Robert saw Mr. Adams raise his right arm towards Hutchinson. His words were clear and distinct:—
“Lieutenant-Governor Hutchinson, if you have power to remove one regiment, you have power to remove both. It is at your peril if you do not. The meeting is composed of three thousand people. They are impatient. One thousand men have arrived from the surrounding towns. The country is in motion. The people expect an immediate answer.”
A whiteness came into the face of the lieutenant-governor. His hands began to tremble. One hundred years before, the people in their majesty and might had put Edmund Andros in prison. Might they not do the same with him?
“What shall be done?” he asked of the council, with trembling lips.
“It is not such people as injured your house who are asking you to remove the troops,” said Councilman Tyler; “they are the best people of the town, men of property, supporters of religion. It is impossible, your excellency, for the troops to remain. If they do not go, ten thousand armed men will soon be here.”
“Men will soon be here from Essex and Middlesex,” said Councilman Bussell of Charlestown.
“Yes, and from Worcester and Connecticut,” said Mr. Dexter of Dedham.
Every member said the same, and advised their removal. Colonel Dalrymple had consented that the regiment which began the disturbance should leave, but it would be very humiliating if all the troops were to go. The instructions from the king had put the military as superior to the civil authority.
“I cannot consent, your excellency, voluntarily to remove all the troops,” said Dalrymple.
“You have asked the advice of the council,” said Councilman Gray to Hutchinson; “it has been given; you are bound to conform to it.”