94 ChApTEr 4 | an atlantiC eMpire | period three 175 4 –18 0 0six accused soldiers were acquitted by a jury of colonists, and two were convicted of
the lesser charge of manslaughter and given relatively light punishments. John Adams
(1735–1826), a Boston lawyer who later served in the Continental Congress and even-
tually became the second president of the United States, defended the accused British
soldiers. In this passage from court transcripts, Adams questions a citizen of Boston who
witnessed the event.Q. Do you know any of the prisoners at the bar?
A. I particularly saw that tall man (pointing to Warren, one of the prisoners).
Next day after the firing in King street, I saw more of them whom I cannot par-
ticularly swear to now.Q. Did you see the soldiers before the justices on examination?
A. Yes.
Q. Did you then observe you had seen any of them the night before in King
street?A. I was well persuaded next day in my own mind, that I saw that tall one; but a
few days after, I saw another man belonging to the same regiment, so very like
him, that I doubt whether I am not mistaken with regard to him.Q. Were there any other of the party you knew?
A. I am well satisfied I saw the corporal there.
Q. Did you see White there?
A. I do not remember.
Q. What was the situation of the corporal?
A. He was the corner man at the left of the party.
Q. Did you see either of the persons, you think you know, discharge their guns?
A. Yes; the man I take to be the tall man, discharged his piece as it was upon a
level.Q. Did you see the corporal discharge his gun?
A. I did not.
Q. Where did you stand?
A. I was behind them in the circle.
Q. What part of the circle did the tall man stand in?
A. He stood next but one to the corporal. The tall man, whoever he was, was the
man I saw discharge his piece.Q. Was any thing thrown at the soldiers?
A. Yes, there were many things thrown, what they were I cannot say.
TopIC I | Challenging an empire 9505_STA_2012_ch4_085-114.indd 94 26/03/15 10:11 AM