heels. On falling, his icoat flew open, and a naked sword ap
peared, which one John Willson, following me out, took from him,
and brought into the ropewalks. The soldier then went to Green's
barrack, and in about twenty minutes returned with eight or nine
more soldiers armed with clubs^nd began, as I was told, with three
or four men in Mr. Gray's warehouse, asking them why they had
abused the soldier aforesaid ? These men in the warehouse passed
the word down the walk for the hands to come up, which they did,
and soon beat them off. In a few minutes the soldiers appeared
again at the same place, reinforced to the number of thirty or forty,
armed with clubs and cutlasses, and headed by a tall negro drummer
with a cutlass chained to his body, with which, at first rencounter, I
received a cut on the head, but being immediately supported by nine
or ten more of the rope-makers, armed with their wouldring sticks,
we again beat them off. And further I say not. Nicholas Feriter.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 20, 1770. Nicholas Feriter, above
mentioned, after due examination, made oath to the afore
said affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remembrance of the
thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Jus. Peace and of the Quorum,
And, John Hill, Jus. Peace.

(No. 6.)
I, Jeffrey Richardson, of lawful age, testify and say, that on
Friday, the second instant, about 11 o'clock, A.M., eight or ten
soldiers of the 29th regiment, armed with clubs, came to Mr. John
Gray's ropewalks, and challenged all the rope-makers to come out
and fight them. All the hands then present, to the number of
thirteen or fourteen, turned out with their wouldring sticks, and beat
them off directly. They very speedily returned to the ropewalk,
reinforced to the number' of thirty or forty, and headed by a tall
negro drummer, again challenged them out, which the same hands

40 APPENDIX.
accepting, again beat them off with considerable bruises. And fur
ther I say not. Jeffrey Richardson.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 19, 1770. Jeffrey Richardson, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the above affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remembrance
of the thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Just, of Peace and of the Quorum,
And, John Hill, Jus. Peace. (No. 7.)
John Fisher, of lawful age, testifies and saith, that on the second '
day of March, between 11 and 12 o'clock, A.M.,' he saw about six
soldiers going towards Mr. John Gray's ropewalk, some with clubs ;
they had not been there long, before they returned quicker than
they went, and retreated into their barracks, and brought out the
light infantry company, with many others, and went against the
rope-makers again ; but were soon beat off as far as Green's lane,
the soldiers following and chasing many persons they could see in
file lane with their clubs, and endeavoring to strike them, when a
corporal came and ordered them into the barracks. And further
saith, that on Saturday the 3rd instant, he saw the soldiers making
clubs ; and by what he could understand from their conversation,
they were determined to have satisfaction by Monday. And fur
ther saith not. John Fisher.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 17, 1770. John Fisher, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the above affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remembrance
of the thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Just, of Peace and of the Quorum,
And, Sam. Pemberton, Just. Peace.

(No. 8.)
I, John Hill, aged sixty-nine, testify, that in the forenoon of Fri
day the second of March current, I was at a house the corner of a
passage way leading from Atkinson's street to Mr. John Gray's
rope-walks, near Green's barracks so called, when I saw eight or
ten soldiers pass the window with clubs. I immediately got up' and
went to the door, and found them returning from the rope-walks to
the barracks ; whence they again very speedily re-appeared, now
increased to the number of thirty or forty, armed with clubs and
other weapons. In this latter company was a tall negro drummer
to whom I called, you black rascal, what have you to do with white
people's quarrels ? He answered, I suppose I may look on and
went forward. I went out directly and commanded the peace' tell
ing them I was in commission ; but they not regarding me, knocked
down a rope-maker in my presence, and two or three of them beat
ing him with clubs, I endeavored to relieve him ; but on approach-

APPENDIX. 41
ing the fellows who were mauling him, one of them with a great
club struck at me with such violence, that had I not happily avoided
it might have been fatal to me. Tho party last mentioned rushed
in towards the rope-walks, and attacked the rope-makers nigh the
tar-kettle, but were soon beat off, drove out of the passage-way by
which they entered, and were followed by the rope-makers, whom I
persuaded to go back, and they readily obeyed. And further I say
not. John Hill.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, Maroh 19, 1770. John Hill, Esq. , above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth- of
the aforesaid affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remembrance.
of the thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, ) Justices of the Peace and of the

John Ruddock, \ Quorum.

(No. 9.)
I, John Gray, of lawful age, testify and say, that on the Saturday
preceding the massacre on the Monday evening of the 5th instant,
Middleton the chimney-sweeper being at my house, said to my
maid, as sh3 informed me, that he was well acquainted with the
soldiers, and they had determined to have their revenge of the rope
walk people ; being alarmed with this news, I determined to see
Col. Dalrymple on Monday morning. At Sabbath noon I was sur
prised at hearing that Col. Carr and his officers had entered my
rope-walk, opened the windows, doors, &c, giving out that they
were searching for a dead sergeant of their regiment ; this put me
upon immediately waiting upon Col. Dalrymple, to whom I related
what I understood had passed at the rope-walk days before. He re
plied it was much the same as he had heard from his people ; but
says he, " your man was the aggressor in affronting one of my peo
ple, by asking him if he wanted to work, and then telling him to
clean his little-house." For this expression I dismissed my journey
man on the Monday morning following ; and further said, I would
do all in my power to prevent my people's giving them any affront
in future. He then assured me, he had and should do everything
in his power to keep his soldiers in order, and prevent their any
more entering my inclosure. Presently after, Col. Carr came in,
and asked Col. Dalrymple what they should do, for they were daily
losing their men ; that three of his grenadiers passing quietly by
the rope-walks were greatly abused, and one of them so much beat
that he would die. He then said he had been searching for a ser
geant who had been murdered ; upon which, I said, Yes, Colonel, I
hear you have been searching for him in my rope-walks ; and asked
him, whether that sergeant had been in the affray there on the Fri
day ; he replied, no : for he was seen on the Saturday. I then
asked him, how he could think of looking for him in my walks ; and
that had he applied to me, I would have waited on him, and opened
every apartment I had for his satisfaction. John Gray.

42 APPENDIX.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 22, 1770. John Gray, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the above-written affidavit. Taken to perpetuate the
remembrance of the thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum,
And, John Hill, Jus. Peace.

(No. 10.)
Archibald McNeil, Jun., of lawful age, testifies and says, that on
Saturday the third instant, about half an hour after four in the after-
K noon, the deponent with two apprentices were spinning at the lower
end of Mr. McNeil's rope-walk, three stout grenadiers, armed with
bludgeons, came to them, and addressing the deponent, said, " You
damned dogs, don't you deserved to be killed ? Are you fit to
die ?" The deponent and company being quite unarmed, gave no
answer. James Bayley, a seafaring young man, coming up, said to
the deponent, &c, Why did you not answer ? One of the grena
diers, named Dixson, hearing him, came up to Bayley and asked him
if he was minded to vindicate the cause ? Bayley, also unarmed,
did not answer till James Young came up, who, though equally na
ked, said to the grenadier, Damn it, I know what a soldier is. That
grenadier stood still, and the other who had threatened the depo
nent came up and. struck at him, which Young fended off with his
arms, and then turning, aimed a blow at the deponent, which had it
reached might probably have been fatal. Patrick  , Mr.
Winter Calef's journeyman, seeing the affray, went into the tan-
house, and bringing out two bats gave one to a bystander, who, to
gether with Patrick, soon cleared the walk of them. And further saith
not. Archibald McNeil.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 17, 1770. Archibald McNeil above
named, after due examination, made oath to the above affi
davit, taken to perpetuate the remembrance of the thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Just, of Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Just, of Peace.

(No. 11.)
Mary Thayer, of lawful age, testifies and says, that on Sabbath
day evening, the 4th current, a soldier of the 29th, named Charles
Malone, came into Mr. Amos Thayer's house, brother to the depo
nent, and sent a young lad belonging to Mr. Thayer up stairs to his
master, desiring him to come down to him. Mr. Thayer refused to
come down or have any thing to say to him. The deponent going
down on other occasion, said she would hear what the soldier had to
say. And coming to the soldier told him her brother was engaged.
The soldier said, " Your brother as you call him, is a man I have a
very great regard for, and came here to desire him to keep in the
house and not be out, for there would be a great deal of disturbance

APPENDIX. 43
and blood between that time and Tuesday night at 12 o'clock." He
repeatedly said he had a greater regard for Mr. Thayer than any one
in Boston, and on that account came to desire him to keep in the
house, which if he did there would be no danger. After repeating
the above frequently, he even turned at the door, and said, my name
is Charles Malone, your brother knows me well, and insisted very
earnestly that the deponent would not neglect informing her brother.
And further saith not. Mary Thayer.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 17, 1770. Mary Thayer, above named,
after due examination, made oath to the truth of the above
affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remembrance of the thing.
Before Ri. Dana, Just, of Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Just, of Peace.

(No. 12.)
I, Mary Brailsford, of lawful age, testify and declare, that on
Sunday evening, the 4th instant, a person knocked at the door of
Mr. Thayer's house ; Mr. Thayer's lad went to see who it was, the
boy went up stairs to his master, and the soldier came into the room
where I then was ; Miss Mary Thayer and the boy came down stairs
into the same room. Miss Thayer told the soldier her brother was
engaged, and could not be spoke with. He said, ''Your brother as
you call him, is a man I have great regard for, and I came on pur
pose to tell him to keep in his house, for before Tuesday night next
at twelve o'clock, there will be a great deal of blood shed, and a
great many lives lost ;'' and added, " that he came out of particu
lar regard to her brother to advise him to keep in his house, for
then he would be out of harm's way." He said, your brother knows
me very well, my name is Charles Malone ; he then went away. —
And further saith not. her
Mary M Brailsford,
Attest. Wm. Palfrey. Mark.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 17, 1770. Mary Brailsford above
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the above written affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
Before Ri. Dana, Just, of Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Just, of Peace.

(No. 13.)
I, Asa Copeland, of lawful age, testify and declare, that on Sun
day evening, the 4th instant, a soldier named Malone, came to the
house of my master, Mr. Amos Thayer, and asked for the young
man that lived in the house. I asked him what young man he meant ;
he said the young man a carpenter ; I supposing he meant my mas-

44 APPENDIX.
ter, told him he was up stairs. He then asked me to go and call
him, and said he wanted to speak with him ; I then went up and
told'my master that Malone was below and wanted to speak with
him. My master told me to tell him he was engaged and could not
go down, and said if he had any thing to say, he must say itto his
sister, Miss Mary Thayer. I then went down and heard said Ma
lone saying to Miss Thayer, " I would have him keep in for I have
a greater regard for Mr. Thayer, than for any other person in town ;"
and added, " I would have him keep in his own place, for by Tues
day night next before twelve o'clock, there will be a great many
lives lost, and a great deal of blood shed, which he repeated
several times. As he was going out of the door he turned back and
said Mr. Thayer knew him very well, and had drank with him, that
his name was Charles Malone. And further saith not.
Asa Copeland.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 17, 1770. Asa Copeland, above
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the above affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remembrance
of the thing.
Before Ri. Dana, Just, of Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Just, of Peace.

(No. 14.)
I, John Brailsford, of lawful age, testify that on Monday evening,
the 5th instant, as I was passing by the sentry at Col. Dalrymple's
house in Greene's lane, I asked a soldier named Swan, of the 29th
regiment, what was the reason of their people's going about armed
with clubs in such a manner, and troubling the town's people. Swan
told me, " You will see, you had better go home," and more to the
same purpose. When the guns were fired, I returned back and asked
Swan what that could mean ? Swan, waving his head, said, " It's
the guards ; there is no shot there ; you had better go home ;" and
by all his behaviour and discourse he manifested his full acquaint
ance with the whole affair. — And further saith not. John Brailsford.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 21, 1770. John Brailsford, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the above-written affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
Before John Ruddock, Just. Peace and the Quorum,
John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 15.)
Nathaniel Noyes, of lawful age, testifies and says, that on last'
Sabbath evening, the 4th day of March current, a little after dark,
he saw five or six soldiers of the 14th and 29th regiments, each of
them with clubs, passing through Fore street, and heard them say,

APPENDIX. 45
that if they saw any of the inhabitants of this town out in the street
after nine o'clock, they swore by God, they would knock them down,
be they who they will. • Nath. Noyes.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 16, 1770. Nathaniel Noyes, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the above-written affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
Before Ri. Dana, Just, of Peace and of the Quorum.
John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 16.)
Richard Ward, of lawful age, does testify and say, that on the .
Lord's day evening preceding the fifth day of March instant, about
dusk, he went to see one Mr. Dines (who is a soldier in the 29th
regiment, and who worked, when he was not upon duty, in Mr. John
Piemont, peruke maker's shop, with the deponent, a journeyman to
said Piemont) ; the said Dines lives near the barracks at New Bos
ton ; when your deponent was there, he heard one of the officers of
the said 29th regiment say to the sergeants, " Don't let any of your
people go out unless there be eight or ten together." Richard Ward.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 16, 1770. Richard Ward, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the above-written affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
Before Ri. Dana, Just, of Peace and of the Quorum.
John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No 17.)
Jane Usher, of lawful age, testifies and says, that about nine
o'clock in the morning of Monday the fifth day of March current,
she being in the front chamber of the house of John Scollay, Esq.,
on Dock square, from the window saw two persons in the habit of
soldiers, one of whom being on horseback, appeared to be an offi
cer's servant. The person on the horse first spoke to the other, but
what he said she is not able to say, though the window was open,
and she not more than twenty feet distant ; the other replied, " He
hoped he should see blood enough spilt before morning." Jane Usher.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 16, 1770. Jane Usher, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the above-written affidavit, taken to perpetuate the re
membrance of the thing.
Before Ri. Dana, Just, of Peace and of the Quorum.
John Hill, Just. Peace.

46 APPENDIX. (No. 18.)
Matthew Adams (living with Mr. John Arnold) being of lawful
age, testifies and says, that on Monday evening the fifth day of
March instant, between the hours of seven and eight of the clock, he
went to the house of Corporal Pershall, of the twenty-ninth regi
ment, near Quaker lane, where he saw the corporal and his wife,
with one of the fifers of said regiment ; when he had got what
he went for, and was coming away, the corporal called him back,
and desired him with great earnestness to go home to his master's
house as soon as business was over, and not to be abroad on any ac
count that night in particular, for the soldiers were determined to
be revenged on the ropewalk people ; and that much mischief would
be done ; upon which the fifer (about eighteen or nineteen years of
age), said he hoped in God they would burn the town down ; on
this he left the house, and the said corporal called after him again,
and begged he would mind what he had said to him ; and further
saith not. Matthew Adams.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 20, 1770. Matthew Adams, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the aforesaid affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
Before John Ruddock, Just. Peace and of the Quorum.
John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 19.)
Caleb Swan, of lawful age, testifies and says, that last Monday
night, the 5th of March 1770, being at Mr. Sample's door, at the
north part of the town, near the north battery, at the time of the
bells ringing for fire, he heard a woman's voice, whom he knew to
be the supposed wife of one Montgomery, a grenadier of the 29th
regiment, standing at her door, and heard her say it was not fire ;
the town was too haughty and too proud ; that many of their arses
would be laid low before the morning. Upon which Susanna Cath-
cart said to her, I hope your husband will be killed. On which the
woman replied, my husband is able and will stand his ground.
Caleb Swan.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 21, 1770. Caleb Swan, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the above affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remembrance
of the thing.
Before John Ruddock, Just. Peace and of the Quorum.
John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 20.)
Margaret Swansborough, of lawful age, testifies and says, that
a free woman, named Black Peg, who has kept much with the
soldiers, on hearing the disturbance on Monday evening, the 5th

APPENDIX. 4*7
instant, said, " the soldiers were not to be trod upon by the inhabi
tants, but would know before morning, whether they or the inhabi
tants were to be masters." Since which time, the said Black Peg
has sold off her household stuff and left the town, on her hearing
what she had said before was given in to the committee of enquiry.
her
Margaret -j- Swansborough,
mark.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 20, 1770. Margaret Swansborough,
aforenamed, after due examination, made oath to the truth
of the aforesaid affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
Before John Ruddock, Just. Peace and of the Quorum.
Belcher Noyes, Just. Peace.

(No. 21.)
Robert Pierpont, of lawful age, testifies and says, that going to
see a sick neighbor between the hours of seven and eight on Monday
evening, the fifth current, two soldiers armed, one with a broad
sword, the other with a club, passed him near the hay market, going
towards the town-house, seeming in great haste. In a few minute's
they returned and hollowed very loud, " Colonel." Before the depo
nent reached Mr. West's house, where he was going, they passed
him again, joined by another, with a'blue surtout, who had a bayonet,
with which he gave the deponent a back-handed stroke, apparently
more to affront than hurt him. On complaint of this treatment,
he said, the deponent should soon hear more of it, and threatened
him very hard, and further saith not. Rob. Pierpont.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 16, 1770. Robert Pierpont, above
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the above written affidavit, taken to perpetuate the re
membrance of the thing.
Before Ri. Dana, Just. Peace and of the Quorum.
John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 22.)
John Brown, of lawful age, testifies and says, that coming home
wards about nine of the clock on Monday evening, the fifth current, he
fell in with Nathaniel Bosworth, and walking slowly together, a
little to the southward of Liberty-tree so called, they met a parcel
of soldiers, about six or seven in number, walking very fast into
town, one of the foremost said, " damn you stand out of the way," and
struck the deponent a blow on the breast, which made him stagger
and fall nearly to the ground, though he had sheared out of the
way. The soldiers pressed along cursing and damning, towards the
town-house with naked bayonets in their hands.
John Brown.

48 APPENDIX.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 17, 1770. John Brown, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the above affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remembrance
of the thing.
Before Ri. Dana, Just. Peace and of the Quorum.
John Hill, Just. Peace.

The following deposition should have immediately preceded No. 5.
(No. 23!)
Samuel Bostwick, of lawful age, testifies and says, that on Fri
day, the 2d instant, between ten and eleven o'clock in the forenoon,
three soldiers of the 29th regiment, came up Mr. Gray's ropewalk,
and William Green, one of the hands, spoke to one of them, saying,
" soldier, will you work ?" The soldier replied, "yes." Green said,
" then go and clean my s — t-house." The soldier swore by the Holy
Ghost that he would have recompense, and tarried a good while
swearing at Green, who took no further noticp of him, and then
went off, and soon after returned to the ropewalk with a party of
thirty or forty soldiers, headed by a tall negro drummer, and chal
lenged the rope makers to come out. ¦ All hands then present, being
aBout thirteen or fourteen, turned out and beat them off, considerably
bruised. And further saith not. Samuel Bostwick.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 19, 1770. Samuel Bostwick, above-
' named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the above affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remembrance
of the thing.
Before Ri. Dana, Just, of Peace and of the Quorum.
John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 24.)
I, William Tyler, of lawful age, do testify and say, that on the
evening of the fifth of March, a little after nine o'clock, as . 1 was
coming up King street, just before I got to the custom house, I saw
the sentinel running after a boy, and immediately heard him cry out
as though in great distress. 1 asked the boy what was the matter ;
he told me the sentinel had struck him with his gun and bayonet be
cause he asked Captain Goldfinch for some money that he owed him.
The sentinel said that he should not use an officer ill in the street.
Soon after the boy left the sentinel and went away, and immediately
ten or twelve soldiers came running up Silsby's alley, crying out,
"Where are your Sons of Liberty ?" and went from thence to Corn
hill. I further testify, that when the above complaint was made of
the sentinel's striking the barber's boy, there were few people in ,
the street. I saw but five or six about them, who immediately
dispersed. I then left King street, and went up to Cornhill.
William Tyler.

APPENDIX. 49
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 21, 1770. William Tyler, above
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of.
the aforesaid affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Just. Peace and of the Quorum, ,
John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 25.)
Henry Bass, of lawful age, testifies and says, that going from his
house in Winter-street, on Monday evening, the fifth of March, to
see a friend in the neighborhood of the Rev. Dr. Cooper's meeting
house ; that the bell was ringing for nine o'clock when he came out
of his house, and that he proceeded down the Main street, and going
near Draper's alley, leading to Murray's barracks, through which he
purposed to pass, heard some boys huzzaing, and imagines that there
were six or seven of them and not more — and presently after he saw
two or three persons in said alley with weapons, but cannot posi
tively say what they were. Soon after several more came into the
alley and made a sally out, and those that came out were soldiers,
and thinks were all grenadiers, as they were stout men, and were
armed with largo naked cutlasses ; they made at every body
coming in their way, cutting and slashing ; the said deponent very
narrowly escaped receiving a cut from the foremost of them, who
pursued him below Mr. Simpson's stone shop, where he made a
stand ; presently after, going up Cornhill, he mot an oyster man,
who said to the deponent, " Damn it, this is what I got by going
up," and showed the deponent a large cut he had received from one
of the soldiers with a cutlass, over his right shoulder ; said depo
nent thinking it not safe but very dangerous for him to go through
the alley, he returned home by the way of King-street, through Royal
Exchange lane, and passed by the sentinel at the corner of the
Custom- house. And said deponent further says, that he never saw
fewer persons in King street, considering the pleasantness of the
evening, and verily believes there was not twelve persons between
the Crown coffee-house and the bottom of the Town-house ; he
imagines it to be then about fifteen or twenty minutes after nine.
After said deponent got to the head of the Town-house, he met a
great many persons who enquired of him about the affair ; the said
deponent told them there had been an affray by Murray's barracks,
but that it was then over. And further this deponent saith not.
Henry Bass.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 16, 1770. The above-named Henry
Bass personally appearing, and being carefully examined
and duly cautioned to testify the whole truth, maketh
solemn oath to the fore-written deposition by him sub
scribed, taken to perpetuate the remembrance of the thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Just. Peace.
4

50 APPENDIX. (No. 26.)
I, William LeBaron, of Boston, of lawful age, testify and say, that
on Monday evening the fifth day of this instant March, about ten
minutes after nine o'clock, being in King street with my brother
Francis LeBaron, saw a soldier, the sentry of the Custom-house
door, running after a barber's boy ; the boy called out as if he was
in distress, and the soldier pursuing him with his firelock, told him
if he did not hold his tongue he would put a ball through him, after
which the soldier returned to his post ; immediately after this I
heard a great noise in Silsby's lane, so called, and immediately
about thirteen or fourteen soldiers appeared in King street, near the
watch-house, with their drawn swords, cutlasses, and bayonets,
calling out, " Where are the damned boogers, cowards, where are
your Liberty boys ;'' at which time there was not more than eight or
ten persons in King street ; one of the soldiers came up to me,
damned me, and made several passes at me with a drawn sword, the
last of which the sword went between my arm and breast, and then
I run, as I had nothing to defend myself, and was pursued by a sol
dier with a naked bayonet, who swore he would run me through ; at
which time your deponent cried fire ! and soon after the bells rung,
and further your deponent saith not. William LeBaron.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 19, 1770. William LeBaron, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the above-written affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Justice of Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 27.)
William Lewis, testifies and says, that on the evening following
Monday the fifth instant, about nine o'clock, he passing through
King street, in order to go into Cornhill street, while he was cross
ing King street heard some people wrangling at the Custom-house
door, and he immediately saw four soldiers of the 29th regiment
jump out from between tho Watch-house and the Town-house steps,
at the east end of the house, in their short jackets with drawn
swords in their hands, two of whom run after the deponent and pur
sued him close until he got to his home in Cornhill street, where
just as he entered the door one of the soldiers struck at him either
with his sword or bayonet, but the deponent rather thinks it was the
latter, as he afterwards found a three-square hole cut in the skirt of
his surtout, which he verily believes was made by the blow that the
soldier struck at him ; and further saith not. William Lewis.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 20, 1770. William Lewis, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the above affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remembrance
of the thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Justice of Peace and of the Quorum
John Hill, Just. Peace.

APPENDIX. 51
(No. 28.)
Nathaniel Thayer, of lawful age, testifies, that on Monday even
ing the 5th of March, about nine of the clock, as he sat in his
house in Cornhill he heard a great noise, at which he went to the
door, and saw a number of people by Mr. Quincy's door, near Mur
ray's barracks, where he heard the sticks and clubs going, upon
which fire was cried, and presently ran five soldiers as he supposes
from the main-guard, with swords or cutlasses, swearing and damn
ing, and saying, " Where are they ? cut them to pieces." The sol
diers in their waistcoats came to his door and insulted him ; so he
shut his door and went in. Nath. Thayer.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 19, 1770. Nathaniel Thayer,
above-named, after due examination, made oath to the
truth of the above affidavit, taken to perpetuate the re
membrance of the thing.
Before, Ri. Dana,- Justice of Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 29.)
I, Isaac Parker, of lawful age, testify and say, that being at Mr.
Richard Salter's house on the evening of the fifth current, heard a
great noise in the street, upon which I went to the entry door and
saw a great number of soldiers in their jackets without sleeves, hav
ing naked cutlasses in their hands, flourishing them over their heads,
one of whom assaulted me with a naked cutlass, aiming a stroke at
my head, which I happily avoided by a sudden retreat in-doors.
Isaac Parker.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 19, 1770. Isaac Parker, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the above-written affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Just, of Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 30.)
I, Bartholomew Kneeland, of Boston, merchant, being of lawful
age, testify and say, that on Monday evening, the fifth instant (be
ing at my lodgings at the house of my sister, Mrs. Mehetable Tor-
rey, widow of the late Mr. Samuel Torrey, deceased), about fifteen
minutes after nine o'clock, hearing a bell ring, which I supposed
was for fire, went immediately to the front door, followed by Mr.
Matthias King, Mrs. Torrey, and two others of the family ; standing
at the door for the space of four or minutes, I saw a number of sol
diers, with broadswords and bayonets, in the main street near the
town pump, making a great noise. One of the said soldiers, when
nearly opposite to me, spake to me the following words, viz.,
" Damn you, what do you do there ? Get in." To which I made

52 APPENDIX.
no answer. The same soldier immediately crossed the gutter, and,
coming up to me, pointed his naked bayonet within six inches of
my breast ; I told him to go along, and then I retired into the
house. In about half an hour's time after the above, I heard'a vol
ley of small arms fired off in King street ; and upon inquiry was
told that three men were killed and one wounded. Bart. Kneeland.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March, 12, 1770. Bartholomew Knee
land, above-named, after due examination, made oath to
the above-written affidavit, taken to perpetuate the re
membrance of the thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Just, of Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 31.)
I, Nathaniel Appleton, of lawful age, testify, that on Monday
evening, the 5th instant, between nine and ten o'clock, I was sitting
in my house in Cornhill, heard a noise in the street, I went to my
front door and saw several persons passing up' and down the street ;
I asked what was the matter ? was informed that the soldiers at
Murray's barrack were quarrelling with the inhabitants. Standing
there a few minutes, I saw a number of soldiers, about twelve or fif
teen, as near as I could judge, come down from the southward, run
ning toward the said barrack with drawn cutlasses, and appeared to
be passing by, but on seeing me in company with Deacon Marsh at
my door, they turned out of their course and rushed upon us with
uplifted weapons, without our speaking or doing the least thing to
provoke them ; with the utmost difficulty we escaped a stroke by
retreating and closing the door upon them.
I further declare, that at that time my son, a lad about twelve
years old, was abroad on an errand, and soon came home and told
me that he was met by a number of soldiers with cutlasses in their
hands, one of which attempting to strike him, the child begged for
his life, saying, " Pray soldier, save my life ;'' on which the soldier
replied, " No, damn you, I will kill you all," and smote him with
his cutlass, which glanced down along his arm and knocked him to the
ground, where they left him. After the soldiers had all passed, the
child arose and came home, having happily received no other dam
age than a bruise on the arm. I further declare that the above-
related transactions happened but a few minutes before the soldiers
fired upon the people in King street ; and further saith not.
Nath. Appleton.
Suffolk, -ss. Boston, March 20, 1770. Nathaniel Appleton,
above-named, after due examination, made oath to the
truth of the above affidavit, taken to perpetuate the re
membrance of the thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Just. Peace, and the Quorum,
John Hill, Just. Peace.

APPENDIX. 53
(No. 32.)
Jeremiah Belknap, of lawful age, testifies and says, that on the
first appearance of the affray in Cornhill on Monday evening, the
fifth instant, hearing a noise he ran to his door and heard Mr. Wil
liam Merchant say he had been struck by a soldier, and presently
saw to the number of eight or nine soldiers come out of Boylston's
alley into the street, armed with clubs and cutlasses. The deponent
went into the street and desired them to retire to their barracks ; •
upon which one of them, with a club in one hand and a. cutlass in
the other, with the latter made a stroke at the deponent ; when
finding there was no prospect of stopping them, the deponent ran to
the main-guard, and called for the officers of the guard. The reply
was, " There is no officer here." Several of the soldiers came out
of the guard-house, and the deponent told them if there was not a
party sent down there would be bloodshed. Just as the deponent
spoke these words he was attacked by two soldiers, with drawn cut
lasses, supposed of the party from Murray's barracks, one at his
breast and the other over his head. One of the guards said, " This is
an officer," meaning the deponent, I believe a constable ; on which
the two assailants retired and put up their cutlasses ; and further
saith not. Jeremiah Belknap.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 16, 1770. The above-named Jere
miah Belknap, personally appeared, and being carefully
examined, and duly cautioned to testify the whole truth,
maketh solemn oath to the forewritten deposition by him
subscribed, taken to perpetuate the remembrance of the
thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Just, of Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Just, of Peace.

(No. 33.)
I, John Coburn, of lawful age, testify and say, that on the even
ing of the 5th of March instant, being alarmed by the cry of fire
and ringing of bells, ran out of my house with my bags and buckets ;
upon going to Mr. Payne's door, he told me it was not fire, it was
a riot. I sent my buckets home again, and went to Mr. Amory's
corner with Mr. Payne, and Mr. Walker, the builder, came along
and said the soldiers were in the street in Cornhill and Dock-square,
with their drawn cutlasses, cutting and slashing every body i^ their
way, and the inhabitants wanted help, and said, pray gentlemen run,
or words to that purpose. I returned again to my house, and JWew
minutes after, at the head of Royal Exchange lane, in the street, I
saw a few, not exceeding fifteen or twenty persons, stop, as I sup
posed, talking what had happened. I went to Mr. Payne's door and
stood in his entry with him, I believe, about ten or fifteen minutes,
and heard some words with the people and the sentinel, such as,
Do fire if you dare, but no further than words, not so much as to
touch him, as I saw ; neither did I see more than five or six that

54 APPENDIX.
had so much as sticks in their hands, all entirely unarmed, without
any weapons. Mr. Harrison Gray, jun., came into the entry to us,
and upon this immediately came an officer with a party of six or
seven men with their guns breast-high, and cleared the way, and by
their behavior I did not know but they would fire. I said it was
not prudent to tarry there ; went directly into my own house and
called all my family in. To the best of my judgment, there was
. not more than fifty or sixty people in the street when the party
came, and I believe it was not exceeding two minutes from the time
that I left Mr. Payne to the firing of the guns, and further your
deponent saith not. John Coburn.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 16, 1770. The above-named John
Coburn, personally appearing, and being carefully examin
ed and duly cautioned to testify the whole truth, maketh
solemn oath to the afore-written deposition by him sub
scribed, taken to perpetuate the remembrance of the
thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Just, of Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 34.)
I, Robert Polley, of lawful age, testify and declare, that on Mon
day evening, the 5th inst., as I. was going home, observed about ten
persons standing near Mr. Taylor's door. After standing there a
small space of time, I went with them towards Boylston's alley, op
posite to Murray's barracks. We met in the alley about eight or
nine soldiers, some of whom were armed with drawn swords and
cutlasses, one had a tongs, another a shovel, with which they as
saulted us, and gave us a great deal of abusive language. We then
drove them back to the barracks with sticks only ; we looked for
stones or bricks but could find none, the ground being covered with
snow. Some of the lads dispersed, and myself with a few others
were returning peaceably home, when we met about nine or ten
other soldiers armed with a naked cutlass in one hand and a stick or
bludgeon in the other. One of them said, " Where are the sons of
bitches ?" They struck at several persons in the street, and went
towards the head of the alley. Two officers came and endeavored
to get them into the barracks. One of the lads proposed to ring
the bell. The soldiers went through the alley, and the boys huz
zaed Shd said they were gone through Royal Exchange lane into King
stre^. Myself and some of the boys then went into King street. I saw
two*lr three snow balls strike the side of the Custom House, near
which a sentinel stood. The sentinel kept the boys off with his
bayonet charged breast high, which he frequently pushed at them.
I then saw eight or nine soldiers with a leader come from the main
guard towards the Custom House, where they drew up,, three facing
up the street and three fronting the street. They kept continually
striking and pushing with their bayonets at the people who pressed

APPENDIX. 55
towards them, without offering any insult as I saw. I then went
down Royal Exchange lane. When I was in the middle of the lane
I heard the discharge of a gun, which was immediately followed by
about seven others. And further saith not.
• his
Robert -}- Polley,
Attest. Wm. Palfrey. mark.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 17, 1770. Robert Polley, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the above affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Justice of Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Justice Peace.

(No. 35.)
Samuel Atwood, of Welfleet, of lawful age, testifies and says,
that a few minutes after nine of the clock on Monday evening last,
lying on board a vessel in the town dock, he heard a noise and dis
turbance at the upper end of Dock Square, and going up he found
the soldiers and inhabitants engaged in the narrow passes round
Murray's barracks so called ; the latter being mostly boys unarmed,
dispersed, on which ten or twelve soldiers armed with drawn cut
lasses, clubs, and bayonets bolted out of the alley into the square
and met the deponent, who asked them if they intended to murder
people ? They answered, ." Yes, by. God, root and branch," say
ing, " here is one of them ;'' with that one of them struck the de
ponent with a club, which was repeated by another : the deponent
being unarmed turned to go off, and he received a wound on the
left shoulder, which reached the bone, disabled him, and gave him
much pain. Having gone a few steps, the deponent met two offi
cers, and asked them, gentlemen, what is the matter ?• They an
swered, " You will see by and by ;" and as he passed by Colonel
Jackson's, he heard the cry, " Turn out the guards." Samuel AtwocJd.
Suffolk, ss. March 16, 1770. The above-named, Samuel At
wood, appeared before us. two of his Majesty's Justices of
the Peace for the said county of Suffolk, and being care
fully examined, and duly cautioned to declare the whole
truth, made oath to the truth of the above testimony by
him subscribed, taken to perpetuate the remembrance
of the thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Justice of Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Justice Peace.

(No. 36.)
Captain James Kirkwood, of lawful age, testifies and says, that
about nine of the clock in the evening of the fifth day of March

56 APPENDIX.
current, he was going by Murray's barracks, hearing a noise, stopped
at Mr. Rhoads's door, opposite to said barracks, where said Rhoads
was standing, and stood some time and saw the soldiers coming out
of the yard from the barracks, armed with cutlasses and bayonets,
and. rushing through Boylston's alley into Cornhill. Two dftcers,
viz., Lieuts. Minchin and Dickson, came out of the mess-house and
said to the soldiers, my lads come into the barrack and don't hurt
the inhabitants, and then retired into the mess-house. Soon after
theyvpame to the door again, and found the soldiers in the yard ;
and directly upon it, Ensign Mall came to the gate of the barrack
yard, and said to the soldiers, " Turn out, and I will stand by you !"
This he repeated frequently, adding, " Kill them ! stick them !
knock them down, run your bayonets through them," with a »great
deal of language of like import. Upon which a great number of
soldiers came out of the barracks, with naked cutlasses, headed by
said Mall, and went through the aforesaid alley, some officers came
and got the soldiers into their barracks ; and that Mall, with his
sword or cutlass drawn in his hand, as often had them out again ;
but they were at last drove into their barracks by the aforesaid
Minchin and Dickson. James Kirkwood.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 21, 1770. James Kirkwood, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the aforesaid affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Justice of Peace and of the Quorum,
And, John Hill, Justice Peace.

(No. 37.)
Matthias King, of Halifax, in Nova Scotia, of lawful age, testi
fies and says, that in the evening of the fifth day of March instant,
about nine of the clock, he was at his lodgings at Mrs. Torrey's,
near the town pump, and heard the bells ring and the cry of fire ¦
upon which he went to the door, and saw several soldiers coming
round the south side of the town house armed with bayonets, and
something which ho took to be broad-swords ; that one of those peo
ple came up almost to him and Mr. Bartholomew Kneeland • and
they had but just time to shut the door upon him, otherwise he is
well assured they must have fell victims to their boundless cruelty :
He afterwards went into the upper chamber of the said house, and
was looking out of the window when the drum and the guard went
to the barrack ; and he saw one of the guards kneel and present his
piece with a bayonet fixed, and heard him sware he would fire upon
a parcel of boys who were then in the street, but he did not. He
further declares, that when the body of troops was drawn up before
the guard-house (which was presently after the massacre), he heard
an officer say to another, that this was fine work, and just what he
wanted ; but in the hurry he could not see him, so as to know him
aSain- Matthias King.

APPENDIX. 57
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 17, 1770. Matthias King, above
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the above affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remembrance
of the thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Just, of Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Just, of Peace.

(No. 38.)
Bartholomew Broaders, of lawful age, testifies and says, that on
Sunday evening, being the 4th instant, preceding the massacre, he
went up to see Patrick Dines, a soldier of the 29th regiment, who
worke.d with Mr. Piemont, and in Dawson's room heard Sergeant
Daniels say, that the officers said, since patience would not do, force
must. And that the soldiers must not bear the affronts of the in
habitants any longer, but resent them, and make them know their
distance ; and further, that the inhabitants would never be easy,
and that he should desire to make the plumbs fly about their ears,
and set the town on fire round them, and then they would know who
and who were of a side — said Daniels asked Edward Garrick, fellow-
apprentice to the deponent, if he knew where he could get a stick
that would bear a good stroke ? Garrick replied, you must look for
one. And the deponent further saith, that about eight o'clock on
Monday evening, he went down King street, and met twelve of the
towns people with clubs, who said that they had been attacked by
the soldiers ; that he followed the towns people to the conduit, and
then returned home. Soon after Mr. Green's maid and his daughter
"called him out of the shop, and asked him to go to the apothecaries ;
and then they with the deponent returned to the custom-house ; in
going he met his fellow-apprentice, and they went and stood upon
the Custom-house steps, and Mr. Hammond Green came out, say
ing, come in girls ; then the deponent and his fellow-apprentice, by
the maid's invitation, went in also. Soon after Sawny Irving, so
called, came in as he thought without a hat, seemed a little angry,
and he thinks asked for a candle, (the maid has since told him he
did ask for one), then he went through the room along with Hammond
Green, the latter returned into the kitchen, then he left the house
and went home ; after which the deponent came down King street,
and went through Quaker lane, and coming up the lane again, saw
the sentinel at the Custom-house leave his post and come into the
middle of the street, and said to the deponent's fellow-apprentice,
— who he thought had said something of an officer's not paying his
debts — let me see your face ; the boy answered, I am not ashamed
to show my face ; immediately upon which the sentinel fetched a
sweeping stroke with his gun, upon the side of his head, which
made him reel and stagger about, and cry much. The deponent
asked what he was struck for ; he answered for nothing, he then
asked the sentinel what he meant by thus abusing the people. He
replied, damn your blood, if you do not get out of the way, I will

58 APPENDIX.
give you something ; he then fixed his bayonet, and pushed at them,
and they both run. Then one Richard Ward, another fellow-ap
prentice, asked the one struck, what it was for, and endeavored
to get his stick to strike the sentinel, but he told him not to, and
came away ; then he heard a huzza or two, and as he got up
Silsby's alley, up came a number of grenadiers, as he thought
about ten, with clubs, cutlasses, and bayonets, crying out, where
are the damned Yankees. He replied, what is the matter, they
answered, we will let you know. He then run into his master's en
try, and as running in, saw near twenty other soldiers with bayo
nets, &c. flourishing, coming from the guard house as he thought ;
immediately after, he heard the bells ring, and then as he took it,
the same party with a sergeant at their head, came running by,
knocking down and slashing all the towns people they met with ;
then he heard people who were running, ask where the fire was. He
told them it was no fire, but the soldier's near Justice Quincey's
were fighting with the inhabitants. He then went towards Justice
Quincey's, and found the soldiers had retired to their barracks,
when three cheers were given by the inhabitants. He then went
down to King street, and heard the people talking of the abuse his
fellow-apprentices had received from the sentinel, but saw no insult
offered the sentinel, the people being in the middle of the street.
One came up with a cane, appeared a gentleman, and spoke to the
sentinel, and then went away ; thin the sentinel went up the steps
of the custom-house and pointed his gun ; some of the inhabitants
then said he is going to fire — then he took down his gun and loaded
it ; while he was loading, one Thomas Greenwood a waiter, went
into the custom-house door, and it was shut immediately ; and then
Mr. Green's son, John, said the sentinel was a going to fire ; but he
saw no abuse offered him, or any danger he was in. He then went
down Royal Exchange lane, met a number of people who were
also dispersing near Dock square. He then said to one Cox and
the people, that the soldiers were going to fire upon the inhabi
tants at the commissioner's steps ; some of the people went up upon
this news to King street ; another man came from King street, and
said to them, come up into King street. He then went up Silsby's
alley, and when he got to Mrs. Eustis's shop, heard a gun go off,
and afterwards several others in a short space of time after one
another. Soon after he was told that three men were killed •
then heard the bells ring, and saw the people assemble fast in
King street. The deponent further saith, that on the night above-
said, the snow was deep upon the ground, and well remembers
that when the sentry called for the main guard, there were not
above ton or twenty people in King street near the custom-house.
And further saith not. Bartholomew Broaders.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 19, 1770. Bartholomew Broaders,
above named, after due examination, made oath to the

APPENDIX. 59
truth of the above-written affidavit, taken to perpetuate
the remembrance of the thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Just, of Peace and of the Quorum,
And, John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 39.)
John Goddard, of Brookline, testifies and says, as he was passing
the street on Saturday last, being the 3d instant, he stopped near
the barracks in Water street, and sold several of the barrack peo
ple some potatoes about five o'clock in the afternoon, and found by
their discourse some of the soldiers had returned from a fray near
the ropewalks, and a number of soldiers came out of the barracks,
he supposed about twenty, with clubs, seemingly much enraged ;
and one in a profane manner swore he would be revenged on them,
if he fired the town. John Goddard.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 22, 1770. John Goddard, above-
mentioned, after due examination made oath to the truth
of the aforesaid affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Just. Peace and of the Quorum,
And, John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No.' 40.)
Daniel Calfe, of lawful age, testifies and says, that on Saturday
evening, the 3rd instant, a camp woman, wife to James McDeed, a
grenadier in the 29th, came into Daniel Calfe's shop, father to the
deponent, and the people, talking about the affray at the ropework,
and blaming the soldiers for the part they had acted in it. The
woman said the soldiers were in the right, adding that before Tues
day or Wednesday night they would wet their swords or bayonets in
New England people's blood. The .deponent further says, that on
the evening of the 5th current, hearing the bells ring, which he
took for fire, he went out, and near the old south meeting house
heard the soldiers were fighting with the inhabitants in King street,
whereupon he came into King street, and seeing a number of people
(about one hundred) he went up to the Custom House, where were
posted about a dozen soldiers with an officer. That this deponent
heard said officer order the soldiers to fire, and gave the second word
to fire before they fired ; and upon the officers ordering the soldiers
to fire the second time, this deponent ran off about thirty feet dis
tant, when turning about, he saw one Caldwell fall, and likewise a
mulatto man, Daniel Calfe.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 21, 1770. Daniel Calfe, above
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the aforesaid affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remembrance
of the thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Just. Peace and of the Quorum,
And, John Hill, Just. Peace.

60 APPENDIX. (No. 41.)
I, Thomas Marshall, of lawful age, do testify and declare, that,
on Monday night, the 5th of March, four or five minutes after nine
o'clock, coming from Col. Jackson's house on Dock Square, to my
house in King street, next door to the Custom House, I saw no per
son in the street but the sentinel at the Custom House, in perfect
peace. After I had been in my house ten or twelve minutes, being
in my shop in the front of the house, I heard the cry of murder at
a distance, on which I opened the door, but saw no person in the
street ; but in half a minute I saw several persons rushing out from
the main guard house, crying out, damn them, where are they ?
They came down as far as the corner of Mr. Philips's house ; I saw
their swords and bayonets glitter in the moonlight, crying out as be
fore, and by Jesus let them come ; at which time I was called into
the house by one of my family, but returned again in half a minute,
and saw ten or twelve soldiers, in a tumultuous manner, in the mid
dle of King street, opposite to Royal Exchange lane, flourishing their
.arms, and saying, damn them where are they, and crying fire ; the
bells then rung as for fire ; I was then called in again for half a
minute, and returning again to the door, the inhabitants began to
collect. Sooji after a party of soldiers came down the south side of
King street and crossed over to the Custom House sentinel, and
formed in a rank by him, nor did I see any manner of abuse offered
the sentinel, and in three minutes at the farthest they began to fire
on the inhabitants, by which several persons were killed, and several
others were wounded. Some time after this, the party marched off
very leisurely, and without molestation, and presently after the
main guard was drawn out in ranks between the guard-house and
town-house, and was joined by the piquet in the same manner, with
fixed bayonets and muskets shouldered, except the front rank, who
stood with charged bayonets, until the Lieutenant Governor came
up. And I do further declare, as near as I can judge, there was not
more than 100 persons in the street at the time the guns were dis
charged. Tho. Marshall.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 20, 1770. Thomas Marshall, Esq.,
above named, after due examination, made oath to the
truth of the afore-written affidavit, taken to perpetuate
the remembrance of the thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Just. Peace and of the Quorum,
Sam. Pemberton, Just. Peace.

(No. 42.)
I, John Leach, jun., of lawful age, do testify and say, that on
Monday night, between the hours of nine and ten in the evening of
the 5th instant, three youths and myself were passing through the
alley leading from Justice Quinpey's to Murray's barracks (so
called) ; when we had got about half way through the alley a soldier
of the 29th regiment with a dirty looking man overtook us, the

APPENDIX. 61
soldier being armed with a cutlass or sword, and the man with a
short thick club, and rushing through us, one of the youths asked
what the matter was ; by that the man that had the club struck one
of the youths on the shoulder ; another of the youths asked him
what he meant, by that the soldier came up and struck the youth
with his sword or cutlass on his arm, which did him considerable
damage-; then we all ran up the alley and asked for assistance, when
soon came up some more soldiers out of their barracks through the
alley armed with cutlasses, swords, shovels, and tongs, cutting and
slashing, that we were obliged to run up the alley and stand at the
head of the alley and keep them in as long as we could ; but there
were so many that we were obliged to run ; but they immediately
made after us and knocked several of us down, myself for one.
Some time after two officers of the 29th regiment came up the alley
and drove the soldiers home to their barracks, and then the people
chiefly dispersed, myself for one ; as I was going down Dock square to
go home I heard a number of people hallow, Run up King street, for
the soldiers are knocking people down ; after some time considering
what the matter was, I ran up Royal Exchange alley, so called ;
when I had got to the head of the alley, -I saw about eight soldiers
standing round the sentry box by the Custom-House with their guns
levelled breast high and a considerable number of people stand in
King street ; when I had been there about three minutes I heard the
word fire (but who it came from I cannot say), but nobody seemed
to mind it ; about half a minute after I heard the word fire again,
and some other words, but could not tell what they were ; directly
the soldier on the right hand fired, I had a blow on my back which
I thought was from the butt of a gun, I was then a-going off when
I heard five or six guns go off which I took to be nothing but powder
at first, till I see two men drop, by this the people seemed to dis
perse, then I was going up by the Town House when I saw the peo
ple bringing along two dead men, a little while after the whole of
the 29th regiment drew up by the Town House, I stayed a little
while longer, and made the best of my way home. And further I
say not. John Leach, Jun.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 21, 1770. John Leach, Jun., above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the aforesaid affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Just. Peace and of the Quorum,
And, John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 43.)
I, the subscriber, of lawful age, testify and say, that on Monday
evening, the 5th instant, March 1770, being at tho south part of
the town between the hours of nine and ten o'clock, I heard the
bells in the centre of the town ring, and fire cried, ran immediately
for King street, where I supposed it was, and to my great astonish-

62 APPENDIX.
nient, I saw a number of soldiers with presented bayonets, com
manded by an officer whom I did not then know ; the soldiers form
ed a semi-circle round the sentinel box to the Custom-House door
— I went immediately up to them, and spoke to the fourth man
from the corner, who stood in the gutter, and asked him if the sol
diers were loaded, he replied Yes ! I then asked (addressing myself
to'the whole), if they intended to fire, was answered positively, Yes,
by the Eternal God. I then looked round to see what number of
inhabitants were in the street, and computed them to be about fifty,
who were then going off as fast as possible ; at the same time I ob
served a tall man standing on my left-hand, who seemed not appre
hensive of the danger he was in, and before I had time to speak to
him, I heard the word " Fire !" and immediately the report follow
ed, the man on my left hand dropped, I asked him if he was hurt,
but received no answer, I then stooped down and saw him gasping
and struggling with death. I then saw another man laying dead on
my right-hand, but further advanced up the street. I then saw the
soldiers loading again, and I ran up the street to get some assistance
to carry off the dead and wounded. Doctor Jos. Gardner, and
David Bradley, came down with me to the corpses, and as we were
stooping to take them up, the soldiers presented at us again ; I then
saw an officer passing busily behind them. We carried off the dead
without regarding the soldiers. I then saw an officer pass before
the soldiers and hove up their arms, and said stop firing, don't fire
any more, upon which they shouldered. I then went close up to
them, and addressing myself to the whole, told them I came to see
•some faces that I might be able to swear to another day — Capt.
Preston, who was the officer, turned round and answered (in a mel
ancholy tone), "perhaps you may." After taking a view of each
man's face I left them. They soon after ran up to the main guard
house. I have nothing farther to say. Benj. Burdick, Jun.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 20, 1770. Benjamin Burdick, Jun.,
above-named, after due examination, made oath to the
truth of the aforesaid affidavit, taken to perpetuate the re
membrance of the thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Justice of Peace and of the Quorum,
And, John Hill, Justice Peace.

(No. 44.)
I, Charles Hobby, of lawful age, testify and say, that on' Monday
evening the 5th instant, between the hours of nine and ten o'clock
being in my master's house, was alarmed with the cry of fire I ran
down as far as the town-house, and then Heard that the soldiers and
the inhabitants were fighting in the alley by Dr. Cooper's meeting
house. I went through the alley, I there saw a number of soldiers
about the barracks, some with muskets, others without. I saw a
number of officers at the door of the mess-house, almost frontincr the
alley, and tome of the inhabitants intreating the officers to com-

APPENDIX. 63
mand the soldiers to be peaceable and retire to their barracks. One
of the officers, viz., Lieut. Minchin, replied, that the soldiers had
been abused lately by the inhabitants, and that if the inhabitants
would disperse, the soldiers should follow their example. Captain
Goldfin'oh was among the rest of the officers in or about the steps of
the mess-house door, but did not command the soldiers. I then
left them and went to King street. I then saw a party of soldiers
loading their muskets about the Custom-house door, after which
they all shouldered. I heard some of the inhabitants cry out,
" heave no snow balls ;" others cried " they dare not fire." Capt.
Preston was then standing by the soldiers, when a snow ball struck
a grenadier, who immediately fired, Capt. Preston standing close by
him. The Captain then spoke distinctly, " Fire, Fire !" I was
then within four feet of Capt. Preston, and know him well ; the sol
diers fired as fast as they could one after another. I saw the mu
latto fall, and Mr. Samuel Gray went to look at him, one of the
soldiers, at the distance of about four or five yards, pointed his piece
directly for the said Gray's head and fired. Mr. Gray, after strug
gling, turned himself right round upon his heel and fell dead. Capt.
Preston some time after ordered them to march to the guard-house.
I then took up a round hat and followed the people .that carried him
down to a house near the post-office. And further saith not.
Charles Hobby,
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 20, 1770. Charles Hobby, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the aforesaid affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Justice of Peace and of the Quorum,
Belcher Noyes, Justice of Peace.

(No. 45.)
I, William Tant, of lawful age, testify and say, that on Monday
5th instant, being then in a house on the Long Wharf, hearing a
bell ring, imagined it was for fire : whereupon I run up King street,
and inquiring the cause, was informed, that there had been a num
ber of the inhabitants of the town insuited by the soldiers in different
places. As I got abreast of Quaker lane, I met a number of per
sons, to the amount of thirty or forty, mostly boys and youngsters,
who assembled in King street, before the Custom-house, and gave three
cheers, and some of them being near the sentry, at the Custom-house
door, damned him, and bid him fire and be damned ; and some snow
balls were throwed, or other things : whereupon the sentry stepped
on the steps of the Custom-house door,, and loaded his piece, and
struck the butt of it against the steps, presented it at the people
several times : at length the people drawing nearer to him, he
knocked at the Custom-house door, and I saw it opened about half
way In the space of six or seven minutes, I saw a party of soldiers
come from the main guard, and draw themselves up in a line from

64 APPENDIX.
the corner of the Custom-house to the sentry-box ; the people still
continued in the street, crying, "Fire, fire, and be damned," and hove
some more snow balls ; whereupon 1 heard a musket go off, and in
the space of two or three seconds, I heard the word fire given, but
by whom I know not, and instantly the soldiers fired one after an
other. I then stood between the sentry-box and the Custom-house
door. And further I know not. William Tant.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 20, 1770. William Tant, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the aforesaid affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Just. Peace and of the Quorum,
Belcher Noyes, Justice o' Peace.

(No. 46.)
I, Thomas Cain, of lawful age, testify and say, that on Monday,
the 5th instant, being in a house on the long wharf, I heard a bell
ring, which I imagined was for nine o'clock, but being informed by
a person in my company that it was twelve minutes past that hour
by his watch, I then concluded the bell rung for fire, so I ran up
King street, in company with Mr. William Tant, and asking a few
people whom I met the cause of the bell's ringing, was answered the
soldiers had insulted some of the town's people by the ropewalks.
I then went down Quaker lane as far as Justice Dana's house, where
I met a number of people coming up, and asked them if there had
been any disturbance at or near the ropewalks ? They answered
me, that there had been several people insulted and knocked down
by the soldiers in different parts of the town. I then came up into
King street, where they assembled together below the town house
(to the best of my knowledge), between thirty and forty persons,
mostly youngsters or boys, and when there they gave three cheers,
and asked where the soldiers were (I imagine they meant them that
had insulted them) ; some of the people assembfed being near the
sentry at the Custom House door, damn'd him, and I saw some
snowballs or other things throwed that way, whereupon the sentry
stepped on the steps at the Custom House door and loaded his piece,
and when loaded struck the butt of his firelock against the steps
three or four times, in the interim the people assembled, continuing
crying " Fire, fire, and be damned," and some of them drawing near
to him he knocked at the Custom House door very hard, whereupon
the door was opened about halfway, and I saw a person come out,
which I imagined to be a servant without a hat, his hair tied and
hung down loose.
In the space of about five minutes, to the best of my remem
brance, I perceived a party of soldiers come from the main-guard
directly through the concourse of people that was then in King
street, with their muskets and fixed bayonets, pushing to tfnd fro,
saying, " Make way ;" when they had got abreast of the Custom

APPENDIX.

65

house they drew up in a line from the corner of Royal Exchange
lane to the sentry box at the Custom-house door, and being in that
position for the space of five or six minutes, with their muskets
levelled breast high and pointed at the people that was still in the
street, huzzaing, &c, and crying fire, as before, and some more
snowballs or other things being hove, I heard and saw the flash of a
gun that went off near the corner of the afore-mentioned lane, and
in the space of two seconds I heard the word " Fire" given, but by
whom I cannot ascertain, but the soldiers fired regularly one after
another, and when discharged, loaded again ; I then stood behind
the sentry box, between the soldier next it and the Custom-house.
Thomas Cain.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 20, 1770. Thomas Cain, after due
examination, made oath to the truth of the aforesaid affida
vit, taken to perpetuate the remembrance of the thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Just. Peace and of the Quorum,
Belcher Noyes, Just, of Peace.

(No. 47.)
I, Peter Cunningham, of lawful age, testify, that on Monday
evening, the 5th current, on the cry of fire, a few minutes after 9
o'clock, coming into -King street, I saw Capt. Preston standing be
fore the door where the main-guard was kept, and heard him say,
" Turn out the guard !" Then I passed down King street, and
saw the sentry at the Custom-house with his bayonet charged,
dodging it about as if pushing at the boys, who seemed to be laugh
ing at him, and none of them within twelve or fifteen feet of him.
In a few minutes after; Captain Preston arrived with a party of
soldiers, perhaps seven or eight, and took post between the Custom
house door and the west corner of said house, round the sentry box.
As soon as they had taken their post, they began to push their
bayonets at the people, though none seemed to offer them any of
fence. The captain quickly commanded them to prime and load,
which being effected, they began to push as before. The captain
came before them and put his arm under three or four of their pieces,
and putting them into an upright posture, then retired from my
sight ; and presently they again levelled and the firing began, and
proceeded till ten or eleven pieces were discharged. On the people's
scattering a little, I saw two men near me lay dead on the street, and
observed the soldiers to load again, and moved off. And further I
say not-. Peter Cunningham.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 20, 1770. Peter Cunningham, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the aforesaid affidavit. Taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Justice of Peace and Quorum,
John Hill. Justice Peace.
5

66 APPENDIX. (No. 48.)
I, Samuel Condon, of lawful age, testify and say, that on the night
of the 5th instant March, being on the long wharf, between the
hours of 9 and 10 -o'clock, and hearing the bells ring as for fire, I
ran up King street; on my coming nigh the town-house I saw a
number of people, about thirty or forty, chiefly consisting of boys
and lads, who proceeded down said street opposite the Custom
house ; the sentinel on their approach placed himself on the Cus
tom-house steps, and charged his musket and presented the same
against the body of the people who offered him no insult or violence ;
in a few minutes after, a party came down from the main guard, con
sisting of about eight soldiers with their guns and bayonets in a
charged position, headed by an officer, and posted themselves by the
west corner of the Custom-house, round the sentry box in a half
circle ; at this time I stood near the door of the Royal Exchange
tavern, but apprehending danger as the soldiers stood with their
muskets and bayonets in a charged or presented position, moved
from thence down said Royal Exchange lane, and stood nigh the west
end of the Custom-house ; during this interim I saw no violence
offered the soldiers ; in a few minutes after having placed myself as
aforesaid, a musket was fired by the soldier who stood next the corner,
in a few seconds after another was fired, and so in succession till the
whole was discharged, to the number of eight or thereabouts ; while
the muskets were discharging I walked down the lane, anS when the
firing ceased I turned and went up to the head of the lane when I
saw the people carrying off one dead person, and two more laying
lifeless on the ground about two muskets' length from the said sol
diers, inhumanly murdered by them, the blood then running from
them in abundance ; a person asked the soldier who fired first, the
reason for his so doing, the soldier answered, " Damn your bloods,
you boogers, I would kill a thousand of you !" the soldiers were
then charging their muskets again in order for a second discharge
in case any insult had been offered them. Samuel Condon.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 20, 1.770. Samuel Condon, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth oi
the aforesaid affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Just. Peace and of the Quorum,
And, John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 49.)
Ebenezor Hinckley, of Boston, of lawful age, declares, that on
Monday evening the 5th of March current, that being at home in
his house, he heard the bells ring, and came out, and came through
Cornhill street, to the corner of King street, near the main-guard
house ; immediately as he turned the corner, he saw a party of
soldiers come out of the main-guard house, and he the deponent
then saw an officer, as he thought, look out of the chamber window,

APPENDIX. 67
and call to them, and said " Fire upon them, damn them, fire upon
them." The deponent then followed them, viz., the said party of
soldiers, to the place where they were posted, being before the sen
try box in a half circle, near the Custom-house ; they reaching for
ward pushing their bayonets, and endeavoring to stab people, pro
voked a few boys to throw two or three snow-balls, and challenged
them to fire. In about a minute after, the deponent heard the word
" Fire," and then saw a stick thrown which hit a soldier's gun,
whereupon the corner soldier fired, and tho rest followed in the fir
ing — when the firing was, the deponent verily believes there was not
more than fifty or sixty persons in that part of the street — And it
appeared to the deponent, that the soldiers going down to the Custom
house in so hostile a manner, was the occasion of drawing the most
of those people there. — And the deponent further saith, that through
the whole, he saw not one brick-bat or stone thrown, and believes
that it was naturally impossible to come at any, as the snow was
considerably deep.
Memorandum. After the party of soldiers were got to their
place, he saw Capt. Preston who commanded them, whom he knew
very well. And further saith not. Ebenezer Hinckley.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 20, 1770. Ebenezer Hinckley,
above-named, after due examination, made oath to the
truth of the above affidavit, taken to perpetuate the re
membrance of the thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Just, of Peace and of the Quorum,
And, John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 50.)
Francis Archbald, jun., of lawful age, testifies and saith, that on
Monday evening, the fifth of March instant, at about ten minutes
past nine of the clock of said evening, as he was going through the
alley that leads from Cornhill to Brattle street (so called), with
several others with him, he saw a soldier with a cutlass, flourishing
it about in said alley, and a mean-looking fellow with him, with a
club in his hand ; then the deponent heard somebody outside of the
alley speak to the said soldier, and told him to put up his cutlass,
for it was not clever to carry such a weapon in the night without it
was in the scabbard ; whereupon said soldier came up to him the
deponent, with his cutlass pointing towards his breast, and damn'd
him, and asked him what he had to say against it ; whereupon the
deponent told him to stand off. The said soldier then went up to one
of the lads that was with him and struck him (as the deponent thought) ,
the deponent then went out of said alley and hollowed to some lads who
were standing near the Town House ; when they came to deponent's
assistance, they made said soldiers retire through said alley to the
barracks ; in about five or six minutes after, about twelve or fifteen
soldiers came out of said barracks (as I heard tho next day they
were encouraged and set on by Ensign Mall, belonging to the 29th

68 APPENDIX.
regiment), with cutlasses, tongs, and clubs, and came up to them
and damned them, and said, " Where is the Yankee boogers ?"
when they began to strike the people in the street with said weap
ons. And as the deponent was standing with Mr. John Hicks, one
of the soldiers came up with a pair of tongs, and just going to make
a stroke at said deponent, said Hicks knocked him down, whereupon
the deponent, when said soldier got up, knocked him down again
and broke his wrist (as he was informed afterwards), then the de
ponent was going home to the south end. Just as he got to the
Town House he looked down King street and saw about fifty or
sixty people standing in the middle of said street, opposite the Cus
tom-house, then the deponent went down to see what was the mat
ter. When he got down said street he saw a party of soldiers com
ing from the main-guard (amongst which was one Matthew Kilroy,
of the 29th regiment), going to the sentinel that was standing at
the Custom-house. Then the deponent went over to the side of
the way and there stood about two minutes, when he saw the flash,
and heard the report of a gun that was fired from said sentinel's
post, and six or seven fired directly afterwards. Then the deponent
saw three men lying near said sentinel's post, dead. And the depo
nent further adds, that at the time of his standing there as aforesaid,
he saw nobody molest or trouble said sentinel or party of soldiers
(as aforesaid) in any shape whatever. And further the deponent
saith not. Francis Archbald, Jun.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 17, 1770. Francis Archbald, Jun.,
above-named, after due examination, made oath to the
truth of the above-written affidavit, taken to perpetuate
¦the remembrance of the thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Just, of Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Just, of Peace.

(No. 51.)
I, Nathaniel Fosdick, of lawful age, testify and say, that on the
night of the fifth instant, betwixt the hours of nine and ten
o'clock, being in my house with my family, hearing the bells ring
for fire ran out to assist the inhabitants, ran towards the north ; when
I came to the Town House I see the people running down King
street, I followed ; when I came by the guard-house I see some sol
diers come out and fix their bayonets; I ran to know where the fire
was ; after I had got into King street I made a halt, as I stopped I
was pushed behind, I turned round and saw some soldiers with their
bayonets charged, which came against me. I asked them if this was
the fire that is cried ? They made no answer. 1 asked them what
they meant by coming on me in that manner ? Their answer was,
" Damn you, stand out of our way." I told them I would not move
for no man under the heavens. 1 offended no one. Therefore they
passed me, some on my right and some on my left. I followed be
hind them ; they went to tho sentry'box and faced round, and formed

APPENDIX. 69
in a half circle. I saw a number of people near the middle of King
street, about twenty yards from the sentry box. I spoke' out, and
desired that no disturbance might be betwixt the inhabitants and the
soldiers, for if the soldiers were in. fault, there was their officer,
which I looked upon to be the officer of the day, and he could settle
the affair in one minute ; then I spake to two men to speak to the
officer ; then I see two or three advance towards the officer. I heard
some words pass, what they were I know not ; I turned round and
spake to the people to step off and let ' them that went to the
officer settle the dispute ; the people standing still, I turned to
wards the officer and see him fall into the regular circle, then I
heard the word "Fire!" On my left one gun was fired off by a
soldier on their right. Upon which I rushed in ; then seeing the
first soldier that fired run at some persons and fall upon the ground,
I hollowed to take his gun from him, then I received three pushes
by their bayonets, two in my left arm and one in my breast ; that
at my breast I struck off with a stick, and the gun went off instant
ly. Then I drew back, and finding one dead, as I thought, on my
left and one on my right, I then run over to Quaker lane, where I
saw a number of people, I desired them to step out and keep the
soldiers from getting off; from thence I went over to the other side
the street, to the lane near the town watch-house, where I desired
the people to step out, and not to let the soldiers get off, for I would
go home and get my gun and bring a party against them, which I
did, but meeting some of the inhabitants returning, they told me the
soldiers were gone off and affairs would be settled to-morrow, on
that 1 went home. Nath. Fosdick.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 17, 1770. Nath. Fosdick, above-
named, after due examination, made .oath to the truth of
. the above-written affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
¦Before, Ri. Dana, Just, of Peace and of the Quorum,
Sam, Pemberton,- Just, of Peace.

(No. 52.)
Joseph Hooton, Jr.-, of lawful age, testifies and says, that coming
from the south end of Boston, on Monday evening the fifth instant,
against the old south meeting-house, he heard a great noise and tu
mult, with the cry of murder often repeated. Proceeding towards
the town-house the deponent passed by several soldiers running that
way, with naked cutlasses and bayonets in their hands. The de-
Donent asked one of them what was the matter, and was answered
by him, " By God, you shall all know what is the matter soon !"
Between nine and ten o'clock the deponent came into King street,
and stood about the middle of the street, or nearer the Custom
house, in the direction of Quaker and Royal Exchange lanes, and
saw about eight or ten soldiers drawn up near the Custom-house,
and an officer, which he since understands was Capt. Preston, be-

70 APPENDIX. •
tween the soldiers and the Custom-house. There was much noise
and huzzaing among the boys and people, and some of the boys the
deponent observed drew near to the soldiers. In this hurry and
confusion, the deponent heard many ask each other whether they
thought they would fire ? and it was generally concluded they w'ould
not. But in about five minutes after the deponent first stood there,
he heard the officer give the word " fire ;" they not then firing, he
again said " fire," which they still disobeying, he said with a much
higher voice, " Damn you, fire, be the consequence what it will!"
Soon after this one of the guns went off — in a few seconds another,
and so on, till six or seven were discharged. Near the deponent's
left hand, dropt a man, which he since learns was Mr. James Cald
well, on which he left the place. And further saith not.
Joseph Hooton, Jr.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 15, 1770. The said Joseph Hooton,
Jr., personally appearing, maketh solemn oath to the truth
of the fore-written deposition, by him subscribed.
Before me, Edm. Quincy, Just. Pacis.

(No. 53.)
I, Richard Palmes, of Boston, of lawful age, testify and say, that
between the hours of nine and ten o'clock of the fifth instant, I
heard one of the bells ring, which I supposed was occasioned by
fire, and enquiring where the fire was, was answered that the soldiers
were abusing the inhabitants ; I asked where, was first answered at
Murray's barracks. I went there and spoke to some officers that
were standing at the door, I told them I was surprised they suffered
the soldiers to go out of the barracks after eight o'clock ; I was an
swered by one of the officers, pray do you mean to teach us our
duty ; I answered I did not, only to remind them of it. One of
them then said, you see that the soldiers are all in their barracks
and why do you not go to your homes. Mr. James Lamb and I
said, Gentlemen, let us go home, and were answered by some, home
home. Accordingly I asked Mr'. William Hickling if he was going
home, he said he was ; I walked with him as far as the post-office,
upon my stopping to talk with two or three people, Mr. Hickling
left me ; I then saw Mr. Pool Spear going towards the town-house,
he asked me if J was going home, I told him I was ; I asked him
where he was going that way, he said he was going to his brother
David's. But when I got to the town-pump, we were told there was
a rumpus at. the Custom-house door ; Mr. Spear said to me you had
better not go, I told him I would go and try to make peace. I im
mediately went there and saw Capt. Preston at the head of six or
eight soldiers in a circular form, with guns breast high and bayonets
fixed ; the said Captain stood almost to the end of their guns. I
went immediately to Capt. Preston (as soon as Mr. Bliss had left
him), and asked him if their guns were loaded, his answer was they
are loaded with powder and ball ; I then said to him, I hope you do

APPENDIX. 71
not intend they shall fire upon the inhabitants, his reply was, by no
means. When I was asking him these questions, my left hand was
on his right shoulder ; Mr. John Hickling had that instant taken his
hand off my shoulder, and stepped to my left, then instantly I saw a
piece of snow or ice fall among the soldiers, on which the soldier at
the officer's right hand stopped back and. discharged his gun, at the
space of some seconds the soldier at his left fired next, and the
others one after the other. After the first gun was fired, I heard
the word " fire," but who said it I know not. After the first gun
was fired, the said officer had full time to forbid the other soldiers
not to fire, but I did not hear him speak to them at all ; then turning
myself to the left I saw one man dead, distant about six feet ; I having
a stick in my hand made a stroke at the soldier who fired, and struck
the gun out of his hand. I then made a stroke at the officer, my
right foot slipped, that brought me on my knee, the blow falling
short ; he says I hit his arm ; when 1 was recovering myself from
the fall, I saw the soldier that fired the first gun endeavoring to push
me through with his bayonet, on which I threw my stick at his head,
the soldier starting back, gave mc an opportunity to jump from him
into Exchange lane, or I must been inevitably run through my body.
I looked back and saw three persons laying on the ground, and per
ceiving a soldier stepping round the corner as I thought to shoot me,
I ran down Exchange lane, and so up the next into King street, and
followed Mr. Gridley with several other persons with the body of
Capt. Morton's apprentice, up to the prison house, and saw he had
a ball shot through his breast ; at my re; urn I found that the officers
and soldiers were gone to the main guard. To my best observation
there were not seventy people in King street at the time of their
firing, and them very scattering ; but in a few minutes after the
firing there were upwards of a thousand. Finding the soldiers were
gone I wont up to the main-guard, and saw there the soldiers were
formed into three divisions, the front division in the posture of pla
toon firing, and I expected they would fire. Hearing that his Honor
the Lieutenant-Governor was going to the Council-chamber, I went
there ; his Honor looking out of the door desired the people to hear
him speak, he desired them to go home and he would enquire into
the affair in the morning, and that the law should take its course,
and said, I will live and die by the law. A gentleman desired his
Honor to order the soldiers to their barracks, he answered it was not
in his power, and that he had no command over the troops, and that
it lay with Col. Dalrymple and not with him, but that he would send
for him, which after some time he did ; upon that a gentleman de
sired his Honor to look out of the window facing the main-guard, to
see the position the soldiers were in, ready to fire on the inhabitants,
which he did after a good deal of persuasion, and called for Col.
Carr and desired him to order the troops to their barracks in the
same order they were in ; accordingly they were ordered to shoulder
their guns, and were marched off by some officers. And further
saith not. Rich. Palmes.

72 APPENDIX.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 17, 1770. Richard Palmes, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the above affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remembrance
of the thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Justice of Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Justice Peace.

(No. 54.)
I, Wiriiam Wyat, of Salem, coaster, testify and say, that last
Monday evening, being the fifth day of March current, I was in Bos
ton, down at Treat's wharf, where my vessel was lying, and hearing
the bells ring, supposed there was a fire in the town, whereupon I
hastened up to the Town-house, on the south side of it, where I saw an
officer of the army lead out of the guard-house there seven or eight
soldiers of the army, and lead them down in seeming haste, to the
Custom-house on the north side of King .street, where I followed
them, and when the officer had got there with the men, he bid them
face about. I stood just below them on the left wing, and the said
officer ordered his men to load, which they did accordingly, with the
utmost dispatch, then they remained about six minutes, with their •
firelocks rested and bayonets fixed, but not standing in exact order
I observed a considerable number of young lads, and here and there
a man amongst them, about the middle of the street, facing the sol
diers, but not within ten or twelve feet distance from them ; I ob
served-some of them, viz., the lads, &c, had sticks in their hands,
laughing, shouting, huzzaing, and crying fire ; but could not observe
that any of them threw anything at the soldiers, or threatened any
of them. Then the said officer retired from before the soldiers and
stepping behind them, towards the right wing, bid the soldiers
fire ; they not firing, he presently again bid 'em fire, they not
yet firing, he stamped and said, " Damn your bloods, fire, be the
consequence what it will ;" then the second man on the left wing
fired off his gun, then, after a very short pause, they fired one after
another as quick as possible, beginning on the right wing ; the last
man's gun on the left wing flashed in the pan, then he primed again,
and the people being withdrawn from before the soldiers, most of
them further down the street, he turned his gun toward them and
fired upon them. Immediately after the principal firing, I saw
three of the people fall down in tho street ; presently after the last
gun was fired off, the said officer, who had commanded the soldiers
(as above) to fire, sprung before them, waving his sword or stick,
said, " Damn ye, rascals, what did ye fire for ?" and struck .up the
gun of one of the soldiers who was loading again, whereupon they
seemed confounded and fired no more. I then went up behind them
to the right wing, where one of the people was lying, to see whether
he was dead, where there were four or five people about him, one
of them saying he was dead ; whereupon one of the soldiers said
" Damn his blood, he is dead, if he ever sprawl again I will be

APPENDIX. 73
damned for him." And I remember as the said officer was going
down with the soldiers towards the Custom-house, a gentleman spoke
to him and said, " Capt. Preston, for God's sake keep your men in
order, and mind what you are about." And further 1 say not.
March 7, 1770. * William Wyat.
Suffolk, ss. Boston^ March 13, 1770. William Wyat, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the above-written affidavit, taken to perpetuate the re
membrance of the thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Justice of Peace and of the Quorum,
John Tudor, Justice Peace.

(No. 55.)
I, Henry Knox, of lawful age, testify and say, that between nine
and ten o'clock, P. M., the fifth instant, I saw the sentry at the
Custom-house charging his musket, and a number of young persons
crossing from Royal Exchange to Quaker lane ; seeing him load,
stopped and asked him what he meant ? and told others the sentry
was going to fire. They then huzzaed and gathered round him at
about ten feet distant. I then advancing, went up to him, and the
sentry snapped his piece upon them, Knox told him if he fired he
died. The sentry answered he did not care, or words to that pur
pose, damning them and saying, if they touched him, he would fire.
The boys told him to fire and be damned. Immediately on this I
returned to the rest of the people and endeavored to keep every boy
from going up, but finding it ineffectual, went off through the crowd
and saw a detachment of about eight or nine men and a corporal,
headed by Capt. Preston. I took Capt. Preston_ by the coat and
told him for God's sake to take his men back again, for if they
fired his life must answer for the consequence ; he replied he was
sensible of it, or knew what he was about, or words to that purpose ;
and seemed in great haste and much agitated. While I was talking
with Capt. Preston, the soldiers of his detachment had attacked the
people with their bayonets. There was not the least provocation
given to Capt. Preston or his party, the backs of the people being
towards them when they were attacked. During the time of the
attack I frequently heard the words, " Damn your blood," and
such like expressions. When Capt. Preston saw his party engaged
he directly left me and went into the crowd, and I departed : the
deponent further says that there was not, present in King street
above seventy or eighty people at the extent, according to his
opinion. Henry Knox.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 17, 1770. Henry Knox, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the above-written affidavit, taken to perpetuate the re
membrance ofthe thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Justice of Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Justice Peace.

74 APPENDIX. (No. 56.)
Edward Payne, of Boston, merchant, testifies and says, that on
the evening of the fifth instant, on hearing the bells ring, he sup
posed there was fire, but on going out he was informed there was
not any fire, but a riot of the soldiers, and that the soldiers were
cutting down Liberty-tree. That he went into King-street, where
he met Mr. Walker the shipwright, who informed him, that the sol
diers at Smith's barracks had sallied out upon the inhabitants, and
had cut and beat a number of persons, but were drove back to their
barracks. That he (the deponent), then went to the east end of the
Town House, where he heard the same report from divers persons.
That whilst he stood there, a number of persons, not exceeding
twenty, some of them with sticks in their hands, came up the lane
by Silsby's into King street, at which time there was, as near as he
can judge, about the same number in King street, when a lad came
up from the Custom-house, and informed the people, that the sen
tinel there had knocked down a lad belonging to their shop, upon
which the people moved that way, and surrounded the sentinel.
That this deponent then went home, and stood upon the sill of his
entry door, which is nearly opposite to the east end of the Custom
house, where he was soon joined by Mr. George Bethu.ne_. and Mr.
HjjrjsOTLjjr&y, that the people round the sentinel were then crying
out " Fire, fire, damn you, why don't you fire," soon after, he per
ceived a number of soldiers coming down towards the sentinel, with
their arms in a horizontal posture, and their bayonets fixed, who
turned the people from before the Custom-house, and drew up be
fore the door, the people, who still remained in the street and about
the soldiers, continued calling out to them to fire. In this situation
they remained some minutes, when he heard a gun snap, and pre
sently a single gun fired and soon after several others went off, one
after another, to the number of three or four, and then heard the
rammers go into the guns as though they were loading ; immediately
after which, three or four more went off in the same manner ; at
which time, a ball passed through the deponents ' right arm, upon
which he immediately retired into the house. That at the time of
the sentinels being surrounded, and at the time of the firing, it ap
peared to the deponent, that .there were from fifty to an hundred
persons in the street, and not more. The deponent further saith
not. Edward Payne.
Test. Mr. Payne subscribed his
name with his left hand.
John Amory.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 21, 1770. Edward Payne, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the aforesaid affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing. ,
Before, John Ruddock, Just. Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Just. Peace.

APPENDIX. 75
(No. 57.)
John Gammell, of lawful age, testifies and says, that soon after
the bells rang on Monday evening the 5th instant, he stood by the
Town House, and saw a party consisting of about fifteen or sixteen
soldiers, come out of the main guard, and a Serjeant or corporal or
dered them to prime and load, which they did ; and a detachment
of about six men with a coiporal, filed off to William's court, as was
said to call Captain Preston, and the rest, to the Custom-house.
A few minutes after they took their post by the Custom-house, the
deponent went down and saw them pushing at the people with their
bayonets, and telling them to stand off, or they would fire upon
them ; the people laughed at them ; and told them they dared not
to fire. Not long after, the deponent heard the word " Fire," and
quickly the man on the right wing fired, and successively several
more. On this the deponent walked off through Quaker lane. And
further saith not. John Gammell.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 17, 1770. John Gammell, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the above affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remembrance
of the thing.
Before Ri. Dana, Just, of Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Just, of Peace.

(No. 58.)
I, Charlotte Bourgate, of lawful age, an indented servant to Ed
ward Manwaring, Esq. ; being at my master's lodgings at Mr. Hud
son's at the north end, on the night of the horrid massacre in King-
street, of the 5th instant, heard the bells ring, which I took to be
for fire (about half an hour before the bells rung, my master, with
one Mr. Munroe, said they would go to the Custom-house and drink
a glass of wine) ; then I went out, there being nobody in the house
that I knew of, but Mr. Hudson and wife ; then I went up to the
Custom-house door and knocked, when a young man, which I have
since heard was named Hammond Green, let me in, and locked the
door ; whenfl saw my master and Mr. Munroe come down stairs,
and go into a room ; when four or five men went up stairs, pulling
and hauling me after them, and said, " My good boy, come ;" when
I was carried into the chamber, there was but one light in the room,
and that in the corner of the chamber, when I saw a tall man load
ing a gun (then I saw two guns in the room), my master not being
in the chamber, there was a number of gentlemen in the room.
After the gun was loaded, the tall man gave it to me, and told me
to fire, and said he would kill me if I did not ; I told him I would
not. He drawing a sword out of his cane, told me, if I did not fire
it, he would run it through my guts. The man putting the gun out
of the window, it being a little open, I fired it side way up the
street ; the tall man then loaded the gun again. I heard the balls
go down. The man then laid it on the window again, and told me

76 APPENDIX.
to fire it. I told him I would not fire again ; he told me again, he
would run me through the guts if I did not. Upon which I fired
the same way up the street. After I fired the second gun, I saw my
master in the room ; he took a gun and pointed it out of the window ;
I heard the gun go offj Then a tall man came and clapped me on
the shoulders above and below stairs, and said, that's my good boy,
I'll give you some money to morrow. - I said, I don't want any mo
ney. There being a light in the lower room, and the door being
upon the jarr, I saw it was the tall man that clapped me on the
shoulder ; then the young man Hammond Green let me out of the
door, there being two or three people in the entry ; when I got out
of the house, I saw a number of people in the streets. And I ran
home as fast as I could, and sat up all night in my master's kitchen.
And further say, that my master licked me the next night for telling
Mrs. Waldron about his firing out of the Custom-house. And for
fear that I should be licked again, I did deny all that I said before
Justice Quincy, which I am very sorry for. And further I say not.
Attest.' Elisha Story, his
• Edward Crafts. Charlotte X Bourgate,
Mark.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 23, 1770. Charlotte Bourgate,
above-named, after due examination, made oath to the
truth of the above affidavit, Edward Manwaring, Esq. , and
John Munroe above named, were notified and present;
and interrogated the deponent. Taken to perpetuate the
remembrance of the thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Just. Peace and of the Quorum,
And, John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 59.)
Gillam Bass, of lawful age, testifies and says, that being in King
street, on Monday night, the 5th instant, after nine of the clock, he
saw about an hundred people gathered about the Custom-house, and
presently came a party of armed soldiers, with bayonets fixed from
the main guard keeping on the south side of King street, till they
came nearly opposite the Custom-house, and then passed over, driv
ing through the people in so rough a manner, that it appeared to the
deponent that they intended to create a disturbance. They posted
themselves between the Custom-house door and the west corner of it;
and in a few minutes began to fire upon the people. Two or three
of the flashes so high above the rest, that the deponent verily believes
they must have come from the Custom-house windows : And further
saith, that he observed no violence to the soldiers at or before the
firing, or to the Custom-house, by the people. Gillam Bass.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 16, 1770. Gillam Bass, above-named,
after due examination, made oath to the truth of the above

APPENDIX. 77
affidavit. Taken to perpetuate the remembrance of the
thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Justice of Peace, and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Justice Peace.

(No. 60.)
Benjamin Alline, of lawful age, testifies and says, that on Monday
evening, the 5th current, hearing the bells ring after nine o'clock,
he came into King street, and saw the Custom-house sentry standing
quietly in his place. About four or five minutes after, the boys in
the street came up near to him, and made a noise, on which the
soldier returned to the Custom-house steps. The deponent quickly
after this saw the Custom-house door open, and the sentry turn that
way, and soon shut again. The sentry then faced the boys and
waved his gun about as if to keep them off, and in a few minutes
eight or nine soldiers came down with an • officer at their head,
and placed themselves round the sentry, and in a few minutes
after, he heard the word Fire, and they fired in succession, one
after the other. The deponent further saith, that when he first
arrived at the Custom-house, there did not seem to be more than 30
or 40 people round it, mostly boys, and they offered no violence as
he observed, only making a noise and huzzaing. And further saith
not. Benjamin Alline.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 17, 1770. Benjamin Alline, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the above-written affidavit, taken to perpetuate the re
membrance of the thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Just. Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 61.)
I, Francis Read, of lawful age, testify, that on Monday evening,
the 5th instant, hearing the bells ringing in the centre of the town,
I came into King street and found near an hundred people, mostly
boys, standing round at about seven or eight yards distance from the
Custom-house, before which stood a soldier on sentry. In a few
minutes I saw a little man, in a grey surtout with his hair clubbed,
open the Custom-house door and go in, and quickly after the sentry
went to said door, then a little open, and seemed to speak with some
body in the house, after which the door was shut, and the sentry
loaded his piece. In about three or four minutes I saw a party of
soldiers come down from the main guard with an officer, which were
posted in a semicircle from the door round the sentry-box to the
southwest- corner of the Custom-house. About five or six minutes
after they were posted, I heard the word " Fire," from among the sol
diers, and in a little time after the soldiers fired ; first one gun,
then another, some times two at once, till eight or ten were fired.
Casting my eyes about after the firing was over, I saw the smoke of
two discharges high above the rest. On this I left the place, and
further say not. Francis Read.

78 APPENDIX.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 20, 1770. Francis Read, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the aforesaid affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Just. Peace and of the Quorum,
And, Belcher Noyes, Just. Peace.

(No. 62.)
I, Dimond Morton, of lawful age, testify and say, that on Monday
night the 5th instant, between the hours of nine and ten I heard the
cry of fire by my house. Immediately I ran out towards the Town-
House ; when I got between the Old-South Meeting and the Old-
Brick Meeting, I met some people, they told me there was no fire,
but people gathered in King street ; immediately I left them and
came towards the Town-House, when I saw a number of people go
round the Brazen-head corner, some crying, they are this way, and I
run in amongst them, and came down before the Custom-house, and
there I saw a sentinel walking backwards and forwards before the
door. Soon after I saw the sentinel retreat back upon the stone of
the Custom-house door, waving his bayonet breast high all the way.
When he got on the stone he drew his cartridge to load his gun ; whilst
he was loading his gun, I saw Thomas Greenwood, a waiter to the
commissioners, run out from the people where I was, and run behind
the sentinel, and knock at the door of the Customs, and was soon
let in : By that time the sentinel had his gun loaded. Then the
people cried, you dare not fire ; and others said, fire and be damned ;
then the boys gave two or three cheers. Upon that 1 saw Capt.
Preston, marching and leading down from the main guard eight or
ten soldiers, with their bayonets fixed, swinging their guns. When
they passed me, I followed them down to the Custom-house. In
about two minutes, Capt. Preston or some other person ordered
them to load, which they did ; then I went towards Quaker lane,
when 1 saw the flash of a gun from the soldiers at the Custom-house,
and a man fall before me ; the guns being repeatedly fired, I looked
round and saw two or three men lay down on the snow. When I
found there were three dead, and a number of others wounded, in about
ten or fifteen minutes afterwards, I saw the soldiers march towards
the main guard — the snow being at that time near a foot deep 
And I further say, that I did not see any insult offered to the senti
nel from the inhabitants ; and at tho time the guns were fired, there
were not above sixty or seventy persons standing before the Custom
house door. And further I say not. Dimond Morton.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 17, 1770. Dimond Morton, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the above- written affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Just, of Peace and of the Quorum,
And, John Hill, Just. Peace.

APPENDIX. 79
(No. 63.)
Benjamin Frizel, of Pownalborough, in the County of Lincoln,
mariner, of lawful age, testifieth and saith, that in the evening of
the 5th day of March current, going to Capt. Joseph Henshaw's at
the south part of Boston, in his way thither, under Liberty Tree,
exactly at eight o'clock of said evening, he saw there eleven sol
diers^ and an officer met them, dressed in a blue surtout ; upon his
speaking to them, they appeared very submissive, the officer order
ing them to appear at their respective places at the time, and if they
should see any of the inhabitants of the town, or any other people
not belonging to them, with arms, clubs, or any other warlike weapons,
more than two being assembled together, to order them to stop,
and ask them their business, and where they were going ; if they
refused to stop, or tell them their business or separate themselves,
to stop them with their firelocks, and all that shall take their part.
After giving these orders, the oflicer went off to the northward, and
the soldiers southward ; upon which the deponent proceeded about
his business as far as Wheeler's point, and while there, the bell rang
as usual for fire, and he with others ran to the Town-house ; two en
gines being there drawn, the men attending, left them on the west
end of the Town-house, and going with others into King street, were
stopped by two sentinels of the main guard, and forbid to pass on
their peril, and said if they did, they would fire on them ; but one
man somewhat bolder than the rest, said as the bells rang for fire,
and all the inhabitants of the town had good right to pass through
any street or lane of the town, he should pass, and shouldering a
stick he had in his hand, went forward and was followed by the de
ponent and many others into King street, the deponent taking his
station at the west corner of the house now called the Custom-house,
and between the corner and the sentry-box, where standing about
two or three minutes, he saw six or seven soldiers come from the
opposite side of the street, near to the head or opening of Royal
Exchange lane, where they halted, and some of them spoke to the
sentry at the Custom-house and faced about, in which posture they
stood about two minutes, and in that time he heard nothing said to
them, or of them, by any of the inhabitants ; but heard two or
three cheers given by the people, and two or three boatswain's calls
piped, upon the last of which the soldiers began their fire, the de
ponent still standing at the corner of the Custom-house, the first
discharge being only one gun, the next of two guns, upon which the
deponent thinks he saw a man stumble ; the third discharge was of
three guns, upon which he thinks he saw two men fall, and imme
diately after were discharged five guns, two of which were by sol
diers on his right hand, the other three, as appeared to the deponent,
were discharged from the balcony or the chamber window of the
Custom-house, the flashes appearing on the left hand and higher
than the right hand flashes appeared to be, and of which the depo
nent was very sensible, although his eyes were much turned to the
soldiers who were all on his right hand ; soon after this, the depo-

80 APPENDIX.
nent saw five men on the ground, three whereof appeared to be dead,
and the other two to be struggling ; for the space of two minutes
following all action ceased ; after which the general cry was, let us
pick up the dead, and not let the soldiers have them, and thereupon
the deponent assisted in supporting and steadying one who was
wounded till a chair was brought to carry him off.
Benjamin Frizel.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 22, 1770. Benjamin Frizel, above-
mentioned, after due examination, made oath to the truth
of the aforesaid affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Just. Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 64.)
Jeremiah Allen, of lawful age, testifies and says, that in the
evening of the fifth day of March current, being at about nine
o'clock in the front chamber of the house occupied by Col. Ingersol
in King street, he heard some guns fired, which occasioned his going
into the balcony of the said house — that when he was in the said
balcony, in company with Mr. WffJiam^Molineux, Jr., and John
Simpsonj-he heard the discharge of. four or five guns, the flashes-!)?
which appeared to be to the westward of the sentry box ; and im
mediately after, he the deponent heard two or three more guns, and
saw the flashes thereof from out of the house now called the Cus
tom-house, as they evidently appeared to him, and which he the said
deponent at the same time declared to the aforesaid Molineux and
Simpson, beiDg then near him, saying to them, at the same time
pointing his hand towards the Custom-house, " there they are out
of the Custom-house." And further the deponent saith not.
Jeremiah Allen.
Suffolk, ss. The above-named Jeremiah Allen, personally ap
pearing, and being carefully examined, and duly cautioned
to testify the whole truth, maketh solemn oath to the fore-
written deposition by him subscribed, taken to perpetuate
the remembrance of the thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Justice of Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Justice Peace.

(No. 65.)
Josiah Simpson, .of lawful age, testifieth and saith, that on the
evening of the fifth of March current, at about nine of the clock,
he heard a bell ringing at the south part of the town, which caused
him to leave his shop to make inquiry. Soon after, he heard that
the soldiers had rose upon the inhabitants ; but when he had got as
far as Faneuil Hall, seeing a number of gentlemen standing to
gether, the deponent made up to them, and asked them what the

APPENDIX. 81
disturbance was ; they answered him that two young men had been
abused by the soldiers — but that the soldiers had now returned to
their barracks — he then proceeded with a number of others up Royal
Exchange lane ; at the head of the lane some of the persons with
him cried out, here is a soldier, and huzzaed. Immediately the sol
dier who was sentry near to the box before the Custom-house, re
paired to the Custom-house door, at which with the knocker the
soldier gave three very hard strokes — upon which some person within
side opened the door and spoke to him remarkably short, and then
shut it again. The soldier then directly loaded his gun, knocking
the breech twice hard upon the stone steps ; at the same time seven
soldiers (as the deponent judges), with a commanding officer, came
and cried clear the way, as he came along : then forming them into
a half circle, ordered them to load ; the deponent then made up as
he could to the officer, and said, for God's sake don't fire upon the
people ; he made him no answer ; then turning to the inhabitants, he
the deponent expressed himself in the following manner : for God's
sake don't trouble these men for they are upon duty and will fire —
turning about to the soldiers he saw them making up to the inhabit
ants, with their bayonets fixed (about ten feet off), directing them
to stand off, attempting to drive them away with their bayonets —
then he withdrew himself to the other side of the way, where seeing
a man attempt to throw a club, he begged that he would not, adding
that if he did the soldiers would fire, and he did not. The deponent
then standing by Warden and Vernon's shop on the South side of
King street, with his back to the soldiers ; immediately after heard
the word present, at which word he stooped down. A little space
of time ensued, and then he heard the words, " Damn you, fire ;"
the sound of which words seemed to proceed from the left of all the
soldiers, and very near to the sentry box ; upon this order, he judged
two guns were discharged, and immediately three more, and then
two more — one of the two last guns went about five or six inches
over the deponent's back — after which he stood up, and another
gun was discharged which wounded one Robert Patterson in the
arm, and the blood was sprinkled upon the deponent's hand and
waistcoat. After the firing the deponent saw four persons drop ;
then looking towards the soldiers, the deponent saw them making
towards the inhabitants with their fixed bayonets ; upon which he
retired down Quaker lane, ard went round into the main street
homewards, where he met a number of people going up Royal Ex
change lane — from thence he retired home. Josiah Simpson.
The deponent further saith that he is satisfied there was not more
than seventy or eighty people in King street, who offered no violence
to the soldiers or to any other persons, nor threatened any.
Josiah Simpson.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 16, 1770. Josiah Simpson, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
6

82 APPENDIX.
the afore-written affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
Before, Ri. ,Dana, Just. Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Just. Peace.
(No. 66.)
I, John Wilson, of lawful age, testify, that on Monday even
ing the 5th current, I was at Mr. Burdett's at the head of Long-
lane, and heard the bells ring and fire cried, and thereupon went in
company with others to King street, and saw no disturbance there ;
hearing the bells still ringing, I asked what was the matter ? The
people said the soldiers had insulted the inhabitants, on which I
went to Cornhill, where the bustle had been, and found no soldiers
there. Then I came down King street opposite the Custom-house,
and saw a man with a light colored surtout coming from the main
guard ^o up to the sentry, and lay his hand on his shoulder and
speak some words to the sentry, and then enter the Custom-house
door. On this the sentry grounded the breech of his gun, took out
a cartridge, primed and loaded, and shouldered his firelock. After
this I drew back opposite Mr. Stone's, and in a few minutes saw a
party of soldiers headed by an officer coming down from the main
guard, crying to the inhabitants, " Damn you, make way you boo-
gers !" I not moving from my place-, was struck by one of them on
the hip with the butt of his musket, which bruised me so much that
it was next day very sore, and much discolored. The officer seeinc
the soldier strike me, said to the soldier in an angry manner, " Why
don't you prick the boogers ?". The party drew up before, the Cus
tom-house door, and ranged to the west corner in a half circle, and
charged their pieces breast high. Some small boys coming up made
a noise to the soldiers, on which the officer said to them, " Why
don't you fire ? Damn you, fire !" They hereupon fired; and two
men fell dead in my sight. I then left the place, and went over the
street and assisted Patterson the wounded man in getting home.
The deponent further saith, that when . he got into King street he
saw nobody but the sentry walking backwards and forwards by the
Custom-house, and then went to Cornhill as above ; and at the
time of firing he verily believes there were not above fifty persons in
the street near the Custom-house, thg snow being at that time near a
foot deep ; and further I say not. John Wilson.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 19, 1770. John Wilson, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the above-written affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum
And, John Hill, Justice Peace.

(No. 67.)
George Costar, of the Bay of Bulls, in the island of Newfound-

APPENDIX. 83 "
land, mariner, of lawful age, testifieth and saith, that being in Bos
ton, about nine of the clock, in the evening of the 5th day of March
current, he, the deponent was standing in King street, near the mid
dle of said street, and while there standing, among a large number
of other people, in about five or six minutes after he stopped, he
heard the word of command given .to the soldiers, " Fire," upon
which one gun was fired, which did no execution, as the deponent
observed. About half a minute after, two guns, one of which killed
one Samuel Gray, a ropemaker, the other, a mulatto man, between
which two men the deponent stood ; after this the deponent heard
the discharge of four or five guns more, by the soldiers ; immediately
after which the deponent heard the discharge of two guns or pistols
from an open window of the middle story of the Custom-house, near
to the place where the sentry box was placed, and being but a small
distance from the window, he heard the people from within speak
and laugh, and soon after he saw the casement lowered down ; after
which the deponent assisted others in carrying off one of the corpses.
his
George V. 'j Coster,
mark.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 16, 1770. George Coster, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the above-written affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Just, of Peace and of the Quorum,
And, John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 68.)
Samuel Drowne, of Boston, of lawful age, testifieth and saith,
that about nine of the clock of the evening of the fifth day of March
current, standing at his own door in Cornhill, saw about fourteen or
fifteen soldiers of the 29th regiment, who came from Murray's bar
rack some of whom were armed with naked cutlasses, swords, or
bayonets, others with clubs, fire shovels, or tongs, and came upon
the inhabitants of the town, then standing or walking in Cornhill,
and abused some and violently assaulted others, as they met them,
most of whom were without so much as a stick in their hands to de
fend themselves, as the deponent very clearly could discern, it being
moon-light, and himself being one of the assaulted persons. All or
most of°the said soldiers he saw go by the way of Cornhill, Crooked
lane and Royal Exchange lane into King street, and there followed
them, and soon discovered them to be quarrelling and fighting with
the people whom they saw there, which the deponent thinks were
not more than a dozen, when the soldiers came there first, armed
as aforesaid. Of those dozen people, the most of them were gentle
men standing together a little below the town-house upon the Ex
change. At the appearance of those soldiers so armed, the most of

¦ 84 APPENDIX.
the twelve persons went off, some of them being first assaulted.
After which the said soldiers were observed by the deponent to go
towards the main-guard, from whence were at the same time issuing
and coming into King street, five soldiers of said guard and a corpo
ral armed with firelocks, who called out to the fore-mentioned sol
diers armed with cutlasses, &c, and said to them, " Go away," on
which they dispersed and went out of King street, some oneway and
some another — by this time were collected together in King street
about two hundred people, and then the deponent stood upon the
steps of the Exchange tavern, being the next house to the Custom
house ; and soon after saw Capt. Preston, whom he well knew, with
a number of soldiers armed with firelocks, drawn up near the west
corner- of the Custom-house ; and at that instant the deponent thinks
so great a part of the people were dispersed at the sight of the armed
soldiers, as that not more than twenty or thirty remained in King
street ;* those who did remain being mostly sailors and other per
sons meanly dressed, called out to the armed soldiers and dared
them to fire, upon which the deponent heard Capt. Preston say to
the soldiers, " Damn your bloods ! why don't you fire ?" The sol
diers not regarding those words of their captain, he immediately
said, " Fire." Upon which they fired irregularly, pointing their
guns variously in a part of a circle as they stood : during the time
of the soldiers firing, the deponent saw the flashes of two guns fired
from the Custom-house, one of which was out of a window of the
chamber westward of the balcony, and the other from the balcony,
the gun which he clearly discerned being pointed through the bal-
listers, and the person who held the gun in a stooping posture, with
draw himself into the house, having a handkerchief or some kind of
cloth over his face. After this the deponent assisted in carrying off
the dead and wounded, as soon as the soldiers would permit the
people so to do, for at first they were cruel enough to obstruct the
carrying them off. Samuel Drowne.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 16, 1770. The above-named
Samuel Drowne personally appearing, and being carefully
examined and duly cautioned to testify the whole truth,
maketh solemn oath to the fore-written deposition by him
subscribed, taken to perpetuate the remembrance of the
thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Just, of Peace and of the Quorum,
And, John Hill, Just, of Peace.

* Mr. Drowne says there were collected together in King street about two
hundred persons, and that at the sight of the armed soldiers, they so far dis
persed, as that not more than twenty or thirty remained in King street.
This circumstance accounts for the diversity in some of the depositions,
with regard to the number of persons in King street about that time : such
depositions probably referring to different moments— moments, because the
whole disturbance in King street, from its beginning to the firing, continued
but a short space of time.

APPENDIX. 85
(No. 69.)
I, Robert Patterson, of lawful age, testify and say, that on Mon
day night, the 5th current, being at Capt. McNeill's at the North
End, heard the bells ring and " Fire !" cried. I immediately ran
till I got into Royal Exchange lane, it being about a quarter after 9
o'clock. I saw a number of people in the lane. I asked what was
the matter ? They told me that the soldiers were going to kill all
the inhabitants. I immediately went through the lane, and stood in
the middle of King street about ten or eleven minutes (the sentinel
then Standing leaning against his box), when I saw an officer with
seven or eight soldiers coming from the main-guard, clearing the
way with their guns and bayonets, go below the sentinel box, and
turn up and place themselves around it, facing the people standing
opposite Royal Exchange lane ; when I saw a man with a light
colored surtout at the Custom-house door, the door being wide
open, there standing with his shoulder against the side ; then I heard
the officer order the soldiers to load, which they did. After that I
heard the people say, " Damn you, why don't you fire ?" In about
a minute after I heard the word " Fire !'' (but from whom I cannot
say) which the soldiers did. Looking round I saw three men lay
dead on the snow ; the snow being at that time near a foot deep.
Immediately they loaded again. The people then gave three cheers,
and cried out, " Let's go in upon them, and prevent their firing
again;" upon which they put on their hats and advanced towards
them. My hand being raised to put on my hat, still advancing to
wards the soldiers, the sentinel up with his gun and fired, the balls
going through my lower right arm, my hand immediately falling ;
and finding myself wounded, made the best of my way home with
help. And further I say not. his
Attest. Elisha Story. Robert -j- Patterson,
mark.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 20, 1770. Robert Patterson, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the aforesaid affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remembrance
of the thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Just. Peace and of the Quorum,
And, John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 70.)
Cato, a negro man, servant to Tuthil Hubbart, Esq., being of
lawful age, -testifies and says, that on Monday evening, the fifth of
March current, on his hearing the cry of '' Fire !" he ran into King
street, where he saw a number of people assembled before the Cus
tom-house ; that he stood near the sentry box and saw the soldiers
fire on the people, who stood iS the middle of said street ; directly
after which he saw two flashes of guns, one quick upon the other,
from the chamber-window of the Custom-house ; and that after the
firing was all over, while the people were carrying away the dead

86 APPENDIX.
and wounded, he saw the Custom-house door opened, and several
soldiers (one of whom had a cutlass) go into the Custom-house and
shut the door after them ; that before the soldiers fired he heard a
voice saying, " Damn you, why don't you fire ?" but did not see who
it was. his
Test. John Edwards. Cato ( c.
mark.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 16, 1770. The above-named Cato,
after careful examination, made oath to the truth of
the above-written affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Just, of Peace and of the Quorum,
And, John Hill, Just, of Peace.

(No. 71.)
Daniel Usher, of lawful age, testifies and says, that coming into
King street about half after nine o'clock on Monday evening the
5th current, he saw several persons, mostly young folks, gathered
between the Town House and Coffee House, some of whom were talk
ing to the sentinel at the Commissioners' or Custom-house ; after
some time, the boys at a distance began to throwlight snow-balls at
him, which he seemed much. enraged at, and went on to the Custom
house steps, where he appeared to have charged his gun, giving it
a heavy stamp upon the door step, as if to force down the lead ; and
then swore to the boys if they came near him he would blow their
brains out. About ten minutes after this, the deponent saw Capt.
Preston leading seven or eight men from towards the Town House,
and placed them between the Custom-house door, and the sentinel
box. About four or five minutes after they were posted, the snow
balls now and then coming towards the soldiers, the Capt. command
ed them to fire. Upon this, one gun quickly went -off ; and after
wards he said '' Fire by all means !" others succeeding, and the de
ponent being utterly unarmed, to avoid further danger, went up
round the Town House till the fray was over. And further saith
uot. Daniel Usher.
Suffolk, ss. March 16, 1770. The above-named Daniel Usher,
personally appearing, and being carefully examined, and
duly cautioned to testify the whole truth, maketh solemn
oath to the fore-written deposition, by him subscribed,
taken to perpetuate the remembrance of the thing.
Before, Ri. Pana, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum,
And, John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 72.)
I, Robert Goddard, of lawful ago, testify and declare, that on
Monday evening, the 5th instant, between the hours of 9 and 10
o'clock, being at my house at Wheeler's point, I heard the cry of
fire. I ran out, and came through Long lane into Kin<* street

APPENDIX. 87
right up to the north-west side of the Town House ; when I got
there, I saw a number of gentleman, standing and talking, and heard
them say, that there was a man stabbed through the arm, and that
it was very hard that the people could not pass the streets without
being stabbed. Immediately after, I heard some people cry out for
assistance. I then went down into King street, and in goino- down
overtook an officer (as I thought), with eight or nine soldiera, with
bayonets charged breast high, the officer holding a naked cutlass in
his hand, swinging, and calling stand out of the way, and the sol
diers cursing and damning, and pushing their bayonets, to clear the
way. They went down to the Custom-house, and placed themselves
just above the sentinel box ; the officer then ordered the soldiers to
place themselves, which they did, in a half circle ; with that the
boys came up near to the soldiers (standing as before). The officer
then said, boys go off, lest there be some murder done ; with that
the boys- removed back a little distance, throwing snow-balls, the
soldiers pushing them with their bayonets, saying, damn you, stand
off; with that the boys went forward again, and a man with a naked
cutlass in his hand, who appeared to be the commanding officer (as
before), gave the word fire ; immediately a gun going off upon the
left of me, I saw a man like a sailor, go up to the commander, and
strike him upon the left arm. Immediately he, the said- officer, said
'Think I'll be used in this manner, damn you, fire," which they
did, one after another. After they had all fired, he ordered them
to prime and load again ; after that he ordered his men in the mid
dle of the street, and told them to clear their way, with their bayo
nets breast high ; with that, looking round, I saw four men lay dead
on the snow, the snow being at that time near a foot deep. Then I
went and helped the mulatto man who was shot into Mr. Stone's
house. After we got him in there, I saw him give one gasp. I
then opened his breast, and saw two holes, one in each breast, where
the balls had entered. After that went to the door, and looked,
and saw the soldiers standing in the middle of the street, and saw
two gentlemen talking with the officers and soldiers. Presently
after, went to see the mulatto again ; and returned back into the
street, saw all the soldiers at the main .guard-house out, with their
bayonets charged breast high ; with that going home through
Quaker-lane into Long-lane, about the middle of the lane, saw two
soldiers, who told me to stand out of the way, or else they would
stab me. I immediately got out of the way, and made the best of
my way home. And further say, that the grand jury desired me to
go and see whether I should know the officer again ; one of them
going with me, I went up, and when I came to the jail, I saw several
people in the room with him. The gentleman of the grand jury
(who went up with me), asked me which was the man, I told him
that that gentleman (pointing to Capt. Preston), looked very much
like the man, and I verily believed he was the man that ordered the
soldiers to fire. " Don't you say so," says he ; " Yes, sir," said I,
" you look very much like the man." " If you say so," said he,

88 APPENDIX.
clapping his hands, " I am ruined, and undone." And further say,
that at the time of firing, there was but about fifty or sixty persons,
mostly boys, in King street. Robert Goddard.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 22, 1770. Robert Goddard, afore
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the aforesaid affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Just. Peace and of the Quorum,
And, John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 73.)
I, John Hickling, being of lawful age, testify and say, that on
Monday the 5th day of March 1770, returning from New Boston
in the evening between the hours of nine and ten o'clock, I heard
a noise and the cry of fire in King street, and inquiring the cause
was informed the soldiers intended to fire on the inhabitants ; im
mediately proceeding to the place, I saw eight or nine soldiers with
fixed bayonets, charged breast high, standing .in a circular manner at
tho corner of the Custom-house, and an officer standing before them
at the end of the bayonets, between the soldiers and the inhabitants.
I saw but a few scattering people, supposed to be about thirty, in
the street before them at that time, and therefore was at a loss for
the reason of such an appearance ; gciing up to the officer I found
a young man named Bliss talking with ' him ; I inquired his name of
Bliss, who informed me that it was Preston. At that instant Mr.
Richard Palmes came up and asked, the officer if he intended to fire
upon the people ? He answered, "By no means." Palmes asked
if the guns were loaded ? Preston answered in the affirmative.
Palmes further asked, " With powder and ball ?" Preston answer
ed they were. The soldiers, during this conversation, assumed dif
ferent postures, shoving their bayonets frequently at the people, one
in particular pushing against my side swore he would run me
through ; I laid hold of his bayonet and told him that nobody was
going to meddle with them. Not more than ten seconds after this
I saw something white, resembling a piece of snow or ice, fall among
the soldiers, which knocked the end of a firelock to the ground. At
that instant the word " Fire !" was given, but by whom I know not ;
but concluded it did not come from the officer aforesaid, as I was
within a yard of him and must have heard him had he spoken it, but
am satisfied said Preston did not forbid them to fire ; I instantly
leaped within the soldier's bayonet as I heard him cock his gun,
which that moment went off between Mr. Palmes and myself. I,
thinking there was nothing but powder fired, stood still, till upon the
other side of Mr. Palmes and close to him, I saw another o-un fired,
and the man since called Attucks, fall. I then withdrew about two
or three yards, and turning, saw Mr. Palmes upon his knee, and the
soldiers pushing at him with their bayonets. During this the rest of
the guns were fired, one after another, when I saw two more fall. I

APPENDIX. 89
ran to one and seeing the blood gush out of his head though just ex
piring, I felt for the wound and found a hole as big as my hand.
This I have since learned was Mr. Gray. I then went to Attucks
and found him gasping, pulled his head out of the gutter and left
him ; I returned to the soldiers and asked them what they thought
of themselves, and whether they did not deserve to be cut to pieces,
to lay men wallowing in their blood in such a manner ? They an
swered, " God damn them, they should have stood out of our way."
The soldiers were then loading their muskets, and told me upon my
peril not to come any nearer to them. I further declare that I heard
no other affront given them than the huzzaing and whistling of boys
'in the street. John Hickling.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 16, 1770. The above-named John
Hickling, personally appearing, and being carefully ex
amined and duly cautioned to testify the whole truth, mak- ¦
eth solemn oath to the fore-written deposition by him sub
scribed, taken to perpetuate the remembrance of the thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Just, of Peace and of the Quorum,
And, John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 74.)
I, Obadiah Whiston, of lawful age, testify and say, that on the
evening of the 5th instant, being at a house in Pond lane, on hear
ing the bells ring, ran towards King street, and in going I met a
person who said, there is no fire, but the soldiers are fighting with
the inhabitants. I went down the north side of the Town-House
into King street, and there was only a few scattering people in said
street ; I came up to the Brazenhead in Cornhill, and saw a barber's
boy, who told me he had been struck by the soldiers ; then I went
to the south side of the Town-House and stood near the main-guard,
where a considerable number of persons stood. Captain Preston
standing by the guard-house door, said, " Damn you, turn out,
guard," which they obeyed, and then took off seven or eight soldiers
from the right, and went down King street, where I with the chief
of the people followed, and in going down the soldiers pushed me
and said, stand out of the way ; I followed them (to see where they
were going) as far as the Custom-house, where said Preston drew
them up, and some boys being in the street, huzzaed ; a few minutes
after as I stood there, I saw one gun go off, and several more were
fired directly after ; the people near me said there was some persons
killed, after which I saw one man dead. Obadiah Whiston
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 21, 1770. Obadiah Whiston, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the above affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remembrance
of the thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Just. Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Just. Peace.

90 APPENDIX. (No. 75.)
George Robert Twelves Hewes, of lawful age, testifies and says,
that on the last night, about one o'clock, as he was returning alone
from his house to the Town-House, he met Sergeant Chambers of the
29th, with eight or nine soldiers, all with very large clubs and cut
lasses,, when Dobson, a soldier, spoke to him and asked him how he
fared, he told him very badly, to see his townsmen shot in such a
manner, and asked him if he did not think it was a dreadful thing ;
said Dobson swore by God it was a fine thing, and said you shall see
more of it ; and on perceiving I had a cane, he informed Sergeant
Chambers of it, who seized and forced it from me, saying I had no
right to carry it ; I told him I had as good a right to carry a cane
as they had to carry clubs, but they hurried off with it into the main
guard. George Robert Twelves Hewes.
March 6, 1770. The deponent further adds, that just be
fore the soldiers came from the main guard to the Custom-house,
there were about fifteen or sixteen little boys near the sentry, who
was standing on the steps of the Custom-house ; and he saw a young
man of a middling stature, with a grey coat and short curled hair,
press by the sentinel towards the door of the Custom-house and knock
at said door, upon which some person came and opened the door and
he went in and shut the door immediately after him ; and at the
same time the snow was near a foot deep in King street.
George Robert Twelves Hewes.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 17, 1770. George Robert Twelves
Hewes, above-named, after due examination, made oath to
the truth of the aforesaid affidavit, taken to perpetuate the
remembrance of the thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Just, of Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Just, of Peace.

(No. 76.)
I, Thomas Jackson, Jr., do testify and declare, that on Monday,
the fifth instant in the evening, being in company, I heard (as near
as I can recollect), between nine and ten o'clock, a drum beat to
arms ; 1 immediately told the gentlemen (with whom I was then en
gaged), I imagined there was some disturbance between the inhabit
ants and the soldiery ; he replied,, foh ! I believe it is nothing but
- boys. I told him I was afraid there was something more in it^thari
that, and desired him (as the drum approached us), to look out of
the window to see whether they were soldiers or not. He imme
diately opened the window, and told me they were soldiers. Upon
this information, I immediately put on my hat and went out. I had
not gone many paces before I met a man, of whom I inquired the
reason of the drum beating. He told me there were six men killed
in King street by the military ; I immediately hastened on in my
way to King street, and met another person by Concert hall, of

APPENDIX. 9]
whom I likewise inquired as aforesaid ; his answer to me corresponded
with the other. When I got into King street, I found a great num
ber of people there assembled, and intended going. into the Custom
house, to find out the particulars of the affair. Upon my knocking
at the Custom-house door with the knocker, Mr. Hammond Green
(who was then looking out of the window), asked me, " Who was
there ?" I called him by name, and told him I wanted to come into
the. Custom-house. He told me he would not let me, nor even his
father, (and I think he said,) nor one of the Commissioners, into the
house, for he had orders for so doing, or to that effect. I imme
diately quitted the door and stayed some time at the bottom, and
then at the head of the Town-house, where I met Capt. John Riordan.
While we were conversing, a party of the 29th regiment came down
Queen street, and joined the regiment then at the Town-house ; soon
after that, I asked Capt. Riordan if he would spend an hour at the
coffee-house ; he complied, and we immediately went ; after spending
some time there, I went home, and in going home ; I found the in
habitants were gone off and the soldiers gone from the Town-house.
It was some time before I came into King street, that the grftis were
fired, and when I knocked at the Custom-house door, all the persons
I saw at the window over the sentry-box at the Custom-house (which
window was then opened), was Mr. Hammond Green, and some
women. Tho. Jackson, Jr.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 16, 1770. Thomas Jackson, Jun.,
above-named, after due examination, made oath to the
truth of the above-written affidavit, taken to perpetuate
the remembrance of the thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Just, of Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Just, of Peace.

(No. 77.)
I, John Riordan, of lawful age, testify, that on Monday evening
the fifth instant, between 10 and 11 o'clock, I was at the British
coffee-house and heard Mr. Wells, the master of the Rose man-of-
war, say that he had done more than ever he did in his life, pointing
to his hat, out of which he had pulled the cockade, and continued,
that all the boats were hoisted out, the barge particularly, which had
not been before for four months. Said master had at the same time
something that appeared like arms under his coat, which he said
were good stuff— that he knew of this before (meaning as I thought
the massacre of that evening) and had sent one boat after another
on shore for orders, but having no return, had come himself in the
barge. John Riordan.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 20, 1770. John Riordan, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the aforesaid affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Just. Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Just, of Peace.

92 APPENDIX. (No. 78.)
Abraham Tuckerman, of lawful age, testifies and says, that James
Vibart, quarter-master of the 29th regiment, about ten o'clock a.m.,
the 8th instant, said, the troubles here were nothing to what they
would be in six months. Being asked why he .thought so, replied,
This affair will get home, and the people here will be disarmed as
they are in Ireland. Abraham Tuckerman.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 16, 1770. Abraham Tuckerman,
above-named, after due examination, made oath to the
truth of the afore-written affidavit, taken to perpetuate
the remembrance of the thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Just. Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 79.)
Spencer Walker, of Boston, tailor, of lawful age, testifies' and
says, that on the evening of the 5th instant, (being a bright moon
light evening) immediately after the massacre in King street, he
was passing alone, by Murray's barrack, and was attacked by a man
of middle height and pretty lusty, a rough countenance and hair
curled round his head, whom he took to be an officer in disguise ;
that the said officer rushed out of the gate from behind two soldiers
with a drawn sword in his hand, and seized the deponent first by the
collar and asked him why he carried a stick, to which the deponent
answered it was all he had to defend himself with ; the officer then
seized his stick and swore he would take it from him ; the depo
nent said he should not ; the officer then pulled the stick three times
and drew back his sword as though he would make a pass at him,
upon which the deponent let go the stick and turned back and saw
at the front door of the house another officer talking with a woman ;
the deponent asked the officer if he kept soldiers there to disarm
people as they went about their proper business, upon which the
officer laughed at him ; the deponent then told the officer that he
would think it very hard if any inhabitant had . taken a gun from a
soldier as he was going to relieve a sentry, the officer again laughed
at him ; upon which a soldier came up and struck the deponent on
the hip with the breech end of his gun in the presence of the officer
at the door, and then the deponent retired. The deponent further
says, that the next day he saw the same person who took the stick
from him (knowing him to be the same) in the dress of a commission-
officer of the 29th regiment. Spencer Walker.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 20, 1770. Spencer Walker, above-
named-, after due examination, made oath to the truth
of the above-written affidavit, taken to perpetuate the re
membrance of the thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Justice of Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Justice Peace.

APPENDIX. 93
(No. 80.)
Jonathan Mason, of lawful age, testifies and says, that on the
evening of the 5th of March 1770, about 10 o'clock, being in King
street, Boston, standing near his Honor the Lieut. Governor, he
heard him say to an officer at the head of the King's troops, who it
was said was Captain Preston, Sir, you are sensible you had no
right to fire, unless you had orders from a magistrate. To which
Capt. Preston replied, Sir, we were insulted, or words to that pur
pose, upon which Capt. Preston desired his Honor to go with him
to the guard-house, which his Honor declined, and repaired to the
council chamber. Jona. Mason.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 21, 1770. Jonathan Mason, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the aforesaid affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Just. Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 81.)
I, Isaac Pierce, of Boston, of lawful age, testify and say, that on
Monday evening, the 5th instant, hearing the bells ring, and that
the main guard had fired on the inhabitants, repaired to King street,
and found the 29th regiment drawn up between the State-house and
main guard-house, and facing down said street, towards the inhabit
ants ; and seeing his Honor the Commander-in-Chief appear, I
went with him towards the soldiers, the front rank having their fire
locks presented, with bayonets fixed ; when we came near, I spoke
to Capt. Preston, then on the right, telling him there was his Honor
the Commander-in-Chief; Capt. Preston said " Where," I said
(pointing to his Honor), '¦ There, and you are presenting your fire
locks at him," on which his Honor went round on the right flank,
and coming to Capt. Preston, said " Sir, are you the commanding
officer," who answered, " Yes, sir ;" his Honor then said, " Do you
know, sir, you have no power to fire on any body of people collected
together, except you have a civil magistrate with you, to give or
ders ;" Capt. Preston answered, " I was obliged to, to save my
sentry," on which I immediately said, " Then you have murdered
three or four men to save your sentry." Isaac Pierce.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 21, 1770. Isaac Pierce, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the aforesaid affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Just. Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 82.)
I, Ebenezer Dorr, of lawful age, testify and say, that on the

94 APPENDIX,
evening of the 5th instant, hearing the bells ring in the centre of
the town, I came down to the Town-house and saw the 29th regi
ment under arms, between the Town-house and main-guard, their
lines extending across the street and facing down King street, where
the town's people were assembled, and that the first rank was kneel
ing down, and the whole of the first platoon was presented, ready
for firing on the word being given, and continued a considerable time
in that posture, but by the providence of God they were restrained
from firing. Ebenezer Dorr.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 21, 1770. Ebenezer Dorr, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the aforesaid affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Just. Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 83.)
I, Edward Crafts, of lawful age, testify and say, that on Monday
evening, the fifth instant, between 11 and 12 o'clock, Mr. Joseph
Ayers met me at my gate, and I asked him where he was going.
He answered, " To call Mr. Thomas Theodore Bliss to attend at
the Council-chamber, to give evidence of the Captain's giving the
soldiers orders to fire on the inhabitants." On leaving Mr. Bliss's
door, there passed by us two corporals with about twenty soldiers,
with muskets and fixed bayonets ; and on their observing our mov
ing towards' the ' Town-house, the soldiers halted, and surrounded
us, saying we were a pack of damn'd rascals, and for three coppers
they would blow our brains out. One of the corporals (viz. Eu-
stice), gave orders for one-half the soldiers to cock, and the rest to
make ready. On which we told them, we had nothing to say to
them, but were on other business. The corporal, Eustice, struck
Mr. Haldan, then in company, and turning to me, aimed a blow at
my head with his firelock, which I took upon my arm, and then,
with all his might, he made a pass at me, with his fixed bayonet,
with full intent to take my life, as I thought. This I also parried
with my naked hand. Then a soldier stepped out from among the
rest, and presented his musket to my breast, and six or seven more
at about eight or ten feet distance also presented. Upon this I
called Corporal McCan, who came to me with a drawn sword or
cutlass in his hand, and pushed the gun from my breast, saying,
" This is Mr. Crafts, and if any of you offer to touch him again I
will blow your brains out." Corporal Eustice answered and said,
" He is as damn'd a rascal as any of them." The next evening
about dusk coming by Rowc's barrack, I saw Corporal McCan who
saved my life. He asked me if my arm was broke, I answered no.
He said the gun with which Eustice struck me, was broke to pieces.
And continued, " You would have been in heaven or hell in an in
stant if you had not called me by name. One man in particular,

APPENDIX. 95
would have shot you, seven more presented at you !" He also said,
his orders were, when the party came from the guard-house by the
fortification, if any person or persons assaulted them, to fire upon
them, every man being loaded with a brace of balls. And further
I say not. Edward Crafts.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 17, 1770. Edward Crafts, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the above-written affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Just, of Peace and of the Quorum,
And, John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 84.)
Joseph Allen, of lawful age, testifies and says, that between the
hours of nine and ten on Monday evening the fifth instant, being at
the dwelling-house of Mr. Winniet at New-Boston, was there in
formed that the town was alarmed by an affray between the soldiers
and inhabitants ; he immediately left said house,' and after arming
himself with a stout cudgel at Mr. Daniel Rea's, passed by Mur
ray's barrack near Doctor Cooper's meeting-house, where were
drawn up a party of soldiers with a number of officers in front ; and
passing them quietly in company with Edward Winslow, Jun., was
overtaken by a party of armed soldiers, one of whom laid hold of
the deponent's neck of his coat and shirt, and tore the shirt, a se
cond struck him over the shoulders, and either the latter or a third
forcibly wrested the stick from him : Lieut. Minchin interposing
prevented farther abuse, and entered into conversation with the de
ponent, complaining of the inhabitants for wrangling with the sol
diers on the most trifling occasion. The deponent asked him if he
thought a man could be inactive, when his countrymen were butcher
ed in the street ? Lieut. Minchin answered, that " Mr. Mollineux
was the author of all this." After the conversation was ended, or
was nigh ending, Lieut. Minchin returned the deponent his stick ;
arid further saith not. Joseph Allen.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 16, 1770. Joseph Allen, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the above-written affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Just, of Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 85.)
I, William Fallass, of lawful age, testify and say, that after the
murder was committed in King street, on the evening of the fifth
instant, upon my return home I had occasion to stop opposite to the
lane leading to Green's barrack, and while I stood there the soldiers
rushed by me with their arms, towards King street, saying, " This

96 , APPENDIX.'
is our time or chance ;" and that I never saw men or dogs so greedy
for their prey as these soldiers seemed to be, and the sergeants could
hardly keep them in their ranks. William Fallass.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 16, 1770. William Fallass, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the above-written affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Just, of Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 86.)
Mary Gardner, living in Atkinson street, of lawful age, testifies
and says, that on Monday evening the fifth day of March current,
and before the guns fired in King street, there were a number of sol
diers assembled from Green's barrack towards the street and oppo
site her gate ; that they stood very still until the guns were fired in
King street, then they clapped their lianas and gave a cheer, say
ing, " This is all that we want ;" they then ran to their barrack and
came out again in a few minutes, all with their arms, and ran to
wards King street. Mary Gardner.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 20, 1770. Mary Gardner, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the above-written affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Justice of Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Justice Peace.

(No. 87.) •
John Allman, of lawful age, testifies and says, that after the party
with the drum came from the main guard to Murray's barracks, he
saw the soldiers there drawn up under arms, and heard the officers,
as they walked backwards and forwards, say, " Damn it, what a fine
fire that was ! how bravely it dispersed the mob !" John Allman.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 16, 1770. John Allman, above-named,
after due examination, made oath to the truth of the above-
written affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remembrance of
the thing.
Before, Ri. Dana, Just, of Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 88.)
I, Benjamin Church, Jun., of lawful age, testify and say, that being
requested by Mr. Robert Pierpont, the Coroner, to assist in examining
the body of Crispus Attucks, who was supposed to be murdered by
the soldiers on Monday evening the 5 th instant, I found two wounds
in the region of the thorax, the one on the right side, which entered
through the second true rib within an inch and a half of the sternum,

APPENDIX. 97
dividing the rib and separating the cartilaginous extremity from the
sternum, the ball passed obliquely downward through the diaphragm
and entering through the large lobe of the liver and the gall-bladder,
still keeping its oblique direction, divided the aorta descendens just
above its division into the iliacs, from thence it made its exit on the
left side- of the spine. This wound I apprehended was the immediate
cause of his death. The other ball entered, the fourth of the false
ribs, about five inches from the linea alba, and descending obliquely
passed through the second false rib, at the distance of about eight
inches from the linea alba ; from the oblique direction of the wounds,
I apprehend the gun must have been discharged from some elevation,
and further the deponent saith not. Benj. Church, Jun.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 22, 1770. Benjamin Church, Jun.,
above-mentioned, after due examination, made oath to the
truth of the aforesaid affidavit, taken to perpetuate the re
membrance of the thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Just. Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 89.)
I, William Rhodes, of lawful age, testify and say, that on Tuesday
March 6, 1770, the morning after the affair in King street, some of
the seamen belonging to the Rose man-of-war, laying in the harbor
of Boston, came to my shop, and after my asking them if they had
heard of the affair that happened, they answered me " yes," and that
all their boats were sent on shore manned, and that the master of the
ship had kept them up all night, or the greatest part ; I then asked them
whether they were kept to their quarters, they answered " no ;" I then
asked whether they had loaded their guns, they likewise answered
"no," but that they had been filling powder ; some time after, I enquired
of these same people whether their people when they came on shore on
Monday night 5 th March, were armed, they told me that the only per
son that had any arms was their master, who came ashore in the barge,
and that he had only a pair of pistols, and that when they had got
on the wharf that the said master gave the pistols to the coxswain of
the barge ; and further saith not. William Rhodes.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 21, 1770. William Rhodes, abovo-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of the
aforesaid affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remembrance of
the thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Just. Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 90.)
Mary Russell, of lawful age, declares that John Brailsford, a private
soldier of the 14th regiment, who had frequently been employed by
her (when he was ordered with his company to the castle, in conse
quence of the murders committed by the soldiers on the evening of
7

98

APPENDIX.

the 5th of Marcnj, coming to the deponent's house, declared that
their regiment was ordered to hold themselves in readiness, and ac
cordingly was ready that evening upon the inhabitants firing on the
soldiery to come to the assistance of the soldiery : on which the de
ponent asked him if he would have fired upon any of the inhabitants
of this town, to which he replied yes, if I had orders, but that if he
saw Mr. Russell he would have fired wide of him — he also said, " It's
well there was no gun fired by the inhabitants, for had there been, we
should have come to the soldiers' assistance." And further saith not.
Mary Russell.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 17, 1770. The above-named Mary
Russell, personally appearing, and being carefully examined,
and duly cautioned to testify the whole truth, made solemn
oath to the forewritten deposition by her subscribed. Taken
to perpetuate the remembrance of the thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Just. Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 91.)
I, Ephraim Fenno, of lawful age, testify, that on Friday the ninth
instant, as I was going home by the hospital in the common, I saw
Doctor Hall, surgeon of the 14th regiment, looking out of his window,
who said to me, " Dirty travelling, neighbor !" " Yes, sir," returned
I. He asked me what news in town ? I told him I heard nothing
but what he already knew, that the talk was about the people that
were murdered. He then asked me if the people of the town were
not easier ? I replied, I believed not, nor would be till all the soldiers
had left the town. He then asked me, if I heard whether the 14th
regiment was going ? I answered yes, for the people would not be
quiet till they were all gone. He said, the town's people had always
used the soldiers ill, which occasioned this affair, and said I wish that
instead of killing five or six, they had killed five hundred, damn me if
T don't. And further I say not. Ephraim Fenno.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 19, 1770. Ephraim Fenno, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of the
aforesaid affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remembrance of
the thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Just. Peace and of the Quorum,
And, John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 92.)
David Loring, who was much employed in making shoes for the
14th regiment, declares, that being at the woodyard of the 14th regi
ment on the 9th or 10th of March, talking with Serjeant Whittey, he
mentioned the unhappy affair of the .murder committed by the soldiers
on the evening of the 5th instant, and said that he believed if the
14th regiment had been upon guard that day it would not have hap-

APPENDIX 99
pened, and told him that he never liked the 29th regiment since they
landed in Boston ; the Serjeant asked the reason why he did not like
the 29th regiment as well as the 14th ; he answered that they seemed
to be a set of blood-thirsty men, and therefore did not like them, and
believed the affair would have never happened had it not been for the
affray of the 29th regiment at the rope-walks. A soldier of the 29th
regiment named John Dudley being by, said it was a planned thing a
month before. David Loring.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 16, 1770. David Loring, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of the
aforesaid affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remembrance of
the thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Just, of Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 93.)
I, the subscriber, being desired by the committee of inquiry to take
ranges of the holes made by musket balls in two houses near oppo
site to the Custom-house, find that the bullet hole in the entry door
post of Mr. Payne's house, and which grazed the edge of the door
before it entered the post where it lodged, two and a half inches deep,
ranges just under the stool of the western most lower chamber win
dow of the Custom-house.
And that the hole made by another musket ball through the
window shutter of the lower story of the same house, and lodged in
the back wall of the shop, ranges about breast-high from the ground
and between the second and third window from the west corner of the
Custom-house. And that the holes made in the shop of Warden and Vernon,
through the outer shutter and back partition of the shop, ranged
breast-high from the ground, and with the western most side of the
first window west of the great door of the Custom-house. Benj. Andrews.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 20, 1770. Benjamin Andrews, Esq.,
above-named, after due examination, made oath to the truth
of the aforesaid affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Just. Peace and of the Quorum,
Belcher Noyes, Just. Peace.

(No. 94.)
I, John Green, of lawful age, testify and say, that on Monday
evening the 5th instant, just after nine o'clock, I went into the Cus
tom-house, and saw in the kitchen of said house two boys belonging
to Mr. Piemont the barber, and also my brother Hammond Green ;
upon hearing an huzzaing and the bell ring, I went out, and there
were but four or five boys in King street near the sentinel, who was
muttering and growling, and seemed very mad. I saw Edward Gar-

100 APPENDIX.
rick who was crying, and told his fellow-apprentice that the sentinel
had struck him. I then went as far as the Brazen-Head, and heard
the people huzzaing by Murray's barrack, I went down King-street
again, as far as the corner of Royal Exchange lane, by the sentry,
there being about forty or fifty people, chiefly boys, near tbe Custom
house, but saw no person insult, or say anything to the sentry ; I then
said to Bartholomew Broaders, these words, viz. : the sentry (then
standing on the steps and loading his gun), is going to fire ; upon
which I went to the Custom-house gate and tried to get over the
gate, but could not ; whilst standing there, I saw Thomas Greenwood
upon the fence, to whom I said, open the gate ; he said that he would
not let his father in, and then jumped down into the lane and said to
the deponent, follow me ; upon which I went down the lane with him,
and round by the Post-office, to the main-guard ; he went into the
guard-house and said, turn out the guard, but the guard was out
before, and I heard that a party was gone to the Custom-house ; I
then heard the guns go off, one after another, and saw three persons
fall ; immediately after, a negro drummer beat to arms, upon that the
soldiers drew up in a rank (and I did not see Greenwood again, until
the next morning), after that I saw the 29th regiment drawn up in a
square, at the south-west corner of the Town-house- ; soon after I went
home ; and further I say not. John Green.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 24, 1770. John Green, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of,
the above-written affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance of the thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Just. Peace and of the Quorum,
And, John Hill, Just. Peace.

(No. 95.)
I, Hammond Green, of lawful age, testify and say, that on the
evening of the 5th day of March instant, between the hours of eight and
nine o'clock, I went to the Custom-house ; when I came to the front
door of the said house, there were standing two young women
belonging to said house, and two boys belonging to Mr. Piemont, the
barber ; I went into the house and they all followed me, after that,
Mr. Sawny Irving came into the kitchen where we were, and after
wards I lighted him out at the front door, I then went back into the
kitchen again, and the boys above-mentioned went out ; after that,
two other boys belonging to Mr. Piemont, came into the kitchen, also
my brother John, who had been in a little while before, he went to the
back door and opened it, saying that something was the matter in the
street, upon which, with the other three, I went to the corner
of Royal Exchange-lane, in King-street, and heard an huzzaing, as I
thought, towards Dr. Cooper's meeting, and then saw one of the first-
mentioned boys, who said the sentry had struck him ; at which time,
there were not above eight or nine men and boys in King-street, after
that I went to the steps of the Custom-houso door, and Mary Rogers,

APPENDIX^ 101
Eliza Avery, and Ann Green, came to the door, at the same time,
heard a bell ring ; upon the people's crying fire, we all went into the
house and I locked the door, saying, we shall know if anybody comes ;
after that, Thomas Greenwood came to the door and I let him in, he
said that there was a number of people in the street, I told him if he
wanted to see anything to go up stairs, but to take no candle with
him ; he went up stairs, and the three women aforementioned went
with him, and I went and fastened the windows, doors, and gate ; I
left the fight in the kitchen, and was going up stairs, but met Green
wood in the room next to the kitchen, and he said that he would not
stay in the house, for he was afraid it would be pulled down, but I
was not afraid of any such thing ; I then went up stairs into the lower
west chamber, next to Royal Exchange lane, and saw several guns
fired in King-street, which killed three persons which I saw lay on the
snow in the street, supposing the snow to be near a foot deep ; after
that, I let Eliza Avery out of the front door, and shut it after her,
and went up chamber again ; then my father, Mr. Bartholomew Green,
came and knocked at the door, and I let him in ; we both went into
the kitchen and he asked me what was the matter, I told him that
there were three persons shot by the soldiers who stood at the door
of the Custom-house ; he then asked me where the girls were, I told
him they were up stairs, and we went up together, and he opened the
window and I shut it again directly ; he then opened it again and we
both looked out ; at which time Mr. Thomas Jackson, Jr., knocked at
the door. I asked who was there. Mr. Jackson said, it is I,
Hammond, let me in ; I told him if my father was out, or any of the
Commissioners came, I would not let them in. And further I say not.
Hammond Green.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 24, 1770. Hammond Green, above
named, after due examination, made oath to 'the truth of
the above-written affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem
brance" of the thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Just. Peace and of the Quorum,
John Hill, Just, of Peace.

(No. 96.)
I, Thomas Greenwood, of lawful age, testify and say, that on Mon
day the 5th instant, spending the evening at Mrs. Wheeler's, I was
alarmed by the bells ringing and people's crying fire, upon which I
turned out with Mrs. Wheeler's three sons and helped Mr. Wheeler's
eno-ine as far as the Old South meeting-house, we met several people
who told us it was not fire, but it was the soldiers and inhabitants fight
ing in King street, and desired them to go back and get their arms, upon
hearing this, I hastened down to King street, and coming near the
west door of the Town-house, I fell in with a number of people, most
of them that I saw had sticks and clubs in their hands, and huzzaed,
after that we went round the north side of the Town-house, and
stood between the cast steps of the Town-house and whipping-post ; I

102 APPENDIX.
heard a number of people speaking, and one person in particular
spoke to the two sentinels, who were walking up and down the street
on the side of the Town-house, using these words,* " Come out and
fight us if you dare," calling them " Damned bloody back rascals and
scoundrels to come out and fight them, if they dared, we are enough
for you now," but Ldo not know whether the above person belonged
to the town ; I looked round and saw about twenty people before the
Custom-house door, upon which I went down to the Custom-house, I
then heard two or three persons use these words, one after another, f
" I wish I could get into the Custom-house, I would make the money
circulate amongst us," after that I went up to the Custom-house door
and saw two or three snow-balls fall on the flat stones near the steps
of the door; I knocked and Mr. Hammond* Green came to the door,
while I was speaking to the sentry, who stood upon the steps, I told
him not to let any body come into the door, and no person offered to
come in ; the said Green asked who was there, I answered 'tis Tho
mas, let me in Hammond ; when I got in, the said Green said to me if
I wanted to see anything, go up stairs, I went into the back room and
got the key of the little drawing-room, being the lower west corner
chamber, and went up stairs, and Elizabeth Avery, Mary Rogers and
Ann Green followed me into the room ; we all looked through the
glass, I saw some persons standing by the sentry-box striking with
sticks, but did not see them hit any body, though a number of per
sons were close by them ; I told the women above-mentioned that I
would not stay, for I was afraid that the house would be pulled down,
there being about forty or fifty persons consisting of men and boys ;
I saw no persons throw any stones or attempt to break even a square
of glass, or get into the house (the next morning I found there was
not a pane of glass broke in the said house). Afterwards, I went down
stairs and met Hammond Green in the middle room ; he asked me
where I was going, I told him I was going out, upon which I went
into the kitchen and took my hat and went into the yard, got upon the
wood pile and went to the fence ; John Green being by the gate
* It may not be improper to remark here, that the deponent, Thomas Green
wood, is a hired servant to the Commissioners, on whom he is altogether de
pendent, and when before the Justices, he was several times detected in plain
falsehoods ; particularly in swearing first, that the number of persons who
called the soldiers "bloody back rascals," &c.,was nine, then seven, and
finally but one, as it now stands ; and through the whole of his examination
he was so inconsistent and so frequently contradicted himself, that all pre
sent were convinced no credit ought to be given to his deposition, for winch
reason it would not have been inserted had it not been known that a deposi
tion was taken relating to this affair, from this Greenwood, by Justice Mur
ray, and carried home by Mr. Robinson.
t As this deponent is the only person out of a great number of witnesses
examined, who heard any mention made of the Custom-house, and as it is
very uncommon for several people to repeat exactly the same words upon
such occasions (for the deponent insisted that the identical words were used by
each person) considering the character and connections of the deponent, and
his own express declaration in this affidavit, that he saw no person attempt
even to break a square of glass or to get into the Custom-house, it may very
justly be doubted whether such words were used by any one.

APPENDIX. 103
asked me to open the gate and let him in ; I told him I would not
open the gate for any body ; one person passing by, said to me. heave
over some shillelahs. I jumped off the fence into Royal Exchange lane,
went down the lane with John Green, and went round by the post-
office to the main-guard ; I told one of the soldiers if they did not go
down to the sentry at the Custom-house,* I was afraid they would
hurt him, though I had not seen any person insult him, some body
said they were gone ; I stood with John Green near the guard-house,
saw the guns go off and heard the report ; afterwards I heard a per
son say, which I took to be a soldier, "That's right, damn them, kill
them all, they have no business there," and from thence I went to the
house of Mr. Burch, one of the Commissioners, where I saw Mr.
Burch and wife, Mr. Paxton, another Commissioner, and Mr. Reeves,
Secretary to the Board ; one of the Commissioners asked me what
was the matter, I told him the soldiers had fired upon the inhabitants,
and had killed two or three, and wounded some more, upon which Mr.
Reeves said, " God bless my soul," and then went into the other room.
I left Mr. Burch's house and went to the barracks at Wheelwright's
Wharf, and staid there all night ; I heard several soldiers say, " They
wished they were let out, for if they were, there should not be many
people alive in the morning ;" the whole of the 14th regiment being
under arms, and the piquet guard went to the main guard-house about
12 o'clock that nio-ht. Thomas Greenwood.
o
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 24, 1770. Thomas Greenwood, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of the
above -written affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remembrance
of the thing.
Before, John Ruddock, Just. Peace and of the Quorum,
And, John Hill, Just. Peace.

Boston, the 22d March, 1770.
We, the subscribers, two of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for
the County of Suffolk (one being of the Quorum) hereby certify,
that Col. William Dalrymple, chief commander of the soldiers in Bos
ton, William Sheaffe, Esq.; deputy collector of the customs, and Bar
tholomew Green, head of the family in the Custom-house in Boston,
were duly notified to attend the captions of the affidavits in perpe-
tuam, &c, touching the massacre by the soldiers in Boston, taken be
fore us on the 16th, 17th, and 19th days of March current ; and that
the - said William Sheaffe and Bartholomew Green attended accord
ingly, on the 16th of March, and cross-examined as many of the de
ponents as they thought fit and as long as they pleased, but declined
eivins' any further attendance. Ri- Dana,
b g J John Hill.
* It seems very difficult, according to Greenwood's account, to form even a
coniecture of the reason of his fears, which he expressed for the sentry,
when in the same breath he declares that he had not seen any person insult
him. But probably the true motives of his application to the mam-guard
were not of a nature to be made public.

104 APPENDIX.
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 30, 1770.
We do hereby certify, that the several copies contained in the an
nexed printed collection of affidavits, taken before us in perpetuam,
<fec, have been carefully compared by us with the originals, and agree
therewith. Ri. Dana, Justice of Peace, and of the Quorum.
John Hill, Justice of Peace.
We do certify the like, respecting those affidavits taken before us.
Ri. Dana, Justice of Peace, and of the Quorum.
Sam. Pemberton, Justice of Peace.
We do certify the like, respecting the affidavit taken before us.
Ri. Dana, Justice of Peace, and of the Quorum.
John Ruddock, Justice of Peace, and of the Quorum.
We do certify the like, respecting the affidavit taken before us.
Ri. Dana, Justice of Peace, and of the Quorum.
John Tudor, Justice of the Peace.
We do certify the like, respecting those affidavits taken before us.
John Ruddock, Justice of Peace, and of the Quorum.
John Hill, Justice of Peace.
We do certify the like, respecting those affidavits taken before us.
John Ruddock, Justice of Peace and of the Quorum.
Belcher Noyes, Justice of Peace.
We do certify the like, respecting the affidavit taken before us.
John Ruddock, Justice of Peace, and of the Quorum.
John Tudor, Justice of Peace.
I do hereby certify, that the copy of an affidavit (contained in the
annexed printed collection of affidavits,) taken before me, has been
carefully compared by me with the original, and agrees therewith.
Edm. Quincy, J. Pacis.

By the Honorable Thomas Hutchin-
[SEAL] son, Esq., Lieutenant Governor and
Commander-in-Chief, in and over his
T. HUTCHINSON. Majesty's Province of Massachusetts
Bay in New England.
I do hereby certify that Richard Dana and John Ruddock, Esquires,
are two of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace and of the Quorum for
the County of Suffolk, within the aforesaid Province ; and that John
Hill, Edmund Quincy, Belcher Noyes, John Tudor, and Samuel Pem
berton, Esquires, are Justices of the Peace for the same County, and

APPENDIX. 105
that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to their several acts
and attestations (as on the annexed paper) both in Court and without.
In testimony whereof I have caused the Public Seal of the Pro
vince of Massachusetts Bay abovesaid to be hitherto affixed. Dated
at Boston the thirteenth day of March, 1770. In the tenth year of
his Majesty's reign.
By his Honor's Command,
John Cotton, D. Sec'ry.

' Three original certificates of the foregoing tenor, with the Pro
vince Seal affixed to them, are signed by the Lieutenant Governor, and
annexed to three printed copies of this pamphlet.
Two of them will be sent to London for the satisfaction of such
gentlemen in England as incline to see the originals : viz, one of them to
William Bollan, Esq., and the other to Dennis DeBertdt, Esq. —
The third remains with the Committee.

In pursuance of a vote of the Town of the 2 2d of March, the
Committee sent printed copies of the foregoing Pamphlet, accompa
nied with letters, to his Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester,
his Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland, and also to the Lords
and other persons of character, whose titles and names follow,* viz.,
His Grace the Duke of Richmond,
Duke of Grafton.
The Right Honorable the Lord Camden.
The Most Noble the Marquis of Rockingham. „
The Rt. Hon. the Earl of Rochford.
Earl of Halifax.
Earl of Dartmouth.
Earl Temple.
Earl of Northington.
Earl of Chatham.
Earl of Hillsborough.
Earl of Shelburne.
Lord Viscount Weymouth.
Lord Mansfield.
Lord Lyttleton. Peers of the Realm.
* This list and the following letter are annexed to such copies only of thi?
pamphlet as are intended for publication in America.

106 APPENDIX.
Sir John Cust, Speaker of the House of Commons.
Sir Fletcher Norton, the succeeding Speaker.
The Marquis of Granby.
Sir Edward Hawke.
Sir George Saville.
George Grenville, Esq.
William Dowdeswell, Esq.
William Beckford, Esq., Lord Mayor of London.
The Honorable Sir William Meredith.
Alex. Mackay, Esq., Col. of the 64th Regiment.
Richard Jackson, Esq.
John Wilkes, Esq., ) Kni Ms of the Snire for Middlesex.
John Glynn, Jb,sq., ) °
Edmund Burke, Esq.
James Townshend, Esq.
John Lawbridge, Esq.
Thomas Whately, Esq.
Alexander Wedderburn, Esq.
Members of the Honorable House of Commons.
The Right Honorable Sir John Earldly Wilmot.
The Society for the Support of Magna Charta, and the Bill of
Rights.
Thomas Hollis, Esq., F. R. S.
Mrs. Catherine Macaulay.
John Pomeroy, Esq., Col. of the 65th Regiment, and a Member
of Parliament in Ireland.
Doctor Charles Lucas, Member of Parliament in Ireland.
The Committee sent like copies, and also writ, to the Gentlemen
mentioned in the Town vote prefixed to the foregoing Narrative.
The following is a copy of the Letter wrote by the Committee to
" the Duke of Richmond ; to which [excepting the last paragraph of
it] the other letters, mutatis mutandis, correspond.
To his Grace the Duke of Richmond.
Boston, New England, March 23, 1770.
My Lord Duke,
It is in consequence of the appointment of the Town of Boston,
that we have the honor of writing to your Grace, and of communi
cating the enclosed Narrative, relating, to the Massacre in this Town
on the 5th instant.
After that execrable deed, perpetrated by soldiers of the 29th
Regiment, the town thought it highly expedient that a full and just
representation of it should be made to persons of character, in order to
frustrate the designs of certain men, who, as they have heretofore
been plotting the ruin of our constitution and liberties, by their
letters, memorials, and representations, are now said to have procured
depositions in a private manner, relative to the said Massacre, to bring
an odium upon the Town, as the aggressors in that affair : But we

APPENDIX. 107
humbly apprehend, your Grace, after examining the said Narrative
and the depositions annexed to it, will' be fully satisfied of the false
hood of such a suggestion ; and we take upon ourselves to declare
upon our honor and consciences, that having examine! critically into
the matter, there does hot appear the least ground for it.
The depositions referred to (if any such there be) were taken without
notifying the Select Men of the Town or any other persons whatever,
to be present at the caption, in behalf of the Town : of which conduct
as it has been justly complained of heretofore in other cases, so the
Town now renew their complaint in the present case ; and humbly
presume such depositions will have no weight, till the Town has been
served with copies of them, and an opportunity given the Town to be
heard in their defence, in this matter ; and in any other, wherein their
character is drawn into question, with a view of passing a censure
upon it.
A different conduct was observed on the part of the Town. The
Justices with a committee to assist them, made their examinations
publicly ; most of them at Faneuil Hall, and the rest where any per
son might attend. Notifications were sent to the Custom-house,
where the Commissioners of the Customs sit, that they or any per
sons in their behalf, might be present at the captions : Accordingly
Mr. Sheafe the deputy collector, and Mr. Green, tenant of the Cus
tom-house under the Commissioners, and employed by them, were
present at many of them.*
One of the said Commissioners, Mr. Robinson, in a secret manner
has embarked on board Capt. Robson, and sailed for London the 16th
instant, which, with three of the other Commissioners retiring from
the Town, and not having held a board for some time since the 5th
instant,f gives reason to apprehend, they have planned, and are exe
cuting a scheme of misrepresentation, to induce administration to
think, that their persons are not in safety in this Town, in the absence
of the Troops. But, my Lord, their safety is in no wise dependent on
Troops ; for your Grace must be sensible, that if any evil had ever
been intended them, Troops could not have prevented it.
It was so apparently incompatible with the safety of the Town, for
the Troops to continue any longer in it, that his Majesty's Council
were unanimous in their advice to the Lieutenant-Governor, that they
should be removed to the barracks at Castle Island. And it is the
humble and fervent prayer of the Town and the Province in general,
that his Majesty will graciously be pleased, in his great wisdom and
goodness, to order the said Troops out of the Province ; and that his
dutiful and loyal subjects of this Town and Province — dutiful and
loyal notwithstanding any representations to the contrary — may not
again be distressed and destroyed by Troops ; for preventing which
we beg leave in behalf of the Town, to request most earnestly the
favor of your Interposition and Influence.
* See the Deposition of the Justices, page 103.
f No Board has been held from the 9th of March, to the time of printing
this Letter, viz., May 16th, and it is uncertain when there will be one,

108 APPENDIX.
The candor and justice of your Grace, so conspicuous in the last
Session of Parliament, when your Grace was pleased to move in . the
House of Lords, that the Resolves then under consideration, and
afterwards passed by that right honorable House, for censuring this
Town and Province, should be suspended, till we could have oppor
tunity of being heard on the subject of them, — the candor and justice
so conspicuous in that motion will always endear to us the personage
that made it. And they give us the strongest Reason to hope for
your Patronage, in everything not inconsistent with those virtues.
We have the honor to be, with the most perfect regard,
My Lord Duke,
Your Grace's most obedient
and very humble Servants,
James Bowdoin.
Samuel Pemberton.
Joseph Warren.

ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS

A SHORT NARRATIVE

HORRID MASSACRE IN BOSTON,

PERPETRATED

IN THE EVENING OF THE 5th OF MARCH, 1770.

PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE TOWN OF BOSTON, MDCCLXX.

NOTE. The original from which this is printed is in the Library
of Harvard University.

ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS.

The extraordinary conduct of the Commissioners of the Customs
since the 5th of March, and their perseverance in it, make it neces
sary to bestow a few observations upon it ; and upon divers matters,
with which it seems to be connected.*
The said Commissioners (excepting Mr. Temple) have all retired
from the town : and we find, on particular enquiry, they have not
held a meeting of their Board since the 9th of March. How they
have disposed of themselves since that time we shall here relate.
Mr. Robinson is gone to England. He sailed the 16th of March,
and went not only without the leave, but, as it is said, contrary to
the minds of his superiors, signified to him from home. None but
the few, intrusted with the secret, knew anything of his going till after
the departure of the vessel in which he went.
Mr. Paxton retired to Cambridge, four miles from Boston, and for
the most part has continued there. He has divers times, however,
visited the town since that retiring.
Mr. Hulton sometime ago purchased a place at Brooklyn, five miles
from Boston, and has ever since resided there.
Mr. Burch, with his wife, has retired to Mr. Hulton's, who, to
gether with Mr. Burch (leaving their wives behind them) are now on
a tour- to Portsmouth, in the province of New Hampshire, where the
last account from thence left them. It is now above six weeks since
a Board of Commissioners was held : and it is utterly uncertain when
there will be another.
From their first establishment here, to the 11th of June, 1768, they
* The copies of this Narrative, sent to England and other parts, conclude
with the foregoing pages. Since they were sent, it has appeared necessary to
add a few pages to the remaining copies : to do which an ' opportunity has
been given by the restraint laid on the publishing of said narrative here.
The reason of that restraint will appear by the following vote of the Town,
passed at the Town-Meeting held the 20th of March, namely': " The Committee
appointed to prepare the true state of facts, relating to the execrable Massa
cre perpetrated on the evening of the 5th instant, in order that the same be
transmitted to Great Britain, having accordingly reported, and the Report
being accepted. by the Town and ordered to be printed: And whereas the
publishing of the said Narrative with the Depositions accompanying it, in
this county, may be supposed by the unhappy persons now in custody for
trial, as tending to give an undue bias to the minds of the Jury, who are to try
the same : Therefore, voted, That the Committee reserve all the printed
copies in their hands, excepting those to be sent to Great Britain, till the
further order of the Town. "Attest, "William Coopeh, Town-Clerk."

112 APPENDIX.
held their Boards regularly four days every week. They then retired
on board the Romney man-of-war, and from thence to the Castle : for
what purpose, their letters and memorials lately published have suf
ficiently informed the world. From their re-establishment in Boston
in November, 1768, to the 5th of March, 1770, they held their Boards
in the same regular manner. Since that time there have been but
two Board meetings, the last of which was on the 9th of March.
Now what do all these manoeuvres since the 5th of March indi
cate ? Is it possible to suppose they indicate anything less than a
design to take occasion from the outrages and murders committed on
the evening »of that day by the soldiers (assisted' perhaps from the
Custom-house) to represent the town in a disadvantageous light ?
And does not their former conduct render this highly probable?
Besides, it is a fact, that Depositions have been taken in a secret
manner, relative to that unhappy affair, to the prejudice of the town ;
and it is no way improbable that Mr. Robinson is gone home with
memorials and letters from the Commissioners and others, accompany
ing such depositions.
By some escapes, as well as by what the circumstances above-
mentioned make .probable, a pretty good judgment may be formed of
the substance of those memorials, letters, and depositions, namely,
that the Custom-house was attacked — the revenue chest in danger,
but saved by the firing upon the mob — the King's troops compelled
to leave the town — the Commissioners thence obliged for their safety
to quit it also — the consequent impossibility of their holding Boards
— the detriment thence arising to the revenue and his Majesty's service
— all government at an end, and the Province in a state of rebellion.
If these be, either in whole or in part, the subject of the dispatches
sent home, it is veiy proper a- few observations should be made upon
them. The Custom-house attacked — a falsehood. The people drawn into
King street, were drawn thither by the cry of fire, and the outrages of
the soldiers, which occasioned it. From the first appearance of the peo
ple in King street, to the time of the firing upon them, there had not
passed fifteen minutes. It might with as much truth be affirmed, that
they made an attack upon the Custom-house in London, as upon the
Custom-house in Boston : of which latter there was not even a pane
of glass broken.
The revenue chest in danger — a falsehood. It is not probable the
chest is kept at the Custom-house ; but if it be, there was, and is, at
least as much danger of it from some of the out-door people em
ployed under the Commissioners, as from any body else. It is cer
tain that some of them are of an infamous character.
The troops compelled to quit the town— a falsehood. They quitted
the town by the orders of their commanding officer, in consequence
of a request from the Lieutenant Governor, who was advised by the
council to pray the said officer to remove the troops. This request
and this prayer was obtained by an application from the town to the
Lieutenant Governor. Into what times are we fallen, that the govern-

APPENDIX. 113
ment of the province is reduced to the humiliating condition ot mak
ing such a prayer !
But supposing the troops had been compelled vi et armis to quit the
town. It would have been a measure justifiable in the sight of God and
man. When the soldiers, sent hither for the declared purpose of assist
ing the civil magistrate to keep the peace, were themselves in a remark
able manner the breakers of the peace — when, instead of assisting, they
insulted him ; and rescued offenders of their own corps from justice —
when they frequently abused the mhabitants in the night — when they
had entered into a combination to commit some extraordinary acts of
violence upon the town ; and in consequence of it, on the evening of the
massacre, attacked the inhabitants wherever they met them ; afterwards
firing upon, and killing and wounding a number of them — when all this
had been done, and more threatened, it was high time they should be
removed from the town. If there had been no other means of getting
rid of them, the inhabitants would have had a right by that law of na
ture, which supersedes all other laws, when they come in competition
with it — the law of self-preservation — to have compelled them to quit
the town. This law is radical in our nature, indelible from it, and uni
formly operating where it can operate, to the removal or destruction
of every thing incompatible with it ; and is abrogable by no other
law-giver than God himself, the great author of it. Therefore, al
though the resisting the King's troops in any thing they have a
right by law to do, may be adjudged treason, yet when they act con
trary to law, especially in so outrageous a manner as in the present
case, and retain a disposition to repeat it, whereby the lives of the
King's subjects are in danger, they then cease to be the King's troops;
that is, they are not the King's troops for any such purpose, but so
far become traitors ; and on the failure of other means of riddance
from them, which' the time and circumstances may make eligible and
are lawful, they may (by the principles of all law, as well as by the
great law above-mentioned, into which those principles are resolvable)
be resisted and expelled ; and not to do it, where it can be done, is a
species of treason against the constitution, and consequently treason
in an equal degree against the King and all his subjects.
The Commissioners obliged for their safety to quit the town. — If
one falsehood can be more so than another, this is the greatest yet
mentioned, and is as ridiculous as it is false. Their conduct and such a
declaration by no means agree. Would they in that case occasionally
visit the town ? Would they trust themselves in the environs of it ?
Could they think themselves safe at Cambridge and Brookline ? Could
they think themselves safe anywhere in the province, or indeed in Ame
rica ? Must they notknow, if any evil were really intended them, it might
easily overtake them anywhere, and every where on this side of the At
lantic ? Some other reason than their safety must therefore be looked
for to account far their retiring, and discontinuing their boards. A
similar proceeding of theirs in June, 1768, and their letters and me
morials lately published, give occasion at least to conjecture what that
reason may be. Is it not probable it was to corroborate the said
8

114 APPENDIX.
depositions, and thence induce administration to think it necessary, not
only that the troops already here should be continued, but that a fur
ther number should be sent to strengthen and support them ? If this
measure cannot be effected, and should the Commissioners be so un
fortunate as to remain here unattacked in the absence of the troops,
it might naturally be thought they could have remained here without
them in 1768 ; and therefore that they had put the nation to a very
great expense, for no other purpose than further to alienate the affec
tions of the Americans, and to give them an additional reason to wish
themselves independent of it. And hence the Commissioners might
have cause to expect a national resentment against them; However in
jurious to us the effects of such policy may be, we cannot but applaud
it (on the principles of the Machiavelian system) as it stands related to
themselves. If they thought their own existenoe in danger, considered
as Commissioners, how natural was it to use the means to support it ?
And what fault could be found with the means, if those principles
justified them ? Why need they trouble their heads about consequen
ces that would not affect themselves ? or, if they would, and such ex
istence a'ppeared precarious without those means, was it not necessary
they should be used, and the consequences disregarded ? If the
means be successful to the end for which they seemed designed, it
requires no prophetic spirit to foretell that the consequences may be
— — bad enough. Whether the present Commissioners, or any board
of Commissioners at all (whose appointments are fully equal to any be
nefit the nation or colonies are like to reap from them, and whose use
fulness hitherto may be valued by some of the negative quantities in
algebra) are things of importance enough to hazard those consequen
ces, or any ill consequence at all, is humbly submitted to the wisdom
of administration to determine.
The consequent impossibility of their holding boards. — This impos
sibility was of their own creating. If they had continued in town
(from whence they had not the least reason to depart, unless to an
swer purposes they would choose to conceal) they might have held
their boards as usual.
The detriment thence raising to the Revenue, and his Majesty's
service. — If any such detriment has arisen, the fault is their own.
His Majesty's service, is a cant term in the mouths of understrappers
in office. Many of them either do not know the meaning of it, or
abuse it to answer their own corrupt purposes. It is used to express
something distinct from the service of the people. The king and
people are placed by it in opposite interests. Whereas, by the happy
constitution we are under, the interest of the King is the interest of
the people, and his service is their service : both are one, and consti
tutionally inseparable. They who attempt to separate them, attempt
to destroy the constitution. Upon every such parricide may the ven
geance both of King and People descend.
Government at an end. — This has been the cry ever since the
Stamp- Act existed. If the people saw they were going to be enslaved ;
if they saw Governor Bernard (from whom they had a right to ex-

APPENDIX. 115
pect that he would do nothing to promote it) was zealous and active
to rivet the chains ; and that his government, in its principles and
conduct, tend'ed to the establishment of a tyranny over them, was it
unnatural for them in such a case to reluct ? was it unreasonable to
refuse an acquiescence in such measures ? Did an opposition to them
indicate a disregard to government ? If government, in the true idea
of it, has for its object the good of the governed, such an administra
tion could not be called government : and an opposition to it by no
means included an opposition to government. From such an opposi
tion has arisen the cry, that government is at an end. The sooner
such government is at an end the better.
When a people have lost all confidence in government, it is vain to
expect a cordial obedience to it. Hence irregularities may arise, and
have arisen. But they will cease, when the true ends of government
are steadily pursued. Then, and not till then, may it be expected,
- that men of weight and influence will exert themselves to make gov
ernment respected. Nay, such exertions will then be needless, for
mankind cannot help respecting what is in itself respectable, especially
when it is at the same time so promotive of their own good as good
government is.
The province in a state of rebellion. — Into this state its enemies, on
both sides of the Atlantic, have been endeavoring to bring it. When
th,ey could not make it subservient to their interest and views ; and
when their measures had raised a spirit of opposition to them, that
opposition was made the lucky occasion to represent the province in
a state of rebellion, or verging towards it. To justify such a repre
sentation the more fully, they endeavored to drive it into that state :
whereby in the end they might hope to gratify both their malice and
avarice ; their malice by injuring it most essentially ; and their avarice,
by the subjection of it to their tyranny and pillage. But nothing can
.be more false than such a representation : nothing more foreign from
this people than a disposition to rebellion. The principles of loyalty
were planted in our breasts too deep to be eradicated by their efforts,
or any efforts whatever ; and our interest co-operated with those prin
ciples. It is humbly hoped his Majesty will not be influenced by such re
presentations to think unfavorably of his faithful subjects of this pro
vince : and that hope is grounded upon their innocence : of which
they have the highest evidence in their own consciousness ; and of
which they have given their adversaries no other cause to doubt, than
what arises from an opposition to their measures. Measures, not only
ruinous to the province, but hurtful to Great Britain, and destructive
of the union, and commercial intercourse, which ought always to sub
sist between her and her Colonies.
The foregoing Observations appeared necessary to vindicate the
Town and Province from the aspersions so unjustly cast upon them.
The few that follow refer to the present and future state of Great
Britain and her Colonies :

116 APPENDIX.
How happy is Britain with regard to situation and many in
ternal circumstances ; and in her connection with her Colonies !
Separated from the rest of the world, and possessed of so large
a naval force, she is secure from foreign invasions : her government
(well administered) is the best existing ; her manufactures are ex
tensive, and her commerce in proportion. To the two latter the Colo
nies have in a considerable degree contributed. By these means she
has risen to her present opulence and greatness, which so much dis
tinguish her among the powers of Europe. But however great and
opulent she may be, she is capable of being still more so ; and so
much so, that she may be deemed at present in a state of minority,
compared with what she will one day probably be, if her own con
duct does not prevent it. The means of this greatness are held out
to her by the Colonies ; and it is in her power, by a kind and just
treatment of them, to avail herself of those means.
The Colonists are husbandmen, and till lately have manufactured
but a small part of their clothing, and the other articles with which
they had been usually supplied from Great Britain. But they have
been taught by experience they can supply themselves ; .and that
experience (which has been forced upon them) has demonstrated
most clearly, that they have within themselves the means of living
conveniently, if not with elegance, even if their communication with
the rest of mankind were wholly cut off. This, however, could noj.
be an eligible state : but no one entitled to and deserving the liberties
of an Englishman, can hesitate a moment to say, that it would be
preferable to slavery; to which the Colonists have apprehended
themselves doomed, by the measures that have been pursued by Ad
ministration. If the Colonists might be permitted to follow their
inclinations, with which at the same time their interest coincides, they
would be husbandmen still, and be supplied as usual from Great
Britain. The yearly amount of those supplies (as appears by the
exports from Britain) is very considerable,* and might be in future in
proportion to the increase of the Colonists.
* The value of the exports from Britain to the Colonies in 1766, which was
less than in 1765, stood thus : —
To New England, . . . £409,642
New York  330,829
Pennsylvania, .... 327,314
Virginia and Maryland, . . 372,548
Carolina, .... 296,732

£1,737,065
This is taken from " The present state of the Nation," in which there is an
account of the said exports for the years 1765 and 1766 only.
Now supposing the observation just, that the Colonists (whose number by
the said Pamphlet is estimated two millions) double every twenty years, and
the exports from Great Britain to the Colonies should increase in that pro
portion, the value of the said exports and the number of the Colonists, at the
end of five such periods after 1766, will stand thus : —
VALUE OF EXPORTS.
In 1766 £1,737,065 for two millions of Colonists.
1786 3,474,130 for four millions.
1806 0,948,260 for eight millions.
1826 13,896,520 for sixteen millions.

APPENDIX. 117
Their increase is rapid : they are daily emigrating from the old
towns, and forming new ones : and if they double their numbers
every twenty years, as it is said they will continue to do, so long as
they can form into families by procuring the means of subsistence at
an easy rate, which probably will be the case till America shall be
well peopled, there will be in a short time a prodigious addition to his
Majesty's subjects ; who if not compelled to manufacture for them
selves, will occasion a proportionable demand for the manufactures of
Great Britain. If it be considered, too, that America, from its different
soils and climates, can raise perhaps all the productions of other
countries in the same latitudes ; which being remitted in exchange
would most of them be rough materials for Britain to manufacture ;
what a fund of wealth and power will America be to her ! Her in
habitants, of every denomination, by finding employment, and the
consequent means of subsistence, will greatly increase ; and her trade
and navigation be in proportion. She might then view with indiffer
ence the interdiction of her trade with other parts of the world ;
though she would always have it in her power, from the superiority
of her naval force, which such a trade and navigation would enable
her to support, to do herself justice, and command universal respect.
Connected with her Colonies, she would then be a mighty empire :
the greatest, consisting of people of one language, that ever existed.
If these observations be not wholly visionary, and a mere reverie,
they possibly may not be unworthy the consideration of Parliament :
whose wisdom will determine, whether any revenue . whatever, even
the greatest that America could possibly produce, either without or
with her good will, would compensate the loss of such wealth and
power ; or justify measures that had the least tendency to bring them
into hazard : or whether for such a revenue it would be worth while
to hazard even the present advantages, resulting to Great Britain from
an union and harmony with her Colonies.
In 1846 $27,793,040 for thirty-two millions.
1866 55,586,080 for sixty-four millions of Colonists.
The last mentioned numbers are so large, that it is likely the principles od
which they are formed may be called into question. Let us therefore take
only one-quarter part of those numbers, and then the value of exports from
Britain to the Colonies, in 1866, will be more than thirteen millions sterling
for sixteen millions of Colonists. It is highly probable, by that time there
will be at least that number of Colonists in the British Colonies on this con
tinent. Now, in case there be no interruption of the union and harmony that
ought to subsist between Great Britain and her Colonies, and which it is
their mutual interest should subsist and be maintained, what good reason
can be given why such exports should not bear as .great a proportion to the
number of the Colonists as they do at this time ? If they should, the value
of such exports (which will be continually increasing) will be at least thir
teen millions per annum. A sum far surpassing the value of all the exports
from Great Britain at this day.
In what proportion so vast a trade with the Colonies would enlarge the
other branches of her trade ; how much it would increase the number of her
people, the rents and value of her lands, her wealth of every species, her in
ternal strength, her naval power, and particularly her revenue (to enhance
which in a trifling degree has occasioned the present uneasiness between her
and the Colonies) are matters left to the calculation and decision of the politi
cal arithmeticians of Great Britain.

AN

INDEX TO THE APPENDIX.

Adams Matthew,
Allen Jeremiah,
Allen Joseph,
Alline Benjamin, .
Allman John,
Andrews Benjamin, Esq.,
Appleton Nathaniel, .
Archbald Francis, Jr. , .
Atwood Samuel,

4680 9577 96 9952 6755

B.

Bass Henry, .
Bass Gillam,
Belknap Jeremiah,
Bostwick Samuel,
Bourgate Charlotte, .
Brailsford John,
Brailsford Mary, .
Broaders Bartholomew,
Brown John,
•Burdick Benjamin, Jr.,

49 76 5348 75
444357
47 61

C.
Cain Thomas,  ... 64
Calfe Daniel  69
Cato,  .... 85
Church Benjamin, Jr.,  96
Coburn John,  53
Cochran David,  38
Condon Samuel,  66

120 INDEX.
Copeland Asa, ........ 43
Coster George V., . . . .  82
Crafts Edward, .... . . . 94
Cunningham Peter, . .... • • 65

D-
Dorr Ebenezer, . . 93
Drowne Samuel,  83
F.
Fallass William,  95
Fenno Ephraim,  "98
Feriter Nicholas,  39
Fisher, John,  40
Fosdick Nathaniel, ,  68
Frizel Benjamin,  79
G.
Gammel John,  ... . 75
Gardner Mary,  96
Goddard John, ...  59
Goddard Robert,  86
Gray John,  £1
Green John,  99
Green Hammond, .  {. . . 100
Greenwood Thomas,  101
H.
Hewes George Robert Twelves, .... . . 90
Hickling John, .  88
"Hill John, Esq.,  40
Hinckley Ebenezer,  : . . 66
Hobby Charles, .  62
Hooton Joseph, Jr.,  69
J.
Jackson Thomas, Jr., ... . . 90.

King Matthias,  .... 56
Kirkwood James, Capt., ... . .55
-Kneeland Bartholomew,  51
Knox Henry,  yg

INDEX. 121
L.
Leach John, Jun., .  60
Le Baron William,  50
Lewis William,  50
Loring David,  , .98
M.
McNeil Archibald, .... . 42
^Marshall Thomas, Esq.,  60
Mason Jonathan, .  93
Morton Dimond,  .78

Newhall William,  38
Noyes Nathaniel, . . .... .44

P.
-Palmes Richard, . . . . . . .70
Parker Isaac,  51
Patterson Robert, .  85
Payne Edward, ....  74
Peirce Isaac, .  93
Pierpont Robtrt, . ... 47
Polley Robert,  . 64
R.
Read Francis, ...... .77
Rhodes William, .  97
Richardson Jeffrey, . . .... 39
Riordan John, .  ¦ ... 91
Russell Mary,  97
S.
-Simpson Josiah, ... 80
Swan Caleb,  46
Swansborough Margaret, .... • 46

Tant William,  63
-Thayer Nathaniel, ,  51
Thayer Mary,  42
Tuckerman Abraham, . .... . . 92
Tyler William, .  1S

122 INDEX, TJ.
Usher Daniel,  86
Usher Jane, . .  45
» W.
Walker Spencer,  92
Ward Richard,  45
Whiston Obadiah,  89
Wilme John,  . 37
Wilme Sarah,  i ... 37
Wilson John,  82
Wyat William,  72

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