You're listening to an Airwave Media Podcast.

Hello! Hello and thank you for joining the American Revolution.

Today, episode 30, the occupation of Boston.

Last week I discussed the growing tension in Boston after London placed the new customs board there.

Bostonians resisted the board and all other efforts to enforce customs laws and trade regulations in the colony.

The Liberty Riot following the seizure of John Hancock's ship, The Liberty,

was one of only many instances that convinced officials in London

that they needed stronger enforcement measures to teach the colonists who was in

charge. Even before the Liberty Riot, increasingly frantic letters from Governor Bernard and the Customs Commissioners

informed London that they could not enforce the law without some muscle.

The naval vessels sent in Boston Harbor could control shipping,

but Boston mobs still control the land. Despite years of rioting and

lawlessness, General Gage, military commander of North America, had not

sent soldiers to Boston.

He had sent them to New York, Philadelphia, and Charleston, but not Boston.

Gage's orders prevented him from marching or quartering troops in a colony

unless the colonial governor asks for them.

Otherwise, he could only do so on direct orders from London.

Massachusetts Governor Bernard refused to ask for soldiers.

He knew full well that any requests for troops would completely poison his ability to work with the legislature.

There was also a good chance that it would result in an angry mob destroying his home.

Even if he did put in such a request, he believed that it would

...