The unhappy Disturbances, which for some Time past have subsisted in this County, have of late risen to such an alarming Height, that, disagreeable as the Task is to men of Feeling, we conceive ourselves under the necessity, from the Duty we owe the Public, as Conservators of the Peace, of laying a true State of Facts before your Excellency and the Honorable Supreme Executive Council.

The first Day of March Sessions now past, a number of Men armed with Bludgeons came rioutously into the Town, and brought with them an Effigy which they called and intended for Col. Canan, a Member of your Honourable Board. The Court was sitting, Messrs Philips and Henderson, two of the bench went to the upper End of the town, met them, and pointed out the evil Consequences of such outrageious Proceedings. They however proceeded, and marched down the Allegany Street, with their Image, shouting repeatedly, untill they came to the House in which the Court sat. There they made such a noise as rendered it impossible to proceed with Business. After several warnings to desist, or go to some other Place, the Sheriff was ordered to take and commit one who appeared the most clamorous.—He was rescued by others. A Riot ensued for some time—But no Injury was received.—A Bill of Indictment for Rescue and Riot was found against the Principals, but could not then be tried.

In pursuance of Notices, for that Purpose given by the County Lieutenant; Colonel Canan’s Batallion of Militia assembled in a Field in Hart’s Log Settlement—After falling into the Ranks, an objection was made to mustering under Col. Canan and Major Spencer who have been in Commission above two years.—It was now alledged that Col. Woods, now a Member of your Honorable Board, then Lieutenant of Bedford County, in which the said Bataillion was at that time, had held an unfair Election, and procured such men to be returned as pleased himself.—The Lieutenant was violently assaulted and received severe Blows from several People as did a Gentleman who interfered with a Desire to protect him and to preserve order. This matter however soon was at an End.—A person assuming command, or being previously appointed for that Purpose, ordered that “Those who had any Objections to serve under the present Field Officers should draw off by themselves.”—Above one third of the Batallion marched from the Ranks and drew up in Front of the Remainder. It must however be observed that several of Those deluded People were totally ignorant of what they were about; and some others accompanied them thro’ Fear. The Lieutenant and Field Officers, finding that no Muster Roll could be called, and that their further Stay was unnecessary, attended by the greatest Number of the well inclined quitted the field and retired to their Homes.—Application was made some Days after to Mr. Smith to issue warrants against three of the principal Rioters. They were served soon after. They submitted to the Constable and went with him before Thomas McCune, Esquire, one of the Justices of this County. He took no further Cognizance of the matter than entering Bail to the Constable for their Appearance before Mr. Smith in five Days—During this time, they, by amasing Diligence collected a large Body of Men. On the day appointed the Prisoners were brought before Mr. Smith by the Constable. His Office was instantly filled. They refused to give Security—nay pressed to be commited, and threatened him should he refuse.—Aware of their Designs, having no proper and sufficient Prison as yet erected, knowing the Strength which was soon to follow them, and unwilling to give a Pretence for their committing those Outrages to which they seemed but too much inclined, He thought himself justifiable in refusing their Request—He informed them of the uncomfortable Situation of the Goal, which is but a Block House; that as two of them were Men of Landed Property, and the Court was to meet in eight Days, He could trust to themselves. More especially as Mr. McCune had already bailed them from the Constable.—Finding him determined not to commit them, one, whom he since discovered to have a large Cutlass concealed under his Coat, insulted him grosly and threatened him violently.—It was impossible to do any thing in this Situation—They left the Office. About one o’clock above ninety Men came into the Town, near Sixty of them with Rifles and Muskets—the Remainder with Clubs, Scalping Knifes and Tomahawks concealed under their Coats—They marched down the Main or Alleghany Street to the Lower End of the Town, then up St. Clair Street to Hill Street, up that Street to the Middle of the Town—and formed in a Circle on the Diamond or Court House Square—Mr. Smith was then called into the Centre and commanded to tear the Warrants which had been returned to him—This he refused to do—But, as they were in his Pocket, not having had time to dispose of them otherwise, he delivered them to one of the Leaders—A man, who had previously presented a Rifle three times to his breast, but was prevented by some others from perpetrating his wicked Designs came from the Ranks and tore the Warrants, throwing some Parts of them at him and saying “See now what it is to be Magistrate.”—The Clerk was now ordered to bring the Indictment which at the last Sessions was found against some Rioters—He did—it was destroyed. Mr. Smith left the Field and met Mr. Henderson who had just returned from a Visit—They went together into the house in which the Court is held—A number of armed men came and ordered the Clerk to bring the Sessions Docket—They obliterated the obnoxious Parts.—Soon after Messrs Smith and Henderson having received Intelligence that some Mischief was intended them, agreed to separate—Mr. Hendersons Horse being privately brought by a friend he rode down the river—Mr. Smith retired to a House occupied by a family who had lately come to the Place, where it was not suspected he had an Acquaintance. Several Houses were searched for them, their own repeatedly.—The Sheriff and his Friend Mr. McMutrie who had assisted him on the Field at the Review, had left Home the Day before, or Death or something worse would have been the Consequence to them. Two Constables were obliged to leave their Homes and hide to save their Lives.—After marching thro’ the Streets, firing in the Air, and thro’ Signs they marched out of the Town.

Thus ended this unhappy Affair—However Threats are repeatedly sent intimating an other Visit. The Sheriff dare not go into the Country to serve any writs, and all kinds of Business seems at a stand.

We have now stated to your Excellency the Particulars of our present alarming Situation—Without the Interposition of Government we cannot preserve order—Whatever Order your Honorable Board may think proper to take. We shall have the Satisfaction of acquitting our Consciences and having as far as in our Power discharged our Duty.

We have the Honor to be with the greatest Respect your Excellency’s most obedient Servants