BOSTON, IN 1776.

UR illustration rep

resents the town of
Boston, in 1776; it
is copied from an En-
glish engraving pub-
lished in that year,

and is believed to be

authentick. The

view is taken from
some point on the
road leading from
Roxbury to Dorches-

Boston, was the headquarters of rebellion, at the breaking out of the revolution. In her streets were made the first fierce and desperate struggles for liberty; in her legislative halls, the first bold and manly opposition to the encroachments of the mother country.

Some of the events of that dark and gloomy period, are represented in two of the engravings accompanying this article; the Boston Massacre, and the Destruction of the Tea. We extract from Snow's History of Boston, the following account of those transactions, and the circumstances which led to them :

teamsters from the country, to run the post down with their carts; but they understanding the nature of the pageantry, would have nothing to do with it Richardson foolishly persisted, and seized the bridle of the horses, but failed of his intent to guide the team against the post. On this, the boys set up a shout, which being resented by Richardson, they pelted him with dirt till they drove him into his own house. The noise gathered a considerable number of people. Hard words passed between Richardson

and some of the multitude; stones were thrown on both sides, till at length Richardson discharged a musket at random from his door, and another from his window. One young man was severely injured, and a boy, Christopher Snider, about eleven years of age, received a mortal wound in his breast. Upon this the bells were set to ringing, and a vast concourse of people drawn together. Richardson, and one Wilmot, a seaman, who had taken his part in the affray, were secured and carried to Faneuil-Hall, where they underwent an examination and were committed for trial.

"The boy died in the course of the evening, and was removed to his parents' house in Frog-lane (Boylston-st.) All the friends of liberty were invited to attend the funeral of this little hero and first martyr to the noble cause.' This innocent lad was announced as the first whose life had been a victim "In January, 1770, the merchants renewed their to the cruelty and rage of oppressors. Young as he agreement not to import British goods. They held was, he died in his country's cause, by the hand of several meetings in Faneuil-Hall, and appointed one, directed by others, who could not bear to see committees of inspection, who should examine into the enemies of America made the ridicule of boys? the truth of reports, concerning the unfaithfulness of On Monday, the 26th, his funeral took place. The some who had signed the articles. The names of little corpse was set down under the Tree of Liberseveral were reported, and ordered to be published. ty, from which the procession began. The coffin Lieut. Gov. Hutchinson sent a message to one of bore inscriptions appropriate to the times; on the these meetings, by the. sheriff, (whose name was foot Latet anguis in herba:' on each side, Haeret Stephen Greenleaf,) enjoining and requiring them lateri lethalis arundo:' and on the head, Innocentia without delay to separate and disperse, and to for- NUSQUAM tuta.' Four or five hundred school boys, bear all such unlawful assemblies for the future.' in couples, preceded the corpse; six of the lad's After a calm consideration of the message, it was playfellows supported the pall; the relatives followunanimously voted to proceed and a written an- ed, and after them a train of thirteen hundred inhabiswer was sent to his honour, signifying their opinion tants on foot, and thirty chariots and chaises closed that the meeting was warranted by law. the procession.

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"Theophilus Lillie, who kept a shop near the New Brick meetinghouse, was one of those denounced as Importers. On the 22d of February, some persons erected near Lillie's, a large wooden head, fixed on a pole, on which the faces of several importers were carved. One Ebenezer Richardson living in the neighbourhood, (who had acquired the appellation of Informer,) endeavoured to persuade some

"A more imposing spectacle than this could hardly have been contrived, or one better adapted to produce a lasting impression on the hearts of the beholders: but it was only the prelude to a scene of far greater horrour. The morning papers of Monday, the fifth of March, which told of this transaction, gave also several accounts of quarrels between the soldiers and different individuals belonging to

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the town. The officers were apprehensive of diffi- they thought they heard the order given, and they culties, and were particularly active in their endeav- did fire in succession from right to left. Two of ours to get all their men into their barracks before three of the guns flashed, but the rest were fatal. night Murray's Barracks, so called, where the 14th Crispus Attucks, Samuel Gray, and James Caldwell regiment was principally quartered, were in Brattle- were killed on the spot, Samuel Maverick and Patstreet, in the buildings directly opposite the little al-rick Carr received mortal wounds, of which the for ley, which leads from the bottom of Market-street. mer died the next morning, and Carr on the WedThe twenty-ninth regiment was quartered in Water-nesday of the next week. Several other persons street and in Atkinson-street. As a measure of pre- were more or less injured: the greater part, persons caution, there was a sentinel stationed in the alley passing by chance, or quiet spectators of the scene. beforementioned, (then called Boylston's alley,) and The people instantly retreated, leaving the three unthis very circumstance led to the quarrel which ter- happy men on the ground. All this transpired within minated in the Boston Massacre. Three or four twenty minutes from the time of Capt. Preston's join. young men, who were disposed to go through the ing the guard. alley, about nine o'clock, observed the sentinel brandishing his sword against the walls and striking fire for his own amusement. They offered to pass him and were challenged, but persisted in their attempt, and one of them received a slight wound on his head. The bustle of this rencontre drew together all those who were passing by, and fifteen or twenty persons thronged the alley, and thirty or forty more, gathered in Dock-square, were attempting to force their way to the barracks through Brattle-street, (which was at that time so narrow that a carriage could with difficulty pass.) Being foiled in this attempt, the party, which was continually increased by accessions, gathered in Dock-square round a tall man with a red cloak and white wig, to whom they listened with close attention two or three minutes, and then gave three cheers and huzzaed for the main guard.

"The main guard was regularly stationed near the head of State-street, directly opposite the door on the south side of the Townhouse. To this place all the soldiers detached for guard duty were daily brought, and from thence marched to the particular posts assigned them. On this day the command of the guard had devolved on Capt. Thomas Preston, and Lt. Basset under him.

"On the people's assembling again,' says Capt Preston, 'to take away the dead bodies, the soldiers supposing them coming to attack them, were making ready to fire again—which I prevented by striking up their firelocks with my hand. Immediately after, a townsman came and told me that four or five thou sand people were assembled in the next street, and had sworn to take my life with every man's with me; on which I judged it unsafe to remain there any longer, and therefore sent the party and sentry to the main guard, where the street is narrow and short, then telling them off into street firings, divided and planted them at each end of the street to secure their rear, expecting an attack, as there was a constant cry of the inhabitants, 'To arms, to arms, turn out with your guns,' and the town drums beating to arms. I ordered my drum to beat to arms, and being soon after joined by the several companies of the 29th regiment, I formed them as the guard, into street fir ings. The 14th regiment also got under arms, but remained at their barracks. I immediately sent a sergeant with a party to Col. Dalrymple, the commanding officer, to acquaint him with every particu lar. Several officers going to join their regiment, were knocked down by the mob, one very much wounded and his sword taken from him. The Lt. As the party dispersed from Dock-square, some Gov. and Col. Carr soon after met at the head of the ran up Cornhill, others up Wilson's lane, Royal Ex- 29th regiment, and agreed that the regt. should rechange lane (now Exchange-street.) These last tire to their barracks, and the people to their houses: found a single sentinel stationed before the door of but I kept the piquet to strengthen the guard. It the Customhouse, which was the building now oc- was with great difficulty that the Lieut. Gov. prevailcupied by the Union Bank, and then made one cor-ed on the people to be quiet and retire at last they ner of that lane, as the Royal Exchange tavern did all went off except about a hundred.' This hundred the other. As the sentinel was approached, he re- was composed of some of the most distinguished intreated to the steps of the house, and alarmed the habitants, who volunteered to form a citizen's guard. inmates by three or four powerful knocks at the door. "A justice's court was forthwith held, and Capt. Word was sent to Lt. Basset that the sentinel was Preston surrendered himself, and was committed to attacked by the town's people. He immediately to prison at three, next morning: the eight soldiers sent a message to his captain, who instantly repaired were also committed early in the forenoon. to the guardhouse, where Lt. Basset informed him "At eleven o'clock a town meeting was held. Vathat he had just sent a sergeant and six men to as-rious persons related to the assembly, what they had sist the sentry at the Customhouse. Well,' said witnessed of the events of the preceding day. A the captain, I will follow them and see they do no committee of fifteen was appointed to wait on the mischief.' He overtook them before they reached Lt. Governour and Col. Dalrymple, and express to the Customhouse, where they joined the sentinel them the sentiment of the town, that it was impossi and formed a half circle round the steps. ble for the soldiers and inhabitants to live in safety together, and their fervent prayer for the immediate removal of the former. The answer received to the application was not such as was wished; and in the afternoon, seven of the first committee (viz. John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Wm. Molineux, Wm. Phillips, Jos. Warren, Joshua Henshaw, and Samuel Pemberton) were again deputed with the following message: "It is the unanimous opinion of this meet.

"By this time the bells were set to ringing, and people flocked from all quarters, supposing there was fire. The soldiers were soon surrounded; many of those nearest to them were armed with clubs and crowded close upon them; those at a distance began to throw sticks of wood and snow-balls and pieces of ice at them, while from all sides they were challenged to Fire, fire if you dare! At last

ing, that the reply made to a vote of the inhabitants stretched forth his arm, as if it were upheld by the presented his honour, this morning, is by no means strength of thousands, and with unhesitating promptsatisfactory; and that nothing less will satisfy them, ness and dignified firmness replied, "If the Lieutenthan a total and immediate removal of the troops.' ant-Governour, or Colonel Dalrymple, or both togethSamuel Adams acted as chairman of this delega- er, have authority to remove one regiment, they have tion, and discharged its duties with an ability com- authority to remove two; and nothing short of the tomensurate to the occasion. Col. Dalrymple was by tal evacuation of the town, by all the regular troops, the side of Hutchinson, who at the head of the coun- will satisfy the publick mind, or preserve the peace of cil received them. He at first denied that he had the province." The officers, civil and military, were power to grant the request. Adams plainly, in few in reality abashed, before this plain committee of a words, proved to him that he had the power by the democratick assembly. They knew the imminent charter. Hutchinson then consulted with Dalrym- danger that impended: the very air was filled with ple in a whisper, the result of which was, a repeti- the breathings of compressed indignation. They tion of the offer to remove one of the regiments, the shrunk, fortunately shrunk, from all the arrogance fourteenth, which had had no part in the massacre. which they had hitherto maintained. Their reliAt that critical moment Adams showed the most ad-ance on a standing army faltered before the undauntmirable presence of mind. Seeming not to repre-ed, irresistible resolution of free unarined citizens. sent, but to personify, the universal feeling, he Hutchinson consulted the council, and they gave

E

him their unqualified advice, that the troops should be sent out of the town. The commanding officer then pledged his word of honour, that the demand of the town should be complied with, as soon as practicable; and both regiments were removed to the Castle in less than fourteen days.

"The funeral solemnities, which took place on Thursday, the 8th, brought together the greatest concourse, that probably had ever assembled in America on one occasion. Attucks, who was a friendless mulatto, and Caldwell, who also was a stranger, were borne from Faneuil-Hall; Maverick, who was about seventeen years old, from his mother's house in Union-street, and Gray from his brother's in Royal Exchange lane. The four hearses formed a junction in King-street, and thence the procession marched in columns of six deep through the main street to the middle burial ground where the four victims were deposited in one grave.

DESTRUCTION OF THE TEA.

nor of any revenue His Majesty has a ight to estab lish in North America.' Heret fore the complaint had been against the ministry and parliament; we find it here against the king himself. But this increased determination in favour of liberty produced no popular tumult: Boston remained as quiet through. out the year, as it had ever been before the arrival of the troops, and entirely free from those petty broils, which the soldiers were always creating The greatest agitation was occasioned, by an abor tive attempt to procure an endie ment against r Isaiah Thomas, for an article which appeared in his Massachusetts Spy, November ourteenth, si mer Mucius Scævola, which was said to be the most at ing production ever published in America. The Spy had been established about a year in Boston, and had taken a very decided stand in favour of liberty, in a style calculated to engage the middling class of society.

"The trial of Richardson and Wilmot for the mur- Early in 1772, a prominent writer made the de der of Snider came on in April. Wilmot was clear-claration, the dispute between the kingdom and ed, but Richardson was brought in guilty of murder. colonies has ceased every where except in this proThe Lieut. Gov. considered it so clear a case of vince-We are left in the lurch-every other colo justifiable manslaughter, that he refused to sign the ny has made its peace.' On this ground he exhort. warrant for his execution, and after two years' con- ed the inhabitants to lay aside their animosities, finement he was ultimately pardoned by the king." and submit like dutiful children to parental authori¦ ty. Governour H. intimated the same in his messages to the General Court. This drew from the partisans on the other side, rejoinders equally posi tive of the contrary. They, (the colonies) will soon put in practice their meditated plan of the Uni"MR. Hutchinson had received a commission pro- ted Provinces, and form an independent commonmoting him to the office of governour on the 8th of wealth. That the colonies will in some future time March, 1771, and been proclaimed in customary be an independent state is morally certain-it is very form on the fifteenth. On the third of April, he met near-'tis not probable that it is at the distance of the General Court at Cambridge. As soon as they fifteen years.' Again, in May, on a rumour that had opportunity, they appointed a committee to pre-war was to be expected between England and some sent him a verbal message requesting him to remove the court to its ancient and legal seat, the town of Boston.' This he declined to do, while the House denied the king's right to order the court to be held where he thought proper. A controversy "Such a war did not take place, but the people of was maintained for a long time on this subject, Boston found an opportunity for commencing a un which served to make the governour an object of ion on a smaller scale, which probably led to the publick odium. This was not decreased by his general union of all the colonies. People had reproclamation for aid and assistance to a recruiting monstrated firmly against the governour's receiving party, which arrived here on the twenty-ninth of his salary from the crown, but they were answered April to enlist for His Majesty's service. People only by the further indignity of putting the judges could not misunderstand this movement, or consider on the same footing. As soon as the news of this it in any other light than that of a pretext for keep-design reached Boston, a petition was circulated to ing a guard in the town, to be in readiness to pro- procure a town meeting, to consult on the measures tect the crown officers. And they found it employ-required at this critical juncture. Several meetings ed for that purpose, on occasion of a ball at Concert- were held, and continued by adjournments to hall, given by Mrs. Gambier, wife of the command- second, when, after ineffectual application. re of the naval forces on this station, on the king's governour for information on thi birth-day, (June 4,) which was attended by the gov- and having obtained from him a ernour and other friends to government. gether the General Court, the following proceed took place :

European power, the people are exhorted to establish a correspondence between the several colonies, and unitedly refuse supplies, unless a redress of grievan ces can be obtained.

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"The General Court, which was obliged again to assemble at Cambridge, found other causes of com- "Nov. 1772. Proceedings of Town Meering. plaint. It had been decided in England that the "It was then moved by Mr. Samuel Adams, that e governour's salary should be paid by the crown, committee of Correspondence be appointed, to consist and thus he was made independent of the people. of twenty-one persons-to state the Right of these The alarm which this step occasioned was very ex- Colonists, and of this Province in particular, as men, tensive, and the indignation expressed against it was as Christians, and as subjects: to communicate and couched in no equivocal terms. The language of publish the same to the several towns in this province the whigs became every day more high-toned and to the world, as the sense of this town, with the We know,' say the H. of R. on one occasion, we infringements and violations thereof, that have been, know of no commissioners of His Majesty's customs, or from time to time may be made. Also requesting

of each town a free communication of their sentiments on this subject; and the question being accordingly put, passed in the affirmative, nem. con.

Also voted, that James Otis, S. Adams, Joseph Warren, Dr. B. Church, Wm. Dennie, Win Greenleaf, Jos. Greenleaf, Thomas Young, Wm. Powel, Nath. Appleton, Oliver Wendell, John Sweetser, Josiah Quincy, jr. John Bradford, Richard Boynton, Wm. Mackay, Nath. Barber, Caleb Davis, Alex. Hill, Wm. Molineux, and Robert Pierpont, be and hereby are appointed a Committee for the purpose aforesaid, and that they be desired to report to the town as soon as may be,'

cargo, Mr. R. was summoned before the committee, and stated to them, that it would prove his entire ruin, if he should comply with the resolutions of the twenty-ninth and thirtieth of November, and therefore he should not do it. A meeting of the people was assembled at the Old South, on Tuesday, P. M. Dec. fourteenth, when Mr. R. appeared, and was enjoined forthwith to demand a clearance. It was ascertained, that one could not be obtained till the next day, and therefore the meeting was adjourned to Thursday at the same place.

ance.

"On Thursday, there was the fullest meeting ever known two thousand men at least were present from the country. Samuel Phillips Savage, Esq. of Mr. Rotch re"The committee reported on the nineteenth of No- Weston, was appointed moderator. vember an elaborate declaration of rights, and a lu- ported that the collector would not give him a clearcid statement of the violations of them, of which the He was then ordered upon his peril to get town ordered six hundred copies to be printed and his ship ready for sea this day, enter a protest immedistributed, together with a circular letter to every diately against the Customhouse, and proceed directtown in the province. These town meetings were ly to the Governour, (then at Milton, seven miles rather thinly attended, and the tories improved that distant,) and demand a pass for his ship to go by the circumstance to represent the whole in a ludicrous Castle." An adjournment to three P. M. then took light. But their smiles were changed to sadness place. At three having met, they waited very pawhen they found that almost every town adopted the tiently till five o'clock, when finding that Mr. Rotch measures proposed by Boston; and the Governour did not return, they began to be very uneasy, called considered it so serious a subject as to be worthy of for a dissolution of the meeting, and finally obtained mention to the general court in his message, Jan. a vote for it. But the more judicious, fearing what sixth, 1773. His condemnation of the towns drew would be the consequences, begged for a reconsidthat they from the representatives a justification, in which they eration of that vote, for this reason, emboldened to say to him, Notwithstanding all the ought to do every thing in their power to send the terrours which Your Ex. has depicted to us as the tea back, according to their resolves. This touched effects of a total independence, there is more reason the pride of the assembly, and they agreed to remain to dread the consequences of absolute, uncontrolled together one hour. power, whether of a nation or a monarch, than those of a total independence.'

Following up the plan of union, the town, in their instructions to their representatives, chosen in May, thus express their approbation of it :

"This interval was improved by Josiah Quincy, jr. to apprize his fellow-citizens of the importance of this crisis, and direct their attention to the probable results of this controversy. He succeeded in holding them in attentive silence, till Mr. Rotch's return, "We recommend to your serious consideration, at three quarters past five o'clock. The answer which whether an application to the English colonies on he brought from the governour was, that, for the this continent, correspondent to the plan proposed honour of the laws, and from duty towards the king. by our noble patriotick sister colony of Virginia, he could not grant the permit, until the vessel was (which in our opinion is a wise and salutary proposal,) regularly cleared.' A violent commotion immediately will not secure our threatened liberties, and restore ensued. A person who was in the gallery, disguisthat mutual harmony and confidence between the ed after the manner of the Indians shouted at this juncBritish nation and the English colonies, so impor-ture the cry of war: it was answered by about thirtant to both, especially the former, which, if rescin- ty persons, disguised in like manner, at the door. ded from her connexion with this continent, must The meeting was dissolved in the twinkling of an eventually fall a prey to her numerous aud jealous eye. The multitude rushed to Griffin's wharf. neighbours." "

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"On the first of December, Capt. James Bruce, in the ship Eleanor, arrived with another portion of the tea. On the third, he was ordered to attend the next day, on a committee of the people in FaneuilHall, where he was commanded by Samuel Adams and Jonathan Williams, assembled with John Rowe, John Hancock, Wm. Phillips, and John Pitts, Esqrs. and a great number of others, not to land any of the said tea, but to proceed to Griffin's wharf, and there discharge the rest of his cargo. Capt. Hez. Coffin arrived in the brig Beaver, near the same time, and was ordered to pursue the same course.

"It being perceived, that Mr. Rotch rather lingered in his preparations to return the Dartmouth to London, and the twenty days being nearly expired, after which the collector might seize the ship and

The disguised Indians went on board the ships laden with the tea. In less than two hours, two hundred and forty chests and one hundred half-chests were staved and emptied into the dock. The affair was conducted without any tumult: no damage was done to the vessels or to any other effects whatever.

"This was executed in the presence of several ships of war lying in the harbour, and almost under the guns of the Castle, where there was a large body of troops at the command of the commissionWe are left to conjecture for the reasons why ers. The no opposition was made to this bold adventure. names of the men, who dared to engage in it, have never been made publick. Three or four of them are yet living. They had the honour of a part in the act, which brought the king and parliament to a decision that America must be subdued by force of arms."