Right to Peaceably Assemble

The Townsend Acts in 1768 sent a message to the colonists in America that they were not only just a revenue source to the king, but that the members of the British Colonies were considered to be less than British Subjects. The Acts imposed tariffs upon The Colonies for the import of goods from Britain, the same kind of tariffs Britain imposed on foreign nations. The Colonists did not understand why they were being treated as outsiders, but the move helped to increase the rising feeling among the Colonists that perhaps it was time to cut the cord, and truly be independent as a separate, sovereign nation.

The grumbling in Massachusetts Bay resulted in The Crown permanently stationing troops in and around Boston. By 1770, the Bostonians were gathering in protest, as revolutionaries met in the pubs, churches, and meeting halls to discuss rebellion. On March 5, 1770, a group of boys gathered on King Street, and it didn't take long for British Troops to show up. The crowd grew, and the group became rowdy at the sight of the troops. Snowballs were thrown, and then rocks and other items. Shots rang out, and three colonists lay dead in the snow. Two others died later from their injuries. Despite the fact that the British Troops were mere kids, probably frightened, and perhaps may have heard someone shout "fire", the worst had happened. Massacre. The press dubbed it the "Incident on King Street," and later renamed the event the "Boston Massacre." The massacre became yet another fiery fuse lit, leading America towards revolution.

Continued in this weekend's Constitution Letter newsletter. To subscribe, visit the Newsletter Subscription Page.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary