In 1770, people accused in criminal cases were not allowed to testify at their own trials. For this reason, the jurors did not have the opportunity to hear Preston make a statement or answer questions. They might, however, have heard about, or even read, Preston's account made on March 13, 1770, a week after the events took place. Here are excerpts from that account. Captain Preston's Statement On Monday night [March 5] at about 8 o'clock two soldiers were attacked and beat. . . . About 9 some of the guard came to and informed me the town inhabitants were assembling to attack the troops. . . . The mob . . . [were] striking their clubs or bludgeons one against another, and calling out, "Come on you rascals, you bloody backs, you lobster scoundrels, fire if you dare." . . . At this time I was between the soldiers and the mob . . . endeavoring all in my power to persuade them to retire peaceably, but to no purpose. They advanced to the points of the bayonets, struck some of them and even the muzzles of the pieces [guns]. . . . On which some well-behaved persons asked me if the guns were charged. I replied "Yes." They then asked me if I intended to order the men to fire. I answered "No, by no means," observing to them that I was advanced before the muzzles of the men's pieces, and must fall a sacrifice if they fired. . . . While I was thus speaking, one of the soldiers having received a severe blow with a stick stepped a little to one side and instantly fired . . . . On this a general attack was made on the men by a great number of heavy clubs and snowballs . . . some persons at the same time. . . . calling out, "D____ your bloods why don't you fire." Instantly three or four of the soldiers fired. . . . On my asking the soldiers why they fired without orders, they said they heard the word fire and supposed it came from me. This might be the case as many of the mob called out "Fire, fire," but I assured the men that I gave no such order; that my words were, "Don't fire, stop your firing."