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Captain Thomas's Case
CAPTAIN THOMAS PRESTON'S ACCOUNT OF THE BOSTON MASSACRE
Section 1
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It is [well known] that the arrival of his Majesty's troops in Boston was extremely obnoxious to its colonists. They have... [tried to weaken the army], and to bring them into contempt by promoting and aiding desertions... [they have] grossly and falsely [made up] untruths concerning [the soldiers]. On the arrival of the 64th and 65th their [passions seemed to die down]; it being too expensive to buy off so many, and attempts of that kind rendered too dangerous from the numbers. One of their justices... declared "that the soldiers must now take care of themselves, nor trust too much to their arms, for they were but a handful; that the colonists carried weapons concealed under their clothes, and would destroy them in a moment, if they pleased".
This, considering the angry temper of the people, was an alarming circumstance to the soldiers. Since which several disputes have happened between the townspeople and the soldiers of both regiments. In general such arguments have been kept secret from the [military] officers. [One day some rope-makers] insultingly asked some soldiers if they would empty a vault. This unfortunately had the desired effect by provoking the soldiers, and from words they went to blows. Both parties suffered in this fight, and finally the soldiers went back to their barracks. The officers, on the first knowledge of this incident, took every precaution in their power to prevent further problems. However, single quarrels could not be prevented, the colonists constantly provoked and abused the soldiers. The [lack of civility] as well as utter hatred of the [soldiers] increased daily….
Section 2
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On Monday night about 8 o'clock two soldiers were attacked and beat. But the party of the townspeople in order to carry matters [further], broke into two meeting houses and rang the alarm bells, which I supposed was for fire as usual, but soon found out different. At about 9 o’clock some of the guard came to and informed me the town colonists were assembling to attack the troops, and that the bells were ringing as the signal for that purpose and not for fire, and the signal intended to …. bring in the distant people of the country. On my way there I saw the people in great commotion, and heard them use the most cruel and horrid threats against the troops. In a few minutes after I reached the guard, about 100 people passed it and went towards the custom house where the king's money is lodged. They immediately surrounded the soldier posted there, and with clubs and other weapons threatened him. I was soon informed by a townsman their intention was to carry off the soldier from his post and probably murder him. I feared might be a prelude to their plundering the king's chest. I immediately sent an officer of the army and 12 men to protect both the Custom House and the king's money, and very soon followed myself to prevent [my soldiers from committing] some rash act. They soon rushed through the people, and by charging their bayonets in half-circles, kept them at a little distance. It was my intention not to act offensively. The mob still increased and were more outrageous, striking their clubs one against another, and calling out, come on you rascals, you bloody backs, you lobster scoundrels, fire if you dare! We know you dare not, and much more such language was used. At this time I was between the soldiers and the mob trying with all my power to get them to go home peaceably, but to no purpose. They advanced to the points of the bayonets... and seemed to be endeavouring to fight with the soldiers. On which some well behaved persons asked me if the guns were loaded. I replied yes. They then asked me if I intended to order the men to fire. I answered no, by no means...my giving the word fire under those circumstances would prove me to be no officer.
Section 3
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While I was speaking, one of the soldiers having received a severe blow with a stick, stepped a little on one side and instantly fired, on which turning to and asking him why he fired without orders, I was struck with a club on my arm, which for some time deprived me of the use of my arm. If I would have been hit in the head, it may have killed me. After this, a general attack was made on our soldiers by a great number of heavy clubs and snowballs being thrown at them, by which all our lives were in imminent danger, some persons at the same time from behind calling out “why don't you fire.” Instantly three or four of the soldiers fired, one after another, and directly after three more in the same confusion and hurry. The mob then ran away, except three unhappy men who had died. (one of them being the rope maker from the previous incident). One more is since dead, three others are dangerously, and four slightly wounded. The whole fight took almost 20 minutes. On my asking the soldiers why they fired without orders, they said they heard the word fire and supposed it came from me. This might be the case as many of the mob called out fire, fire, but I assured the men that I gave no such order; that my words were, don't fire, stop your firing. In short, it was scarcely possible for the soldiers to know who said fire, or don't fire, or stop your firing.
As people came back again to take away the dead bodies, the soldiers thought they were coming back to attack them, they were getting ready to fire again, which I stopped by striking up their guns with my hand. Immediately after a townsman came and told me that 4 or 5000 people were assembled in the next street, and had sworn to take my life and every man's with me. On which I judged it unsafe to remain there any longer, and therefore sent the soldiers to the main guard, where the street is narrow and short, there telling them off into street firings, divided and planted them at each end of the street to secure the area, momently expecting an attack, as there was a constant cry of the colonists to arms. I ordered my drums to beat to arms, and being soon after joined by the different companies of the 29th regiment, I formed them as the guard into street firings. The lieutenant-governor and Colonel Carr soon after met at the head of the 29th regiment and agreed that the regiment should retire to their barracks, and the people to their houses. It was with great difficulty that the lieutenant-governor convinced the people to be quiet and retire. At last they all went off, excepting about a hundred.
Section 4
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A Council was immediately called, on the breaking up of which three justices met and issued a warrant to apprehend me and eight soldiers. On hearing of this procedure I instantly went to the sheriff and surrendered myself, though for the space of 4 hours I had it in my power to have made my escape, which I should have attempted and could easily executed, had I been the least conscious of any guilt. Two witnesses swore that I gave the men orders to fire. The one testified he was within two feet of me; the other said that I swore at the men for not firing at the first word. Others swore they heard me use the word "fire," but whether do or do not fire, they could not say; others that they heard the word fire, but could not say if it came from me. The next day they got 5 or 6 more to swear I gave the word to fire. The people here are so angry they are making up evidence to prove it was a scheme to murder these people. Others are infusing the hatred and revenge into the minds of the people who are to be my jurors...I am, though perfectly innocent, under most unhappy circumstances, having nothing in reason to expect but the loss of life in a very humiliating manner, without the help of his Majesty's royal goodness.
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