Beschreibung:

BOSTON MASSACRE], PRESTON, THOMAS, Captain, British Army . Autograph manuscript signed ("Thos: Preston Capt in the 29th: Regt: of Foot"), titled at head of page 1, "The Case of Captain Thomas Preston " n.p. [Boston], 14 March 1770. 5 pages, folio, plus a blank leaf at end, in ink on fine laid paper (watermark: posthorn with initials LVG; Cf. Gravell & Miller, no. 453), approximately 2200 words, with about five small interlinear corrections, bound with a related letter describing Preston's trial (see below). Modern paper boards; in very fine condition. FIVE DAYS AFTER THE "BOSTON MASSACRE," THE BRITISH OFFICER IN CHARGE GIVES HIS VERSION OF THE INCIDENT WHICH BECAME A CATALYST OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION Preston was commissioned Captain of the 29th Regiment of Foot in 1764 and was probably sent with the rest of his regiment to Boston in September 1768, part of the large British garrison. Anti-British sentiments there were already strong, fanned by the "intolerable acts," the stamp tax and the forced quartering of troops in the city under the provisions of the Mutiny Act of 1765. By the spring of 1770, resentment of the British garrison had grown to a dangerous pitch, as Preston relates: "...the arrival of His Majesty's Troops in Boston was extremely obnoxious to its Inhabitants. They have ever used all means in their Power to weaken the Regiments, and to bring them into Contempt; by promoting and aiding desertions, and by grossly and falsely propagating untruths concerning them." Firebands had stirred the people to violence, Preston claims. One, a Justice (perhaps Samuel Adams) had declared publicly that "the Inhabitants carried weapons concealed under their Cloth[e]s," and could destroy the garrison "if they pleased." Preston adds that "several disputes have happen'd between the Towns people and the Soldiers." On the 2nd of March, for example, two soldiers had been insulted by two ropemakers, and "from words they went to blows. Both parties suffered in this affray. The officers took every precaution in their Power, to prevent any ill consequences," but "single quarrels could not be prevented, the Inhabitants constantly provoking and abusing the Soldiers." Preston claims that the populace had agreed that on Monday and Tuesday, March 5 and 6, they would make a "General attack" on the soldiers, and that "several of the Militia [colonials] came from the Country Armed... On Monday night about 8 o'clock two Soldiers were attacked and beat," and "the Towns people broke into two meeting Houses and rang the alarm Bells...About 9 some of the Guard came to and informed me the Town inhabitants were Assembling to attack the Troops, and that the Bells were ringing as a Signal for that purpose, and not for Fire." Preston, Captain of the Day, rushed to the Main Guard House. "In my way there, I saw the people in great commotions and heard them use the most cruel and horrid threats against the Troops." A party of about 100 townspeople "went towards the Custom House...They immediately surrounded the Sentury [sic] posted there, and with Clubs and other Weapons, threaten'd to execute their Vengeance on him. This I feared might be a prelude to their plundering the King's Chest." Preston, with a junior Officer and a twelve-man squad, hurried to the Custom House. He states that he feared his men, under extreme provocation, might "be thrown off their Guard, and commit some rash act." At the Custom House, Preston and his band "rushed through the people and by charging their Bayonets [affixing them to their musket barrels] in a half circle kept them at a little Distance." Preston avows that at this point "so far was I from intending the Death of any Person, that I suffered the Troops to go to the spot without loading in their pieces, nor did I ever give orders for loading them." This fact, he asserts, constitutes "the best and surest" evidence "that my intention was not to act offensively." The "Mob," enraged by the soldier's appearance, grew in si