160 



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! Immedi- 

 ately upon hearing this, the Mob to the numbers of 4 

 or 500, arming themselves with Clubs, Sticks of Wood, 

 etc., and while it was yet Day Light, made a most furious 

 attack upon the Gaol. They first burst open the Doors 

 and broke most of the lower windows in that Part of the 

 Building which is the Prison Keeper's Dwelling, and 

 then with Iron Crows, Axes, etc., they soon beat their 

 way through four of the Prison Doors, each of which 

 was very strong and well secured with many large Locks. 

 Thus, having got into two Apartments of the Prison, in 

 less than 10 Minutes from the first Onset, they carried off 

 the above mentioned two Prisoners in Triumph to Mar- 

 blehead." 



On Monday, Feb. 28, the High Sheriff of the County 

 (Richard Saltonstall, who had advertised a reward for the 

 apprehension of the jail-breakers) gave orders to his 

 deputy in Salem to command the Inhabitants to meet in 

 School Street (now Washington, north of Essex Street) 

 at 9 o'clock the next Morning, with Arms and Ammu- 

 nition according to Law, to assist the High Sheriff in the 

 Execution of his Office. 



"In Pursuance of this Order, several Hundred were 

 commanded to appear. This Body, when assembled, 

 was to march to Marblehead and assist the Sheriff in 



