On this day 250 years ago in Boston, John Andrews wrote to his brother-in-law William Barrell in Philadelphia:

Last evening a number of drunken Officers attacked the town house watch between eleven and 12 o’clock, when the assistance of the New Boston watch was call’d, and a general battle ensued ; some wounded on both sides. A party from the main guard was brought up with their Captain together with another party from the Governor’s. Had it not been for the prudence of two Officers that were sober, the Captain of the Main Guard would have acted a second Tragedy to the 5th March, as he was much disguis’d with Liquor and would have order’d the guard to fire on the watch had he not been restrain’d. . . .

This afternoon there was a general squabble between the Butchers in the market and a number of Soldiers. It first began by a Soldier’s tripping up the heals of a fisherman who was walking through the market with a piece of beef in his hands. A guard from the 47th Barracks appear’d and carried off the Soldiers, together with one butcher who was most active, the Officer taking him by the Collar. He was able to have crush’d the officer, but was advis’d to lie quiet. Young Ned Gray insisted on it that he should not he carried into the guard house, upon which many hard words pass’d between him and the Captain of the Guard. However Gray prevail’d, and they carried the man into Miss Foster’s store close by the barracks, from whence the Officer dismiss’d him after finding upon deliberation that his conduct was not
justifiable — and seem’d to he much afraid least the Butcher should take advantage of him by Law or complaint.

Source: Andrews Letters available at https://archive.org/stream/lettersofjohnand00andr/lettersofjohnand00andr_djvu.txt referenced entry reprinted in Commager at 30-31

On that same day a British officer recorded in his diary the British view of the riot on the night of the 20th:

Last night in King Street there was a riot in consequence of an officer having been insulted by the watchmen, which has frequently happened, as those people suppose from their employment that they may do it with impunity; the contrary, however, they experienced last night. A number of officers as well as townsmen were assembled, and in consequence of the watch having brandished their hooks and other weapons, several officers drew their swords and wounds were given on both sides, some officers slightly; one of the watch lost a nose, another a thumb, besides many others by the points of swords but less conspicuous than those above mentioned.

Both sources confirm that there was bloodshed in fighting between Americans and British soldiers on the night of the 20th even though they disagreed on who started the riot.

Source: “Diary of a British Officer” available at https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3278509&seq=45, referenced entry reprinted in Commager at 36.

Also on that day 250 years ago in Braintree (now Quincy), Massachusetts wrote a letter to a friend in London explaining:

The Congress consisted of the representatives of twelve colonies. Three millions of free white people were there represented. Many of the members were gentlemen of ample fortunes and eminent abilities. Neither corruption nor intrigue had any share, I believe, in their elections to this service, and in their proceedings you may see the sense, the temper and principles of America, and which she will support and defend, ever by force of arms, if no other means will do.”

The state of this province is a great curiosity: I wish the pen of some able historian may transmit it to posterity. Four hundred thousand people are in a state of nature, and yet as still and peaceable at present as ever they were when government was in full vigour. We have neither legislators nor magistrates, nor executive officers. We have no officers but military ones. Of these we have a multitude chosen by the people, and exercising them with more authority and spirit than ever any did who had commissions from a Governor.

The town of Boston is a spectacle worthy of the attention of a deity, suffering amazing distress, yet determined to endure as much as human nature can, rather than betray America and posterity. General Gage’s army is sickly, and extremely addicted to desertion. What would they be if things were brought to extremities? Do you think such an army would march through our woods and thickets, and country villages, to cut the throats of honest people contending for liberty?

The neighbouring colonies of New-Hampshire, Rhode-Island, and Connecticut, are arming and training themselves with great spirit, and if they must be driven to the last appeal, devoutly praying for the protection of heaven.

“From John Adams to a Friend in London, 21 January 1775,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/06-02-02-0071. [Original source: The Adams Papers, Papers of John Adams, vol. 2, December 1773 – April 1775, ed. Robert J. Taylor. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1977, pp. 214–216.] retrieved at https://founders.archives.gov/?q=%2221%20January%201775%22&s=1111311111&sa=&r=1&sr=

You can visit today the house where John and Abigail Adams wrote many of the letters cited in this blog: https://www.nps.gov/adam/index.htm