Doubtless your Excellency and the Hon. Council have heard of the disturbance in this place on the night of the second inst., caused by the taking of John Franklin (as now supposed) with a state warrant; with pain we should give a statement of all the circumstances, did we suppose your honors not informed thereof. Yet we conceive it now our duty to acquaint you with the state of this County. We have reason to suppose that various and shocking accounts of the late disorders in this county have arrived at Philadelphia, and while we lament the abuse offered to Colonel Montgomery by an individual, we can inform you that no other person has been hurt on the occasion, and that those persons who fell into the hands of the disturbers are liberated. The disaffected party dispersed the next day, regretting exceedingly their disorderly conduct. We believe they feel a degree [of] Compunction equal to the magnitude of their Crimes. This day we met the principal of that party who made the disturbance, upon their request by them, we were informed that they supposed the manner of taking Franklin was illegal, that those persons who seized him had formerly exercised cruelty in this settlement, and by the Report of a number of pistols, their intention was to take his life; We can assure your Excell’y and the Honorable Council that we are convinced of their penetence, and have reason to believe that in future the administration of law will not be interrupted in this County, that Elections will not be opposed and that they will demean themselves as peaceable citizens of this State. They have expressed to us their wishes that the Commissioners for ascertaining claims in this County would return for the Completion of their business again; we would inform your honors that we believe them sincere, and with them join in requesting that the said Commissioners would return and proceed in their business. Had we reason to doubt of the future submission to law and Civil government in this County, we should deviate far from our duty when we represent that the situation of this County at present is not such (in our opinion) as calls for the immediate exertions of a military force. Messrs. Wells & Bowman (the bearers of this letter) will be able to give an account of the particulars of our situation, Col. Pickering’s family, &c.
Those persons who assembled under arms upon Franklin’s being taken (and now disposed for peace, good order, and submission to Government) have in the most humble manner solicited us to represent their submission and orderly disposition to your Excellency and the Hon’ble Council, begging that Franklin’s person may be treated with as much tenderness as the nature of his charge will possibly admit, and if consistent with the laws and dignity of this State, that he be admitted to bail. We also join with them in this last request, observing that many people in this country, entirely submissive for Law and Gov’t, wish Franklin to be treated with as much lenity as will be consistent with his [position.] We have the honor of Being, Your Excellency’s humble servants,