| Citation |
VGW(RI.774.025
14 Apr 1774:22 (414)
A Boston paper, dated March 6, says: Last Friday
se'ennight, in the forenoon, Mr. Brown, of Salem, deputy
sheriff, went on board a fishing vessel at Marblehead, and
arrested John Watts and John Guillard, in an action of
damages for 3000 L. commenced by the gentlemen who were
proprietors of the late Essex hospital, on suspicion that
the said two persons were concerned in burning that building
on the 26th of January last. The prisoners were committed
to his Majesty's gaol, in Salem, about two o'clock, P.M.
Almost as soon as the keys were turned upon them, the people
began, in small companies, to enter the town from
Marblehead, and continued coming over in this manner till
near night, rendezvousing near the gaol. The magistrates
were busy in consulting upon measures for preserving the
peace, and for dispersing the people who were assembling
from Marblehead, from whence a still greater number was
expected after dark. About sunset, on application to the
colonel of the militia, the drums were ordered out, and beat
to arms. Immediately upon hearing this, the mob, to the
number of four or five hundred, arming themselves with
clubs, sticks of wood &c. and while it was yet daylight,
make a most furious attach upon the gaol. . . [13 lines,
broke it open, freed the two, got charges dismissed.]
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