ve quarter, he should give none"; another said he heard a
soldier say, that "his officer told him, that, if the soldiers went out
that night, they must go armed and in companies"; another related a
soldier's story of a scheme formed to kill the inhabitants; another
said, he "descried a soldier who struck down the inhabitants." These
homely words are life-like glimpses of the spirit of the hour. No speech
could have been more eloquent, because none could have been better
calculated to deepen the general conviction and minister to the common
emotion. However, so many witnesses were ready to testify, that it was
found to be impracticable to hear all; and a committee was appointed to
receive and digest the evidence.

Samuel Adams addressed this remarkable meeting. He spoke with a pathos
peculiar to himself. His manner, naturally impressive, was rendered more
so by the solemnity of the occasion, and every heart was moved. The
great hour demanded dignity and discretion in unison with firmness, and
they were combined in the action of the meeting. It resolved that the
inhabitants would submit no longer to the insult of military rule. A
committee of fifteen was chosen to wait on the Lieutenant-Governor, and
acquaint him that it was the unanimous opinion of the meeting that the
inhabitants and soldiery could no longer dwell together in safety, and
that nothing could be rationally expected to restore the peace of the
town and prevent additional scenes of blood and carnage but the
immediate removal of the troops; and to say, further, that they most
fervently prayed his Honor that his power and influence might be exerted
in order that this removal might be instantly effected. This committee
well represented the intelligence, the patriotism, the varied interests,
and whatever there was of true greatness in Boston. The meeting now
dissolved; when the Selectmen issued a warrant for a regular
town-meeting to convene at the same place, at three o'clock in the
afternoon.

It was about noon when the Lieutenant-Governor received the committee of
the town at the Council-Chamber, the Council being in session. I have
found no details of what was said by the committee at this interview, in
urging a compliance with the demand. Hutchinson said he was not prepared
to reply, but would give an answer in writing, when the committee
withdrew into another room; and he gives glimpses of what then occurred.
"I told the Council," he says, "that a removal