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Commonwealth Museum   Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin
Commonwealth Museum Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin

Arrival of the Customs Commissioners

Boston had been selected as the home base of British customs officials in North America. Five arrived on Pope's Day, in November, 1767.

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"In the mean time we must depend on the favor of the leaders of the Mob of our protection."  

– British Customs Officials Calling For Repeal Of The Townshend Acts Or SendIng Troops To Boston

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A Much Too Warm Welcome
Pope's Day commemorated Guy Fawkes Day in England when a plot by Catholic dissidents to blow up Parliament was foiled. In Boston, street gangs fought for supremacy on that night. Although the event was toned down after the death of a child in 1764, it remained raucous enough. One commissioner observed "twenty Devils, Popes, and Pretenders," being carried through the streets. Ominously some participants held signs reading "Liberty & Property and No Commissioners."

HMS Romney
On May 17, 1768 the arrival of the 50 gun man of war Romney marked the beginning of British military involvement. Tasked with the suppression of smuggling, the Romney also impressed seamen from vessels entering the harbor for service in the British Navy. Some sea captains began to avoid Boston Harbor, further damaging the local economy. Protests against impressment heightened tensions.

After many decades of service HMS Romney ran aground and broke up of the Dutch Coast in 1804.
After many decades of service HMS Romney ran aground and broke up of the Dutch Coast in 1804. 
- NATIONAL MARTIME MUSEUM
Seizure of John Hancock 's Ship liberty. Thomas Hutchinson reports:
Seizure of John Hancock 's Ship liberty. Thomas Hutchinson reports: "Officers of the Customs seized the Sloop Liberty ... and ordered her from the Warf where she lay [to the side} of the Romney."  
- Massachusetts Archives
Snubbed: Lt. Governor Thomas Hutchinson reports, “The Town of Boston has refused to give the use of their Hall for a public dinner unless it was stipulated that the Commissioners have not been invited… An affront of the same nature at the motion of Mr. Hancock was offered by a company of Cadets.” August, 1768
Snubbed: Lt. Governor Thomas Hutchinson reports, “The Town of Boston has refused to give the use of their Hall for a public dinner unless it was stipulated that the Commissioners have not been invited… An affront of the same nature at the motion of Mr. Hancock was offered by a company of Cadets.” August, 1768
- Massachusetts Archives

Seizure of the Liberty
 Seizure of the Liberty In June, 1768 John Hancock's ship Liberty was seized for customs violations and towed to a position next to the Romney. A crowd gathered and many attacked the collector of the port, Joseph Harrison, and his son. Proceeding to Harrison's home, they broke windows and john Hancock dragged Harrison's "fine sailing pleasure boat" through the streets of Boston before burning it at the Liberty Tree. Harrison took refuge on Castle Island. A few days later he sailed to England.


Published in 1768, these verses celebrate Pope Night in Boston. The image depicts revelers in costume. Some participants would soon begin to harass British customs officials

Published in 1768. . . 

john Hancock.

John Hancock . . .