<P> The Boston Massacre, known as the Incident on King Street by the British, was a confrontation on March 5, 1770, in which British Army soldiers shot and killed five people while under harassment by locals . The incident was heavily publicized by leading Patriots, such as Paul Revere and Samuel Adams, to encourage rebellion against the British authorities . British troops had been stationed in Boston, capital of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, since 1768 in order to protect and support crown - appointed colonial officials attempting to enforce unpopular Parliamentary legislation . </P> <P> Amid ongoing tense relations between the population and the soldiers, a mob formed around a British sentry, who was subjected to verbal abuse and harassment . He was eventually supported by eight additional soldiers, who were subjected to verbal threats and repeatedly hit by clubs, stones and snowballs . They fired into the crowd, without orders, instantly killing three people and wounding others . Two more people died later of wounds sustained in the incident . </P> <P> The crowd eventually dispersed after Acting Governor Thomas Hutchinson promised an inquiry, but the crowd re-formed the next day, prompting the withdrawal of the troops to Castle Island . Eight soldiers, one officer, and four civilians were arrested and charged with murder . Defended by lawyer and future American president John Adams, six of the soldiers were acquitted, while the other two were convicted of manslaughter and given reduced sentences . The men found guilty of manslaughter were sentenced to branding on their hand . </P> <P> Depictions, reports, and propaganda about the event, notably the colored engraving produced by Paul Revere (shown at top - right), further heightened tensions throughout the Thirteen Colonies . </P>

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