Documents B and C – Boston Massacre (Use for Questions 4-9)
Document B - Date of source: March 12, 1770
On the evening of Monday the 5th, several soldiers of the 29th Regiment were seen parading the streets with their drawn cutlasses and bayonets, abusing and wounding the inhabitants. A few minutes after nine o'clock four youths, named Edward Archbald, William Merchant, Francis Archbald, and John Leech, came down Cornhill St. together, and separating at Dr. Loring's corner, the two former were passing the narrow alley leading to Murray's barrack. There was a soldier with a broad sword of an uncommon size. A person of mean countenance armed with a large stick was with him. Archbald warned Merchant to take care of the sword, so the soldier turned around and struck Archbald on the arm, then pushed Merchant and pierced through his clothes inside the arm close to the armpit and grazed the skin. Merchant 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 and hit him over the head with the tongs.
Document C- Date of Source: March 5, 1770.
On Monday night about 8 o'clock two soldiers were attacked. A group of the townspeople broke into two meeting houses and rang the alarm bells, which I thought was for fire. Some of the guard came and informed me the townspeople were assembling to attack the troops, and that the bells were ringing as the signal for that purpose and not for fire. As I was captain of the day, I went to the main guard. On my way there I saw the people in great commotion, and heard them use the most cruel threats against the troops. 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 murder him. He soon came back and assured me he heard the mob declare they would murder him. This I feared might be a prelude to their plundering the king's chest. I immediately sent an officer and 12 men to protect both the sentry and the king's money, and very soon followed myself to prevent all disorder, fearing the officer and soldiers, by the insults and provocations of the rioters, should 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 ordered 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 that my intention was not to act offensively, but the contrary part.
