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On November 11, Hutchinson issued the following order:
"Massachusetts Bay. By the Governor.
To Colonel John Hancock, Captain of the Governor's Company of Cadets, &c.
The Cadet company, under your command, having signalized itself heretofore upon a
very necessary occasion, and the late tumultuous proceedings in the town of Boston
requiring that more than usual caution should be taken at this time for the preservation of
the peace, I think it proper that you should forthwith summon each person belonging to
the company to be ready, and to appear in arms at such place of parade as you think fit,
whensoever there may be a tumultuous assembly of the people, in violation of the laws,
in order to their being aiding and assisting to the civil magistrate as occasion may
require."
This company, which was immediately under the governor's orders, had been of service
during the stamp act riots, and had often been complimented for its discipline. The
evident intent of this order, to use military force to suppress public assemblages, and the
stationing of companies of British troops in the neighboring towns, augmented the
uneasiness already felt. There was now, besides the soldiers at[xxxiv] the castle, a
considerable naval force in the harbor, under Admiral John Montagu.
On the morning of November 17, a little party of family friends had assembled at the
house of Richard Clarke, Esq., known as the "Cooke House," near the King's Chapel, on
School Street, to welcome young Jonathan Clarke, who had just arrived from London. All
at once the inmates of the dwelling were startled by a violent beating at the door,
accompanied with shouts and the blowing of horns, creating considerable alarm. The
ladies were hastily bestowed in places of safety, while the gentlemen secured the avenues
of the lower story, as well as they were able. The yard and vicinity were soon filled with
people. One of the inmates warned them, from an upper window, to disperse, but getting
no other reply than a shower of stones, he discharged a pistol. Then came a shower of
missiles, which broke in the lower windows, and damaged some of the furniture.
Influential patriots had by this time arrived, and put a stop to the proceedings, and the
mob quietly dispersed. The consignees now called on the governor and council for
protection.
During the day, an arrival from London brought the news that three ships, having the East
India Company's tea on board, had sailed for Boston, and that others had cleared for
Philadelphia.
A petition for a town meeting was at once presented to the selectmen, representing that
the teas were shortly expected, and that it was apprehended that the consignees might
now be sufficiently informed on the terms of its consignment,[xxxv] to be able to give
their promised answer to the town. A meeting was therefore appointed for the next day.