As the Bearer, Mr. Wigton, goes this day to Philadelphia on his own private business, we think, it highly expedient by him, to inform your Excellency and Council of the present situation of this County.

In our last, we informed that the People in general, were s pirited and seem’d determined to do all in their power to silence the lawless Banditti who committed the Riot of taking Col. Pickering. In this we have to inform that we were not deceived. The Militia under the Command of the Sheriff repaired near to the place where the Rioters were posted, and after the scheme was agreed upon in which they were to be attacked, Capt. Ross with a party of twelve or fourteen began his march and just after day light appeared the next morning, met the Rioters, gave them Battle and oblig’d them to leave the ground. In the attack Capt. Ross behaved with much intrepidity and Calmness, but had the misfortune of receiving a wound through his arm and another through his body. However we are happy to find them not mortal. By appearances we have much assurance that he will soon recover, as yet we have no certain intelligence that more than one of the Rioters are wounded, However it is to be believed that there are more, how many we cannot tell.

After this small engagement the Militia soon returned. The places of the Rioters resort is so situated, that after mature deliberation it was concluded a smaller body of Men would much better effect their reduction. Their number does not exceed eighteen and it is generally thought and indeed reported that many of them are much dissatisfied with the imprudence of their conduct, and some of them have left the County. Col. Pickering, by the remainder of them is still detained, but we have some expectation that he will be released by them in the course of the week. The fathers of most of the Rioters we have inclose custody. Some or all of them have advis’d to the nefarious plan, and afforded comfort to the Rioters since their appearance in arms, for which proceeding we think their liberty ought to be restrained. They appear to be much affected with their confinement, and seem willing to acknowledge that they have been embarked in a most glaring enterprize. All possible pains are taken to transmit intelligence to their Children to release Col. Pickering. But whether they will do it or not immediately we cannot say. Measures to oblige them to it are now concerting, and will, the latter end of this week be carried into execution. A number of Men are preparing themselves to steal a march upon them and should the Rioters get no information of it (which we imagine they will not no doubt but they will fall into our hands.

Whatever accounts may be given your Excellency and Council of the inactivity of the People of the County we are confident they will gain no ground of belief, when we inform every thing practicable to be done has not been omitted. The militia have done their duty with chearfulness and stand ready for the second Toure. On the whole, it is probable, and almost morally certain, that we shall disperse the Rioters if not captivate them in a very short time. In the fulest belief of this, we beg leave to subscribe ourselves your Excellency’s most obedient and very humble servants,