 On June 10, 1768, customs officials seized "Liberty", a sloop owned by leading Boston merchant John Hancock, on allegations that the ship had been involved in smuggling.Bostonians were already angry because the captain of "Romney" had been impressing local sailors; they began to riot, and customs officials fled to Castle William for protection.Given the unstable state of affairs in Massachusetts, Hillsborough instructed General Thomas Gage, Commander-in-Chief, North America, to send "such Force as You shall think necessary to Boston", and the first of four British Army regiments began disembarking in Boston on October 1, 1768.