John Adam and the Boston Massacre of 1770
John Adam and the Boston Massacre of 1770
In the era of colonization, Britain was probably the most significant colonial power worldwide. Besides establishing colonies in Africa, South America, and parts of the Caribbean, the British Crown also colonized the present-day United States. While they played a significant role in establishing the foundation for infrastructural development, including roads, railways, and trade routes, the British also exploited natural resources and labor. The Boston Massacre of 1770 is an incident that depicts the oppressive power of this colonial master. Under these circumstances, therefore, it is proper to attempt and understand why John Adams, who would go on to become America’s first vice-president and second president, decided to lead the defense counsel of the accused soldiers during the trial.
Historical Context and Background of the Boston Massacre
The hostility between British soldiers and American colonists in Boston is mostly to blame for the Boston Massacre. Notably, the troops set foot in Boston harbor in October 1768 with the mandate of enforcing the controversial Townshend Acts (Kidder 3). The locals did not receive the newcomers with open arms. Instead, they considered them as foreign and threatening. As the troops established their presence, tension with the colonists continued to build, culminating in the infamous Boston Massacre. The timeline of the dreadful event started on March 5, 1770, when a group of approximately 50 colonists decided to attack a regiment of British troops by throwing sticks, stones, and snowballs at the convoy (Corbly 204). Since they arrived, the British troops had perpetrated several incidences of hate towards the American colonists. Therefore, it was a matter of time before the locals decided to retaliate. Indeed, this time came when a British private was engaged in an altercation with a local boy, resulting in the latter running crying and bruised (Doggett Jr 5). The colonists responded angrily to the incident, forcing Captain Thomas Preston to call in reinforcements. The anger that had been building up among the colonists took a turn for the worst when they attacked a regiment of British soldiers during a protest, leading to shootings that killed five colonists and wounded six others. It took only three weeks for a Boston jury to indict Preston and eight of his soldiers, as well as four British civilians, for the murders. If the jury found them guilty, the verdict was execution.
According to historians, three major things could have led to the Boston Massacre. Firstly, the growing mistrust between the foreigners and American colonists, which had resulted in several incidences of confrontation (Elmes 13). In some instances, the locals beat up individual soldiers on street corners and also harassed unarmed British civilians. Such incidences sent a clear message to the British that they were unwanted and unwelcome. Secondly, there were too few British soldiers in the region after two of the four regiments stationed in Boston were relocated (Elmes 7). Probably this explains why Preston had to call in reinforcements when violence broke out. Thirdly, the locals decided to revolt against the Townshend Acts, including the requirement to pay six shillings for every ream of Atlas Ordinary paper (Stampt Act par. 3). Since the colonial master had introduced this piece of legislation, tension with the colonists had continued to build. Primarily, these laws helped to entrench the control of the British Crown in America. Whichever of these three reasons led to the Boston Massacre is not as important as the reason that led John Adams to be the legal counsel of the accused soldiers.
John Adam’s Decision to Represent British Soldiers During Trial
Since the trial was taking place on American soil, it was quite challenging for the indicted British troops to locate defense counsel. Owing to the sensitivity of the matter, particularly among the colonists, no local lawyer dared to take the case. Besides fearing for personal life and safety, including their family, the person who decided to defend the soldiers had to face the probability of damaging their reputation and political and economic prospects. However, as subjects of the British Crown, the colonists had a duty to provide their colonial master with competent lawyers and also prove that Boston's legal system was fair and just. Probably, it is out of these concerns that made John Adams agree to take on the case.
Historians have debated the motives that Adams may have had in taking the role of the lead counsel for the defendants given the reason for their indictment. While these motives may never be known for sure, it is clear that Adams understood the danger of representing the accused British soldiers, including threats to his life and that of his family as well as damage to his economic and political ambitions. As such, he had the option of keeping off the case. On the other hand, as a competent legal mind, he understood the right of any accused person to a fair trial. To him, therefore, the case would position him in history as a man who defended the law above his own gain or safety. According to historian Hiller B. Zobel, Adams agreed to be the lead counsel in defending the soldiers after being promised a seat in the legislative council (Zobel 4). Indeed, this suggestion might be valid given that three months after the trial, he was Boston's first choice for the position. Definitely, this placement explains his meteoric rise in the politics of the new nation to be a vice president and president after the Revolutionary War.
Historical Significance of John Adam’s Decision
Even though the Boston Massacre and the decision by Adams to serve as the lead counsel for Captain Preston and his soldiers are historical narratives, the events are of major significance to contemporary America. Firstly, the events galvanized the resolve of the American colonists to fight the British presence and control in their land. Without a doubt, the actions of the British troops and the death of the colonists became the driving force behind the Revolutionary War that began a few years down the line, culminating in American independence. Secondly, the events set the bar on the American legal system, where fairness and justice remain central pillars. Years down the line after the trials, Adams noted that his decision to defend Captain Preston and his soldiers made him anxious enough but was one of his gallant, generous, and unselfish acts of his entire life, and the best service he could render his beloved country (Corbly 205). The decision taken by Adams was not an easy one. It definitely required sacrifice and dedication to the greater good.
In conclusion, the events surrounding the Boston Massacre, including Adams decision to represent the British soldiers, give a historical perspective on the rule of law of present-day United States. Everybody has a right to counsel. As far as the death of the colonists is concerned, the sad day was a precursor to the Revolutionary War that led to American independence. Regarding Adam’s decision, he positioned himself advantageously in the politics of the colony, and this may have contributed to him becoming the first vice president and the second president of the independent nation.
Works Cited
Corbly, Don. Letters, Journals, & Diaries of ye Colonial America. Morrisville, NC: Lulu Press, 2009.
Doggett Jr, John. A Short Narrative of the Horrid Massacre in Boston, Perpetrated in the
Evening of the Fifth Day of March, 1770, by Soldiers of the 29th Regiment, Which With the 14th Regiment Were Then Quartered There, With Some Observations on the State of Things Prior to That Catastrophe. New York, NY: Printed by the Order of the Town of Boston, 1819.
Elmes, Jane M. The Making of a Myth: Rhetoric of Eye Witness Accounts of the Boston
Massacre. Atlantic City, NJ: A Paper Presented to the Eastern Communication Association Convention, 1986.
Kidder, Frederick. History of the Boston Massacre, March 5, 1770; Consisting of the
Narrative of the Town, the Trial of the Soldiers: And a Historical Introduction, Containing Unpublished Documents of John Adams, and Explanatory Notes. Albany, NY: Joel Munsell, 1870.
Townshend Acts – Original Text. Stamp Act, n.d.
http://www.stamp-act-history.com/townshend-act/townshend-acts-original-text/. Accessed 1 Nov. 2018.
Zobel, Hiller B. The Boston Massacre. New York, NY: W. W. North, 1970.