On the Guilt or Innocence of Captain Thomas Preston Concerning the Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre occurred in colonial Boston after years of political tension, resulting from social unrest and boiling tempers. The scene had a riot-like atmosphere, with soldiers surrounded by angry townspeople. The soldiers acted out of panic and stress, similar to how the colonists would have reacted in reversed roles. Captain Thomas Preston’s guilt or innocence can be determined by examining eye witness accounts, the soldiers’ mentality, and the crowd’s actions.
According to eyewitness accounts, the crowd at the incident acted rowdy and taunted the British soldiers, provoking them to fire. It is confirmed that objects such as snowballs and sticks were thrown at the soldiers. Benjamin Burdick mentions that some members of the angry crowd were armed, with one individual even going home to retrieve his sword (85). Those who claimed Preston ordered his men to fire were standing farthest from him and expressed their statements passionately. Another man behind the soldiers is mentioned in multiple depositions as the one who commanded them to fire, but his identity remains unknown. Juries typically trust eyewitnesses; however, they can be unreliable since people tend to remember what they want and may inaccurately recall certain details during moments of passion or anger. Considering the incident occurred at 9:00 p.m., amidst a chaotic crowd, it is not possible to consider these accounts accusing Preston as reliable and solid evidence.
The soldiers’ mindset played a significant role in their actions during the confrontation. After months of tension with local residents, eight young British soldiers found themselves surrounded by an angry crowd of over one hundred people. Being far away from home, it is understandable that panic would set in. They were aware of the townspeople’s hatred towards them and knew that a confrontation like this was inevitable. Witness testimonies confirm that the soldiers prepared their muskets as standard protocol in such situations. With the townspeople encircling them and urging them to fire, it is possible that one of the voices may have been misinterpreted as their captain’s voice. I am confident that Captain Preston fully understood the gravity of his situation and comprehended the potential consequences if he issued orders to fire.
During the Boston Massacre, the actions of the crowd had a significant impact on the soldiers and events. The soldiers were outnumbered by angry citizens who threw snowballs and large sticks, causing one soldier to drop his gun. In riot situations, an angry crowd can be intimidating due to high emotions. The inhabitants taunted and urged the soldiers to fire, which contributed to the unfolding events. Amidst multiple voices shouting in favor of firing, a soldier mistakenly thought he heard his captain’s voice and initiated a chain reaction for others to do the same. The passionate yet excessive reaction from the crowd towards the few soldiers played a substantial role in leading to the subsequent shooting.
Captain Thomas Preston was found not guilty of murder, thus achieving justice. The different eyewitness accounts, the soldiers’ mindset, and the actions of the crowd all played a role in the tragic events that took place in Boston on that fateful night. Adams successfully presented these factors to the jury, introducing a sense of reasonable doubt.
