Many Bostonians resented the increasing power of the merchant class. In 1737 the city, with the support of leading merchants, announced a new public market. In order to sell goods at the new market, farmers and merchants would have to pay a fee. Small farmers and merchants resisted, and many Boston residents decried the new market, asserting that it would lessen competition and increase prices. In response, a group of Bostonians destroyed the new marketplace. Although they offered a handsome reward, police found no witnesses to the crime. The following letter was written anonymously to Boston sheriff Edward Winslow in response to the governor’s threat to bring in nearby militia companies to find the perpetrators.
Boston, March 26, 1737
I now in the behalf of myself and others who assembled as a mob assure you, that we have done what we think proper; and are of the opinion, that you had as goods be still and silent, and let alone your drums and guns, for we had no design to do the town any damage, but a great deal of good; and I can assure, that we have above five hundred men in solemn league and covenant to stand by one another, and can procure above seven hundred more of the same mind; so that it will not signify any thing for you with three or four companies of men in arms to suppress us, provided we have not done what we intended; for we are so resolute, that had we any thing further to do, we would do it, provided you loaded your guns with powder and ball; for by the God that made you, if you come to that, we will find as much powder and ball as you can; so that we will go to a greater length than clubs and staffs: depend upon it that it will be so, as true as there is a God in heaven: Nay, even if you or any of the authority pretend to take the advantage of any man that you or any of you find out was there, we will resent it and cause you and the whole authority to repent of any such proceeding: So I beg and pray that the Lord of heaven and earth will keep you from taking any advantage upon any man; for I do now declare in the name of 500 men, that it will be the hardest place of work that ever you took in hand, to pretend to commit any man for that night’s work, or at least keep them when committed; so that Governour Belcher himself may pretend to do what he will, there must be a great deal of blood shed before we will be suppressed, provided you take any advantage of us or any of us.
From your unknown friend and servant, Blank
Source: Boston News-Letter, April 14–April 21, 1737.