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'Supplement to the Boston-Gazette'', No. 794 published 25 June 1770, with full-page coverage of the Boston Massacre, the only in-depth reporting by the paper of the event. The effect of this reporting by the Gazette -- the most influential publication in colonial New England, was said to be profound, energizing the colonists' passion for independence. The coverage here includes a fascinating first-person account of the melee by Thomas Preston, commander of Britain's 29th Regiment, who would ultimately be acquitted of murder, with future President John Adams as his attorney. Preston's statement reads in part,
''...On Monday Night about Eight o'Clock two Soldiers were attacked and beat. But the Party of the TownsPeople, in order to carry Matters to the utmost Length, broke into two Meeting-Houses and rang the Alarm Bells, which I supposed was for Fire as usual, but was soon undeceived...the Town-Inhabitants were assembling to attack the Troops, and that the Bells were ringing as the Signal for that Purpose, and not for Fire...I saw the people in great Commotion, and heard them use the most cruel and horrid Threats against the Troops. In a few minutes I reached the Guard...and went towards the Custom-House, where the King's Money is lodged. They immediately surrounded the Sentinel posted there, and with Clubs and other Weapons threatened to execute their Vengeance on him. I was soon informed by a Townsman, their Intention was to carry off the Soldier from his Post, and probably murder him...This I feared might be a Prelude to their plundering the King's Chest...The Mob still increased, and were more outrageous, striking their Clubs or Bludgeons one against another, and calling out,...'fire if you dare, G-d damn you, fire...we know you dare not'...At this Time I was between the Soldiers and the Mob...They advanced to the Points of the Bayonets, struck some of them, and even the Muzzles of the Pieces...one of the Soldiers, having received a severe Blow with a Stick...instantly fired, on which turning to and asking him why he fired without Orders, I was struck with a Club on my Arm, which for some time deprived me of the use of it...all our lives were in imminent danger...Instantly three or four of the Soldiers fired, on after another, and directly after three more in the same Confusion and Hurry...''
Coverage spans one full page measuring approximately 8.875'' x 14.875''. A small piece of tape at fold and along left side, toning and some discoloration at bottom. Very good condition. One of the most important newspaper editions of the colonial era.