Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1885-03-12
WINSTON, n C., THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1855

Events rapidly succeeded which
reused the popular position, at
length leading to the historic conflict
between the troops and the people,
known as the
"BosToN MASSACRE"
This was the first blood shed in the
Revolutionary War; here four men
were killed, and it is not generally
known that the first man killed was
negro. The arrangement before the
tribunal, of the soldiers engaged in
the affair, took place IN this very room
we are now in, in October 1870; John
Adams and Josiah Quincy ST., ap-
pearing in the defence of the prison.
crs.
From temporary balcony erected
in front of the center window at the
end of this room,
GEORGE WASHINGTON
in 1889 received the procession which
welcomed him upon his last visit to
Boston. This room was last used :as
the Hall of Representatives on Janu-
ary II, 1898, when the General Court
marched in possession from this build
ing to the present State House on
Beacon Hill, then just completed.
Here, when this building was occupied
by the municipality as a city hall in
1880 were held the discussions of the
Common Council.
After looking at the portraits of the
Revolutionary heroes, and relics,
among which / noticed q saucepan
that was once owned by that noble
patriot, Benjamin Franklin, We will,
with hallowed feelings, pass from this
chamber, that calls up so many, many
memoties of the past, cross the hall
and enter at the North
THE COUNCIL CHAMBER,
The seat of vice-regal State of the
Governor and the Grown" during the
Provincial period. This room is the
same size as the other hall we have
just visited, about 30x33, and is also
filled with relics and portraits. iIere
in the early time assembled the Hon.
Council, composed of % members of
| citizens, chosen from those who were
the most prominent and loyal friends
of the King. In this room were form
ulated the various acts of royalty, pre-
vious to the evacuation of Boston by
the British, June II, 1915.
It was from the large window at the
end of this room that the Governor
addressed the people at the time of
the Boston Massacre,'' and ordered
them to disperse. To this room OH the
following day, came the committee of
the people, with Samuel Adams at
their head. The committee was sent
by the people, convened in town, meet
ing at Fanenil Hail. The members
of the two halls wereal ways at guards
point, as the saying is, for one repre-
sented the people and the other the
King.
From this Council Chamber is q
small anti-room, occupied from time
to time by the various Governors, and
the desk is yet there, upon which
many a bill was signed. The last OF
the loyal Governors, was Thos. Gage
SO we'll known to every school boy
who has read the history of the Uni
ted States, for the school boys of ~
and 10, made their appeal to prevent
the loyal soldiers from spoling theil
courting on Boston Common.
And so [ might 60 on writing page
after page about this old building, but
perhaps have written now more than
your readers will feel interested in
but these old relies are of great inter.
est to me.
Before closing, [ must not forget tt
state that it was from the windows o1
the Council Chamber, that on July
18, 1776, the declaration of Independ
ence was made known to the inhabi
tants of Boston Here also, III 1870
was inaugurated as first Governor OF
the psopfe-by the people-John Han
cock.
Boston, Mass.
*The General Court of Massachu
sets corresponds with the loower hous'
of other States.