Hutchinson was still acting governor when protests over the Townshend taxes erupted into the Boston Massacre on 5 March 1770 , when British soldiers fired into a crowd , killing five people . Hutchinson went to the scene in the aftermath of the shooting , and promised that justice would be applied fairly . He had all of the British soldiers involved in the incident arrested the next day , but ongoing unrest in the city compelled him to request the withdrawal of British troops from the city to Castle William . Hutchinson was able to postpone the trial for almost 6 months to allow anger to settle and for Adams to prepare a solid case . The soldiers were eventually tried , and two were convicted of manslaughter , although their sentences were reduced . The episode shook Hutchinson 's confidence in his ability to manage affairs in the province , and he penned a resignation letter
Boston Massacre
Boston Massacre
Thomas Hutchinson (governor)