The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

BOSTON. March 12.

The Town of Boston affords a recent and melancholy Demonstration of the destructive Consequences of quartering Troops among Citizens in a Time of Peace, under a Pretence of supporting the Laws and aiding Civil Authority; every considerate and unprejudiced Person among us was deeply impress'd with the Apprehension of these Consequences when it was known that a Number of Regiments were ordered to this Town under such a Pretext, but in Reality to enforce oppressive Measures; to awe and controul the legislative as well as executive Power of the Province, and to quell the Spirit of Liberty, which however it may have been basely oppos'd and even ridicul'd by some, would do honor to any age or country. A few persons amongst us had determin'd to use all their influence to procure so destructive a measure with a view to their securely enjoying the profits of an American revenue, and unhappily both for Britain and this country they found means to effect it.

It is to Governor Bernard, the Commissioners, their confidents and coadjutors, that we are indebted as the procuring cause of military power in this capital---The Boston Journal of Occurrences, as printed in Mr. Holt's York Gazette, from time to time, afforded many striking instances of the distress brought upon the inhabitants by this measure; and since those journals have been discontinued, our troubles from that quarter have been growing upon us: We have known a Party of Soldiers in the face of day fire off a loaden musket upon the inhabitants, others have been prick'd with bayonets, and even our magistrates assaulted and put in danger of their lives, when offenders brought before them have been rescued; and why those and other bold and base criminals has yet escaped the punishment due to their crimes, may be soon matter of enquiry by the representative body of this people---It is natural to suppose that when the inhabitants of this town saw those laws which had been enacted for their security, and which they swore ambitious of holding up to the soldiery, eluded, they should more commonly resent for themselves---and accordingly it has so happened; many have been the squabbles between them and the soldiery; but it seems their being often worsted by our youth in those encounters, has only serv'd to irritate the former.--What pass'd at Mr. Gray's rope-walk; has already been given the public, and may be said to have led the way to the late catastrophe---That the rope-walk lads when attacked by superior numbers should defend themselves with so much spirit and success in the club way, was too mortifying, and perhaps it may hereafter appear, that even some of their officers were unhappily affected with this circumstance: Divers stories were propagated among the soldiery, that serv'd to agitate their spirits; particularly on the sabbath, that one Chambers, a sergeant, represented as a sober man, had been missing the preceeding day, and must therefore have been murdered by the townmen; an officer of distinction so far credited this report, that he enter'd Mr. Gray's rope-walk that sabbath; when required of by that gentleman as soon as he could meet him, the occasion of his so doing, the officer reply'd, that it was to look if the serjeant said to be murdered had not been hid there; this sober serjeant was found on Monday unhurt, in a house of pleasure---The evidences already collected shew, that many threatnings had been thrown out by the soldiery, but we do not pretend to say that there was any preconcerted plan, when the evidences are published, the world will judge---We may however venture to declare, that it appears too probable from their conduct, that some of the soldiery aimed to draw and provoke the townmen into squabbles, and that they then intended to make use of other weapons than canes, clubs or bludgeons.

Our readers will doubtless expect a circumstantial account of the tragical affairs on Monday night last; but we hope they will excuse our being so particular as we should have been, had we not seen that the town was intending an enquiry & full representation thereof.

On the evening of Monday, being the 5th current, several soldiers of the 29th regiment were seen parading the streets with their drawn cutlasses and bayonets, abusing and wounding numbers of the inhabitants.

A few minutes after nine o'clock, four youths, named Edward Archbald, William Merchant, Francis Archbald, and John Leech, jun. came down Cornhill together, and separating at Doctor Loring's corner; the two former were passing the narrow alley leading to Murray's barrack, in which was a soldier brandishing a broad sword of an uncommon size against the walls. out of which he struck fire plentifully. A person of a mean countenance armed with a large cudgel bore him company. Edward Archbald admonished Mr. Merchant to take care of the sword, on which the soldier turned round & struck Archibald on the arm, then pushed at Merchant and pierced thro' his cloaths inside the arm close to the arm-pit and grazed the skin. Merchant then struck the soldier with a short stick he had, and the other person ran to the barrack, and bro't with him two soldiers, one armed with a pair of tongs the other with a shovel: he with the tongs pursued Archibald back thro' the alley, collar'd and laid him over the head with the tongs. The noise bro't people together,and John Hicks,a young lad,coming up,knocked the soldiers down,but let him get up again; and more lads gathering. drove them back to their barrack, where the boys stood some time as it were to keep them in. In less than a minute 10 or 12 of them came out with drawn cutlasses, clubs & bayonets, and set upon the unarmed boys and young. folks, who stood them a little while, but finding the inequality of their equipment dispersed.---On hearing the noise, one Samuel Atwood, came up to see what was the matter, and entered the alley from dock-square, heard the latter part of the combat, and when the boys had dispersed he met the 10 or 12 soldiers, aforesaid rushing down the alley towards the square, and asked them if they intended to murder people? They answered Yes, by G--d, root and branch! With that one of them struck Mr. Atwood with a club, which was repeated by another, & being unarmed he turned to go off, and received a wound on the left shoulder which reached the bone and gave him much pain. Retreating a few steps, Mr. Atwood met two officers and said, Gentlemen, what is the matter? They answered you'll see by and by. Immediately after, those heroes appeared in the square, asking, where were these boogers? where were these cowards?

But notwithstanding their fierceness to the naked men, one of them advanced towards a youth who had a split of a raw stave in his hand, and said damn them here is one of them; but the young man seeing a person near him with a drawn sword and good cane ready to support him, held up his stave in defiance, and passed by him up the little alley by Mr. Silfby's to King street, where they attacked single and unarmed persons till they raised much clamour, and then turned down Cornhill-street, insulting all they met in like manner, and pursuing some to their very doors. Thirty or forty persons, mostly lads, being by this means gathered in King-street, Capt. Preston, with a party of men with charged bayonets, came from the main guard to the commissioners house, the soldiers pushing their bayonets, crying, Make way; They took place by the custom-house. and continuing to push to drive the people off, pricked some in several places; on which there were clamours, and, it is said, threw snow-balls. On this, the Captain commanded them to fire, and more snow-balls coming, he again said, Damn you, Fire, be the consequence what it will! One Soldier then fired, and a townsman with a cudgel struck him over the hands with such force that he dropt his firelock; and rushing forward aimed a blow at the Captains head, which graz'd his hat and fell pretty heavy upon his arm: However, the soldiers continued the fire, successively, till 7 or 8, or as some say 11 guns were discharged.

By this fatal manœuvre. three men were laid dead on the spot, and two more struggling for life; but what shewed a degree of cruelty unknown to British troops, at least since the house of Hanover has directed their operations, was an attempt to fire upon or push with their bayonets the persons who undertook to remove the slain and wounded!

Mr. Benjamin Leigh, now undertaker in the Delph manufactory, came up, and after some conversation with Capt Preston, relative to his conduct in this affair, advised him to draw off his men, with which he complied.

The Dead are,

Mr. Samuel Gray, Ropemaker,killed on the Spot,
the Ball entred his Head and broke the skull.

A Mollatto Man. named Attucks. who was born
in Framingham.but lately belonging to New-Providence, and was here in order to go for North-Carolina,killed on the Spot,two Balls entering his Breast.

Mr. James Caldwell. Mate of Capt Morton's
Vessel, killed on the Spot, two Balls entering his
Breast.

Mr. Samuel Maverick, a promising Youth of 17
Years of Age, Son of the Widow Maverick,and an
Apprentice to Mr. Greenwood, Joiner, mortally
wounded, a Ball went through his Belly .and came
out at his Back: He died the next Morning.

A Lad named Christopher Monk.about 17 Years
of Age, an Apprentice to Mr. Walker,Shipwright:
Mortally wounded, a Ball entered his Side & came
out at his Back: apprehended he will die.

A Lad named John Clark, about 17 Years of
Age, whose Parents live at Medford, and an Ap-
prentice' to Capt. Samuel Howard of this Town;
Mortally wounded, a Ball entered just above his
Groin & came out at his Hip, on the opposite Side
apprehended he will die.

Mr, Edward Payne, of this Town, Merchant.
standing at his Entry-Door, received a Ball in his
Arm, and battered some of the Bones.

Mr. John Green, Taylor, coming up Leverett's
Lane, received a Ball just under his Hip, & lodged
in the under Part of his Thigh, which was ex-
tracted.

Mr. Robert Patterson, a Seafaring Man, who
was the Person that had his Trousers shot thro' in
Richardson's affair, wounded; a Ball went thro
his Right Arm.

Mr. Patrick Carr, about 20 years of Age, who
work'd with Mr.Field Leather-Breeches-maker in
Queen-Street,wounded,a Ball enter'd near his Hip
and went out at his Side.

A Lad named David Parker, an Apprentice to
Mr. Eddy the Wheelwright, wounded, a Ball en-
ter'd in his Thigh.

The People were immediately alarmed with the Report of this horrid Massacre, the Bells were set a ringing, and great Numbers soon assembled at the Place where this tragical Scene had been acted; their Feelings may be better conceived than expressed; and while some were taking Care of the Dead and Wounded; the Rest were in Consultation what to do in those dreadful Circumstances.

But so little intimidated were they, notwithstanding their being within a few Yards of the Main-Guard, and seeing the 29th Regiment under Arms, and drawn up in King-Street; that they kept their Station and appear'd as an Officer of Rank express'd it, ready to run upon the very Muzzles of their Muskets. The Lieutenant-Governor soon came into the Town-House, and there met some of his Majesty's Council and a Number of Civil Magistrates.; a considerable Body of the People immediately entered into the Council. Chamber, and expressed themselves to his Honor with a Freedom and Warmth becoming the Occasion. He used his utmost Endeavours to pacify them, requesting that they would let the Matter subside for the Night, and promising to do all in his Power that Justice should be done, & the Law have its Course: Men of Influence and Weight with the People were not wanting on their part to procure their Compliance with his Honor's Request,----by representing the horrible Consequences of a promiscuous and rash Engagement in the Night, and assuring them that such Measures should be entered upon in the Morning, as would be agreeable to their Dignity, and a more likely way of obtaining the best Satisfaction for the Blood of their Fellow- Townsmen. The Inhabitants attended to these Suggestions and the Regiment under Arms being ordered to their Barracks which was insisted upon by the People, they then separated & returned to their Dwellings by One o'Clock.

At 3 Capt. Preston was committed, as were the Soldiers who fired, a few Hours after him.

Tuesday Morning presented a most shocking Scene, the Blood of our Fellow Citizens running like Water through King-Street, and Merchants Exchange the principal Spot of the Military Parade for about 18 Months past: Our Blood might also be tracked up to the Head of Long Lane. and through other Streets and Passages.

At eleven o'Clock the Inhabitants met at Faneuil-Hall, and after some animated speeches becoming the occasion, they, chose a Committee of 12 respectable Gentlemen to wait upon the Lieutenant Governor in Council, to request of him to issue his, Orders for the immediate removal of the troops.

Their 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 immediate removal of the troops; and that we therefore most fervently pray his Honor that his power and influence may be exerted 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,

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 enquiry 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 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 without 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, & that the main guard shall be removed, and the 14th regiment so disposed and laid under such restraint that all occasion of future disturbances may be prevented.

The foregoing Reply having been read and fully considered---the question was put, Whether the Report be satisfactory; Passed in the Negative, (only 1 dissentient,).out of upwards of 4000 Voters.

It was then moved and voted John Hancock, Esq Mr. Samuel Adams,Mr. William Molineux, William Phillips,Eq; Dr. Joseph Warren, Joshua Henshaw Eq; and Samuel Pemberton;Eq; be a Committee to wait on his Honour the Lieut. Governor and inform him, that it is the 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 Lieut. Governor agreeable to the foregoing Vote, laid before the inhabitants the following vote of Council received from his Honor.

His Honor the Lieut. 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 unanimously 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 also 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 untill the whole of the two regiments were removed to the Castle."

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 dissolved.

The 29th regiment have already left us, and the 14th regiment are following them, so that we expect the Town will soon be clear of-all the troops.---The wisdom and true policy of his Majesty's Council and Col. Dalrymple the commander appear in this measure---'Two regiments in the midst of this populous city; and the inhabitants justly incensed: Those of the neighbouring towns actually under arms upon the first report of the massacre, and the signal only wanting to bring in a few hours to the gates of this city many thousands of our brave brethren in the country, deeply affected with our distresses, and to whom we are greatly obliged on this occasion---No one knows where this would have ended, and what important consequences even to the whole British empire might have followed, which our moderation and loyalty upon so trying an occasion, and our faith in the commander's assurances have happily prevented.

Last Thursday, agreeable to a general request of the inhabitants and by the consent of parents and friends, were carried to the Grave in succession, the bodies of Samuel Gray, Samuel Maverick James Caldwell, and-Crisps Attucks, the unhappy victims who fell in the bloody massacre of the Monday evening preceding !--On this occasion most of the shops in town were shut, all the bells were ordered to toll a solemn peal, as were also those in the neighbouring towns of Charlestown, Roxbury, &c. ' The Procession began to move between the hours of 4 and 5 in the afternoon; two of the unfortunate sufferers, viz. Mess. James Caldwell & Crisps Attucks, who were strangers, borne from Faneuil Hall, attended by a numerous train of persons of all ranks; and the other two, viz Mr. Samuel Gray, from the house of Mr. Benjamin Gray; (his brother) on the North side the Exchange, and Mr. Maverick, from the house of his distressed mother,Mrs. Mary Maverick in Union street, each followed,by their respective relations and friends: The several hearses forming a junction in King-street, the theatre of that inhuman tragedy proceeded from thence thro' the main street lengthened by an immense concourse of people so numerous as to be obliged to follow in ranks of six, and bro't up by a long train of carriages belonging to the principal gentry of the town.

The bodies were deposited in one vault in the middle burying ground The aggravated circumstances of their death, the distress and sorrow visible in every countenance, together with the peculiar Solemnity with which the whole funeral was conducted, surpass description.

A military watch has been kept every night at the town-house and prison, in which many of the most respectable gentlemen of the town have appeared as the common soldier, & night after night have given their attendance.

A servant boy of one Manwaring the tide-waiter from Quebec is now in goal, having deposed that himself, by the order and encouragement of his superiors had discharged a musket several times: from one of the windows of the house in King street, hired by the Commissioners and custom-house officers to do their business, in : more than one other person swore upon oath, that they apprehended several discharges came from that quarter.---It is not improbable that we may soon be able to account for the assassination of Mr Otis some time past; the message by Wilmot, who came from the same house.to the infamous Richardson before his firing the. gun which kill'd young Seider, and to open such a scene of Villainy acted by a dirty Banditti as must astonish the public.

It is supposed that there must have been a greater Number of People from Town and Country at the Funeral of those who were massacred More lives were sacrificed by the Soldiers than were ever together on this Continent on any Occasion.

A more dreadful Tragedy has been acted by the Soldiery in King-Street, Boston, New-England, than was some time since exhibited in St. George's Field, London, in Old England, which may serve instead of Beacons for both Countries.

Had those worthy Patriots, not only represented by Bernard and the Commissioners as a Faction, but as aiming at making a Separation between Britain and the Colonies, had any thing else in Contemplation than the preservation of our Rights, and bringing things back to their old Foundation---What an Opening has been given them?

Among other Matters in the Warrant for the annual Town-Meeting this Day is the following Clause, viz, "Whether the Town will take any Measures that a publick Monument may be erected on the Spot where the late tragical Scene was acted, as a Memento to Posterity, of that horrid Massacre, and the destructive Consequences of Military Troops being quartered in a well regulated City."

Capt. Preston strongly denies his giving any orders for the Party to fire.

It is said some Vessels are now taking up here in order to transport the 14th Regiment to New-York.