Reading Time: 3 minutes [363 words]

WILLIAM WEMMS AND SEVEN OTHERS. 495

the evil disposition and abusive behavior of many of the sol-
diers toward them; and the most peaceable among them had
found it necessary to arm themselves with heavy walking
sticks, as weapons of defense when they went abroad. This
was the occasion of ihe appearance of sticks in the hands of
many of the citizens, as haa been stated; and which was noth-
ing more than might have been expected on any other night.

In order to draw this affair to one point of view, you will
eonsider the account given you of the affray at the ropewalks,
at four or five different times, a few days before, in some of
which three of the prisoners at the bar were present; and
which began in consequence of abuse from one of the
soldiers, and before the unseemly answer was given by
& workman, one of the citizens of the town. The testi-
mony of Col. H., a magistrate, and several others, goes
to show that the behavior of those soldiers was so
riotous, barbarous, wogoverned and ungovernable, as to
fill the minds of the inhabitants with alarming pros-
pects; which, when added to their conduct on the un-
happy evening, would naturally give rise to all that appear-
ance. There ean be no doubt, but that the collection of peo-
ple, which was seen that night, was occasioned by many dif-
ferent causes. It is in evidence, that it was a bright moon-
light evening; the pleasantness of which, increased by a new
fallen snow, induced many persona to be walking the streets’;
hearing of the outrages committed by the soldiers, they
stopped to see and inquire inte the matter. And some of
them might join those who had been abused, and make prepa-
ration to defend themselves, Such were those who had been
abused at the barracks, and ran down to Dock Square and
‘began to pull the legs from the butcher’s stalls, as testified
by some of the witnesses introduced by the counsel for the
prisoners, Great numbers were also brought by the cry of
fire and ringing of bells; which, it appeara, was repeated by
the soldiers as well as by some of the inhabitants, Upon this,
many came out of their houses with bags and buckets, as
weual in case of fire; and es they collected, saked where the

Related Posts