Question
Attached the reading needed for the article. Please cite that work APA. And I chose The Boston Massacre, If you
have any questions please ask.
Anonymous account of the Boston Massacre March 5
1770
THE HORRID MASSACRE IN BOSTON, PERPETRATED IN THE EVENING OF THE FIFTH
DAY OF MARCH, 1770, BY SOLDIERS OF THE TWENTY-NINTH REGIMENT WHICH WITH
THE FOURTEENTH REGIMENT WERE THEN QUARTERED THERE; WITH SOME
OBSERVATIONS ON THE STATE OF THINGS PRIOR TO THAT CATASTROPHE It may be a
proper introduction to this narrative, briefy to represent the state o± things ±or some
time previous to the said Massacre; and this seems necessary in order to the
±orming a just idea o± the causes o± it.
At the end o± the late [French and Indian] war, in which this province bore so
distinguished a part, a happy union subsisted between Great Britain and the
colonies. This was un±ortunately interrupted by the Stamp Act; but it was in some
measure restored by the repeal o± it. It was again interrupted by other acts o±
parliament ±or taxing America; and by the appointment o± a Board o±
Commissioners, in pursuance o± an act, which by the ±ace o± it was made ±or the
relie± and encouragement o± commerce, but which in its operation, it was
apprehended, would have, and it has in ±act had, a contrary e²ect. By the said act
the said Commissioners were
"to be resident in some convenient part of his
Majesty's dominions in America."
This must be understood to be in some part
convenient ±or the whole. But it does not appear that, in ³xing the place o± their
residence, the convenience o± the whole was at all consulted, ±or Boston, being very
±ar ±rom the centre o± the colonies, could not be the place most convenient ±or the
whole. Judging by the act, it may seem this town was intended to be ±avored, by the
Commissioners being appointed to reside here; and that the consequence o± that
residence would be the relie± and encouragement o± commerce; but the reverse has
been the constant and uni±orm e²ect o± it; so that the commerce o± the town, ±rom
the embarrassments in which it has been lately involved, is greatly reduced.
The residence o± the Commissioners here has been detrimental, not only to the
commerce, but to the political interests o± the town and province; and not only so,
but we can trace ±rom it the causes o± the late horrid massacre. Soon a±ter their
arrival here in November, 1767, instead o± con³ning themselves to the proper
business o± their o´ce, they became partizans o± Governor Bernard in his political
schemes; and had the weakness and temerity to in±ringe upon one o± the most
essential rights o± the house o± commons o± this province-that o± giving their votes
with ±reedom, and not being accountable there±or but to their constituents. One o±
the members o± that house, Capt. Timothy Folgier, having voted in some a²air
contrary to the mind o± the said Commissioners, was ±or so doing dismissed ±rom
the o´ce he held under them.
These proceedings o± theirs, the di´culty o± access to them on o´ce-business, and
a supercilious behavior, rendered them disgust±ul to people in general, who in
consequence thereo± treated them with neglect. This probably stimulated them to
resent it; and to make their resentment ±elt, they and their coadjutor, Governor
Bernard, made such representations to his Majesty's ministers as they thought best
calculated to bring the displeasure of the nation upon the town and province; and in
order that those representations might have the more weight, they are said to have
contrived and executed plans for exciting disturbances and tumults, which
otherwise would probably never have existed; and, when excited, to have
transmitted to the ministry the most exaggerated accounts of them.
Unfortunately for us, they have been too successful in their said representations,
which, in conjunction with Governor Bernard's, have occasioned his Majesty's
faithful subjects of this town and province to be treated as enemies and rebels, by
an invasion of the town by sea and land; to which the approaches were made with
all the circumspection usual where a vigorous opposition is expected. While the
town was surrounded by a considerable number of his Majesty's ships of war, two
regiments landed and took possession of it; and to support these, two other
regiments arrived some time after from Ireland; one of which landed at Castle
Island, and the other in the town.
Thus were we, in aggravation of our other embarrassments, embarrassed with
troops, forced upon us contrary to our inclination-contrary to the spirit of
Magna
Charta
-contrary to the very letter of the Bill of Rights, in which it is declared, that
the raising or keeping a standing army within the kingdom in time of peace, unless
it be with the consent of parliament, is against law, and without the desire of the
civil magistrates, to aid whom was the pretence for sending the troops hither; who
were quartered in the town in direct violation of an act of parliament for quartering
troops in America; and all this in consequence of the representations of the said
Commissioners and the said Governor, as appears by their memorials and letters
lately published.
As they were the procuring cause of troops being sent hither, they must therefore
be the remote and a blameable cause of all the disturbances and bloodshed that
have taken place in consequence of that measure.
We shall next attend to the conduct of the troops, and to some circumstances
relative to them. Governor Bernard without consulting the Council, having given up
the State House to the troops at their landing, they took possession of the
chambers, where the representatives of the province and the courts of law held
their meetings; and (except the council-chamber) of all other parts of that house; in
which they continued a considerable time, to the great annoyance of those courts
while they sat, and of the merchants and gentlemen of the town, who had always
made the lower Foor of it their exchange. They [the merchants] had a right so to do,
as the property of it was in the town; but they were deprived of that right by mere
power. The said Governor soon after, by every stratagem and by every method but
a forcibly entry, endeavored to get possession of the manufactory-house, to make a
barrack of it for the troops; and for that purpose caused it to be besieged by the
troops, and the people in it to be used very cruelly;
Captain Preston's account of the Boston Massacre March
5 1770
There also is an anonymous account of the Boston Massacre, which takes a rather
diFerent point of view
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 oF 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 o±- cers. 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 eFect by provoking the soldiers, and from
words they went to blows. Both parties suFered in this aFtay, and ²nally the
soldiers retired to their quarters. The o±cers, on the ²rst 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 ²re 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 ²re, and the beacon intended to be
²red 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 oF 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 o±cer 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 o±cer and soldiers, by the insults and provocations of the rioters, should be
thrown oF 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 suFered the troops to
go to the spot where the unhappy aFair 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 oFered, that my intention was not to act
oFensively, 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, ²re if you dare, G-d damn you, ²re 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 ²re. 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 sacri²ce if they
²red; that the soldiers were upon the half cock and charged bayonets, and my
giving the word ²re under those circumstances would prove me to be no o±cer.
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 ²red, on which turning to and asking
him why he ²red 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 ²re. Instantly three or four of the soldiers ²red, 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 aFair was transacted in almost 20 minutes. On my asking the soldiers
why they ²red without orders, they said they heard the word ²re and supposed it
came from me. This might be the case as many of the mob called out ²re, ²re, but I
HIUS 221
D
ISCUSSION
B
OARD
F
ORUM
G
RADING
R
UBRIC
Criteria
Levels of Achievement
Excellent
Good
Fair
Deficient
Points
Earned
Editorial –
Content and
Analysis
15 to 15 points
Editorial addresses a
specific point of view
clearly and with
understanding. Shows
understanding of
material and provides
analytical insight to
the topic.
12 to 14 points
Editorial addresses a
point of view but
shows some lack of
conviction or
understanding.
Analysis may be
lacking some support
or insight.
8 to 11 points
Editorial addresses the
topic but examines both
points of view of the
question. Analysis is
superficial or lacks
understanding.
0 to 7 points
Editorial is a report,
not an analysis of
the event. There is
no position evident
and no analysis of
the topic.
Editorial –
Sources
10 to 10 points
Uses all pertinent
course materials to
support ideas.
Contains no more than
2 short quotations.
Sources cited
correctly.
8 to 9 points
Uses all course
materials to support
ideas. Contains 2–3
short quotations.
Contains 1 long
quotation. Sources
are cited with minor
errors in style.
6 to 7 points
Uses some course
materials to support ideas
but omits important
sources. Contains 3–4
short quotations. Contains
2 long quotations.
Attempts citation but
contains significant errors.
0 to 5 points
Uses no clear
materials. Contains
more than 4 short
quotations.
Contains more than
2 long quotations.
No attempt at
citation.
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HIUS 221
Criteria
Levels of Achievement
Excellent
Good
Fair
Deficient
Points
Earned
Editorial –
Grammar,
Organization, and
Style
10 to 10 points
Editorial reflects
standards of grammar,
mechanics, and style
with no errors.
Paragraphs are
organized and
structured with a clear
topic sentence and
supporting sentences.
Transitional wording
is present.
8 to 9 points
Editorial reflects
standards of
grammar, mechanics,
and style with no
more than 2 errors.
Paragraphs are
organized and
structured with only
minor errors.
6 to 7 points
Editorial reflects basic
understanding of
grammar, mechanics, and
style with 3–5 errors.
Significant issues with
paragraph structure.
0 to 5 points
Editorial contains
more than 5 errors
in grammar,
mechanics, style,
and spelling.
Organization and
structure detract
from message of
writing.
Editorial – Length
9 to 10 points
Editorial contains
400–500 words.
7 to 8 points
Editorial contains at
least 375 words and
no more than 525
words.
5 to 6 points
Editorial contains at least
350 words and no more
than 550 words.
0 to 4 points
Editorial contains
less than 325 words
or more than 575
words.
Page 2 of 4
HIUS 221
D
ISCUSSION
B
OARD
F
ORUM
I
NSTRUCTIONS
Statement of Purpose or “Why Am I Doing This?”
One of the goals of the discussion boards is to encourage student community learning, and to
help you gain valuable experience with analyzing evidence and presenting sound arguments
based on you read and know. To this end, your Discussion Board Forum assignments will require
you to examine events from a variety of perspectives and construct an argument that supports a
specific point of view based on the supplied prompt.
Participation:
To support the stated goals, you must participate in both modules/weeks of the
Discussion Board Forum (the “Editorial” and the “Letters to the Editor”) to receive full
credit. You must also submit all work on time.
Response to the Prompt – “Editorial” (First Submission)
You must select 1 topic from the applicable “Discussion Board Topic Selection”
document (located in the Assignment Instructions folder).
Read the information associated with that topic provided in the appropriate Reading &
Study folder in Blackboard.
Submit your 400–500-word response to the prompt to the Discussion Board Forum in the
form of a newspaper editorial article. Your “Editorial” must address 1 point of view
presented in the forum for the topic you choose. Use the materials you read to write,
assuming you are living in the time in which the event occurred and are writing to a
contemporary audience who wants the news and your point of view on it. Your work
must be clearly supported by your readings and biblical principles. You must take a
definite position on the question asked.
Your “Editorial” must be submitted directly as a reply to the appropriate thread. Do not
attach your “Editorial” as a Microsoft Word document or PDF file.
Appropriate citations must be made using parenthetical references in proper and current
Turabian format (these must be complete citations including page numbers when
applicable).
First person is allowed.
Replies – “Letters to the Editor” (Second Submission)
Replies must be considered as “Letters to the Editor,” assuming you are the reader of this
newspaper and want to respond to what you have read.
Substantive replies of 150–250 words are required. Comments such as “You have a good
point,” “I like what you said,” or “I agree (or disagree) with you” are not adequate
replies. “Letters to the Editor” must show some analytical thought and encourage more
dialogue. Ask questions, give a different point of view, bring up another aspect of the
topic your classmates did not cover, and so on.
At least 5 “Letters to the Editor” are required, 3 in response to classmates’ editorials, and
2 in response to classmates’ responses to editorials (to either the student’s own editorial,
or to the editorials of their classmates).
Page 1 of 2
HIUS 221
Keep in mind that not everyone has the same opinions, ideas, or backgrounds. Differing
opinions are welcome, but must always be stated in a respectful and professional manner.
Personal attacks, profanity, or insulting behavior will not be tolerated. Behavior of this
type will result in a ban from the Discussion Board Forum and a loss of all points for the
Discussion Board Forum assignments. It will also be reported to Student Affairs as a
violation of the Honor Code.
Assessment:
The grading rubric clearly indicates how your work will be graded in terms of point
value. Review it carefully to ensure you earn maximum potential points for your efforts.
Submit your Discussion Board Forum – Editorial by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Monday of
Module/Week 3.
Submit your Discussion Board Forum – Letters to the Editor by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Monday of
Module/Week 4.
Page 2 of 2
HIUS 221
D
ISCUSSION
B
OARD
F
ORUM
T
OPIC
S
ELECTION
1.
The Trial of Anne Hutchinson – Heretical Teacher or Guardian of Religious Liberty?
2.
Bacon’s Rebellion – A Justified Action or Personal Power Grab?
3.
The Stamp Act – Justified or Too Much to Ask?
4.
The Boston Massacre – A Massacre or a Terrible Tragedy?
5.
The Boston Tea Party – Destruction of Private Property or Justified Act of Defiance?
6.
The American War for Independence – Treason or Justified Rebellion?
Boston Gazette and Country Journal, March 12, 1770.
On the evening of Monday, being the fifth current, several soldiers of the 29th Regiment
were seen parading the streets with their drawn cutlasses and bayonets, abusing and
wounding numbers of the inhabitants.
A few minutes after nine o'clock four youths, named Edward Archbald, William
Merchant, Francis Archbald, and John Leech, jun., came down Cornhill together, and
separating at Doctor Loring's corner, the two former were passing the narrow alley
leading to Murray's barrack in which was a soldier brandishing a broad sword of an
uncommon size against the walls, out of which he struck fire plentifully. A person of
mean countenance armed with a large cudgel bore him company. Edward Archbald
admonished Mr. Merchant to take care of the sword, on which the soldier turned round
and struck Archbald on the arm, then pushed at Merchant and pierced through his
clothes inside the arm close to the armpit and grazed the skin. Merchant then struck the
soldier with a short stick he had; and the other person ran to the barrack and brought
with him two soldiers, one armed with a pair of tongs, the other with a shovel. He with
the tongs pursued Archbald back through the alley, collared and laid him over the head
with the tongs. The noise brought people together; and John Hicks, a young lad, coming
up, knocked the soldier down but let him get up again; and more lads gathering, drove
them back to the barrack where the boys stood some time as it were to keep them in. In
less than a minute ten or twelve of them came out with drawn cutlasses, clubs, and
bayonets and set upon the unarmed boys and young folk who stood them a little while
but, finding the inequality of their equipment, dispersed. On hearing the noise, one
Samuel Atwood came up to see what was the matter; and entering the alley from dock
square, heard the latter part of the combat; and when the boys had dispersed he met
the ten or twelve soldiers aforesaid rushing down the alley towards the square and
asked them if they intended to murder people? They answered Yes, by G-d, root and
branch! With that one of them struck Mr. Atwood with a club which was repeated by
another; and being unarmed, he turned to go off and received a wound on the left
shoulder which reached the bone and gave him much pain. Retreating a few steps, Mr.
Atwood met two officers and said, gentlemen, what is the matter? They answered, you'll
see by and by. Immediately after, those heroes appeared in the square, asking where
were the boogers? where were the cowards? But notwithstanding their fierceness to
naked men, one of them advanced towards a youth who had a split of a raw stave in his
hand and said, damn them, here is one of them. But the young man seeing a person
near him with a drawn sword and good cane ready to support him, held up his stave in
defiance; and they quietly passed by him up the little alley by Mr. Silsby's to King Street
where they attacked single and unarmed persons till they raised much clamour, and
then turned down Cornhill Street, insulting all they met in like manner and pursuing
some to their very doors. Thirty or forty persons, mostly lads, being by this means
gathered in King Street, Capt. Preston with a party of men with charged bayonets, came
from the main guard to the commissioner's house, the soldiers pushing their bayonets,
crying, make way! They took place by the custom house and, continuing to push to
drive the people off, pricked some in several places, on which they were clamorous and,
it is said, threw snow balls. On this, the Captain commanded them to fire; and more
snow balls coming, he again said, damn you, fire, be the consequence what it will! One
soldier then fired, and a townsman with a cudgel struck him over the hands with such
force that he dropped his firelock; and, rushing forward, aimed a blow at the Captain's
head which grazed his hat and fell pretty heavy upon his arm. However, the soldiers
continued the fire successively till seven or eight or, as some say, eleven guns were
discharged.
