To Nathan Dennisen (unpublished)
In Council, October 10th, 1787.
Instructions to the Honorable Nathan Dennisen, Esquire.

On consideration of the letter communicated by you, which you received from sundry of the persons principally concerned in the late riot in the county of Luzerne, upon the apprehending of John Franklin, representing that the same was committed in the heat of passion, occasioned by the supposition that he was carried off illegally, without the authority of any regular writ or warrant; and that being now better informed, they were sorry for their misconduct in that affair, and determined to submit quietly to the operation of the laws, hoping this their offence might be passed over: The Council, ever desirous to promote and establish peace and good order in that county, and giving credit to the aforesaid declaration of the offenders, do hereby authorize you to assure them that if they hereafter behave orderly, as good citizens of the State of Pennsylvania, no prosecution shall be commenced against them on account of their said irregular and criminal conduct, but you are at the same time to acquaint them that the Government, having already taken every measure for securing to the settlers the future quiet possession of their lands, are now determined to carry into execution the laws of the State, to the full extent of its boundaries, and purpose to send immediately into that county a force sufficient to support the public officers in the discharge of their respective functions against all opposers, who, if they persist in their evil practices, are to expect no further favor.

B. Franklin, President.

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