288 AUTHENTIC HISTORY 



Other reasons could be advanced but Council will from what has 

 already been said be able to determine on the matter. 



I could wish in the present critical moment of affairs to conclude and 

 give Council as little trouble as possible. But necessity as well as duty 

 obliges me to demand a further indulgence and give Council a short 

 narrative of an unhappy affair which happened on the 19th instant be- 

 tween the Guards and Colonel Moylar's Dragoons. It appears one of 

 the Dragoons for some offence which he had committed was put into the 

 Goal-house; a rescue by the Dragoons was agreed on; they accordingly 

 assembled armed with Pistols and swords, marched to the Barracks and 

 one more daring than the rest stepped up to the sentinel who previously 

 desired him not to advance or he would put him to death ; this however 

 had no effect, he (the Dragoon) first cocking and presenting his loaded 

 Pistol attempted to seize the sentinel's arms who instantly fired and 

 killed him ; the deceased's Pistol in his falling went off also and wounded 

 one of the militia men in tlie thigh. 



This gave alarm to the Town and the Horse finding their situation 

 rather precarious made off to their respective quarters. Ever since this 

 affair the Inhabitants have been kept in continual alarm on account 

 of the threats and behaviour of the dragoons who swear vengeance 

 against the militia and particularly the sentinel who like a good soldier 

 did his duty on his post (an inquest was held on the body of the de- 

 ceased). He, for his security, has kept in the Guard-house ever since ; 

 they have threatned to force the Guards and seize him, indeed last 

 evening (12 o'clock,) some attempts were made but the activity of the 

 out-Sentinel, after Hailing some men who were coming towards him, 

 and receiving impertinent language, fired, and this day, though it is 

 not yet clearly found out we are informed one of the Horsemen was 

 shot thro' the arm. I have called on the Commanding ofl&cer of the 

 Horse and requested he with his ofiicers should exert themselves in 

 putting a stop to this affair, every step by them is taken I believe to 

 find out the leaders and have them punished; the magistrates meet 

 this afternoon for the same purpose; my aid and assistance shall not be 

 wanting, but the insult offered Government and the continual alarm 

 the Inhabitants are kept in has determined me to give the most pointed 

 orders to the Guard, and I have no reason to doubt but they will do 

 their duty. 



I have in consequence of the resolution of Council stopping the Collect- 

 ing of fines unless from those people who choee to pay State money at 

 the rate of 75 for one, stopped the Collectors from collecting the late fines 

 until your further orders which should be glad to hear of as soon as 

 possible. We meet with difficulty in Drawing candles, paper, &c., for 

 the Guards which they cannot possibly do without, from quartermaster ; 



