Massachusetts Convention of Towns | |
|---|---|
 | |
| History | |
| Founded | 09/22/1768 |
| Disbanded | 09/28/1768 |
| Preceded by | Massachusetts General Assembly (disbanded) |
| Succeeded by | Massachusetts Provincial Congress |
| Leadership | |
Chairman | |
| Meeting place | |
| Faneuil Hall | |
The Massachusetts Convention of Towns (September 22–29, 1768) was an extralegal assembly held in Boston in response to the news that British troops would soon be arriving to crack down on anti-British rioting. Delegates from 96 Massachusetts towns gathered in Faneuil Hall to discuss their options. The more militant faction, led by James Otis Jr., Samuel Adams, and John Hancock, wanted to organize an armed resistance. The more conservative faction, led by convention chairman Thomas Cushing, preferred to lodge a written complaint. The conservatives won out, and the delegates endorsed a series of mild resolutions before disbanding.