[wirHrow ] THOMAS HUTCHINSON 69 
beauty of the family, was destined to die early, and her loss was to be 
a heavier blow to the sorrowing father than even the loss of his office 
and estate. “ Billy,” the youngest boy was sent to England in 1766 to 
seek a career. 
Meanwhile the breach between the mother country and the colonies 
grew wider. The enforcement of the Stamp Act and the Tea Tax 
caused much friction and smuggling. “We have been so long habitu- 
ated,” wrote Hutchinson, “to illicit trade, that people in general see 
no evil in it. Justices and grand juries, whose business it is to sup- 
press riots and tumultuous assemblies, have suffered mobs against 
informers and to rescue seized goods, to pass unnoticed. Breach of law 
in one instance leads to others, and a breach of oaths at the custom- 
house is one cause of so frequent perjuries in judicial proceedings. That 
temper which for many years has been too prevalent, of dislike to all 
government, is very much encouraged, as well as a disregard’ to the 
rules of morality in general.” 
Hutchinson wished to remain in the chief justiceship, where he 
was sure he could do most good even though the stipend was meagre, 
but by the home administration he was appointed Governor. 
To maintain order and strengthen the administration a small body 
of troops, not exceeding 600 effective men, was brought from Halifax. 
They were, in part, encamped on Boston Common and in part quartered 
in Faneuil Hall. The presence of the troops was very unwelcome in 
Boston. Their relations with the people soon became exceedingly 
strained. An unfortunate collision took place in front of the State 
House. A little group of soldiers, attacked with clubs and missiles, 
were ordered to fire on the mob. Several lives were lost. Hutchinson 
proceeded at once to the scene of strife, though in imminent danger of 
violence. He promptly arrested Major Preston, the officer in command, 
and the squad which had fired. The town meeting demanded the 
removal of the troops. This Hutchinson refused to order as transcend- 
ing his powers. Preston and his men had a fair trial, being defended 
by two sturdy patriots, Adams and Quincy. The troops were removed 
from the city to the castle on an island in the bay, and tranquillity, or 
at least a truce, was for a time restored. 
“Judgment of death against these soldiers,” wrote John Adams 
in his diary three years later, “ would have been as foul a stain upon 
this country as the execution of the Quakers or witches anciently.” 
The position of the Royalist Governor was one of great difficulty. 
Of the Stamp Duties and Tea Tax, as we have seen, he was not in 
favour, but being enacted he felt that they should be enforced. Thus 
he became more and more alienated from popular sympathy. As late 
Sec. IL, 1901. 5. 
