350 APPEISTDIX E. 



The weather now clearing, the City forces drew up near the Court 

 House, where a speech was made to them, informing them that matters 

 had been misrepresented, — that the Paxtoneeis were a set of very worlliy 

 men (or something to that purpose) who labored imder great distress, — 

 that Messrs. Smith, «S:c., were come (by their own authority) as reiiresen- 

 tatives, from several counties, to lay their complaints before the Legisla- 

 ture, and that the reason for their arming themselves was for fear of teing 

 molested or abused. By whom? Why, by the peaceable citizens of 

 Pliiladelphia ! Ha ! ha ! ha ! Who can help laughing 1 The harangue 

 concluded with thanks for the trouble and expense they had been at 

 (about nothing), and each retired to their several homes. The next day, 

 when all was quiet, and nobody dreamed of any furtlier disturbance, we 

 were alarmed again. The report now was, that the Paxtoneers had broke 

 the Treaty, and were just entering the city. It is incredible to think with 

 what alacrity the people flew to arms ; in one quarter of au hour near a 

 thousand ot them were assembled, with a determination to bring the affair 

 to a conclusion immediately, and not to suffer themselves to be harassed 

 as they had been several days past. If the whole body of the enemy had 

 come in, as was expected, the engagement would have been a bloody one, 

 for the citizens were exasperated almost to madness ; but happily those 

 that appeared did not exceed thirty, (the rest having gone homewards), 

 and as they behaved with decency, they were suffered to pass without 

 opposition. Thus the storm blew over, and the Inhabitants dispersed 

 themselves. . . . 



The Pennsylvania Gazette, usually a faithful chronicler of the events 

 of the day, preserves a discreet silence on the subject of the Paxton riots, 

 and contains no other notice of them than the following condensed 

 statement : — 



On Saturday last, the City was alarmed with the News of Great Num- 

 bers of armed Men, from the Frontiers, being on the several Roads, and 

 moving towards Philadelphia. As their designs were unknown, and there 

 were various Reports concerning them, it was thought prudent to put the 

 City in some Posture of Defence against any Outrages tliat might ^vossibly 

 be intended. The Inhabitants being accordingly called upon by the Gov- 

 ernor, great numbers of them entered into an Association, and took Arms 

 for the Support of Government, and Maintenance of good Order. 



Six Companies of Foot, one of Artillery, and two Troops of Horse, 

 were formed, and paraded, to which, it is said, some Thousands, who did 

 not appear, were prepared to join themselves, in case any attempt should 

 be made against tlie Town. The Barracks also, where the Indians are 

 lodged, under Protection of the regular Troops, were put into a good 

 Posture of Defence ; several Works being thrown up about them, and 

 eight Pieces of Cannon planted there. 



The Insurgents, it seems, intended to rendezvous at Germantown ; but 

 the Precautions taken at the several Ferries over Schuylkill impeded 

 their Junction ; and those who assembled there, being made acquainted 

 with the Force raised to oppose them, listened to the reasonable Dis- 



