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Quote#Politics & Power

If you, or Colonel Dalrymple under you, have the power to remove one…

Quote bySamuel Adams · 1722–1803

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Address to acting governor Thomas Hutchinson (6 March 1770), the day following the Boston Massacre. Hutchinson had offered to remove one of the two British regiments stationed in Boston..

English (original)

If you, or Colonel Dalrymple under you, have the power to remove one regiment you have the power to remove both. It is at your peril if you refuse. The meeting is composed of three thousand people. They have become impatient. A thousand men are already arrived from the neighborhood, and the whole country is in motion. Night is approaching. An immediate answer is expected. Both regiments or none!

— Samuel Adams

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