little hero and first martyr to the noble cause.' This innocent lad was announced as the first whose life had been a victim to the cruelty and rage of oppressors. Young as he was, he died in his country's cause, by the hand of one, directed by others, who could not bear to see the enemies of America made the ridicule of boys.' On Monday, the 26th, his funeral took place. The little corpse was set down under the Tree of Liberty, from which the procession began. The coffin bore inscriptions appropriate to the times; on the foot Latet an guis in herba: on each side, Haeret lateri lethalis arundo:' and on the head, 'Innocentia NUSQUAM tuta.' Four or five hundred school boys, in couples, preceded the corpse; six of the lad's playfellows supported the pall; the relatives followed, and after them a train of 1300 inhabitants on foot, and thirty chariots and chaises closed the procession.

A more imposing spectacle than this could hardly have been contrived, or one better adapted to produce a lasting impression on the hearts of the beholders: but it was only the prelude to a scene of far greater horrour. The morning papers of Monday, the fifth of March, which told of this transaction, gave also several accounts of quarrels between the soldiers and different individuals belonging to the town. The officers were apprehensive of difficulties, and were particularly active in their endeavours to get all their men into their barracks before night. Murray's Barracks, so called, where the 14th regiment was principally quartered, were in Brattlestreet, in the buildings directly opposite the little alley, which leads from the bottom of Market-street. The 29th regt. was quartered in Water-street and in Atkinson-street. As a measure of precaution, there was a sentinel stationed in the alley before mentioned, (then called Boylston's alley) and this very circumstance led to the quarrel which terminated in the Boston Massacre. Three or four young men, who were dispos ed to go through the alley, about nine o'clock, observed the sentinel brandishing his sword against the walls and striking fire for his own amusement. They offered to pass him and were challenged, but persisted in their attempt, and one of them received a slight wound on his bead. The bustle of this rencontre drew together all those who were passing by, and fifteen or twenty persons thronged the alley, and thirty or forty more, gathered in Dock-square, were attempting to force their way to the barracks through Brattle-street, (which was at that time so narrow that a carriage could with difficulty pass.) Being foiled in this attempt, the party, which was continually increased by accessions, gathered in Dock-square round a tall man with a red cloak and white wig, to whom they listened with close attention two or three minutes, and then gave three cheers and huzzaed for the main guard.

The main guard was regularly stationed near the head of State-street, directly opposite the door on the south side of the Town-house. To this place all the soldiers detached for guard duty were daily brought, and from thence marched to the particular posts assigned them. On this day the command of the guard had devolved on Capt. Thomas Preston, and Lt. Basset under him.

As the party dispersed from Dock-square, some ran up Cornhill, others up Wilson's lane, others up Royal Exchange lane (now Exchange street.) These last found a single sentinel stationed before the door of the Custom house, which was the building now occupied by the Union Bank, and then. made one corner of that lane, as the Royal Exchange tavern did the other. As the sentinel was approached, he retreated to the steps of the house, and alarmed the inmates by three or four powerful knocks at the door. Word was sent to Lt. Bassett that the sentinel was attacked by the town's people. He immediately sent a message to his captain, who instantly repaired to the guard house, where Lt. Basset informed him that he had just sent a serjeant and six men to assist the sentry at the Custom house. Well,' said the captain, 'I will follow them and see they do no mischief.' He overtook them before they reached the Custom house, where they joined the sentinel and formed a half circle round the steps.

By this time the bells were set to ringing, and people flocked from all quarters, supposing there was fire. The soldiers were soon surrounded; many of those nearest to them were armed with clubs and crowded close upon them; those at a distance began to throw sticks of wood and snow-balls and pieces of ice at them, while from all sides they were challenged to Fire, fire if you dare. At last they thought they heard the order given, and they did fire in succession from right to left. Two or three of the guns flashed, but the rest were fatal. Crispus Attucks, Samuel Gray, and James Caldwell were killed on the spot, Samuel Maverick and Patrick Carr received mortal wounds, of which the former died the next morning, and Carr on the Wednesday of the next week. Several other persons were more or less injured: the greater part, persons passing by chance or quiet spectators of the scene. The people instantly retreated, leaving the three unhappy men on the ground. All this transpired within 20 minutes from the time of Capt. Preston's joining the guard.

'On the people's assembling again,' says Capt. P. 'to take away the dead bodies, the soldiers, supposing them coming to attack them, were making ready to fire again-which I prevented by striking up their firelocks with my hand. Immedi ately after, a townsman came and told me that 4 or 5000 people were assembled in the next street, and had sworn to take my

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life with every man's with me; on which I judged it unsafe to remain there any longer, and therefore sent the party and sentry to the main guard, where the street is narrow and short, then telling them off into street firings, divided and planted them at each end of the street to secure their rear, expecting an attack, as there was a constant cry of the inhabitants, To arms, to arms, turn out with your guns,' and the town drums beating to arms. I ordered my drum to beat to arms, and being soon after joined by the several companies of the 29th regiment, I formed them, as the guard, into street firings. The 14th regiment also got under arms, but remained at their barracks. I immediately sent a serjeant with a party to Col. Dalrymple, the commanding officer, to acquaint him with every particular. Several officers going to join their regiment were knocked down by the mob, one very much wounded and his sword taken from him. The Lieut. Gov. and Col. Carr soon after met at the head of the 29th regt. and agreed that the regiment should retire to their barracks, and the people to their houses: but I kept the piquet to strengthen the guard. It was with great difficulty that the Lieut. Gov. prevailed on the people to be quiet and retire: at last they all went off except about a hundred.' This hundred was composed of some of the most distinguished inhabitants, who volunteered to form a citizens' guard.

A justices' court was forthwith held, and Capt. Preston surrendered himself, and was committed to prison at three, the next morning the eight soldiers also were committed early in the forenoon.

Various per

At éleven o'clock a town meeting was held. sons related to the assembly, what they had witnessed of the events of the preceding day. A committee of fifteen was appointed to wait on the Lieut. Governour and Col. Dalrymple, and express to them the sentiment of the town, that it was impossible for the soldiers and inhabitants to live in safety together, and their fervent prayer for the immediate removal of the former. The answer received to this application was not such as was wished; and in the afternoon, seven of the first committee (viz. John Hancock, Samuel-Adams, Wm. Molineux, Wm. Phillips, Jos. Warren, Joshua Henshaw, and Samuel Pemberton) were again deputed with the following message: It is the unanimous opinion of this meeting, that the reply made to a vote of the inhabitants presented His Honour, this morning, is by no means satisfactory; and that nothing less will satisfy them, than a total and immediate removal of the troops.' Samuel Adams acted as chairman of this delegation, and discharged its duties with an ability commensurate to the occasion. Col. Dalrymple was by the side