ding armies, to tumults and disorders,
their readiness to assist in suppressing riots and preserving the peace;
recommended patience and good order; and after a short session
dissolved."[307]

The day before the close of this Convention, it was announced that three
men-of-war and transports had arrived at Boston harbour with about 900
troops, and the fleet next day came to anchor near Castle William. The
Commissioners of Customs and their friends had solicited the stationing
of a regular force in the town.

"The ships having taken a station which commanded the town, the troops,
under cover of the cannon of the ships, landed without molestation, and
to the number of 700 men marched, with muskets charged and bayonets
fixed, martial music, and the usual military parade, into the common.
In the evening the Select Men of Boston were required to quarter the
regiments in the town; but they absolutely refused. A temporary shelter,
however, in Faneuil Hall was permitted to one regiment that was without
camp equipage. The next day the State House, by the order of the
Governor, was opened for the reception of the soldiers; and after the
quarters were settled, two field pieces with the main guard were
stationed just in its front. Everything was calculated to excite the
indignation of the inhabitants. The lower floor of the State House,
which had been used by gentlemen and merchants as an exchange; the
representatives' chamber, the Court-house, Faneuil Hall--places with
which were associated ideas of justice and freedom, as well as of
convenience and utility--were now filled with regular soldiers. Guards
were placed at the doors of the State House, through which the Council
must pass in going to their own chamber. The common was covered with
tents. The soldiers were constantly marching and countermarching to
relieve the guards. The sentinels challenged the inhabitants as they
passed. The Lord's day was profaned, and the devotion of the sanctuary
was disturbed by the sound of drums and other military music. There was
every appearance of a garrisoned town. The colonists felt disgusted and
injured, but not overawed, by the obtruded soldiery. After the troops
had obtained quarters, the Council were required to provide barracks for
them, agreeably to Act of Parliament, but they resolutely declined any
measure which might be construed into submission to that Act. Several
large transports arrived at Boston from Cork, having on board part