Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Wayne County, Ind.) 1831-1837, 1836-07-02

FroaA the New York Mirros.
FAMILIAR RAMBLING EPISTLES from
BOSTON. ~ SAMUEL l.. kNAPP.l
THE MASSACRE AT BOSTON, BEFORE THE
REVOLUTION.
To Prokssov John ". Fi1scis, ~. d.
My DEAR srR-On the fifth Of March
at noon, visited the spot, where, sixty six
years ago, the Boston massacre took place
in State-strect, as it is now called, then
king-street. The weather was intensely
cold, and the snow was deep. When
mentioned that it was the anniversary oil
that memorable event, it came fresh TO-
the minds Of several Who were in the
crowd on that night, and Who remembered
the circumstances which accompanied il.
AT a little before nine O'Clock in the eve-i
ming, wrapped myself in my cloak, and
went again to view the premises. The
stores we're mostly closed, the public bull
d,ngs, banks and insurance-offices were
dark and solemn. The old State-house
and one or two other buildings, are all that
are left Of the houses and shops that were
full Of inhabitants on the night Of the 5thI
of March, ITO. By becoming more mag
ni6cent, the street has, at such an hour,
become more dreary. This was a truly
great affair in American history, nor was
il accidental on the part Of the sufferes.-|
They had been preparing for it for some
years. the public mind had never been
entirely quiet from the riots following the
stamp act, nearly FIVE wars before thisI
period; although thea repeal. Of the act was
hailed with every demonstration Of Joy;
but body Of British troops soon arrived,
and all was irritation and excitement again
until the first blood was shed on the night
we have mentioned. The sight Of the !
troops exasperated the people ia such
a manner as to make bloody tragedy all
most inevitable. The officers and solciers|
behaved az we'll as any ever did, similarly
situated; placed as they were to overawe
the popu'ace, it could not be expected that
they would be particularly delicate toward
them. At first, little chickering's took
place between soldiers, not on duty, and
the laboring classes Of the city Of Boston.
In all public excitements there are daring|
men Who seek distinction by putting them
selves forward and there are others more
prudent, who wish to ob:aln the same
ends with the foremost who push on to)
action. A the citizens became more ex-
cited, the soldiers were more tender on
the score Of military exactness, and we're
sadly irritated by uncourteous epitfetsl
which constantly assailed their ears. More
than what happened on the fifth Of March,
was fully expected by many on the fifth Of
the preceding November, a. that was 4
night Of frOlic; a custom brought from
England to commemorate the fictitious
GunPowder Plot. Soon after the guard
was set on the fifth Of March, a brawl
commenced, and the confusion went on
increasing for some time. Fire was cried,
bells were rung, and the populace armed
themselves with clubs. such as they could
get. In this confusion the soldiers stood
on their arms for some time. An aged
gentleman informed me, that he then lived
in the county Of Essex, and was on Jour-
ney to Boston, &, was crossing Winnisimit
ferry when the bells began to ring. Altho'
he thought i was for fire, he soon found
on reaching Boston, that II was signal of
another kind. Men came out ofthe shops
at the north end Of the town with axe
helves and ash brooms, with the sweeping
portion burned of, leaving the handle and
knob pretty formidable weapon. 1t was
!. observed that there were to be found, iE
many yards open to the street, sticks Of .
suitable size for bludgeoBs, more than
could be accounted for BY accident
When he reached the old State-house. he
crowded into the multitude, the foremost
Of which were close to the guard. Those
prominent in the affair were not 50 we'll
provided with arms a. the others; most Of
those early in the crowd had come togeth.
er suddenly, and were using as missiles
snow-balls and pieces Of ice: stones, it wal
: difficult to find. He said that there was q
/ cry Of FIRE the instant before the musketa
, were discharged. the fire ofthe mushet.
~ was very effective; as there were mol
. many guns loaded, eleven only suffered
!. Gray, Caldwell l. Attacks were slain, and
fell where they had ssood; Maverick died
before morning. and Carr several days az
l,erward. Monk was 80 severely wounded
as to make him cripple for life; the rest
, soon cot well. There vas not q man o
note among the killed. The Populace
were restrained, not BY the aid which came
to the assistance Of the guard, but BY the
lcxer,ims Of many more discreet than the
; mass ri the mob had been. The excite
, ment was general, but great influence VA
:. used to prevent them from taking verge
: ance ON the spot. Some Of them felt, ri
, nv informant says he did-"l vas aston
: ,shed that the soldiers, with arms in .heiI
/ hands, bore the insults heaped upon them
50 long as they did" Preston gave him
: self up to Justice that night, ana tho REQ