5 marzo 1770 anni - The Boston Massacre

Descrizione:

A group of colonists began harassing a British guard in front of the Customs House. More British soldiers came out to support their comrade. The tension escalated, with the Patriots throwing snowballs, rocks and even oyster shells at the soldiers. Amidst the chaos, the British soldiers opened fire, killing five civilians. Samuel Adams reached out to the famous silversmith Paul Revere, asking him to make an etching of the massacre's image. The patriot press leapt at the opportunity to further push anti-British propaganda, claiming the incident to be an unwarranted crime against the Bostonians. The engraving depicted helpless civilians trying to shield themselves from gunfire while British soldiers stood as executioners with a commander behind them, raising a sword to urge the shooting; the exaggerated image promoted anti-British spirits even further. Although Bostonians demanded justice and thirsted for revenge, John Hancock and Samuel Adams took a calmer stance. As the instigators of this revolt, if they were to portray Boston as a decent, respectable city, the British soldiers would need to receive fair treatment. After recruiting two colleagues - one of which was Samuel Adams's cousin - Josiah Quincy and John Adams, the British soldiers would appear in a public trial. Although John Adams was reluctant to accept the case, Samuel Adams persuaded him with the argument that the British soldiers deserved justice and the best defense as well.

"John Adams drew on his mistrust of mobs to craft a masterful defense for the British" - Founding Fathers EP 1

The British soldiers were convicted on minor charges; no executions or jailing took place. Despite the fair trial, Patriot Colonists were enraged by an American taking the British's side; Bostonians threw rocks at John Adams's law offices. In light of all this, he stood firm in his principles, remembering the case with pride as "one of the most gallant, manly and disinterested actions of [his] whole life... and one of the best pieces of service [I] ever rented [his] country".

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