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| There Was Another Lawyer in the
Boston Massacre Trial by Cassady |
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February 28,
1770
Dear Quincy,
There is a lot of excitement here in Boston because of the feuds
between the Loyalist
and Patriots over
taxation, freedom from the
Crown, and many other things. They have been arguing for a long time
now. The other day a Loyalist committed a horrific crime. Some boys
were putting up a sign outside of Theophilous Lilly’s telling everyone
that they sold British goods and to protest them, Then the man,
Ebenezer Richardson, came
out and was taking the sign down when the boys began calling him names
and throwing rocks at him. One hit him in the head causing him to
bleed, so he went into his house, loaded up his gun, and shot into the
crowed hitting Christopher Seider. Samuel Adams planned a funeral and a
march all around Boston. I went to and I found myself stumbling through
a sea of people mourning over the death of one of their own. This was a
tragically sad event. I left Martha and the boys back at home except
John. He was good friends with Chris. It is scary to me that he was
there with Chris that day and saw him die. It could have been him that
day but thankfully it wasn't; but I do feel deeply for Chris’s family.
Everything is the same at work. You remember that I am working with
John Adams right now. He is a very good lawyer one of the best in
Boston. There’s not many cases right now, but I’m sure there are some
to come. Martha’s doing fine and the children are all right.
Quite a few friends and I are angry about the taxation without
representation in Parliament.
It is very unjust that we are forced to
pay the Crown. While I feel we do need to pay taxes but we definitely
need someone there saying what you can and cannot tax and how much it
is. I think something big is up ahead. Please write back.
Yours Truly,
Ben Otis
March 6 1770
Dear Quincy ,
I am writing to tell you of a horrific event that happened yesterday in
Boston on King St. Some Patriots were heckling soldiers and becoming unruly, throwing rocks and
snowballs at them among other thing. After a
while it got out of control and more soldiers were needed. Then shots
were fired upon the townspeople, injuring many and killing four. One of
them was a slave. I
happened to know his name is Crispus Attucks. It is
quite devastating to me as he was a man I knew. He was very bright and
great to have a conversation with. Tt’s a shame he had to die from
this. I heard of the massacre from Patrick Carr’s wife. He was one of
the victims of the massacre. Mrs.Carr actually witnessed the massacre
and she told me the whole event.
At my work today a man strolled in and begged John to defend him in the
massacre trial. While our views differ from the Crown, we feel that
everyone deserves a fair trial so we both immediately accepted the
case. We are aware that the consequences are abundant. People will
think of us as traitors and Loyalists , but that is a risk we must
take. Hopefully, people will see we are not trying to betray our
country. We are trying to prove to the King that we are a civilized
society.
At home everything is fine. John is still saddened about the
death of his friend, Christopher, but Sam and George are just as happy
as can be. Please write back.
Yours Truly,
Ben Otis
December 15, 1770
Dear Quincy,
The trials have ended and all were acquitted of murder except Matthew
Killroy and Hugh Montgomery, who were convicted of manslaughter and
were sentenced to death. It was a very difficult case because guns were
fired at unarmed Bostonians. Our first trial was the Captain William
Preston case. We knew he was not guilty. We had a key witnesses in
Benjamin Lee who said that he saw someone ask Preston if he was going
to order them to fire and he said not to fire if he didn't have to.
Another key witness was Dr. John Jeffries, who was Patrick Carr’s
surgeon. He said that Carr thought they fired in self defense. After
some deliberation, Preston was found innocent. At the next trial I knew
there was going to be some convictions, I just didn't know who. After a
long trial Kilroy and Montgomery were sentenced to death, but they told
me they were going to use the benefit of the clergy to escape death.
People have been very hostile towards me and John’s family and mine. We
have both received death threats and our wives and children have also
felt the effects of the trial.
I was excited that most were found not guilty because even though their
actions were a might drastic, their lives were in a reasonable amount
of danger and it may have been necessary to shoot. I do feel that
Kilroy and Montgomery had a just sentence though. They were always
trouble makers and everyone who knew them knew they would pounce on
this opportunity.
After the trial and everything I still haven't a clue who shot first.
There was a lot of confusion to it with everyone yelling fire. Also
there was very little light because it was night out. But I’m glad this
whole thing is over. I hope we can resolve our problems with the
British peacefully.
Your Truly,
Ben Otis |
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Historical References:
Boston Massacre Historical Society. Complete Research Resource on the
Boston Massacre.
5 April. 2006 <http://www.bostonmassacre.net/>.
Linder, Douglas. The Boston Massacre Trial of 1770. 5 April. 2006
<http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/bostonmassacre/
bostonmassacre.html>.
Wlliamson, Rana. AMERICAN HISTORY. Indonesia: Parragon Publishing, 1999.
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Historical Terms
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| Loyalist |
Patriots |
| Protest |
Parliament |
| Unruly |
Slave |
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About the Historian
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| Cassady is a hard working student at King
Middle School. He enjoys playing football when hes not working on
school work he plays chess. |
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