Boston Massacre Essay Research Paper In my

Boston Massacre Essay, Research Paper

In my report I will be discussing the Boston Massacre. I will be looking at the

Boston Massacre from three different perspectives. These perspectives are the Boston

colonists and Samuel Adams, Tom Hutchinson, Lieutenant Governor and Acting

Governor in 1770, and Captain Preston and his troops. I will also hold some depositions

from people who were actually close or at the massacre. I will be show the differences

on how all three felt about the situation.

Due to great burden from the different acts that brought many unwanted taxes

from the British government, the minds of the Boston citizens were greatly irritated.

Some individuals were so irritated that they were abusive in their language towards the

military. The colonists felt like they were in a prison. Everywhere they turned they saw

guards. These guards would frequently question and harass people just passing by.

Parents were even getting worried for their daughters, because the soldiers would make

sexual remarks towards them. Many red-coats were in search of different off-duty jobs,

which meant they would be taking away jobs from the Boston laborers. Many times

when the soldiers left their barracks and were walking about the town, carried large

clubs, for the purpose of assaulting the people.

Many would say that the colonists had every right to be mad and irritated. But

what about the soldiers. They were just taking commands from the country that they are

defending and fighting for. To them they were just doing the right thing. But we all

know that they went to extremes by the frequent wounding of persons by their bayonets

and cutlasses, and the numerous instances of bad behavior in the soldiery. This also led

the colonists to figure out the England did not send those troops over for their well-being,

but were there just for the benefit of England. But once again, they were only taking

orders from England.

Early on the evening of March 5, 1770, a crowd of laborers began throwing hard

packed snowballs at soldiers guarding the Customs House. Goaded beyond endurance

the sentries acted against express orders and fired on the crowd, killing four and

wounding eight, one of whom dies a few days later.1 Here are the names of the people

who were wounded or killed.

Mr. Samuel Gray, killed on the spot by a ball entering his head.

Crispus Attucks, a mulatto, killed on the spot, by two balls entering his breast.

Mr. James Caldwell, killed on the spot, by two balls entering his back.

Mr. Samuel Maverick, a 17 year old, mortally wounded, he died the next morning.

Mr. Patrick Carr mortally wounded; he died the 14th instant.

Chris Monk and John Clark, youths about 17, dangerously wounded. Apprehended

they would die.

Mr. Edward Payne, merchant, standing at his door, wounded.

Messrs. John Green, Robert Paterson, and David Parker; all dangerously wounded.2

There were depositions in this affair which mention that several guns were fired

at the same time from the Custom House:

Benjamin Frizell, on the evening if the 5th of March, having taken his station

near the west corner of the Custom House in King St., before and at the time of the

soldiers firing their guns, declares that the first discharge was only of one gun, the next

of two guns, upon which he the deponent thinks he saw a man stumble. The third

discharge was of three guns, upon which he saw two men fall. Immediately afterward

five guns were discharged from the balcony, or the chamber window on the balcony. 3

Gillam Bass, being on King St. at the same time declares that the posted

themselves between the Custom house door and the west corner of it. In a few minutes

started to fire upon the people. 2 or 3 were really high which he believes must of came

from the balcony windows. 4

A few more men also declared the same thing. The most important factor there is

that they all testified that the y saw some of the shots coming from the higher balcony

windows. This proves that those soldiers were at no danger, but still took it upon

themselves to shoot at the citizens who were not harming them in any way.

The morning after the massacre, a town meeting was held; at which attended a

very great number of freeholders and inhabitants of the town. It was now time for the

town to speak up. 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 gentlemen to wait upon his Honor the Lieutenant-Governor on

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 the meeting that inhabitants and soldiery can

no longer live together in safety; that nothing ca

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