BOSTON MASSACRE

the name given to a clash between a mob and British soldiers in Boston, on March 5, 1770. Some time before this date the British Commi ioners of Customs had ordered the seizure of the colonial trading sloop ‘Liberty,’ whose skipper had been found guilty of smuggling. So enraged were the citizens that the commi ioners were at the time obliged to seek refuge aboard a British warship in Boston harbor. Il temper continued among the people, which finally resulted in a free fight between some workingmen and British soldiers, on March 3. In the evening of March 5 some bo began taunting the sentry in front of the Customs House, who struck one of the boys with the butt of his musket. The boy promptly fled but presently re-+ turned, followed by a mob, at the head of which was a_half fired Q ty of manslaughter and were branded the hands and dishonorably discharged from the army.