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prosecution of his claim. All this will be carefully
weighed by you.

The plaintiff's counsel have carefully designated the
several parts of the evidence which they deem to affect
the defendants respectively. If you determine that the
plaintiff is entitled to a verdict, you will consider
whether it shall be against all or only some of the de-
fendants, and will discriminate accordingly.

There is another point which it is my duty to notice, as it is controlled by the settled rules of law. This being an action for a 1ort, the damages cannot be severed. If you deem the plaintiff entitled to damages, you will ascertain how much the most culpable of the defendants ought to pay, and assess that amount against all whom you may hold to be guilty. If you find that there is no cause for action, your verdict will be generally for the

defendants.

VERDICT-For the defendants.

PHILADELPHIA college oF PHYSICIANS.

Its early opinions respecting Ardent Spirits,
As part of the history of Temperance Reform, and
serving to show the opinions held even at that time by
many estimable and learned physicians, we publish the
following extract from the minutes of the College of
Physicians of Philadelphia, for which we are indebted
to its present Secretary, Dr. Bond.-Journal of Health.
On the 4th of September, 1787, it was resolved by
the College of Physicians that a committee be appoint-
ed, consisting of Doctors Jones, Rush and Griffitts, "to
draw up a petition to the Assembly of this Common-
wealth, [Pennsylvania,] setting forth the pernicious ef-
fects of Spirituous Liquors upon the human body, and
praying that such a law may be passed as shall tend to
diminish their consumption."

On the 6th of November, this committee made a re-
port which was adopted, as follows, the following mem-
bers being present:

Doctors John Redman, President; John Johns, William Shippen, Jr., Adam Kuhn, Benjamin Rush, Tho. mas Parke, George Glentworth, James Hutchinson, Benjamin Duffield, Nathan Dorsey, Samuel P. Griffitts, Benjamin Say, John Carson, William Currie, William W. Smith, John R. B. Rodgers.

heat or cold, are to be removed with much more safety and certainty by the use of cider or malt liquors.

Your memorialists, therefore, pray, that your Honourable House would take the facts herein stated, into their serious consideration, and as the guardians of the health and lives no less than of the liberties and morals of their constituents, that they would enact such a law, for the checking the improper use of distilled spirituous liquors, as to their wisdom and humanity may seem proper."

On the 7th of December, 1790, the college appointed a committee consisting of Doctors Jones, Rush, and Parke to draught an address to "be presented to the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States, praying them to take speedy and effectual means to discourage as much as possible the importation and use of distilled spirituous liquors," On the 27th of the same month the following Address was adopted and ordered to be presented.

"To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in Congress Assembled,

The Memorial of the College of Physicians of the city of Philadelphia respectfully sheweth,

tion of a national government, which has established That they have seen with great pleasure the operaorder in the United States.

They rejoice to find amongst the powers, which be long to this government, that of restraining, by certain duties, the consumption of distilled spirits in our country. It belongs more peculiarly to men of other professions to enumerate the pernicious effects of these liquors upon morals and manners. Your memorialists will only remark, that a great proportion of the most obstinate, painful, and mortal disorders, which affect the human body, are produced by distilled spirits-that they are not only destructive to health and life, but that they impair the faculties of the mind, and thereby tend equally to dishonour our character as a nation, and to degrade our species as intelligent beings.

Your memorialists have no doubt, that the rumor of a plague, or any other pestilential disorder, which might sweep away thousands of their fellow citizens, would produce the most vigorous and effectual measures in our government to prevent or subdue it.

Your memorialists can see no just cause why the more certain and extensive ravages of distilled spirits upon human life should not be guarded against with corres"To the Honourable the Legislature of the State of ponding vigilance and exertions by the present rulers of

Pennsylvania:

The Memorial of the College of Physicians of the city of Philadelphia, respectfully sheweth,That

your memorialists have seen with great concern the numerous evils which have followed the intemperate use of distilled spirituous liquors in the State of Pennsylvania. They decline taking notice of the baneful effects of these liquors upon property and morals, and beg leave to confine this memorial to their influence upon the health and lives of their fellow citizens, and the population of their country.

That among the numerous diseases which are produced by the use of distilled spirituous liquors, they would only mention, the dropsy, epilepsy, palsy, apoplexy, melancholy, and madness; which too seldom yield to the power of medicine.

That where distilled spirituous liquors do not produce these terrible and obstinate diseases, they generally impair the strength of the body, so as to lessen its ability to undergo that labour, either in degree or duration, which it is capable of without them.

That the prevailing ideas of the necessity and advantages of using distilled spirituous liquors to obviate the injurious effects of extreme heat or cold upon the human body, are altogether without foundation, and that they increase the evils, which they are taken to remove. That the inconvenience arising from excessive labour,

the United States.

Your memorialists beg leave to add further, that the habitual use of distilled spirits, in any case whatever, is wholly unnecessary-that they neither fortify the body against the morbid effects of heat or cold, nor render labour more easy, nor more productive-and that there are many articles of diet and drink, which are not only safe and perfectly salutary, but preferable to distilled spirits for each of the above purposes.

Your memorialists have beheld with regret the feeble influence of reason and religion in restraining the evils, which they have enumerated. They centre their hopes, therefore, of an effectual remedy for them in the wisdom and power of the United States; and in behalf of the interests of humanity, to which their profession is closely allied, they thus publicly intreat the Congress, by their obligations to protect the lives of their constituents, and by their regard to the character of our nation, and to the rank of our species in the scale of beings, to impose such heavy duties upon all distilled spirits as shall be effectual to restrain their intemperate use in our country.'

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Members present at the adoption of this address:

Doctors John Redman, President, John Jones, Vice President, Robert Harris, Nicholas B. Waters, Thomas Parke, William Currie, Benjamin S. Barton, Nathan Dorsey, Benjamin Rush, Michael Leib, William W. Smith, Adam Kuhn, Samuel P. Griffitts, Secretaries.

From the Philadelphia Gazette.
PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCILS.

Thursday evening, May 23, 1833. SELECT COUNCIL.-The annexed communication from the Treasurer of the Girard fund, was received, and referred to the committee of accounts to audit,

To the President and Members of the Select and Common Councils.

Gentlemen-The Watering Committee respectfully report, that since submitting their annual statements to Councils, they have received petitions to have Iron pipes laid down in various parts of the city-the petitioners agreeing to take out permits for the water, as soon as

To the President and Members of the Select and Com-pipes shall be furnished, and will pay a rent equal to the

mon Councils.

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Gentlemen,-By the 16th section of the Ordinance for the management of the Girard Estates, enacted on the 31st January, 1833, it is ordained "That a Standing Committee of Accounts consisting of three members of each Council, shall be chosen annually by ballot, of each Council, at a stated meeting of Councils in October, who shall examine quarterly or oftener, if they shall deem it necessary, the Treasurer's accounts, comparing the actual receipts and expenditures with the Entries and Exhibits thereof, &c. and report the same to Councils."

This ordinance having been passed in January last, no regular election will take place for the Standing Committee of accounts until October next, I therefore beg leave to request that Councils will appoint a Spe. cial Committee to audit my accounts for the last quarter, ending on the 31st of March, and for the two succeeding quarters.

With much respect, your very ob't. servant.
BRITAIN COOPER,

Treasurer.

Mr. McCredy, presented the following petition, which was referred to the Committee on Rittenhouse Square. To the Select and Common Councils of the city of Philadelphia.

interest; and they further remark, the improvements of the petitioners, protection in case of fire, and the general comfort and convenience of the citizens, would seem to require a compliance with their desires. They have also been requested by the Commissioners of the district of Spring Garden, forthwith, to pave and curb Coates street from Fair Mount to the river Schuylkill. The committee submit the annexed resolution, authorizing contracts to be made for pipes, &c. and for the payment of the same.

Very respectfully,

JOHN P. WETHERILL, Chairman of the Watering Committee. Resolved, That the Watering Committee be, and they are hereby authorised and requested forthwith, to contract for Iron Pipes, and for the paving and curbing of Coates street, in front of the city property, at Fair Mount, together, not to exceed in amount the sum of Fifteen Thousand dollars, and the Mayor is hereby authorised to draw his warrant on the City Treasurer, for the above amount, and charge the same to appropriation

No. 16.

Mr. Massey, presented the following petition of Hazall Thomas, which was referred to the Commisioners of the Girard estate.

To the President and Members of the Select and Common Councils of the City of Philadelphia.

The memorial of the subscribers respectfully repreThe memorial of the subscriber, respectfully shewsents, That they are the owners and occupiers of pro. eth, That Richard Sparks, by his will dated 14th Januaperty situated near the south west (or Rittenhouse) ry, 1715-6, devised "100 feet of the back end of (his) Square. The said Square has for many years been a lot on the south side of High street, in Philadelphia, for place of deposit for the manure collected in the streets a burying place for the use of the people or society callof the city. This manure is composed of the garbage ed the Seventh-day Baptists." The lot thus devised is and vegetable offal of the city, which when collected in that which fronts on Fifth street between Market and heaps and exposed to the action of the warm rains and Chesnut, immediately north of a house formerly the the sun's rays in summer, emits a most offensive, and as property of Mr. Girard, and now under his will belong. your memorialists believe,a very noxious effluvium,which ing to the City of Philadelphia. The devise above reoperates on the health of the surrounding inhabitants cited went into effect: and burials took place in that greatly to their prejudice. As evidence of the truth of ground. The Society referred to were incorporated by this remark, we state as a fact that no spot in or around the Legislature of Pennsylvania, in 1787, with power the city has suffered more severely by fall and bilious to take all lands therefore devised to their use. An fevers than the neighbourhood of this square: thus con- ejectment was brought by the Society in the Supreme verting what was intended by the philanthropic founder Court in the year 1803, (or thereabouts) against James of our city as the means of health and recreation, into Simmons who then owned the house above referred to, a nursery of disease and death to the surrounding inha- and under whose title has been devised to Mr. Girard. bitants. Moreover, the public school of over one hun- In this ejectment a verdict and judgment passed for the dred children, the improvements now in progress in the plaintiff: and Mr. Simmons subsequently occupied the neighbourhood of the square as, well as those in contem- lot permissively and as the agent of the society. Mr. plation so soon as they can be made in safety, and a hope Girard in his lifetime under some claim not understood of their being soon occupied, all call loudly for a change by your memorialist, enclosed great part of this lot with of deposit for the filth which has so long annoyed the a solid brick wall. The north end of it was then occusurrounding poor industrious inhabitants. Your memo- pied, under the society, by a house or engine company rialists believe that a place might be procured at a trifling-who subsequently removed their building. Mr. Giexpense south of the city and quite as convenient, where rard then took in that portion also, and enclosed it in the manure might be disposed of with equal advantage like manner-and the Society are thus excluded. to the city.

For the foregoing reasons and many others which might be advanced, your memorialists request that another place of deposit for the said manure may be procured, and that Rittenhouse Square may be levelled and converted to the uses for which it was originally in

tended.

Mr. J. P. Wetherill as Chairman of the Watering Committee, offered the annexed report and resolution, which were adopted.

Your memorialist now holds the legal title by a deed from the Society, and for the purpose of the original devise, and conceives the possession taken by Mr. Girard to be illegal. It is his duty to assert the rights of the Society: but, believing that the City of Philadelphia will not persevere in the assertion of a wrong, (if they can be satisfied that it is so) respectfully invites the attention of the Councils to the subject of this memorial: prays them to cause their title to be investigated, and asks of them a surrender of the possession-or their con

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currence in an effort to obtain an early legal adjudica-
tion of the right.

All of which is respectfully submitted, by

HAZAL THOMAS.

Mr. Lippincott, called up for consideration a resolution of the Common Council, relative to the reorganization of the City Police, which was concurred in, and Messrs. Lippincott, Neff and Eyre, were appointed the

committee.

COMMON COUNCIL-Mr. Chandler offered a resolution relative to the appointing of referees for settling the affairs of the Bank of the late Stephen Girard, which was adopted by the Common Council, but was referred to the committee of the whole in the Select Council.

Mr. Gilder offered the following resolution, which was adopted.

Resolved, That at their first sta ed meeting in June next, Councils will elect a Superintendent of the build. ing of the Girard College for Orphans.

Mr. Lapsley called up for consideration the report and resolution of the committee on Markets, relating to a western market house, made the 8th of April last; and Mr. Merrick moved to postpone the resolution for the purpose of offering the following as a substitute, which was agreed to.

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Resolved, That the Committee on Markets be instructed to inquire and report on the xpediency of purchasing a lot of ground suitable for a western market, Mr. Huston offered the annexed resolution.

Resolved, That a committee of three members from each Council be appointed, to make arrangements for a proper expression of respect by the city authorities to the President of the United States, on his arrival in Philadelphia-and tender to him the Hall of Independence, in which to receive his fellow citizens who may be desir ous of waiting upon him during his continuance in this city:

When Mr. Joseph B. Smith moved to postpone the resolution until next October, which was lost; the resolution was adopted—and Messrs. Houston, R. Toland, Merrick, Worrell, Neff and Lippincott, were appointed the committee.

PAXTON BOYS.

We are indebted to a correspondent for the following letter, which he says, he found "among some old family papers, and was written by one of his ancestors." It contains an amusing account of the excited feelings of our citizens, in consequence of the serious affair, to which it alludes, and shows how readily, under such circumstances, a whole community can be alarmed even by imaginary danger.

Many families are no doubt in possession of correspondence which details numerous incidents and facts, recorded in this familiar manner, at the time, and under the feelings of the moment, which, though they are not always to be relied upon, as furnishing the best evidence in all cases, are still the truest criterion of the belief, by which the conduct at the time is influenced. It is therefore desirable to possess as much of this kind of testimony as possible, as it is generally entertaining, and of ten throws light upon facts, which would otherwise ap. pear inexplicable-we would therefore repeat the request frequently made, to be furnished with documents of this nature for the Register, which is, perhaps, the most appropriate depository for them, that can be adopted.

PHILADELPHIA, February 29th, 1764.

Old Friend,-When I last wrote, I did not intend to take up the pen again till I should hear from thee, but an event has happened of so extraordinary a nature, and which at present makes so great a noise here, that thought a particular relation of it, might not be unacceptable. I am convinced you will have various accounts concerning the matter, some favourable to one side, and some to the other; therefore, I shall endeavour, as far as lies in my power, to give as exact a representation of the whole affair, as possible.

In my last, I informed thee, that a number of Indians had been brought down from the Moravian settlement upon our frontier, and placed by the Government upon the Province Island, where they were to remain till a peace could be effected with those Indians that were then at war with us, or till such time as we were able to subdue them; it is true some persons belonging to this tribe were suspected of being concerned in the murder of the inhabitants, but as no sufficient proof appeared, and as some of them were known to be well affected, and had done us confidential services, it was judged not only just, but likewise consistent with the maxims of prudence and good policy, to invite them down, and take them under our protection; esp cially as they had requested it, and voluntarily offered to deliver up their arms, as a security for their good behaviour, and a testi. mony of their having no ill intentions against us.

Besides this tribe, there was another, consisting of about twenty persons, men, women and children, who have lived for many years upon a small tract of land granted to them by the proprietors, in the manor of Conestogo. These poor natives, from their peaceable and quiet behaviour, (having never been concerned in any hostilities against us) were looked upon by the legislature as proper objects of their regard, and were accordingly taken under their protection as well as the others; but with this difference, that they were suffered to remain in their own habitations, where, as they were not allowed the liberty of hunting, they spent their time in making of baskets and brooms, which they sold to the white people for a subsistence.

Whilst these precautions were taking here, in order to prevent the innocent from falling with the guilty, Sir William Johnson was employed on the frontiers of New York, in conciliating the affections of the six nations, who for some unknown cause, appeared to be wavering with respect to the part they should act on the present occasion. It seems by the accounts we have received, that Sir William's negotiation was likely to be attended with all the success that could be wished, five of the confederated tribes seemed sincerely desirous of renew. ing their ancient friendship and part of the Senecas (the only tribe actually in arms) had been brought over by showing them how inconsistent their conduct was with the dictates of good policy, as the English were now possessed of almost all North America; these, together with others of different nations, engaged to pursuade or compel the remaining part to sue for peace.

*See Vol. VI. pp. 297, 358. VII. p. 255 and IX pp. Indeed Indian affairs in general wore a favourable as pect; our back settlements had not been disturbed, nor

114, 144.

VOL. XII.

off the Indians into the Jerseys, in case any attempt of that sort should be made. A correspondence was also settled with several persons of note, in different parts of the province, who engaged to give the speediest notice of the motions of these "children of Promise or Saints Militant." In the mean time the Highlanders being arrived here on their way to New York, in order to embark for their native country, it was thought proper, in order to quiet the minds of the people, and to prevent the government from being insulted to send the Indians under their care to that city, from whence they were to proceed to Sir William John on, to be disposed of as he should judge most for the interest of the Colonies But, as the wisest men, and the greatest politicians, are sometimes liable to mistakes, it so happened, that no request was made to the Governor of York to grant them a pas

had any murders been committed from the month of make any opposition. Expresses, however, were disOctober; all was calm and quiet, and the conversation patched to this city,jaforming us of what had happened, of the people in general, began to turn upon other sub- and at the same time, letting us know that a large body of jects-but in the month of January, part of the inhabi- them intended to come down and destroy the Indians tants of Paxton township, together with others from upon the Island. Many of the inhabitants were greatly the west side of Susquehanna, who had lost, or pre- alarmed at this intelligence, and orders were given to protended to have lost, some of their friends and relationsvide a number of flats to be ready at the Island, to carry by the Indians, took it into their heads (as they had been out upon several scouts, in which they had destroyed some wigwams, and a few acres of Indian corn without killing any enemies,) that they would attack the Indians upon the manor of Conestogo; accordingly one morning about day break, they came upon this village, and with the most savage fury, destroyed every person in it. Luckily the greatest part of them happened to be abroad, and so soon as they heard of it, flew to the town || of Lancaster, where they were received in the most friendly manner, consoled for their losses, and in order to secure them against any further danger, put into the work house. This being done, the Sheriff and several others were sent out to bury the dead, who, when they arrived at the place, found the bodies most shockingly mangled, and the houses burnt to the ground. The heroes who had performed this exploit immediately dis-sage through his territories. Accordingly, when they persed themselves; part of them were met by Tommy Wright, who suspecting what they had been about, told them he had supposed they had just returned from kill ing the Indians upon the manor? They replied, what if they had? Why, says he, if you have, you have done a very base action, for they were under the protection of the government. No government, answered they, has a right to protect heathen. Joshua was ordered to drive the heathen out of the land. Do you believe the scripture? if you do not, we have nothing to say to you, and so left him. I mention this short conversation to give thee an idea of the principles of those who were engaged in this holy war, and who were determined to fulfil the command given to Joshua with the most scrupulous exactness.

came to Elizabethtown or Amboy, they received his orders to proceed no further, for that he would not receive them. Their directors were now at a loss what to do, to send them forward they could not, to bring them back was dangerous-in this state of suspense they remained not long,. for General Gage interposed in their behalf, and ordered Captain Schlosser with upwards of a hundred Royal Americans to conduct the Indians back to Philadelphia, and guard them till the spring. The Captain accordingly brought them back again, and lodged them in the barracks, that they might be more immediately under the care of the soldiery, and more readily assisted than they could possibly be if they were sent down to the Island.

Whilst they were upon their march through the Jerseys, faction and clamour seemed to subside, but no sooner was it, known that they were returned, than the spirit of discord began to operate afresh. At first, only a little murmering was heard, then they began to threaten, so that it became dangerous for a person inany of the back counties to speak his mind with freedom. Nay, so far did they proceed, that letters to and from this city to Lancaster, were obliged to be sent (it is said) unsubscribed, for a practice was made of opening them, and communicating their contents to the disaffected. At last, on the fourth of this month, we re

Scarce had they time to give thanks for this signal victory, but down they came again in a considerable body, part of them, supposed to be about fifty, entered the town of Lancaster, well armed, rode up to Slough's tavern, turned their horses into the yard, asked where the Indians were, ran to the work house, demanded the keys of the keeper with threats, opened the door, and almost in an instant, shot and tomahawked every one of them. Neither the mother nor the tender infant that hung at the breast, was spared, though on her knees she begged for mercy, all where alike the objects of their ruthless vengeance, which being satisfied for the pre-ceived certain intelligence that a considerable body of sent, they returned to their horses and rode off.

Whether this butchery could have been prevented, I cannot take upon myself to determine. There was at the time a company of Highlanders in the town, and it is said, the officer who commanded them put himself in the way of the magistrates, in expectation of receiving orders for that purpose. On the other hand, they say, it was but twelve minutes from the time the Paxtoneers entered the town, till all was over, in which case, con. sidering the general consternation, it seemed too late to

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them were coming down with arms to destroy every Indian they could meet with. The Governor immediately upon this, ordered the Sheriff and his officers to summon the inhabitants to meet in the afternoon at the State House. A vast concourse accordingly assembled, when it was proposed that they should enter into an association to defend the government, for it was imagined that killing the Indians, was not the only motive of this hostile insurrection. Several persons entered their names directly, and notwithstanding it rained heavily,

any judgment was to be formed from countenances and behaviour, those who depended upon them for defence and protection, would have found their confidence

went and equipped themselves with the implements of
war, and marched up to the barracks, where they contin-
ued under arms with the soldiers all night. Our old friend,
the Parson, and a few more belonging to the same pea-shockingly misplaced.
ceable society, were of the number. The Governor
was also there with several other gentlemen.

In the morning the weather proving fair, (though ve-
ry cold) a number of carpenters were hired, who, by
Captain Schlosser's direction, built a redoubt, in the
centre of the parade, at the barracks, and fortified the
gateways with angles of thick plank, which had spaces
left between for the soldiers to fire through. Several
pieces of cannon were likewise hauled up and the best
preparations were made that the time would admit of.
Notwithstanding these warlike measures, the govern-
ment was still unwilling to proceed to extremity. They
thought it best to try the milder methods of pursuasion
first, and therefore sent the Reverend G-t T-t with
two or three more pious divines of the same order, to
convince them if possible, by the force of reason and
argument, or by the apposition of texts of scripture, that
they were in error, and to prevail upon them to return
home. Perhaps some people may be inclined to cen-
sure this step, when they consider that a proclamation
had been published, offering a reward of two hundred
pounds for apprehending any of the parties concerned
in the murder of the Indians at Lancaster, and that the
riot act had been extended to this province a few days
before.

The number of persons in arms that morning was about six hundred, and as it was expected the insurgents would attempt to cross at the middle or upper ferry, orders were sent to bring the boats to this side, and to take away the ropes. Couriers were now seen continually coming in, their horses all of a foam, and people running with the greatest eagerness to ask them where the enemy were, and what were their numbers. The answers to these questions were various, sometimes they were at a distance, then near at hand-sometimes they were a thousand strong, then five hundred, then fifteen hundred; in short, all was doubt and uncertainty.

About eleven o'clock it was recollected the boat at the Sweed's ford was not secured, which, in the present case, was of the utmost consequence; for, as there was a considerable freshet in the Schuylkill, the securring that boat would oblige them to march some distance up the river, and thereby retard the execution of their scheme at least a day or two longer. Several persons therefore set off immediately to get it performed; but they had not been gone long, before there was a general uproar-they are coming! they are coming! Where? Where? down Second street! down Second street! Such of the company as had grounded their fire-locks, flew to arms, and began to prime; the artillery-men threw themselves into order, and the people ran to get out of the way, for a troop of armed men, on horseback, appeared in reality coming down the street, and one of the artillery-men was just going to apply the fatal match, when a person, perceiving the mistake, clapped his hat upon the touch hole of the piece he was

quence, had the cannon discharged; for the men that appeared, proved to be a company of German butchers and porters, under the command of Captain Hoffman. They had just collected themselves, and being unsuspicious of danger, had neglected to give notice of their coming;-a false alarm was now called out, and all became quiet again in a few minutes.

The day passing over, and no enemy appearing, nor any intelligence of their motions, we began to hope that the rumor was without foundation. (For my own part I went to bed as free from any apprehensions of danger as ever I did in my life, and slept very soundly till after midnight, when all of a sudden I was alarmed by the ringing of the bells. I listened to know the cause, (being loath to get out of bed as I had a bad cold) ex-going to fire. Dreadful would have been the consepecting fit was fire, but no cry, no rattling of engines was to be heard; I then laid myself down with a resolution to go to sleep again, when one of the neighbours thundered at the door, and called to us to put out the lights for the Paxton Boys were coming. Up I jumped immediately, whipped on my clothes, and ran to the door, which I had no sooner opened, than I heard the old militia drums with solemn dubb beating to arms, and saw the inhabitants running from all quarters to obey the summons. By sunrise they had got themselves officers, and brought forth those ensigns which were once displayed with such terror in the glorious battle of the New Market. The remains of the old artillery company were likewise mustered, and two pieces of cannon brought out of the magazine and stationed before the court house. All business was now suspended, the shops and stores were close shut, and every person seemed anxious to know what would be the issue of all this tumult.

Before I proceed further it may not be amiss to in. form thee that a great number of the inhabitants here approved of killing the Indians, and declared that they would not offer to oppose the Paxtoneers, unless they attacked the citizens, that is to say, themselves-for, if

In the afternoon we received intelligence that those who were sent to the Sweed's ford, arrived too late, for the Paxtoneers had actually crossed the river, and were got as far as Germantown, where they proposed to take up their quarters for the night. Several persons went from town to view them, and from the best accounts that could be obtained, their numbers did not exceed two hundred; but they pretended that the whole were not come in. This formidable body of forces consisted, principally of a set of fellows, dressed in blanket coats and mocassins, like our Indian traders, or back-country wagoners they were armed with rifles and tomahawks, and some of them had a brace of pistols besides. Few of them were men of any property, but had been hired or persuaded to the undertaking, by persons, whose views and designs may, perhaps, in time, be disclosed, although at present we can only guess at them.

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