| Citation |
EG.774.003
18-25 Jan 1774:1033 (6/287)
Salem, January 25. [Report on men caught stealing clothes
from the Essex Hospital.]
Their persons being secured till the next day, Thursday, a
large body of mobility assembled; when it was determined, by
a majority, that the mode of punishment should be tarring
and feathering.-- In consequence of this determination, the
most extraordinary exhibition of the 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 previously been 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, 4 1/2 miles, and entered the town about 12 o'clock.
Here, forming a junction with a numerous body of the
inhabitants, they paraded through the principal streets,
with drums beating, a fife playing, and a large white flag
flying from the cart, which, with the exquisitely droll and
grotesque appearance of the four tarred and feathered
objects of derision, exhibited a very laughable and truly
comic scene. They went out of town before one o'clock, and
returned to Marblehead, where they dispersed.
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