eXplorations>The
Revolution> Art
as Propaganda>Captain
Thomas Preston's Account of the Boston Massacre
Captain
Thomas Preston's Account of the Boston Massacre (13 march
1770), from British Public Records Office, C. O. 5/759.
It
is [a] matter of too great notoriety to need any proofs that the
arrival of his Majesty's troops in Boston was extremely obnoxious
to its inhabitants. They have ever used all means in their power
to weaken the regiments, and to bring them into contempt by promoting
and aiding desertions, and with impunity, even where there has
been the clearest evidence of the fact, and by grossly and falsely
propagating untruths concerning them. On the arrival of the 64th
and 65th their ardour seemingly began to abate; it being too expensive
to buy off so many, and attempts of that kind rendered too dangerous
from the numbers
And
has ever since their departure been breaking out with greater
violence after their embarkation. One of their justices, most
thoroughly acquainted with the people and their intentions, on
the trial of a man of the 14th Regiment, openly and publicly in
the hearing of great numbers of people and from the seat of justice,
declared "that the soldiers must now take care of themselves,
nor trust too much to their arms, for they were but a handful;
that the inhabitants carried weapons concealed under their clothes,
and would destroy them in a moment, if they pleased". This,
considering the malicious temper of the people, was an alarming
circumstance to the soldiery. Since which several disputes have
happened between the townspeople and the soldiers of both regiments,
the former being encouraged thereto by the countenance of even
some of the magistrates, and by the protection of all the party
against government. In general such disputes have been kept too
secret from the officers. On the 2d instant two of the 29th going
through one Gray's ropewalk, the rope-makers insultingly asked
them if they would empty a vault. This unfortunately had the desired
effect by provoking the soldiers, and from words they went to
blows. Both parties suffered in this affray, and finally the soldiers
retired to their quarters. The officers, on the first knowledge
of this transaction, took every precaution in their power to prevent
any ill consequence. Notwithstanding which, single quarrels could
not be prevented, the inhabitants constantly provoking and abusing
the soldiery. The insolence as well as utter hatred of the inhabitants
to the troops increased daily, insomuch that Monday and Tuesday,
the 5th and 6th instant, were privately agreed on for a general
engagement, in consequence of which several of the militia came
from the country armed to join their friends, menacing to destroy
any who should oppose them. This plan has since been discovered.
On
Monday night about 8 o'clock two soldiers were attacked and beat.
But the party of the townspeople in order to carry matters to
the utmost length, broke into two meeting houses and rang the
alarm bells, which I supposed was for fire as usual, but was soon
undeceived. About 9 some of the guard came to and informed me
the town inhabitants were assembling to attack the troops, and
that the bells were ringing as the signal for that purpose and
not for fire, and the beacon intended to be fired to bring in
the distant people of the country. This, as I was captain of the
day, occasioned my repairing immediately to the main guard. In
my way there I saw the people in great commotion, and heard them
use the most cruel and horrid threats against the troops. In a
few minutes after I reached the guard, about 100 people passed
it and went towards the custom house where the king's money is
lodged. They immediately surrounded the sentry posted there, and
with clubs and other weapons threatened to execute their vengeance
on him. I was soon informed by a townsman their intention was
to carry off the soldier from his post and probably murder him.
On which I desired him to return for further intelligence, and
he soon came back and assured me he heard the mobb declare they
would murder him. This I feared might be a prelude to their plundering
the king's chest. I immediately sent a non-commissioned officer
and 12 men to protect both the sentry and the king's money, and
very soon followed myself to prevent, if possible, all disorder,
fearing lest the officer and soldiers, by the insults and provocations
of the rioters, should be thrown off their guard and commit some
rash act. They soon rushed through the people, and by charging
their bayonets in half-circles, kept them at a little distance.
Nay, so far was I from intending the death of any person that
I suffered the troops to go to the spot where the unhappy affair
took place without any loading in their pieces; nor did I ever
give orders for loading them. This remiss conduct in me perhaps
merits censure; yet it is evidence, resulting from the nature
of things, which is the best and surest that can be offered, that
my intention was not to act offensively, but the contrary part,
and that not without compulsion. The mob still increased and were
more outrageous, striking their clubs or bludgeons one against
another, and calling out, come on you rascals, you bloody backs,
you lobster scoundrels, fire if you dare, G-d damn you, fire and
be damned, we know you dare not, and much more such language was
used. At this time I was between the soldiers and the mob, parleying
with, and endeavouring all in my power to persuade them to retire
peaceably, but to no purpose. They advanced to the points of the
bayonets, struck some of them and even the muzzles of the pieces,
and seemed to be endeavouring to close with the soldiers. On which
some well behaved persons asked me if the guns were charged. I
replied yes. They then asked me if I intended to order the men
to fire. I answered no, by no means, observing to them that I
was advanced before the muzzles of the men's pieces, and must
fall a sacrifice if they fired; that the soldiers were upon the
half cock and charged bayonets, and my giving the word fire under
those circumstances would prove me to be no officer. While I was
thus speaking, one of the soldiers having received a severe blow
with a stick, stepped a little on one side and instantly fired,
on which turning to and asking him why he fired without orders,
I was struck with a club on my arm, which for some time deprived
me of the use of it, which blow had it been placed on my head,
most probably would have destroyed me.
On
this a general attack was made on the men by a great number of
heavy clubs and snowballs being thrown at them, by which all our
lives were in imminent danger, some persons at the same time from
behind calling out, damn your bloods-why don't you fire. Instantly
three or four of the soldiers fired, one after another, and directly
after three more in the same confusion and hurry. The mob then
ran away, except three unhappy men who instantly expired, in which
number was Mr. Gray at whose rope-walk the prior quarrels took
place; one more is since dead, three others are dangerously, and
four slightly wounded. The whole of this melancholy affair was
transacted in almost 20 minutes. On my asking the soldiers why
they fired without orders, they said they heard the word fire
and supposed it came from me. This might be the case as many of
the mob called out fire, fire, but I assured the men that I gave
no such order; that my words were, don't fire, stop your firing.
In short, it was scarcely possible for the soldiers to know who
said fire, or don't fire, or stop your firing. On the people's
assembling again 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 4 or 5000 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, there telling them off into street
firings, divided and planted them at each end of the street to
secure their rear, momently 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 drums
to beat to arms, and being soon after joined by the different
companies of the 29th regiment, I formed them as the guard into
street firings. The 14th regiment also got under arms but remained
at their barracks. I immediately sent a sergeant with a party
to Colonel Dalrymple, the commanding officer, to acquaint him
with every particular. Several officers going to join their regiment
were knocked down by the mob, one very much wounded and his sword
taken from him. The lieutenant-governor and Colonel Carr soon
after met at the head of the 29th regiment and agreed that the
regiment should retire to their barracks, and the people to their
houses, but I kept the picket to strengthen the guard. It was
with great difficulty that the lieutenant-governor prevailed on
the people to be quiet and retire. At last they all went off,
excepting about a hundred.
A
Council was immediately called, on the breaking up of which three
justices met and issued a warrant to apprehend me and eight soldiers.
On hearing of this procedure I instantly went to the sheriff and
surrendered myself, though for the space of 4 hours I had it in
my power to have made my escape, which I most undoubtedly should
have attempted and could easily executed, had I been the least
conscious of any guilt. On the examination before the justices,
two witnesses swore that I gave the men orders to fire. The one
testified he was within two feet of me; the other that I swore
at the men for not firing at the first word. Others swore they
heard me use the word "fire," but whether do or do
not fire, they could not say; others that they heard the word
fire,
but could not say if it came from me. The next day they got 5
or 6 more to swear I gave the word to fire. So bitter and inveterate
are many of the malcontents here that they are industriously
using
every method to fish out evidence to prove it was a concerted
scheme to murder the inhabitants. Others are infusing the utmost
malice and revenge into the minds of the people who are to be
my jurors by false publications, votes of towns, and all other
artifices. That so from a settled rancour against the officers
and troops in general, the suddenness of my trial after the affair
while the people's minds are all greatly inflamed, I am, though
perfectly innocent, under most unhappy circumstances, having
nothing
in reason to expect but the loss of life in a very ignominious
manner, without the interposition of his Majesty's royal goodness.
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