| Citation |
CC-H.774.006
25 Jan-1 Feb 1774:31 (475)
Salem, Jan. 25. Last week four men belonging to Marblehead
were suspected by some circumstances in their behaviour, of
having a design of attempting to steal a quantity of
cloathing from the Essex hospital; they were accordingly
watched, and on Wednesday night last, on their return from
the island, were pursued and taken. [6 lines] Their persons
being secured till the next day, Thursday, a large body of
mobility assembled; when it was determined, by a great
majority, that the mode of punishment should be tarring and
feathering. In consequence of this determination the most
extraordinary exhibition of its kind, ever seen in North-
America, was drawn forth to public view. The procession
formed, on Thursday morning, at the town house in
Marblehead. The four objects of resentment were placed in a
cart, facing each other having been previously tarred and
feathered in the modern way. A fifer and one drummer were
placed in the front of the carriage, which, according to the
computation of some persons, was preceded by one thousand
people chiefly dressed in uniform, among whom were four
drummers.
In this manner they marched from Marblehead to Salem, four
miles and a half and entered the town about 12 o'clock.
There forming a junction with a numerous body the
inhabitants, they paraded through the principal streets,
with drums beating, a fife playing and a large white flag
flying from the cart. . . [11 lines]
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