Notwithstanding the hour of ten had been named in the Notification through which the assembled farmers had thus met, it was nearly noon before any attempt to organize a Meeting was made -- probably, some whose presence was desired and expected, had not arrived; probably, those leaders of the movement who were present were, meanwhile, " comparing notes," and arranging plans of action, and enjoying that social glass, frequently renewed, of which their Chairman subsequently made mention, unwittingly ; most probably, the superior numbers of those who were known to be opposed to them, whose strength of numbers was being constantly increased, warned the ambitious Lord of the Manor of Morrisania and his adherents that "the "better part of Valor is -- Discretion."

About twelve o'clock, however, those who favored the Morrises and the proposed election of Deputies appear to have quietly and noiselessly left the Tavern, passed over the old post-road, and re assembled in the Courthouse; organized a Meeting; and appointed Colonel Lewis Morris, its Chairman. It was done quietly, if it was not done secretly : it was done quietly, without inviting any others than those of their own faction, to assemble with them : it was done quietly and in a manner which clearly indicated that something else than an untrammeled and unbiased expression of the will of all those who were present -- carrying with it, also, the assumed acquiescence of all those who were not present -- concerning the Morrises and the questions which were propounded in the Notification, was chiefly desired, and must be procured, "by fair means or by foul :" most evidently, it was done, quietly, with an inclination and a hope that it might accomplish all the purposes of