| Citation |
NHG-P.774.004
28 Jan 1774:32 (901)
Salem, January 23. 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 last, on their return
from the island, were pursued and taken. It appeared that
they had picked up a quantity of cloathing, near the
hospital, that was put out for airing: But, on their return
to the town, finding themselves pursued by several boats,
threw a considerable part of it overboard. These 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 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 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 4
drummers. In this manner they marched Marblehead to Salem,
four & half 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, & a large white flat
flying from the cart, which, with the exquisitely drest 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 1 o'clock, &
returned to Marblehead, where they dispersed.
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