To Samuel Adams, the presence of British redcoats served only as a provocation, not as any form or protection. More and more Bostonians viewed the redcoats as ridiculous or with contempt. The situation in Boston reached the point where redcoats were stalked, threatened, attacked with lobbed rocks/bricks, and even knocked down; trophies of confiscated swords and epaulets became common. When the MA House was set to reconvene in January 1770, Adams planned on urging the chamber to insist on the removal of the redcoats. Acting Governor Hutchinson received very late instructions that he should delay reconvening the MA House until March 1770.
During this time, the non-importation efforts stalled, in that hints of a partial repeal of the Townshend duties mollified NYC and Philadelphia, which meant that Boston stood alone in extending the boycott into 1770. Some Boston merchants started to find ways to work around the boycott, making every effort to not be discovered. A mob of around one thousand descended on Hutchinson’s home, demanding to talk to his two sons that had been ignoring non-importation. The next day Hutchinson had his sons give the proceeds of the tea that they had sold to the town committee, as well as the key to the warehouse. Hutchinson regretted doing so, since he lost honor and was shamed, and since the other merchants that ignored non-importation held firm. Hutchinson was actually more distressed over that incident than he was over losing his mansion on 26 August 1765.
Hutchinson was left to wonder how power had changed hands in Boston; he was only able to feebly oppose what he viewed as a reign of terror. Adams had become merciless in his pursuit to strongarm merchants that resisted non-importation, even using indirect threats of mob attacks on the homes and places of business of those merchants. Hutchinson compared Adams to a highway robber that pointed his pistol at a helpless victim, demanding their money.
During this time, the non-importation efforts stalled, in that hints of a partial repeal of the Townshend duties mollified NYC and Philadelphia, which meant that Boston stood alone in extending the boycott into 1770. Some Boston merchants started to find ways to work around the boycott, making every effort to not be discovered. A mob of around one thousand descended on Hutchinson’s home, demanding to talk to his two sons that had been ignoring non-importation. The next day Hutchinson had his sons give the proceeds of the tea that they had sold to the town committee, as well as the key to the warehouse. Hutchinson regretted doing so, since he lost honor and was shamed, and since the other merchants that ignored non-importation held firm. Hutchinson was actually more distressed over that incident than he was over losing his mansion on 26 August 1765.
Hutchinson was left to wonder how power had changed hands in Boston; he was only able to feebly oppose what he viewed as a reign of terror. Adams had become merciless in his pursuit to strongarm merchants that resisted non-importation, even using indirect threats of mob attacks on the homes and places of business of those merchants. Hutchinson compared Adams to a highway robber that pointed his pistol at a helpless victim, demanding their money.
While the MA House was not set to reconvene until March 1770, Adams once again set up an unofficial town assembly (Hutchinson received the news that the town committee would not disband from John Hancock). Some Boston merchants refused to be intimidated, and they found their stores vandalized and their homes smeared with dung. Those targeted merchants were expelled from their favored taverns and clubs, and jeered in the streets, often threatened with physical harm. A minor customs official, Ebenezer Richardson, who was a Tory and a British informer, was chased by a mob to his home. Once there, the mob threw rocks and bricks at and through his windows, and then at him and his family. Richardson eventually fired his musket, hitting an 11 year old boy and a 19 year old young man. Dr. Warren saved the 19 year old, but the 11 year old died. Richardson resisted arrest, and was nearly lynched being taken to prison.
On 26 February 1770, a funeral procession assembled under the Liberty Tree. It was perhaps the largest funeral in the history of the Colonies, and the atmosphere surrounding the redcoats became far more tense and dangerous. Four days after the Adams-organized funeral, a midday brawl erupted very close to his home, where ropemakers exchanged blows with British grenadiers from the 29th Regiment. The redcoats battled with swords and clubs, and the ropemakers fought with the long sticks they used to make rope. Though outnumbered by the redcoats, the ropemakers drove off the grenadiers. Scuffles and scraps continued over the next few days, with a British private suffering a fractured skull and a broken arm, and mutterings of revenge made the rounds among the redcoats . . . such was the situation in Boston before the Boston Massacre occurred on 5 March 1770.
On 26 February 1770, a funeral procession assembled under the Liberty Tree. It was perhaps the largest funeral in the history of the Colonies, and the atmosphere surrounding the redcoats became far more tense and dangerous. Four days after the Adams-organized funeral, a midday brawl erupted very close to his home, where ropemakers exchanged blows with British grenadiers from the 29th Regiment. The redcoats battled with swords and clubs, and the ropemakers fought with the long sticks they used to make rope. Though outnumbered by the redcoats, the ropemakers drove off the grenadiers. Scuffles and scraps continued over the next few days, with a British private suffering a fractured skull and a broken arm, and mutterings of revenge made the rounds among the redcoats . . . such was the situation in Boston before the Boston Massacre occurred on 5 March 1770.
On the evening of 5 March 1770, redcoats were seen prowling the streets. According to Adams, they carried clubs, bayonets, and swords. Amid drifts of fresh snow, redcoats and Bostonians clashed in several areas of the city. A crowd gathered on King Street near the customs house, throwing snowballs, ice chunks, and oyster shells at a lone sentry. That sentry had earlier clashed with a few boys of whom he had attempted to strike with the butt of his musket. Captain Thomas Preston, the regimental captain, came to his rescue along with eight other redcoats.
The presence of now ten redcoats electrified the mob, and Preston ordered his men to level their muskets. Members of the mob closest to the redcoats nearly impaled themselves on the bayonets, and were only able to hurl insults at the British soldiers. With their backs to the customs house, the ten redcoats were surrounded on three sides by the angry mob. A repeated shout was heard: “Damn you, fire and be damned, we know you dare not”. A concerned citizen worked his way through the mob, and actually placed his hand on Preston’s shoulder, asking him if his soldier’s guns were loaded, and Preston confirmed that they were. The man asked another question: Did Preston intend to order his men to fire, to which Preston replied no, since he stood directly in front of his men.
No sooner had Preston answered that second question, a ropemaking stick flew through the air, hitting one of the ten redcoats, knocking him to the ground. A shot rang out, perhaps the knocked-down soldier’s musket, and seconds, perhaps even minutes later, came the crackling or musket fire. Among the mob, cries of “to arms, to arms” filled the air. Drums beat to activate the militia, bells rang frantically, and many in the mob went to their nearby homes to get their muskets. More Bostonians rushed to King Street, with the mob reaching at least one thousand. Already, there were five dead Bostonians on the ground; someone in the mob had the good sense to run the half-mile to Hutchinson’s home to inform him what was happening.
The presence of now ten redcoats electrified the mob, and Preston ordered his men to level their muskets. Members of the mob closest to the redcoats nearly impaled themselves on the bayonets, and were only able to hurl insults at the British soldiers. With their backs to the customs house, the ten redcoats were surrounded on three sides by the angry mob. A repeated shout was heard: “Damn you, fire and be damned, we know you dare not”. A concerned citizen worked his way through the mob, and actually placed his hand on Preston’s shoulder, asking him if his soldier’s guns were loaded, and Preston confirmed that they were. The man asked another question: Did Preston intend to order his men to fire, to which Preston replied no, since he stood directly in front of his men.
No sooner had Preston answered that second question, a ropemaking stick flew through the air, hitting one of the ten redcoats, knocking him to the ground. A shot rang out, perhaps the knocked-down soldier’s musket, and seconds, perhaps even minutes later, came the crackling or musket fire. Among the mob, cries of “to arms, to arms” filled the air. Drums beat to activate the militia, bells rang frantically, and many in the mob went to their nearby homes to get their muskets. More Bostonians rushed to King Street, with the mob reaching at least one thousand. Already, there were five dead Bostonians on the ground; someone in the mob had the good sense to run the half-mile to Hutchinson’s home to inform him what was happening.
The ringing bells stopped the Monday Night Club meeting, with the members rushing to the scene, one of them being John Adams; it is unknown if Samuel Adams was among the many that rushed to the scene. Hutchinson was present at the scene, finding out afterwards that a member of the mob was about to club him on the head from behind, but was stopped by an actual rational person. Hutchinson demanded to know from Preston if he had ordered his men to fire on the crowd, but it was impossible to hear Preston’s response. As Hutchinson would soon experience, there would soon be many different accounts of what occurred. Hutchinson went to the Town House balcony, and was able to get most of the mob to leave after promising a full and fair inquiry; a small remnant of the mob refused to disperse.
As soon as it was possible, Hutchinson went to work questioning witnesses, and by 1 am he arranged for the safe conduct of the ten redocats to their barracks. Hutchinson had Preston arrested at around 2 am, and the eight redcoats that he had brought with him were also arrested. Finally, by 4 am, Boston was quiet. Ironically, just hours before Preston’s soldier’s fired, Parliament had started debating whether or not to repeal the Townshend Act.
Samuel Adams was invisible during the night of 5 March 1770, but the next day he was the center of attention when Hutchinson convened the Council. Hutchinson summoned the commanding officers of the British regiments in Boston, and he also wanted as many Crown officers as possible in attendance. Hutchinson informed the selectmen in attendance that he had no power to remove the redcoats without authority from his superiors in London. Those selectmen told Hutchinson that an emergency town committee had been formed, with Adams as its chair, and the members of that committee would later call on Hutchinson.
As soon as it was possible, Hutchinson went to work questioning witnesses, and by 1 am he arranged for the safe conduct of the ten redocats to their barracks. Hutchinson had Preston arrested at around 2 am, and the eight redcoats that he had brought with him were also arrested. Finally, by 4 am, Boston was quiet. Ironically, just hours before Preston’s soldier’s fired, Parliament had started debating whether or not to repeal the Townshend Act.
Samuel Adams was invisible during the night of 5 March 1770, but the next day he was the center of attention when Hutchinson convened the Council. Hutchinson summoned the commanding officers of the British regiments in Boston, and he also wanted as many Crown officers as possible in attendance. Hutchinson informed the selectmen in attendance that he had no power to remove the redcoats without authority from his superiors in London. Those selectmen told Hutchinson that an emergency town committee had been formed, with Adams as its chair, and the members of that committee would later call on Hutchinson.
Among those with Samuel Adams that called on Hutchinson was John Adams. According to John, Samuel Adams delivered a speech for the ages in the Council chamber. Samuel Adams stated that nothing would now restore Boston to order but the immediate removal of the British regulars. Hutchinson again stood firm, stating that he didn’t have the power of removal, since the British regiments answered to their general who was in NYC. Hutchinson was then advised that he now had two choices, in that he could request the removal, or he would have to remove himself from Boston.
Colonel William Dalrymple, the commander of the 29th Regiment, offered to withdraw his men. Hutchinson reluctantly agreed, since that particular regiment had been the most obnoxious and aggressive. Hutchinson said they could remove themselves to The Castle, and he assumed that the nightmare was now over. Samuel Adams relayed Hutchinson’s decision to a town meeting, which numbered at least three thousand. It was decided that the removal to The Castle of a single regiment was unacceptable.
Adams called on Hutchinson again, reminding him that according to the MA charter, the MA governor, or in his absence, the Lt. Governor or Acting Governor, was in command of all-things-military in the colony. Again, Hutchinson refused to interfere in the affairs of the British regiments. Adams told Hutchinson that if the British regiments remained, outlying towns would descend into Boston, and ten thousand people from MA would expel the British regiments if Hutchinson did not. At that point, Hutchinson reminded Adams of the definition of High Treason. Adams had a particular talent for wearing down opponents, and no one rattled Hutchinson more than Samuel Adams. Hutchinson was informed by Adams that the city had made the decision for him, and that no redcoat was safe. Adams also informed Hutchinson that he had the power to remove one regiment (to The Castle), he had the power to remove the remaining regiments.
Colonel William Dalrymple, the commander of the 29th Regiment, offered to withdraw his men. Hutchinson reluctantly agreed, since that particular regiment had been the most obnoxious and aggressive. Hutchinson said they could remove themselves to The Castle, and he assumed that the nightmare was now over. Samuel Adams relayed Hutchinson’s decision to a town meeting, which numbered at least three thousand. It was decided that the removal to The Castle of a single regiment was unacceptable.
Adams called on Hutchinson again, reminding him that according to the MA charter, the MA governor, or in his absence, the Lt. Governor or Acting Governor, was in command of all-things-military in the colony. Again, Hutchinson refused to interfere in the affairs of the British regiments. Adams told Hutchinson that if the British regiments remained, outlying towns would descend into Boston, and ten thousand people from MA would expel the British regiments if Hutchinson did not. At that point, Hutchinson reminded Adams of the definition of High Treason. Adams had a particular talent for wearing down opponents, and no one rattled Hutchinson more than Samuel Adams. Hutchinson was informed by Adams that the city had made the decision for him, and that no redcoat was safe. Adams also informed Hutchinson that he had the power to remove one regiment (to The Castle), he had the power to remove the remaining regiments.
Adams demanded an immediate answer from Hutchinson. The potential loss of blood would be on Hutchinson’s hands, Adams said, and the live of the Acting Governor would also be in danger. Adams’ ultimatum made for a spellbinding moment in the Council chamber, with Colonel Dalrymple being far more impressed (and nervous) with Adams than with Hutchinson. While Adams had waited many years for the moment he had Hutchinson under his thumb, Adams stayed focused on the bigger picture than with his personal satisfaction. Hutchinson doubted that a mob of any size could drive away 600 well-trained British regulars, but he simply didn’t want to even approach that Rubicon.
Hutchinson asked Colonel Dalrymple if he would move another regiment to The Castle, and the colonel agreed. In effect, Adams and Hutchinson were eyeball-to-eyeball, and Hutchinson blinked. When Adams returned to those assembled in the massive meeting in the Old South Church, he had Hancock deliver the news of the agreement. It was then decided that a night watch would be established until the redcoats evacuated Boston. For the next two weeks, armed Bostonians patrolled the streets until dawn, including Samuel Adams, Dr. Joseph Warren, John Hancock, and even John Adams. The patrols were yet another situation which was beyond the control of Hutchinson.
John Singleton Copley created a painting of Adams confronting Hutchinson in the Council Chamber, which proved to be a battle-cry of a painting, and Copley’s creation was much-copied during the 1770s. Two weeks later, British redcoats were still moving about Boston, even though Colonel Dalrymple had promised evacuation. Adams pointed out that it only took 48 hours to land the men, so why was it taking two weeks and longer to remove them, he asked. At last, on 27 May 1770, Boston was free of all the British redcoats, with the exception of Preston and the eight redcoats that were behind bars, awaiting trial.
Hutchinson asked Colonel Dalrymple if he would move another regiment to The Castle, and the colonel agreed. In effect, Adams and Hutchinson were eyeball-to-eyeball, and Hutchinson blinked. When Adams returned to those assembled in the massive meeting in the Old South Church, he had Hancock deliver the news of the agreement. It was then decided that a night watch would be established until the redcoats evacuated Boston. For the next two weeks, armed Bostonians patrolled the streets until dawn, including Samuel Adams, Dr. Joseph Warren, John Hancock, and even John Adams. The patrols were yet another situation which was beyond the control of Hutchinson.
John Singleton Copley created a painting of Adams confronting Hutchinson in the Council Chamber, which proved to be a battle-cry of a painting, and Copley’s creation was much-copied during the 1770s. Two weeks later, British redcoats were still moving about Boston, even though Colonel Dalrymple had promised evacuation. Adams pointed out that it only took 48 hours to land the men, so why was it taking two weeks and longer to remove them, he asked. At last, on 27 May 1770, Boston was free of all the British redcoats, with the exception of Preston and the eight redcoats that were behind bars, awaiting trial.