Anarchy! Not a Policeman in Sight

Anarchy! Not a Policeman in Sight

There was no police force in colonial Boston, Massachusetts. Sheriff Greenleaf had eight deputies to serve a summons and keep peace in the courts. When 500 or more colonists, in response to oppressive government regulations, rioted and decided to tar and feather Crown tax collectors, customs commissioners, or Tory merchants, the loyalists had only defense…flight. In 1768, King George III responded to this lawlessness and dispatched his army for the first time to police his subjects, rather than confront a foreign enemy. The following is an excerpt from my first novel, Snug Harbor Tavern: Shaggin’ for a Shillin’, which can be found at https://history1776.com.

Big Bessie Clump glared over the rim of her tankard of ale, as she watched the parade of soldiers marching down King Street. Sitting across from her at the window table at the Bunch of Grapes, Amanda Griffith held her chin in her bunched-up fists. Both were clad in mobcaps and scullery clothes, in stark contrast to the bright red coats, chalk white breeches and black hats of those marching by with military precision.

            Leading the vanguard of the Fourteenth and Twenty-ninth regiments were the fife and drum corps. Comprised of black musicians clad in bright yellow uniforms, they created a mysticism and precision to the procession that instilled both fear and awe in the few inhabitants watching the parade on the fringe of King Street. The music, combined with the glistening bayonets, and the intermittent barked orders of the sergeant majors to the seemingly endless ranks of redcoats, was intended to inform the populace that the king meant business and that no violation of civil law would be tolerated. The two leading regiments were followed by a portion of the Fifty-ninth and a train of artillery.

Sadly, many American cities today are defunding their police forces. Think about it.