additional scenes of blood and carnage but the immediate removal of the troops; and to say, further, that they most fervently prayed his Honor that his power and influence might be exerted in order that this removal might be instantly effected.  This committee well represented the intelligence, the patriotism, the varied interests, and whatever there was of true greatness in Boston.  The meeting now dissolved; when the Selectmen issued a warrant for a regular town-meeting to convene at the same place, at three o’clock in the afternoon.

It was about noon when the Lieutenant-Governor received the committee of the town at the Council-Chamber, the Council being in session.  I have found no details of what was said by the committee at this interview, in urging a compliance with the demand.  Hutchinson said he was not prepared to reply, but would give an answer in writing, when the committee withdrew into another room; and he gives glimpses of what then occurred.  “I told the Council,” he says, “that a removal of the troops was not with me; and I desired them to consider what answer I could give to this application of the town, whilst Colonel Dalrymple, who had the command, was present.”  Some of the members, who were among the truest Patriots, urged a compliance, when the Lieutenant-Governor declared that “he would upon no consideration whatever give orders for their removal.”  The result reached this morning was an advice for the removal of one regiment, in which the commanding officer concurred.  As Hutchinson rose from this sitting, he declared that “he meant to receive no further application on the subject.”

Things wore a gloomy aspect during the interval between the session of the Council and the time of the afternoon meeting; for the natural effect of the unbending tone of the crown officials was to give firmness to the determined spirit of the people.  There were consultations between members of the Council, the popular leaders, and the commanding officers; and now the very men who were branded as incendiaries, enemies of Great Britain, and traitors, were again seen quietly endeavoring to prevent a catastrophe.  Hutchinson, in his History, says it was intimated to members of the Council, that, though the commanding officer should receive no authoritative order to remove all the troops, yet the expression of a desire by the Lieutenant-Governor and Council that it should be done would cause him to do it; and on this basis Hutchinson was prevailed upon to meet the Council in the afternoon.  This was a great point gained for the popular cause.

At three o’clock, Faneuil Hall was filled to overflowing with the excited population assembled in legal town-meeting.  Thomas Cushing was again chosen the Moderator; but the place would hold only about thirteen hundred, and the record reads, “The Hall not being spacious enough to receive the inhabitants who attended, it was voted to adjourn to Dr. Sewall’s meeting-house,”—­the Old South.