The Boston Massacre

The Boston Massacre was a monumental tragedy in American history. 5 civilians who were residents of the 13 Colonies were killed, and several others injured, at the hands of the British. The event began on King Street in the early evening of March 5, in front of Private Hugh White outside the Custom House. An apprentice named Edward Gerrish called out to a British officer that the officer had not paid the bill of Gerrish's master. The officer had infact settled his account and ignored the insult. Gerrish departed, but returned a coupleof hours later with companions. He continued his complaints, and the civilians began throwing rocks at Goldfinch. Gerrish also exchanged insults with Private White, who left his post, challenged the boy, and then struck him on the side of the head with a musket. One of his companions began to argue with White. This attracted a larger crowd. The crowd grew larger and larger, until finally, the British had dispacthed the 29th Regiment of Foot to come armed to the scene to protect White.

The crowd started to grow, to about 300-400 people. The crowd continued to throw snow balls and rocks at them, and taunting them by saying "Fire!" However, the British had listened, and fired into the crowd.

The Americans suffered a great loss of unity, as this powerful attack of the British had downed their spirits. However, was this an act of American courage? or British superiority? Were the colonists trying to be heros? Was there any other way to stop this protest other than firing into the crowd?

John Adams had retold the event on the third anniversary:

"I. . .devoted myself to endless labour and Anxiety if not to infamy and death, and that for nothing, except, what indeed was and ought to be all in all, sense of duty. In the Evening I expressed to Mrs. Adams all my Apprehensions: That excellent Lady, who has always encouraged me, burst into a flood of Tears, but said she was very sensible of all the Danger to her and to our Children as well as to me, but she thought I had done as I ought, she was very willing to share in all that was to come and place her trust in Providence.

"Before or after the Tryal, Preston sent me ten Guineas and at the Tryal of the Soldiers afterwards Eight Guineas more, which were. . .all the pecuniary Reward I ever had for fourteen or fifteen days labour, in the most exhausting and fatiguing Causes I ever tried: for hazarding a Popularity very general and very hardly earned: and for incurring a Clamour and popular Suspicions and prejudices, which are not yet worn out and never will be forgotten as long as History of this Period is read...It was immediately bruited abroad that I had engaged for Preston and the Soldiers, and occasioned a great clamour....

"The Part I took in Defence of Cptn. Preston and the Soldiers, procured me Anxiety, and Obloquy enough. It was, however, one of the most gallant, generous, manly and disinterested Actions of my whole Life, and one of the best Pieces of Service I ever rendered my Country. Judgment of Death against those Soldiers would have been as foul a Stain upon this Country as the Executions of the Quakers or Witches, anciently. As the Evidence was, the Verdict of the Jury was exactly right.

"This however is no Reason why the Town should not call the Action of that Night a Massacre, nor is it any Argument in favour of the Governor or Minister, who caused them to be sent here. But it is the strongest Proofs of the Danger of Standing Armies."

-Adams, John: Diary and Autobiography of John Adams.