_tOl€)

Q16

the alarm bells, which I fuppofed “'15 for fire as ufual, but was foon untieceived. About nine fome of theguard came to and informed me, the town inhabitants were af- iicmbling to attack the troops, and that the bells were ringing as the iignal for that purpofe, and not for fire, and the beacon intended to be fired to bring in the diflant people of the country. This, as l was Captain of the day, occafioned my repairing immediately to the main guard. In my way there I (aw the

people in great commotion, and

heard them ulie the molt cruel and horrid threats againfl the troops. In a few minutes after I reached the guard, about an hundred people paiTed it, and went towards the Cultom Houfe, where the King’s money is lodged. They imme- diately furrounded the centinel polled there, and with clubs and other weapons threatened to exe- cute their vengeance on him. I was foon informed by a townfman, their intention was to carry oflr‘ the foldier from his poft, and probably murder him. On which I defired him to return for further intelli- gence; and he foon came back and alliured me, he heard the mob de- clare they would murder him. This I feared might be a prelude to their plundering the King’s cheft. I intmediately fent a non~com~ miiiioned ollicer and twelve men to protect both the centinel and the King’s money, and very foon fol- lowed myiielf, to prevent (if poll'- all diiiorder; fearing left the olficer and foldiery, by the infults and} provocations of the rioters, iltotrlti be throvrn oil" their guard ant. commit Tome ralh act. They {tum rulhed through the people, and, by charging their bayonet: in

ANNUAL REGISTER, 1770.

half circle, kept them at a little dillance. Nay, f0 far was I from intending the death of any perfon, that I fufFered the troops to go to the (pot where the unhappy afFair took place, without any loading in their pieces, nor did I ever give orders for loading them. This re- mifs conduct in me perhaps merits cenfure ; yet it is evidence, refult- ing from the nature of things, which is the bell; and furefl that can be offered, that my intention was not to a8: ollenfively, but the con- trary part, and that not without compulfion. The mob fiill increa- fed, and were more outrageous, ilriking their clubs or bludgeons one againit another, and calling out, ‘ Come on, you Rafcals, you ‘ bloody Backs, you Lobiter Scoun- ‘ drels ; fire if you dare, G-damn ‘ you, fire and be damn’d; we know ‘ you dare not;’ and much more fuch language was ufed. At this time I was between the foldiers and the mob, parleying with and en¢ deavouring all in my power to per- fuade them to retire peaceably ; but to no purpofe. They advanced to the points of the bayonets, {truck forne of them, and even the muz- bzles of the pieces, and feemed to be endeavouring to clofe with the foldiers. On which fome well-be- haved perlons alkhd me if the guns were charged; I replied, yes. They then aflted me ifI intended to order the men to fire ; I anfwercd no, by no means ; obferving to them, that I was advanced before the muzzle: of the men’s pieces, and mull fall

a facrifice if they fired; that the gfoldiers were upon the half-cock

and charged bayonets, and m] giving the word fire, on thofe cir- cumilances, would prove me no ollicer. While l was thus (peaking,

one