The question, however, came up now in a new shape.  To put it in the simplest way, and in the very words used on that day,—­the people were so excited by the shedding of blood on the preceding night, that they were resolved no longer to acquiesce in the decision of the constituted authorities as to the troops; but, failing in other means, they were determined to effect their removal by force, let the act be deemed rebellion or otherwise.  Not that any conspiracy existed; not that any plan had been matured to do this; but circumstances had transferred the question from the domain of reason to that of physical force; and the only point with the crown officials, during this whole day’s deliberations, was, whether they would be justified in what appeared to them lowering the national standard at the demand of a power which they habitually represented as “the faction,” or whether they might venture to take the responsibility of resisting the demand and of meeting the consequences.  Well might John Adams say, “This was a dangerous and difficult crisis.”

The Selectmen expressed to the Lieutenant-Governor the opinion, that “the inhabitants would be under no restraint whilst the troops were in town.”  “I let them know,” Hutchinson says, “that I had no power to remove the troops.”  They also informed him that they had been requested to call a town-meeting, which was the special dread of Hutchinson.  As the settled determination of the people became revealed, the anxiety of the Lieutenant-Governor naturally deepened as to what the day might bring forth; and he sent for Colonels Dalrymple and Carr to be present in Council and act as military advisers.  But the discussions here were interrupted by the entrance of a messenger from another assembly, bearing the ominous summons for the immediate presence among them of the Selectmen.

This summons invites attention to the movements of the people, who had been constantly coming in from the neighboring towns, and had now gathered in great numbers in and around Faneuil Hall, to use Hutchinson’s words, “in a perfect frenzy.”  It was, however, the general disposition, volcanic as were the elements, to act with caution, deliberation, and in a spirit of unity, and, doubtless, with the consideration that the eyes of the friends of their cause were upon them, and the name and fame of Boston were at stake.  The hours passed, and no warrant appeared calling a town-meeting; when, at eleven o’clock, the town-records say, “the freeholders and other inhabitants” held a meeting, “occasioned, by the massacre made in King Street by the soldiery.”  The town-clerk, William Cooper, acted as the chairman.  This true and intrepid patriot held this office forty-nine years, which speaks for his fidelity to duty, intelligence, devotion to principle, and moral worth.  “The Selectmen,” his clear, round record reads, “not being present, and the inhabitants being informed that they were in the Council-Chamber, it was voted that