1Paine’s Argument for the Crown: 4–5 December 1770 (Adams Papers)
May it please &c. It now remains to close this Cause on the part of the Crown, a cause, which from the Importance of it has been examined with such minuteness and protracted to such a length that I fear it has fatigued your attention as I am certain it has exhausted my Spirits. However Gentlemen it may serve to show you and all the world that the Benignity of the English Law, so much relied on...
2Adjournment: 4–5 December 1770 (Adams Papers)
TUESDAY 4 December , half past FIVE o’Clock, p.m. (Mr. Paine not having gone through his argument) the Court adjourned to Wednesday morning, Eight o’Clock. WEDNESDAY morning 5 December , Eight o’Clock, the court met according to Adjournment, when Mr. Paine finished closing, and the Court proceeded to sum up the cause to the Jury. Wemms Trial The Trial of William Wemms, James Hartegan, William...
3Trowbridge’s and Oliver’s Charges to the Jury: 5 December 1770 (Adams Papers)
Gentlemen of the Jury, William Wemms, James Hartegan, William McCauley, Hugh White, Matthew Killroy, William Warren, John Carrol and Hugh Montgomery, prisoners at the bar, are charged by the Grand Jurors for the body of this county, with having feloniously and of their malice aforethought, shot and thereby killed and murdered Samuel Maverick, Samuel Gray, James Caldwell, Patrick Carr, and...
Judge Cushing . The longest Tryal I have ever known. The Party in K ing S treet had a right to beat . Judge Lynde . 8 Prisoners. No Body can wonder that on their account we have spend a great Deal of Time. HP 482 , If it be not known who kill’d. This Rule will Shorten your Business. Paine Massacre Notes . Presumably 1 Hale, Pleas of the Crown Matthew Hale, Historia Placitorum Coronse: The...
5Lynde’s Charge to the Jury: 5 December 1770 (Adams Papers)
If therefore on the whole of the evidence offered, you should be of the mind that this meeting of the soldiers was lawful, as they were enjoyned it by their officer who had the command, you must look upon it that there being thus met was lawful; whether it was so or not may be after considered; but, on that supposition, it will be necessary for you to determine by which or how many of the...
6Verdicts: 5 December 1770 (Adams Papers)
After the Court had summed up the Cause, the Jury withdrew for about two hours and an half, and then returned to the Court. Clerk of the Court . Gentlemen of the Jury, are you all agreed in your verdict? Jury . Yes. Clerk . Who shall speak for you? Jury . Our Foreman. Clerk. William Wemms, hold up your hand. ( which he did ) Gentlemen of the Jury, look upon the prisoner: How say you, is...
7Adams’ Argument for the Defense: 3–4 December 1770 (Adams Papers)
May it please your Honours and you Gentlemen of the Jury, I am for the prisoners at the bar, and shall apologize for it only in the words of the Marquis Beccaria: “If I can but be the instrument of preserving one life, his blessing and tears of transport, shall be a sufficient consolation to me, for the contempt of all mankind.” As the prisoners stand before you for their lives, it may be...
8Josiah Quincy’s Argument for the Defense: 3 December 1770 (Adams Papers)
Monday 3 December , NINE o’ Clock, the Court met according to adjournment, and proceeded. May it please your Honours, and you Gentlemen of the Jury, We have at length gone through the evidence in behalf of the prisoners. The witnesses have now placed before you, that state of facts, from which results our defence. The examination has been so lengthy, that I am afraid some painful sensations...
9Adams’ Digest of Evidence: 29 November–1 December 1770 (Adams Papers)
James Crawford. Went home to Bulls Wharf at dark about 6 O Clock. Met Numbers of People, going down towards the Town House, with sticks. A t Calfs Corner, Saw above a dozen with sticks. In Quaker Lane and Greens Lane met many, going towards K ing S treet . Very great Sticks, pretty large Cudgells, not common Walking Canes. Archibald Gould. Going to Crawfords at Bulls Wharf. At 8, at Swing...
On the evening of the 5th of March I was at my lodgings, I heard a noise, and went out towards Union-street, and saw people coming from the North-end, with sticks and clubs in their hands; it was about nine o’clock. I followed them to Dock-square, somebody asked what was the matter, he was answered, that a boy and soldier had been foul of one another; they hallowed King-street; I went up to...