Butte record. (Bidwell, Butte County, Cal.) 1853-1858, 1855-06-02
a5istorifal.


VI olt III 'H0oililiSS SiAtu 'Olotlc' IL ID
perhaps one of the most highly finished
of the more strictly narrative passages
Of this volume and is hardly surpassed
by any of Mr.. Bancroft's efforts in this
line of historical writing. The people
of Boston had been greatly incensed by
the British troops. Mutual feelings of
hostility were cherished and openly ex-
pressed. The excitement was manifest
ed in various ways, and at length led to
the scene Of bloodshed which prccipita-
ted the Revolution
On Friday, the I'd day of March, a
soldier Of the twenty-ninth asked to be
employed at Grey's Ropewalk, and was
1epulsed in the coarsest words. He then
defied the roapmakers TO a boxing match;
and, none Of them accepting his chal-
lenge, he was beaten off. Returning
with several of his compa ions, they too
were driven away. A large number
came down to renew the fight with
clubs and cutlasses, and in their turn en-
countered defeat. By this time Gray
and others intcrposed, and for that day
prevented further disturbance.
There was an end of the affair at the
Ropewalk, but not at the barracks, where
the soldiers inflmed each others pas
sions, as if the honor of the regiment
was tarnished. On Saturday they pre-
pared bludgeons and being resolved to
brave the citizens on Monday night,
they forewarncd their particular ac-
quaintance not to be abroad. Without
duly restraining his men, Carr, the Lieu
tenant-Colonel of the twenty-ninth,
made complaint to the Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor of the insult they had received
The Council, celebrating OF Monday,
seemed Of opinion that the town would
never be safe from quarrels between the
people and the soldiers, as long as SOL
ders should be quartered amorg them.
In the present case the owner of the
Ropewalk gave satisfaction by dismiss
ing the workman complained of.
The officers should, on their part,
have kept their men within the barracks
after nightGa!l, Instead of it, they left
them to roam the streets. Hutchinson
should have insisted on measures of pre-
caution; but he too much wished the
favor of all who had influence at West>
minister.
Evening came on F. The young moon
was shining brightly in cloudless win
ter sky, and its light was increased by a
new fallen snow. Parties of soldiers
were driving about the streets making a
parade of valor, challenging resistance,
and striking the inhabitants indiscrimi-
nataly with sticks or sheathed cutlasses.
A band which rushed out of Murray's
Barracks in Battle ST., armed with clubs,
cutlasses and bayonets, provoked resis-
tance, and an affray ensued. Ensign
Maui, at the gate Of the barrock yard,
cried TO the soldiers, "Turn out and /
will stand by you; kill them, stick them,
knock them down, run your bayonets
through them;" and one soldier after an
other leveled frelock and threatened
to ''make lane" through the crowd.
Just before 9, as an officer crossed
King street, barber's lad cried after
him, "There goes man who hath not
paid my master for dressing his hair -
on which the sentinel stationed at the
westerly end of the Custom House, on
the corner Of King street and Exchange
lane, left his post, and with his muskct
gave the boy stroke on the head,
which made him stagger and cry with
pain.
The street soon became clear, and no
body troubled the sentry, when party
of soldiers issued violently from the
main guard, their arms glittering in the
moonlight, and passed on hallowing,
'Where are they? Where are they
Let them come
Presently twelve or fifteen more, ut
tering the same cries, rushed from the
south into King street, and SO by way
of Cornhill, towards Murray's Barracks
Pray, soldiers, spare my life,' cried a
boy of twelve, whom they met. NO
no III kill you ALL" answered one OF
them, and knocked him down with Lis
cutlass.
They abused and iosalted several