The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-04-10
THE BOSTON MASSACRE.

We are indebted to Mr.. William Silliman, OF
East Haddam, Conn, for copy of the New
London Gazette, of March 20, ITO, from which
we make the annexed extracts. They relate
chiefly to the Boston Massacre as it has since
been called; transaction which reused the
spirit of the colonists and especially of the Bos-
tonians, to a pitch Of excitement bordering on
desperation. The population of Boston at tina,
time Eas less than 100000, yet it required seve.
raj regiments of British troops, backed by the
civil power, to keep them in subsection OF
rather several regiments being found inadequate
g this purpose, they were removed for their
own safety, as well as the peace of the town,
Immediately after the massacre to Castle Will
liam, on an island in the harbor.
The paper from which we copy, if not the
only one of the kind now IN existence, is at least
one of a very few which time and accident have
spared. 1t bears the marks of great age, as ight
be expected. We shall hold it at the disposal of
Hits owner, and in the mean time shall multiply
Tits principal contents by $500 or 5000.
BosToN, March 5, ITO.
One day last week soldier, who has long
9passed for bully of the goth regiment, bought
two baskets of charcoal from Stoughton man,
and in payment offered him pistareen in lieu
sof shilling sterling, which the man refused,
local The soldier denied to do either, on which
1.-THE charcoal man said he would take it out of
his hide, rather than trouble himself much about
kit. To (Which the bully very readily agreed, and
Twas laid sprawling at every pass, till quite tired
Of the diversion, he professed his satisfaction,
took his fellow combatant to an ale-house, and
Ramicably settled the dispute.
Not quite so fortunate were two of these Don
FQuixote adventures who fell upon young
man walking quietly near the lower end of King
street, and stopping him in his way, insuted
him with very opprobrious language, on which
after a short parley, he laid both sprawling, and
went about his business. Two or three more
such rencontres have happened lately.
IT'S said many Of the goth regiment have arm
ed themselves with bludgeons of about two fee
long round handle, and the body Of the clut
three square. With such weapons as these
swords, and cutlasses, on Friday last, about II
O'Clock, they made a formal attack on the rope
walk of Mr. John Gray one of them appearing
first, and complaining that some of their people
had affronted him, and declared he would hav,
satisfaction. The workmen not much attending
to him, he grew very abusive, and challenged
any one in the ropewalk to turn out and figh
him; one of the hands stepped out to him yer.
Speedily, tripped up his heels, and took his swor
from him. He then went from them, and sool
retur ned with eight or nine more, armed as afore
said, asking, very haughtiy why he had BEEF
used in that manner2 The answers probably
not pleasing the gentlemen soldiers, Gas it seem
Ethey affect to style themselves,) they fell upo
the ropemakers, who being accidentally well pre-
pared for their reception, made it necessary 70
the whole body to march in quest of auxiliaries
Recruited to the number Of 80 or 49, they agail
visited the ropewalk, and challenged any or al
OF the workmen to come out and fight them
This offer was readily embraced, and notwith
standing the soldiers were three to one, prepare,
on purpose, they were beat of, many of then
much bruised, and two or three of the workmel
slightly wounded.
Mr.. Justice Hill came up as this last riotou
multitude advanced, told them he was in com
mission ofthe peace, and commanded them to g
to their barracks. In this exercise of his dut
he was struck at by one of them with clul
(which, had it reached him might have been "a
ta, and so daring was this fellow, that In the ma
gstrate's presence he knocked down laborel
dragged him about, and beat a1d abused hir
much, in despite Of the Justices utmost interpc
sition. No less audacious was the behaviour q
a tall, negro drummer, to whom Justice Hill pal
ticularly spoke, ordering him home, but he, in
tent on wounding, or probably killing the inhab
tants, headed the party, sword in hand but ha
his sword beat from his hold, which, howeve,
being chat ned to his body, he carried with hin
He is said to be much wounded.