148 RIOTERS MARCH ON PHILADELPHIA. [1764, Feb. 



society of Friends.^ The plan was nevertheless 

 sustained ; and Franklin, with three other citizens 

 of character and influence, set out for German- 

 town. The rioters received them with marks of 

 respect ; and, after a long conference, the leaders 

 of the mob were so far wrought upon as to give 

 over their hostile designs, the futility of which 

 was now sufiiciently apparent.^ An assurance was 

 given, on the part of the government, that their 

 complaints should have a hearing ; and safety was 

 guarantied to those of their number who should 

 enter the city as their representatives and advo- 

 cates. For this purpose, Matthew Smith and 

 James Gibson were appointed by the general 

 voice; and two papers, a "Declaration" and a 

 " Remonstrance," were drawn up, addressed to the 

 governor and Assembly. With this assurance that 

 their cause should be represented, the rioters sig- 

 nified their willingness to return home, glad to 

 escape so easily from an affair which had begun to 

 threaten worse consequences. 



Towards evening, the commissioners, returning 

 to the city, reported the success of their negotia- 

 tions. Upon this, the citizen soldiers were convened 

 in front of the court house, and addressed by a 

 member of the council. He thanked them for 

 their zeal, and assured them there was no farther 

 occasion for their services ; since the Paxton men, 



1 This statement is made in "The Quaker Unmasked," and other 

 Presbyterian pamphlets of the day ; and the Quakers, in their elaborate 

 replies to these publications, do not attempt to deny the fact. 



2 Sparks, Writings of Franklin, VII. 293. 



