The Boston Massacre Oration

    844. To John Pownall, 18 April 1771

    845. To Lord Hillsborough, 19 April 1771

    On 2 April 1771, James Lovell gave the first anniversary oration for the Boston Massacre. In his remarks, Lovell declared Parliament’s claim to sovereignty “illegal in itself” and “usurpation” of the king’s prerogative. Hutchinson transmitted a copy of the speech to England to illustrate just how far the colonies had traveled toward independence from parliamentary authority, as well as the dangers of not putting further restraints on town meetings.

    844. To John Pownall

    Boston 18 April 1771

    Dear Sir, I shall now cover the Oration which I promised you in my last.1 Facts of this nature I ought not to omit communicating. What operation they may have is matter of judgment. I can observe, to you, that when such doctrine was first broached all sober People in the Colonies were astonished and, although it may not amount to High Treason, I think it comes within the reason of late statutes which determine certain Offences to be Treason. If the affirming, by writing or printing, that Parliament has no authority to make Laws to limit & bind the Descent of the Crown, or that any person has a right to the Crown except his present Majesty and such as by Act of Parliament are to succeed him be made High Treason, certainly but writing & printing to affirm that an Act of Parliament is of no validity, in any case whatsoever, ought to be made Treason. If such an Act of Parliament had passed soon after the Virginia Resolves,2 I think we should not have had many Offences against it. Unless Parliament intends to give up its authority such an Act is still necessary. An Act to make an explicit acknowledgment of the supreme Authority of Parliament a necessary qualification for any Office would make a great convulsion, but an Act to restrain from an open denial of this Authority seems to be unexceptionable and the first step to the establishing this Authority, which first or last must be done or you will lose the Colonies, and, if we are suffered to go on in this way without any notice the time is not at so great a distance as is generally imagined. I am not sure that a Grand Jury would find a Bill or a Petty Jury convict upon such an Act, but, if they should refuse, it would be a good reason for altering the method of Trials and, perhaps, declaring the Stat. of Henry 8th for the Trials of Treasons committed beyond Sea, to extend to the Colonies.

    If it should be thought proper to alter the government of the Town, a constitution like that of New York may be as proper as any unless the Mayor as well as Aldermen should be in the Election of the People in order to make the change more easily submitted to, the form of government in all its parts having been more popular here than at New York.

    Whether it may be advisable to distinguish this particular instance I cannot determine but I cannot help repeating it, that if a publick avowal of such principles by Towns and provinces is tolerated or passed over without notice much3 longer it will be impossible to reduce us to a submission by any other means than meer force.

    I must apologise & ask your excuse for mentioning to you a small concern which solely respects my own Interest. Governor Bernard used to have the privilege of supplying him self with Coals from Louisburgh. I could wish for the like priviledge. The only way they can be brought to advantage is by Vessels which come from Newfdland in the Fall and they would not stop for a less quantity than 60 Chalders. If you will direct me I will take the proper method for obtaining this priviledge or if you think there is any impropriety in my applying I will not do it. I am with very great regard & esteem Your most faithful humble Servant,

    AC (Massachusetts Archives, SC1/series 45X, 27:149–50); at foot of letter, “Jno Pownall”; primarily in WSH’s hand. Contemporary printings: Boston Gazette, 4 September 1775; Massachusetts Spy, 13 September 1775; Essex Journal, 22 September 1775 (first three paragraphs only).

    845. To Lord Hillsborough

    Boston 19. April 1771

    (No 2.)

    My Lord, I shall transmit under this cover a printed paper called an Oration, with a Vote of the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston.1

    I have no apprehensions of any other mischief than its tendency, with other publications of the same nature, to confirm the people in a disrespect to the Supreme Authority and an Opinion of their own Independence, but this dangerous tendency makes it my duty to acquaint your Lordship with it.

    In these Votes and in most of the publick proceedings of the Town of Boston persons of the best characters and best estates have little or no concern. They decline attending Town Meetings where they are sure to be outvoted by men of the lowest order, all being admitted and it being very rare that any scrutiny is made into the qualification of Voters.

    As I shall put an end to the General Court in a few days I will not trouble your Lordship with their proceedings until they are finished any farther than to observe that the conduct of the Council has been unexceptionable and that although a majority of the House still continue under an undue influence they have given me but little trouble and I hope their attempts to perplex the Affairs of the Government will open the eyes of the people and produce a change of Members in many Towns and a better House than we have had for several years past. The people in general are in a much better temper. I have the honour to be most respectfully My Lord Your Lordships most humble & most obedient Servant,

    RC (National Archives UK, CO 5/760, ff. 136–37); at foot of letter, “Rt. Honble. the Earl of Hillsborough”; docketed, “Boston 19th. April 1771 Governor Hutchinson (No. 2) Rx 31 May D——7.” DupRC (National Archives UK, CO 5/894, ff. 146–47); at head of letter, “Duplicate”; docketed, “Massachusets. Duplicate of a Letter No. 2, from Govr. Hutchinson to the Earl of Hillsborough, dated April 19. 1771, relative to a vote of the Inhabitants of Boston, & the temper of the Council & Assembly. O. o. 19. Read Decr. 12. 1771.” AC (Massachusetts Archives, SC1/series 45X, 27:151); at foot of letter, “Ld Hillsborough”; notation (in TH’s hand), “Symmes & by Capt Leslie of the 14th in the Fowey”; in WSH’s hand. SC (National Archives UK, CO 5/768, ff. 190–91); docketed, “Boston 19th: April 1771. Governor Hutchinson. (No 2) Rx 31st. May”; at end of letter, “Inclosures. No 1 . . . An Oration. 2 . . . The Massachusetts Gazette.” SC (Staffordshire Record Office, Dartmouth Collection, D(W)1778/II/339); docketed, “Copy of a Letter from Governor Hutchinson to the Earl of Hillsborough dated Boston 19th April 1771. Rx 31st: May.” SC (Houghton Library, Sparks 43, 1:130); docketed, “Thos. Hutchinson to the Earl of Hillsborough.” SC (Houghton Library, Sparks 10, 4:16); at foot of letter, “[O.o. 19. Read 12 Decr. 1771.]” (brackets in original); docketed, “Hutchinson To Hillsbro.” Enclosures to RC: James Lovell, An Oration Delivered April 2d, 1771. At the Request of the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston; to Commemorate the Bloody Tragedy of the Fifth of March, 1770 (Boston: Edes & Gill, 1771) (National Archives UK, CO 5/760, ff. 138–47); Massachusetts Gazette and Boston Weekly News-Letter, 19 April 1771 (National Archives UK, CO 5/760, ff. 148–49).

    846. To Thomas Gage

    Boston 22d April 1771

    Sir, Agreeable to your proposal to me in the last Letter I had the honour to receive from you I shall inclose certificates of the time of Service of the two Officers at Castle William.1

    Its now a fortnight since we have had advices of any sort from England. I then had no publick Letters, the packet having sailed just before. If my intelligence had been better than what the News papers contained I would have communicated it to you.

    I think it not improbable that the Transports should return, with the Troops, from Halifax before I can receive an Answer to this Letter.2 I have not yet heard whether they are to land in the Town or whether they are to stop at the Castle or at Dorchester neck. I have not seen Colo. Dalrymple since the post came in, hear he is at a small distance in the Country. I am with very great Regard & Esteem Sir Your most Obedient Humble Servant,

    PM. 4 oClock A Ship, Davies, which left London 3d March just come to anchor. I have no Government Letters. My private Letters say that all foreign Affairs are settled, most of Mr G. Grenvilles adherents come in Lord Temple & Lord Shelburne retired.3

    Coll Dalrymple called upon me while I was taking an airing this forenoon & I missed seeing him.

    RC (Clements Library, Thomas Gage Papers); at foot of letter, “His Excellency General Gage.” AC (Massachusetts Archives, SC1/series 45X, 27:152); at foot of letter, “Gen Gage”; in WSH’s hand with the exception of the addendum.