In 1761 , James Otis argued against the Writs of Assistance in the Royal Council Chamber . Though he lost the case , Otis influenced public opinion in a way that contributed to the American Revolution ; John Adams later wrote of that speech , " Then and there ... the child independence was born . " On March 5 , 1770 , The Boston Massacre occurred in front of the building on Devonshire Street . Lieutenant Governor Thomas Hutchinson stood on the building 's balcony to speak to the people , ordering the crowd to return to their homes
The Boston Massacre
Boston Massacre
Old State House (Boston)