George Bancroft, History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent, Vol. 6, 10th edition.

[157] heels¹ of the Custom House Officers, and threw

Chap. XXXIV.} 1768. June.

stones, bricks and dirt at them, alarming them, but doing no serious mischief; and while Samuel Adams, Hancock and Warren, with others, were deliberating what was to be done, a mob broke windows in the house of the Comptroller and of an Inspector, and failing to find a boat belonging to the Romney, seized on the Collector's pleasure-boat, dragged it in triumph to Boston Common and burnt it. After this, at about one o'clock, they dispersed,² and the town resumed its quiet.

On Saturday nothing indicated a recurrence of riots; and the Council³ had only to appoint a committee to ascertain the facts attending the seizure by the examination of witnesses on the following Monday.

The Commissioners had not been harmed, nor approached, nor menaced. But they chose to consider the incident of the last evening an insurrection, and were provoked that their representations were so little heeded. Four of the five, went on board the Romney;⁴ perhaps a little from panic, but more to support their own exalted notions of their dignity; terrify the town by fear of revenge on the part of England; and ensure the active interposition of the British Government. Temple, one of their number, refused to take part in the artifice, and remained in full security on shore.