Document A: Captain Thomas Preston's Account of the Boston Massacre (13 march 1770)

On a freezing March day in 1770, one of the king's soldiers was looking for work to earn some extra money. Someone started making fun of him and told him to get a job cleaning toilets [...] One thing led to another and there was a fight. That started things. Soon a noisy, jeering group of mischief-makers gathered in front of the Boston Customs House. They began pushing and shoving and throwing stones and pieces of ice at the British sentry. He got knocked down and he called for help. Captain Thomas Preston came to the rescue with eight British soldiers.

There is some confusion about what happened next. The mob is said to have taunted the redcoats yelling, "Fire! Fire!" Captain Preston is said to have yelled, "Hold your fire!" Then the British soldier was hit with a big stick. He said he heard the word, "fire," so fired his gun into the crowd. The street gang moved forward; the redcoats panicked and fired at unarmed people. Five Americans died; seven were wounded.

None of them was a hero. The victims were troublemakers who got worse than they deserved. The soldiers were professionals...who shouldn't have panicked. The whole thing shouldn't have happened.

From Hakim, J. (1993). From colonies to country (pp.64-65). New York: Oxford University Press.

Document B: Richard Palmes’ Account of the Boston Massacre

Somebody there said there was a Rumpus in King Street. I went down. When I had got there I saw Capt. Preston at the head of 7 or 8 Soldiers at the Custom house drawn up, their Guns breast high and Bayonets fixed. Found Theodore Bliss talking with the Captain. I heard him say why don't you fire or words to that effect. The Captain answered I know not what and Bliss said . . . why don't you fire. I was close behind Bliss. They were both in the front. Then I step'd immediately between them and put my left hand in a familiar manner on the Captains right shoulder to speak to him. Mr. John Hickling then looking over my shoulder I said to Preston are your Soldiers Guns loaded. He answered with powder and ball. Sir I hope you dont intend the Soldiers shall fire on the Inhabitants. He said by no means. The instant he spoke I saw something resembling Snow or Ice strike the Grenadier on the Captains right hand being the only one then at his right. He instantly stepd one foot back and fired the first Gun. I had then my hand on the Captains shoulder. After the Gun went off I heard the word fire.

The Captain and I stood in front about half between the breech and muzzle of the Guns. I dont know who gave the word fire. I was then looking on the Soldier who fired. The word was given loud. The Captain might have given the word and I not distinguish it. After the word fire in about 6 or 7 seconds the Grenadier on the Captains left fired and then the others one after another.

"Q. Did you situate yourself before Capt. Preston, in order that you might be out of danger, in case they fired?

"A. I did not apprehend myself in any danger.

"Q. Did you hear Captain Preston give the word Fire?

"A. I have told your Honors, that after the first gun was fired, I heard the word, fire! but who gave it, I know not.